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

The City of Olympia’s proposed timeline for workers’ affordability and workplace protections study includes research and stakeholder outreach in 2026.

Phased workers' affordability review moves forward in Olympia

The Olympia City Council directed staff to move forward with a phased process to study workers’ affordability and workplace protections over ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/15/26 | 3 comments

Crowds gathered for a summer event in Lacey.

Lacey seeks tourism project applications for 2027 lodging tax funding

Organizations planning tourism-related projects next year, including festivals, facilities and marketing campaigns, can now apply for a share of the ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/15/26 | 1 comment

In this undated photo, Chinook salmon spawn in Snake River.

Washington tribes, environmental groups sue over Endangered Species Act rule change

Washington tribes and environmental organizations sued the federal government on Tuesday, July 14, arguing that recent changes to Endangered Species ... more

By Aspen Ford | Washington State Standard | 7/15/26 | 4 comments

A stretch of Legion Way SE near Boundary Street SE in Olympia.

Tree maintenance program launching on Legion Way in Olympia

The City of Olympia is launching a tree maintenance and selective replacement program along Legion Way between Plum Street and Central ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/14/26 | 9 comments

A slide shows a collage of volunteers and participants from various programs that aim to promote watershed education and environmental stewardship across Thurston County.

Tumwater committee endorses renewal of regional partnership for watershed education program

The Tumwater Public Works Committee voted to recommend the renewal of an interlocal agreement for a countywide watershed ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/14/26

A map of the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Nighttime paving work to begin on Fones Road in Olympia

Some heavy lifting is going to take place this week along Fones Road in Olympia, as work crews will demolish existing pavement from Pacific ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/14/26 | 2 comments

Rowers on the SLAP Dragons KC Dragon Boat Team rested after completing their first qualifying row.

Dragon boats play on the water

For the third year in a row, the Olympia Dragon Boat Club hosted the Olympia Dragon Boat Festival at Port Plaza on July ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/14/26 | 2 comments

An aerial map from the City of Lacey shows one section of Vashon Drive NE marked for tree removal under the 2026 Sidewalk Repair Project.

Jubilee petition, HOA survey reveal divide over sidewalk project in Lacey

Jubilee neighborhood homeowners are divided over a City of Lacey sidewalk repair project that includes removing more than a hundred ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/13/26 | 7 comments

Olympia City Hall is located at 601 4th Ave. E in downtown Olympia.

City of Olympia to restart workers’ affordability and protections initiative

The City of Olympia is set to restart its workers’ affordability and protections initiative after the effort was paused during the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/13/26 | 6 comments

The "By Name List," as seen at "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

Accountability, transparency key in effort to close 'The Jungle'

In July 2025, officials from the cities of Olympia and Lacey toured "The Jungle," a homeless encampment located between Martin Way and ... more

By JM Simpson | 7/13/26 | 10 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County – July 13, 2026

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

By Vanessa Casabuena | 7/13/26

Marj Yung Park, formerly known as Kaiser Woods Park, in Olympia.

Hearing examiner approves mountain biking park project at Marj Yung Park in Olympia

A proposed mountain biking park at Marj Yung Park is another step closer to the construction stage after a conditional use permit was ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/10/26 | 7 comments

Lacey Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong appointed to MRSC Board of Directors

Lacey Assistant City Manager Shannon Kelley-Fong has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Municipal Research and Services ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/10/26

Bigelow Park is located at 1220 Bigelow Ave. NE in Olympia.

Bigelow Park playground in Olympia to close for surfacing work

Surfacing work will shut down the Bigelow Park playground in Olympia beginning on ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/10/26

A “no trespassing” sign outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center, also known as Northwest Detention Center, in Tacoma.

State inspectors must be let inside Tacoma immigrant detention center, judge rules

The private company that runs a Tacoma immigrant detention center must allow state inspectors inside after years of refusing, a federal ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 7/10/26 | 12 comments

Maps show the location and route of the Madrona Connection to the 337 water main project, which will run from Spruce Street SE to the Madrona well field near Milbanke Drive SE in Lacey.

Madrona Connection project to strengthen water supply on growing east side of Lacey

As the City of Lacey prepares for continued growth on its east side, the Lacey City Council approved a $2.4 million contract for the Madrona ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/9/26 | 1 comment

The Lodge Building is located at 4315 Tumwater Valley Drive in Tumwater.

Tumwater City Council advances $1.85M budget amendment to buy Lodge Building

The Tumwater City Council advanced a $1.85 million budget amendment for the purchase of the Lodge Building to house the Parks & Recreation ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/9/26 | 1 comment

The Thurston Regional Planning Council unveiled a draft update to its Public Participation Plan. TRPC Engagement Specialist Chelsea Embree briefed members of the Transportation Policy Board at a meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

TRPC unveils update to Public Participation Plan, 45-day comment period to open

The Thurston Regional Planning Council (TRPC) rolled out a draft update to its Public Participation Plan, which outlines new strategies to ensure ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/9/26 | 4 comments

These are items contributed to the congressional time capsule by members of Washington state’s delegation. The capsule, to be buried beneath the U.S. Capitol visitor’s center, will be opened in 2276.

Here’s what Washington's federal representatives want residents in 2276 to know about the state

An apple carved from Tenino stone. A photo of the Nisqually Glacier on Mount Rainier. A commemorative FIFA World Cup ORCA card. And a snapshot ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 7/9/26

Lacey City Council members and residents attended a meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Lacey City Council approves telecommunications franchise for Lightcurve network

Residents and businesses in Lacey will have another option for high-speed internet service in the years ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/8/26 | 2 comments