Featured Headlines
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
In the field with Executive Zahilay: Listening to staff and empowering solutions
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Major ‘Revive I-5’ repairs continue for Ship Canal Bridge
News
New discounts available to Paramout Theatre, Seattle Opera, Kraken games, and Summit at Snoqualmie
Paramount Theatre: Employees can now take advantage of discounts to multiple performances at the Paramount Theatre, including current shows such as Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, as well as upcoming shows from the 2026-2027 season, including Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast, and others. Discounted tickets for the 2026-2027 season will be available starting March 23 at 10 a.m. Purchase tickets here. Seattle Opera: The Seattle Opera has also provided a 20% discount for its upcoming show, Carmen, running May 2-17. Purchase tickets here, using promo code KING20. Seattle Kraken hockey: Additional discounted games in April… Read More
New reporting and performance-monitoring tool now available
Crossposted from the DES Express Employees and managers alike now have access to critical reports and data the Department of Executive Services (DES) Director’s Office uses for strategic planning, assessment and management. Robby White, Data and Analytics Manager for DES, created the online set of department-wide reports as a window into the department’s data analytics. “To me it’s part of accountability,” said White, who recently was selected into the career service position after serving in it as a special duty assignment for nearly a year. “Something like this is intended to create a better sense… Read More
DCHS strengthens oversight and accountability with new policies and improvements
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections By Dr. Susan McLaughlin, Acting Director of DCHS In 2020, the department’s priority was clear: Get resources to the community quickly and provide relief throughout the health emergency and into recovery. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) moved fast to deliver critical funding—from rental assistance to isolation and quarantine facilities—across the region when it mattered most. DCHS expanded partnerships with smaller, community-based organizations—trusted groups with deep roots in the neighborhoods they serve and a proven ability to connect people to the services they need. Read more.
King County drug court marks major milestone at graduation ceremony
Crossposted from the Seattle Times Four men accepted graduation certificates, commemorative coins, and orders dismissing their criminal cases at a Wednesday celebration marking their completion of the rigorous, five-phase King County Drug Diversion Court program. Their success represents a significant milestone for the therapeutic court that has now graduated over 3,000 participants since its inception in 1994. “Welcome to one of the most joyful days we have here in King County Superior Court,” said Judge Michael Scott, who began his two-year rotation presiding over the court in January. Read more.
Career Cards: Learn what it’s like to be on King County’s environmental science team
Crossposted from Headwaters Many people are surprised to learn that King County has an entire team of scientists working behind the scenes to understand and protect our environment. In fact, the Science Section has nearly 50 dedicated professionals working in, for, and with communities throughout our region! Genuine connections and diverse perspectives make our work better, but if other people don’t know who we are or what we do, how can we forge relationships, welcome new views, and respond to community needs and concerns? If local students don’t know jobs like ours even exist, are we losing the opportunity to inspire a whole generation of homegrown scientists? Read more.
Executive Zahilay commits to regional collaboration and problem-solving in the face of Sound Transit’s long-term fiscal challenges
Recently, King County Executive and Sound Transit Board Member Girmay Zahilay released the following statement on the Sound Transit’s Board of Director’s retreat and conversations about the Enterprise Initiative. The Enterprise Initiative is an agencywide effort to ensure that project delivery and operations are affordable going forward while delivering on the objectives of the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 (ST3) plan. Sound Transit currently faces a $34.5 billion shortfall over the next 20 years. Read more.
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and King County Metro break ground on South King County’s RapidRide I Line with regional and community partners
Yesterday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and King County Metro were joined by federal, state, and local transit partners, along with community partners, to celebrate a major milestone in expanding fast, reliable, high-quality transit service across South King County. The event marks the start of construction on the RapidRide I Line, a new corridor designed to strengthen north–south bus service, connect the cities of Renton, Kent, and Auburn, and improve access to jobs and essential services. The project advances Metro’s commitment to making equitable investments in transit, particularly in historically underserved communities… Read More
Four Fridays Film Festival a success
Crossposted from the DES Express The Four Fridays Film Festival welcomed more than 200 participants to “hang out” with presenters at the end of each work week last month to honor Black history and culture. Films included “Black Panther,” “I Am Not Your Negro,” “Rustin” and “Hidden Figures.” Level-set questions ahead of each screening helped viewers to build capacity and foster meaningful discussion on issues relevant to community, inclusion, belonging, and greater cultural understanding in King County and beyond. Four Fridays was an outgrowth of the “DES Friday Afternoon Hang” film series,… Read More
Nowruz celebrates renewal, hope, and new beginnings
Annually on March 20, Nowruz marks the spring equinox, and is a longstanding celebratory tradition of renewal and fresh beginnings observed for more than 3,000 years across many different cultures. Translating from Persian to “New Day,” Nowruz is a reminder that growth follows every season of change. The King County Refugees & Immigrant Support & Empowerment (RISE) affinity group celebrates Nowruz to foster connection, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging among employees from diverse backgrounds. “Recognizing holidays like Nowruz helps highlight traditions that are meaningful to many communities and creates opportunities for learning, appreciation, and stronger connections across our workplace,” said Nasir… Read More
King County Metro expands bus service and launches systemwide all-door boarding starting March 28
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro will expand bus service and launch systemwide all-door boarding starting Saturday, March 28, making transit faster and easier to use across the region. The service change strengthens connections to Sound Transit’s Link light rail system, including the new 2 Line Crosslake Connection between Seattle and the Eastside, and adds earlier morning trips, later evening service, and more weekend options for riders. Read more.
Emergency Management and partners feted at flooding recognition event
Crossposted from the DES Express Employees who had a role in the flood response in December gathered to receive recognition for their hard work late last month. They came from the King County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Local Services (DLS), Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) and of course, Emergency Management in the Department of Executive Services (DES). Before the remarks began, the group in the packed Emergency Operations Center were treated to a bluesy song honoring their efforts. “December rains fell heavy, rivers overflowed,” crooned a male voice. “King County fought… Read More
New Executive Office organizational structure
From King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Our team continues to grow! I am excited to welcome these key leaders to our administration, who bring diverse skillsets, expertise, and strong commitments to serving the residents of King County. Read more.
Update on King County’s response to the opioid overdose crisis
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County’s Five Priorities to Stop the Surge of Overdose Deaths were first announced in March 2024 as a coordinated cross-government response to slow the opioid overdose crisis. Over the past two years, we have seen a promising overall decline in overdoses in King County: fatal overdoses decreased 32% from 2023 to 2025. Nonetheless, fatal overdoses in 2025 remain elevated compared to before 2022. Working in partnership, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and Public Health Seattle & King County are investing in 13 actions to increase widespread access to treatment, medications, overdose reversal drugs,… Read More
Department of Local Services announces $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants to support efforts that bring together communities in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local King County’s Department of Local Services recently announced $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants for 2026. The grants support projects that will bring together and strengthen communities across unincorporated King County. The grant program focuses on inclusivity, funding events and projects that are open to everyone regardless of race, income, or language spoken. This popular program honors Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Area program and a long-time public servant who worked for the City of Seattle before coming to King County,… Read More
Get lucky at RASKC in March: $50 dog adoptions!
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC You can make a canine a “lucky dog” this month at Regional Animal Services of King County! Through March 31, you can adopt any adult dog (six months or older) for just $50 during our “Luck of the Dog” adoption special. Adopting a dog from RASKC is always a great value. Not only will you get a friendly, furry companion, but there are lots of other benefits that come with your adoption. Thanks to our friends at Rover, all dog adopters at RASKC get a $40 voucher… Read More
Records Management reminder: Most information that we have access to is considered a “Record”
The definition of a record is “any information – regardless of format – that is created, received, or maintained, and which supports, sustains or provides evidence of King County business.” Because of this broad definition, most information we have access to can be considered a record that needs to be managed. This can include, but is not limited to: Paper records Emails Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) Information in databases Audio and video files Photographs Social media and website posts Text messages And many more! For more information, visit the County… Read More
First phase of new shelter project underway
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Work has begun at the new Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) shelter location. The new shelter project will be completed in a phased approach, with the first phase focused on the offices and second floor of the building. In this first phase, the county’s Facilities Management Division (FMD) will partner with other county agencies and external contractors to remove carpet, demolish select walls and fixtures, build out a new information technology (IT) room, install security infrastructure, update flooring, and update the heating, ventilation, and air… Read More
Victory vibes: Over 330,000 Metro boardings on Seahawks parade day
Crossposted from Metro Matters Long before the sun peeked over the horizon on Super Bowl victory parade day, Seahawks fans started their journeys to downtown Seattle, leaving their cars behind and boarding buses, trains, water taxis and streetcars to stake out their front-row view. With clear blue sky and sunshine, hour by hour, tens of thousands of people arrived downtown, and families and fans wearing 50 years of different team jerseys lined the streets with grins. The typical sound of downtown traffic was replaced by the buzz of fans waiting for the… Read More
Department of Local Services celebrates Black History Month in Skyway by showcasing impacts of Participatory Budgeting
Crossposted from King County Local To honor Black History Month, the Department of Local Services traveled to Skyway, an unincorporated community that’s home to the largest percentage of black community members in the state. The event was an opportunity to celebrate figures and leaders whose impact is felt today. That included recognizing King County Councilmember Rhonda Lewis – the first black woman to serve on the County Council, as well as Civil Rights-era icon and longtime former Councilmember Larry Gossett. Read more.
Profile in Service: Deb Wilson
Crossposted from For the Defense Welcome to the King County Department of Public Defense’s Profiles in Service, a series that will highlight the contributions of our committed public servants and provide a platform for attorneys and professional staff to share their insights on the evolving practice of public defense. For our inaugural interview, recently retired attorney supervisor Deb Wilson sat down to reflect on her nearly 40 years as a public defender. Deb began her career as an investigator at The Defender Association (TDA), nearly 30 years before the four nonprofits that had… Read More
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