Tips for traveling with King County Metro this winter season
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Winter season has arrived and King County Metro’s tools will help you stay informed so you can travel safely.
Know before you go
- Visit MetroWinter.com for tips on traveling during winter weather on bus, Access paratransit, streetcar, the King County Water Taxi or Metro Flex on-demand services. There are eight languages offered on the webpage including English, plus additional languages via the Google Translate tool.
- What’s a snow route? If buses can’t travel their regular routes due to roadway conditions, they might switch to alternate streets called snow routes. Preview snow routes for your favorite bus routes. Updates will be posted on Metro’s service advisories web page.
- Winter snow brochures are available on buses and other transit services, and include helpful travel tips and information.
- Want updates about changes to your bus route? Sign up to receive Transit Alerts via text or email for the routes and services you rely on. Already a subscriber? Review your subscriptions and make updates as we add new routes across King County.
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Bring a pet “Home for the Holidays” for just $30!
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) wants to give YOU a gift this holiday season! Now through Dec. 31, you can adopt a cat or dog from RASKC for just $30 – the cost of a King County pet license.
There are dozens of dogs, cats, and other furry friends waiting for you at the King County Pet Adoption Center, 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent. You can also see all the adorable adoptable animals online anytime at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet.
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RISE “Mosaic of Us” event brings community, culture, and connection to Metro
By the RISE Leadership Team
On Dec. 3, King County employees from across the organization came together for Mosaic of Us, a vibrant community building gathering that honored the immigrant, refugee, and multicultural communities who enrich our workplaces, strengthen our teams, and call King County home. Hosted by the Refugees and Immigrants Support and Empowerment (RISE) employee resource group, the event uplifted the voices of immigrant and refugee employees and celebrated the strength of our diverse workforce.
Held at the Central/Atlantic Bus Base, the event opened with a warm welcome from Executive Girmay Zahilay, whose message centered on belonging and representation. The Executive’s presence offered encouragement during a time of growing uncertainty for immigrant and refugee communities. From shared food and storytelling to heartfelt connections, the atmosphere reflected true community. Read more.
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Last rounds: Dr. Ben Sanders, Jail Health medical director, retires
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention newsletter
For Dr. Ben Sanders, becoming a family physician was an early calling inspired by his childhood doctor. But the circumstances that led him to practice medicine inside a jail — and serve as Jail Health Services’ long-time medical director — were an accident born out his own family’s needs and a fortuitous, if not entirely forthcoming, job advertisement.
As he prepares to retire from his 24-year career, Dr. Sanders reflects on his career, people who supported him most along the way, and what comes next. Read more.
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Heavy rain and river flooding anticipated this week
Crossposted from KC Emergency News
The Puget Sound region is bracing for intense rain this week, formerly known as a “Pineapple Express.” Now called “atmospheric rivers,” these are long, narrow bands of moisture from the tropics filling area rivers, which have and may again send some of them over their banks. With the rain expected to persist, the National Weather Service in Seattle has issued flood warning and watches and wind advisories throughout the week. Read more.
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Stay informed and be prepared for cooler weather
With cooler temperatures and rainy weather upon us, King County wants to help you stay safe at work, at home, and on your commute.
If you work on site, please be prepared for inclement weather. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight. Read more.
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Night shift: What mussels can teach us about Puget Sound pollution
It’s cold and dark when we head to the beach. The mussels in the trunk have been on the road and on ice all day. This morning, ecotoxicologist and shellfish chauffeur Jennifer Lanksbury picked them up from a partner in Penn Cove and now we’re squeezed between two deadlines: these native bay mussels (Mytilus trossulus) can only be out of the water for 12 hours, and they must go back in at exactly the right moment.
The mollusks are key players in the Mussel Watch program, a regional effort led by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The program combines the powers of people and mussels to track toxic contaminants in Puget Sound, and our group is just one of many working in sync to deploy mussels at more than 80 sites. We’re all racing the rain, the clock, and the tide. Read more.
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Minimum wage in unincorporated King County increases to $20.82 on Jan. 1
Crossposted from King County Local
On Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage will increase in unincorporated King County. The minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage an organization can pay an employee. It will increase from $20.29 an hour to $20.82 an hour, with exceptions for smaller businesses. The increase impacts employees and employers.
Unincorporated King County is a wide and diverse area with a variety of workers and employers. To address this, the King County Council proposed a phase-in period for smaller employers based on the number of employees and the gross revenue to get into compliance. Read more.
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Juggling your cash with My Secure Advantage
Trying to balance everyday expenses while saving for retirement or big life purchases can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re living paycheck to paycheck without a clear plan. Financial stress doesn’t just impact your wallet; it can affect your health, relationships, and overall well‑being. That’s why taking steps toward financial wellness is so important.
King County employees have a financial well‑being benefit through My Secure Advantage® (MSA). With MSA, you have access to tools and resources designed to help you better manage your money. From personalized coaching to budgeting support and planning strategies, MSA empowers you to take control of your finances. By building a solid plan, you can move beyond day‑to‑day worries and grow confident in your financial future. Read more.
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Financial tips for the holidays from My Secure Advantage
My Secure Advantage (MSA) is a financial wellness program that provides King County employees with tools and coaching to help you reach your financial goals.
The holiday season can bring extra expenses and maintaining financial wellness during this time is important. Balancing everyday costs with holiday spending helps reduce stress, protect long‑term goals, and keep the focus on enjoying time with family and friends. In this video, Balanced You’s Employee Health and Wellness Project/Program Manager III, Karla Clark interviews MSA Financial Advisor, Tiffany Willis about financial planning for the holidays and how to recover after.
For more information about MSA, or to sign up for a 90 day Money Coach, visit this page.
Employee News 