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

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

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

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

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 alternate driving route around the multimillion-dollar Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Road paving to create nighttime closures of Fones Road in Olympia

Ongoing road paving is going to lead to full, nighttime closures of Fones Road in Olympia next week, as work crews make their way toward the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 9/10/26

The Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Executive Committee approved a work plan and budget for 2027-28 to advance efforts to prepare for rising sea levels, flooding and related climate risks around Olympia.

Sea Level Rise committee approves 2027-28 work plan

The Sea Level Rise Response Collaborative Executive Committee approved a work plan and budget for 2027-28 to advance efforts ... more

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

Bus pad improvement work has been extended until Sept. 18, 2026, in downtown Olympia.

Bus pad improvement work taking longer than expected in downtown Olympia

Rear door bus pad improvement work for Intercity Transit has been extended again in downtown ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 9/9/26 | 1 comment

Nirvana: Olympia's greatest distortion

What happened to Olympia after a band from this city became one of the most successful acts in the history of recorded ... more

By David Scherer Water | 9/9/26 | 7 comments

Public input sought on neighborhood businesses proposal in Olympia

The City of Olympia is seeking input from the public to help craft code amendments for a limited range of small scale commercial uses in ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/8/26 | 6 comments

Olympia has 12 known manufactured-housing communities within city limits, providing roughly 800 housing units.

Committee explores strategies to protect manufactured home communities in Olympia

A series of action plans to preserve manufactured home communities and reduce the risk of displacement for hundreds of residents is ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/7/26 | 10 comments

Stonewall Youth is located at 112 State Ave. NE in downtown Olympia.

Olympia Police Department investigates arson at Stonewall Youth building

The Olympia Police Department is investigating a fire that damaged a mural and the Stonewall Youth Building in downtown Olympia as arson ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/7/26 | 3 comments

A view from the west of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

Department of Ecology approves permit for West Bay waterfront development

A proposed mixed-use development on the West Bay of Olympia cleared another regulatory hurdle after the Washington State Department ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/4/26 | 19 comments

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

Olympia introduces pilot program allowing RVs as temporary housing

The Olympia City Council expressed support for a new pilot program that allows people experiencing homelessness to use recreational vehicles ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/3/26 | 14 comments

A sidewalk in need of repair along 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia, as seen on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves contract for sidewalk repairs

The Olympia City Council awarded a $774,788 construction contract to House Brothers Construction to repair damaged sidewalks and improve ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/2/26 | 9 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors adopted a salary increase for non-represented employees at a meeting on Aug. 27, 2026.

Olympia School District increases non-represented staff wages

Hourly wages for 36 non-represented employees with the Olympia School District are going up for the 2026-27 academic ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 9/2/26

Public Works Transportation Principal Planner Michelle Swanson shared a safety corridor analysis that has guided transportation projects across Olympia during the Community Livability & Public Safety Committee meeting on Aug. 26, 2026.

Committee weighs cameras, traffic calming program to reduce speeding in Olympia

The Olympia Community Livability & Public Safety Committee is exploring speed safety cameras and a new traffic calming ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 9/1/26 | 13 comments

Roughly 100 state employees lined Capitol Way in Olympia on Monday, Aug 31, 2026, to demand higher wages in their next two-year contract.

State workers stage walkout in Olympia amid clash over pay demands

With contract negotiations nearing a critical deadline, hundreds of Washington state workers walked off the job for an hour on Monday ... more

By Jerry Cornfield and Aspen Ford | Washington State Standard | 9/1/26 | 8 comments

The Olympia School District Board of Directors welcomed new hires at a meeting on Aug. 27, 2026.

Olympia School District welcomes four principals, technical education director

Four principals, one assistant principal and a technical education director have been added to the Olympia School District's employment ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 8/31/26