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

Renderings of the proposed West Bay Yards development at 1210 West Bay Drive in Olympia.

West Bay waterfront project approved with conditions

A proposed mixed-use development on the West Bay waterfront in Olympia cleared a regulatory hurdle when a hearing examiner approved ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/30/26 | 30 comments

The Sandman tugboat, also known as Sand Man, as seen at Swantown Marina & Boatworks in Olympia on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.

Olympia Heritage Commission recommends delisting Sandman from register

The Olympia Heritage Commission recommended removing the historic wooden tugboat Sandman from the Olympia Heritage Register because ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/29/26 | 6 comments

A bronze Marcus Whitman statue in the Washington State Capitol building weighs over 9,000 pounds with its stone base.

Marcus Whitman statue will soon have a new home in Washington State Capitol

Visitors to the Washington State Capitol won’t be greeted by the towering figure of missionary Marcus Whitman much ... more

By Jerry Cornfield | Washington State Standard | 7/29/26 | 4 comments

A graphic details the proposed expansion of the Hands On Children's Museum in Olympia.

Public comment opens on expansion of Hands On Children’s Museum

The City of Olympia is inviting the public to submit comments on the proposed expansion of Hands On Children’s ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/28/26 | 6 comments

Olympia’s Land Use & Environment Committee explored a pilot program that would help tenants become homeowners through a tenant opportunity to purchase program during a meeting Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Committee explores options for tenant opportunity to purchase program in Olympia

The Olympia Land Use & Environment Committee is looking at a tenant opportunity to buy program, which would likely include targeted unit sizes ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/27/26 | 5 comments

This photo shows damage to the State Reception Room at the Washington State Capitol after an intruder broke in on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.

$1M restoration recommended to address Washington State Capitol vandalism

Washington could spend $1 million repairing damage from vandalism at the state Capitol last ... more

By Jake Goldstein-Street | Washington State Standard | 7/27/26 | 3 comments

A slide  shows the Port of Olympia Marine Terminal’s financial performance in the first half of 2026.

Port of Olympia revenue up in first half of 2026

The Port of Olympia reported a reduction in vessel activity from timber company Weyerhaeuser, but a rise in revenue in the first half ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/24/26 | 16 comments

An alternate driving route around the Fones Road Corridor Project in Olympia.

Roundabout installation planned for Fones Road in Olympia

The installation of a new roundabout and continued paving work are going to lead to partial closures on Fones Road for a few weeks, as the ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/24/26 | 3 comments

Puget Sound Estuarium’s Benefit Cruise is a way to experience the beauty of the South Sound on a daylong excursion of exploration and education aboard a private yacht.

Puget Sound Estuarium's benefit cruise to feature naturalist and environmental educator Laura Busby

To showcase the South Sound area, naturalist and environmental educator Laura Busby will be the onboard educator of the ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/24/26

A sidewalk in need of repair along State Avenue in downtown Olympia on Thursday, July 23, 2026.

Shared responsibility, more options sought to tackle sidewalk repairs in Olympia

A proposed shared responsibility approach to repairing damaged sidewalks has the support of the Olympia City ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/23/26 | 11 comments

John Davison and his wife, Carol, took a walk along the docks at Percival Landing on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Local residents find ways to deal with the heat in Olympia

With daytime highs in the middle to upper 90s over the past couple of days, local residents found ways to deal with the heat in ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/22/26 | 3 comments

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts is shown in 1985, left, and then after its 2014 renovation.

Olympia Finance Committee reviews Washington Center funding

The Olympia Finance Committee took a closer look at the city's long-standing partnership with the Washington Center for the Performing ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/21/26 | 1 comment

The Olympia School District Board of Directors received an update on early learning efforts related to the Child Care Partnership grant at a meeting on July 16, 2026.

Olympia School District assessment shows families are not satisfied with early learning options

The Olympia School District’s Community Needs and Capacity Assessment showed that families of children ages 5 years old and younger ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 7/21/26

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

Olympia City Council to discuss sidewalk repair strategy

The Olympia City Council will hold a study session on Tuesday, July 21, to discuss a long-term policy for repairing sidewalks, as officials seek ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/20/26 | 6 comments

Intercity Transit bus pad installation work has been extended in Olympia to July 31, 2026.

Bus pad installation work extended in Olympia

Bus pad installation work has been extended on McCormick and Boundary streets between 4th and 5th avenues in ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 7/20/26 | 4 comments

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

Affordable housing project moving ahead in west side of Olympia

A $5.4 million land deal has cleared the way for ground-up construction of 272 income-restricted apartment units on a 9.6-acre site in the west side of ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/20/26 | 4 comments

The Washington State Department of Ecology presented an updated 5th Avenue Bridge design that features protected bicycle lanes and a separated pedestrian trail. The bridge replacement project is part of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project.

Updated 5th Avenue Bridge plan adds protected bike lanes, shared-use trail

An updated design for the replacement of the 5th Avenue Bridge in Olympia was unveiled by a state ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/17/26 | 14 comments

Port of Olympia Airport Senior Manager Chris Paolini showed  a visualization of a charging station for electric aircraft to the Port Commission at a meeting on Monday, July 13, 2026.

Commission approves grant application for electric aircraft charging station at Olympia Regional Airport

The Port of Olympia is going after funds needed to install a charging station for electric aircraft at Olympia Regional ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 7/17/26 | 4 comments

Olympia City Council and members of the Muslim community celebrated a proclamation declaring July 2026 as Muslim American Heritage Month at a council meeting on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims July as Muslim American Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed July as Muslim American Heritage Month, as the governing body reaffirmed the city’s ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/17/26 | 19 comments

Capital Lakefair attendees check out the local food vendors along Water Street in downtown Olympia on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

Capital Lakefair makes its return to Heritage Park in downtown Olympia

Thousands of spectators attended opening day of the 69th annual Capital Lakefair at Heritage Park on Wednesday, July 15, amid a backdrop of ... more

By Keyan Gregoire-James | 7/16/26 | 5 comments