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

Former Olympia Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee member Brent Barnes urged the city council to work with The Evergreen State College and community partners to keep the college’s pool open. Barnes and other community members spoke during public comment at a city council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Students, community members take up Evergreen pool issue with Olympia City Council

Community members turned up at an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, to make a case for keeping The Evergreen State College pool ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 3/4/26 | 12 comments

Olympia School District board proclaims March 9-13 as Education Support Professionals Week 

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed March 9-13 as Education Support Professionals Week to honor staff with supportive ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/4/26

Olympia High School assistant swim coach Henry Valz spoke at a community meeting at the high school about the pending closure of the pool at The Evergreen State College. The meeting was held on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The Evergreen State College to close pool amid budget challenges

A decision to close the pool at The Evergreen State College because of financial constraints has local swimmers, parents and teachers calling for ... more

By Yohanes Goodell | For The JOLT | 3/3/26 | 7 comments

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee explored the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Ordinance/Act policy, which gives renters the right to be notified and buy their rental property, as a pathway to homeownership. The committee met on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Olympia committee explores options for tenant homeownership

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee is considering new ways to help renters become homeowners, including potentially ... more

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

A sidewalk in need of repair in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Help shape sidewalk repair policy in Olympia

The City of Olympia is asking people to weigh in on where crews should fix damaged sidewalks first, as it works on a long-term policy for repair ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 3/2/26 | 6 comments

Olympia committee to hold interview process for advisory bodies

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety (CLPS) Committee will hold a two-day interview process on March 4-5 to consider appointments ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/27/26

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance and a resolution addressing federal immigration enforcement at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Olympia bars ICE on city property, urges Congress to curb DHS

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance that prohibits federal agents from using city property for civil ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/26/26 | 14 comments

At a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, the Olympia City Council approved Urban Village Code amendments, which could reshape Briggs Urban Village housing and grocery options.

Olympia City Council approves Urban Village code amendments, terminates Briggs development deal

The Olympia City Council approved a set of amendments to the Urban Village zoning code and voted to terminate the Briggs Urban Village ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/25/26 | 9 comments

The Olympia-Lacey FIFA World Cup Fan Zone will be held at the Port of Olympia’s North Point site between Swantown Marina and Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill during four matches in June.

Proposal outlines Port of Olympia’s role in Olympia-Lacey FIFA World Cup Fan Zone

A proposed memorandum of understanding, which outlines the Port of Olympia’s role in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup Olympia–Lacey ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/24/26 | 10 comments

Renderings of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

Environmental group challenges decision on West Bay Yards development

Olympia Ecosystems, a local environmental group, has requested that the City of Olympia reconsider a decision to allow the West Bay Yards ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/23/26 | 22 comments

Alleged drug dealer arrested in Olympia

An alleged local drug dealer was arrested the same day a customer was caught using fentanyl in ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/23/26 | 6 comments

Olympia City Council to consider zoning changes, Briggs Village development agreement termination

The Olympia City Council is set to take action on two proposals that could reshape the development of Urban Village, which is known as ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/20/26 | 4 comments

Canvassing Board certifies Feb. 10 Special Election results for Thurston County

The Thurston County Canvassing Board certified the results of the Feb. 10 Special Election, in which three local school districts received ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/20/26

The Olympia Transit Center is located at 205 Franklin St. NE in downtown Olympia.

Intercity Transit Authority approves installation of digital signs at Olympia Transit Center

The Intercity Transit Authority approved a $509,167 contract with Vector Electric Group LLC to install digital signage at the Olympia ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/20/26 | 2 comments

House approves bill supporting redevelopment of shuttered Olympia Brewery site

The long-dormant Olympia Brewing Company site is a key part of state legislation, which aims to breathe new life into the once iconic property near ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/17/26 | 23 comments

Overnight shelter information for Thurston County.

Hazardous weather advisory issued by Thurston County

Subfreezing overnight temperatures in the weather forecast prompted the Thurston County Public Heath and Social Services Department to issue a ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 2/17/26

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

Olympia committee to interview candidates for hearing examiner role

The Olympia Land Use and Environment Committee is going to interview candidates for the hearing examiner position on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/16/26

A slide from a presentation by Port of Olympia Community and Economic Development Director Mike Reid to the Port Commission at a meeting on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. Pictured on the slide is an Artemis EF-12 Escape, a 12-seater hydrofoil electric water taxi developed by Artemis Technologies of Belfast, Ireland.

Port of Olympia Commission weighs ferry service

A potential passenger ferry service from Olympia to Des Moines could prove more useful as an economic development tool than as a way to reduce ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/13/26 | 27 comments

The Olympia-Lacey FIFA 2026 fan zone will be held at Port of Olympia’s NorthPoint between Swantown Marina and Anthony’s Hearthfire Grill.

Port of Olympia to host Olympia-Lacey FIFA World Cup 2026 fan zone

The Port of Olympia’s NorthPoint property will host the Olympia-Lacey FIFA World Cup 2026 fan zone, event organizer Jennie Foglia-Jones announced at ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/12/26 | 10 comments

Olympia Federal Savings President and CEO Josh Deck.

Olympia Federal Savings reports Q3 financial results

Olympia Federal Savings reported assets of more than $1 billion at the end of the third quarter, as it continued to see robust demand for ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 2/12/26 | 2 comments