Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Thursday, May 1, 2025.Today marks a significant day for many workers in Bellingham as the city's minimum wage increases to $18.66 per hour. This dollar increase brings Bellingham's minimum wage to two dollars above the current state minimum. The change comes after voters approved an initiative in 2023 to set our city's minimum wage higher than Washington state's. Looking ahead, starting in 2026, Bellingham's minimum wage will automatically be set $2 above the statewide minimum wage at the beginning of each year. Bellingham joins Everett as the only cities outside King County to establish minimum wages above the state level.In transportation news, the final day of planned lane closures on Interstate 5 is happening today. The left lane of northbound I-5 between the Iowa Street interchange at milepost 254 and the West Bakerview Road interchange at milepost 258 will be closed from 1 AM until noon. This closure allows WSDOT maintenance crews to work safely on the freeway shoulder. Motorists should expect delays during the morning commute, and using alternate routes is encouraged if possible.For those interested in community activism, there may be May Day protests happening around the city today. May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, often features labor rights demonstrations, which could be especially relevant with today's minimum wage increase taking effect.Looking ahead to your weekend plans, remember that the weather is starting to warm up, making it a perfect time to explore some of Bellingham's beautiful parks and trails. Boulevard Park and the connecting Taylor Dock offer stunning views of Bellingham Bay, while Whatcom Falls Park provides refreshing forest trails and impressive waterfalls right within the city limits.The Bellingham Farmers Market will be in full swing this Saturday at the Depot Market Square downtown, featuring fresh spring produce from local farms, artisan crafts, and delicious food vendors. It's a great opportunity to support local businesses and connect with community members.This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

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