King County debuts app to report noxious weeds 

King County residents concerned about noxious weeds have a new gardening tool to turn to when it comes to eliminating invasive species — a mobile app that makes it easier to identify and report the precise location of such plants.  With technical assistance from Microsoft and Slalom Consulting, the new app called King County Connect eliminates a complicated reporting process in which the public was previously required to take a photo of a suspected noxious weed, match it through their own image search, submit a report on the King County website and estimate the… Read More

Join us for Pride Flag-raising today at 1 p.m. and Pride Parade Sunday

You’re invited to join King County Executive Dow Constantine as he hoists the Pride Flag over the Administration Building today at 1 p.m. in celebration of Pride Month. Executive Constantine will be joined by King County Councilmembers and employees on the Administration Building Plaza (Fourth Avenue side, 500 Fourth Avenue) at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 27, as we debut a new version of the Pride Flag.  The “Progress” Pride Flag was designed by Daniel Quasar of quasar.digital and shared under a Creative Commons license. This new design is an evolution of the traditional six-stripe rainbow flag, and is meant to be more representative of… Read More

Why is it important to work for an LGBTQ-inclusive employer? 

King County is dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive place – and that includes being a welcoming, inclusive place to work. As we prepare to celebrate Pride this weekend, you’re invited to watch and hear from your colleagues who are members of the LGBTQ community about being part of our 15,000-person team. We strive toward equity and inclusion every day, and our message to everyone is clear: you belong here. 

Eric Stark’s first day back  

We rode along with Eric Stark on his first day back operating a King County Metro bus on June 11, 2019. Welcome back, Eric!   Eric Stark was greeted with the community’s love and support as he returned to driving a King County Metro bus after surviving gunfire and protecting his passengers during a shooting incident in Seattle on March 27, 2019. 

2019 BECU Movies at Marymoor Park schedule announced 

BECU Outdoor Movies at Marymoor Park, presented by Overlake Medical Center and Clinics, starts its season on July 10. Big screen flicks, variety entertainment, and some of Seattle’s best food trucks will be available. All events are “bring your own seating,” dog friendly and smoke free. Join the fun at King County’s Marymoor Park in the big grass field!  The complete line-up and more information can be found at on the Movies at Marymoor website or at www.facebook.com/moviesatmarymoor.  

Summer is heating up – and so should your water safety planning 

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  According to climate scientists, chances are it’s going to be a hotter summer than typical across King County. Hot weather brings people out to our region’s lakes, rivers and salt water areas looking to cool off and have fun.  But the more folks flock to beaches and rivers, the higher the likelihood that more people will drown, both fatally and non-fatally. There have been seven child and youth drowning deaths since 2015.  In 2018, 16 people lost their lives on King County waters. The Insider sat down with Tony Gomez,… Read More

Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality

Dear fellow King County employee, This month marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York City, a turning point in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in our nation. We have come a long way since this landmark event, yet many LGBTQ+ Americans continue to experience discrimination and fear in their personal and work lives. Here in King County we are dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive community. In 2012, King County became the first jurisdiction in the nation to enact marriage equality based on voter approval, and one of… Read More

Juvenile Court Judge Michael Diaz talks about his work, his priorities, and having nearly 20 Peruvian aunts and uncles 

The court’s bench is becoming more diverse. We have three judges fluent in Spanish. One is Judge Michael Diaz. His story and his passion for Juvenile Court is the subject of our the latest installment of “15 Minutes with….” Listen now.  

Reminder: Register for free showing of “The Most Dangerous Year,” June 25 

In honor of Pride Month, King County employees will have an opportunity to watch and discuss the film about the anti-transgender legislation in Washington in 2016 and the journey of many Washington families with transgender children. The Seattle writer and director, Vlada Knowlton, will be on hand for the discussion.  The movie supports the Executive’s priority of advancing equity and social justice within County government and in partnership with communities.  Tuesday, June 25 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Chinook Building Room 121, 401 5th Ave., Seattle   This event is free, but seating is limited. Please… Read More

Executive’s Small Business Awards now accepting nominations 

Nominations for the 2019 King County Executive’s Small Business Awards are open through July 15, 2019. To be eligible for consideration, a business must meet the following requirements: Be located in King County Have 50 or fewer employees Be a for-profit business in operation for at least 3 years All past winners and 2018 finalists are ineligible for nomination Nominate your favorite local small business by July 15 at www.kingcounty.gov/smallbiz