King County Metro Community Liaisons connect to all our riders
Crossposted by Metro Matters Metro is proud to introduce our new Community Liaison pilot program. The program features the voices and perspectives of staff who work to strengthen our relationships with our varied communities through their unique voices and perspectives. Spanish speaking riders? We’ve got you. Swahili? Yes indeed—there’s a liaison for you! The team helps ensure that the people most in need of transit can weigh in our plans, policies and decisions. That’s important, because ensuring Metro’s services are welcoming and accessible to all is how we succeed. Read more.
Donate blood at Eastgate Public Health Center, Nov. 27
Giving blood is a simple way to express gratitude for your own good health and know you’re taking action to help a local patient facing a serious medical condition. Schedule an appointment to give blood at Eastgate Public Health Center on Nov. 27 to help make sure we all have a healthy year together. Make it a celebration – of hope, community, and the power we all have to save a life. Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eastgate Public Health Center, 14350 SE Eastgate Way, Community Room, Bellevue, WA… Read More
Proposed budget focuses on cleanliness, equity, reliability, safety, and sustainability
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Dow Constantine’s 2025 budget proposal includes transit investments that will expand access to opportunity across our region. The Executive transmitted his proposed budget to the King County Council on Sept. 23. The council is currently considering and modifying the budget. Adoption of the budget is expected by the end of November. Read more.
Regional Veterans Court recognizes hard work of its participants, Nov. 14
The same week the United States honors veterans on Veterans Day, King County Regional Veterans Court (RVC) will recognize the successes and hard work of RVC program participants. The annual celebration of RVC program participants, including participants who have successfully completed the program and will graduate from it, will be held Thursday, Nov. 14, at 1:30 p.m. King County employees are invited to attend either in person or via Zoom: In-person: King County Courthouse, Courtroom E326 Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/7597251370 (meeting ID: 759 725 1370) Operated by King County District Court since 2012, RVC understands that… Read More
Healthcare organizations continue commitment to protect patients and healthcare workers with an update to masking guidelines
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Healthcare systems in the Puget Sound region have updated their joint guidelines for masking in hospitals and outpatient clinics during respiratory illness season. This means local healthcare facilities may require patients, visitors and employees to wear masks when respiratory illnesses such as flu and COVID-19 are circulating widely in the community. Masking is an effective way to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses in healthcare settings. These latest guidelines re-affirm the importance of the health and safety of patients and employees, particularly for those who are at high risk… Read More
Tips and resources for coping with election stress
By Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer This article is written for employees of King County. The resources listed are only available to employees of King County. Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day and many Americans are waiting anxiously for the results. According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), more than two-thirds of U.S. adults say the 2024 U.S. presidential election is a significant source of stress in their life. This can be a time with a lot of uncertainty, stress, and anxiety and it is important that we take care… Read More
Halloween is a great day to vote
Happy Halloween! It’s a great day to vote! We’re projecting 82% turnout for this Election – that’s more than a million ballots returned! – and we expect to see the majority of ballots returned on Monday, Nov. 4 and Tuesday, Election Day, Nov. 5. If you need assistance with anything, give King County Elections a call at 206-296-VOTE, or visit a Vote Center this weekend. You’ll find a list of Vote Center locations and hours at kce.wiki/VoteCenter. Your ballot is too important to leave until the last minute. At King County Elections, we… Read More
Working to end domestic violence
Dear fellow King County employee, This month, we observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month in King County to raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence, signs of abuse, and how we can stop it. Shockingly, on average, nearly 24 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States – more than 12 million people each year – according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This can be our family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, and even ourselves. If a person is an abusive relationship, whatever stage, they need to… Read More
La Niña predicted to return to King County, prepare for a potentially active flood season
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in King County. Scientists expect that La Niña, a natural weather pattern of cooler and wetter weather, will happen this fall and winter, creating the potential for an active flood season in the region from October through April. Typically, La Niña lasts for one or two years, but the most recent La Niña lasted from 2020 to 2023, which was unusual. There were some moderate to high flood events during those years that resulted in major damage to homes, businesses, roads, and other important infrastructure in King… Read More
King County Metro’s ‘24/7’ commitment to bus shelter cleaning
Cross-posted from Metro Matters At King County Metro, we know the importance to our riders of a clean and inviting bus stop. That’s why we’ve moved our cleaning teams to around-the-clock service, introduced a cool new tool to scrub sidewalks and are transitioning to clear polycarbonate in many of our bus shelters. Metro Facilities Superintendent Jose Reyna and his teams are pleased to now provide shelter cleaning for three, eight-hour shifts per day. “Metro upgrading to more frequent cleanings of bus shelters lets us respond more quickly,” Reyna said. “Also, we will have… Read More
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