The Switch Your Trips (SYT) promotion has officially begun! Leave the car at home during October and reap the benefits of trying other modes of transportation. Complete and log at least 10 trips using a qualifying travel option—that’s carpool, vanpool, bus, train, light rail, foot ferry, bicycle, walking, rolling, skateboarding, or a combination of all modes — and you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a chance to win some great prizes — including $1,500, $500, or one of many other great prizes. So, join your fellow King County employees and Switch Your Trips the entire month of October!

Switch Your Trips WA challenges people who live, study, or work in Washington State to replace drive alone trips with sustainable travel options such as walking, biking, rideshare, and transit.

Want more out of your trip? Post a photo of you and your Switched Trip to the SYT Facebook page for your chance to win a $25 weekly gift card!

Crossposted from the Department of Local Services LinkedIn

Recently, members of the Department of Local (DLS)  Services Road Services and Director’s Office teams wore orange shirts to collectively honor Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots commemoration of Indigenous children across North America who were taken from their homes to attend residential and boarding schools — many of whom did not return home — beginning in the 1800’s. The commemoration, which centers on the message that “Every Child Matters,” serves as an opportunity to create meaningful discussion about the effects of residential schools and the legacy they have left behind.

The commemoration was organized by Department of Local Services Race, Equity, and Social Justice Program Manager Rita Gray M.Ed., whose grandmother and other family members are boarding school survivors.

For more information about Orange Shirt Day, visit orangeshirtday.org.

Crossposted from Metro Matters

On Sept. 23, King County Executive Shannon Braddock proposed a 2026-27 budget that adds more than 400,000 hours of Metro bus service and totals $4 billion across Metro’s operating and capital programs, including all of Metro’s modes of transit as well as safety, cleaning, and zero emissions, among other priorities.

“We continue to invest in and grow transit,” Executive Braddock said. “We’re increasing bus and water taxi service, expanding Metro Flex, and improving Access Paratransit.” Read more.

Crossposted from Public Health Insider

Overdose is the leading cause of preventable injury death in King County, but an easy-to-use nasal spray called naloxone is saving lives. When someone overdoses on opioids like fentanyl or prescription painkillers, their breathing slows or stops. Naloxone, sometimes also called Narcan, quickly reverses the effects of opioids, often restoring normal breathing in 2-3 minutes.

Through strong community partnerships and innovative approaches, Public Health’s distribution of this life-saving tool to community-based organizations in 2025 is on pace to double that distributed in 2024. This work is funded in part through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Overdose Data to Action Grant. Read more.