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Employee News

Telling the stories of King County employees

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Featured Headlines

Clean energy projects bring $5.2 million in savings for WTD

Balanced You attends the Healthy Worksite Summit

Let the world class KCSO Motorcycle Unit take you for a spin

Meet the SCOPE Team, connecting services directly to your community

News

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission seeks new members 

The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission (KCIRC) is seeking dedicated individuals who bring a strong commitment to supporting immigrant and refugee communities to fill five open positions on the commission. The application is open until April 30, 2026.  Apply here: King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission online application    “Now more than ever, it’s critical that local leaders are hearing directly from immigrant and refugee communities about their needs and challenges so we can work together on solutions,” said Executive Girmay Zahilay. “The King County Immigrant and Refugee Commission plays an important role in shaping policy and outreach at the county…. Read More

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Sea26: Metro is here to support your Seattle soccer summer

Crossposted from Metro Matters Seattle is going to be part of one of the largest sporting events in the world, with hundreds of thousands of soccer fans coming from every corner of the earth to cheer for their favorite teams and players. King County Metro has a vital role in getting people to the Seattle Soccer Stadium for this international tournament. We’ve been actively preparing over the last 18 months to meet the moment. Strong coordination is critical for an event of this scale. Metro will be boosting bus and water taxi… Read More

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Balanced You attends the Healthy Worksite Summit

The Healthy Worksite Summit, hosted by the Association of WA Cities, is the Northwest’s premier training event dedicated to making workplaces healthy places. Attendees represent both large and small organizations from the public and private sectors. The Balanced You team has attended the Healthy Worksite Summit for several years as participants and speakers. This year, Karla Clark, Employee Health and Well-Being Project/Program Manager III, who has served on the Summit’s planning committee for three years, partnered with Junelle Kroontje, Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager, and Leslie Monteiro, Wellness Program Manager at… Read More

Posted on April 10, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Let the world class KCSO Motorcycle Unit take you for a spin

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Motor Unit is made up of six officers from the contract cities of Sammamish, SeaTac, and Maple Valley. Originally formed in 1911, the KCSO Motor Unit has a rich history in motor unit development and training in the Pacific Northwest. They do everything from traffic stops to escorting the Blue Angels.  “One of the unique things about being assigned to motors is the opportunities we have to get out and ride eight feet away from the President’s limo as we’re cruising down I-5, or be asked… Read More

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Additional discounts to Kraken hockey games

Additional discounted games in April are now available for King County employees to attend. Purchase tickets here. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

WSDOT e-bike rebate program is back

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has relaunched WE-bike, an instant rebate program that helps Washington residents purchase certain cycling equipment and electric bicycles, also called e-bikes. As of March 30, people across the state are able to apply online for one of these instant rebates. The program will randomly select applicants monthly starting April 13, 2026 through March 29, 2027. Applicants only need to submit one application to be considered for the monthly selections. This grant program is entirely funded through Climate Commitment Act revenues and is available for instant rebates of either $300 or… Read More

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Meet the SCOPE Team, connecting services directly to your community

The Supportive Community Outreach, Programs and Engagement (SCOPE) is a multifunctional customer service team within the Department of Community and Human Services that provides centralized information and resource referrals, making it easier for residents of King County to access the services they need.  The SCOPE team aim to help residents connect to resources, navigate services, or bridge short-term financial gaps. “In addition to running our customer service center, the SCOPE team is out in community hosting a series of resource events, holding presentations, and gathering feedback from human services providers and community… Read More

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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.

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on April 3, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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.

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

Posted on March 27, 2026 by Lilia Cabello Drain

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

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We tell stories that highlight the work we do to support our residents,
build strong communities, and make our region a great place to live and work.

Our 17,000+ employees work every day to make King County
a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

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We tell stories that highlight the work we do to support our residents, builds strong communities, and make our region a great place to live and work. Our 17,000+ employees work every day to make King County
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