The Bellingham Herald

• Impact of state budget on local schools, WWU still unclear
  Even though some details of the state's 2009-11 operating budget are coming out of Olympia, Whatcom County education officials are still in the dark as to what they mean locally.
  Western Washington University officials don't know how much their budget will be reduced by, due to uncertainty about stimulus funding and other factors, but one thing is certain: tuition will increase next school year.
  The state budget, unless it's changed in conference, includes the ability for the Board of Trustees to raise tuition by up to 14 percent both next school year and the year after. According to documents released at a Board of Trustees meeting April 2, raising tuition by 14 percent would mean an extra $601 per year for students.

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• Opinion: Waterfront deal reached, FINALLY
  "It's about time."
  That's our reaction to news that leaders from the city of Bellingham and Port of Bellingham may have finally reached agreement on a waterfront redevelopment plan.
  Citizens of this community outlined what they want to see on the waterfront several years ago, through the Waterfront Futures Group. The citizen vision included shops, condos, water-related businesses and much more. In the time since, Western Washington University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also have been introduced as potential tenants for part of the property. Related: Mayor invites citizens to contribute to waterfront

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• Sculpture honors WWU Engineering Technology professor
  A retired professor credited with pioneering the plastics program at Western Washington University and praised for his dedication to his students was honored with a sculpture Friday, April 24.
  Kim David Hall, a Seattle artist and former student of Claude Hill, who retired in 1990, made the polymer sculpture. It was installed in the Ross Engineering Technology Building at WWU a few hours before the ceremony for Hill, a professor emeritus of Engineering Technology.
  "It's an honor to be here. Thank you for laying the foundation," Hall said, as Hill's former colleagues and students crowded into a hallway near the sculpture.

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• WWU to host lecture in spirituality
  Spirituality in its various forms will be the topic at a lecture Thursday, April 30, at Western Washington University.
  Mary S. Poplin, a professor of education at Claremont University, will present her lecture "What I've Learned from Wiccans and Mother Teresa" at 7 p.m. in Arntzen Hall, room 100. Poplin has spent her career studying world views and philosophies. In 1996, she went to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa and understand the nature of her work. The lecture is free and open to the community.

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• Despite winning its conference title, Western rowing falls out of #1 spot
  For the first time in over four years, Western Washington University's varsity eight is not ranked No.1 in the USRowing/Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association/NCAA Division II Poll released this week. The Vikings are rated No.2 with 26 points, two behind top-ranked Mercyhurst College PA. Western received two of the six first-place votes, with the Lakers getting four. Last week, Western and Mercyhurst were tied for No.1. The Vikings fell to No.2 despite a dominating performance in winning a fifth straight title last Saturday at the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Championships.

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• Downtown Bellingham rocks .. and other geological features
  Most people look at the Federal Building and see a large, nice-looking, old government structure. Dave Tucker of Bellingham looks at it and sees remnants of sea life from millions of years ago.
  Tucker is a citizen geologist in that he loves to share his love of geology with others, from public lectures to community field trips. He developed his downtown geology idea while he was a teaching assistant for Geology 101 students at Western. He realized that novices could learn just as much deciphering rocks downtown as they could on time-consuming treks to the backcountry.

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• Viking softball splits with St. Martin's
  Morgan Parkerson drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and Michelle Wrigley had a double and a triple and three runs scored as Western Washington University won the opener 8-5 over Saint Martin's University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference softball doubleheader Sunday at Saints Field.

Seattle Times

• Lawmakers headed to special session?
  State lawmakers ran out of time in their race to wrap up business by midnight Sunday, and Gov. Chris Gregoire said she may call a special legislation session to deal with the handful of bills remaining.