Business | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Tiffany Lin is co-owner of Kawaii Donut House in Olympia.

Video: Ribbon cutting at Red Lantern and Kawaii Donut House

Two new eateries opened in Olympia, Red Lantern, an Asian fusion restaurant, and Kawaii Donut House, and the Thurston County Chamber ... more

By Danny Stusser | 4/6/26 | 2 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – April 6, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 4/6/26 | 2 comments

Regular unleaded gasoline was priced at $5.799 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia on Friday afternoon, April 3, 2026.

Regular unleaded gas continues to climb in Olympia market

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline moved closer to an all-time high in the Olympia market, as an ongoing conflict in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/3/26 | 11 comments

A site plan shows the proposed expansion of the Hands On Children’s Museum, which features an 18,000-square-foot addition and a connecting pedestrian bridge. Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee held a presubmission conference on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

Committee reviews expansion plan for Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia

The Hands On Children’s Museum is proposing a waterfront expansion that would bring indoor and outdoor exhibits, improved public access ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/31/26 | 8 comments

Home and condo sales up, prices down in Thurston County

An increase in home and condominium sales did not translate to higher prices in Thurston County, as both markets posted ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/31/26 | 2 comments

Port of Olympia joins regional partnership for coordination of Olympia-Lacey FIFA World Cup Fan Zone

The Port of Olympia is joining a partnership with local jurisdictions in Thurston County to organize fan events during the 2026 FIFA World ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/30/26 | 9 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 30, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 3/30/26 | 1 comment

Regular unleaded gasoline was priced at $5.699 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia on Friday afternoon, March 27, 2026.

Gas prices continue upward march in Olympia, state of Washington

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline is nearing some rarefied air in the Olympia market, as the per gallon cost continues to climb amid an ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/27/26 | 17 comments

Vicinity and area maps show the project site for the Lift Station 6 replacement on 32nd Court SE in Lacey.

Bids sought for replacement of Lacey Lift Station 6

The City of Lacey is soliciting bids for the replacement of Lift Station 6, a wastewater lift station on 32nd ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/25/26

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 23, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 3/23/26 | 2 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 23, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 3/23/26

Regular unleaded gasoline was priced at $5.499 per gallon at Chevron, 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia on Friday afternoon, March 20, 2026.

Average price of regular unleaded gas surges past $5 in Olympia market

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline leaped more than 47 cents per gallon in the Olympia market last week, as an escalating conflict in ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/20/26 | 7 comments

A vicinity map included in City of Lacey bid documents marks the Jubilee SW Pond Rehabilitation Project site near 41st Avenue NE and Marvin Road.

Bids sought for Jubilee Southwest stormwater pond rehabilitation in Lacey

The City of Lacey is inviting contractors to bid on the rehabilitation of three stormwater ponds in the Jubilee Southwest ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/19/26

The Port of Olympia is joining the Washington Public Ports Association’s (WPPA) Maritime Industrial Base Coalition in a move aimed at restoring the state's competitiveness in the shipbuilding industry.

Port of Olympia joins coalition formed to support shipbuilding industry

The Port of Olympia is putting its weight behind a large effort to bolster the shipbuilding industry by joining the Washington Public Ports Association’s ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 3/16/26 | 9 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – March 16, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 3/16/26 | 1 comment

Gas prices on the rise in Olympia

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline climbed nearly 12 cents in Olympia over the last week amid a growing conflict in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/6/26 | 3 comments

At a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, the Olympia City Council approved Urban Village Code amendments, which could reshape Briggs Urban Village housing and grocery options.

Olympia City Council approves Urban Village code amendments, terminates Briggs development deal

The Olympia City Council approved a set of amendments to the Urban Village zoning code and voted to terminate the Briggs Urban Village ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/25/26 | 9 comments

Olympia Federal Savings President and CEO Josh Deck.

Olympia Federal Savings reports Q3 financial results

Olympia Federal Savings reported assets of more than $1 billion at the end of the third quarter, as it continued to see robust demand for ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/12/26 | 2 comments

Karima Bassalé, left, and Rand Roedell recently opened Relume — a candle making shop dedicated to helping refugees find work in Thurston County that is housed in the basement of a church in Olympia.

Relume relighting hope for refugees in Olympia

A pleasant aroma wafts out of the basement of a church in Olympia, and little brown bags line the wall inside filled with candles ready for ... more

By Jessie Darland | 1/8/26 | 3 comments

Local wood artists carve the bears at every Black Bear Diner, and give them elements that fit the town each restaurant is located in.

Black Bear Diner in Olympia: 'We try to make it feel like it's home'

A West Coast diner chain has returned to Thurston County, bringing heavy helpings of food and a homey cabin feel to its ... more

By Jessie Darland | 12/22/25 | 1 comment