SeattleU offers 15% tuition scholarship for King County employees who are MPA students
Seattle University is now offering a 15% tuition scholarship for King County employees who join the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program starting in Summer 2026 and continuing through the 2026-2027 academic year.
The MPA program is NASPAA-accredited and built for people who work full-time. Participants can start in any quarter, and classes take place in the evenings and on weekends. Students learn useful skills in policy, public management, and leadership. Classes are small, teachers give close support, and students can apply what they learn right away.
For employees thinking about taking the next step in their career or growing into a leadership role, this could be a great fit.
- The next info session will be hosted via Zoom on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. Sign up for an information session here.
- For employees who cannot make the information session, a recorded session will be available on the SeattleU website after registration.
For questions, email Grad-Admissions@seattleu.edu or mpa@seattleu.edu.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
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City of Seattle, SeattleFWC26 and King County Metro partner to provide local youth access to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson, in partnership with the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™ Local Organizing Committee (SeattleFWC26) and the generosity of Seattle sports teams, businesses, and community leaders, announced a landmark initiative that will send over 1,400 youth and their caregivers from across our region to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in Seattle.
Each participating youth will receive a match ticket, a stadium food voucher and a Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ scarf, creating a complete and memorable matchday experience. Select nonprofit groups will also receive dedicated shuttle service to and from matches in partnership with King County Metro.
“King County is proud to provide shuttle service to help youth get to and from these matches safely and easily, making sure transportation is never a barrier to participation in a once-in-a-generation experience,” said King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. Read more.
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Superior Court clerk fee schedule revisions for 2026
The Clerk’s Office has updated the fee schedule for 2026 based on the fee changes approved by the legislature in HB 2543. Below is a summary of the changes and a link to the updated fee schedule. These changes are effective on June 11.
Changes to existing fees:
- Providing a copy without a seal will be $0.50 per page, regardless of the format (paper or electronic).
- Preparation of a copy of the audio or video recording from a court proceeding will change to $25 per court day.
- For materials sent via US mail, when a customer does not provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, a $2 handling fee and $3 for postage will be charged.
- Copies provided on an electronic storage medium fee will now be $5.
New fees:
- Providing a photograph of an exhibit will be $5.
- Providing a copy of a digital or electronic exhibit will be $25.
The updated fee schedule is available here.
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Check in on your finances with MSA: Plus a chance to win
With My Secure Advantage (MSA), King County employees have access to tools and resources designed to help you better manage your money. Whether you start with a quick assessment, a one-on-one Money Coaching session – or both – you’ll get a clearer picture of your finances and a plan to move forward with confidence.
As an incentive, employees who complete a money coaching session or financial wellness assessment by July 31 will be entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
Click here to get started today.
What you can expect in your Money Coaching Session:
- A personalized financial check-up based on your goals
- Practical, judgement-free education you can act on
- A chance to win while investing in your financial well-being
For questions, call 888-874-7290 or visit kingcounty.mysecureadvantage.com.
Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF of My Secure Advantage promotional flyer to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.
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Juneteenth an observed County holiday on June 19
King County government will observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday and most King County offices be closed on Friday, June 19.
Due to the nature of county work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. Metro will remain on regular weekday service.
June 19 is also a FIFA World Cup match day. View road closure schedules and traffic information for around downtown Seattle and Pioneer Square here.
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Join colleagues across King County to celebrate Juneteenth
On Thursday, June 18, employees are invited to join colleagues across King County and community members for King County’s Juneteenth Flag Raising celebration in advance of the federal holiday on June 19.
All interested employees are welcome to attend with supervisor approval. Participation is completely optional.
The event will include light refreshments, music, and remarks from employees and community members whose leadership, advocacy, and service continue to advance Black liberation, social justice, and strengthen African American communities across King County.
- Thursday, June 18 at noon, King County Administration Building Plaza, 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 that Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with word that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved Africans were now free. Juneteenth became an official holiday for King County employees in 2022.
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Creating a safer Metro: Our Behavioral Health Support program
Crossposted from Metro Matters
On any given day, a King County Metro bus ride can be a crossroads—where someone heading to work might sometimes sit beside someone navigating homelessness, trauma or crisis. Metro’s Behavioral Health Support team was created for those moments. With compassion at the center of their work, these specialists show up in transit spaces to listen, de-escalate crisis and connect people to the care they deserve.
The Behavioral Health Support program or BHS is a partnership between Metro and Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), launched in April 2023 as part of the SaFE Reform Initiative.
Community members and Metro developed the program to provide a compassionate, human-centered approach to supporting riders in crisis. The program recognizes the need for non-uniformed personnel who can connect with community members in a supportive and approachable way and help link people to resources without judgment.
Beyond supporting riders in crisis, the BHS team also supports Metro employees. Their presence at transit centers and other key locations helps address concerns before they escalate, supports bus operators and frontline staff, and contributes to a safer environment for everyone. Read more.
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Aaron Parker earns service award
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Employee Newsletter
Community Corrections Division Director Aaron Parker was honored recently with a Community Service Award from a local civil rights organization that focuses on the legal system.
The Loren Miller Bar Association presented Parker with the award on May 8. The recognition occurred during the 58th Annual Philip L. Burton Memorial Scholarship Dinner in Seattle.
The award is given to a lawyer, non-lawyer, or law firm who has given back to LMBA, the African American community, or the community at large in a meaningful way. The award honored him as “a dedicated social worker and mental health professional with a strong commitment to community-centered public service.” Read more.
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New one-stop employee Intranet site for the County’s new Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values
On Thursday, June 4, Executive Girmay Zahilay launched our new Vision, Mission, and Values for the Executive Branch.
“Together, they define where we are headed as an organization, the role we play in serving our communities, and how we will work together internally to deliver on those external priorities,” says Executive Zahilay.
To help employees learn more about the new Vision, Mission, and Values, King County has launched an intranet page. It’s a new one-stop-shop page with a collection of links and information called “Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values.” The page includes:
- Mission statement
- Vision statement
- ACTIVATE Values descriptions and key behaviors
- Executive Zahilay and leadership video
- ACTIVATE Values announcements
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional resources
Don’t forget to bookmark this link. Additional information is being regularly added to the page, so check back often. If you have questions about this new tool, please reach out to KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov.
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Mystery on the Green River: What killed these young salmon?
A cold April rain fell on the Green River but the research carried on. Chris Gregersen and Dan Lantz, ecologists from King County’s Science Section, floated down the river’s mainstem and poked into its tributaries listening for loud, electronic beeps from their tracking antennas. Each beep meant a juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) – previously tagged by our team or other researchers – was swimming below. Every beep was a reason to celebrate, especially in weather like this.
But as they paddled up Kent’s Mill Creek in search of more Chinook, Chris and Dan noticed something strange in the water. On both sides of their small craft, distressed coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) were floating, circling, and flopping on their sides near the surface. The ecologists immediately recognized this behavior as a possible symptom of urban runoff mortality syndrome (URMS). This tragic cause of death is not uncommon for adult coho spawners in urban waterways polluted by the toxic tire chemical 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ). Read more.
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