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Holiday travel? Metro will help you get there
Emergency exercise tests communications ahead of World Cup
King County Wins 2025 Geospatial Professional Network Award for Innovative AI-GIS System
Recognizing the service of Metro veterans
News
New “License Management” portal simplifies software requests
KCIT is pleased to introduce a more streamlined way to request Microsoft Project or Visio software licenses. King County’s new License Management portal makes it easy to submit license requests, track the status of your request, and receive automatic notifications when your request is approved or declined by your department’s financial approver. To get started, visit the KCIT Helpdesk. Users requesting a Microsoft Project or Visio license will be automatically directed to the License Management portal. Currently, the portal supports Microsoft Project and Visio license requests only. For all other software, please continue to follow… Read More
Resources to support you and your loved ones
Employees and their families may be experiencing a range of emotions as the nation navigates current events. Balanced You wants to remind you that there are resources available to help you manage these challenges. Making Life Easier (MLE) Making Life Easier (MLE) provides free, confidential mental health services to employees and anyone living in their household. Support is available through virtual or in‑person counseling, text-based coaching, online classes, and more. Read more.
Balanced You Conversations: Candace Conaty
Balanced You Conversations is a series of talks about important topics related to overall health and well-being. Karla Clark, Employee Health & Wellness Project/Program Manager III with the Balanced You team, sits down with Candace Conaty, Director of Operations with Vivecorp, a long‑time partner supporting the county’s employee wellness efforts. They discuss the many benefits of regular exercise, such as reduced risk of chronic disease, improved mental health, better sleep, stronger muscles and bones, and enhanced daily physical function. Read more.
Department of Local Services joins community to unveil ‘Welcome to Skyway’ mural
Crossposted from King County Local A brightly colored piece of artwork now greets anyone traveling in the heart of Skyway. It’s the result of community feedback and advocacy, as well as support from the Department of Local Services. Last week, the department joined the community to unveil the new “Welcome to Skyway” mural along the north end of Renton Avenue South. Stretching 40 feet long and standing 4 feet high, the unveiling marked the culmination of a community driven effort led by the West Hill Community Association and supported by the Department… Read More
Reserve space with the Fee Assistance Program
Crossposted from the King County Parks Newsletter If you need to reserve fields or other spaces in our parks this year, check out our Fee Assistance Program! Our goal is to make sure everyone in the community can rent or use a park facility — regardless of the ability to pay. Reserve picnic shelters, trails, tennis courts, ballfields, and more. Learn more and apply here.
Parks and trails are reopening after flooding
Crossposted from the King County Parks Newsletter As we get further from the historic flooding in our region, our crews are hard at work repairing the damage and reopening our affected parks and trails. Some of the recovery efforts will be long-term, but many of our flooded properties have reopened for public use. Please check the Backyard Fun Finder to view current impacts and closures in our parks as you plan your trip to nature!
King County Promise highlights early progress for students
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections According to South King County data and decades of higher education research, a lack of individualized support is a main barrier to receiving a college education. That’s why programs like King County Promise prioritize building individualized supports. A cross-agency initiative designed to support young people with graduating and successfully transitioning to college or the career path of their choosing, King County Promise provides one-on-one advising, service referrals, postsecondary navigation and transition support, and an Equity Grant to support students through key milestones like financial aid completion, high school graduation/equivalency, college admission, college… Read More
Four Fridays Film Festival starts Feb. 6
Crossposted from the DES Express In recognition of Black History and Culture Month, employees are invited to celebrate the legacy, the resilience and the promise of Black History, Arts and Culture with four film screenings in February. The Four Fridays “We Know Who We Are” series starts Friday, Feb. 6 and runs each Friday in February from 3 – 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. Here is the schedule and theme for each: Feb. 6: Black Panther, We are Heroic, Hosted by the Department of Executive Services Feb. 13: The Fight for Black Lives, We are… Read More
The senior gardener at South Treatment Plant sees the beauty in it all
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories There is probably no one who knows more about South Treatment Plant’s 90-acre property than Jim Davis. He’s been the senior gardener at the facility in Renton for more than 20 years, which gives him a granular perspective of what goes on there. Surrounding the acres of gray infrastructure that make up the wastewater treatment process is a landscape of lawns, gardens, and wooded areas that are Davis’s domain. Weeds, a fallen branch, a bush that needs trimming … there’s little that escapes Davis’s notice. And while… Read More
Airport levels up on carbon reduction goals
Crossposted from the DES Express King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) has taken another step forward in its journey toward becoming carbon neutral. Airports Council International (ACI) recently informed the airport that it has met the standards for Level 3 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACAP) by engaging airport tenants and users to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions at the airport helps King County residents, especially those who live and work nearby,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. “Achieving Level 3 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program… Read More
Supporting our communities affected by flood damage
By Megan Pedersen, Chief People Officer The historic storm that recently brought heavy rainfall and flooding to our region has left damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. King County employees across many departments have been on the front lines working to mitigate damage and help residents. We are thankful for our dedicated staff who have worked around the clock monitoring and responding to those in need and quickly working to address infrastructure issues. We also want to acknowledge our Office of Emergency Management, which has been in full activation since the floods… Read More
New Year marks start of new leadership for King County Superior Court
Crossposted from the Superior Court Medium blog On Jan. 12, Judge Averil Rothrock became Presiding Judge of the King County Superior Court, and Judge Tanya L. Thorp became Assistant Presiding Judge. Judge Rothrock, pictured above, takes on the role of Presiding Judge after having served as Assistant Presiding Judge in 2024 and 2025, and Chief Judge of the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center in 2022. Judge Rothrock was appointed to the King County Superior Court bench in 2018. “Courts exist for the public, not the other way around,” Judge Rothrock said…. Read More
Executive Zahilay honors Dwight Dively
On Thursday, Jan. 22, Executive Zahilay honored Dwight Dively, longtime director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget (PBS) and Chief Operating Officer (COO), with a proclamation thanking him for his service to King County. Dwight served as PSB director from 2010-2025 and COO from 2019-2025. He guided King County’s finances through the Great Recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous crises in the General Fund. His leadership of King County’s financial management policies and budget process will have a last impact on King County for years to come. Dwight will join the City… Read More
King County awards $23.7 million to eight affordable housing developments, creating 672 homes countywide
On Tuesday, Jan 20, Executive Zahilay announced $23.7 million for eight affordable housing developments across South King County, East King County, and the City of Seattle. Together, these investments will create 672 affordable homes, reflecting both the scale of the region’s housing demand and King County’s ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of a growing and increasingly diverse population. “The demand for affordable housing in King County is urgent and undeniable,” said Executive Zahilay. “Too many individuals and families throughout our county are being priced out of the communities they call home or are… Read More
Employee discounts available for Victoria, B.C. and whale watching
FRS Clipper will extend a 10% discount to all eligible King County employees on Seattle – Victoria ferry service and Seattle whale watching excursions. The 10% savings applies to the sailing portion of the entire booking, enabling employees to take advantage of the benefit when traveling with family members or companions. To unlock their discount, employees will enter their King County email address and promo code EMPKING at the time of booking. For questions, contact Lorenzo Cabrera at Sales@clippervacations.com or 800-888-2535. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
DES Express: New Harborview Construction and Infrastructure Division joins DES
Crossposted from the DES Express The Harborview Construction and Infrastructure Division (HCID) officially became the Department of Executive Services’ newest division this month. “The core work of the Harborview Bond and the county is to care for the citizens and create a place where all can thrive,” said Tony Wright, HCID Director. “The new division allows for focused efforts on the Bond and other construction projects for maintaining a world class medical facility.” The division started as the Harborview Bond Program in the Facilities Management Division, created following the overwhelming 2020 voter… Read More
2026 Professional Development Scholarship application period is now open
The first application period for the 2026 Professional Development Scholarship is now open. This period will remain open from Jan. 20 to Feb. 27. Award recipients for this period will be notified via email by April 3. New in 2026: The Scholarship Program is now open to non-represented employees, in addition to employees represented by one of the unions in the Coalition. To apply: Visit the scholarship intranet page and click the “Apply Here” button. Please familiarize yourself with the eligibility and application requirements before submitting. Previous applicants please be aware that the application has been updated from previous years. The Professional Development Scholarship Program is… Read More
County employees rally to help during severe rains and flooding
Crossposted from the DES Express When forecasts started showing heavy rain would inundate the region and cause local rivers to flood last month, employees at King County Emergency Management sprung into action. As they do in severe weather and other emergencies, they activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Renton on Dec. 8, calling upon other divisions in the Department of Executive Services, county departments, and local partners for help. Read more.
Join State Attorney General and County Executive at event recognizing Black History Month, Feb. 3
Employees are invited to join Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay at an online event recognizing Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Attorney General Brown will talk about key milestones in Black history for our region and discuss his own journey into public service. He will be welcomed and introduced by King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. Tuesday, Feb. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Zoom. Register here. This is a County-sponsored event and King County directors, managers, and supervisors are encouraged to permit employees to… Read More
Discount available to upcoming Seattle Kraken hockey games and Cirque du Soleil ECHO performances
Employees are now able to take advantage of additional Seattle Kraken hockey games. Below are the available dates and information. Purchase tickets here. Monday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. Seattle vs Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Seattle vs New York Islanders. Additionally, this evening is Pickleball Night. Every ticket purchased comes with a limited-edition Kraken pickleball paddle case. Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. Seattle vs Anaheim Ducks Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. Seattle vs Washington Capitals Additionally, employees can also purchase discounted tickets for Cirque du Soleil ECHO, being… Read More
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