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

The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee recommended terminating the Briggs Village development agreement on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.

Local residents support reduced grocery store size in Briggs Village with conditions

Some Olympia residents could support reducing the minimum grocery store size in Briggs Village to 9,200 square feet ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/19/25 | 10 comments

Jim Cooper, who served 15 years on the Olympia City Council, received a standing ovation from his colleagues at a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.

Olympia City Council honors Jim Cooper, as he steps away from the governing body

Jim Cooper wrapped up 15 years of service on the Olympia City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 16, as colleagues and city leaders paid tribute ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/19/25 | 2 comments

Tim Smith is the new Community Planning and Economic Development Director for the City of Olympia.

City of Olympia names new Community Planning and Economic Development Director

The City of Olympia named Tim Smith as the new Director of Community Planning and Economic ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/18/25

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events taking place this weekend in Thurston County, including holiday activities at the Hands On Children's Museum ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/18/25

Tenant screening reforms advance in City of Olympia

In a 6-1 vote, the Olympia City Council advanced a proposed ordinance that would limit income-to-rent requirements and prohibit landlords ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/17/25 | 11 comments

Construction at LOTT Clean Water Alliance's Budd Inlet Treatment Plant requires closure of Franklin Street NE on weekdays. Detour routes remain available along Marine Drive NE, Washington Street NE and Thurston Avenue NE.

First LOTT digester refurbishment progresses toward 2026 restart

LOTT Clean Water Alliance is close to finishing a complete rebuild of the first of four digesters at the Budd Inlet Treatment Plant in ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 12/17/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council approved expanding subsidized heat pump installations through the Energize Thurston program at a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

Olympia City Council expands Energize Thurston contract

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution authorizing a second amendment to its municipal services agreement with South Puget Sound ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/17/25

Members of the Regional Housing Council discussed LIHI’s proposal to adjust unit mix at Franz Anderson Permanent Supportive Housing Project at a meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025.

Franz Anderson Permanent Supportive Housing Project seeks approval to serve higher income tenants

Facing a significant operational funding gap, the Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) is seeking approval to adjust the unit mix ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/16/25 | 8 comments

Olympia School District had an $8,857,455 ending fund balance for 2024-25, which was down from $10,186,316 in the previous school year.

Olympia School District ends 2025 with lower fund balance than previous year

Olympia School District closed the 2024-25 school year with an $8,857,455 ending fund balance, or roughly $1.32 million less ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/16/25 | 1 comment

Committee to weigh ending Briggs Urban Village development agreement in Olympia

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee is going to consider a proposal to terminate a long-standing development ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/15/25 | 11 comments

Crews are expected to transition back to daytime work on the Fones Road Corridor Project on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

Fones Road project moving into next phase

The multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project is heading into its next phase following the installation of underground utilities ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 12/15/25 | 3 comments

Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo was elected as president of the Olympia School District Board of Directors at a meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025.

Tourtellotte-Palumbo elected as president of Olympia School District Board of Directors

The Olympia School District Board of Directors elected Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo as president and Maria Flores as vice president for the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/15/25 | 1 comment

Olympia Arts Commission selects 2026 Arts Walk cover artists

The Olympia Arts Commission has approved three artists — two finalists and one alternate — for the 2026 Arts Walk poster ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/12/25

Olympia City Council to vote on tenant screening reforms

The Olympia City Council is set to vote on an ordinance addressing tenant screening practices at its meeting on Tuesday ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/12/25 | 10 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events happening this weekend in Thurston County, including the Native Holiday Market in ... more

P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/12/25 | 1 comment

Makah Tribe member Micah McCarty, brother of outgoing Port of Olympia Commissioner Maggie Sanders, performed a Native American song before gifting a paddle crafted by Sanders for the port at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.

Outgoing Port of Olympia commissioners bid farewell

The Port of Olympia Commission concluded its final meeting of the year on Monday, Dec. 8, with farewell remarks from three departing ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 12/11/25 | 1 comment

Thurston County Regional Housing Council adopts 2026 funding priorities

The Thurston County Regional Housing Council (RHC) has set funding priorities for 2026, with an emphasis on supporting the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/11/25 | 1 comment

Olympia School District students record above average marks in English and math

Olympia School District students performed above the state average in English language arts and mathematics in the latest reporting ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 12/11/25 | 4 comments

Eastside Street SE in Olympia to close for water line work

A short stretch of Eastside Street SE in Olympia is going to be closed for water line ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 12/11/25

Community Planning and Economic Development Planning Manager Joyce Phillips presented the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan at a council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025.

Olympia City Council adopts 2045 Comprehensive Plan

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved the Olympia 2045 Comprehensive Plan, a long-range vision that will guide the city’s ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 12/10/25