Letters to the Editor | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Before closing Olympia schools, let's fully examine the options

As an Olympia resident and parent of a student at McKenny Elementary School, I’m deeply concerned about the Olympia School District’s ... more

By Kristin Booth | 9/21/26 | 2 comments

Vote 'yes' for libraries, support TRL levy lid lift in Nov. 3 General Election

I am supporting the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) levy lid lift that is on the Nov. 3 General Election ... more

By Jim Lazar | 9/15/26 | 10 comments

Workers for the State of Washington protest for increased wages on August 31, 2026 during contract negotiations.

State workers demand their due (and they should get it)

On Monday, Aug. 31, thousands of public employees across the state took to the streets, waving signs and chanting, demanding ... more

By Kent Reister | 9/3/26 | 6 comments

Support union members by keeping Olympia waste removal local

The Olympia City Council has been considering whether to privatize garbage collection in Olympia in conversations about how to move away from ... more

By Rowan Herbst Minino | 8/13/26 | 6 comments

Prevention is the best cure

Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States and the world. The Pacific Northwest is particularly vulnerable because we are not used ... more

By Janet Nazy | 8/6/26

Now is a great time to buy a used electric vehicle

There are a lot of 2- and 3-year-old electric vehicles on the market now, and they can be extremely good ... more

By Jim Lazar, Wayne Olsen and Thad Curtz | 8/3/26 | 5 comments

A quiet starvation

A quiet starvation is unfolding across Thurston and Mason counties. Driven by federal budget gridlock, shifting state administrative costs and ... more

By Marty Slighte | 6/26/26 | 6 comments

The Evergreen State College Pool hosted a free public swim day on Saturday, June 6, 2026.

Join the effort to keep the Evergreen pool open

The potential closure of The Evergreen State College pool understandably concerns local families, swimmers and fitness ... more

By Henry Valz, Holly Barnes, Crystal Smith and Joellen Wilhelm | 6/8/26 | 7 comments

NTPS gives dual language parents rushed ultimatum, leaves students with no ride home

Editor's note: The following is the statement delivered by Pleasant Glade Elementary School parent Jeremy Sorokas to the ... more

By Jeremy Sorokas | 5/20/26 | 1 comment

Hollowing out our schools: Proposed cuts in the Olympia School District budget

Olympia defines itself as a haven for artists, activists, and families. Again and again, people share stories of leaving places where ... more

By Vita Lusty | 5/15/26 | 8 comments

Located in a quiet, sunny spot in Tumwater, THLT's six two-bedroom duplex units will be ready for sale to eligible first-time homeowners early fall 2026.

A land trust for housing

Thurston Housing Land Trust (THLT) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to create and protect affordable homeownership ... more

By Max Lambert | 5/14/26 | 2 comments

Reader opinion: The JOLT publishes letters from readers on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them. These opinions come from members of our community.

In praise of Cheryl Heywood

I was disappointed and saddened not to see more public thanks and support for Cheryl Heywood, who resigned last month from Timberland ... more

By Niel Lawrence | 4/21/26 | 10 comments

Reader opinion: The JOLT publishes readers' letters on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them. These opinions come from members of our community.

Millionaires tax is not about penalty — it’s about alignment

I work for the most beautiful people in the world: special needs ... more

By Vita Lusty | 4/6/26 | 14 comments

Reader opinion: The JOLT publishes letters on Thurston County topics, generally verbatim and within a day or two of receiving them. These opinions come from members of our community.

Turn on your headlights, Olympia!

I see many cars around dusk (as well as during our recent fog events and common winter conditions) that don't drive with their headlights ... more

By Michael Carrol | 3/20/26 | 6 comments

The Evergreen State College pool is irreplaceable

The Evergreen State College pool has been the centerpiece of the Thurston County aquatics community for nearly 60 ... more

By Henry Valz | 3/6/26 | 6 comments

The right leader at the right time in the right place

Thurston County lost a shining example of public service when Art 0’Neal (83) died on ... more

By Holly Gadbaw, Linda Hoffman and Kathy McCormick | 2/25/26

Legal immigrants arrive in the United States each year and often need help with resettlement in Thurston County.

Immigrants are here — and more are coming

Olympia, I’m proud of you. When new federal immigration regulations arrived in 2025, Olympia chose to remain a sanctuary city — even as nearby communities stepped away. In the two years before … more

By Arielle Long | 2/20/26 | 16 comments

Update on Lake Lawrence Lake Management District renewal

Lake Lawrence residents recently reached an important milestone in protecting the health of our ... more

By Barry Halverson | 2/18/26

Response to reader opinion on Bar Holdings/Salish Landing UGA swap

A reader opinion appeared on The JOLT News on Feb. 2, claiming that a proposed UGA Swap by Bar Holdings, known as Salish Landing ... more

By David Toyer and Mike Brewer | 2/6/26 | 18 comments

Tumwater poised to hurt its budget and make housing less affordable

At its meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Tumwater City Council will decide whether to support keeping the BAR Holdings/Salish Landing urban ... more

By Ronda Larson Kramer | 2/2/26 | 11 comments