Lars Larson examines the reaction from American Democrats following the arrest and prosecution of Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro, arguing that bipartisan agreement on Maduro is being overshadowed by partisan opposition. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-biden-agreed-with-trump-on-maduro-so-why-arent-liberals-celebrating/ #Opinion #PacificNorthwest #LarsLarson #Politics #Venezuela #USPolitics

Vancouver Police say a suspect has self-surrendered following a fatal shooting outside the Off-Ramp Sports Bar, resulting in an arrest on murder and firearm charges as the Major Crimes Unit continues its investigation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/shooting-suspect-self-surrenders-to-vancouver-police/ #Vancouver #CrimeNews #PoliceInvestigation #PublicSafety #ClarkCounty

Vancouver Fire responded to a residential structure fire on SE 167th Lane, controlling the blaze within 20 minutes and reporting no injuries, though residents were displaced and the cause remains under investigation. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-fire-responds-to-residential-structure-fire/ #Vancouver #FireResponse #PublicSafety #VancouverFire #LocalNe

A Yacolt resident submits a letter to the editor outlining a satirical and highly critical view of modern politics, government spending, and public institutions, arguing that the system incentivizes misuse of taxpayer funds and consolidation of power. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-if-i-were-a-politician/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #LetterToTheEditor #WashingtonState #PublicPolicy #GovernmentSpending

Supporters of two Let’s Go Washington initiatives turned in signatures seeking legislative consideration of measures on parental rights and transgender athletes in girls’ sports, as critics and lawmakers outlined competing views ahead of the upcoming session. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/signatures-filed-for-initiatives-on-parental-rights-blocking-trans-athletes-from-girls-sports/ #WashingtonPolitics #StateLegislature #Initiatives #EducationPolicy #WashingtonState

Vancouver Police are investigating a fatal shooting reported just before 1 a.m. Jan. 3 at the Off-Ramp Sports Bar in Vancouver, where officers located a 43-year-old man deceased in the parking lot. Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-investigate-shooting-19/ #VancouverPolice #PublicSafety #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #MajorCrimes

The Vancouver Police Department has released a Critical Incident Video following a December 28 officer-involved shooting in Vancouver, while the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations conducts an independent review. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-police-release-critical-incident-video-from-dec-28-officer-involved-shooting/ #VancouverPolice #PublicSafety #OfficerInvolvedShooting #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState

Washington Policy Center’s Charles Prestrud examines transit agency governance in Washington, arguing that appointed boards lack accountability as costs rise, ridership lags, and state subsidies continue to increase. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-transit-agencies-need-accountability-not-increased-state-subsidy/ #Opinion #Transportation #WashingtonState #Transit #WashingtonPolicyCenter

This letter to the editor from Vancouver resident Peter Bracchi expresses support for the 2025 National Security Strategy, describing it as a course correction toward clearer priorities, shared global responsibility, and an interest-based American foreign policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-for-years-american-foreign-policy-too-often-felt-like-a-blank-check/ #Opinion #LetterToTheEditor #NationalSecurity #ForeignPolicy #ClarkCounty

This week’s Clark County Today poll asks readers to assess their personal finances and outlook on the economy, weighing inflation, wages, and national leadership as the new year begins. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/poll-are-you-better-off-than-you-were-a-year-ago/ #Poll #Economy #ClarkCounty #WashingtonState #PersonalFinance

Target Zero Manager Doug Dahl explores the relationship between tailgating and speeding, discussing why tailgating often worsens traffic flow, increases crash risk, and offers little upside compared to safer following distances. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-does-tailgating-cause-speeding/ #Opinion #TrafficSafety #WashingtonState #TargetZero #Transportation

Clark County Today Editor Ken Vance reflects on a personal New Year’s Eve encounter and commentary from Bill Maher to examine what he views as cultural, political, and ideological shifts over the past year. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-democrats-part-of-the-bargain/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #Politics #Culture #StaffColumn

C-TRAN’s New Year’s Eve free-fare program returned with extended service into the early hours, giving riders a safe alternative to driving after midnight and drawing strong appreciation from passengers and staff alike. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/free-fares-on-new-years-eve-is-a-big-hit-with-c-tran-riders/ #CTran #NewYearsEve #PublicTransit #ClarkCounty #VancouverWa #PublicSafety

In this reflective opinion piece, Clark County Today reporter Paul Valencia looks back on a year of reporting that stretched far beyond sports, covering major local controversies, community issues, and memorable moments across Clark County. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-a-year-in-review-of-news-stories-from-a-former-sports-guy/ #Opinion #ClarkCounty #LocalJournalism #CommunityNews

State investigators have released new details in a deadly force investigation involving Vancouver police officers, including the identity of the deceased and the officers involved. The Washington State Office of Independent Investigations is leading the case. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/names-released-of-person-killed-and-vancouver-officers-involved-in-deadly-force-incident/ #ClarkCounty #VancouverWA #OfficerInvolvedShooting #LawEnforcement #PublicSafety

A breakdown of new Washington state laws and tax changes taking effect Jan. 1, including unemployment benefits for striking workers, business tax surcharges, transportation fees, consumer regulations and other policy shifts approved by lawmakers in 2025. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/these-new-laws-and-taxes-take-effect-in-washington-state-on-jan-1/ #WashingtonState #StateLaws #NewLaws #StateTaxes #PublicPolicy #LegislativeUpdate #WashingtonPolitics #Jan1Laws

Opinion columnist Elizabeth New (Hovde) examines Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave program, arguing that the rising payroll tax functions as a regressive paycheck penalty that disproportionately impacts low-income workers as the rate increases again on Jan. 1. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-ready-for-another-pay-decrease-from-the-state-it-happens-jan-1/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolicyCenter #PFML #StateTaxes #WorkerPay

Beginning January 2026, Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services will offer a new all-access community center membership providing full use of both Firstenburg and Marshall centers, expanding options for fitness, recreation, and group classes across the city. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-rolls-out-new-all-access-community-center-membership/ #VancouverWA #CommunityCenters #ParksAndRec #Fitness #Recreation

Four Western Washington counties are receiving $6.6 million in federal funding for road safety programs through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All initiative, including funding for Clark County to launch an EMS pilot program focused on post-crash emergency care. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/four-western-wa-counties-granted-6-6m-in-federal-funds-for-road-safety-programs/ #WashingtonState #RoadSafety #FederalFunding #Transportation #PublicSafety

Opinion columnist Nancy Churchill critiques a Washington Supreme Court order on public defense, arguing it creates sweeping mandates without funding and shifts costs onto rural cities, counties, and taxpayers, while calling on lawmakers to address the issue through legislation such as SB 5914. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-justice-for-none-court-hands-down-a-mandate-without-a-dime-to-fund-it/ #Opinion #WashingtonPolitics #PublicDefense #LocalGovernment #RuralWashington