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

The former Dancing Goats building on Market Drive in Olympia is the proposed site of the Port of Olympia’s new headquarters.

Port of Olympia highlights benefit of new headquarters in 2026 budget presentation

Port of Olympia staff highlighted the cost-saving benefits of using the former Dancing Goats building on Market Drive as the port’s headquarters during ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/13/25 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council addresses community safety following federal immigration action

The Olympia City Council addressed community concerns about federal immigration enforcement action, in which a community member was ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/12/25 | 20 comments

Olympia City Council member Kelly Green has proposed studying the potential use of speed safety cameras. She brought up the issue at a city council meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.

Olympia City Council to explore use of speed safety cameras

In a move to address rising pedestrian safety concerns, Olympia City Council member Kelly Green has proposed a study of the potential use of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/12/25 | 9 comments

Olympia’s Site Plan Review Committee reviewed a proposal for 24 housing units at the southeast corner of Miller Avenue and Puget Street, using the city’s still-pending middle housing code amendments as a guide.

Planners review proposed residential project at Miller Avenue and Puget Street in Olympia

The Olympia Site Plan Review Committee tackled a residential development proposal that could showcase the city’s new middle housing code ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/11/25 | 10 comments

Olympia City Council to vote on 0.1% public safety tax

The Olympia City Council is set to vote on a new public safety sales tax that would increase the city’s total sales tax rate to 9.9% and generate an estimated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/7/25 | 12 comments

The ballot storage cage at the Ballot Processing Center in Tumwater, as seen on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.

Proposition 1 rejected by voters in Olympia

There were a number of tight contests in the Nov. 4 General Election, but in the end incumbents held fast and opponents of a citizen initiative appear ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/5/25 | 9 comments

Olympia City Councilman Jim Cooper called for creating clear performance indicators that would guide the council in evaluating and implementing the Multifamily Tax Exemption Program at a city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 3, 2025.

Market-rate housing projects approved in Olympia

The Olympia City Council plans to revisit the Multifamily Tax Exemption (MFTE) program and establish performance metrics for all affordable housing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/5/25 | 13 comments

Olympia voters take stance against Workers' Bill of Rights in Nov. 4 General Election

A citizen initiative that aimed to establish labor standards for work scheduling, a minimum wage and other regulations was headed toward defeat in the Nov. 4 ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/4/25 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council is considering whether to support local food banks and assist residents affected by the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

Olympia City Council weighs aid to food banks amid SNAP benefits turmoil

The Olympia City Council is considering the use of council goal funds to support local food banks and assist residents affected by the suspension of ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 11/4/25

Franklin Street Harm Reduction in downtown Olympia helps individuals in leading their own recovery.

Reducing harm among the vulnerable

Harm reduction is about meeting individuals where they are, not what society wants them to be. It offers a flexible framework from which ... more

By JM Simpson | 11/4/25 | 10 comments

The Port of Olympia Commission authorized the purchase of the Dancing Goats Coffee building near the marine terminal entrance for $2,157,850 on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025. The building is located at 200 Market St. NE in Olympia.

Port commission delays vote on additional funding for design of port headquarters

The Port of Olympia Commission delayed a vote on whether to approve additional funding for the firm designing the port’s new headquarters ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 11/3/25 | 4 comments

An alternate driving route for motorists in the vicinity of Fones Road in Olympia.

Nighttime work on Fones Road to run through December

Ongoing nighttime work on Fones Road in Olympia is expected to extend through December, as crews continue to work on installing a new ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 11/3/25 | 1 comment

Olympia and Tumwater eye expansion of CARES Program

The Olympia City Council is poised to approve a resolution authorizing an amendment to an interlocal agreement with the City of Tumwater to expand ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/31/25 | 1 comment

City of Olympia Deputy Public Works Director Thanh Jeffers presented the proposed Parking Services budget for 2026 at an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, 2025.

Parking citation fee increase of 25 to 30% proposed in Olympia

The City of Olympia’s Public Works Department is proposing a 25-30% increase in parking citation fees, citing rising operational costs and the need to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/30/25 | 14 comments

County commissioners to take up Sandy's Flats apartment repair contract

A contract to fix an apartment at Sandy's Flats in Olympia is scheduled for another review by the Thurston County Board of County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 10/30/25 | 6 comments

Olympia Regional Airport, as seen in this undated photo.

Olympia Regional Airport's updated master plan faces another hurdle

The Port of Olympia’s updated Olympia Regional Airport master plan is going to have to clear another ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/30/25 | 12 comments

What’s happening this weekend in Thurston County

There are a number of events going on in Thurston County this weekend, including an Embroidery Workshop in Lacey and a ... more

10/30/25

Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation Department Director Sylvana Niehuser presented a proposed $5.9 million budget for 2026 at a meeting of the Metropolitan Park District Board on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.

Olympia Metropolitan Park District proposes $5.91M budget for 2026

The Olympia Metropolitan Park District (OMPD) Board reviewed a proposed $5.91 million budget for 2026 that focuses on maintaining and improving parks and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/29/25 | 2 comments

Drop in enrollment projected for Olympia School District

Overall enrollment in the Olympia School District is anticipated to decrease to approximately 8,483 students in 2033-34 from ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/29/25 | 2 comments

Local nonprofits detail potential impacts of Proposition 1 on Olympia

If Proposition 1 is approved by Olympia voters in the Nov. 4 General Election, a number of local nonprofit organizations believe it could ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/28/25 | 10 comments