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

The North Thurston Public Schools community is accepting applications for free student meals for the 2026-27 academic year.

North Thurston Public Schools accepting applications for free meals

North Thurston Public Schools is inviting families to apply for free meals at ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/17/26

The facade of the building at 310 Israel Road in Tumwater. The city is considering purchasing the property via bond financing and renovating it to become its new city hall.

Tumwater City Council backs $65 million bond ordinance

An ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $65 million in general obligation bonds to pay for three major projects passed muster with the Tumwater ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/16/26 | 6 comments

A deadline looms for people to use Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program cards.

Large percentage of Senior Farmers Market benefits remain unused as deadline nears

Nearly half of all Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) cards issued to older adults in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties haven't been ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/16/26 | 4 comments

Greg J. Cuoio Community Park, located at 2711 Carpenter Road NE in Lacey, features a nature-themed playground with accessible elements.

Public invited to Greg J. Cuoio Community Park grand opening in Lacey

The City of Lacey is getting ready to officially welcome the public to Greg J. Cuoio Community Park, its newest and largest ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/16/26

Food inspection results in Thurston County — Sept. 16, 2026

Restaurant inspection reports focus on two types of violations: red and ... more

By Vanessa Casabuena | 9/16/26

Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy released a letter addressing the school closure process.

Olympia School District superintendent proposes closure of three schools

Three schools are being considered for closure in the Olympia School District (OSD), as a means to produce roughly $3.1 ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/15/26 | 9 comments

LOTT Finance and Administration Director Justin Long presented the proposed 2027-28 Budget and Capital Improvements Plan during the LOTT Board of Directors meeting on Sept. 9, 2026.

LOTT proposes $146.1 million budget with higher wastewater rates

The LOTT Clean Water Alliance is proposing two consecutive annual wastewater rate increases, as part of a $146.1 million budget weighted ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/15/26

Tumwater City Hall is located at 555 Israel Road in Tumwater.

Tumwater City Council reviews budget requests from police, fire departments

The Tumwater City Council embarked on an initial review of funding requests from the police and fire departments, as the governing body moved toward ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/15/26 | 1 comment

An exposed girder seat on a piece of the Capitol Way pedestrian bridge shows decades of corrosive wear.

Capitol Way pedestrian bridge undergoing $1.2M rehabilitation

One of the most visible features of the Washington State Capitol Campus has been dismantled this ... more

By Jay Fratt | For The JOLT | 9/15/26 | 1 comment

The Olympia School District Board of Directors discussed the Start of School Enrollment Update for school year 2026-27 at a meeting on Sept. 10, 2026.

More than 8,700 students attend beginning of classes in Olympia

The Olympia School District reported that 8,753 students showed up for the beginning of classes in September, down more than 100 students from the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/14/26 | 4 comments

The Yashiro Garden waterfall in Olympia, as seen on Friday, May 15, 2026. The garden was built to honor the friendship between Olympia and what was then Yashiro, Japan. In 2005, Yashiro merged with neighboring cities to form the City of Kato.

Olympia to unveil Kato Street designation in honor of sister city partnership

The City of Olympia is going to unveil an honorary Kato Street designation outside City Hall in honor of its 45-year friendship with ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/14/26 | 4 comments

The Lacey City Council Chambers are located inside Lacey City Hall at 420 College St. SE.

Franz Anderson regional housing agreement raises concerns in Lacey

The Lacey City Council is poised to make a decision on $3 million in funding for the Franz Anderson housing project amid concerns about spending the ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/14/26 | 2 comments

Washington state election officials encourage voters to return ballots via designated drop boxes to ensure they arrive in time to be counted. In the primary, the state tallied a higher number of ballots with late postmarks than prior years.

Amid uncertainty about mail-in ballots, state leaders say they’re ready for what comes next

While the state’s lawyers fight in court to repel the Trump administration’s repeated attacks against vote-by-mail, Washington’s election officials ... more

By Donna Gordon Blankinship | Washington State Standard | 9/14/26 | 5 comments

Olympia School District board proclaims October as Walk to School Month

To encourage the safety and health of children, the Olympia School District Board of Directors proclaimed October as Walk to School ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/14/26

A rendering of Harbor Pines Apartment, which is going to be located at 3909 9th Ave. SW in Olympia.

Funding requests for affordable housing projects surface in Olympia

The Olympia City Council is scheduled to vote on resolutions that target state funding to support infrastructure costs associated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/11/26 | 4 comments

The proposed site plan for a new Costco warehouse at Tumwater Boulevard and Littlerock Road. The new location will be sited on a 22.5-acre parcel and will include a fueling station and car wash.

Costco to spend $16M in road improvements, impact fees as part of development in Tumwater

Costco Wholesale Corporation is expected to spend around $16 million on road improvements and traffic impact fees under a proposed development ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 9/11/26 | 3 comments

Olympia Fire Department leaders, top, and Lacey Fire District 3 leaders, bottom, displayed certificates of recognition from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for supporting employees with military service obligations.

Olympia, Lacey fire department leaders honored for support of service members

Fire department leaders in Olympia and Lacey were recognized for their support of employees serving in the National Guard and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/11/26

An Emergency Room nurse tends to a patient at the Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital in Houston, Texas, on Aug. 18, 2021.

Affordable Care Act insurance costs to rise steeply again in Washington

A quarter million Washingtonians, who get their insurance through the state’s exchange under the Affordable Care Act, face another year of double-digit ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 9/11/26 | 10 comments

Members of the Transportation Policy Board voted to advance 25 projects at a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026.

Transportation Policy Board endorses 25 projects for state funding

The Transportation Policy Board approved the draft 2027-30 Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), moving more than ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/10/26 | 3 comments

An architectural rendering shows the proposed five-story Franz Anderson permanent supportive housing project in Olympia. The Low-Income Housing Institute would develop and manage the 71-unit building.

Lacey residents want more scrutiny of Franz Anderson housing agreement

Lacey residents are asking the Lacey City Council to examine the Franz Anderson regional housing agreement more closely before making a ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/10/26 | 1 comment