Whatcom County has implemented two new crisis response systems: the Alternative Response Team (ART) and the Sheriff Co-responder Team. These programs, introduced at the beginning of 2023, aim to enhance the handling mental health emergencies by involving behavioral health specialists. According to a study by the Treatment Advocacy Center, “People…
Category: Community News
Tenant Protections in Whatcom County
A Brief Look Into Rent Control, Assistance and Landlords by Sorrel Thoerner, Simon Shultis, and Ian Degnin. Renters in Whatcom County are collectively exhausted with the cost and quality of their rental units. Prices of units are on the rise and the quality of units is steadily decreasing. Rent control is…
ChatGPT: The AI That Took the World by Storm
Since ChatGPT’s release, it has gained global popularity, with around 100 million users using it monthly. Schools around the U.S. have implemented policies regarding using generative artificial intelligence tools for schoolwork. OpenAI released ChatGPT on Nov. 30, 2022, as a successor to InstructAI, their previous AI model. ChatGPT unlocks new…
Volunteers Aid Students in Their Goal to Learn English
By Nathan Welch and Miles Vander-Vennet An English-Language Learners class led by Catalina Hope ended in celebration, as students and ELL volunteers alike came together after the class successfully completed their English assessments for the quarter. During the class’s celebration, students spoke amongst their classmates, family members, and instructors, eating…
New Sculpture Arrives on Campus
Local Squamish artist James Harry oversaw the installation of his sculpture on Whatcom Community College’s campus this Monday, just outside of the Phyllis and Charles Self Learning Commons building. Titled “ININYAX’A7N” or “Thunderbird,” this sculpture was designed by Harry not only to bridge the gap between modern and Salish art,…
Modern unionization at Starbucks
As we watch the nationwide battle between corporate Starbucks and its employees, some people may be questioning the importance of unions and how America got to this point, again. Unions have been around for a long time to protect the rights of laborers and minimum-wage workers as they work to…
Exploring Youth Voter Turnout
Last November’s midterm elections saw one of the highest percentages of youth voters compared to past elections. 27% of those in the 18-29 age group voted in the 2022 midterms, which was the second highest after 2018’s 28%. However, it’s too soon to know the real results. “Analysts seem to…
Puppies vs Kittens: Which is the Ultimate Pet?
Choosing a pet can be tricky, especially when faced with the challenge of picking between a puppy or a kitten as a new addition to the family. Ultimately, when it comes to picking many factors help us make a decision, primarily our personal preference and lifestyle. Puppies: Puppies need social…
¿Hablas Espanol? Whatcom Museum is ready for you
The Whatcom Museum, an art and natural history museum in downtown Bellingham is displaying its exhibitions to a new audience. “One of the barriers for some people to come in is not being able to read or understand the labels,” said Christina Claassen, the museum’s marketing and public relations manager….
Bellingham Halloween Weekend Guide
The end of October is near and so starts the finale of the Halloween celebration. Bellingham will be hosting a number of Halloween-themed events for the community. On October 28th Bellingham Bells Annual Halloween party Swing by the Barkley Village Bellingham Bells store from 5-7 p.m. to participate in raffles,…