COVID-19 Data Updates
For up-to-date information on cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in the County, see the Daily COVID-19 outbreak summary dashboard. The links to the data by demographics and geography are on the same page.
View all County COVID-related Data Dashboards here, including vaccination rates and outcomes according to vaccination status
View the most recent statewide COVID-19 data from the state Department of Health (DOH).
Helpful Covid-related Articles
Quote of the Day:
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1960)
County Business and News
 Pastor Erik Wilson Weiberg joined the meeting to accept the Council’s Recognition of the annual Blessing of the Fleet.
King County Council Meeting
On Tuesday, I sponsored a Recognition of the 94th annual Blessing of the Fleet, which took place this past Sunday in Ballard. Every year, it is an event meant to bless our fishers and their families as the fishing season begins. Maritime is a huge piece of Seattle industry, history, and culture, and I was very pleased to sponsor this Recognition as I have every year while serving on the Council and for 20 years prior while serving in the state Senate. We also were joined by Pastor Erik Wilson Weiberg of Ballard First Lutheran Church who has been overseeing the Blessing of the Fleet for 26 years!
Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee
On Tuesday in the Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee, we heard a very interesting briefing from Marcus Stubblefield, King County Criminal Justice Manager, on the transformation of the criminal justice system in King County, and about many programs that are responding more holistically and intervening earlier for folks engaging in criminal behavior. We also accepted reports on the use of electronic home monitoring in King County and the use of solitary confinement or restrictive housing for juveniles in King County. It was a very interesting meeting, and I would recommend watching the video of it here.
Committee of the Whole Meeting
I was pleased to have chaired a productive meeting of the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday. Following a briefing from the County’s Budget Director Dwight Dively on the ongoing pandemic response, we received a recap of the 2022 Legislative Session from the Council’s Government Relations team. You can view their presentation by clicking here and watch the full meeting here.
We also approved new district boundaries for district court elections and committed ourselves as a regional government to The Cities for Citizenship Initiative, which is a national initiative aimed at increasing citizenship among eligible permanent residents in the United States and encouraging cities and counties across the country to invest in citizenship programs.
In addition, the committee approved a motion requesting the Executive to develop a comprehensive response to the crisis in Ukraine. Executive staff were present and able to confirm that much of what is requested in the motion is already underway. There was media coverage of this motion from King 5 and the Shoreline Area News.
Finally, we as a body approved the extension of Dennis Worsham to serve as acting director of Public Health -- Seattle & King County Public Health while the search continues for hiring a permanent director. You’re doing a heckuva job, Dennis!
Regional Water Quality Meeting
On Wednesday, the Regional Water Quality Committee met and was briefed on an early projections for the King County sewer rate increases for the next ten years. It’s early on, no legislation regarding this has been introduced yet, but it is very informative and influential for the future of our region. When the video is available it will be accessible here.
Next week at the Council
Next week is the Council’s spring recess, meaning that there will not be any King County Council or committee meetings. However, read on to see a bunch of interesting events that you can tune into instead!
Finalists announced for King County Sheriff appointment
Today, three names were announced as the final candidates who will move forward in the final phase of selection of the new King County Sheriff. The three finalists selected are Patti Cole-Tindall, Interim Sheriff, King County Sheriff’s Office; Charles Kimble, Chief of Police, Killeen, Texas Police Department; and Reginald Moorman, Major, Atlanta, Georgia Police Department. A new Sheriff is expected to be on board this summer. Read more about the candidates and the rest of the process here.
“Dr. Duchin, let’s talk about BA.2”
Public Health—Seattle and King County shared a Q & A on the Public Health Insider Blog that explores local COVID-19 case rates and the prevalence of the highly transmissible BA.2. As always, Dr. Duchin is incredibly knowledgeable and I found this Q & A to be very helpful in assessing how our region is doing as we move into spring. Check out the post on Public Health Insider here.
DCHS conducting thorough audit of Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program
Over $300 million in federal and state funds were distributed to King County households through the County’s Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program over the last two years. Due to this unprecedented amount, the Department of Community and Human Services is seeking a thorough third-party audit of all payments, alongside additional safety measures, to ensure that funds were appropriately paid. More info about that audit, and the program, is available here.
Funding and internship opportunities
 Youth Conservation Corps seeking high school and college interns
In 2019, I ensured the inclusion of the Youth Conservation Corps internship program as part of the Parks Levy Renewal, so I am especially excited to let you all know that they are currently recruiting high school and college students to be interns. The program provides environmental learning opportunities to 10 high school students as they work with King County Parks staff to better understand the breadth and depth of environmental justice, ecological restoration, and parks and recreation management practices. The college interns work closely with the Parks’ Education Coordinator to support those 10 high school students.
More info for high school intern applicants: click here
More info for undergraduate intern applicants: click here
Clean Water Ambassadors—high school internship program
The Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) education team is partnering with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust to provide a high school summer internship program. They are seeking 12 interns interested in learning how government agencies, nonprofit organizations and local communities influence the health of bodies of water and water infrastructure in the Puget Sound region. Interns will pass on the knowledge they gain to members of their community through school-year based projects. For more information on the program and how to apply, click here.
 Funding opportunity: Best Starts for Kids Youth Development
The Best Starts for Kids Youth Development request for proposal (RFP) is now open! This funding opportunity closes on May 16 at 2 PM, please submit your application by then. Full details, including an overview, qualifications, and timeline, are available here.
Funding opportunity: Youth recreational facilities program grants
The Washington State Department of Commerce has opened reimbursement-style funding for Youth Recreational facilities. These grants fund 25% of eligible capital costs for non-residential facilities that provide recreation opportunities for K-12 youth. More info is available here.
Council and Legislative District maps available
Following last year’s redistricting, the 2022 legislative district map series and all maps are now available online. Right now, some boundaries in the eastern part of the state are being challenged in the courts, but that does not appear to impact any King County districts. Check out the new maps online here to make sure you know what district you’re in!
More Regional News
King County Parks begins construction
King County Parks is beginning construction to pave a 2.2 mile gap on the Lake to Sound Trail, which will connect five South King County cities and two Link light rail stations. The trail, when completed, will connect South King County cities— including Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, and Des Moines—to another four regional trails and high-capacity transit. Read more here.
Here, I am pictured with Nacole and Jessika Svendgard, the keynote speakers for the Stolen Youth “Not on Our Watch” 10-Year Celebration.
Stolen Youth “Not on Our Watch” 10-Year Celebration
On Wednesday, I attended this luncheon that meant a lot to me after so many years of my public policy work relating to human trafficking, including child sex trafficking prevention. It was great to see so many people and organizations with whom I’ve worked, including Nacole Svendgard and her daughter Jessika Svendgard. Nacole testified in Olympia on many of my bills while I served in the state Senate, especially in 2010-12 during which we had significant legislation passed, including against Backpage.com’s exploitation of children by advertising their being sold on the Internet. It was also terrific hearing from our new U.S. Attorney for Western Washington Nick Brown with whom I worked while he was Governor Inslee’s General Counsel.
StolenYouth Program from the “Not On Our Watch” luncheon.
 Last Girl First! panelists from right to left: Nature Carter-Gooding – Founder & Survivor Leader, Byond Meazurez; Shama Shams – Director of Philanthropy & Marketing & Survivor Leader. Real Escape from The Sex Trade (Rest); Jonathan Machler – Executive Director. CAP International; Héma Sibi - Author & Advocacy Coordinator, CAP International; Dr. Rita Maria Hernàndez – Director of Policy and Advocacy Rescue: Freedom
Last Girl First! Book Launch/US Tour
Last Thursday, one of my staff members was able to represent District 4 at the Last Girl First! Book Launch/US tour, as I was unfortunately not able to be in attendance. The event had a fabulous panel discussion along with a Q + A session with author, Héma Sibi, the Advocacy Coordinator of CAP (Coalition for the Abolition of Prostitution) International, and other local Seattle experts. During the panel presentation, panelists Nature Carter-Gooding and Shama Shams shared stories of their lived experience and how that has impacted their work to educate and empower other women and girls. Last Girl First! is a CAP International campaign that highlights the disproportionate impact of the prostitution and trafficking systems on women and girls from the most marginalized communities. The book illuminates new findings that resulted from a 2 year -long research study.
This event was not recorded or virtually streamed; however if you are interested, they are having another event to be held virtually next Tuesday, April 19th Last Girl First: Global research on prostitution and trafficking.
Black Star Food Collective
The Black Star Food Collective, established about a year ago, aims to increase access to healthy food through food-buying clubs. The group, led and founded by Black organizers who believe in creating food systems that allow Black and Indigenous peoples to have ownership and make decisions about their food, has made hot meals with rescued food, delivered boxes of food to families, and more. Read more about them here.
Providence and Swedish announce unified brand
Providence and Swedish Health Services, which have been affiliated for the past ten years, announced a unified brand for its organizations, under the name Providence Swedish. As they have since 2012, Providence and Swedish will continue honoring their distinct identities, meaning that Swedish will remain a secular organization and Provident will remain a faith-based organization and that Swedish will continue to provide services that may be unavailable at Providence locations. More details available here.
Upcoming Events
Photo by Felipe Galvan on Unsplash
Stop by Pier 62 for some fun events this month
There is lots going on at the Waterfront! Stop by Pier 62 on Fridays from now through May 27th between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to experience local music, art and cultural performances. Check out the performers and more details here. You can also stop by on Saturday, April 16th to join folks from the Seattle Aquarium and Seattle Audobon as they explore urban-dwelling wildlife of the Puget Sound and an optional one-mile walk along the beach for a closer look at marine wildlife. More details are available here. There are even more events to explore at Pier 62, and you can see all of them here.
Panel Discussion on “Environmental Justice: What it is and how you can help”
In honor and recognition of Earth Month, join the One Roof Foundation on Wednesday, April 13th from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a virtual panel titled “Environmental Justice: What It Is and How We Can Help.” Hear from local and national experts in sustainability, environmental justice, and health equity as they discuss how and why the causes and impacts of climate change burden certain communities more than others, and how everyone can find a way to help. The event is free but please register here.
Panel Discussion on “Crime, Consequences and Second Chances”
Belltown United, along with the Belltown Community Council, is hosting a panel discussion on Wednesday, April 20th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with Ann Davison, Seattle City Attorney; Leesa Manion, Chief of Staff for the King County Prosecutor’s Office; Capt. Steve Strand, Seattle Police Department; and Gina Hall, Executive Director for Uplift Northwest. More information is available here.
Did you know?
… that, according to HistoryLink, on today’s date in 1920, “…a raging fire destroyed Seattle's Lincoln Hotel, killing four. The loss of the structure got the city thinking about building a better hotel, which led to a funding campaign for the Olympic Hotel.”
Today’s moment of inspiration
Last Friday was April Fool’s Day, a day meant to lighten the mood with (harmless) jokes and surprises! I smiled when I saw this post from King County Metro on the 1st, highlighting the Metro transit rider who loves taking transit so much that she created a virtual reality to experience it at home! Check it out here.
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Additional helpful and informative links
Keep in touch
Thank you again for taking the time to read my updates, which I’m now sending out once a week. Feel free to forward them to others who can subscribe by clicking here. And you can click here to visit the archive page where you can find all of my previous enews updates.
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