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

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed Feb. 2-6, 2026, as Black Lives Matter at School Week at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

Olympia School District proclaims Feb. 2-6 as Black Lives Matter at School Week

The Olympia School District declared Feb. 2-6 as Black Lives Matter at School Week in a move aimed at teaching students and community ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/26/26 | 8 comments

Olympia City Planner Casey Mauck showed a rendering of a proposed four-story building for TVW at a meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

Olympia Design Review Board approves four-story TVW building with conditions

The Olympia Design Review Board granted conditional approval for a major expansion of TVW, the state’s public affairs network, signaling ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/23/26 | 7 comments

Associate Planner Michael Mills presented the Thurston Regional Planning Council’s comprehensive plan review and certification process at a meeting on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.

Olympia's transportation plan cleared by Thurston Regional Planning Council

The City of Olympia’s transportation plan was endorsed by the Thurston Regional Planning Council, confirming it is consistent with the regional ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/22/26

The Olympia City Council approved a consent calendar item authorizing city staff to apply for a fish barrier removal grant at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

City of Olympia seeks state funding for Ellis Creek fish passage design

The City of Olympia is seeking state funding to design a long-planned fish passage project on Ellis Creek, which aims to remove a barrier to salmon ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/21/26 | 8 comments

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne criticized immigration enforcement practices when the city council issued a proclamation for Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Day at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims Jan. 22 as Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Day

Amid heightened federal immigration enforcement and growing concern among immigrant and refugee communities, the Olympia City ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/21/26 | 6 comments

A screenshot of footage filmed by Thurston County Commissioner Emily Close showed the location of an alleged domestic violence incident in the Lacey area on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.

Footage of crime scene location sparks response from Thurston County Sheriff

An alleged domestic violence incident fanned the flames of federal government intervention when a local elected official posted live footage on social media ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/20/26 | 13 comments

Thurston Regional Planning Council Planning Manager Allison Osterberg briefed the Transportation Policy Board on federal transportation reauthorization, including potential gas adjustments, at a meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Transportation Policy Board gets update on federal reauthorization process

With federal transportation funding set for renegotiation in September, members of the Transportation Policy Board are prioritizing safety ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/19/26

Local advocate Stephanie Cholmondeley called for action on voting, education, and economic equity, citing issues Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for during his lifetime. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims Jan. 19 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, advocates call for accountability

The Olympia City Council designated Jan. 19 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a proclamation accompanied by urgent ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/16/26 | 21 comments

The State of the Community 2026, which was hosted by the Thurston County Chamber and sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, took place before more than 250 attendees at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026.

Elected officials weigh in at State of the Community event in Lacey

An annual gathering of elected officials served as a platform to showcase the successes local governments achieved last year, but it also ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/16/26 | 1 comment

At an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, Joint Animal Services Executive Director Sarah Hawk discussed the challenges of the city’s current pet limits.

Olympia City Council approves urban agriculture code updates, opens opportunity for community farming

The Olympia City Council adopted urban agriculture code updates that allow farming in most residential and commercial zones, as well as ease ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/15/26 | 1 comment

Local and state officials gathered at Olympia City Hall, Council Chambers for a meeting to discuss the 2026 Legislative Agenda for the City of Olympia on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Olympia City Council moves forward with 2026 Legislative Agenda

The Olympia City Council approved a 2026 Legislative Agenda that lists a number of priorities for the year with an emphasis on housing and ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/15/26 | 2 comments

The 2026 Olympia Funk Festival will take place at four venues — Capitol Theater, Olympia Ballroom, Olympia Center and Ilk Lodge on Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, 2026.

Olympia’s annual Funk Festival returns on Jan. 30

The nearly sold out Olympia Funk Festival is returning to downtown on Jan. 30 through Feb. 1, bringing with it a weekend of live music, food and ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/15/26 | 2 comments

Port of Olympia Commissioners Krag Unsoeld, left, Jerry Toompas, Jasmine Vasavada, Joel Hansen and Sarah Montano, along with Executive Director Alex Smith and legal counsel Chris Pierce-Wright, held their first meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Port of Olympia Commission reelects Jasmine Vasavada as president

Port of Olympia Commissioner Jasmine Vasavada was reelected as commission president for 2026, marking her second consecutive year in the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 1/13/26 | 6 comments

The Olympia Center is located at 222 Columbia St. NW in downtown Olympia.

Olympia to host community conversation for National Day of Racial Healing

The City of Olympia will host a community conversation in observance of the National Day of Racial Healing at The Olympia Center from ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/12/26 | 13 comments

Olympia School District holds annual communications audit

As part of an annual communications audit, the Olympia School District (OSD) showcased the launch of an 83-member communications group, software ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/12/26 | 2 comments

At a meeting on Jan. 8, 202, the Olympia School District proclaimed February as Olympia Reads!! Month.

Olympia School District proclaims February as Olympia Reads!! Month

The Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed February 2026 as Olympia Reads!! Month to promote a culture of reading ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 1/12/26 | 1 comment

Grace Fletcher, a local food advocate, expressed support for the Olympia Food System Plan and offered ideas for collaboration. The Olympia City Council approved a referral for the idea on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.

Olympia City Council approves referral to develop local food system plan

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved a referral directing city staff to develop a local food system plan, a move aimed at addressing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/9/26 | 4 comments

A 70-unit multifamily housing development is prorposed for the corner property at Black Lake Boulevard and 21st Avenue SW.

Olympia committee reviews proposed multifamily development near Ken Lake

A proposed 70-unit multifamily housing project near Ken Lake calls for the redevelopment of a site contaminated by an adjacent gas ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/9/26 | 11 comments

Vehicles motored along the 4th Avenue Bridge in Olympia on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8, 2026.

Olympia City Council calls for study of speed safety cameras

In a unanimous vote, the Olympia City Council directed the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to research the potential use ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/8/26 | 17 comments

Karima Bassalé, left, and Rand Roedell recently opened Relume — a candle making shop dedicated to helping refugees find work in Thurston County that is housed in the basement of a church in Olympia.

Relume relighting hope for refugees in Olympia

A pleasant aroma wafts out of the basement of a church in Olympia, and little brown bags line the wall inside filled with candles ready for ... more

By Jessie Darland | 1/8/26 | 3 comments