A major industrial project left Longview for the Gulf of America, with energy uncertainty cited as the deciding factor. Mayor Erik Halvorson argues Washington’s Clean Energy Transformation Act is costing jobs and urges leaders to support natural gas as a critical bridge. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-dont-leave-longview-in-the-dark/ #Longview #CleanEnergy #NaturalGas #WashingtonState #EnergyPolicy #EconomicDevelopment #SmallModularReactors #Manufacturing #PortOfLongview #Opinion

Lisa White, with over 20 years of finance experience and a background in nonprofit service, joins OnPoint Community Credit Union as its new CFO. She succeeds Jim Hunt, who led the credit union through major expansion and growth. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/business/onpoint-community-credit-union-welcomes-lisa-white-as-cfo/ #ClarkCounty #OnPointCommunityCreditUnion #Banking #Leadership #Oregon #CFO #CreditUnions #FinancialStrategy #Nonprofit #GirlsOnTheRun

Zander Earl, an AP student and athlete at Ridgefield High, will serve as youth ambassador to central Mexico through the Greater Clark County Rotary Club. He’ll study, volunteer, and live with host families, while local clubs seek new applicants for future exchanges. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/youth/ridgefield-student-to-serve-as-rotary-clubs-youth-ambassador-to-central-mexico/ #Ridgefield #Rotary #YouthExchange #ClarkCounty #StudentAmbassador #Mexico #RotaryClub #HostFamily #Education #Leadership

Elizabeth New of Washington Policy Center highlights how HB 2355 will force households hiring nannies, cleaners, or gardeners to maintain wage records, provide written contracts, and follow new rules starting in 2027. Key exemptions remain unclear. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-hiring-someone-for-jobs-around-the-house/ #WashingtonPolicyCenter #domesticworkers #employmentlaw #HouseBill2355 #ClarkCounty #opinion #laborlaws #householdemployment

Joe Kent steps down from leading the National Counterterrorism Center, citing opposition to the U.S. war in Iran and challenging administration claims. Kent, a former Green Beret and congressional candidate, calls for new leadership on foreign intervention policy. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/was-joe-kent-leaving-trump-administration-over-war-in-iran/ #JoeKent #IranWar #Trump #ForeignPolicy #ClarkCounty #NationalSecurity #TulsiGabbard #PattyMurray #MiddleEast #Washington

Memos and emails surfaced a deeper conflict between Vancouver officials and the DRA, as legal debates preceded city council's move to take hiring control. Records detail how a personnel dispute grew into a governance battle. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-our-way-or-the-highway/ #Vancouver #DRA #Governance #PublicRecords #ClarkCounty #Opinion #CityCouncil #NatashaRamras #Downtown #Power

TriMet's operating expenses grew 194% while ridership dropped 26%. Bob Pishue argues that rising costs and declining demand make the current I-5 bridge plan unsustainable. He urges officials to avoid repeating past mistakes. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-the-ballooning-cost-of-the-i-5-bridge-between-oregon-and-washington-is-unjustified/ #Opinion #I5Bridge #PublicPolicy #Transit #ClarkCounty #ColumbiaRiver #TriMet #CTran #PacificNorthwest #Transportation

Lars Larson confronts Joe Kent’s decision to step down from America’s National Counterterrorism Center citing opposition to Trump’s military action against Iran. Larson questions whether the move and Kent’s stated reasoning reflect a shift on U.S. security. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-americas-newest-anti-war-activist-joe-kent/ #JoeKent #LarsLarson #Counterterrorism #Iran #Opinion #NationalSecurity #HomelandSecurity #PoliticalCommentary #ClarkCounty #Northwest

Rep. David Stuebe argues that unchecked state spending, high taxes, and unfunded programs are fueling Washington’s affordability crisis. He details House Republican proposals for spending limits, taxpayer refunds, healthcare improvements, and funding for essential services. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-lets-make-washington-state-affordable-for-everyone/ #Washington #affordability #DavidStuebe #statebudget #costofliving #taxrelief #Republicans #healthcare #opinion #statepolitics

Gov. Bob Ferguson and legislative Democrats scored a victory with the new income tax on millionaire earners, while education programs like Transition to Kindergarten and Running Start face cuts. Free school lunches for all students are promised by 2029. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/winners-losers-and-takeaways-from-was-legislative-session/ #WashingtonState #Politics #Education #Legislature #BobFerguson #TaxPolicy #PublicSchools #Business #Unions