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

The Olympia School District held a work session on Nov. 5, 2026, to discuss transition plans related to proposed school closures.

Olympia School District leadership presents transition plan for school consolidations

The Olympia School District (OSD) superintendent has outlined initial transition plans for the district ahead of a vote on school ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/10/26 | 1 comment

A conceptual site plan shows the proposed Western Trails development at 607 and 709 Sleater Kinney Road NE in Olympia. Design Review Board recommended approval of the proposal at a meeting on Nov. 5, 2026.

Western Trails multifamily project advances with design conditions in Olympia

The Olympia Design Review Board recommended approval of the conceptual design for Western Trails, a proposed 228-unit multifamily ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/9/26 | 4 comments

SeaPort Airlines announced a new air service between Spokane and the state capital. Flights start Jan. 8, 2027.

Air taxi to Washington Legislature: Spokane-Olympia direct flights to launch in 2027

Traveling from Eastern Washington to Olympia for the state’s legislative session just got ... more

By Aspen Ford | Washington State Standard | 11/9/26 | 2 comments

Jinglebell Parade returning to Olympia, registration window closes Nov. 9

After seven years of absence, the Jinglebell Parade is coming back to downtown Olympia, complete with holiday floats, lights and marching ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 11/6/26

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

Olympia seeking residents to fill vacancies on advisory committees

The City of Olympia is looking for residents who would like to serve on advisory bodies that help shape local policies, preserve historic ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/5/26

Olympia Planning Director Nicole Floyd presented AI-generated illustrations of a single-family home with two adult dwelling unitss, showing attached and detached configurations, during an Olympia Planning Commission meeting on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026.

Barriers hinder middle housing development in Olympia

The City of Olympia allows four to six homes per lot in designated low-density residential zones, plus up to two accessory dwelling units ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/4/26 | 4 comments

The 260-acre Capitol Lake, 5th Avenue dam, Port of Olympia, and South Puget Sound as seen on Thursday morning, Oct. 29, in downtown Olympia. Rafts of wigeons and other migratory birds could be heard from the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial.

Locals weigh in on Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project at public hearing

A handful of community members gave their input at a public hearing held on Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, in downtown Olympia on new ... more

By Janine Gates | Little Hollywood | 11/4/26 | 4 comments

Olympia residents invited to share priorities at forum

The Council of Neighborhood Associations (CNA) is inviting Olympia residents to a community forum to discuss neighborhood needs and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/3/26

Cameron Coronado, Senior Program Specialist with Public Works Environmental Services, unveiled the 2027 Water Resources calendar at an Olympia City Council meeting on Oct. 27, 2026.

Olympia unveils 2027 Water Resources calendar featuring student artwork

The Olympia City Council recognized middle school students for using their creativity to promote stormwater pollution prevention in the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/2/26 | 4 comments

The City of Olympia’s proposed 2028-30 Transportation Improvement Program includes four major projects, which aim to improve road safety and accessibility for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.

Six-year transportation plan features major corridor improvements in Olympia

Millions of dollars in transportation improvements are planned over the next six years in the City of Olympia, including enhanced pedestrian ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/30/26 | 8 comments

Olympia City Council members and community advocates gathered at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the city’s first gay rights law, which was adopted in 1986.

Olympia City Council honors 40 years of gay rights

The 40th anniversary of Olympia's first gay rights law was recognized with a proclamation honoring a 1986 ordinance that protected ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/29/26 | 6 comments

An alternate location is shown here for a proposed dumpster enclosure to help maintain garbage truck access at 1217 Cooper Point Road SW in Olympia.

Proposed Cooper Point Road pharmacy drive-thru poses challenges

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal for a pharmacy drive-thru on Cooper Point Road that comes with some ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/28/26 | 3 comments

OSD creates web page that addresses questions about planning

The Olympia School District (OSD) has created a web page that addresses frequently asked questions about proposed school closures, consolidation ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 10/28/26 | 2 comments

Traffic revisions planned for Pattison Street, Pacific Avenue on Election Day

Traffic revisions will be in place on Election Day, as a means to support accessible, safe and secure voting at the Thurston County Auditor's Office in ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 10/28/26 | 4 comments

The Olympia School District is looking at the idea of adopting a community schools model. The idea was discussed during a meeting of the OSD Board of Directors on Oct. 22, 2026.

Olympia School District looking at community schools model

The idea of adopting a community schools model is being considered at the Olympia School District (OSD), as a means to transform it into a hub of ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/26/26 | 2 comments

Members of the Hindu community joined Olympia City Council members in proclaiming October as Hindu Heritage Month at a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.

Olympia promotes peace, unity with Hindu Heritage Month proclamation

The Olympia City Council endorsed a proclamation designating October as Hindu Heritage ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/23/26 | 12 comments

Olympia Community Engagement Program Specialist Margo Morales presented a proposed toolkit of community engagement methods during a city council meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026.

Olympia City Council votes to end 3 advisory bodies, plans new approaches to community engagement

A trio of advisory bodies are going to sunset, while another one is going be restructured, after a year-long evaluation of the groups in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/21/26 | 6 comments

Local residents showed up at Madison Elementary School for an Olympia School District Board of Directors (left) public hearing on the proposed closure of the school. Madison Principal Domenico Spatola-Knoll  addressed the crowd.

Last public hearing on school closures held at Madison Elementary School

Madison Elementary School students and parents had strong feelings about the proposed closure of the school at a public hearing in ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/21/26 | 7 comments

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 | 6 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 | 2 comments