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

The 2025 Viewer’s Choice Award: Jimmy Ulvenes, "Ologies" acrylic on canvas, 12 inches by 16 inches.

Annual Southwest Washington Juried Exhibition opens on July 6

The 2026 Southwest Washington Juried Exhibition will run from July 6 to Aug. 27 at the Leonor R. Fuller Gallery, with an opening reception on ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/25/26

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee discussed a proposed country club along Deschutes Parkway SW near Capitol Lake at a meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Olympia committee reviews waterfront wellness facility proposal near Capitol Lake

A proposed waterfront wellness facility at 500 Deschutes Parkway SW in Olympia will need to navigate some tough conditions in order ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/22/26 | 13 comments

The price of regular unleaded gas was $5.999 per gallon at Chevron, which is located at 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia, on Friday, May 22, 2026.

Regular unleaded gas hits new high before giving up ground in Olympia market

The song remained the same at gasoline stations in the Olympia market, as the per gallon price of regular unleaded danced around record levels before ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/22/26 | 1 comment

Henry and Erin Valz carried "Save The Evergreen Pool" signs at the Olympia Spring ArtsWalk on April 24, 2026.

Port of Olympia Commission leads discussion on future of Evergreen pool

The Port of Olympia Commission dived into The Evergreen State College pool issue by leading a discussion about the facility at a ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/21/26 | 13 comments

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2026 as Olympia Heritage Month at a meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims May as Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2026 as Olympia Heritage Month, while encouraging residents to explore the city’s history ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/21/26 | 2 comments

Earlier this year, state staff and contractors viewed potential materials, like glass panels, for the restoration of skylights above the Washington state Capitol legislative chambers in Olympia.

More sunshine coming to state government with Capitol skylight restoration

Let there be light. When Washington state lawmakers return to Olympia for the 2027 legislative session, natural light will again shine on the House and ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 5/21/26

An aerial view of "The Jungle" in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Olympia sets deadline for by-name list tied to 'The Jungle' closure

A May 28 deadline for a by-name list of individuals living at "The Jungle" has distressed some people, who feel the timetable is too short for equitable ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/20/26 | 16 comments

Port Plaza in Olympia is the site of the Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone in June.

Olympia-Lacey Fan Zone opens ticket sales for FIFA World Cup 2026 events

Soccer fans in Thurston County, who don't want to travel this summer to catch the FIFA World Cup 2026, can experience the global event ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/19/26 | 10 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors approved renaming two interior spaces at Capitol High School at a meeting on May 14, 2026.

Capital High School names two interior spaces after significant contributors

The Capital High School Performing Arts Center will retain its name, while two interior spaces will bear the names of significant contributors to ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/19/26

FCS principal John Ghilarducci presented a slide outlining the proposed park impact fee methodology at an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Olympia Finance Committee recommends home size formula for impact fees

The Olympia Finance Committee recommended a new impact fee structure that would scale charges based on the livable square footage of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/19/26 | 3 comments

The Yashiro Japanese Garden waterfall in Olympia, as seen on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Olympia allocates $350,000 for Yashiro Japanese Garden relocation

The City of Olympia has set aside $350,000 from the sale of the Lee Creighton Justice Center property to fund planning, design and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/18/26 | 8 comments

Scarlett Skillman, wearing her Girl Scout Cadette sash, presented her battery recycling program to a Lions Club event on May 18, 2026.

Girl Scout to lead battery take-back event at Griffin School

A sixth grade student from Griffin School will lead a school-based battery disposal event, as part of an application process for a scouting leadership ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado and Danny Stusser | 5/18/26 | 2 comments

Olympia Federal Savings officers Casey Kilborn (top left), Sarah Caldwell (top right), Nicole Montoya (bottom left) and Cory Swank (bottom right) were promoted in May 2026.

OlyFed expands banking leadership with four promotions

Four Olympia Federal Savings (OlyFed) officers have been elevated to new ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/18/26 | 2 comments

Two downtown Olympia intersections to close for flag markings

A couple of intersections in downtown Olympia will be closed to thru traffic for two nights this week in order for contractors to apply ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/18/26

The Chevron gas station at 1018 Plum St. SE in Olympia, where regular unleaded gas was priced at $5.999 per gallon Friday, May 15, 2026.

Gas prices at record levels in Olympia and state of Washington

Motorists found no relief at the pump this week, as local and state gas prices remained at historically high levels amid ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 5/15/26 | 1 comment

Sewer utility work to impact traffic at Boulevard Road and Cedar Park Loop in Olympia

The installation of sewer utilities for a South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity housing project is going to impact traffic around ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/14/26

Three concerts lined up at South Puget Sound Community College

Students from the South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Music Department will perform three concerts in June: Spring ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/14/26 | 1 comment

Olympia Prosecutor Bryanna Pinkston and Public Defense Coordinator Diane Whaley discussed options for a future therapeutic court model at a city council study session on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Olympia City Council reviews options for therapeutic court program

The Olympia City Council is evaluating options for reestablishing a therapeutic court model after shifting Municipal Court ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/13/26 | 13 comments

The Olympia School District 111 Esther R. Knox Building in Olympia, as seen on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Olympia School District partners with community organizations on child care grant

To increase access to affordable, high-quality child care, the Olympia School District is partnering with local organizations to assess ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/13/26

The City of Olympia is seeking up to $1 million in state funding to help pay for HVAC work at the Olympia Armory.

City of Olympia seeking up to $1M in grant money for HVAC upgrades at Armory

The Olympia City Council endorsed a resolution authorizing the city to apply for up to $1 million in grant funding to support ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/12/26 | 3 comments