Newsletter index / Bellingham
Inside Bellingham: October 8, 2026
6 separate stories from this newsletter.
Choose an individual story below. Each article retains its own topic and original source attribution.
Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Oct. 12
Join us for an evening of community, culture, and celebration. We’ll kick things off with dinner catered by Seawolf Surf n Turf, followed by a powerful program centered on the theme “Answering the Call of our Ancestors” and highlighting youth voices. We’ll close out the evening with singing, dancing, and a community drum group. All are welcome — families, students, and neighbors! Learn more on the WWU website .
Improving public spaces
Street and utility improvements continue around Bellingham as we replace aging infrastructure and make our streets safer and more reliable for everyone. Some projects are wrapping up, while others will bring temporary changes to how you get around. Here’s what to expect:
Mayor Lund shares City’s legal strategy on federal actions affecting Bellingham
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, Mayor Kim Lund spoke at an event hosted by Indivisible, describing how the City is partnering with other cities to respond to federal actions that affect local communities and services. The City has joined lawsuits as either a plaintiff or a friend-of-the-court filer, including challenges to National Guard deployments to cities that did not request them and to federal funding decisions affecting Planned Parenthood, SNAP, and other programs. Learn more on our Protecting the Rights and Dignity of All page .
City staff Housing Week events will cover hot topics, and a lot of “ground”
Whatcom Housing Week 2026 is just around the corner, and City staff are polishing their presentations and dusting off their sneakers in preparation. This year, the City team will facilitate everything from a Home Share Happy Hour event and a Middle Housing Walking Tour to a conversation about changes in housing regulations.
All Hands Whatcom Summit
Registration is open for the 2026 All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit happening Oct. 21–22. This year’s Summit, hosted by the Chuckanut Health Foundation, is focused on the moment our community is in, systems that are stretched thin, and the upcoming Medicaid cuts, impacts, and fallout. Everyone can attend to learn about local data, hear personal stories, and participate in creating action plans to support our community. Get more details and register on the Chuckanut Health Foundation’s website .
Bellingham Regional Fire Authority and Fire Benefit Charge Public Hearing
Calls for fire and emergency medical services have increased in Bellingham, and the cost to provide these services has also risen significantly. Forming a Regional Fire Authority (RFA) would secure new, dedicated funding for Fire and EMS and put millions of dollars back in the City’s budget to restore, maintain, and improve services the community relies on. Next week, the RFA Planning Committee is holding a public hearing where community members can learn about the proposed RFA plan and comment on the possible implementation of a fire benefit charge . Learn more on our event listing .
Read the public source
City of Bellingham news →Source publication: Oct 8, 2026
Source checked: Oct 18, 2026
Brief prepared: Oct 18, 2026
This index links to separate stories drawn from the original newsletter.