Uber Returns to BLI on June 15 + Upcoming this week

Happy Tuesday, Bellingham. It is June 9 and we have a big one before you head out: Uber is coming back to the airport. Plus a public safety update out of Lynden, WWU news on two fronts, and a fun recap from Birch Bay.

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Today's Weather Rain wrapping up this morning, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening. High near 64. Southwest winds 7 to 15 mph, 80% chance of precipitation. Full forecast at the National Weather Service.

Transportation

Uber Returns to Bellingham International Airport on June 15

Starting June 15, you can catch an Uber at Bellingham International Airport again. The Port of Bellingham announced the agreement this week, restoring rideshare service that has been unavailable since Uber left BLI back in May 2021, a gap of more than four years.

The service also covers the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Port Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone called it "an important step forward for both travelers and our community." The Port lowered its per-trip fee for rideshare companies from $3.50 to $3.00 after a market review of similarly sized airports. Good timing with cruise season underway.

Public Safety

Border Patrol Arrests Man With Prior DUI History Near Lynden

US Border Patrol Blaine Sector agents arrested a Mexican national near Lynden, WA. The individual had prior DUI arrests and is now awaiting removal proceedings, according to a post from the Blaine Sector. No additional details on location within Lynden or the arrest date were included in the public release.

Education

Six Fairhaven College Students Win $25,000 Each to Study Abroad This Fall

Six Fairhaven College Students Win $25,000 Each to Study Abroad This Fall

Six students from Western Washington University's Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies were awarded the David T. Mason Adventure Learning Grant: $25,000 each to spend 10 months abroad starting this fall. Recipients are heading to Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay, Japan, South Korea, Colombia, Chile, and French Polynesia, among other destinations. Full details at WWU.

Science

WWU Researcher Finds Clue to Why Some Dungeness Crab Moms Raise Tougher Offspring

WWU Researcher Finds Clue to Why Some Dungeness Crab Moms Raise Tougher Offspring

WWU Professor Brooke Love is using mass spectrometry to study Dungeness crab survival in high-CO2 waters. Some crab mothers consistently produce larvae that hold up well under ocean acidification. Others do not. Love's research, conducted in Bellingham and at WWU's Shannon Point Marine Center in Anacortes, found that matrilineal lineage, not location, is the key factor. Read the full story here. For a region that depends on Dungeness crab commercially and culturally, this one is worth watching.

Community

275 People Came to Birch Bay for the Biggest Day at the Beach Yet

275 People Came to Birch Bay for the Biggest Day at the Beach Yet

The 8th Annual Day at the Beach on May 30 at Birch Bay State Park drew about 275 attendees, the largest turnout in the event's history. Nine interactive booths, naturalist-led beach walks, free coffee, and lawn games. If you missed it, two more chances are coming up: What's The Point? on June 14 and the Annual Birch Bay July 5th Beach Cleanup right after the holiday weekend. Both are free.

Civic

Whatcom County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update: Virtual Meeting June 23

Whatcom County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update: Virtual Meeting June 23

Whatcom County is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan and wants public input before the June 23 virtual meeting at 6pm. The plan identifies hazards countywide and outlines how jurisdictions are working to reduce risk. The county's Emergency Operations Center is not currently activated. Sign up for local alerts at WhatcomReady. Full details here.

Small Business Spotlight

Cruise Season Is Here. Local Shops and Restaurants Are Ready.

Cruise Season Is Here. Local Shops and Restaurants Are Ready.

With Uber returning to the Bellingham Cruise Terminal on June 15, cruise passengers will have easy access to the rest of the city for the first time in four years. Each ship brings hundreds of passengers looking to eat, shop, and explore. If you run a business and want to be visible to visitors, make sure your Google Business profile is current. Browse local shops and services at Bellingham.org or check the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce for member listings.

The Upcoming Week

The Upcoming Week