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

The Olympia Transit Center in downtown Olympia, as seen on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025.

Installation of digital signs nearly complete at Olympia Transit Center

The installation of new digital signage at the Olympia Transit Center is nearing completion, according to Intercity ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/27/26 | 3 comments

Rear door bus pad improvements for Intercity Transit are going to continue to impact traffic in downtown Olympia for another week.

Bus pad improvement work extended in downtown Olympia

Rear door bus pad improvements for Intercity Transit are going to continue to impact traffic in downtown Olympia for another ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/27/26 | 1 comment

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs spoke at a press conference announcing a new election-related lawsuit, alongside Attorney General Nick Brown, in Seattle on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026.

Washington sues again to stop Trump administration mail-in voting requirements

SEATTLE — Washington is suing to stop the Trump administration’s latest attempt to restrict mail-in voting, days after the U.S. Supreme ... … more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | 8/27/26 | 8 comments

The toy area at the Thurston County Absolutely Free Sharing Market in spring 2026.

Absolutely Free Sharing Market returns next week at Thurston County Fairgrounds

There is nothing for sale at the Thurston County Absolutely Free Sharing Market, and that is exactly the ... more

By Debbie Borek | For The JOLT | 8/27/26 | 2 comments

The Olympia City Council received an update on the phased closure of The Jungle encampment. Assistant City Manager Stacey Ray presented the update at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.

Phased transition at 'The Jungle' as people move into housing

The City of Olympia has already moved more than a dozen people from "The Jungle" into temporary or permanent housing, but officials said closing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/26/26 | 15 comments

Crews are currently working to build the walls around a new larger culvert in Percival Creek at Sapp Road in Tumwater.

Committee recommends additional spending for Sapp Road culvert in Tumwater

The Tumwater Public Works Committee has recommended increasing the budget for a culvert currently being built in Percival Creek at ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/26/26

Lacey City Council members reviewed the appointment process for the vacant Position 3 seat during a council meeting on Aug. 18, 2026.

Lacey City Council seeks Position 3 replacement, reviews selection process

The Lacey City Council has opened the application window for the vacant Position 3 seat, beginning a selection process that must lead to an ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/26/26 | 1 comment

Washington State Republican Party Chairman Jim Walsh announces initial results of the presidential race at a GOP election night watch party in Bellevue, Washington, on Nov. 5, 2024.

State Republican Party leader sued for defamation by citizen activist from Olympia

Arthur West is a prolific filer of legal complaints in pursuit of greater government transparency and a fairer political system in ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 8/26/26 | 2 comments

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

Committee to examine potential use of speed safety cameras in Olympia

The Olympia Community Livability and Public Safety Committee will discuss pedestrian safety and ways to reduce ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/25/26 | 13 comments

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia, as seen in January 2026.

Intercity Transit acts to protect bus drivers from 'The Jungle' encampment smoke

Intercity Transit is working to protect bus drivers from poor air quality caused by burning at the homeless encampment site ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/25/26 | 12 comments

Local history programs and exhibits are planned for the Lacey Historical Society community celebration at Lacey Community Center on Sept. 8, 2026.

Lacey Historical Society to mark city’s 60th, America’s 250th anniversaries with celebration

Lacey’s 60 years as a city and the nation’s 250th anniversary will be commemorated at a celebration organized by the Lacey ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/25/26

A Thurston County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle.

Independent investigation requested following medical emergency at Thurston County jail

An investigation has been ordered into the care of an inmate at Thurston County Corrections Facility that led to the dismissal of a ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 8/25/26 | 2 comments

Felony assault suspects arrested after high-speed chase

A pair of felony assault suspects were taken into custody after a high-speed chase, in which speeds were reported to exceed 130 miles ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 8/25/26 | 2 comments

Olympia City Council to tackle temporary housing option

An ongoing housing emergency is prompting the Olympia City Council to consider a proposal to allow recreational vehicles to be used as ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/24/26 | 9 comments

A road in Lacey, as shown in the City of Lacey's 2025 State of the Streets report.

City of Lacey seeks vendor for road condition assessment

The City of Lacey is looking for a qualified service vendor to survey and rate the condition of its ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/24/26

Carrie Gillum, the lead for the City of Tumwater's Drinking Water Program, showed a map of the city’s production and monitoring wells to the city council on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department shares its efforts to conserve water

Representatives from the Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department recently shared water conservation efforts in the ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/24/26 | 1 comment

The Temple of Justice at the Washington State Capitol Campus in Olympia.

Court rebuffs attempt to ax ballot statement on state income tax measure’s budget effects

A citizen activist lost his bid on Aug. 20 to keep a one-sentence statement off ballots that summarizes how an initiative to repeal ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 8/24/26 | 4 comments

Food inspection results in Thurston County — Aug. 24, 2026

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

By Vanessa Casabuena | 8/24/26

Lacey City Council members recognized Nicolas Martinez-Dunning following the acceptance of his resignation at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

Martinez-Dunning resigns from Lacey City Council as bid for higher office moves forward

Amid a brewing fall battle for higher office, Lacey City Councilman Nicolas Martinez-Dunning resigned from his Position 3 seat after ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 8/21/26 | 16 comments

Representatives of the Thurston Conservation District delivered a presentation to the Tumwater City Council  about their programs and a proposal to increase rates at a meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2026.

Thurston Conservation District asks Tumwater for support in effort to increase rates

The Thurston Conservation District turned to the Tumwater City Council for support as it seeks to increase ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 8/21/26 | 7 comments