As expected, within minutes of ending his lackluster bid for president, the Inslee campaign let it be known he would be running for Governor.  And from the campaign’s email announcement, it appears Inslee believes his opponent is still Donald Trump.  Inslee listed his key issue as “opposing Donald Trump and rejecting his hurtful and divisive agenda.”  Inslee has also pledged that he will not accept a cabinet post if one is offered.    Of course, Inslee also pledged that he would veto new tax proposals, and yet has proposed new taxes – including an income tax – in every budget he has submitted to the legislature (Seattle Times)

Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz immediately sent out an email thanking Inslee for 1) making “serious inroads during his campaign,” and 2) making “climate THE key issue” of the presidential debates.  Since Inslee ended with 0% support, maybe Franz is overstating his impact. (Franz Campaign email)

While a few Republicans are exploring whether to run for Governor, thus far only two have announced that they will be running in 2020.  Republic Sheriff Loren Culp, who refuses to follow the new gun law from the passage of I-1639 last November, announced his candidacy last month.  Businessman and state senator Phil Fortunato (R-31) proclaimed he would be running a couple of months ago. (MyNorthwest)

Members of the Umpqua Tribe are critical of federal forest practices that attempt to keep the forests “natural” yet lead to more forest fires.  They believe in “thinning and reintroducing fire through prescribed burns” as the best practice to maintain the forests.  Michael Rondeau, CEO of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe said, “For thousands of years, our ancestors used fire as a tool of keeping underbrush down, so that the vegetation remains healthy and productive.” (Crosscut)

Spokane and Walla Walla are two of the four Washington cities (along with Tacoma and Seattle) selected to take part in the “Meds-First” initiative aimed to assist those with opioid addictions.  The program is funded ($4.25 million) by the Paul G. Allen Foundation and assisted by the University of Washington’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute.  The program will prescribe buprenorphine, which blocks opioid cravings and surround the patient with nurse care managers and people who can assist them through the medical system. (Spokesman-Review)

Eight people have announced that they are seeking the Yakima County Commission vacancy left by the upcoming retirement of Mike Leita.  The Yakima County GOP will nominate three candidates to the two remaining county commissioners who will make the final selection (KIT Radio)

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