Community members and King County employees are invited to join in honoring our nation’s foremost human rights leader and King County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The theme for the 2026 Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration is “mentorship”, and the accompanying quote by Dr. King Jr. is “We must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future.” The event will feature remarks from Executive Girmay Zahilay, an MLK Proclamation by Council Chair Sarah Perry, the honoring of Larry Gossett Service Award Recipient, Blackpast.org, and refreshments. Thursday, Jan…. Read More

Crossposted from King County Local When record rain and flooding hit our region, the Department of Local Services worked around the clock to keep our communities safe—monitoring conditions in real-time; responding quickly to hazards to our roads and bridges like flooding, slides, and debris; reinforcing and fixing levees; sharing critical health and safety information; and providing uninterrupted support to the countywide Emergency Operations Center. The department’s Road Services Division is responsible for more than 1,500 miles of roads and 192 bridges in unincorporated King County. These roads are lifelines for residents, businesses,… Read More

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that King County has begun shifting from 24/7 emergency response to monitoring and recovery, following weeks of flooding and hazardous weather conditions. “Our region has experienced a significant natural disaster that has upended many people’s lives and greatly strained our infrastructure, such as roads and levees,” said Executive Zahilay. “We know that the damage caused by this flooding can feel overwhelming and stressful, which is why we want to make sure our residents have the resources and support they need as we begin to recover.” Read more.

Crossposted from Headwaters When scientists study a lake, they usually expect more people to mean more phosphorous in the water, often from fertilizer, detergents, septic systems, dog poop, and other human-related sources. And more phosphorous can mean more problems for water quality, as nutrient-hungry algae thrive when there is more phosphorus to feed them. But between 1998 and 2022, something different happened in Lake Washington, even as the surrounding population boomed. Read more.

Crossposted from King County Parks The atmospheric river and associated flooding events this month have impacted King County and other areas across Washington State in ways we have never experienced before. We hope you and your community are safe during this time. King County has created a series of resources and ways to deal with flood damage safely and effectively – go to kingcounty.gov/flood-recovery for more information. Read more.

Happy New Year to all our employees, their families, and the people of King County. May you have a happy, safe, and rewarding 2026!

Crossposted from King County Local King County is taking swift action to restore reliable access and essential services for residents in northeast King County after historic storms and flooding damaged key transportation routes in December. To address urgent needs, the King County Department of Local Services’ Road Services Division and Finance and Business Operations Division have expedited a construction contract to install a temporary bridge just downstream from the historic Baring Bridge. The bridge over the South Fork Skykomish River serves as the only access point for about 170 properties. Read more.

Crossposted from DNRP Field Notes Major floodplain restoration projects completed in recent years by the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks has reduced flood risks along the Green, Cedar, and Snoqualmie rivers, getting people out of harm’s way long before the current flooding began earlier this month. Applying a multi-benefit approach to floodplain restoration has reduced flood risks for people, homes, and infrastructure while also improving habitat for fish and wildlife. The Department of Natural Resources and Parks has partnered with the independent King County Flood Control District to restore natural systems that absorb… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that Metro will join other regional transit agencies to provide free rides this New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Riders can travel without paying fares on King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit, Pierce Transit and the Seattle Streetcar as part of their holiday celebrations. “Leaving the driving to us is becoming as great a New Year’s tradition as celebrating at the Space Needle,” Executive Zahilay said. “No matter where you plan to ring in the new year, you have access… Read More