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Free admission to Emerald Downs on Sunday, July 19
King County employees can get free admission to King County Day at Emerald Downs on Sunday, July 19. Employees may attend for free on Sunday, July 19, by bringing their King County badge, displaying their King County email inbox on their phone, or displaying any other generally accepted proof of employment. Employees may bring up to nine members of their family (10 total free tickets). Tickets will be available for pick-up on Sunday, July 19, in front of the general admission gates from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Emerald Downs’ address is 2300 Ron… Read More
Get Movin’ with Balanced You with the new summer schedule
The new summer schedule of Get Movin’ is designed to help employees shake off the workday stiffness and bring a little sunshine into your routine. It is a low-pressure way to feel better and move more. Classes are for all levels, from beginner to advanced. No special gear is needed and the sessions are all body-weight movement. Check out the summer Get Movin’ schedule here. Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF of the Get Movin’ summer schedule to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.
Back-to-back Emmy awards, this time for short science documentary
Crossposted from Field Notes A video showing how our scientists discovered a potential breakthrough for treating a toxic tire chemical that is killing coho salmon won the award for best short-form environment/science documentary at the 63rd Annual Northwest Regional Emmy Awards gala. Multimedia Specialists Ken Christensen and Eric Keto used a toy truck and mason jars filled with organic ingredients to show how a high-performing soil mixture has proven effective in lab tests at treating a toxic chemical, known as 6PPDQ, that is killing coho salmon before they reach their spawning grounds. Read more.
Management team donates time to Food Lifeline
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Employee Newsletter Ten people from Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention’s (DAJD) Senior Management Team spent a recent Friday volunteering at Food Lifeline in Seattle’s South Park neighborhood. During a two-hour morning session on May 29, the team boxed 10,000 pounds of cabbage, then returned for an afternoon shift to bag 2,000 pounds of dried black beans. The team performed this day of service as part of DAJD’s commitment to Employee Giving. Senior management hopes the volunteer work will encourage other employees and workgroups to donate… Read More
Take care working outdoors during hot weather
With warm temperatures heading our way, employees and supervisors are reminded to take care of themselves and one another as temperatures rise. There will be a gradual warming trend through Friday, with temperatures expected to warm further on Saturday, and peak Sunday and Monday. Some of our work needs to be performed outdoors, and in extreme heat, Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to when temperatures are cooler, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt schedules wherever… Read More
Seattle’s first FIFA World Cup match kicks off on Monday, June 15
The first of six FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 matches at Lumen Field in Seattle (referred to as Seattle Stadium for the FIFA World Cup) between Belgium and Egypt kicks off at noon, Monday, June 15. On game days, street closures will go into effect four hours before kickoff and stay in place until approximately two hours after the end of the match. There will be significant security and crowd-control measures in place around the stadium, with no on-site parking at the stadium. Both King Street Center (KSC) and the Graybar Building are located within the secure… Read More
SeattleU offers 15% tuition scholarship for King County employees who are MPA students
Seattle University is now offering a 15% tuition scholarship for King County employees who join the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program starting in Summer 2026 and continuing through the 2026-2027 academic year. The MPA program is NASPAA-accredited and built for people who work full-time. Participants can start in any quarter, and classes take place in the evenings and on weekends. Students learn useful skills in policy, public management, and leadership. Classes are small, teachers give close support, and students can apply what they learn right away. For employees thinking about taking… Read More
City of Seattle, SeattleFWC26 and King County Metro partner to provide local youth access to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches
Crossposted from Metro Matters Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson, in partnership with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™ Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) and the generosity of Seattle sports teams, businesses, and community leaders, announced a landmark initiative that will send over 1,400 youth and their caregivers from across our region to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in Seattle. Each participating youth will receive a match ticket, a stadium food voucher and a Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ scarf, creating a complete and memorable matchday experience. Select nonprofit groups will also receive dedicated shuttle service to and from matches in partnership with King County Metro. “King County is proud to… Read More
Superior Court clerk fee schedule revisions for 2026
The Clerk’s Office has updated the fee schedule for 2026 based on the fee changes approved by the legislature in HB 2543. Below is a summary of the changes and a link to the updated fee schedule. These changes are effective on June 11. Changes to existing fees: Providing a copy without a seal will be $0.50 per page, regardless of the format (paper or electronic). Preparation of a copy of the audio or video recording from a court proceeding will change to $25 per court day. For materials sent via US mail,… Read More
Check in on your finances with MSA: Plus a chance to win
With My Secure Advantage (MSA), King County employees have access to tools and resources designed to help you better manage your money. Whether you start with a quick assessment, a one-on-one Money Coaching session – or both – you’ll get a clearer picture of your finances and a plan to move forward with confidence. As an incentive, employees who complete a money coaching session or financial wellness assessment by July 31 will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Click here to get started today. What you can… Read More
Juneteenth an observed County holiday on June 19
King County government will observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday and most King County offices be closed on Friday, June 19. Due to the nature of county work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. Metro will remain on regular weekday service. June 19 is also a FIFA World Cup match day. View road closure schedules and traffic information for around downtown Seattle and Pioneer Square here.
Join colleagues across King County to celebrate Juneteenth
On Thursday, June 18, employees are invited to join colleagues across King County and community members for King County’s Juneteenth Flag Raising celebration in advance of the federal holiday on June 19. All interested employees are welcome to attend with supervisor approval. Participation is completely optional. The event will include light refreshments, music, and remarks from employees and community members whose leadership, advocacy, and service continue to advance Black liberation, social justice, and strengthen African American communities across King County. Thursday, June 18 at noon, King County Administration Building Plaza, 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 Juneteenth marks the day… Read More
Creating a safer Metro: Our Behavioral Health Support program
Crossposted from Metro Matters On any given day, a King County Metro bus ride can be a crossroads—where someone heading to work might sometimes sit beside someone navigating homelessness, trauma or crisis. Metro’s Behavioral Health Support team was created for those moments. With compassion at the center of their work, these specialists show up in transit spaces to listen, de-escalate crisis and connect people to the care they deserve. The Behavioral Health Support program or BHS is a partnership between Metro and Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), launched in April… Read More
Aaron Parker earns service award
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Employee Newsletter Community Corrections Division Director Aaron Parker was honored recently with a Community Service Award from a local civil rights organization that focuses on the legal system. The Loren Miller Bar Association presented Parker with the award on May 8. The recognition occurred during the 58th Annual Philip L. Burton Memorial Scholarship Dinner in Seattle. The award is given to a lawyer, non-lawyer, or law firm who has given back to LMBA, the African American community, or the community at large in a meaningful… Read More
New one-stop employee Intranet site for the County’s new Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values
On Thursday, June 4, Executive Girmay Zahilay launched our new Vision, Mission, and Values for the Executive Branch. “Together, they define where we are headed as an organization, the role we play in serving our communities, and how we will work together internally to deliver on those external priorities,” says Executive Zahilay. To help employees learn more about the new Vision, Mission, and Values, King County has launched an intranet page. It’s a new one-stop-shop page with a collection of links and information called “Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values.” The page includes: Mission statement Vision statement ACTIVATE Values descriptions and key behaviors Executive Zahilay… Read More
Mystery on the Green River: What killed these young salmon?
Crossposted from Headwaters A cold April rain fell on the Green River but the research carried on. Chris Gregersen and Dan Lantz, ecologists from King County’s Science Section, floated down the river’s mainstem and poked into its tributaries listening for loud, electronic beeps from their tracking antennas. Each beep meant a juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) – previously tagged by our team or other researchers – was swimming below. Every beep was a reason to celebrate, especially in weather like this. But as they paddled up Kent’s Mill Creek in search of more… Read More
Tour our plants to find out what happens after you flush
Crossposted from Clean Water News: Updates from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division Complete your summer plans with a wastewater treatment plant tour! We offer tours at our three regional facilities, as well as our state-of-the-art Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station in Seattle! We invite everyone ages 9 and older to learn how we clean wastewater and transform it into valuable resources. Registration is required, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Sign up for a treatment plant tour here. Picture: WTD interns on a tour of the Georgetown Wet… Read More
Seasonal farmers markets are back and there are many ways to enjoy them
Crossposted from Field Notes Seasonal farmers markets are back! Across King County, more than 40 markets are opening their stalls and bringing together local farmers, foragers, food businesses, and others to share the bounty of our local food system. Here’s how to make the most of this abundant time of year. Find a market: On most days of the week except Monday, you can find a farmers market. Use the WA State Farmers Market Association’s Find a Farmers Market tool online to locate a market close to you, or stop by any market’s info booth to pick up a printed directory. Find the directory for King County and Seattle Markets here. Read… Read More
Tap into Seattle summer: ORCA releases limited-time promotional three-day pass
Crossposted from Metro Matters On June 1, ORCA launched a new promotional pass, the 3-Day Puget Pass, allowing riders to save money on transit across the Puget Sound region throughout the summer. This promotional Regional Day Pass is available through Aug. 31, 2026. The 3-Day Puget Pass is a multi-day pass which allows adult fare riders to travel around the region for an $18 flat rate, or $6 for ORCA LIFT and RRFP Senior and Disabled fare riders. This pass makes it simple for riders to enjoy unlimited transit options across multiple… Read More
Creating a culture of inclusion
Crossposted from the DAJD Employee Newsletter They’re on a mission. Employees who focus on disability issues for the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) and Public Health – Seattle & King County aim to do more than just comply with the law. They want to change the mindset so that King County jails make their services truly accessible to people with disabilities. Meet Brandi Brown and Brad Steinmetz from DAJD, and Blayne Amson from Public Health. Read more.
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