Clark County Today News

After the U.S. Supreme Court limited race-based redistricting rules, Washington Democratic leaders — including Party Chair Shasti Conrad and House Majority Leader Joe Fitzgibbon — are weighing whether to redraw the state's congressional map. Doing so would require winning supermajorities in both chambers this fall. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/in-wake-of-supreme-court-ruling-wa-democrats-...

WSDOT contractor Kerr Contractors Oregon LLC began work May 4 to rehabilitate 2.2 miles of southbound I-5 between NE 179th Street and the I-5/I-205 split in Vancouver. The crack, seat and overlay method adds four layers of asphalt over broken concrete panels, many more than 50 years old. Expect nighttime and weekend lane closures through late summer 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/crac...

Vancouver is spending tens of millions on GAC filtration to remove PFAS forever chemicals from drinking water — but Peter Bracchi argues the city should also address preventable contamination sources, including eight-plus years of treated camping debris near the Men's Share House corridor. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-vancouver-should-lead-on-pfas-free-camping-gear/ #PFAS #Vanco...

The IBR's Final SEIS confirms 59 residential displacements, up to 15 years of construction, noise levels of 82–94 dBA near homes, and no enforceable vibration or health protections for Hayden Island's 3,000 residents. Gary Clark and Kimberly Haslett of Neighbors for a Better Crossing break down what the document says — and what it deliberately leaves unanswered. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/op...

Doug Dahl of The Wise Drive breaks down Washington's one-touch phone rule — and why legal doesn't mean safe. Hands-free drivers still face four times the crash risk of a focused driver, and distracted driving factors into over 20% of Washington traffic fatalities. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hands-free-but-not-risk-free-the-one-touch-limit/ #TargetZero #DistractedDriving #Wash...

Vancouver is investing $14 million this summer to pave or preserve more than 100 lane miles of street. The program covers residential neighborhoods and major corridors, adds ADA curb ramps at 70 locations, and introduces new protected bike and mobility lanes on several key routes. Funding comes from the Street Fund, General Fund, and Transportation Benefit District. https://www.clarkcountytoday.co...

Darold A. Slack, a Vancouver foster parent to approximately 55 children between 2013 and 2025, was arrested after detectives from the Vancouver Police Department Children's Justice Center executed a search warrant on May 1. Slack faces 14 charges including Child Molestation, Rape of a Child, and Sexual Misconduct with a Minor. Investigators believe additional victims may not have come forward. htt...

Clark County Councilor Matt Little is calling for broader public notification after Camas reopened Well 13 — a source with PFAS levels above state allowable limits — to meet summer water demand. A permanent filtration system won't be ready until spring 2027. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-councilor-little-reminds-camas-residents-of-the-opening-of-well-13/ #Camas #PFAS #Drinking...

Vancouver's Jonathan Hines argues that the WA Supreme Court's ruling blocking a referendum on the Millionaire's Tax — Senate Bill 6346 — leaves the 2026 ballot as the primary tool of civic influence in Washington State. With candidate filing open now, Hines calls on voters to treat this off-year election as anything but ordinary. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-a-wake-up-call-for-t...

A new KFF poll of 1,343 U.S. adults finds 61% say healthcare costs will have a major impact on their midterm vote. Among MAHA voters, 42% list cost as their top issue — double the share focused on food additives or vaccine policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/healthcare-costs-top-of-mind-for-voters-as-midterms-approach-survey-finds/ #HealthcareCosts #MidtermElections #KFFPoll #MAHA #Voter...

Washington teachers spend an average of $1,041 a year on classroom supplies out of pocket — 11th highest in the nation. Vicki Murray of the Washington Policy Center argues a new federal tax-credit scholarship could change that, but only if Gov. Ferguson opts in before January 1, 2027. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-how-the-federal-tax-credit-scholarship-could-help-washington-stat...

Twenty-nine governors have opted in to the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program — including a Democrat — but Gov. Ferguson has ignored two requests for comment. Meg Goudy and Peter Murphy of Mountain States Policy Center argue Washington families stand to lose $723 million or more in private K-12 education funding if Ferguson stays silent. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-g...

Clark County is accepting applications for one open seat on its seven-member Historic Preservation Commission. The three-year term begins July 1, 2026, appointed by the County Council. The commission oversees nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, the Clark County Heritage Register, design review, and the Special Valuation Tax Incentive program. The application deadline is May 27...

Engineer Bob Ortblad reviewed 3,606 public comment responses in the IBR's Final Supplement Environmental Impact Statement and says many answers are lies or nonsense. His question about routing 28,000 daily trucks to rail and I-205 was met with a response about light-rail transit and community input. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-interstate-bridge-replacement-lies-and-nonsense/ #I...

Nancy Churchill of Dangerous Rhetoric asks what happened to the working-class Democrats who believed in equality of opportunity, free speech, and fair debate — and argues the party they built has been systematically reshaped from within by ideological subversives. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-when-your-party-no-longer-feels-like-home/ #Opinion #DangerousRhetoric #WashingtonStat...

The U.S. Supreme Court granted an administrative stay on Fifth Circuit rulings that would have heavily restricted mifepristone access, keeping the status quo in place until at least May 11, 2026. Washington state expanded distribution efforts while opponents say stricter limits are still coming. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-wa-anti-abortion-group-undeterred-by-scotus-ruling-on-abort...

Deputy Commissioner Walter Burton declined the state's emergency motion to unblock SB 5974, keeping a Thurston County judge's preliminary ruling in place as sheriffs in 35 of Washington's 39 counties file to run for election. The law would set new qualifications and create an administrative path to remove elected sheriffs from office. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wa-supreme-court-rejects-...

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center breaks down a critical gap in WA Cares Fund guidance: family caregivers registering through CDWA are automatically subject to a union contract with SEIU 775 — and the state's own materials don't make that clear. Benefits open July 1. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-wa-cares-important-information-is-still-mia-but-benefits-are-av...

Two August 2026 ballot measures — East County Fire & Rescue Proposition No. 6 and Fire Protection District No. 10 Proposition No. 3 — have no opposing statements for the voters guide. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey is urging registered voters within those jurisdictions to step forward before the 3 p.m. May 7 deadline. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/opposing-statements-sought-for-aug-4-202...

Vancouver's new Inspire Vancouver grant program launches with $6–7 million annually for arts, culture, heritage, and science. Funded by a 0.1% sales tax adopted in December 2024, the program offers five grant types ranging from $5,000 innovation awards to major capital investments over $300,000. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/inspire-vancouver-grant-program-debuts-with-6m-for-local-arts...

Clark County Council Chair Sue Marshall delivers the 2026 State of the County address on May 19 at the Public Service Center in Vancouver. Topics include the Charter Review Commission, Comprehensive Plan Update, and the county budget. The free public event begins at 5:20 p.m. and airs live on CVTV. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/council-chair-marshall-to-deliver-state-of-the-county-addres...

Washington's Supreme Court upheld the necessity clause in Senate Bill 6346, blocking Let's Go Washington's referendum attempt against the state's new 9.9% millionaires' tax. Opponents led by Brian Heywood must now gather 308,911 signatures — twice the referendum threshold — to pursue an initiative. A separate constitutional challenge filed by the Citizen Action Defense Fund remains pending. https:...

WSU Vancouver's free Preview Day on May 14 gives prospective students and families a firsthand look at Southwest Washington's only four-year research university. Attendees meet admissions counselors, financial aid experts, and current students who share what campus life is really like. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/discover-your-future-at-wsu-vancouvers-preview-day-may-14/ #WSUVancouver #...

Battle Ground University is accepting applications for its Class of 2026, a free civic education program running September through November. City staff lead sessions on administration, finance, public works, community development, and public safety. Registration closes August 14 at 5 p.m. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/now-enrolling-battle-ground-university-class-of-2026/ #BattleGround #Bat...

Vancouver Police officer Holly Musser has won the Kindness Cop of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year, recognized by Kindness 911 out of 500 participating officers. Musser issued 80 kindness citations last year, with Kindness 911 founder Jason Hattrick calling her "not normal — she is extraordinary." https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/vancouver-pds-holly-musser-receives-kindness-co...