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KCSO reports significant decrease in crime across King County
Crossposted from the KCSO Employee Newsletter The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) recently released information for 2025 Crime Stats in this press release. It highlighted a 22% drop in the crime rate across the County. Sheriff Cole-Tindall sat down with several news outlets to talk about the great work KCSO employees are doing to achieve this impressive decrease. “Our goal, we believe, and our job is to reduce crime and the fear of crime,” said Sheriff Cole-Tindall. “We will continue to do the work that we’ve been doing.” Check out her interview with… Read More
DAJD makes history broadening opportunities for immigrant residents
In October 2025, King County’s Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) discovered that 38 corrections officers, who were hired in good faith and are legally authorized to work in the United States, could not serve as law enforcement officers under the state’s immigration status requirement, at that time. If those officers were removed from service, despite being federally authorized to work, King County detention facilities would face a nearly 20% staffing vacancy rate, creating significant public safety concerns, mandatory overtime for remaining staff, and delays in court and medical transports. “Immigrant residents who are federally authorized… Read More
Combatting stigma with personal stories: Portraits of Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Lana is a nurse and educator, who uses her own immigration story to build trust with other new arrivals to discuss the stigmatized topic of tuberculosis (TB). For World TB Day on March 24, we’re proud to celebrate her and the incredible work of our TB Program. Hi, Lana! What work do you do at Public Health? I’m a registered nurse and I work as an educational specialist for Public Health’s Tuberculosis (TB) Clinic. I share awareness about TB, how to get tested, and treatment options. We… Read More
Community Service Area Liaisons are here to help unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local Do you know who your Community Service Area Liaison is? If you are in unincorporated King County, you have one of three liaisons assigned to your area. Community liaisons play various roles (public advocate, information clearinghouse) but their main job is to help you navigate your local government. If you have a question about Permits, Road Services or the Department of Local Services, they can help. If you have a question about Public Health – Seattle & King County, Sheriff’s Office, Assessor’s Office or any other King County department,… Read More
Executive Zahilay celebrates Women’s History Month
Women’s history is made every day in King County. As a husband and a father to two daughters, I am reminded daily of my responsibility to help build a world that uplifts and empowers women and girls. We recognize March as Women’s History Month, and I want to take this opportunity to celebrate women leaders across our county, highlighting their extraordinary contributions to our work, our communities, and our shared history. My cabinet is shaped by women who embody strong leadership and public service for their teams and our communities. Read more. Pictured:… Read More
Executive officially proclaimed March 24 as Nowruz
This March, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay recognized Nowruz, the Persian New Year, celebrated for over 3,000 years by more than 300 million people worldwide. Meaning “new day,” Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and a time of renewal, hope, and fresh beginnings. On March 24, the official Nowruz proclamation was presented to Refugees & Immigrants Support & Empowerment (RISE) Affinity Group leadership by Jasmin Weaver, Chief of Staff to the King County Executive, and Megan Pedersen, Chief People Officer, highlighting the County’s commitment to recognizing and uplifting immigrant and refugee communities. Traditions such as gathering… Read More
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Appoint Dr. Sandra Valenciano to Lead Public Health – Seattle and King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider On Wednesday, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson appointed Dr. Sandra Valenciano to serve as the Director of Public Health – Seattle and King County. Dr. Valenciano currently serves as Acting Director for the department. Pending confirmation by both the Metropolitan King County Council and Seattle City Council, Dr. Valenciano will advance the department’s work to protect and promote the health and well-being of more than two million residents. The department works across a wide range of areas focusing on preventing illness and… Read More
Discounted tickets to Washington Spring Fair
King County employees can now take advantage of discounted tickets to the Washington Spring Fair. The Spring Fair is April 10-12 and 17-19. To purchase tickets, visit thefair.com/corporate, click the “Buy Tickets” button, and enter access code 26king. Tickets are only available trough April 19. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Records Management Reminder: Make good records in the first place
A big part of records management is being mindful about what records we decide to create in the first place. Making good records to begin with is essential to good records management and the Executive’s focus on better government. Some general tips include: For more information, visit the County Records and Information Management Program’s website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The County Records and Information Management Program (CRIMP), in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s public records according to… Read More
New temporary cat building to open March 27
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC The Cat Adoptions Building, a newly-refurbished trailer at Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), will open on March 27 to receive incoming cats and allow adopters to once again choose a new furry feline friend on-site at the Pet Adoption Center in Kent. During the December 2025 storms, the cat building at the Pet Adoption Center suffered damage that rendered it unusable. Since then, RASKC has been unable to accept new cats for sheltering. RASKC was also forced to rely on members of the community to foster… Read More
Ask a tox doc: What’s the big deal with plastic?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider It’s hard to avoid plastic. So many common objects that we use regularly have plastic, from toothbrushes and soap bottles to juice cartons and kids’ toys. I sat down with Dr. Shirlee Tan, a toxicologist with Public Health, to chat about plastic and find out: Is it a concern for our health? And if so, how can we protect ourselves? Read more.
KCSO hosted Dr. Kevin Gilmartin’s presentation Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement
Crossposted from the KCSO Employee Newsletter The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) was pleased to host Dr. Kevin Gilmartin on March 5 for the presentation of Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement, based on his groundbreaking book. First responders from agencies across King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties joined KCSO professional staff, members of the Peer Support Team, and others at the Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) for this event. Dr. Gilmartin holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona and served for 20 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona. He is also an adjunct instructor… Read More
Help your favorite nonprofit be part of the King County Employee Giving Program
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving Throughout the Annual Giving Drive, employees often ask why their favorite nonprofit is not part of the King County Employee Giving Program (KCEGP). Now is the time to help your favorite nonprofit by submitting a nonprofit referral! When a nonprofit participates in the KCEGP it allows King County employees to support that nonprofit through our program. It also allows employees to use their sick leave for volunteering benefit with that nonprofit. Read more.
‘At the Office” resources now available to employees on new SharePoint page
King County employees now have a new tool to make working in the office easier. The “At the Office” SharePoint page is a comprehensive, one-stop-shop with helpful resources for employees working in a King County building. The page provides tools for all King County employees including those working in a hybrid workspace, new employees, those changing buildings and/or departments, and those looking for a central hub for office resources. The page includes information about reserving conference rooms and County vehicles, submitting facilities fix-it requests, campus safety, “At the Office” best practices, workplace policies, employee… Read More
Transit Appreciation Week: Celebrating the people who keep our region moving
Executive Girmay Zahilay and the King County Council officially proclaimed this week, March 22–28, as Transit Appreciation Week. This is a special time of year to recognize the more than 6,100 Metro employees who work together to get people where they need to go safely and reliably. While transit operators are often the most visible, behind every trip is a network of people planning service, maintaining vehicles, supporting customers, and ensuring operations run smoothly. Please join us in celebrating all the transit workers who keep our region connected. This week, and every week, we… Read More
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Appoints Dr. Susan McLaughlin to Lead King County Department of Community and Human Services
King County Executive Girmay Zahilay recently appointed Dr. Susan McLaughlin to serve as the Director of the King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Dr. McLaughlin currently serves as the department’s Acting Director. Dr. McLaughlin will lead the department tasked with providing affordable homes for people experiencing homelessness, coordinating publicly funded mental health and substance use disorder treatment, promoting youth mental health, stabilizing immigrant and refugees in the region, supporting residents who have intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully in community life, and strengthening the human services workforce. “Dr. Susan McLaughlin is a thoughtful leader who… Read More
Executive Zahilay shares February video update
Out in the field. Listening. Learning. Taking action. From meeting youth and healthcare workers to expanding transit and supporting flood response. Last month was all about showing up for our communities and building a stronger King County together. Click the video below for Executive Zahilay’s latest Executive Update!
New discounts available to Paramout Theatre, Seattle Opera, Kraken games, and Summit at Snoqualmie
Paramount Theatre: Employees can now take advantage of discounts to multiple performances at the Paramount Theatre, including current shows such as Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera, as well as upcoming shows from the 2026-2027 season, including Harry Potter, Beauty and the Beast, and others. Discounted tickets for the 2026-2027 season will be available starting March 23 at 10 a.m. Purchase tickets here. Seattle Opera: The Seattle Opera has also provided a 20% discount for its upcoming show, Carmen, running May 2-17. Purchase tickets here, using promo code KING20. Seattle Kraken hockey: Additional discounted games in April… Read More
New reporting and performance-monitoring tool now available
Crossposted from the DES Express Employees and managers alike now have access to critical reports and data the Department of Executive Services (DES) Director’s Office uses for strategic planning, assessment and management. Robby White, Data and Analytics Manager for DES, created the online set of department-wide reports as a window into the department’s data analytics. “To me it’s part of accountability,” said White, who recently was selected into the career service position after serving in it as a special duty assignment for nearly a year. “Something like this is intended to create a better sense… Read More
DCHS strengthens oversight and accountability with new policies and improvements
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections By Dr. Susan McLaughlin, Acting Director of DCHS In 2020, the department’s priority was clear: Get resources to the community quickly and provide relief throughout the health emergency and into recovery. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) moved fast to deliver critical funding—from rental assistance to isolation and quarantine facilities—across the region when it mattered most. DCHS expanded partnerships with smaller, community-based organizations—trusted groups with deep roots in the neighborhoods they serve and a proven ability to connect people to the services they need. Read more.
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