King County

A King County judge has mandated that the exchange Kalshi stop offering sports, election, and politics wagers in the state by August 19. This legal order comes days after the CFTC had backed the company regarding its operations concerning Washington bets.

The 2026 primary election in Washington is taking place on Tuesday, with updates being provided throughout the day on voting and elections in Seattle and across the state. Voters in Seattle and King County are participating in the election.

Mayor Katie Wilson and Executive Girmay Zahilay are reclaiming management of local contracts from the King County Regional Homelessness Authority. Seattle and King County have outlined a plan to take back control of these contracts.

A 21-year-old UCLA student, Dayanara Nicole Urbina Ruiz, died in an accidental fall from a building window along the Burke-Gilman Trail in King County, Washington on July 30. She was a communications major at the university.

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) is undergoing a 'reset' seven years after its 2019 establishment to address fragmented homelessness response in King County. The authority was tasked with managing contracts for service providers like shelters and housing, funded by a $200 million annual budget from King County and Seattle. New administrations in Seattle and King County have announced changes to the organization's structure.

The article discusses the author's experience as a ballot observer in King County, highlighting the checks and balances in the election process that ensure voter counts are accurate. It also notes the issue of low voter turnout, despite voting being a key responsibility in a democracy.

Misti Leon sued Exxon Mobil, BP, Chevron, Shell, and other oil companies for wrongful death, alleging their climate change deception contributed to her mother's death during a 2021 heatwave in Washington state. A King County judge denied the companies' motion to dismiss the case, signaling its legal viability amid growing climate litigation nationwide.

IRS data indicates King County is experiencing a net population loss to other Washington counties despite gaining residents from out-of-state arrivals. The exodus is primarily local, according to the report.

Officials in King County have closed three beaches due to high bacteria levels, which can cause illness in people who swim in the water.

New census data reveals King County has more men than women, making it one of only nine counties among the 100 most populous in the U.S. with this gender imbalance. The article highlights the unusual nature of this demographic trend.

King County has launched a campaign to reduce the speed of e-bikes on trails following a new state law. The county plans to enforce the law by pulling over riders exceeding speed limits.

Seattle and King County have announced significant changes to their homeless service system. The region’s homelessness agency, established in 2019, will now manage only federal funds after gradually losing oversight responsibilities.

King County has implemented a burn ban due to dry weather. This follows a statewide drought emergency declared in April, marking the fourth consecutive year of such a declaration.

A judge denied Seattle Public Schools' request for a new trial after a King County jury awarded $8 million to a former middle-school student who was hit by his teacher.

King County reported a 9% increase in homelessness since 2024. The survey also revealed that 64% of the homeless population resides outside shelters.

Charges against King County Assessor John Wilson have been dismissed, according to court records. The dismissal cites the victim, his ex-fiancée, no longer wishing to cooperate.

King and Pierce counties have opened cooling sites to assist unhoused individuals as temperatures near 90 degrees. The regional homelessness authority activated its severe weather response to address the heat.

New census data reveals King County's least air-conditioned neighborhood is in Seattle, while the most air-conditioned is on the Eastside, according to FYI Guy.

King County Executive Girmay Zahilay is advocating for increased childcare funding, improved bus service, and housing initiatives. He highlighted that the county is undergoing significant change with decisions that could impact future generations.

The Seattle City Council will vote on a one-year moratorium on new data centers, supported by current Amazon employees, amid concerns over water consumption, electricity prices, and noise from companies proposing five large-scale centers in the city.

New HUD rules could jeopardize $26 million of King County's homelessness funding. Advocates argue that homelessness has risen not due to Housing First policies but because these policies have not been sufficiently scaled in Seattle.

Adan Hernandez-Mayoral made racist remarks on a King County bus and repeatedly stabbed a Black woman after she tried to exit. The incident led to his sentencing for the racist attack.

Seattle faces escalating homelessness and open-air drug use under socialist Mayor Katie Wilson's administration, with advocates like Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle reporting severe public space contamination and overdose incidents. King County provides harm reduction resources, including free drug paraphernalia and naloxone, while critics highlight rising crime and public health crises.