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

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 | 8 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 | 9 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

A research vessel used by the Port of Olympia and its consultant collected sediment samples at East Bay of Budd Inlet in January 2024.

Port of Olympia reveals findings of sediment analysis on East Bay

An analysis of the condition of sediments around East Bay proved to be a mixed bag, as some areas showed improvement while other areas raised ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 10/28/25 | 8 comments

The Community Sustaining Fund accepting grant applications

The Community Sustaining Fund of Thurston County is accepting fall 2025 grant applications through Nov. 10 for creative and impactful proposals that meet ... more

The JOLT News Staff | 10/28/25

Percival Creek Canyon in west Olympia, as seen on Sept. 8, 2023.

Closure of Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment completed in Olympia

The City of Olympia has completed a 16-month effort to close the Percival Creek Canyon homeless encampment and provide housing placement for ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/27/25 | 15 comments

At a meeting on Thursday Oct. 23, 2025, the Olympia School District Board of Directors approved a resolution, which allows the district to submit a voter proposition to levy a tax for technology and capital projects.

Voters to decide on Olympia School District technology levy

The Olympia School District Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution, which calls for a ballot proposition to levy an additional tax of $72,987,000 for ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 10/27/25 | 3 comments

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Fund for Sacred Places Program to support exterior preservation work on its synagogue building.

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia receives $175K historic preservation grant

Temple Beth Hatfiloh in Olympia has been awarded a $175,000 grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation through its National Fund ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 10/24/25 | 8 comments