Cheers: To supporters of local news. The Columbian has launched a Community Funded Journalism initiative, allowing the public to bolster our reporting in areas of particular importance to our community. More than $1 million has been pledged by local donors thus far; that money will fund three positions — two covering topics related to homelessness and affordable housing and one covering transportation, including the Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project.
Newspapers over the past two decades have struggled with an outdated economic model that has led to staffing cuts and closures throughout the nation. That presents a threat to democracy, with residents ill-equipped to make informed decisions. Unlike many papers, The Columbian remains locally owned and, therefore, invested in our community. The Community Funded Journalism initiative is just one innovative way to help us serve Clark County.
Jeers: To racist incidents. The details are not yet clear, but Skyview High School officials have alleged that one of the school’s junior varsity baseball players “was the target of racist comments, noises and names” during a game Wednesday at Camas. That led to the postponement of a varsity game between the schools the following day.
Reports of racial incidents during high school sporting events have seemingly increased in recent years. In December, the coach of a girls basketball team from Portland said his players were subjected to offensive taunts during a game at Camas; an investigation into that incident was inconclusive. Numerous other incidents have been reported throughout Washington, Oregon and other states. Having such hatred on display at high school events is deplorable; these are kids playing games. The incidents serve as a reminder of the need for all of us to decry racism wherever we see it.
