Izzy Ross

Bellingham staffer asked ChatGPT to ‘exclude’ vendor from city contract Public records uncovered by Cascade PBS and KNKX show a city employee asking ChatGPT for help tipping the scales to ensure a preferred vendor would be awarded a contract.

The City of Bellingham is launching an independent investigation in response to public records uncovered by KNKX and @cascadepbs.org that show a city employee asking ChatGPT for help tipping the scales to ensure a preferred vendor would be awarded a large city contract last year.

first story for KNKX filed just in time

WA flooding among the 'most devastating' natural disasters in state history Gov. Bob Ferguson told Washingtonians to brace for a lengthy recovery, and announced $3.5 million in state assistance for short-term needs such as groceries and hotel stays.

Gov. Bob Ferguson announced $3.5 million in state assistance, which is meant to help families affected by the floods pay for things such as groceries and hotel stays.

There is a Flash Flood warning from the National Weather Service in Seattle. People living in Tukwila and Kent along the Green River need to evacuate immediately. There is a failure of the Green River levee. Get to higher ground as soon as possible. This is a life threatening situation.

Flooding impacts tens of thousands as Washington requests federal assistance Unprecedented flooding is driving tens of thousands of people from their homes. Local authorities are sharing resources, and the state is asking for federal aid.

Washington's congressional delegation is urging the Trump administration to move quickly to approve the state's request for help responding to the storm system currently wreaking havoc on the state.

Makah Tribe’s treaty-protected whaling rights remain blocked after more than 25 years Federal officials have not responded to the October deadline for the tribe’s permit for a traditional subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific gray whales.

Federal officials have not responded to the October deadline for the tribe’s permit for a traditional summer/fall subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific gray whales, covered by the Makahs’ 10-year waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

As SNAP funding confusion continues, a Seattle food bank’s tips on how to help North Helpline, which serves residents in North Seattle, shares how people can help food banks after funding for the federal food assistance ran out over the weekend.

North Helpline, which serves residents in North Seattle, shares how people can help food banks after funding for the federal food assistance ran out over the weekend. #snap #foodbanks #seattle

Washingtonians weigh the cost of ACA health insurance as price hikes loom Federal lawmakers continue to debate whether to extend tax credits driving down Affordable Care Act insurance costs. Without them, many Washingtonians may risk going uninsured.

Federal lawmakers continue to debate whether to extend tax credits driving down Affordable Care Act insurance costs. Without them, many Washingtonians may risk going uninsured.

Less than 20% of registered voters across WA had returned their ballots as of 5 p.m. Monday. That puts the state on track for record low turnout. Data shows returns lagging even in places with high-profile contests for offices like county executive and mayor. Voters can return ballots until 8 p.m.

Good morning, Washington voters! For your ballot to be counted, if you still have it, is to bring it to a drop box by 8 p.m. 🗳️

We will have some updates during our jazz programming tonight, after the first round of results is released. And we'll have more early results tomorrow morning on KNKX.

What to expect in Washington on Election Day 2025 - and how to tune in Voters in Washington will cast ballots for state and local offices and ballot measures in this off-year election.

Voters in Washington will cast ballots for state and local offices and ballot measures in this off-year election. Here are the key races and ballot measures we'll be watching:

Lynnwood Council candidates have big ideas for their fast-growing city Lynnwood is one of the region’s fastest-growing cities, and a second light rail station slated to open by the city’s Alderwood Mall promises further expansion.

Housing is being built quickly in Lynnwood, but the City Council candidates largely agree that more is needed. Prices are rising, and people are getting priced out. Whoever voters choose in this election will help determine how the city moves forward.

Two years after a wildfire took everything, Maui homeowners are facing a new threat: Foreclosure A Native Hawaiian mother’s fight to keep her family in Lāhainā despite soaring costs, mortgage limbo, and land-hungry investors eager to own a piece of Hawaiʻi.

Two years after a wildfire took everything, Maui homeowners are facing a new threat: Foreclosure.

grist.org/housing/two-...

#Maui #Hawaii #Wildfire #Homes #Housing

It's the first day of the fall fund drive and we want to meet our goal in just *one hour* so we can reduce interruptions and keep you connected on the news you need and the jazz you love. Best of all, every gift is matched! Help us speed through this drive with a gift now. www.knkx.org/donate

Olympia renovating Armory building to house local nonprofits The City of Olympia plans to reopen the building by 2027 and provide affordable rental space for eight nonprofit organizations.

The City of #Olympia plans to reopen the building by 2027 and provide affordable rental space for eight nonprofit organizations.

We got big project out today about Chicago’s lead pipes. The news is we mapped them all. The big idea is that Chicago residents are living through a public health crisis, and we wanted to help them visualize their place in it.
@grist.org @wbez.org @insideclimatenews.org @chicago.suntimes.com

another installment in the incredible Chicago lead series is up - from @juanpab.bsky.social @compatibilism.bsky.social @keertigopal.bsky.social et al. Clear, revelatory reporting + tools for people living there to find out more and get tests.

(@grist.org @insideclimatenews.org @wbez.org)

Disaster 101: Your guide to extreme weather preparation, relief, and recovery From packing an emergency kit to navigating FEMA aid to finding legal services and mental health resources, this is a comprehensive guide to surviving and coping with natural disasters.

And @grist.org just published a guide for disaster preparedness:

How severe weather alerts work in northern Michigan After the deadly floods in Texas, a National Weather Service meteorologist explains how northern Michiganders get warnings and alerts when bad weather strikes our region.

A warning coordination meteorologist in Gaylord walked us through some of the basics of weather alerts in MI (for @iprnews.bsky.social and @grist.org)

Extreme Heat 101: Your guide to staying safe and keeping cool Advice on keeping kids, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers healthy and happy in a heat emergency.

Please share. You could save a life! 🥰

Extreme Heat 101🥵: Your guide to staying safe and keeping cool
Advice on keeping kids, neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers healthy and happy in a heat emergency.

grist.org/extreme-heat...

#Heat #Health #Wellness #Midwest #Climate #Weather #Environment

A guide to the federal review of the Line 5 tunnel The review is a major step toward a permitting decision on the controversial proposal to build a tunnel underneath the Straits of Mackinac. The last day for the public to comment is June 30.

Public comment ends June 30 for the Army Corps’ draft environmental review of the Line 5 tunnel. (teamed up with the incredible Teresa Homsi for this brief overview @iprnews.bsky.social / WCMU / @grist.org )

Climate Solutions Week: Onward For the final day of the week we have a question about hope.

And a final post this week (for @iprnews.bsky.social/@grist.org during CSW @npr.org):

Trump plan to shut down chemical safety watchdog could mean ‘more explosions, more deaths’ in Cancer Alley - Verite News New Orleans The proposed closure of the Chemical Safety Board follows several other moves by the Trump administration to slash EPA staffing levels and ease federal health and safety regulations.

The Trump administration has quietly proposed closing the Chemical Safety Board.

“Closing the CSB will mean more accidents at chemical plants, more explosions and more deaths,” a former board member said.

veritenews.org/2025/06/13/t...

Climate Solutions Week: Geothermal Today, we explore whether geothermal energy is under consideration as a possible way for Michigan to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The short answer, our expert says, is: Yes ... in a way.

Moving right along, a listener wrote in asking about a source of energy right under our feet:

Climate Solutions Week: The ice storm We can't go through a week "Rethinking Home" without talking about the ice storm and the grid.

We couldn’t go through a week ‘rethinking home’ without talking about the ice storm that hit northern MI this spring — and what it means for the grid. for @iprnews.bsky.social / @grist.org (during @npr.org CSW)

Climate Solutions Week: Local zoning We tackle everyone's favorite topics: local government and zoning. We talk about some resources for how to approach energy projects.

We’re back on day 2 with a look at everyone’s favorite topic: local zoning (for @iprnews.bsky.social / @grist.org during @npr.org climate week)

Climate Solutions Week: Utilities Today we have a question about what's getting in the way of municipal utilities doing more around climate.

The first of this week’s listener qs about energy, climate and how it fits into our lives for @iprnews.bsky.social / @grist.org (running on local airwaves during @npr.org climate solutions week)

Smoke expected to lift in northern Michigan, but more could be on the way This is the latest in a series of intense wildfire seasons in Canada — and smoky springs and summers in the Midwest.

It’s the latest in a series of smoky springs/summers here brought on by wildfires in Canada (this cover pic is from Traverse City in 2023).

'The sand had moved on': Sleeping Bear Dunes platform removed • Michigan Advance This coverage is made possible through a partnership between IPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.   The Sleeping Bear Dunes have been active systems for millennia, shifting wit...

A popular wooden viewing platform at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has been removed after winter storms, wind and rain had eroded the sand underneath.

“The sand had moved on,” said Superintendent Scott Tucker.

Story from @izzyjross.bsky.social w/ @iprnews.bsky.social

reposting for World Turtle Day 🐢. Read more about efforts to help turtles in northern Michigan during crossing season: