Most King County offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 25. Due to the nature of our work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. Metro will be on Sunday service. If you have any questions about your schedule, please talk to your supervisor. Offices will return to normal service on Tuesday, May 26.

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Newsletter On April 26, King County Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) joined the annual Touch-A-Truck event hosted by the Junior League of Seattle, giving kids of all ages a hands-on look at big rigs from various agencies. The KCSO fire truck was a clear crowd favorite, drawing a steady line of excited future first responders. Special thanks to ARFF Captain Eric Muller and ARFF Sergeant Clint Herman for participating in this fun event.

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Aaron Squires stands at the edge of a maintenance hole in Redmond, pulling on a pair of waders. A King County truck sits nearby, with cones marking the work zone and cables running down into the opening below. Squires is part of the King County Wastewater Treatment Division’s 15-member conveyance inspection team, responsible for maintaining and surveying the pipes that spans across our service area.  Below the surface, more than 380 miles of County-owned pipe carry wastewater from homes and businesses to treatment plants. Known as the… Read More

Crossposted from the DES Express The first FIFA World Cup match in Seattle kicks off at noon on Monday, June 15, with a total of six games in Seattle through July 6. During that time, there will be many special events throughout the Puget Sound region and the state celebrating the tournament. Local event planners are anticipating 750,000 visitors to the region for the World Cup. While the World Cup events will spotlight our region, they will also bring increased traffic, road closures and pressures on public transportation. Read more.

Crossposted from Metro Matters Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, returns for its ninth season beginning Memorial Day weekend, making it easier for residents and visitors to explore the region’s outdoor spaces without the stress of driving or parking. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with promotional support from Amazon. Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday, May 23 and will run through Sunday, Aug. 30. The 2026 season includes service… Read More

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections For too long, communities across King County have faced barriers to getting the behavioral health care they need to support their long-term recovery. At the Department of Community & Human Services (DCHS), we are breaking the cycle through our commitment to following through, connecting people to routine mental health care and recovery supports after they are discharged from treatment in hospitals, inpatient programs, or Crisis Care Centers. New data shows efforts to connect clients of King County’s behavioral health services to outpatient care after a hospitalization are working… Read More

It’s almost time for Seattle to host six FIFA World Cup 2026 matches! They will be held at Lumen Field (referred to as Seattle Stadium) between June 15 and July 6. During that time, you should expect substantial impacts to your commute on game days and during World Cup-related community festivities. On game days, there will be street closures and increased pedestrian traffic around King Street Center and other buildings in the downtown campus.  King County has launched a tool to help employees navigate closures and delays related to the World Cup in Seattle. It’s a new one-stop-shop intranet page with… Read More

Crossposted from Public Health Insider The outbreak of hantavirus on an international cruise ship has put this rare disease in the headlines. WHO is leading the investigation of that situation involving a specific type of hantavirus that has not been found in the United States. We wanted to learn more about whether hantavirus poses a risk to people in King County, so we checked in with Dr. Jocelyn Mullins, a public health veterinarian and resident expert at Public Health – Seattle & King County on diseases coming from animals. Dr. Mullins, what is hantavirus and how people can get it?  Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease that affects the lungs. It primarily… Read More

The Human and Civil Rights Commission (HCRC) released its inaugural 2025-2026 annual report, highlighting ongoing efforts to achieve King County’s equity goals and ensure all residents are treated fairly and justly.  “King County is committed to being an inclusive, welcoming place for all people – regardless of their race, religion, gender, or ability,” said Executive Girmay Zahilay. “At a time when our federal government is attacking civil rights, HCRC is working to ensure we are advancing equity, fairness, and justice in King County and uplifting the voices of communities who have not historically had a seat at the table in decision-making processes. Read more.

May is Bike Everywhere Month, and to celebrate the joy of bicycling there is a friendly competition: the Bike Everywhere Challenge! Throughout the month, teams at King County will create a little friendly competition for who can get the most trips and/or ride the most miles during the month of May. Please consider forming or joining a team to get riding! There are prizes for most trips logged, most miles ridden, and random drawings for participants, courtesy of the Employee Transportation Program. To sign up for the Bike Everywhere Month challenge under… Read More

CASA volunteers and staff came together at the May 3 Mariners game in support of We Are Family Day, a special game day event celebrating foster, kinship, and adoptive families. It was a meaningful opportunity to build community, celebrate families and raise awareness about the CASA program, highlighted by seeing our name on the big screen! Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children involved in the dependency court system. Whether or not serving as a CASA is the right fit for you, we encourage you… Read More