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Local residents attended a public hearing about the possible closure of LP Brown Elementary School in Olympia gathered on Oct. 15, 2026.

Local residents sound off at public hearing on proposed closure of LP Brown

A proposal to shutter LP Brown Elementary School in Olympia was questioned by a number of people who attended a recent public hearing on the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/20/26 | 5 comments

Washington Center for the Performing Arts Executive Director Jill Barnes updated the Olympia Finance Committee on facility improvements, including new carpeting and stair nosing intended to address concerns about the stairs. She made her remarks at a meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026.

Washington Center reports on finances, outlines priorities for coming year

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts reported a clean audit, and outlined plans for facility improvements and community programming ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/20/26

Shaded areas on a state map show seven Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater neighborhoods that qualify for federal Opportunity Zones, four of which have been nominated.

Four Thurston County areas under consideration for federal economic program

From the Capital Mall area in Olympia to central Tumwater and Midtown Lacey, four Thurston County areas have been nominated for designations as ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/20/26 | 2 comments

Residents encouraged to prepare for flood season in Thurston County

Thurston County Emergency Management is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming flood season, know the risks involved and be ... more

By Joseph del Puerto | 10/20/26 | 1 comment

A preliminary rendering of the new city hall in Tumwater by architecture firm Artisan's Group.

Council decision looms on Tumwater City Hall

The City of Tumwater is one step away from locking down a new location for city ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/19/26 | 3 comments

The Olympia City Council and Mayor Dontae Payne. Top row: Robert Vanderpool, left, Clark Gilman, Yến Huỳnh and Kelly Green. Bottom row: Dani Madrone, Payne and Paul Berendt.

Legislative agenda targets funding for housing, road improvements in Olympia

State funding for environmental and transportation projects, as well as housing and homelessness services, have emerged as legislative priorities ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/19/26 | 5 comments

"No Kings" demonstrators carried signs bearing messages about the importance of both voting and voting early to prevent doubt later when results are tallied at a rally at Washngton State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Oct. 17, 2026.

At Washington State Capitol Campus, 'No Kings' rally is all about voting early

A smiling Judy Caron sat on a metal bench on the grounds of the Washington State Capitol campus, her face partially shielded from Saturday’s bright ... more

By Jerry Cornfied | Washington State Standard | 10/19/26 | 9 comments

A map of the Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail in Thurston County.

Commissioners eye transfer of Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners is proposing to transfer ownership of a section of the 14.5-mile Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail to ... more

By Joseph del Puerto | 10/19/26

The Lacey City Council considers a resolution supporting the Timberland Regional Library levy during a work session on Oct. 13, 2026.

Timberland Regional Library levy lid lift gets backing in Lacey

The Lacey City Council endorsed a proposed levy lid lift measure from Timberland Regional Library that would generate millions of dollars in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/19/26

At a Transportation Policy Board meeting on Oct. 14, 2026, TRPC senior planner Aidan Dixon presented an update on the regional safety action plan, which draws on an analysis of 20,097 crashes recorded over five years.

TRPC looks to crash data, public input as guide for Regional Safety Action Plan

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) is developing a plan to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries in the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/16/26 | 6 comments

The Joint Animal Services Commission discussed a proposed ASPCA mutual aid agreement during a meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.

Joint Animal Services Commission approves ASPCA emergency aid agreement

Joint Animal Services (JAS) will have a new avenue for requesting national assistance during major disasters and large-scale animal cruelty ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/16/26 | 1 comment

An alternate driving route around the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Daytime closures in store for Fones Road in Olympia

Partial daytime closures of Fones Road are going to take place next week, as work crews march toward completion of the multimillion-dollar street improvement ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/16/26 | 3 comments

State Senate Republican Leader John Braun and Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez are dueling in Southwest Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.

New ad fires up debate in closely watched Gluesenkamp Perez, Braun race

Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican state Sen. John Braun faced off for their final debate on Tuesday, Oct. 13, each ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 10/16/26 | 3 comments

Parents, students and residents attended a public hearing at McKenny Elementary School to comment on the proposed school closure at a meeting on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.

Parents, students weigh in on proposed closure of McKenny Elementary School in Olympia

Local residents sounded off on the proposed closure of McKenny Elementary School at a public hearing in Olympia, with some people asking for it to stay ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/15/26 | 8 comments

Lacey City Hall is located at 420 College St. in Lacey.

Consultant sought for food truck plaza feasibility study in Lacey

The City of Lacey is seeking a consultant to study the next phase of its food truck plaza. The search follows several years of a pilot program to foster ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/15/26 | 4 comments

Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed October as Health Literacy Month at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.

Thurston County Board of Health promotes Health Literacy Month

The Thurston County Board of Health proclaimed October as Health Literacy Month, while encouraging residents to seek reliable health ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/15/26

The Social Security Administration field office in Whitehall, Ohio.

Social Security benefits increase will hit 3.6 percent in 2027

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Social Security Administration announced on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that recipients will receive a 3.6 percent increase in ... more

By States Newsroom Staff | 10/15/26 | 6 comments

Housing Director Ashley Chambers shared regional HMIS data showing 7,350 people in the system over the past year. Chambers presented the One Community Plan update during Olympia City Council’s study session on Oct. 13, 2026.

Homelessness response program reviewed amid funding uncertainty in Olympia

The Olympia City Council is considering how to adapt the city’s homelessness response plan as demand grows and funding uncertainty ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/14/26 | 17 comments

The City of Lacey earned a nomination for a federal economic development program that could open new investment opportunities in its Midtown District.

City of Lacey nominated for federal Opportunity Zones investment program

The City of Lacey earned a nomination for a federal economic development program that could open new investment opportunities in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/14/26

Thousands of people gathered at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia on Saturday, June 14, 2025, as part of the "No Kings" protests held across the country.

'No Kings' IV coming to Olympia on Oct. 17

In what is being billed as a “Nationwide Day of Action,” local organizers are encouraging people to join in an effort to promote early voting ahead of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 10/14/26 | 19 comments