Executive Zahilay proposes new Office of Labor Standards, supporting King County workers and businesses 

Yesterday at the Martin Luther King, Jr. County Labor Council’s monthly delegate meeting, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced that his administration is proposing $500,000 to establish a new Office of Labor Standards within King County. This investment will be included in the Executive’s second omnibus budget, which will be proposed next week. Once established, the office will focus on strengthening labor standards and expanding worker and business outreach and education in unincorporated King County, supporting an informed and empowered workforce and robust regional economy. “Working people are the backbone of King… Read More

Records Management Reminder: Supervisor responsibilities

Although all county employees have a responsibility to manage records as part of their jobs, supervisors have some additional responsibilities to ensure that their direct reports are managing their records. These responsibilities include: Ensure that new employees have access to the trainings and tools that they will need to manage records as part of their jobs Assume responsibility for all records of exiting employees that were not managed before their departure And more, as described in the Key Takeaways for Supervisors and Managers Supervisors should help to ensure that their direct reports… Read More

Data Dive: Crisis services in King County

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections New data shows King County Department of Community & Human Services helped more people access crisis care last year than ever before, thanks largely to new services and investments made possible by the voter-approved Crisis Care Centers Levy. This levy, approved by voters in 2023, invests in mental health and substance use care across King County. Now, we’ve released two reports that show both the momentum we’re building and the gaps still to address as the system grows: 2025 Crisis Care Centers Annual Report: This report outlines the Crisis Care Center Levy’s activities, accomplishments, and data. 2025 King County Crisis System Data Brief: This brief gives a high-level look… Read More

Imagining King County’s clean water future: Our Vision for 2100

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Water shapes life, and life in our region depends on clean water throughout the Puget Sound. It’s where salmon fight their way home, where orcas breach along the coastline, and where people across our region gather to work, learn, and play. For more than 50 years, King County’s wastewater system has faithfully protected these waters behind the scenes, stewarding precious resources every hour of every day. Read more.

‘I owe this place a lot of gratitude’

Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention employee newsletter As he heads into retirement, Juvenile Detention Officer Victor Orellana remembers how he found a career working with youth. He thanks coworkers for their support and talks about his plans to continue interpreting for the Spanish-speaking community. Read more.

Executive Zahilay joins South King County leaders to celebrate new Metro Flex service in Auburn and Federal Way

Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell and King County Metro General Manager Michelle Allison Thursday to cut the ribbon on two new Metro Flex pilots bringing on-demand transit to Auburn and Federal Way.  Launched Aug. 31, the new service expands access to convenient, on-demand transportation in South King County, connecting riders to neighborhoods, schools, transit hubs, jobs, shopping, and other destinations. The two-year pilots are part of Metro’s broader South Link Connections service improvements. Read more.

August FOD Walk attracts about 100 participants

Crossposted from Plane Talk Airport employees, tenants, and community members had an opportunity to walk the main runway at King County International Airport-Boeing Field on August 15. The runway was closed for an hour for the annual FOD Walk: the collection of Foreign Object Debris (FOD). Airport employees regularly patrol for and pick up FOD to minimize the risk of debris causing issues with aircraft, but the event serves to educate participants about FOD and as a fun, community-building opportunity. More pictures from the FOD Walk are available on the airport’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

The dangerous spread of measles stops with us

Crossposted from Public Health Insider This opinion piece was originally published in The Seattle Times on August 20, 2026. The U.S. now has more recorded cases of measles — a highly contagious but vaccine-preventable disease — than any time in the past 35 years. Over the past two years, the infection has impacted undervaccinated communities across our country. National data show that measles has re-established itself after the U.S. declared the infection eliminated in 2000. Although this is a notable public health setback, there are several actions we can take to protect one another in King County and… Read More

Sergeant Ted Griffin administers life-saving Narcan

Crossposted from DES Express Sergeant Ted Griffin was returning to the King County Courthouse when he was approached by an individual requesting medical help for their companion. Griffin quickly sprang into action, noticing that the companion was sweaty and unresponsive, but still breathing on their own. Griffin then requested additional support from Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Officers. Security Officers Briggs, Wainaina, and Fisher were first to arrive with Security Supervisor Fontenot and Security Officers Tuiolenuu, Mason, and Jackson following shortly afterward. Read more.

Young students advocate for salmon

Crossposted from Headwaters It’s official, the students and the salmon are back! Schools across the region are in session and Salmon See-son is ramping up as Chinook, sockeye, coho, and chum salmon make their way home to the rivers and streams of King County. Pink salmon will be back next year! Despite thousands of years of multigenerational experience, the salmon’s journey is still a struggle. It gets even more challenging when salmon run into warmer water, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and blocked streams. All these problems make it harder for salmon at every life stage… Read More