The House Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee heard public testimony on Jan. 21, 2022, on HB1698, which would ban the use of latex gloves by food handlers. For more … more

The Senate Housing & Local Government Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5818, which would promote housing construction by amending the state’s growth management act. The Senate … more

“Unwavering, Staggering” Military Spouse Unemployment Could Change After Pandemicby Julie Zack, The War Horse January 20, 2022 Shugart Lafleur’s spouse came home with an announcement: We’re … more

The Senate State Government & Elections Committee heard public testimony on Senate Bill 5584, which would implement ranked choice voting in elections. more

The House Public Safety Committee heard testimony on HB 1788, concerning vehicular pursuits. Also heard was HB 1815, concerning deterrence of catalytic converter thefts. more

North Thurston Public Schools (NTPS) will hold its first community forum this Wed., Jan. 19, to get insights on their plan to explore a “balanced calendar” for the upcoming school … more

The two chambers of the Washington State Legislature took time to remember the memory and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., with speeches on both floors, on Jan. 17, 2022.  more

On Day 5 of the 2022 Legislative Session, the House Public Safety Committee heard public testimony on two bills concerning the issue of missing indigenous persons, House Bill 1571 and House Bill … more

During its work session last night, the Lacey City Council discussed a proposal to join Olympia in an interlocal agreement (ILA) to fund a study that would identify and assess the cost implications … more

On January 13, 2022, the Senate Labor, Commerce & Tribal Affairs Committee heard testimony on SB 5600, concerning the sustainability and expansion of state registered apprenticeship programs. more

Newly elected to the Port of Olympia Commission, businessman Bob Iyall was selected by the other two commissioners to be the new Port of Olympia Chair during a special commission meeting on Wed., Jan … more

To the Editor:  A letter was sent to Port Commissioners on January 7, 2022 that calls for an investigation of the conflict of interest by recently-elected Port Commissioner Amy Evans.  A … more

 During its regular meeting on Tue., Jan. 11, the Olympia City Council agreed to have further discussions on staff’s plans to require “building electrification” for new and … more

The House Consumer Protection & Business Committee met on January 12 concerning HB1497 which would limit commercial telephone solicitation. Also heard was HB 1704, regulating service contracts … more

The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual State of the Community January Forum today with some 200 local business leaders in attendance at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake. Four … more

Timberline High School hosted North Thurston Public Schools’ (NTPS) first regular board meeting for 2022 on Jan. 11, 2022. Timberline Principal Paul Dean and some student representatives … more

January 10, 2022 -- The first day 2022 Washington State Legislative Session had its 60-day session gaveled in with an extensive agenda on taxation, law enforcement and COVID-19. more

January 11, 2022 -- Governor Jay Inslee addressed a joint session of the Legislature today.  Governor Inslee laid out his agenda for the 2022 session, including combatting homelessness, COVID-19 and budget issues. The Republicans, in the minority of both chambers for the past two decades, provided their response. Speaking on behalf of the Republican minority party was Sen. Chris Gildon of Puyallup.  more

To initiate the process of resolving a neighborhood’s failing septic system, the Lacey City Council scheduled a formation hearing on Thu., Feb. 3, for the establishment of a Utility Local … more

January 6, 2022 In the fall of 2018, Neta C. Crawford, a political science professor at Boston University, prepared to teach a class on climate change designed to help students think about the … more