Charlotte Alden
@charlottealden.bsky.social
Reporter @cascadiadaily.com covering education and social issues in Northwest Washington. UBC graduate. @ubyssey.ca forever. 🇨🇦/🇺🇸
When I was combing through the 50 candidates running for school board in Whatcom and Skagit a few months ago, I noticed a name missing. Steve Jones, a Nooksack Valley School Board member for 36 years, wasn't running for reelection. I took the chance to speak with him about his long tenure:
After 36 years, pivotal school board member focuses on what’s best for students | Cascadia Daily News
Nooksack Valley’s Steve Jones praised for selfless service as his term ends in December
www.cascadiadaily.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:30 PM
When I was combing through the 50 candidates running for school board in Whatcom and Skagit a few months ago, I noticed a name missing. Steve Jones, a Nooksack Valley School Board member for 36 years, wasn't running for reelection. I took the chance to speak with him about his long tenure:
School bus drivers are often underrecognized, but play an essential role in students' access to education. My colleague @santi8a.bsky.social and I spent some time with a Lynden school bus driver last month, for a story spotlighting drivers and discussing some of the challenges they face every day.
'Underrecognized' bus drivers get students to school safely, with a fist bump and a smile | Cascadia Daily News
Local districts grapple with driver shortage; Lynden tragedy sticks with drivers
www.cascadiadaily.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:13 PM
School bus drivers are often underrecognized, but play an essential role in students' access to education. My colleague @santi8a.bsky.social and I spent some time with a Lynden school bus driver last month, for a story spotlighting drivers and discussing some of the challenges they face every day.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
🧵 Recent story for @cascadiadaily.com: A female detective with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is alleging a decade of workplace discrimination, retaliation and hostility, including the circulation among co-workers of a sexual AI-generated video of her.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/10/...
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/10/...
Detective alleges co-worker made ‘disgusting’ AI video of her, shared around Sheriff’s Office | Cascadia Daily News
$30M tort claim details decade of hostility in Whatcom County agency
www.cascadiadaily.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:42 PM
🧵 Recent story for @cascadiadaily.com: A female detective with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is alleging a decade of workplace discrimination, retaliation and hostility, including the circulation among co-workers of a sexual AI-generated video of her.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/10/...
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/10/...
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
State Rep. Alicia Rule spent part of Thursday, Oct. 30, shadowing Cascadia Elementary's Principal as part of a statewide effort to get legislators to better understand the realities of education in 2025.
Rep. Alicia Rule shadows Ferndale principal to better understand public school needs | Cascadia Daily News
Cascadia Elementary visit part of statewide effort by group of school leaders
www.cascadiadaily.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
State Rep. Alicia Rule spent part of Thursday, Oct. 30, shadowing Cascadia Elementary's Principal as part of a statewide effort to get legislators to better understand the realities of education in 2025.
Voters appear to want change in a number of school boards across Whatcom and Skagit counties. My election night file:
Several incumbent school board members in Whatcom and Skagit counties will likely be ousted, based on initial ballot counts Tuesday night.
School board voters seem interested in change, Tuesday results show | Cascadia Daily News
Incumbents in Meridian, Lynden, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon and Concrete poised to lose seats
www.cascadiadaily.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Voters appear to want change in a number of school boards across Whatcom and Skagit counties. My election night file:
Enjoyed covering this fascinating new class at Bellingham High School: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/03/...
Bellingham students build an electric vehicle in first-of-its-kind class | Cascadia Daily News
Students will learn electrical engineering, automotive skills as they build car
www.cascadiadaily.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Enjoyed covering this fascinating new class at Bellingham High School: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/03/...
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
After cuts, furloughs and financial challenges, Whatcom Community College is undergoing a review to "ensure the long-term financial sustainability" of the institution.
Whatcom Community College undergoing sustainability review after cuts, furloughs | Cascadia Daily News
President says 'course correction' needed; changes will be announced early 2026
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
After cuts, furloughs and financial challenges, Whatcom Community College is undergoing a review to "ensure the long-term financial sustainability" of the institution.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Frogs, herons, canary grass and more: students at Explorations Academy are now spending part of a day every week on the school's new field campus in Everson.
Everson property now an outdoor classroom, fulfilling dream of former owners | Cascadia Daily News
Students learn science immersed in nature through Explorations Academy's new field campus
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Frogs, herons, canary grass and more: students at Explorations Academy are now spending part of a day every week on the school's new field campus in Everson.
Fifty people are seeking school board positions in Whatcom and Skagit counties this year. In some districts, the November election could majorly shake up school boards, shaping the direction of the district for the next four years.
A rundown of Whatcom County candidates:
A rundown of Whatcom County candidates:
22 candidates compete for school board seats in Whatcom County | Cascadia Daily News
Boosting extracurriculars, transparency, student outcomes top priorities
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Fifty people are seeking school board positions in Whatcom and Skagit counties this year. In some districts, the November election could majorly shake up school boards, shaping the direction of the district for the next four years.
A rundown of Whatcom County candidates:
A rundown of Whatcom County candidates:
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
An academic program in Fairhaven is sending students back in time by encouraging them to read classic works of literature, learn Ancient Greek, and leave screens at the door.
In Bellingham classroom, no screens allowed, but Ancient Greek required | Cascadia Daily News
Founder wants to challenge students intellectually, teach respectful conversations
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:56 PM
An academic program in Fairhaven is sending students back in time by encouraging them to read classic works of literature, learn Ancient Greek, and leave screens at the door.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Cascadia Daily News earned first in general excellence as well as the prestigious Community Service Award for the third year in a row.
CDN garners 17 awards, including general excellence, in state news contest | Cascadia Daily News
Photography, design, sports, news, features among wins from Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Cascadia Daily News earned first in general excellence as well as the prestigious Community Service Award for the third year in a row.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
A new bus station, housing and more will be coming to Bellingham's now-vacant Public Market site. The Whatcom Transportation Authority plans to officially purchase the property later this month and begin work on a transit-oriented development project, which could start construction by 2030.
Bellingham public market property to become new bus station, housing | Cascadia Daily News
WTA will initially rent out parts of property, while planning development
www.cascadiadaily.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:11 PM
A new bus station, housing and more will be coming to Bellingham's now-vacant Public Market site. The Whatcom Transportation Authority plans to officially purchase the property later this month and begin work on a transit-oriented development project, which could start construction by 2030.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Western will be launching a new initiative to boost enrollment, President Sabah Randhawa announced this morning in his annual State of the University address. That includes a new pilot to offer guaranteed admissions to eligible students in five counties.
After year of ‘painful’ cuts, WWU President outlines plan to boost enrollment | Cascadia Daily News
Randhawa said university intends to avoid more layoffs in this new academic year
www.cascadiadaily.com
September 18, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Western will be launching a new initiative to boost enrollment, President Sabah Randhawa announced this morning in his annual State of the University address. That includes a new pilot to offer guaranteed admissions to eligible students in five counties.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
This is no magic messaging to completely protect the public from election misinformation. But, it’s important to enact multiple layers of defense where possible.
So, @cascadiadaily.com is knocking the dust off our reporting on last year about how voting works.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/08/...
So, @cascadiadaily.com is knocking the dust off our reporting on last year about how voting works.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/08/...
Pre-bunking an effective way to combat election misinformation | Cascadia Daily News
CDN prepares to dust off award-winning breakdown of Whatcom County election system
www.cascadiadaily.com
September 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
This is no magic messaging to completely protect the public from election misinformation. But, it’s important to enact multiple layers of defense where possible.
So, @cascadiadaily.com is knocking the dust off our reporting on last year about how voting works.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/08/...
So, @cascadiadaily.com is knocking the dust off our reporting on last year about how voting works.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/08/...
Very cool to see the Seattle Times reference a recent story of mine as an example of local investigative journalism!
Link to my investigation: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jun/26/...
Link to my investigation: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jun/26/...
Too many Americans are losing faith in the role of journalists
A shockingly high number of Americans don't strongly believe journalists should hold officials accountable for lying or misleading people. What's going on?
www.seattletimes.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Very cool to see the Seattle Times reference a recent story of mine as an example of local investigative journalism!
Link to my investigation: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jun/26/...
Link to my investigation: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jun/26/...
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Thirty years ago, Dan Chaplik slipped an application to be a teacher at the Blaine School District under the door of the boardroom. Now, he sits at the front of the room as interim superintendent.
After years of budget cuts, Blaine’s interim superintendent wants to rebuild trust | Cascadia Daily News
Dan Chaplik says it starts with 'treating people with respect'
www.cascadiadaily.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Thirty years ago, Dan Chaplik slipped an application to be a teacher at the Blaine School District under the door of the boardroom. Now, he sits at the front of the room as interim superintendent.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Artificial intelligence has arrived in local classrooms. Despite worries about its impact, many school districts have authorized its use in an effort to teach students how to use this powerful technology responsibly and ethically.
AI has entered the classroom in Bellingham — how are students and teachers using it? | Cascadia Daily News
Plus a guide to Whatcom and Skagit K-12 artificial intelligence policies
www.cascadiadaily.com
September 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Artificial intelligence has arrived in local classrooms. Despite worries about its impact, many school districts have authorized its use in an effort to teach students how to use this powerful technology responsibly and ethically.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Wondering what your school district's budget and enrollment looks like going into the new school year? Check out this rundown of Whatcom and Skagit school district budgets.
‘Surviving, not thriving’: Most school districts facing trimmed budgets | Cascadia Daily News
An overview of 2025-26 budgets in Whatcom, Skagit
www.cascadiadaily.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Wondering what your school district's budget and enrollment looks like going into the new school year? Check out this rundown of Whatcom and Skagit school district budgets.
It was such a joy to be at this unique school on the first day today! And amazing to see such emphatic community support in challenging financial times for school districts across the state.
Families were told in May that one of two teachers at the 30-student school would lose her job due to budget cuts. The community rallied, raising $125,000 within a few weeks to ensure both returned. Today, teachers Arria Merrill and Terri Cook happily welcomed their beloved students back to school.
Community steps up to preserve teacher at Beach Elementary, 'heartbeat' of Lummi Island | Cascadia Daily News
$125K was raised within weeks to save one teaching spot, 'a testament to how beloved these teachers are'
www.cascadiadaily.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:04 AM
It was such a joy to be at this unique school on the first day today! And amazing to see such emphatic community support in challenging financial times for school districts across the state.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
The horror journalist Mariam Dagga photographed in the last months of her life. The last one is from the hospital where she was killed today. Curated by @apnews.com editors apnews.com/photo-galler...
Photos by journalist Mariam Dagga
Mariam Dagga, a visual freelance journalist for The Associated Press, chronicled the stream of wounded and dead that every day flowed into southern Gaza’s main hospital, where she was often based.
apnews.com
August 25, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The horror journalist Mariam Dagga photographed in the last months of her life. The last one is from the hospital where she was killed today. Curated by @apnews.com editors apnews.com/photo-galler...
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
What percentage of kindergartners have the measles vaccine? It's likely lower than the 95% immunization rate needed to stop the spread of measles.
How many local kindergartners have all their vaccines? Fewer than the state average | Cascadia Daily News
In Whatcom, Skagit county school districts, compliance has decreased in the last five years
www.cascadiadaily.com
August 18, 2025 at 6:11 PM
What percentage of kindergartners have the measles vaccine? It's likely lower than the 95% immunization rate needed to stop the spread of measles.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Get free school supplies, immunizations and even a free haircut at back-to-school events across Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Get free supplies, health care and more at these back-to-school events | Cascadia Daily News
Whatcom, Skagit districts, community organizations support students ahead of first day
www.cascadiadaily.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Get free school supplies, immunizations and even a free haircut at back-to-school events across Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
We break down elected officials salaries for Whatcom County @cascadiadaily.com.
County Executive: $244,000,
Prosecuting Attorney: $237,252
Sheriff: $230,124
Assessor: $173,652
Auditor: $173,652
Treasurer: $173,652
(This doesn't include benefit packages.)
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/aug/11/...
County Executive: $244,000,
Prosecuting Attorney: $237,252
Sheriff: $230,124
Assessor: $173,652
Auditor: $173,652
Treasurer: $173,652
(This doesn't include benefit packages.)
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/aug/11/...
Salaries of Whatcom County Council members doubled in past 5 years | Cascadia Daily News
Amid budget woes, salary commission slows elected officials’ compensation growth
www.cascadiadaily.com
August 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
We break down elected officials salaries for Whatcom County @cascadiadaily.com.
County Executive: $244,000,
Prosecuting Attorney: $237,252
Sheriff: $230,124
Assessor: $173,652
Auditor: $173,652
Treasurer: $173,652
(This doesn't include benefit packages.)
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/aug/11/...
County Executive: $244,000,
Prosecuting Attorney: $237,252
Sheriff: $230,124
Assessor: $173,652
Auditor: $173,652
Treasurer: $173,652
(This doesn't include benefit packages.)
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/aug/11/...
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
NEW: A beloved Mercer Island teacher was accused twice of sexual misconduct with students. The school district kept it quiet.
A beloved Mercer Island teacher was accused twice of sexual misconduct with students. The school district kept it quiet.
Gary "Chris" Twombley was put on administrative leave in December 2023
www.investigatewest.org
August 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
NEW: A beloved Mercer Island teacher was accused twice of sexual misconduct with students. The school district kept it quiet.
Reposted by Charlotte Alden
Superintendents across Washington are working on a proposal to fix issues with K-12 funding in the state. Two Whatcom County superintendents are taking part.
20 WA superintendents are reenvisioning state's 'broken' K-12 funding model | Cascadia Daily News
Ferndale, Meridian leaders join group that was formed as districts struggle statewide
www.cascadiadaily.com
August 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Superintendents across Washington are working on a proposal to fix issues with K-12 funding in the state. Two Whatcom County superintendents are taking part.