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

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

Lacey City Council to screen 29 applicants for vacant seat

Twenty-nine people applied to fill the Lacey City Council seat vacated by Nicolas Martinez-Dunning, but not all of them are guaranteed an interview ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 9/25/26

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

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

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

Olympia Public Works Director Mark Russell presented a 10-year waste collection rate projection during a city council study session on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026.

Olympia City Council favors keeping city-run waste collection

The Olympia City Council showed little interest in pursuing privatization of solid waste collection earlier this week, instead directing staff to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 8/19/26 | 8 comments

Huntamer Park is located at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE in the Midtown District of Lacey.

Huntamer Park upgrades lead Lacey’s draft federal grant plan

Sidewalk and accessibility improvements at Huntamer Park stand to receive the largest share of funding under the City of Lacey’s 2026 Community ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 7/16/26

The City of Olympia’s proposed timeline for workers’ affordability and workplace protections study includes research and stakeholder outreach in 2026.

Phased workers' affordability review moves forward in Olympia

The Olympia City Council directed staff to move forward with a phased process to study workers’ affordability and workplace protections over ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 7/15/26 | 3 comments

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

Olympia mayor addresses 'The Jungle' encampment transition plan

As a regional transition team moves forward with a phased approach to close “The Jungle” encampment in Olympia, Mayor Dontae ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 7/7/26 | 10 comments

A vanpool at Timberland Regional Library in Tumwater.

Tumwater extends operating agreement with Timberland Regional Library

The Tumwater City Council extended an agreement with the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) through the end of the year, while negotiations ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/19/26

After a lengthy debate over the city’s grant process, the Olympia City Council approved more than $3 million in Inspire Olympia Program funding for 85 local organizations at a meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.

Olympia City Council approves over $3M in Inspire Olympia grants after lengthy debate

The Olympia City Council approved more than $3 million in cultural grants after a lengthy debate over transparency, oversight and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/18/26 | 1 comment

Olympia Finance Director Mike Githens presented a slide outlining the potential impact of a levy lid lift during an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Monday, June 15, 2026.

Levy lid lift could help Olympia deal with rising costs, budget issues

A levy lid lift may be needed in the years ahead in order to help the City of Olympia deal with rising costs, constrained revenue growth ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/16/26 | 4 comments

The Lacey City Council reviewed three proposed municipal code amendments at a work session on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

Lacey City Council reviews business tax, developer and licensing code changes

Proposed subsection language for Lacey’s business and occupation tax code sparked questions over whether it addresses a gap or ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/12/26

Olympia City Council members discussed and approved a new park impact fee methodology at a meeting on June 2, 2026. The updated system will scale impact fees based on residential unit size.

Olympia City Council approves new park impact fee methodology

The Olympia City Council approved a new park impact fee methodology that will scale fees based on the size of residential ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/10/26 | 8 comments

An aerial view of "The Jungle" homeless encampment in Olympia.

City of Olympia extends option to purchase ‘The Jungle’ encampment property

The Olympia City Council endorsed an amendment to an option-to-purchase agreement that expands the city’s access to the ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/4/26 | 25 comments

The facade of the 310 Israel Road building in Tumwater. The city is considering purchasing the property to turn into its new city hall.

Tumwater moves forward with potential purchase of building for new city hall

The Tumwater City Council agreed to make a $100,000 down payment toward the potential purchase of a building that could serve as the new ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/3/26 | 5 comments

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

Committee backs dozens of proposed amendments to Olympia Municipal Code

Dozens of amendments to the Olympia Municipal Code have been recommended by a committee in order to clarify development regulations ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/2/26 | 2 comments

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

Olympia sets deadline for by-name list tied to 'The Jungle' closure

A May 28 deadline for a by-name list of individuals living at "The Jungle" has distressed some people, who feel the timetable is too short for equitable ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/20/26 | 16 comments

'Leaders Lead' podcast: Commissioner Emily Clouse on the record

In the latest episode of the "Leaders Lead" podcast, host Tony Taylor dives into the Thurston County political scene with an interview of Commissioner ... more

By The JOLT Staff | 5/8/26 | 14 comments

The Olympia City Council unanimously approved contributing more than $500,000 from the opioid settlement fund to a regional abatement council at a meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Olympia City Council commits more than $562,000 for opioid response efforts

The Olympia City Council approved contributing $562,714 from the city’s opioid settlement fund to a regional pool to support treatment, prevention and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/7/26 | 2 comments