Executive connects with youth at King County youth detention facility
Last Friday, Executive Zahilay visited the youth detention facility at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center alongside staff, to connect with youth through basketball, conversation, and arts activities. A powerful portion of the visit included a musical performance by a young man who was aging out of the facility and preparing to transition to adult custody. The visit reflects the Executive’s commitment to staying connected to young people in county custody and building systems that prioritize rehabilitation, so that the hardest moments in a young person’s life do… Read More
Executive Zahilay Transmits $394 Million Supplemental Budget to King County Council
Today King County Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted a $394 million supplemental budget to the King County Council. This proposal will amend the 2026-2027 budget adopted in November. The package responds to urgent community needs and advances the administration’s priorities including keeping residents safe, expanding access to affordable housing and critical services, strengthening county infrastructure, and building a more accountable and efficient county government. “Every dollar in this budget is a commitment to the people of King County,” said Executive Zahilay. “From keeping our communities safe during a historic World Cup, to making sure families have a roof over their head, to standing with our immigrant and refugee neighbors who… Read More
On the hunt for a hidden source of poop pollution
Crossposted from Headwaters King County typically enjoys a reliable abundance of rainfall. And once it hits the ground, rainwater seeps into soil or runs along streets and parking lots, flowing into storm drains, and disappearing underground. …Or does it? In some parts of King County, stormwater can travel through miles of pipes, creeks, or both before finally emerging in lakes or the Puget Sound. During its journey, stormwater can mix with the E. coli bacteria found in poop from people, pets, and wildlife. Poop-contaminated water can threaten community health and close swim beaches and… Read More
Metro’s bus stop schedules are getting a fresh new look
Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro is rolling out updated bus stop schedules designed to be easier to read and more helpful for riders with our semi-annual service change on March 28. These refreshed schedules come after we listened to customer suggestions. They make better use of space and include useful details like fare information, the customer service number and other rider resources (when room allows). One important update we want riders to know about is how to read the new schedule layout: Schedule times now flow from top to bottom instead of left… Read More
New youth mental health urgent care now open in Kirkland
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections As part of the voter-approved Crisis Care Centers initiative, we are excited to share that youth behavioral health urgent care is now available at our first Crisis Care Center, Connections Kirkland — whether or not you have insurance. The Crisis Care Centers initiative is making sure everyone including children and teens have access to free 24/7 behavioral health crisis services, including: Read more.
Women on the front line: The longest flood activation in at least 40 years
Crossposted from Field Notes Historic flooding in December 2025 from back-to-back atmospheric rivers was an all-hands-on-deck response that required three weeks of 24/7 monitoring. With multiple rivers throughout King County experiencing extreme flooding at the same time, staff took on shifts and supported the coordinated flood response in positions outside of their normal day-to-day jobs, lending their expertise to meet the demands of emergency response and communications. Women responded in full force during this record event. In the Department of Natural Resources and Parks, women hold diverse roles from across STEM (science, technology,… Read More
Executive Zahilay announces new Regional Relationship Managers
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced four additions to his team who will help the County be better connected to the communities we serve. “One of the ways my administration is showing up differently is through our new Regional Relationship Managers,” Executive Zahilay said. “This is a new team structure that reflects our commitment to being in community. These leaders are a key part of how the Executive Office stays connected to communities across King County. They build relationships, stay grounded in what’s happening across regions, and help inform how we respond… Read More
Executive announces new Executive Order to break the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and incarceration
Good afternoon team, This morning, I hosted a press conference to announce a new Executive Order to address the interconnected crises of homelessness, substance use disorder, untreated behavioral health needs, and repeated involvement in the criminal legal system impacting the health and safety of communities throughout King County. Breaking the cycles of homelessness, behavioral health needs, addiction, repeated legal system involvement are distinct and deeply intertwined activities. We cannot address the full scope of the homelessness crisis without addressing behavioral health and addiction. And we cannot effectively do any of that without bringing people inside and staying inside while they receive the supports they need to recover and re-enter our community. Too often,… Read More
Introducing the new look and digital experience for Making Life Easier
Making Life Easier (MLE) is rolling out a refreshed digital experience on April 1, 2026—including an updated website and a brand‑new mobile app. These updates bring a modern look and new features designed to make support even more intuitive, connected, and easy to access for King County employees and anyone living in their household. Whether you’re seeking emotional support, work‑life resources, or guidance for everyday challenges, the new experience helps visitors take the next step with confidence. Read more.
North Bend Police hosted its first “Coffee with a Cop” event
Crossposted from the KCSO Employee Newsletter North Bend recently hosted its first “Coffee with a Cop” at Huxdotter Coffee, which gave community members a relaxed opportunity to sit down, enjoy a cup of brew, and chat with incoming KCSO North Bend Chief of Police Ed Hall, who spoke with residents and answered their questions. One attendee added a special touch to the gathering. Retired King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Deputy Paul Schwenn stopped by to say hello. Schwenn and Chief Hall worked together for several years on the Metro BEES team. Chief-to-be Ed Hall becomes the Chief… Read More
Employee News 