Matt Benoit
@matt-benoit.bsky.social
Journalist, writer and photographer based in Bellingham, Washington. See my work in @discovermag, @salishcurrent and others. #GoCougs
Reposted by Matt Benoit
Welcome to the lost art of ventriloquism! Brady McAtee, or if you know him for his music, Buddy Mac has worked long and hard to become an important part of the ventriloquist community. Check out this artist profile to learn a little about the joys and brilliance of Cosmo and Cecil.
December 8, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Welcome to the lost art of ventriloquism! Brady McAtee, or if you know him for his music, Buddy Mac has worked long and hard to become an important part of the ventriloquist community. Check out this artist profile to learn a little about the joys and brilliance of Cosmo and Cecil.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
Sedro-Woolley High School English teacher Linsey Kitchens instructs students during a recent lesson on artificial intelligence. The lesson is one of several being implemented in the school’s English classes this semester to foster AI-based literacy.
salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
Sedro-Woolley English teachers bring AI literacy into the classroom
Several English classes at Sedro-Woolley High School are implementing lesson plans designed by Linsey Kitchens to help students understand the limitations of artificial intelligence programs such as C...
salish-current.org
November 20, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Sedro-Woolley High School English teacher Linsey Kitchens instructs students during a recent lesson on artificial intelligence. The lesson is one of several being implemented in the school’s English classes this semester to foster AI-based literacy.
salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
Reposted by Matt Benoit
Inspiring profile about my talented colleague Eric Trent overcoming addiction and finding his way to journalism. Many paths lead to this field, and it's all the richer and more compassionate because of it.
salish-current.org/2025/11/10/l...
Great work by @matt-benoit.bsky.social on the piece!
salish-current.org/2025/11/10/l...
Great work by @matt-benoit.bsky.social on the piece!
Life in sobriety 'works out well' for news producer
Eric Trent spent 12 years as a drug addict. He’s turned his sobriety into a successful career in journalism.
salish-current.org
November 11, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Inspiring profile about my talented colleague Eric Trent overcoming addiction and finding his way to journalism. Many paths lead to this field, and it's all the richer and more compassionate because of it.
salish-current.org/2025/11/10/l...
Great work by @matt-benoit.bsky.social on the piece!
salish-current.org/2025/11/10/l...
Great work by @matt-benoit.bsky.social on the piece!
salish-current.org/2025/07/31/l...
An update on unionization efforts for employees of Bellingham's Community Food Co-op, Whatcom Museum Foundation
An update on unionization efforts for employees of Bellingham's Community Food Co-op, Whatcom Museum Foundation
Local organizations unionize, await new contract
The finalization of a unionization effort among Community Food Co-op employees has been joined by another new effort for employees of the Whatcom Museum Foundation.
salish-current.org
July 31, 2025 at 8:16 PM
salish-current.org/2025/07/31/l...
An update on unionization efforts for employees of Bellingham's Community Food Co-op, Whatcom Museum Foundation
An update on unionization efforts for employees of Bellingham's Community Food Co-op, Whatcom Museum Foundation
Reposted by Matt Benoit
30 Years Later: Remembering Krystal DeVries
On June 15, 1995, Krystal DeVries was shot and killed by her estranged husband in the parking lot of Whatcom Community College — a tragedy that shocked the campus and community.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
On June 15, 1995, Krystal DeVries was shot and killed by her estranged husband in the parking lot of Whatcom Community College — a tragedy that shocked the campus and community.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
Memories, legacy remain 30 years after campus shooting
The 1995 murder of Krystal DeVries at Whatcom Community College shocked the community and changed the lives of those who knew her.
salish-current.org
July 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
30 Years Later: Remembering Krystal DeVries
On June 15, 1995, Krystal DeVries was shot and killed by her estranged husband in the parking lot of Whatcom Community College — a tragedy that shocked the campus and community.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
On June 15, 1995, Krystal DeVries was shot and killed by her estranged husband in the parking lot of Whatcom Community College — a tragedy that shocked the campus and community.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
A new fund supporting investigative journalism at Western Washington University has its roots in a landmark public records lawsuit.
salish-current.org/2025/07/03/t...
salish-current.org/2025/07/03/t...
Western alums create investigative reporting fund, as transparency barriers grow
For journalists, getting the records they need to keep the community informed can turn into a battle between free press and an organization’s desire for privacy.
salish-current.org
July 3, 2025 at 8:50 PM
A new fund supporting investigative journalism at Western Washington University has its roots in a landmark public records lawsuit.
salish-current.org/2025/07/03/t...
salish-current.org/2025/07/03/t...
salish-current.org/2025/06/20/f...
My latest story for @salish-current.org takes a look at how local opioid overdoses appear to be declining:
My latest story for @salish-current.org takes a look at how local opioid overdoses appear to be declining:
Fentanyl responders keep foot on the gas despite positive trends
Recent statistics indicate overdosed-related dispatch calls, emergency room visits and deaths have decreased from 2023 and 2024 levels in Whatcom County, in line with statewide and national trends.
salish-current.org
June 24, 2025 at 12:06 AM
salish-current.org/2025/06/20/f...
My latest story for @salish-current.org takes a look at how local opioid overdoses appear to be declining:
My latest story for @salish-current.org takes a look at how local opioid overdoses appear to be declining:
Reposted by Matt Benoit
In this letter from Salish Current’s Editor, Sam Fletcher looks back on a year with AmeriCorps — traveling state to state, renovating homes, and learning firsthand about poverty in the U.S.
salish-current.org/2025/06/04/a...
salish-current.org/2025/06/04/a...
America will miss AmeriCorps
Editor's year in AmeriCorps was a powerful look at people's needs around the country.
salish-current.org
June 4, 2025 at 6:41 PM
In this letter from Salish Current’s Editor, Sam Fletcher looks back on a year with AmeriCorps — traveling state to state, renovating homes, and learning firsthand about poverty in the U.S.
salish-current.org/2025/06/04/a...
salish-current.org/2025/06/04/a...
If you live in Whatcom County and haven't yet walked a nearly a quarter-mile out into Bellingham Bay via Little Squalicum Pier, it's great! I recently wrote about the history of what is Washington's longest public pier.
Bellingham’s Little Squalicum Pier Opening Recalls Era of Long Waterfront Piers - WhatcomTalk
On the afternoon of April 26, 2025, community members and public officials gathered to celebrate the recent public opening of Bellingham’s Little Squalicum Pier.
www.whatcomtalk.com
June 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
If you live in Whatcom County and haven't yet walked a nearly a quarter-mile out into Bellingham Bay via Little Squalicum Pier, it's great! I recently wrote about the history of what is Washington's longest public pier.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
After community pushback led to cancellation of a proposed metal shredding facility, ABC Recycling put the land, including 10 acres zoned for heavy industrial usage, up for sale. It remains unclear who will buy it — and what will happen next.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
Uncertainty around sale of once-proposed shredder site
After community pushback led to cancellation of a proposed metal shredding facility, ABC Recycling put the land, including 10 acres zoned for heavy industrial usage, up for sale. It remains unclear wh...
salish-current.org
May 28, 2025 at 6:58 PM
After community pushback led to cancellation of a proposed metal shredding facility, ABC Recycling put the land, including 10 acres zoned for heavy industrial usage, up for sale. It remains unclear who will buy it — and what will happen next.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
Tomorrow, 33 men will attempt to become the winner of the 109th #Indianapolis500. Of all the men and women who've ever competed in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, only one came from Whatcom County. #Indy500 #IndyCar
Lynden’s Ray Pixley Pursued Indy 500 Glory in 1936 - WhatcomTalk
WhatcomTalk's Matt Benoit tells the story of how Lynden’s Ray Pixley made it to the Indy 500 in 1936 and his tragic death in another race not long after.
www.whatcomtalk.com
May 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Tomorrow, 33 men will attempt to become the winner of the 109th #Indianapolis500. Of all the men and women who've ever competed in the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, only one came from Whatcom County. #Indy500 #IndyCar
Reposted by Matt Benoit
She’s received national honors, interviewed astronauts, met sci-fi legends, and even watched Apollo 11 launch.
Her story spans pulp fiction to print journalism, all powered by words.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
salish-current.org/.../wordsmit...
Her story spans pulp fiction to print journalism, all powered by words.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
salish-current.org/.../wordsmit...
Wordsmith and comic superfan: an origin story
Michelle Nolan is a lifelong fan and collector of comic books, with an enormous collection of vintage periodicals — and a professional career as an author and newspaper writer.
salish-current.org
May 6, 2025 at 9:36 PM
She’s received national honors, interviewed astronauts, met sci-fi legends, and even watched Apollo 11 launch.
Her story spans pulp fiction to print journalism, all powered by words.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
salish-current.org/.../wordsmit...
Her story spans pulp fiction to print journalism, all powered by words.
Read the full story by Matt Benoit at the link below.
salish-current.org/.../wordsmit...
salish-current.org/2025/03/25/f... My latest story in @salish-current.org focuses on tumult in Skagit County's Sedro-Woolley School District. The abrupt, non-transparent departure of the district's superintendent have left many questioning school board leadership.
Frustrations and flux in Sedro-Woolley schools leadership
Frustration, disappointment in wake of February resignation of superintendent, decision-making with multiple empty board positions
salish-current.org
March 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
salish-current.org/2025/03/25/f... My latest story in @salish-current.org focuses on tumult in Skagit County's Sedro-Woolley School District. The abrupt, non-transparent departure of the district's superintendent have left many questioning school board leadership.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
We are currently looking for more local journalists to join our team of contributing writers. Are you a journalist or do you know someone who is? Reach out to us!
We are eager to work with ambitious new writers and continue to do the good work of local reporting.
We are eager to work with ambitious new writers and continue to do the good work of local reporting.
March 20, 2025 at 8:43 PM
We are currently looking for more local journalists to join our team of contributing writers. Are you a journalist or do you know someone who is? Reach out to us!
We are eager to work with ambitious new writers and continue to do the good work of local reporting.
We are eager to work with ambitious new writers and continue to do the good work of local reporting.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
A small town nearby lost a newspaper three months ago, but a new one has emerged. Its first print issue is out. I have a story in it that looks at the first print issue that ever came out of this little town in 1879. A fun bit of local journalism history.
laconnercommunitynews.org/2025/03/20/a...
laconnercommunitynews.org/2025/03/20/a...
A new day for La Conner news, a glimpse of 1879
Historical roots of La Conner News “We take off our hat to the people of this town, and thank them most heartily for the very cordial and liberal encouragement extended. The publisher shall use eve…
laconnercommunitynews.org
March 21, 2025 at 11:51 AM
A small town nearby lost a newspaper three months ago, but a new one has emerged. Its first print issue is out. I have a story in it that looks at the first print issue that ever came out of this little town in 1879. A fun bit of local journalism history.
laconnercommunitynews.org/2025/03/20/a...
laconnercommunitynews.org/2025/03/20/a...
Reposted by Matt Benoit
The Port of Bellingham is navigating a tricky balance between growth and community concerns. As it plans to expand cargo traffic and modernize its shipping terminal, locals voice frustrations over environmental and industrial impacts.
Read the full story below by Matt Benoit & Sam Fletcher.
Read the full story below by Matt Benoit & Sam Fletcher.
Views conflict around best use for Port real estate
Community, commissioners disagree about best use for sprawling real estate holdings
salish-current.org
March 12, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The Port of Bellingham is navigating a tricky balance between growth and community concerns. As it plans to expand cargo traffic and modernize its shipping terminal, locals voice frustrations over environmental and industrial impacts.
Read the full story below by Matt Benoit & Sam Fletcher.
Read the full story below by Matt Benoit & Sam Fletcher.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
Ahmad Hamrah and Tahmia Zalmai, Afghani refugees seeking asylum in Lynden, face uncertainty as they wait to reunite with their 6-month-old daughter, Liyah. Despite hardships, the couple hopes for a peaceful future in their new community.
By Sam Flecther
📍 salish-current.org/2025/02/19/a...
By Sam Flecther
📍 salish-current.org/2025/02/19/a...
Asylum seekers find refuge in Lynden
Lynden’s newest residents sacrificed everything for a peaceful life.
salish-current.org
February 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Ahmad Hamrah and Tahmia Zalmai, Afghani refugees seeking asylum in Lynden, face uncertainty as they wait to reunite with their 6-month-old daughter, Liyah. Despite hardships, the couple hopes for a peaceful future in their new community.
By Sam Flecther
📍 salish-current.org/2025/02/19/a...
By Sam Flecther
📍 salish-current.org/2025/02/19/a...
Reposted by Matt Benoit
I earned an NEH grant as an undergrad. It helped me become a historian. The NEH deserves better than this.
Curiosity leads where it leads. Banning curiosity and requiring ideological tests are anti-American.
Curiosity leads where it leads. Banning curiosity and requiring ideological tests are anti-American.
NEH introduces new prohibited categories to comply with executive orders. This is an infringement of academic freedom plain and simple, and also nonsense: what is “discriminatory equity ideology”
February 21, 2025 at 8:24 PM
I earned an NEH grant as an undergrad. It helped me become a historian. The NEH deserves better than this.
Curiosity leads where it leads. Banning curiosity and requiring ideological tests are anti-American.
Curiosity leads where it leads. Banning curiosity and requiring ideological tests are anti-American.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
Ratner predicts the appointment of Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, will impact vaccine availability and hesitancy: "It is much easier to scare people than to un-scare them," he says.
A pediatrician warns of 'long lasting' consequences of RFK Jr. leading HHS
Ratner predicts the appointment of Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, will impact vaccine availability and hesitancy: "It is much easier to scare people than to un-scare them," he says.
www.npr.org
February 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Ratner predicts the appointment of Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic, will impact vaccine availability and hesitancy: "It is much easier to scare people than to un-scare them," he says.
Reposted by Matt Benoit
Here is my Federal Employment Termination story:
February 17, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Here is my Federal Employment Termination story:
Sometimes I'd like just one news day - just one 24-hour period - where mainstream news ignores all the horrible things in the world and just reports on cats. Like, "Here's what cats are up to." "Is catnip corrupting our cats?" Basically I just wanna be comforted by the consistency of cat behavior.
February 18, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Sometimes I'd like just one news day - just one 24-hour period - where mainstream news ignores all the horrible things in the world and just reports on cats. Like, "Here's what cats are up to." "Is catnip corrupting our cats?" Basically I just wanna be comforted by the consistency of cat behavior.
My latest story for @salish-current.org explains where local lodging taxes go. There's a good chance that an event you want to attend this year is funded, at least in part, by those dollars.
Arts, recreation, stories in the dark: where lodging tax revenues go
That much-anticipated event you’ll attend in 2025 may get vital support from tourism grants funded by hotel and motel tax revenues collected by your county or city. How are those funds allocated?
salish-current.org
January 29, 2025 at 10:45 PM
My latest story for @salish-current.org explains where local lodging taxes go. There's a good chance that an event you want to attend this year is funded, at least in part, by those dollars.
I did it. I joined the not-X platform. Glad to be here!
January 21, 2025 at 11:00 PM
I did it. I joined the not-X platform. Glad to be here!