Get the latest news from the Executive’s office
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more