Clark County Today News

Washington state lawmakers are considering several bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence, including requirements for AI disclosures and detection tools, safeguards for minors using chatbots, and protections against discrimination in AI-driven decision-making, as debate continues between lawmakers, industry groups, and state officials. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/how-washingto...

Clark County auditor candidate Eileen Quiring O’Brien has launched her official campaign website, outlining her background, priorities for the auditor’s office, and information for voters, volunteers, and supporters as the campaign builds its online presence ahead of the election. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/eileen-quiring-obrien-launches-official-campaign-website-for-clark-county-audito...

In this opinion column, Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines HB 2088 and the Dietitian Licensure Compact, arguing that Washington lawmakers should use the proposal as a starting point for broader universal licensure recognition reforms to reduce licensing burdens and improve workforce mobility statewide. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hb-2088-cut-the-red-tape-for-dietitians-and-fix-lic...

Clark County is inviting the public to a Jan. 22 open house as it updates its transportation ADA transition plan, a project focused on improving access to transportation facilities for people with disabilities and meeting current standards tied to the county’s growth management plan update. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-hosting-open-house-for-transportation-ada-transition-plan...

The city of Vancouver has launched a new Rental Registration System aimed at improving transparency, tracking rental housing stock, and supporting healthy housing conditions, with more than 800 units already registered and fees waived through March before a $30 per-unit fee begins April 1. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/city-of-vancouver-launches-rental-registration-with-waived-fees-through...

In this Jan. 15, 2026 episode of The Study of Sports Podcast, Paul Valencia is joined by sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland for a wide-ranging discussion on high school sports topics across Washington, including sportsmanship and a recent football controversy, along with conversation on college and professional football. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/sports/the-study-of-sport...

The Community Garden Club of Camas & Washougal has announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Grant Program, awarding $3,500 across eight grants to support gardening, environmental education, and hands-on learning projects in Camas and Washougal, with funding generated through the club’s annual plant sale scheduled for May 16, 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/community-garden-club-o...

Mountain States Policy Center released results from its first Washington Poll, surveying 800 registered voters in early January 2026 and finding strong voter focus on the economy, taxes, spending restraint, education transparency, and housing affordability, with many saying the state is headed in the wrong direction. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-2026-washington-poll-voters-want...

Gov. Bob Ferguson delivered his second State of the State address to the Washington Legislature, highlighting December flood recovery, calls for taxing millionaire earners, and criticism of federal immigration enforcement while avoiding direct mention of the state’s multibillion-dollar budget shortfall, drawing sharply different reactions from Democrats and Republicans. https://www.clarkcountytoda...

Washington Policy Center’s Mark Harmsworth argues that House Bill 2481 would restrict data-driven pricing, impose new regulatory risks on retailers, and disrupt supply-and-demand signals that businesses rely on to keep shelves stocked, warning the bill could raise costs and reduce access for Washington consumers. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-house-bill-2481-will-stifle-innovati...

The Vancouver Fire Department announced the off-duty passing of Firefighter Paramedic Jeremiah Frenz, a member of Fire Station 5, B Shift, who joined the department in March 2020 and previously served as a firefighter and paramedic in Oregon. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/people/vancouver-fire-department-mourns-the-off-duty-passing-of-firefighter-paramedic-jeremiah-frenz/ #VancouverFireDepartme...

The C-TRAN Board of Directors voted to elevate Wil Fuentes to vice chair for 2026 despite ongoing litigation tied to the circumstances of his appointment, with former board member Michelle Belkot and Camas representative Tim Hein raising concerns about governance, representation, and pending legal outcomes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/c-tran-board-makes-thought-provoking-choice-for-vice-...

In this opinion column, Paul Valencia reflects on a viral moment between a journalist and a football coach and connects it to his own experiences reporting in Clark County, arguing that tough questions and kindness can coexist in journalism and civic life. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-kindness-is-always-welcome-even-in-places-where-one-does-not-always-find-it/ #Opinion #Journal...

An opinion column by Charles Prestrud examines newly revealed cost estimates for the I-5 Columbia River Bridge replacement, outlines competing transportation funding pressures facing the 2026 Legislature, and questions whether WSDOT’s planning process is delivering affordable, practical solutions. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-crossing-the-mighty-columbia-river-is-getting-mighty...

The Washington State Republican Party and journalist Jonathan Choe have filed an injunction in Thurston County Superior Court seeking to stop the state from deleting public records connected to child care centers receiving taxpayer funding, citing concerns over transparency, investigations into alleged fraud, and pending legislative changes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/wagop-journalist-f...

Clark County District Court will relocate operations to a new facility at 210 E. 13th St. in downtown Vancouver beginning Feb. 2, 2026, with hearings, public counters, and administrative services transitioning from the Franklin Street courthouse. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-district-court-announces-relocation-to-new-facility/ #ClarkCounty #DistrictCourt #VancouverWA #PublicS...

Drivers in Clark County should plan for delays as WSDOT crews close the left lane of southbound I-205 near the Northeast 18th Street overpass from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 13 for guardrail repair work. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/plan-for-lane-closure-on-southbound-i-205-for-guardrail-repair-work-jan-13/ #ClarkCounty #I205 #WSDOT #TrafficUpdate #RoadWork

Vancouver Police are asking for assistance locating K Lodge Lodge following a reported domestic violence assault involving a rideshare driver on Nov. 15, 2025, after detectives were unable to locate him during follow-up efforts. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-seek-assistance-to-locate-domestic-violence-assault-suspect/ #VancouverWA #VancouverPolice #DomesticViolence #Public...

Republicans staged a walkout on the opening day of Washington’s 2026 legislative session following remarks by House Speaker Laurie Jinkins that blamed President Donald Trump for economic and policy challenges, drawing sharp responses from GOP leaders inside the House chamber. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/video-first-day-of-was-legislative-session-gets-off-to-partisan-start-in-the-house/ #...

In a letter to the editor, Rob Anderson outlines the launch of ReformCast, a new video podcast from Reform Clark County, and explains its focus on local government accountability, civic engagement, and its first episode featuring Clark County Councilor Michelle Belkot. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-reformcast-launches-with-exclusive-interview-with-councilor-michelle-belkot/ #Opin...

Nancy Churchill outlines her opposition to several bills introduced in Washington’s 2026 legislative session, arguing they would restrict cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and weaken public safety, while urging residents to engage in the legislative process. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-washingtons-far-left-assault-on-ice/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolitics #ICE #I...

Battle Ground resident Josh Wilde outlines why he believes continued funding for Battle Ground Public Schools is critical, citing past levy failures, staffing cuts, fiscal accountability, and long-term impacts on students and families. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-for-the-sake-of-our-children-our-families-and-our-community-we-cannot-afford-another-levy-failure/ #Opinion #Educati...

Washington Policy Center budget director Ryan Frost breaks down seven major elements of Gov. Bob Ferguson’s proposed 2026 supplemental budget, including income tax proposals, spending growth, reserve fund withdrawals, business taxes, and infrastructure funding. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-seven-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-governors-budget-proposal/ #Opinion #WashingtonPo...

Gary Clark of Neighbors for a Better Crossing outlines concerns over withheld cost estimates, transparency failures, and the dismissal of alternatives within the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program, calling for independent audits and legislative oversight. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hidden-costs-withheld-documents-and-a-17-billion-question-why-the-interstate-bridge-replacem...

In this letter to the editor, Brush Prairie resident Brian Hebert explains why he believes voting YES on the Hockinson SP&O Replacement Levy protects property values, community stability, and the long-term strength of local schools. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-hockinson-is-a-strong-community-and-strong-schools-protect-strong-property-values/ #Opinion #Hockinson #SchoolLevy #Pro...