Featured Headlines
VIDEO: Interim DNRP Director Mo McBroom shares her path to public service
KCSO in the spotlight: Air support
Welcoming new neighbors: King County invests in vital support for immigrant and refugee communities
King County, Plymouth Housing, and City of Kirkland celebrate opening of new permanent supportive housing community, Sheila Stanton Place
News
Korean Consul General Eunji Seo visits the Sheriff’s Office
Crosssposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Newsletter Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and Support Services Division Chief Cheol Kang recently had the pleasure of meeting with Consul General Eunji Seo from the Republic of Korea’s Seattle consulate. The visit was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss ways we can continue strengthening safety and support for the Korean community throughout King County. The conversation was engaging, collaborative, and forward-looking — exactly the kind of partnership that helps our communities thrive. Consul General Seo presented Sheriff Cole‑Tindall with a beautifully crafted tray designed… Read More
July is Disability Pride Month – The voices of lived experiences, part one
To celebrate Disability Pride month, the King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) gathered reflections from employees living with hidden and visible disabilities about how their disabilities are an asset in the workplace, and how those attributes allow them to effectively serve King County residents. In part one of a multi-part series, KCDEN is sharing these first-person experiences to highlight the contributions of employees with disabilities. Because disability status is often stigmatized, the thoughts are shared anonymously and have been edited for brevity and clarity. “My disability is an asset at work because it’s made… Read More
Community Corrections: ‘A unique role. We wear many different hats’
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Employee Newsletter Meet some of the caseworkers who monitor clients on supervised release. July offers a special chance to recognize these professionals and more than 90,000 of their community corrections peers throughout the country. National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week runs July 19 to 25. King County’s Community Corrections Division has plannned an appreciation event from noon to 1 p.m. on July 20. It’s in room 123 of the Chinook building, and everyone is welcome to join. Read more.
Next steps for Better Government: Customer Focus survey
We appreciate every employee who took part in the recent Better Government: Customer Focus survey. Your feedback will help us better understand how to support employees so they can more effectively serve our customers. While the Employee Engagement team is heads down in data analysis and reporting, check here for a quick look at what’s ahead, and to learn about employee engagement, action planning, and more: Employee Engagement intranet page.
Sobering Center to temporarily move to King County Administration Building
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is moving the Sobering Center from the Yesler Building to the downtown Administration Building on a temporary basis. Effective this month, the new site will provide a safe location with an improved layout for clients and staff. Pioneer Human Services, the County’s longtime sobering center operator, will continue providing the essential onsite services needed for this specialized setting. Part of the County’s crisis services available to residents, the Sobering Center provides a safe space for people to sleep off the effects of acute alcohol or drug… Read More
Scammers targeting lost pet owners by phone and text
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Scammers are contacting owners of lost pets in our area, claiming their pet has been found needing surgery and demanding immediate payment. Some are using AI-generated images of an animal in surgery as “proof.” These are scams! Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) will never ask you for payment by phone or text to treat your sick or injured pet! Do not send money, provide bank or card info, or use payment apps. If you think your lost pet is in our shelter, visit kingcounty.gov/LostAPet or stop by in person weekdays from noon… Read More
Attend a Deferred Compensation Plan Board meeting
The King County Deferred Compensation Plan helps employees save for retirement through automatic pre-tax and post-tax contributions. The plan is governed by a nine-member board of current and retired King County employees with the assistance of an independent financial consultant. The board monitors fund performance, ensures effective and inclusive communication, makes plan policy and design decisions, and ensures compliance with King County’s Strategic Plan for Equity and Social Justice. The King County Employees Deferred Compensation Plan Board meets on the second Wednesday of every month and all employees and participants are welcome to attend… Read More
IT Helpdesk (Cherwell) ticketing blackout Aug. 14 to 16, as Neurons prepares for launch
King County’s current IT service management system, Cherwell, will soon be replaced by a new system called Neurons. As part of the cutover, Cherwell will go offline the evening of Aug. 14, creating a temporary ticketing blackout from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday the 16. During this time, employees will not be able to submit new tickets or view existing tickets. After‑hours support will still be available for urgent IT issues. All tickets submitted before Aug. 14 will be automatically moved into Neurons and will be available again when the new system launches on Monday,… Read More
Accessing Naloxone (NARCAN®) Nasal Spray in King County
Overdose is the leading cause of preventable injury death in King County, but an easy-to-use nasal spray (naloxone) can save lives. When someone is overdosing, you can be the difference, and you don’t need to be a doctor to help. King County employees are permitted to carry and administer naloxone while on the job, if they so choose. Here’s your guide to finding naloxone in King County and Washington and how to access overdose prevention training. For those who can, King County encourages accessing naloxone over the counter or through pharmacies with… Read More
Executive Zahilay transmits implementation plan and new name for King County’s behavioral health sales tax
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections The legislation reflects extensive community engagement, modernizes one of King County’s most important behavioral health investments, and renames it the King County Behavioral Health Bridge. Executive Girmay Zahilay transmitted legislation to the King County Council that would guide one of the County’s largest local investments in behavioral health through 2034, reflecting extensive community engagement to better address the county’s most pressing behavioral health needs. Read more.
Check out the new Executive’s Corner: Your source for Executive Office updates
Team, Every day across King County, important decisions are being made, milestones are being reached, and people are doing incredible work to serve our communities. Staying informed about that work, and the priorities guiding it, helps us stay connected as one organization. That’s why I’m excited to introduce the Executive’s Corner, a new space on the employee intranet where you can find news, announcements, and updates directly from me and the Executive Office. Whether you’re looking for the latest announcements from the Executive Office, information on our Executive Orders, news releases, leadership information, video messages, or… Read More
Stars, stripes, and second chances
We’re celebrating 250 years of the red, white, and blue! Adopt any dog or kitten from Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) for just $50 through July 31. See our selection of adoptable pets here, or visit us at the King County Pet Adoption Center, located at 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent. Adoption hours are noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, and noon to 4 p.m. weekends. See all the adorable adoptable pets we have waiting for you at kingcounty.gov/AdoptAPet.
Records Management Reminder: Retain each email in a thread
Each email has unique metadata, including some data we do not even see when viewing our emails in Outlook. When emails are viewed as part of a thread or chain, some of that metadata for the previous emails can be lost. It is for that reason that state guidance and case law requires that we manage each email, even if the text of those emails are included in a single thread or chain. The exception to that is are emails that are transitory and can be deleted at any time. For more information, review the Email… Read More
Mid-year reminder: Make the most of your FSA dollars
We’re halfway through 2026, and it’s a good time to check your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) balances and take steps to make sure you spend your remaining funds before the end of the year. Here’s some additional reminders: Health Care FSAs Use Health Care FSA funds to purchase summer-related items such as sunscreen, first aid kits, and prescription sunglasses. Schedule any necessary back-to-school check-ups and sports physicals if you have children. Many over-the-counter items are FSA-eligible, such as pain relievers, cold and allergy medicine, antacids, and feminine care. See the complete list… Read More
Bots trying to join your Teams call? Don’t let them in!
King County is seeing an increase in automated “meeting bots” attempting to join Microsoft Teams meetings—sometimes without the meeting organizer’s knowledge. These bots can pose a serious security risk; unauthorized bots may record, transcribe, or export meeting content to external systems, potentially exposing confidential information. Microsoft Teams now detects many external bots and places them in the meeting lobby, clearly marking them as automated participants. However, human approval is still required: someone in the meeting must choose whether to admit or block the bot. What you should do: If you see a… Read More
Executive Zahilay announces one-year lease for Harbor Island Studios with CREATE48 Media Network
Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced a one-year lease agreement with CREATE48 Media Network for the use of Harbor Island Studios, supporting the region’s growing film industry, strengthening the creative economy, and expanding job opportunities for local filmmakers, creatives, and production professionals. “Harbor Island Studios has been a unique public asset that supports King County’s film industry and creative economy. I’m glad we were able to find a nonprofit partner to continue momentum for the community while we work with stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy that supports access to affordable film and production space in our region,” said Executive Zahilay. “We’re excited that CREATE48 Media Network will… Read More
Progress on extreme heat preparedness five years after fatal heat dome
Crossposted from Field Notes Five years after the Pacific Northwest Heat Dome that led to 34 heat-related deaths in King County, our staff continues to work with partner agencies and communities to better prepare our region for extreme heat. Guided by King County’s Extreme Heat Mitigation Strategy, we’ve made progress on multiple fronts to help people stay safe and promote more equitable access to healthy tree canopy. Read more.
July is Disability Pride Month
The Disability Pride flag – Celebrating inclusion for all The King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) invites you to recognize Disability Pride. The Disability Pride flag was created in 2019 by disability rights activist Ann Magill. Initially, the flag featured a zigzag design. After receiving feedback from people with visual and other disabilities, the flag was revised in 2021. It is now comprised of 5 diagonal stripes of various colors on a faded black background. Each stripe represents an array of disabilities, including: Red for physical disabilities Gold for neurodiversity White for invisible disabilities and… Read More
A year in residence: Q’mmunity House’s impact on LGBTQIA+ veterans in King County
Crossposted from Cultivating Connections After only a year in operation, Q’mmunity House is making a profound impact, achieving full occupancy by the end of its first year. As a first-in-the-nation transitional home designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA+ veterans experiencing homelessness, the program provides on-site case management, essential connections to the veteran-serving community, and a safe, affirming environment. Read more.
What to know before taking transit to events on the big July 4 holiday weekend
Crossposted from Metro Matters Fireworks, parades, picnics and festivals on the Fourth of July weekend — there’s so much going on in honor of the country’s 250th birthday! Here’s some things to know before stepping onto transit on July 4 to get to your celebration. King County Metro buses are operating on a Sunday schedule on Friday, July 3, (a holiday for many workers) and will operate a regular Saturday schedule on Saturday, July 4. There are bus reroutes planned in several areas July 4 due to events, such as parades, fun runs and local festivals around… Read More
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