Clark County Today News

Teacher strikes are illegal in Washington state, yet they continue to happen — and the law doesn’t spell out penalties when they do. That reality is part of a broader national debate as lawmakers across the country consider new policies on teacher strikes, labor rights, and school disruptions. Reporter Esther Wickham looks at proposals in states like Arizona and Maryland, the legal gray areas surr...

A new U.S. Supreme Court ruling has triggered questions in Washington about how schools handle gender identity information and parental rights. House Republicans sent a letter to Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal asking how the state’s guidance for school districts compares to a California policy the court recently blocked. Reporter Aspen Ford explains the legal backdrop, Washingt...

A frantic final sequence in Yakima decided one of the most dramatic games of the Washington high school basketball season. Columbia River held the lead late in regulation and again in overtime before Bremerton’s Jalen Davis delivered the tying play and a buzzer-beating finish to win the Class 2A semifinal 55-54. The Rapids now shift to the third-place game while Evergreen’s girls reached a trophy...

A proposed 9.9 percent tax on income above $1 million is gaining momentum in Olympia after Gov. Bob Ferguson said he will sign a revised version of Senate Bill 6346 if it reaches his desk. The latest amendment expands eligibility for the Working Families Tax Credit and exempts over the counter medicines from sales tax while directing a portion of new revenue to child care and early education progr...

An $80 billion state budget, a proposed income tax and several major policy debates are dominating the final stretch of Washington’s 2026 legislative session. In this legislative update, Rep. John Ley of the 18th Legislative District outlines concerns about the operating budget, energy policy changes tied to the Clean Energy Transformation Act and bills that could affect property taxes and insuran...

Just weeks after Washington expanded unemployment insurance eligibility to striking workers, new numbers show 106 workers have already received 415 weeks of benefits. In this opinion column, Washington Policy Center analyst Elizabeth New argues that Senate Bill 5041 could strain the unemployment insurance fund and shift costs onto employers and taxpayers. She also points to a Yakima hospital strik...

A professional basketball team representing Vancouver is stepping into a fresh chapter with a new name, a new league, and a home opener set for March 7 at Hudson’s Bay High School. The Vancouver Bears, formerly known as the Vancouver Volcanoes, are joining the United States Basketball League, bringing back familiar players Markus Golder and Darius Gary while adding international talent to the rost...

A 6–3 U.S. Supreme Court ruling tied to parental rights and gender identity policies quickly became part of the ongoing debate surrounding the La Center School District’s dispute with the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. At the same time, Columbia River’s boys basketball team surged into the Class 2A state semifinals after a dramatic win in Yakima, while lawmakers raised...

A massive 29-1 scoring stretch helped Columbia River turn an early deficit into a commanding win over Pullman in the Class 2A state basketball quarterfinals in Yakima. The Rapids, an 11-seed, are headed to the state semifinals after victories over higher-seeded teams in the Washington high school basketball tournament. Meanwhile, Union, Evergreen, Seton Catholic and Columbia Adventist saw their ch...

A recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion on parental rights in education has become part of an ongoing dispute involving the La Center School District and Washington’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. In response to that debate, Clark County Today is asking readers who they believe should have the primary say when questions about a student’s gender identity arise at school. Share your pe...

A new economic analysis projects Washington’s 2025 tax increases could slow economic growth and reduce worker wages over the next several years. In this opinion column, Todd Myers of the Washington Policy Center discusses a study estimating the impact of Business and Occupation tax increases and expanded sales taxes on services, and argues the policies could affect the state’s business climate and...

Washougal officials are moving forward with an overcrossing design for the 32nd Street Rail Crossing Project, a plan intended to eliminate delays and improve safety at one of the busiest railroad crossings in Washington. The crossing currently sees an average of 32 trains and more than 5,700 vehicles each day. City leaders say the bridge option carries fewer risks and could cost up to $18 million...

A reader responding to reactions to his previous letter about the LEOFF 1 pension system says the discussion should start with accurate information before debating policy decisions. In this letter to the editor, Brian Kendall explains that his earlier comments were intended to challenge what he described as misinformation about the state’s handling of surplus funds in the retirement system. The le...

Lars Larson discusses the Supreme Court ruling that limits President Trump’s tariff authority, the debate over the Emergency Economic Powers Act, potential refund claims by importers, and recent economic indicators cited in the aftermath of the decision. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-a-loss-at-the-supreme-court/ #Opinion #LarsLarson #SupremeCourt #Tariffs #PresidentTrump #Econom...

Michelle Belkot reminded fellow Clark County Council members that she is in active litigation as they discussed potential changes to the county’s Rules of Procedure, including authority to remove members from boards and direct votes, alongside the reading of an immigration enforcement resolution. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/belkot-reminds-other-clark-county-councilors-that-there-is-activ...

A standing-room-only Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries meeting, disruptive incidents at a Clark County Council session, and a Feb. 17 stabbing at Heritage High School headline the week, alongside postseason sports, a new Study of Sports Podcast episode, and multiple letters to the editor. https://mailchi.mp/clarkcountytoday/this-weeks-top-news_february_20_2026 #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #FortVancou...

The Study of Sports Podcast features Paul Valencia with Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland discussing Mat Classic and the hundreds of Clark County wrestlers, postseason basketball formats, and a look back at the Super Bowl, recorded Feb. 18. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/the-study-of-sports-podcast-feb-20-2026-we-discuss-mat-classic-and-the-hundreds-of-wrestlers-from-clark-county-postseason...

Clark County Today’s weekly poll asks whether Fort Vancouver Regional Libraries should prioritize stronger parental oversight for children’s access to materials, following a packed meeting at Cascade Park Community Library and debate over strategic plan language, intellectual freedom, equity, and parental rights. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-should-fort-vancouver-regional-librarie...

Clark County Council members discussed possible policy changes after two disruptive incidents during public comment, with Glen Yung, Sue Marshall, Michelle Belkot, and Wil Fuentes weighing options that could include temporary bans, and County Manager Kathleen Otto planning talks with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Prosecutor’s Office. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-counc...

Battle Ground Police, assisted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, are investigating a series of animal shootings involving blow darts, with evidence recovered from a residence on SE 17th Way and potential charges including reckless endangerment and animal cruelty as the investigation continues. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/battle-ground-police-investigate-series-of-animal-...

Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal reopens March 7 after its winter closure, featuring more than 6,000 square feet of exhibits including a new Barbie doll display from the Barbara Heriford Estate, refreshed historical displays, and updated galleries operated by the Camas-Washougal Historical Society. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/two-rivers-heritage-museum-reopens-for-2026/ #Washougal...

The city of Vancouver will seal the Main Street Promise Time Capsule on February 20 at Main Street and West 13th Street in downtown Vancouver, with items collected by Vancouver’s Downtown Association to reflect life in 2025 and a stainless steel capsule set to remain buried until 2125. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-to-seal-time-capsule-for-100-years-as-part-of-the-main-street-pro...

RedDoor Gallery and FEAST 316 present ART of the FEAST on February 22 from 2–6 p.m. in downtown Camas, featuring curated wines, charcuterie, appetizers, and original fine art by RedDoor Gallery artists, with tickets priced at $28 per person. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/see-works-created-by-the-artists-of-reddoor-gallery-exclusively-for-art-of-the-feast-event/ #CamasWA #RedDoorGallery #Fe...

Letter to the editor from Brad Benton announcing his candidacy for Clark County Council District 5, highlighting priorities including affordability, opposition to tax increases, transportation policy, Light Rail, public safety, and his role as a Clark County Charter Review Commissioner. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-brad-benton-announces-candidacy-for-county-council-district-5/ #...

Opinion column by Doug Dahl with The Wise Drive explores oversized tires that extend beyond fenders, the legal requirements for tire coverage, and how frequency illusion influences what drivers think they see on the road, including distracted driving data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-oversized-tires-and-the-frequency-illusion/ #Opi...