Author: Lauren Chin
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King County Executive Zahilay, Metro, and partners break ground on RapidRide I Line in South King County
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined federal, state, and local partners and community members today to break ground on Metro’s RapidRide I Line. The project will upgrade Route 160 with 17 miles of improvements to speed up transit service and deliver new stations for riders in Renton, Kent, and Auburn. Service is scheduled to…
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King County Metro expands bus service and launches systemwide all-door boarding starting March 28
Summary King County Metro will expand bus service and launch systemwide all-door boarding starting Saturday, March 28, making transit faster and easier to use across the region. The service change strengthens connections to Sound Transit’s Link light rail system, including the new 2 Line Crosslake Connection between Seattle and the Eastside, and adds earlier morning…
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Low-interest loan applications now open for King County residents and businesses impacted by historic flooding
King County, WA — Disaster assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is available to help King County residents and businesses recover from the December 2025 winter storm. Who should apply: Deadlines to apply: For more information and to apply online, visit SBA.gov/disaster. “Recovering from a disaster of this scale takes local, state, and federal partners working…
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Executive Zahilay transmits legislation to expand Metro bus service and strengthen Link light rail connections in South King County
Community-guided proposal would create a new regional transit network connecting buses, light rail, and partner transit systems across South King County Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay today transmitted legislation to expand Metro bus service across South King County and strengthen connections to new Link light rail stations opening in 2026. The proposal would create a…
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King County receives national award for commitment to career development program
County commits more than $1 million to continue paid internships and expand career opportunities for young adults through Year Up United Today, King County became the first public agency to receive the Year Up United Impact Award, recognizing its commitment to creating pathways to opportunity through the Year Up United internship program. Presented by John Stanton, Chairman of the Seattle Mariners and…
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Higher Pay Takes Effect with $20.82 Minimum Wage in Unincorporated King County
Summary On Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage in unincorporated King County increased from $20.29 an hour to $20.82 an hour, with exceptions for smaller businesses. This is the lowest hourly wage an organization can pay an employee. Story On Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage in unincorporated King County increased from $20.29 to $20.82…
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King County launches new battery-electric buses with enhanced operator safety features
Summary Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined King County Metro to launch safer, zero-emission battery-electric buses, with initial deployment focused on south King County communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. Story Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined King County Metro to launch a new fleet of battery-electric buses that enhance transit operator safety, reduce harmful…
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King County celebrates Health Through Housing’s Booker House grand opening, adding new permanent supportive housing in South King County for people exiting homelessness
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay joined local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of Booker House, a new Health Through Housing residence in Federal Way. Booker House provides 86 units of new permanent supportive housing for people exiting chronic homelessness, pairing stable housing with on-site health care and supportive services. Story Today, Executive Zahilay joined local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of Booker House,…
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King County Joins Lawsuit Challenging Federal Immigration Enforcement Operation in Minnesota
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay released the following statement after the county joined an amicus brief in the Minnesota v. Noem case, arguing that the Trump administration’s deployment of masked, armed federal immigration enforcement officials into the Minneapolis metro area – known as “Operation Metro Surge” – is unconstitutional and unlawful. Story “King County stands with the people of Minnesota in pushing back against the dangerous, illegal, and unconstitutional deployment of federal immigration enforcement agents into their state,” said Executive Zahilay. “The fatal…
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King County Awards $23.7 Million to Eight Affordable Housing Developments, Creating 672 Homes Countywide
Summary Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced $23.7 million in Housing Finance Program (HFP) awards to eight affordable housing developments, creating 672 affordable homes across the county. Story Today, Executive Zahilay announced $23.7 million for eight affordable housing developments across South King County, East King County, and the City of Seattle. Together, these investments…