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
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
ADA Title II and Disability Equity Resource Hub is live for employees
It is officially July, which means it is officially Disability Pride Month! From the ADA and Disability Equity Team to you, we hope you have a month full of accessibility, inclusion, and disability joy. The ADA team is part of the Executive’s Office and focuses on systemwide change to build a culture of inclusion, accessibility, and equity in every part of King County government. One of the ways the team is celebrating is by launching our new SharePoint site and resource hub. Here employees can learn more about our team, our work, get support for your department, and learn about… Read More
Making Life Easier and Employee Assistance for Supervisors Programs now available
Historically, Making Life Easier (MLE) has focused on helping King County employees with home- and life-related stress and concerns. On July 1, MLE expanded its services to also help employees with workplace issues. This all-in-one counseling is provided by King County’s external vendor Curalinc. Also on July 1, King County’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) changed its name to the Employee Assistance for Supervisors (EAS) and will provide resources to supervisors only. Supervisors will receive counseling, coaching, consulting, and training from the King County mental health professionals who worked with EAP. Click here to… Read More
Seattle hosts sixth FIFA World Cup match on Monday, July 6
Seattle will host its sixth and final match of the FIFA Men’s World Cup 2026 for a Round of 16 showdown at Lumen Field (referred to as Seattle Stadium for the FIFA World Cup) at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 6. On game days, street closures will go into effect four hours before kickoff and stay in place until approximately two hours after the end of the match. There will be significant security and crowd-control measures in place around the stadium, with no on-site parking at the stadium. Both King Street Center (KSC) and the Graybar… Read More
Summit at Snoqualmie Summer 2026 discounts available
Employees can now take advantage of discounts available for Summit at Snoqualmie. Discounts are only available via online purchase through the online site with discount code. Discounts are not available for purchase at in-person ticketing locations. Scenic Ride discount: Take 20% off the day-of price, no matter when purchased. Bike Park Ticket discount: Take 20% off the day-of price, no matter when purchased. Click here to access these discounts and use discount code bpKingCoSum26. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Construction preparation work continues as new shelter design takes shape
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), the county’s Facilities Management Division (FMD), and the design team have reached an initial agreement on the new shelter site layout. Next, FMD will finalize design documents and meet with the City of Kent and King County Public Health to ensure that design decisions are up to code. The final design is expected to be approved by mid-summer. In the meantime, interior upgrades, electrical, and plumbing fixture replacements are ongoing. FMD has been working with a contractor to bring the… Read More
Reminder: Consumer fireworks banned in unincorporated King County
Crossposted from King County Local As the July 4th holiday nears, Local Services reminds everyone that the use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County, including communities such as White Center, Skyway, East Federal Way, Fairwood, and the East Renton area. Fireworks enforcement will be managed by the Code Enforcement team in the Permitting Division of the Department of Local Services. Code Enforcement will investigate complaints received about illegal fireworks use and/or sales in unincorporated King County. You can report violations online; you will be asked… Read More
Think twice about fireworks this Fourth of July
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC America will mark its 250th birthday this Fourth of July, and there are lots of celebrations planned all over the nation for the milestone. Many of those celebrations will include fireworks, both professional displays and people shooting off their own. While most areas of King County have banned most types of consumer fireworks, it’s a good bet that you’ll still hear a few bangs, booms, and pops around Independence Day. To help your pet cope with the noise and reduce the chance that they run away, Regional… Read More
Solving septic system puzzles: Portraits of Public Health
Crossposted from Public Health Insider When you think of the public health department, you might think of vaccines, clinics, and disease tracking — you probably don’t think of septic systems. But where our wastewater goes and how it gets treated is foundational to public health! This installment of Portraits of Public Health features one of our septic experts, Beau, who shares his passion for the importance of septic systems in protecting public health, safeguarding the environment, and allowing a property to function as a home. Read more.
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
A message from King County Executive Girmay Zahilay Team, Sunday, I joined hundreds of King County employees, families, friends, and even a few pets to march together in solidarity, unity, and celebration at the Seattle Pride Parade. Pride celebrates a rich history of resistance, courage, and joy. It grew from the fight for basic rights and dignity, led by people, particularly Black Trans women, who refused to accept invisibility or inequality. Their activism laid the foundation for the freedoms and recognition the LGBTQIA+ community continues to pursue today. From the bold acts… Read More
Professional Development Scholarship application period closes July 10
Applications for the Professional Development Scholarship are open through Friday, July 10, 11:45 p.m. Eligible employees can receive up to $3,000 annually for training, certificates, degrees, licenses, or certifications. Check the scholarship intranet page for eligibility criteria, scholarship guidelines, and the application link. For help with the application, join the virtual support office hours on June 26 or July 8. Friday, June 26 from noon to 1 p.m. Join here. Wednesday, July 8, 2026 from 6 to 7 p.m. Join here. For questions, email ScholarshipFund@kingcounty.gov and visit the scholarship intranet page.
Celebrate at the Seattle Pride Parade and travel with Metro!
Crossposted from Metro Matters The Seattle Pride Parade is back and more fabulous than ever on Sunday, June 28, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to attend to honor our LGBTQIA+ community—and have a lot of fun. It’s likewise a meaningful moment to observe the ongoing work to advance equity, dignity and support for LGBTQIA+ people. We’re encouraging everyone to plan ahead and ride transit if they are traveling to or around downtown Seattle to ease their trips. Read more.
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