Inclement weather information for employees
With rain and flooding continuing to cause hazardous travel conditions across parts of King County, here are some resources to help you stay informed and safe on your commute. WHERE TO GET OFFICIAL INFORMATION King County Emergency News: kcemergency.com River levels, flood conditions, and sandbag resources and distribution: flood.kingcounty.gov, or call the King County Flood Warning Center, 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263 Road closures and travel impacts: MyCommute (King County) and WSDOT King County My Commute Transit service impacts: King County Metro and Sound Transit Schedules and maps – King County, Washington, kingcounty.gov. Emergency alerts: ALERT King County sign-up ALERT King County – King… Read More
Employee discounts to performances at 5th Avenue Theatre
King County employees can take advantage of a 25% discount to several upcoming performances at the famed 5th Avenue Theatre. Elf – The Musical: Nov. 28 – Dec. 28, 2025 Monty Python’s Spamalot: Feb. 4 – 15, 2026 Jesus Christ Superstar: May 2 – 17, 2026 View more information and purchase tickets here. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Tips for traveling with King County Metro this winter season
Crossposted from Metro Matters Winter season has arrived and King County Metro’s tools will help you stay informed so you can travel safely. Know before you go Visit MetroWinter.com for tips on traveling during winter weather on bus, Access paratransit, streetcar, the King County Water Taxi or Metro Flex on-demand services. There are eight languages offered on the webpage including English, plus additional languages via the Google Translate tool. What’s a snow route? If buses can’t travel their regular routes due to roadway conditions, they might switch to alternate streets called snow routes. Preview snow routes for your favorite bus routes. Updates will be… Read More
Bring a pet “Home for the Holidays” for just $30!
Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) wants to give YOU a gift this holiday season! Now through Dec. 31, you can adopt a cat or dog from RASKC for just $30 – the cost of a King County pet license. There are dozens of dogs, cats, and other furry friends waiting for you at the King County Pet Adoption Center, 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent. You can also see all the adorable adoptable animals online anytime at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet.
RISE “Mosaic of Us” event brings community, culture, and connection to Metro
By the RISE Leadership Team On Dec. 3, King County employees from across the organization came together for Mosaic of Us, a vibrant community building gathering that honored the immigrant, refugee, and multicultural communities who enrich our workplaces, strengthen our teams, and call King County home. Hosted by the Refugees and Immigrants Support and Empowerment (RISE) employee resource group, the event uplifted the voices of immigrant and refugee employees and celebrated the strength of our diverse workforce. Held at the Central/Atlantic Bus Base, the event opened with a warm welcome from Executive Girmay Zahilay,… Read More
Last rounds: Dr. Ben Sanders, Jail Health medical director, retires
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention newsletter For Dr. Ben Sanders, becoming a family physician was an early calling inspired by his childhood doctor. But the circumstances that led him to practice medicine inside a jail — and serve as Jail Health Services’ long-time medical director — were an accident born out his own family’s needs and a fortuitous, if not entirely forthcoming, job advertisement. As he prepares to retire from his 24-year career, Dr. Sanders reflects on his career, people who supported him most along the way, and what… Read More
Heavy rain and river flooding anticipated this week
Crossposted from KC Emergency News The Puget Sound region is bracing for intense rain this week, formerly known as a “Pineapple Express.” Now called “atmospheric rivers,” these are long, narrow bands of moisture from the tropics filling area rivers, which have and may again send some of them over their banks. With the rain expected to persist, the National Weather Service in Seattle has issued flood warning and watches and wind advisories throughout the week. Read more.
Stay informed and be prepared for cooler weather
With cooler temperatures and rainy weather upon us, King County wants to help you stay safe at work, at home, and on your commute. If you work on site, please be prepared for inclement weather. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight. Read more.
Night shift: What mussels can teach us about Puget Sound pollution
Crossposted from Headwaters It’s cold and dark when we head to the beach. The mussels in the trunk have been on the road and on ice all day. This morning, ecotoxicologist and shellfish chauffeur Jennifer Lanksbury picked them up from a partner in Penn Cove and now we’re squeezed between two deadlines: these native bay mussels (Mytilus trossulus) can only be out of the water for 12 hours, and they must go back in at exactly the right moment. The mollusks are key players in the Mussel Watch program, a regional effort led… Read More
Minimum wage in unincorporated King County increases to $20.82 on Jan. 1
Crossposted from King County Local On Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage will increase in unincorporated King County. The minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage an organization can pay an employee. It will increase from $20.29 an hour to $20.82 an hour, with exceptions for smaller businesses. The increase impacts employees and employers. Unincorporated King County is a wide and diverse area with a variety of workers and employers. To address this, the King County Council proposed a phase-in period for smaller employers based on the number of employees and the… Read More
Employee News 