The ForeFront
"The ForeFront is a new weekly podcast where we recap the news you need to know this week and take a deep dive into local stories. The ForeFront is produced by The Front, an independent student newsroom covering Western Washington University, Bellingham and Whatcom County."
Episode 1: BOT on the street
What is a trustee? And why does Western have a board of them? We hit the streets to see if Western students know the answer. We also talk with campus news editor Ryan Morris, who attended a recent Board of Trustees meeting and actually knows what they do.
Also in this episode: water rights in the Nooksack River basin and a concerning manuscript with antisemitic imagery that was left on campus.
Episode 2: Dancing into near-normal
In the first part of this episode, we explore what a halting return to near-normal looks like and head to the Underground Nightclub, which is reopening after more than a year. We also talk about the murder hornet on Western's campus. (Don't worry; it's dead).
After that, we're joined by opinion reporter Torie Wold to talk about her recent column on violence and harassment against women in Bellingham and who needs to take responsibility for it.
Episode 3: Sports! Sports! Sports!
In this episode: we sit down with sports editor Nathan Schumock to talk about what Western's sports teams have been up to this season, and what we should be on the lookout for in upcoming games.Also in this episode: a new hazard pay ordinance for Bellingham grocery workers and the theatre department's response to a petition against a planned fall production.
Episode 4: Aspiring grad? You'll need the jab
In the first part of this episode, we tune into President Randhawa's conversation with Western's Board of Trustees about a vaccine mandate for students and staff returning to campus fall quarter. After that, assistant producer Kyle Tubbs reports on last week's Black Lives Matter March in downtown Bellingham. In the second half of this episode, we sit down with city reporter Cliff Heberden to talk about his article about a new law banning private prisons in Washington State, and what that could mean for immigration reform efforts in Whatcom County.