Proclamation of Emergency
King County Executive Dow Constantine issued a Proclamation of Emergency after a winter storm brought snow, high winds, and dangerous cold to the region.

King County purchases 300,000 COVID-19 test kits for residents
Executive Constantine announced the purchase of 300,000 home COVID-19 testing kits to be distributed to King County residents, with the first 100,000 scheduled to arrive in King County in the next two weeks.

Free New Year’s Eve rides on King County Metro, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Pierce Transit, and Seattle Streetcar
Transit agencies around the region are ready to help get riders home safely as people celebrate the holiday and ring in 2022.

Executive Constantine announces changes to leadership team for 2022
Following his reelection to a fourth term, Executive Constantine announced several promotions and staffing changes to his office’s leadership team including naming April Putney as Deputy Executive.

Over 100 creative businesses and organizations will receive grants from the $19.5 million King County Arts & Culture Fund
Over 100 businesses and organizations will receive awards from the $19.5 million Arts & Culture Fund as part of King County’s Revive & Thrive initiative to support the economic recovery of the creative sector.

Washington State and King County announce FEMA mobile COVID-19 vaccination unit coming to Western Washington
Today's announcement by Governor Inslee marks a state and county partnership with FEMA to continue ensuring life-saving COVID-19 vaccines are given out to Western Washington communities quickly and equitably.

Executive Constantine shares Best Starts for Kids success at national conference in Georgia
At the Prenatal-to-Three County Leaders Academy event in Decatur, Ga., Executive Constantine spoke about King County’s Prenatal to Three investments like child care and other early childhood programs, including the child care components of the voter approved 2021 Best Starts for Kids levy.

Executive Constantine statement on Mississippi abortion case at U.S. Supreme Court
"The decision about whether and when to have a child is a constitutional and human right. We are committed to preserving reproductive freedom and advancing health equity in King County, regardless of what the SCOTUS majority decides."

Executive Constantine appoints Patti Cole-Tindall as interim King County Sheriff; announces plan for retention and recruitment bonuses
King County Undersheriff Patti Cole-Tindall has been named interim Sheriff, effective January 1, taking over the duties of the office to ensure a smooth transition and ongoing leadership while a nationwide recruitment process is completed. She will be the first person of color in the Sheriff position in King County’s history.

King County seeks to collaborate with residents in urban unincorporated areas to Reimagine Public Safety
An anonymous survey will ask residents to share their ideas on how to keep their community safe through methods beyond traditional policing and the criminal legal system. Feedback will inform pilot programs that launch in 2022.

Executive Constantine and Mayor Durkan announce land swap for City Hall Park
King County and the City of Seattle have come to an agreement on a land swap to transfer ownership of City Hall Park from the City of Seattle to King County in exchange for multiple county-owned properties including a park in South Park.

Nationwide recruitment begins for King County’s next Sheriff
The recruitment for King County’s next Sheriff incorporates community feedback and will include opportunities for input from community representatives, employees, and labor representatives.

King County activating plans for equitable COVID-19 vaccine access for children ages five to eleven following CDC approval
King County announced that availability of COVID-19 vaccine for children ages five- to eleven-years-old will begin this week at some pediatrician offices, community clinics, and vaccine partnership sites throughout the region, following federal authorization for this age group. The vaccine now authorized for younger children will drive down the risk of COVID-19 for kids and will help prevent transmission to family members and older adults in children’s lives.

12,000 households saved from eviction with $63 million in rental assistance distributed by King County so far this year
King County continues to accelerate rental assistance payments, collaborating with local property owners and community-based partners to distribute $63 million so far this year and $100 million since the beginning of the pandemic providing housing stability to more than 12,000 households through the Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program (EPRAP).

Federal Economic Injury Declaration opens loans for fire-ravaged small businesses in White Center
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) made a declaration of an Economic Injury Disaster this week, opening a loan application process for businesses and organizations that suffered “substantial economic injury” from the recent fire on July 5, 2021 in White Center. King County will support affected businesses and seek out more options for other fire victims.

First residents moving in at North Seattle Health Through Housing hotel this week
King County and the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) are welcoming the first residents to a Health Through Housing site, the former Holiday Inn Express in North Seattle. When it reaches capacity, the newly-named Mary Pilgrim Inn will provide housing for nearly 100 people exiting chronic homelessness. The phased opening begins with 15 residents this week, with 65 more scheduled to move in by next week.

Executive Constantine welcomes Afghan refugees resettling in King County at county-owned former hotel
King County is hosting around 130 Afghan refugees at the county-owned former hotel in Federal Way, and last week Executive Dow Constantine met with them to discuss how King County can support the new residents as they settle in and prepare for life in King County.

King County awards $2.8 million in grants from marijuana fund to five BIPOC-led community organizations to address disproportionate drug enforcement impacts
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced $2.8 million in awards for five community-based organizations to assist and intervene on behalf of individuals and communities experiencing disproportionate arrests and convictions for marijuana and other drug-related actions.

King County vaccine verification launches next week – new campaign provides businesses and customers with tools and resources to be prepared for October 25 implementation
King County Executive Dow Constantine kicked off a vaccine verification preview campaign for the week leading up to the launch of the new policy, showcasing what businesses and customers can expect once the new health order takes effect across King County on October 25.

Executive Constantine transmits blueprint to zero youth detention in CFJC by 2025
King County Executive Dow Constantine shared the blueprint for a strategic planning process to close the juvenile secure detention facility located within the Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center and recommendations for its repurposing and reuse to serve community needs by 2025.