King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and King County Metro break ground on South King County’s RapidRide I Line with regional and community partners
Yesterday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and King County Metro were joined by federal, state, and local transit partners, along with community partners, to celebrate a major milestone in expanding fast, reliable, high-quality transit service across South King County.
The event marks the start of construction on the RapidRide I Line, a new corridor designed to strengthen north–south bus service, connect the cities of Renton, Kent, and Auburn, and improve access to jobs and essential services. The project advances Metro’s commitment to making equitable investments in transit, particularly in historically underserved communities where transit is a daily lifeline for getting to jobs, school, and essential services. Read more.
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Four Fridays Film Festival a success
Crossposted from the DES Express
The Four Fridays Film Festival welcomed more than 200 participants to “hang out” with presenters at the end of each work week last month to honor Black history and culture. Films included “Black Panther,” “I Am Not Your Negro,” “Rustin” and “Hidden Figures.” Level-set questions ahead of each screening helped viewers to build capacity and foster meaningful discussion on issues relevant to community, inclusion, belonging, and greater cultural understanding in King County and beyond. Four Fridays was an outgrowth of the “DES Friday Afternoon Hang” film series, begun by Cecelia Hayes, Equity Social Justice and Engagement senior practitioner, in 2021. Read more.
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Nowruz celebrates renewal, hope, and new beginnings
Annually on March 20, Nowruz marks the spring equinox, and is a longstanding celebratory tradition of renewal and fresh beginnings observed for more than 3,000 years across many different cultures. Translating from Persian to “New Day,” Nowruz is a reminder that growth follows every season of change.
The King County Refugees & Immigrant Support & Empowerment (RISE) affinity group celebrates Nowruz to foster connection, cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging among employees from diverse backgrounds.
“Recognizing holidays like Nowruz helps highlight traditions that are meaningful to many communities and creates opportunities for learning, appreciation, and stronger connections across our workplace,” said Nasir Khudaiberdiev, RISE co-chair.
Nowruz is observed by more than 300 million people worldwide and is an official public holiday in many countries. Across generations, families welcome the new year with spring cleaning, festive meals, and the beautiful Haft-Seen table – a symbolic arrangement of seven items beginning with the Persian letter “S,” each representing prosperity, health, love, patience, and rebirth. Traditional Haft-Seen items often include:
- Sprouted Greens (Sabzeh) – Rebirth and renewal
- Garlic (Seer) – Health and protection
- Apple (Seeb) – Beauty and vitality
- Dried Oleaster Fruit (Senjed) – Love and wisdom
- Sweet Pudding (Samanu) – Strength and abundance
- Vinegar (Serkeh) – Patience and aging
- Sumac (Somāq) – Sunrise and new beginnings
Nowruz reminds us that every ending carries the seed of a new beginning. Just as nature awakens after winter, we too can embrace growth, transformation, and optimism. Happy new year and happy spring!
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King County Metro expands bus service and launches systemwide all-door boarding starting March 28
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro will expand bus service and launch systemwide all-door boarding starting Saturday, March 28, making transit faster and easier to use across the region. The service change strengthens connections to Sound Transit’s Link light rail system, including the new 2 Line Crosslake Connection between Seattle and the Eastside, and adds earlier morning trips, later evening service, and more weekend options for riders. Read more.
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Emergency Management and partners feted at flooding recognition event
Crossposted from the DES Express
Employees who had a role in the flood response in December gathered to receive recognition for their hard work late last month. They came from the King County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Local Services (DLS), Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) and of course, Emergency Management in the Department of Executive Services (DES).
Before the remarks began, the group in the packed Emergency Operations Center were treated to a bluesy song honoring their efforts.
“December rains fell heavy, rivers overflowed,” crooned a male voice. “King County fought floods on so many roads. Sheriff’s team flew through the night, damn the squall, Evacuations swift and sure, EOC got the calls.” Read more.
Pictured: Employees and leaders involved in the flood response and recovery gathered for a recognition event late last month. Brendan McCluskey, Director of Emergency Management, stands at center holding the proclamation.
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New Executive Office organizational structure
From King County Executive Girmay Zahilay
Our team continues to grow! I am excited to welcome these key leaders to our administration, who bring diverse skillsets, expertise, and strong commitments to serving the residents of King County. Read more.
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Update on King County’s response to the opioid overdose crisis
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections
King County’s Five Priorities to Stop the Surge of Overdose Deaths were first announced in March 2024 as a coordinated cross-government response to slow the opioid overdose crisis. Over the past two years, we have seen a promising overall decline in overdoses in King County: fatal overdoses decreased 32% from 2023 to 2025. Nonetheless, fatal overdoses in 2025 remain elevated compared to before 2022. Working in partnership, the Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) and Public Health Seattle & King County are investing in 13 actions to increase widespread access to treatment, medications, overdose reversal drugs, and places to go. Read more.
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Department of Local Services announces $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants to support efforts that bring together communities in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local
King County’s Department of Local Services recently announced $90,000 in Alan M. Painter grants for 2026. The grants support projects that will bring together and strengthen communities across unincorporated King County. The grant program focuses on inclusivity, funding events and projects that are open to everyone regardless of race, income, or language spoken.
This popular program honors Alan M. Painter, the founding director of King County’s Community Service Area program and a long-time public servant who worked for the City of Seattle before coming to King County, where he served communities across the county. Read more.
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Get lucky at RASKC in March: $50 dog adoptions!
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
You can make a canine a “lucky dog” this month at Regional Animal Services of King County! Through March 31, you can adopt any adult dog (six months or older) for just $50 during our “Luck of the Dog” adoption special.
Adopting a dog from RASKC is always a great value. Not only will you get a friendly, furry companion, but there are lots of other benefits that come with your adoption. Thanks to our friends at Rover, all dog adopters at RASKC get a $40 voucher toward training. Adopters can also benefit from enrolling their new family member in Fetch Pet Insurance. Fetch offers the most comprehensive plan in North America with no restrictions on breed, age, or size. Together, RASKC and Fetch are making sure pets are happy and healthy in their new forever homes!
See all the pets waiting for you at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet, or visit the Pet Adoption Center at 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent. Pet adoption hours are noon to 5 p.m. weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. weekends.
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Records Management reminder: Most information that we have access to is considered a “Record”
The definition of a record is “any information – regardless of format – that is created, received, or maintained, and which supports, sustains or provides evidence of King County business.”
Because of this broad definition, most information we have access to can be considered a record that needs to be managed.
This can include, but is not limited to:
- Paper records
- Emails
- Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Information in databases
- Audio and video files
- Photographs
- Social media and website posts
- Text messages
- And many more!
For more information, visit the County Records and Information Management Program’s website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The County Records and Information Management Program (CRIMP), in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s publi
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