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City of Olympia Climate Program Manager Dr. Pamela Braff discussed the city's future climate challenges. She spoke about the Climate Element draft at a planning commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025.

Olympia residents propose action steps for stronger climate strategy

The Olympia Planning Commission held a public hearing on the city's Climate Element, where residents offered actionable suggestions to strengthen ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/7/25 | 13 comments

Intercity Transit Deputy Director of Procurement Michael Maverick, right, explained that the agency needs to bypass the standard procurement process due to the volatility of the hydrogen fuel market.

Intercity Transit waives standard procurement process for hydrogen demonstration project

Intercity Transit is waiving the standard procurement process for deals related to its hydrogen demonstration ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/7/25 | 6 comments

A briefing map depicts the Bear Gulch Fire perimeter and branch divisions, as an incident commander explained firefighting operations on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025.

Thurston County sees drop in air quality as Bear Gulch Fire burns

The Bear Gulch Fire pushed smoke into Mason and Thurston counties this week after lingering high in the atmosphere for most of July, according to an ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/6/25 | 6 comments

Low turnout for primary election, Lacey ballot measure fails

A number of candidates registered strong performances in the Aug. 5 primary election to continue on their path toward becoming elected leaders in Olympia ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/6/25 | 7 comments

Northwest Cooperative Development Center Co-Director John A. McNamara accepted the Olympia City Council's proclamation declaring 2025 the Year of Cooperatives at a meeting on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. He cited local successes, such as Blue Heron Bakery's transition to worker ownership and the city's high number of co-ops and credit units serving more than 52,000 people.

Olympia declares 2025 the Year of Cooperatives

The Olympia City Council unanimously proclaimed 2025 as the Year of Cooperatives, recognizing the vital role cooperatives play in fostering a resilient ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/6/25

County health department reports toxic algae bloom on McIntosh Lake

McIntosh Lake, located near the unincorporated community of McIntosh, is experiencing a toxic algae bloom, the Thurston County Public Health and ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/6/25 | 2 comments

Olympia PBIA board to vote on hiring consultant for program evaluation

The Olympia Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) Advisory Board will decide on whether to hire a consultant to evaluate the structure and future of the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/6/25 | 2 comments

Committees chosen to write arguments for Workers' Bill of Right ballot proposition

The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution appointing two citizen committees to write the official arguments — "For" and "Against" — a ballot ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/5/25 | 4 comments

The Tumwater School District will hold its annual donation drive, "Stuff the Bus," on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.

Tumwater School District to hold school supply donation drive on Aug. 9

The Tumwater School District will hold its annual donation drive, "Stuff the Bus," to collect new school supplies for incoming students from ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/5/25

Public input sought on tenant screening practices in Olympia

The City of Olympia is encouraging residents — particularly landlords, renters and housing advocates — to share their perspectives on tenant screening practices through ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/4/25 | 5 comments

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey received national and state awards from college guide Colleges of Distinction, the university announced on July 30, 2025.

Saint Martin’s University launches new graduation guarantee program

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey recently launched a four-year graduation guarantee program for select, high-demand ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/4/25

Median home price climbs to $550,000 in Thurston County

The spring home buying season ended on a high note for sellers, as the median price for a single-family residence and condominium climbed despite ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/4/25 | 1 comment

A downtown Olympia property near Plum Street and 8th Avenue SE will house Thurston County Public Services and Regional Justice Center. The $34.9 million deal with Vine Street Associates LLC, which was approved by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, includes four buildings and a parking facility.

Thurston County ends years of courthouse delays with $34.9M property deal

More than five years after shelving a $250 million courthouse project and months after paring down Lakeridge Drive campus renovation plans ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/1/25 | 10 comments

The consolidated businesses of Swantown generated $2,180,289 in revenue for the first half of the year. Accounting for expenses and depreciation costs, it produced a loss of $192,231, which is not explicitly shown in this slide.

Swantown posts a loss in first half of 2025

Swantown Marina & Boatworks posted across-the-board losses in the first half of 2025, largely because of higher maintenance and administrative ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/1/25 | 6 comments

The Capital Region Educational Service District 113 announced the launch of its new website on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. This screenshot shows the home page.

Educational service district covering Thurston County launches new website

Capital Region Educational Service District (ESD) 113 announced the launch of its new website in a news release on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/1/25

The marine terminal generated around $152,000 in revenue per vessel in the first half of 2025. Marine Terminal Senior Manager Afsin Yilmaz said it continues an upward trend that he attributes to the port’s diversification.

Port of Olympia provides vessel revenue analysis

The Port of Olympia is seeing less vessel traffic so far this year, but revenue per ship is a bright spot. Marine Terminal Senior Manager Afsin Yilmaz ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/31/25 | 5 comments

Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a five-year lease to relocate the Syringe Services Program from downtown Olympia to Franklin Street at a meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners back new location for Syringe Services Program

The Thurston County Syringe Services Program is on the move. A five-year lease approved by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners will lead to ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/31/25 | 13 comments

The Olympia City Council discussed preserving manufactured home communities during a study session held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Olympia City Council seeks creative solution to protect manufactured home communities

The Olympia City Council is exploring ways to preserve manufactured home communities by addressing land use concerns not covered by the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/31/25 | 2 comments

Sensitive text messages spark rebuke from school districts

Sensitive text messages about "biological boys" in girls high school sports sparked a rebuke from Olympia School District and Tumwater School District ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/31/25 | 4 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners, together with county officials, celebrated the county’s 19 National Association of Counties achievement awards, the most in Washington, and the state’s only Best of Category award for  the “Fix-It Fair” program at a meeting on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

Thurston County earns 19 NACo awards, dominates in Washington

Thurston County won 19 achievement awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) this year, the most of any county in the state of ... more

By Kameko Marque | 7/30/25 | 4 comments