A woman who reported Sen. Kevin Ranker (D-Orcas Island) for inappropriate conduct says he tried to retaliate against her professionally. While working for Ranker she says she rebuffed his sexual advances, causing him to get increasingly angry. After she took a job with the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife, the Seattle Times reports, “She said Ranker continued to make advances while also treating her with disdain, threatening to cut the department’s budget, looking up her salary, telling her she was overpaid, examining what state authorizations allowed her job in the first place and threatening to cut programs important to her.” (Seattle Times)

After the state Supreme Court ruled King County voters cannot vote on banning heroin injection sites because it conflicts with local board of health powers, conservative commentator John Carlson wonders what would happen if a statewide initiative outlawed drug injection sites instead. Carlson wrote, “It is settled law that King County voters can’t overrule the health board. But what if a statewide initiative appeared declaring that no jurisdiction anywhere in Washington can own, operate or participate in a facility involved in the use of illegal narcotics?” (Crosscut)

Sen. Jim Honeyford, (R-Sunnyside) was presented with the 2018 Outstanding Services to Veterans Legislator of the Year Award. The award was in recognition of Honeyford’s dedication to veterans and their families.“I’ve always believed that our veterans deserve so much more than just our thanks; they deserve to know that they are appreciated and valued, and that we will demonstrate our appreciation through actions that make their lives better,” Honeyford said. (Sunnyside Sun)

The Seattle City Council, rarely one to turn away money, in fact voted down $12 million in outside federal grant funding to make a point about immigration enforcement. Two councilmembers scuttled the package because it included a $90,000 reimbursement grant from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, not realizing that because of some absences, their no votes meant the entire $12 million package would be rejected. “I did not intend to derail today’s committee hearing in this fashion,” Councilmember Lorena Gonzalez said. Now the council must schedule a new meeting to re-vote on the package before the end of the year. (Crosscut)

6.2 million Chinook salmon fry died after a power outage due to last week’s windstorm. Backup generators at state-run Minter Creek Hatchery in Pierce County didn’t start, causing water pumps to fail. “It’s a severe loss. It’s a challenge to try to recover from something like this,” said Jim Jenkins, WDFW South Puget Sound Hatchery Operations Manager. (KOMO News)

The Spokane City Council is asking nearby cities to help foot the bill for homelessness funding. The council alleges surrounding cities are transporting their homeless population to Spokane’s new warming centers, but would not specify which cities. “I deliberately left it vague,” said the resolution’s sponsor, Councilwoman Lori Kinnear, “because I want to be able to work with everyone.” (The Spokesman-Review)

Do you like The Morning Briefing? Forward this to a friend! It helps us grow our community and serve you better.

If you feel we missed something that should be covered, email us at [email protected].

If you don’t want to receive this email each morning, click here to opt-out of The Morning Briefing.