Public Health

August 2025

King County this week advanced plans to open a new 24/7 crisis care center on Capitol Hill, submitting the proposal to the Metropolitan King County Council for approval. If approved within the next 30 days, the county expects to close on the former Polyclinic building at Broadway and Union by the en...

August 11, 2025

Health officials probe possible first locally acquired malaria case in Washington — Pierce County woman infected with no recent travel history, officials say overall risk is very low.

July 2025

July 21, 2025

COVID-19 on the rise in King County — Emergency room visits for COVID have increased over the past month, according to Public Health data.

June 2025

June 9, 2025

New COVID subvariant detected in Washington — Fourteen NB.1.8.1 cases found through airport screening and federal surveillance; officials say public risk remains low.

May 2025

May 27, 2025

Sixth measles case confirmed in Washington from King County resident — Public Health officials say the case is unrelated to prior infections; exposure may have occurred during international travel, and vaccination status is unknown. (See all locations of potential exposure).

May 27, 2025

Washington health groups sue Trump administration over deletion of federal health data — The lawsuit alleges the removal of thousands of CDC and other public health webpages has harmed clinical care, research, and disease response efforts.

May 19, 2025

Canadian visitor with measles exposes public at over a dozen King County locations — The case marks the third measles exposure this year involving non-residents, with potential transmission sites including Sea-Tac Airport, gyms, restaurants, and shops between April 30 and May 3 (See all locations of potential exposure).

Despite nearly $3 billion in cuts, the state’s $78 billion budget for 2025–27 includes new funding for special education, law enforcement hiring, and homelessness services. Lawmakers prioritized core programs while delaying others, aiming to address immediate needs without tapping the state’s ...

May 12, 2025

Bill Gates to donate 99% of remaining wealth, Gates Foundation to close by 2045 — The $107 billion pledge will more than double the foundation’s spending, allowing it to distribute $200 billion over the next 20 years before winding down operations.

May 5, 2025

City attorney launches alternative to drug prosecution for misdemeanor cases — Defendants can avoid jail by completing treatment steps, passing drug tests, and staying arrest-free for 60 days to qualify for case dismissal.