Metro’s bus stop schedules are getting a fresh new look
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro is rolling out updated bus stop schedules designed to be easier to read and more helpful for riders with our semi-annual service change on March 28.
These refreshed schedules come after we listened to customer suggestions. They make better use of space and include useful details like fare information, the customer service number and other rider resources (when room allows).
One important update we want riders to know about is how to read the new schedule layout: Schedule times now flow from top to bottom instead of left to right. This change creates a cleaner look and helps riders follow their trip information more easily.
You’ll start seeing the new design at stops across the system soon. We’re excited to bring you improvements that will help make your trip planning smoother and your ride with Metro even better.
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New youth mental health urgent care now open in Kirkland
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
As part of the voter-approved Crisis Care Centers initiative, we are excited to share that youth behavioral health urgent care is now available at our first Crisis Care Center, Connections Kirkland — whether or not you have insurance.
The Crisis Care Centers initiative is making sure everyone including children and teens have access to free 24/7 behavioral health crisis services, including:
- Someone to call: 988 Crisis Line
- Someone to respond: Crisis Response Teams operated by the YMCA
- Somewhere to go: Our first Crisis Care Center, Connections Kirkland
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Women on the front line: The longest flood activation in at least 40 years
Historic flooding in December 2025 from back-to-back atmospheric rivers was an all-hands-on-deck response that required three weeks of 24/7 monitoring. With multiple rivers throughout King County experiencing extreme flooding at the same time, staff took on shifts and supported the coordinated flood response in positions outside of their normal day-to-day jobs, lending their expertise to meet the demands of emergency response and communications.
Women responded in full force during this record event. In the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, women hold diverse roles from across STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), administrative, project management, and communications fields. Women were in lead roles during the flood, managing upwards of 100 staff to deploy on rotating shifts, communicating across jurisdictions and agencies, and leading emergency repair construction crews. Read more.
Pictured: From left to right, flood responders Susan Hepburn, Jessy Hardy, Sophie Brooks, Zanna Kelley, Heather McPherson, and Marisa Landicho.
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Executive Zahilay announces new Regional Relationship Managers
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced four additions to his team who will help the County be better connected to the communities we serve.
“One of the ways my administration is showing up differently is through our new Regional Relationship Managers,” Executive Zahilay said.
“This is a new team structure that reflects our commitment to being in community. These leaders are a key part of how the Executive Office stays connected to communities across King County. They build relationships, stay grounded in what’s happening across regions, and help inform how we respond as a County.
They work alongside cities, community organizations, businesses, and residents to surface priorities, strengthen coordination, and help ensure our work is responsive to local needs.
Our Regional Relationship Managers bring deep experience, trusted relationships, and a strong understanding of the communities they serve.” Read more.
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Executive announces new Executive Order to break the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration
Good afternoon team,
This morning, I hosted a press conference to announce a new Executive Order to address the interconnected crises of homelessness, substance use disorder, untreated behavioral health needs, and repeated involvement in the criminal legal system impacting the health and safety of communities throughout King County.
Breaking the cycles of homelessness, behavioral health needs, addiction, repeated legal system involvement are distinct and deeply intertwined activities. We cannot address the full scope of the homelessness crisis without addressing behavioral health and addiction. And we cannot effectively do any of that without bringing people inside and staying inside while they receive the supports they need to recover and re-enter our community. Too often, people navigating these challenges encounter systems that respond in isolation rather than together. I know we can do better on this forward as neighbors, community members and as a government to truly break this cycle.
Today, I announced a series of actions that were directly informed by final recommendations from my transition team, which included a diverse coalition of local elected officials and leaders in housing, human services, labor, philanthropy, and more. Read more.
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Introducing the new look and digital experience for Making Life Easier
Making Life Easier (MLE) is rolling out a refreshed digital experience on April 1, 2026—including an updated website and a brand‑new mobile app. These updates bring a modern look and new features designed to make support even more intuitive, connected, and easy to access for King County employees and anyone living in their household.
Whether you’re seeking emotional support, work‑life resources, or guidance for everyday challenges, the new experience helps visitors take the next step with confidence. Read more.
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North Bend Police hosted its first “Coffee with a Cop” event
Crossposted from the KCSO Employee Newsletter
North Bend recently hosted its first “Coffee with a Cop” at Huxdotter Coffee, which gave community members a relaxed opportunity to sit down, enjoy a cup of brew, and chat with incoming KCSO North Bend Chief of Police Ed Hall, who spoke with residents and answered their questions.
One attendee added a special touch to the gathering. Retired King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Deputy Paul Schwenn stopped by to say hello. Schwenn and Chief Hall worked together for several years on the Metro BEES team.
Chief-to-be Ed Hall becomes the Chief of Police when KCSO officially begins its Police Services interlocal agreement, going into service as North Bend’s police department, beginning April 1.
Pictured: From left to right, incoming North Bend Chief of Police Ed Hall and retired KCSO Deputy Paul Schwenn.
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KCSO reports significant decrease in crime across King County
Crossposted from the KCSO Employee Newsletter
The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) recently released information for 2025 Crime Stats in this press release. It highlighted a 22% drop in the crime rate across the County. Sheriff Cole-Tindall sat down with several news outlets to talk about the great work KCSO employees are doing to achieve this impressive decrease.
“Our goal, we believe, and our job is to reduce crime and the fear of crime,” said Sheriff Cole-Tindall. “We will continue to do the work that we’ve been doing.”
Check out her interview with KIRO TV below, and learn more about the work KCSO is doing at their Crime Data and Statistics page.
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DAJD makes history broadening opportunities for immigrant residents
In October 2025, King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) discovered that 38 corrections officers, who were hired in good faith and are legally authorized to work in the United States, could not serve as law enforcement officers under the state’s immigration status requirement, at that time. If those officers were removed from service, despite being federally authorized to work, King County detention facilities would face a nearly 20% staffing vacancy rate, creating significant public safety concerns, mandatory overtime for remaining staff, and delays in court and medical transports.
“Immigrant residents who are federally authorized to work should have the opportunity to find employment and build a life with dignity in King County, including pursuing careers in public service. This bill helps create a more diversified pool of candidates and opens the door for more people who may be considering careers in law enforcement, helping address the underlying staffing crisis,” says Girmay Zahilay, King County Executive.
As one team unified around one mission, King County’s Executive Office Government Relations team and DAJD partnered with Senator John Lovick and other state legislators to prioritize changing the law so county staff could keep their jobs and continue their important work. On March 18, 2026, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5068, aligning employment eligibility standards for corrections officers with federal work authorization requirements to address staffing shortages. This historic moment marked a renewed commitment to public service and strengthened the county’s ability to serve its communities. Read more.
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Combatting stigma with personal stories: Portraits of Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Lana is a nurse and educator, who uses her own immigration story to build trust with other new arrivals to discuss the stigmatized topic of tuberculosis (TB). For World TB Day on March 24, we’re proud to celebrate her and the incredible work of our TB Program.
Hi, Lana! What work do you do at Public Health?
I’m a registered nurse and I work as an educational specialist for Public Health’s Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic. I share awareness about TB, how to get tested, and treatment options. We educate the community because TB is very stigmatized. Read more.
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