Accessing Naloxone (NARCAN®) Nasal Spray in King County
Overdose is the leading cause of preventable injury death in King County, but an easy-to-use nasal spray (naloxone) can save lives. When someone is overdosing, you can be the difference, and you don’t need to be a doctor to help. King County employees are permitted to carry and administer naloxone while on the job, if they so choose. Here’s your guide to finding naloxone in King County and Washington and how to access overdose prevention training. For those who can, King County encourages accessing naloxone over the counter or through pharmacies with… Read More
Executive Zahilay transmits implementation plan and new name for King County’s behavioral health sales tax
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections The legislation reflects extensive community engagement, modernizes one of King County’s most important behavioral health investments, and renames it the King County Behavioral Health Bridge. Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted legislation to the King County Council that would guide one of the County’s largest local investments in behavioral health through 2034, reflecting extensive community engagement to better address the county’s most pressing behavioral health needs. Read more.
Check out the new Executive’s Corner: Your source for Executive Office updates
Team, Every day across King County, important decisions are being made, milestones are being reached, and people are doing incredible work to serve our communities. Staying informed about that work, and the priorities guiding it, helps us stay connected as one organization. That’s why I’m excited to introduce the Executive’s Corner, a new space on the employee intranet where you can find news, announcements, and updates directly from me and the Executive Office. Whether you’re looking for the latest announcements from the Executive Office, information on our Executive Orders, news releases, leadership information, video messages, or… Read More
Stars, stripes, and second chances
We’re celebrating 250 years of the red, white, and blue! Adopt any dog or kitten from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) for just $50 through July 31. See our selection of adoptable pets here, or visit us at the King County Pet Adoption Center, located at 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent. Adoption hours are noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 4 p.m. weekends. See all the adorable adoptable pets we have waiting for you at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet.
Records Management Reminder: Retain each email in a thread
Each email has unique metadata, including some data we do not even see when viewing our emails in Outlook. When emails are viewed as part of a thread or chain, some of that metadata for the previous emails can be lost. It is for that reason that state guidance and case law requires that we manage each email, even if the text of those emails are included in a single thread or chain. The exception to that is are emails that are transitory and can be deleted at any time. For more information, review the Email… Read More
Mid-year reminder: Make the most of your FSA dollars
We’re halfway through 2026, and it’s a good time to check your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances and take steps to make sure you spend your remaining funds before the end of the year. Here’s some additional reminders: Health Care FSAs Use Health Care FSA funds to purchase summer-related items such as sunscreen, first aid kits, and prescription sunglasses. Schedule any necessary back-to-school check-ups and sports physicals if you have children. Many over-the-counter items are FSA-eligible, such as pain relievers, cold and allergy medicine, antacids, and feminine care. See the complete list… Read More
Bots trying to join your Teams call? Don’t let them in!
King County is seeing an increase in automated “meeting bots” attempting to join Microsoft Teams meetings—sometimes without the meeting organizer’s knowledge. These bots can pose a serious security risk; unauthorized bots may record, transcribe, or export meeting content to external systems, potentially exposing confidential information. Microsoft Teams now detects many external bots and places them in the meeting lobby, clearly marking them as automated participants. However, human approval is still required: someone in the meeting must choose whether to admit or block the bot. What you should do: If you see a… Read More
Executive Zahilay announces one-year lease for Harbor Island Studios with CREATE48 Media Network
Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced a one-year lease agreement with CREATE48 Media Network for the use of Harbor Island Studios, supporting the region’s growing film industry, strengthening the creative economy, and expanding job opportunities for local filmmakers, creatives, and production professionals. “Harbor Island Studios has been a unique public asset that supports King County’s film industry and creative economy. I’m glad we were able to find a nonprofit partner to continue momentum for the community while we work with stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy that supports access to affordable film and production space in our region,” said Executive Zahilay. “We’re excited that CREATE48 Media Network will… Read More
Progress on extreme heat preparedness five years after fatal heat dome
Crossposted from Field Notes Five years after the Pacific Northwest Heat Dome that led to 34 heat-related deaths in King County, our staff continues to work with partner agencies and communities to better prepare our region for extreme heat. Guided by King County’s Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, we’ve made progress on multiple fronts to help people stay safe and promote more equitable access to healthy tree canopy. Read more.
July is Disability Pride Month
The Disability Pride flag – Celebrating inclusion for all The King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) invites you to recognize Disability Pride. The Disability Pride flag was created in 2019 by disability rights activist Ann Magill. Initially, the flag featured a zigzag design. After receiving feedback from people with visual and other disabilities, the flag was revised in 2021. It is now comprised of 5 diagonal stripes of various colors on a faded black background. Each stripe represents an array of disabilities, including: Red for physical disabilities Gold for neurodiversity White for invisible disabilities and… Read More
