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Resources to support mental and emotional health during a disaster
Making Life Easier (MLE) provides resources to support the mental and emotional health of you and your household members, including during and after natural disasters, such as the flooding King County is currently experiencing. Employees and anyone residing in the employee’s home can call MLE at 888-874-7290 24/7 and reach a licensed counselor who can provide in-the-moment support over the phone and can connect you to work-life specialists who can help identify community resources for needs like housing, food, and personal care items. Read more.
Get ready: Long-term I-5 impacts affecting your commute and personal trips – take transit and avoid stress
Repair and resurfacing of the northbound lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge will continue next year. Revive I-5 construction will have long-term impact on travel. That means the public will need to find long-term solutions to how they travel to and through Seattle. During each lane closure or reduction, the express lanes will run northbound only, 24 hours a day. Express lanes are open to all. Be sure to observe all height restrictions and HOV-only signed ramps. 2026 dates to know Full closure as early as the weekend of Jan. 9 –… Read More
2025 Holiday closure reminders
Please note most King County government offices will be closed Thursday, Dec. 25 for Christmas and Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. Metro buses will operate on Sunday schedule. For other transit holiday information, please see Metro holiday schedules. All County solid waste and transfer stations will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan 1. For garbage collection, please contact your hauler for details. District Court, Superior Court, and the Superior Court Clerk’s office will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan 1. For all other holiday closures and and service impacts, review the King County website.
King County Metro to briefly pause service twice on Thursday in honor of slain Transit Operator Shawn Yim
Crosposted from Metro Matters This week we will solemnly mark the anniversary of the murder of King County Metro Transit Operator Shawn Yim. Among other ceremonies, we will honor Shawn on Thursday, Dec. 18, by pausing service twice for a moment of silence and remembrance. All of Metro continues to mourn the loss and honor Shawn’s memory. Shawn was a kind and dedicated public servant, beloved by his family and friends, and was funny, warm and thoughtful to his colleagues and riders. Read more.
Cybersecurity training due Jan. 30, 2026
All King County employees are required to complete annual cybersecurity training by Jan. 30, 2026 (even if you took it last year). This includes contractors with access to King County systems. An email from King County’s vendor KnowBe4 was sent Aug. 4 to all employees with links to annual cybersecurity training, with periodic reminder emails for those employees who haven’t completed the training. This is not a phishing attempt. Please check your inbox for the email “King County Cyber Security Awareness Training” from kc-knowbe4@kingcounty.gov. Cybersecurity training is an important safeguard that helps protect vital King County… Read More
Deferred Compensation payroll deductions: Frequency is changing
Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, your King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan deduction frequency will change from 24 pay periods per year to 26 pay periods per year. This means your annual Deferred Compensation contribution will be spread over more paychecks, as follows: If you contribute a flat dollar amount from each paycheck Your total annual contribution to your Deferred Compensation Plan will increase as your deduction schedule increases from 24 to 26 pay periods. Be sure to review your contribution amount to ensure it aligns with your retirement savings goals. Example: Your annual… Read More
Eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3 in January
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to make a permanent transfer to PERS Plan 3. If you are an active PERS Plan 2 member who began service before Sept. 1, 2002, and you will earn service credit in January, you are eligible to transfer to Plan 3. Use the resources on the Department of Retirement Systems website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you. To transfer from Plan 2 to Plan 3, complete a Member Transfer form and return it by… Read More
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums to increase in 2026
The Employment Security Department recently announced that premium rates for the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program will be changing next year. Beginning Jan. 1, 2026: The premium rate will increase from 0.92% to 1.13% of your gross wages. Employers will pay 28.57% of the total premium and employees will pay 71.43%. This is a slight change from 2025 when the ratio was employer 28.48% and employee 71.52%. The Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave program is funded by mandatory premiums collected from employees and employers in Washington state. By law,… Read More
King County Road crews monitoring, responding 24/7 to flooding
Crossposted from King County Local Road Services Division crews with the Department of Local Services have been monitoring and responding to roadways and bridge conditions in unincorporated King County throughout this historic storm. Heavy rainfall and flooding have overwhelmed roads and bridges across the region. As Western Washington braces for another atmospheric river next week, the impacts from this week’s extreme weather are far from over. In other words, expect continued road closures as conditions change. (At the time of this blogpost, nearly 30 roads in unincorporated King County were closed, with… Read More
King County DNRP employees continue 24/7 flood response after rapid levee repairs, repurposing trails for emergency responders, treating two billion gallons of wastewater
In a wide range of actions that include rapid levee responses, operating the Flood Warning Program, repurposing trails to assist emergency responders, preparing transfer stations for a surge in debris, and treating more than 2 billion gallons of wastewater, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks employees continue to contribute to a coordinated emergency response to the historic storm. King County Executive Girmay Zahilay on Friday hosted Gov. Bob Ferguson’s press briefing at a levee along the Green River where DNRP’s Flood Patrol discovered a sinkhole that could have potentially caused… Read More
Stranded but steady: Operator keeps Carnation Treatment Plant running during atmospheric river
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories When a powerful atmospheric river settled over King County this week, the Snoqualmie Valley experienced some of the most significant impacts. Floodwaters quickly covered rural roads around Carnation, cutting off access to neighborhoods, farms, and the Carnation Treatment Plant. Inside the plant, Wastewater Operator Tyler Stiltner suddenly found himself on an island. Surrounded by rising water and unable to leave, he became the only person able to keep the facility running while the storm intensified. His experience offers a firsthand look at what it means to protect… Read More
Discounts available for Cirque du Soleil ECHO
Experience the magic of Cirque du Soleil ECHO, where poetry, stagecraft, daring acrobatics, and cutting-edge technology come together to explore the delicate balance between people, animals, and the world we all share. This 20th Big Top show offers bold new visuals, a unique aesthetic, and vibrant characters that bring a universe of color and wonder to life. Discounts are available for performances at Marymoor Park, Jan. 30 – Mar. 15, 2026. Use this link to save up to 20% using this link for select seats/dates. VIP Packages and groups of 10+ save 25% +… Read More
Executive Zahilay celebrates historic appointment of Rhonda Lewis as the new King County Councilmember for District 2 and appointment of Sound Transit board members
Rhonda Lewis was unanimously selected by the King County Council for an interim appointment to District 2. She becomes the first Black woman ever to serve on the Council, and creates the first majority of women in the Council’s history. At the same meeting, the Council unanimously approved Executive Zahilay’s slate of nominations to the Sound Transit Board of Directors. Read more.
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.
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