Healthy beginnings start with educators: Inside the Child Care Health Program
Crossposted from Public Health Insider In classrooms across King County, public health is at work: though not always in the ways you might expect. It’s happening in quiet moments of partnership with early learning educators, through culturally responsive tools and trainings, supported by a dynamic and dedicated team focused on children’s well-being from the very beginning. This is the work of the Child Care Health Program (CCHP) at Public Health – Seattle & King County. Meeting educators where they’re at Every parent wants to know their child is safe, and every educator wants to… Read More
Executive releases recommendations of 100-member Transition Committee
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay has released the report of Transition Committee Recommendations developed by the 100 community members who participated in his Transition Committee in December 2025. “King County residents have delivered a Transition Committee report with policy recommendations for short and long-term actions that our new administration can take,” Executive Zahilay said. “Over the coming months you will see us advancing many of these actions, which primarily focus on the 4Bs: (1) “Breaking the Cycle” of homelessness, addiction, trauma, and incarceration, (2) “Building for Affordability” the housing, childcare, and transit… Read More
DCHS-led Health Through Housing initiative hits major milestone
King County’s Health Through Housing (HTH) initiative is currently housing over 1,000 formerly homeless King County residents, a major milestone! This effort, within the Department of Community and Human Services’ (DCHS) Housing and Community Development Division, is a critical part of King County’s efforts to end homelessness through emergency and permanent supportive housing. The initiative combines stable housing with onsite services, which has been shown to improve residents’ health and keep them in the communities they call home. The HTH team opened multiple sites in the past few months and are continuing to move… Read More
Executive Zahilay transmits legislation to expand Metro bus service and strengthen Link light rail connections in South King County
Crossposted from Metro Matters On Monday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted legislation to the King County Council proposing major updates to Metro bus service across South King County as part of the multi-year South Link Connections project. The proposal builds on the recent opening of the Kent-Des Moines, Star Lake, and Federal Way Downtown Link light rail stations and would create a more connected, reliable transit network serving Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, Tukwila, and nearby unincorporated areas. If approved, the new service would launch as… Read More
The 2026 Noxious Weed List is official!
Crossposted from the Noxious Weeds Blog What does it mean to be a noxious weed? “Noxious weed” is a legal designation. To become a noxious weed a plant must first meet four criteria. Introduced to Washington state (non-native) Spread beyond where they are planted Create harm where introduced* Difficult to control *This harm can be agricultural, such as reducing crop output, ecological, such as out competing our native plants, or physical, such as toxic to humans or livestock. They can impact wildlife, human health, land value, recreation, and natural resources. Anyone can nominate… Read More
Updated King County Critical Area Ordinance enhances protection for environmentally critical areas, supports housing, and commercial agriculture
Crossposted from King County Local King County has completed the first major update in two decades of its regulations for developing land near wetlands, streams, and other critical areas. Developed through three years of research, planning, and public discussion, the updated King County Critical Area Ordinance is a set of land use regulations intended to safeguard environmentally critical areas, communities, and infrastructure. The Metropolitan King County Council adopted the final ordinance on Dec. 2. Please continue reading for more information on when the ordinance becomes effective, frequently asked questions, next steps, and updated… Read More
King County becomes first public agency to receive the Year Up United Impact Award
Crossposted from the DES Express King County commits more than $1 million to continue paid internships and expand career opportunities for young adults through Year Up United. Jonny Lopez, a former Year Up United intern, took the podium after some heavy hitters. John Stanton, chairman of the Seattle Mariners and Trilogy International Partners and founding chairman of the Year Up United Puget Sound Board, had addressed the crowd. Other Year Up and county leaders had spoken about the importance of internships and the successful partnership between the two organizations. But it was… Read More
Learn about the Harborview Bond Program in new “Ted Talks” series
Crossposted from the DES Express From the Harborview Construction and Infrastructure Division: Harborview Medical Center has launched the video series “Ted (Klainer) Talks,” hosted by Harborview’s Senior Director of Capital Development Ted Klainer, showcasing the Harborview Bond Program’s journey toward building a new tower and making other improvements on the hospital campus. Ted will be joined by numerous project experts, including Harborview Construction and Infrastructure Division (HCID) Director Tony Wright, to share project updates, show how the project was developed, and take viewers on a behind the scenes look at how the… Read More
Executive Office presents Day of Remembrance Proclamation to RISE and AANHP Leaders
In recognition of Feb. 19 as Day of Remembrance, an official proclamation was shared with leadership from the Refugees and Immigrants Support and Empowerment (RISE) Affinity Group and the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacifica (AANHP) Affinity Group. Day of Remembrance honors the more than 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated during World War II. This observance serves as a reminder of the harm caused by fear-driven policies and the importance of protecting civil liberties for all. “Remembering this history is essential to preventing the repetition of policies… Read More
Tap to pay: Puget Sound region transit systems to accept credit and debit cards, and digital wallets as fare payment
Crossposted from Metro Matters On Feb. 23, ORCA is launching a new Tap to Pay feature allowing riders to use credit and debit cards, and digital wallets, to pay for transit across the Puget Sound region. Riders can simply tap their contactless Visa, Mastercard, Discover® Network, or American Express credit or debit cards, or cards in digital wallets, using Apple Pay™, Google Pay™, or Samsung Pay™ to ride. This new feature expands access to public transportation and supports seamless travel experiences for both daily riders and visitors alike. This new feature also comes as Seattle and the Puget Sound region… Read More
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