Anna Miller of Camas doesn’t hold back in this fiery letter to the editor, slamming USAID for corruption and waste following revelations of a $550 million fraud scheme. She calls the agency the “Titanic” of federal waste — and says it’s time to let it sink. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-greed-breeds-liars-and-thieves-lock-them-up/ #LetterToTheEditor #Opinion #USAID #GovernmentFraud #PublicFunds #FederalOversight #AnnaMiller #Camas #RoderickWatson #DOJ

Washington gas prices are climbing again, and experts warn it could get much worse. From California refinery closures to Iran-Israel conflict and upcoming state gas taxes, Brett Davis of The Center Square Washington breaks down what’s driving prices up. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/not-looking-terrific-for-summer-high-gas-prices-in-wa-could-get-worse/ #GasPrices #WashingtonState #FuelCosts #TransportationPolicy #CapAndTrade #ClimateCommitmentAct #MiddleEastTensions #GasTax #PatrickDeHaan #TheCenterSquare

Washington Policy Center’s Mark Harmsworth warns that Washington's capital gains tax hike from 7% to 9.9% could hurt the economy by pushing businesses and investors to leave the state, reducing long-term tax revenue. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-will-the-capital-gains-tax-increase-to-9-9-cause-businesses-to-leave-the-state/ #CapitalGainsTax #WashingtonPolicyCenter #StateTaxes #SmallBusiness #MarkHarmsworth #WashingtonState #BusinessClimate #Opinion #Microsoft #Amazon

In part two of his letter series, Charter Review Commission candidate John Jay reflects on Clark County’s first charter review process, the successes and failures of past amendments, and the lessons future commissions should heed. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/letter-the-charterist-ii-the-first-charter-review-commission/ #ClarkCounty #Opinion #CountyCharter #JohnJay #CharterReview #LocalGovernment #LetterToTheEditor #DEI #RankedChoiceVoting #PublicProcess

As crowds head to state beaches for Independence Day, Washington State Parks is urging visitors to follow safety guidelines, pack out all trash, and help with the July 5 beach cleanup. Last year’s celebrations left over 129,000 pounds of debris. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/state-parks-urges-responsible-fourth-of-july-fun-on-public-lands-and-beaches/ #WashingtonState #FourthOfJuly #BeachCleanup #PublicLands #WashingtonStateParks #IndependenceDay #MarineDebris #VolunteerOpportunity #DiscoverPass #EnvironmentalResponsibility

Vancouver’s new designation as a Bee City USA affiliate will be honored at the 2nd annual Pollinator Festival on June 21 at Marshall Community Park. The free event invites the community to learn about pollinators and enjoy speakers, family fun, and local vendors. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-pollinator-festival-to-celebrate-the-city-becoming-a-bee-city-usa/ #VancouverWA #PollinatorFestival #BeeCityUSA #ClarkCountyEvents #NativePlants #Pollinators #EnvironmentalEducation #VancouverBeeProject #XercesSociety #SustainableLandscaping

A devastating three-alarm fire early Thursday morning at Ridgecrest Apartments in Hazel Dell resulted in one fatality, one person seriously injured, and major displacement across 12 units. Fire crews from multiple districts responded, and the investigation is ongoing. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/early-morning-blaze-turns-into-fatality/ #HazelDell #ApartmentFire #ClarkCountyFire #FatalFire #BreakingNews #EmergencyResponse #ClarkCountyToday #FireInvestigation #RedCross #News

Rob Anderson’s lawsuit over the removal of Michelle Belkot from the C-TRAN board was delayed after a judge didn’t receive case files in time. The hearing is now set for July 9, just one day after the C-TRAN board’s next meeting. Anderson alleges Open Public Meetings Act violations and says delays favor the defense. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/rob-andersons-case-against-four-clark-county-councilors-delayed/ #RobAnderson #ClarkCounty #CTRAN #OpenMeetings #PublicComment #ClarkCountyCouncil #MichelleBelkot #LightRail #CouncilLawsuit #WashingtonLaw

Clark County Public Health has issued a warning for Vancouver Lake due to high cyanotoxin levels from harmful algae. Swimming and animal contact are discouraged while the advisory remains in place. Lacamas Lake remains under a similar warning. https://clarkcountytoday.com/news/public-health-issues-warning-for-vancouver-lake-due-to-elevated-toxin-levels-4/ #VancouverLake #ClarkCounty #PublicHealth #Cyanotoxins #HarmfulAlgae #LakeSafety #LacamasLake #WaterAdvisory #ToxinWarning #WashingtonState

Elizabeth New (Hovde) of the Washington Policy Center says Washington’s efforts to expand public health care are backfiring. She criticizes SB 5083 and HB 1392 for shifting costs to private payers and argues for a more competitive, multi-payer system. https://clarkcountytoday.com/opinion/opinion-more-payers-not-fewer-needed-in-health-care/ #Opinion #HealthCareCosts #ElizabethNew #ElizabethHovde #WashingtonPolicyCenter #SB5083 #HB1392 #InsurancePremiums #Medicaid #UniversalCare #CostShifting