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

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

Olympia City Council weighs $100K workforce training scholarship proposal

The Olympia City Council is considering a proposal to invest $100,000 in a new workforce scholarship program that would fund trade ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/28/26 | 10 comments

The Route 14 bus, as seen at the Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia.

Intercity Transit Authority green lights contracts for a number of projects

The Intercity Transit Authority has given the go-ahead for more than $500,000 in contracts for various projects and operations, including one for a hydrogen fueling ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/27/26 | 4 comments

The site of the 3900 Boulevard housing project being developed by South Puget Sound Habitat for Humanity.

Olympia committee supports housing emergency declaration renewal

About 16 months after the City of Olympia declared an affordable housing emergency, more than 500 housing units have entered the development ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/27/26 | 8 comments

Community members gathered at an April 23 meeting of the Olympia School District Board of Directors where the governing body voted to implement budget cuts totaling approximately $3.6 million.

Community pushes back as Olympia School District board approves approximately $3.6M in budget cuts

The Olympia School District Board of Directors voted to approve approximately $3.6 million in budget cuts in an effort to right the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/27/26 | 1 comment

Public Works Director Mark Russell presented the concept design of the planned Carpenter Road Waste Resources maintenance facility, estimated to cost more than $40 million. The Olympia City Council reviewed options at a study session on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Olympia City Council divided on $40.6M waste facility

Olympia City Council members are divided over a proposed $40.6 million waste resource facility, with some members leaning toward exploring ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/24/26 | 12 comments

Price of regular unleaded gas climbs in Olympia market

Gas prices rebounded locally and across the state this week amid continued instability along a key waterway in the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/24/26 | 5 comments

The Sandman tugboat, also known as Sand Man, as seen at Swantown Marina & Boatworks in Olympia on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Olympia committee considers delisting Sandman tugboat from historic register

The City of Olympia Heritage Review Committee is weighing the potential removal of the Sandman tugboat from the local heritage register ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/23/26 | 4 comments

Local advocate Dave Sederberg shared a recent view of Earth from Artemis II during Olympia’s Earth Month proclamation on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims April as Earth Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed April 2026 as Earth Month, reaffirming the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/22/26 | 10 comments

The Esther R. Knox Building is located at 111 Bethel St. NE in Olympia.

Revised budget cuts at Olympia School District up for approval, could yield approximately $3.6M in savings

The Olympia School District Board of Directors is poised to decide whether to approve the 2026-27 Reduced Educational Program ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/22/26 | 3 comments

The Olympia City Council approved moving forward with a Parking and Business Improvement Area evaluation at a meeting on April 14, 2026.

Olympia City Council advances PBIA evaluation

The Olympia City Council approved moving forward with a Parking and Business Improvement Area (PBIA) evaluation, continuing a review of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/21/26 | 3 comments

The Olympia Transit Center on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Intercity Transit Authority discusses petition aimed at retaining Route 41

A group of local residents is behind a petition that calls for Intercity Transit to keep Route 41 from being eliminated as part of upcoming bus ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 4/20/26 | 12 comments

Olympia City Council reappoints hearing examiner, creates backup position

The Olympia City Council approved the reappointment of the hearing examiner and the addition of a new pro tem role at a meeting on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/20/26 | 1 comment

Olympia City Council members posed with Family Education Support Services (FESS) representatives holding pinwheels the city council proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month at a meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Olympia proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

The Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/17/26 | 3 comments

Price of regular unleaded gasoline eases in Olympia market

After a steady upward march over the past few weeks, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline retreated in the Olympia market amid ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 4/17/26 | 2 comments

Columbia Street between 5th and 7th avenues to close for roadwork

A short stretch of Columbia Street in downtown Olympia is going to be closed later this week for asphalt ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 4/17/26 | 1 comment

Longtime Olympia resident C-C Coates spoke about housing insecurity and safety concerns during the city’s Fair Housing Month proclamation at a city council meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Olympia residents and advocates call for stronger housing protections

Residents and advocates urged Olympia leaders to take immediate action on housing access and anti-discrimination protections, tying their ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/16/26 | 16 comments

City of Olympia Associate Planner Brittany Gillia presented a slide outlining proposed neighborhood projects recommended for matching grant funding. The city council approved the 2026 Neighborhood Matching Grant allocation at a meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Olympia funds 11 neighborhood projects through grant program

The Olympia City Council approved the 2026 Neighborhood Matching Grant allocations, along with a series of updates aimed at improving ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/15/26 | 4 comments

Community listening sessions about budget issues to be held at Olympia schools

The Olympia School District Board of Directors is holding community listening sessions this week to gather input on the budget ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 4/14/26 | 1 comment

Olympia opens 'Mayor for the Day' competition for local students

The City of Olympia has announced the return of its “Mayor for the Day” program, inviting local elementary students to share their ideas ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 4/14/26

SBA disaster loans available for Thurston County flood victims

Thurston County residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the 2025 winter storms have until April 27 to apply ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 4/14/26