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

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission is wrapping up work on the addition of 10 new tiny houses in order to broaden its mission to help the homeless. The houses are seen here on June 3, 2026.

Camp Mercy is a five-unit tiny house village in a part of Olympia Union Gospel Mission (OUGM), which began its outreach to the homeless in ... more

By JM Simpson | 6/16/26 | 2 comments

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy, bottom middle, discussed the possibility of creating a family engagement position at a work session on June 8, 2026.

Olympia School District mulls adding family engagement role

A family engagement position is being weighed at Olympia School District, about two months after five family liaison positions were eliminated amid ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/16/26 | 2 comments

Design Review Board to consider Briggs Professional Suites proposal in Olympia

A proposal for a new two-story commercial building in the Briggs Village area is going to be reviewed by the Olympia Design ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/15/26

South Puget Sound Community College is a finalist for the 2027 Aspen Prize.

SPSCC named Aspen Prize finalist for third time

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) has been named as one of 10 finalists for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/15/26

The Port of Olympia, as seen in this undated photo.

Port of Olympia aims to gauge economic impact of operations

The Port of Olympia is commissioning a study in order to get a better understanding of its economic and community impact in ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/12/26 | 9 comments

Craig John Wehrli

Craig John Wehrli, MD, passed away on June 1, 2026, at his home in Olympia, Washington. He was born on Dec. 26, 1951, in Newton, New Jersey ... more

6/12/26

Olympia City Manager Jay Burney provided an update to the city council on transition efforts from the Lee Creighton Justice Center during a study session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Lee Creighton Justice Center transition nearly done, $589K in additional costs

The 18-month transition from the Lee Creighton Justice Center is nearing completion, but it has also resulted in an additional $589,000 in one-time ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/11/26 | 5 comments

A slide presented by Port of Olympia Environmental Director Shawn Gilbertson shows four species a  joint habitat conservation plan would protect. Gilbertson presented the slide at a meeting on May 26, 2026.

USFWS reviewing Tumwater, Port of Olympia habitat plan

The City of Tumwater and Port of Olympia’s joint habitat conservation plan is under review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/11/26 | 7 comments

SPSCC board approves academic program closures, staff reductions

In a move fueled by ongoing structural funding challenges, South Puget Sound Community College eliminated three academic programs and ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 6/11/26

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Lansdale Pointe Apartments in Olympia on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held for new affordable housing community in Olympia

Elected officials, housing developers and advocates gathered on Tuesday afternoon, June 9, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Lansdale Pointe ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 6/11/26 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council members discussed and approved a new park impact fee methodology at a meeting on June 2, 2026. The updated system will scale impact fees based on residential unit size.

Olympia City Council approves new park impact fee methodology

The Olympia City Council approved a new park impact fee methodology that will scale fees based on the size of residential ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/10/26 | 8 comments

The first graduating class of SPSCC's Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program.

Initial cohort to graduate from SPSCC's first four-year program

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) is about to welcome the first cohort of graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Computer ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/10/26

Army Warrant Officer Gregory Hederich, an unmanned aerial systems operations technician assigned to the Washington Army National Guard's 81st Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company, operates a Ghost X drone during a counter-UAS field day demonstration at Yakima Training Center on June 2, 2026.

Ahead of World Cup, authorities focused on deterring drones in Seattle

SEATTLE — Flying a drone above FIFA World Cup fan celebrations, practice facilities and matches at Lumen Field could get operators hit with a ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 6/10/26 | 3 comments

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

Olympia committee to discuss tenant purchase policies

The City of Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is going to continue exploring the feasibility of policies that would give tenants the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/9/26 | 6 comments

Voting is open for the 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project in Olympia.

Olympia opens public voting for 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project

The City of Olympia has opened public voting for the 2026 Traffic Box Wrap project. This year’s survey features 100 original entries for the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/8/26 | 1 comment

A map of boundary scenario 1 for the Olympia School District.

Study recommends adjusting boundaries across Olympia School District

The Olympia School District Board of Directors is looking at the possibility of boundary realignment to provide elementary students ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/8/26 | 3 comments

A vandal broke several windows on the side of the Washington state Capitol in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Man arrested after shattering windows at Washington Capitol

Authorities arrested a man early Thursday, June 4, after he allegedly broke several windows of the Washington state Capitol in an unsuccessful ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 6/5/26 | 3 comments

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

City of Olympia extends option to purchase ‘The Jungle’ encampment property

The Olympia City Council endorsed an amendment to an option-to-purchase agreement that expands the city’s access to the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/4/26 | 25 comments

Olympia extends affordable housing emergency through June 2028

Citing ongoing housing affordability challenges and growing uncertainty around federal funding, the Olympia City Council agreed to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/4/26 | 1 comment

Olympia School District educator named Regional Teacher of the Year

Scott Le Duc, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher from Capital High School in Olympia, was named the Educational ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 6/4/26 | 2 comments