Crossposted from Clean Water Stories

Aaron Squires stands at the edge of a maintenance hole in Redmond, pulling on a pair of waders. A King County truck sits nearby, with cones marking the work zone and cables running down into the opening below. Squires is part of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s 15-member conveyance inspection team, responsible for maintaining and surveying the pipes that spans across our service area. 

Below the surface, more than 380 miles of County-owned pipe carry wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment plants. Known as the conveyance system, this network stretches far beyond what most people ever see. If laid end to end, it would run from Seattle to just shy of the California border. Read more.

Crossposted from the DES Express

The first FIFA World Cup match in Seattle kicks off at noon on Monday, June 15, with a total of six games in Seattle through July 6. During that time, there will be many special events throughout the Puget Sound region and the state celebrating the tournament. Local event planners are anticipating 750,000 visitors to the region for the World Cup. While the World Cup events will spotlight our region, they will also bring increased traffic, road closures and pressures on public transportation. Read more.

Crossposted from Metro Matters

Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, returns for its ninth season beginning Memorial Day weekend, making it easier for residents and visitors to explore the region’s outdoor spaces without the stress of driving or parking. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with promotional support from Amazon.

Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday, May 23 and will run through Sunday, Aug. 30. The 2026 season includes service on Independence Day. Read more.

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections

For too long, communities across King County have faced barriers to getting the behavioral health care they need to support their long-term recovery. At the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS), we are breaking the cycle through our commitment to following through, connecting people to routine mental health care and recovery supports after they are discharged from treatment in hospitals, inpatient programs, or Crisis Care Centers.

New data shows efforts to connect clients of King County’s behavioral health services to outpatient care after a hospitalization are working and setting a national standard for follow-up care. Read more.

It’s almost time for Seattle to host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches! They will be held at Lumen Field (referred to as Seattle Stadium) between June 15 and July 6. During that time, you should expect substantial impacts to your commute on game days and during World Cup-related community festivities. On game days, there will be street closures and increased pedestrian traffic around King Street Center and other buildings in the downtown campus.