Author: Lauren Chin
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VIDEO: A unique salmon recovery partnership in King County has proven to be an effective model for collective impact
Twenty-five years after creating a first-of-its-kind regional partnership for salmon recovery, King County and a coalition of partners are celebrating progress and renewing the alliance for another decade. The partners have so far reconnected 730 acres of floodplain, completed 719 salmon recovery projects, and planted native vegetation in nearly 1,500 acres of riparian areas while…
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King County turns eye toward recovery after historic flooding and severe weather hazards
Summary Following weeks of flooding and hazardous weather conditions, King County has begun shifting from rapid response to recovery, working closely with partner agencies and state and local governments. Story King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced today that King County has begun shifting from 24/7 emergency response to monitoring and recovery, following weeks of flooding…
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VIDEO: How King County’s on-the-ground Flood Patrol is helping reinforce levees before they break and mobilize rapid repairs if they breach
King County’s Flood Patrol has provided on-the-ground monitoring night and day throughout the historic flood, coordinating with partner agencies to reinforce levees before they break and mobilize rapid repairs if they breach. Coordinating emergency responses with King County’s Flood Warning Center and Emergency Operations Center, the Flood Patrol has likely prevented levee failures and made…
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King County Metro and regional transit agencies celebrate New Year’s Eve with free fares
Summary King County Metro will join four regional transit agencies to provide free rides on Dec. 31 to help people safely celebrate New Year’s Eve. Story King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced today that Metro will join other regional transit agencies to provide free rides this New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. Riders can travel without…
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Executive Zahilay statement following court decision to block new restrictions that threaten proven solutions to homelessness
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay issued the following statement following a federal judge’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction that will temporarily block the Trump-Vance administration’s attempts to implement unlawful and unreasonable restrictions that seek to shift funding away from proven solutions to homelessness. Story “We are pleased that the federal court has granted a preliminary…
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Executive Zahilay issues statement regarding King County’s ongoing emergency response actions as region continues to be impacted by hazardous weather conditions
Story As ongoing hazardous weather and flooding continue to impact the region, Executive Zahilay issued the following statement regarding King County’s emergency response efforts: “King County and much of Washington state experienced severe and dangerous weather last week, resulting in historic flooding that has put lives, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure at risk across our…
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Executive Zahilay announces Cabinet and new senior leadership appointments
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced today his full Cabinet and new senior leadership team members who will serve in the Executive Office. Story Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced his full Cabinet, along with three new senior leaders to serve in the Executive Office. “This is a strong, experienced team that knows King County…
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Executive Zahilay issues emergency order granting authority for additional action regarding severe weather and flooding
Summary Executive Zahilay issued the following emergency order granting authority for additional actions related to a proclamation of emergency earlier this week addressing the severe weather and river flooding impacting the region. Story WHEREAS, on December 8, 2025, in my capacity as King County Executive, I issued a Proclamation of Emergency regarding a significant civil…
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Executive Zahilay Celebrates Historic Appointment of Rhonda Lewis as the new King County Councilmember for District 2 and Appointment of Sound Transit Board Members
Summary Rhonda Lewis was unanimously selected by the King County Council for an interim appointment to District 2. She becomes the first Black woman ever to serve on the Council, and creates the first majority of women in the Council’s history. At the same meeting, the Council unanimously approved Executive Zahilay’s slate of nominations to…
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Executive Zahilay issues Proclamation of Emergency regarding severe storms and river flooding
Summary King County Executive Girmay Zahilay issued a Proclamation of Emergency today regarding the severe storms and river flooding anticipated to have a major impact on the region. Story WHEREAS, the King County Office of Emergency Management has reported to me on December 8, 2025, that King County has activated the King County Regional Emergency…