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

Tumwater City Administrator Paul Simmons addressed the Tumwater School District Board of Directors about the School Resource Officer contract on March 12, 2026.

City willing to work with Tumwater School District on SRO issue

The City of Tumwater remains committed to working with the Tumwater School District after the removal of a School Resource Officer ... more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 3/17/26 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council reviewed co-living housing regulations at its regular meeting at Lacey City Hall on March 3, 2026.

Lacey City Council adopts co-living housing regulations

New regulations for co-living housing are in place after the Lacey City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that addresses the ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/11/26 | 1 comment

The Lacey City Council approved the First Amendment Interlocal Agreement for the Opioid Abatement Council Independent Subcommittee during its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Lacey City Council approves pooling of opioid settlement funds with partner cities and county

The Lacey City Council unanimously approved the First Amendment Interlocal Agreement (ILA) for the Opioid Abatement Council (OAC) ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 3/5/26 | 2 comments

Washington Supreme Court rules on petition to recall Commissioner Emily Clouse

An effort to oust Thurston County Commissioner Emily Clouse from office ended after the Washington Supreme Court upheld a lower ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 3/2/26 | 9 comments

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance and a resolution addressing federal immigration enforcement at a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Olympia bars ICE on city property, urges Congress to curb DHS

The Olympia City Council approved an emergency ordinance that prohibits federal agents from using city property for civil ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/26/26 | 14 comments

At a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, the Olympia City Council approved Urban Village Code amendments, which could reshape Briggs Urban Village housing and grocery options.

Olympia City Council approves Urban Village code amendments, terminates Briggs development deal

The Olympia City Council approved a set of amendments to the Urban Village zoning code and voted to terminate the Briggs Urban Village ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/25/26 | 9 comments

The Lacey City Council unanimously confirmed five advisory board appointments that were recommended by Mayor Andy Ryder at a council meeting on Feb. 17, 2026.

Lacey City Council approves board and commission appointments

Five residents are filling advisory positions after the Lacey City Council unanimously confirmed their seats at a meeting ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 2/24/26

Olympia Mayor Pro Tem Yen Huynh said city governments must be creative and strategic in dealing with ICE activity. She made her remarks at a city council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

Olympia City Council explores possible ban on ICE activity at city-owned facilities

The Olympia City Council has directed City Manager Jay Burney to explore a potential policy prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/6/26 | 13 comments

Tumwater School District Superintendent Kevin Bogatin (top left) and Tumwater School District Board of Directors member Melissa Beard (bottom) addressed the city council at a public hearing about the district’s Replacement Safety, Technology, & Capital Improvements Levy on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026.

Tumwater City Council supports school district replacement levy

The Tumwater City Council adopted a resolution in support of Proposition 1, a replacement levy for the Tumwater School District ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/6/26 | 3 comments

A map of Tumwater showing the approximate areas of the lands involved in an urban growth area swap proposed by Bar Holdings LLC.

Tumwater council backs letter supporting review of adding Salish Landing to urban growth area

The Tumwater City Council voted 4–1 to approve a letter from Mayor Leatta Dahlhoff supporting the continued review of an urban growth area ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 2/5/26 | 11 comments

Javoen Byrd, Executive Director of the Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in African Culture, spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, as part of recognizing Black History Month.

Heated exchange disrupts recognition of Black History Month at Olympia City Council meeting

The Olympia City Council’s recognition of Black History Month was disrupted when a guest speaker’s remarks escalated into a heated ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/4/26 | 20 comments

At a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, the Olympia City Council voted unanimously to support the Olympia School District’s Proposition 1, a replacement levy that would support technology and capital projects.

Olympia City Council supports school district’s Proposition 1

The Olympia City Council approved a resolution in support of Olympia School District’s Proposition 1, a four-year technology and capital ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 2/3/26 | 4 comments

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

No immediate closure for ‘The Jungle’ in Olympia, advocates want residents involved in planning

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne attempted to quell chatter tied to a remark he made earlier this month about plans for the potential closure of a large ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/30/26 | 31 comments

Bill Daley, a former Olympia mayor, is remembered as a visionary civic leader who championed the arts. The Olympia Armory was officially renamed the Daley Art Center in his honor.

Olympia City Council names three public spaces after former civic leaders

With strong backing from community members, the Olympia City Council unanimously approved the official naming of three public ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/29/26 | 2 comments

At least 200 people lined 4th Avenue in downtown Olympia in protest of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.

Olympia, Thurston County to coordinate response to potential federal enforcement

Citing recent federal immigration enforcement efforts in other cities, Mayor Dontae Payne said Olympia is coordinating with ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/28/26 | 33 comments

The Olympia City Council is going to consider a resolution in support of Olympia School District No. 111 Proposition 1, a technology and capital projects replacement levy, at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

Olympia City Council to consider resolution backing school district replacement levy

The Olympia City Council is going to consider a resolution expressing support for Olympia School District No. 111 Proposition 1, a technology and ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/26/26 | 7 comments

Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne criticized immigration enforcement practices when the city council issued a proclamation for Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Day at a meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims Jan. 22 as Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Day

Amid heightened federal immigration enforcement and growing concern among immigrant and refugee communities, the Olympia City ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/21/26 | 6 comments

Local advocate Stephanie Cholmondeley called for action on voting, education, and economic equity, citing issues Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for during his lifetime. She spoke at the Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.

Olympia City Council proclaims Jan. 19 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, advocates call for accountability

The Olympia City Council designated Jan. 19 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a proclamation accompanied by urgent ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/16/26 | 21 comments

At an Olympia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, Joint Animal Services Executive Director Sarah Hawk discussed the challenges of the city’s current pet limits.

Olympia City Council approves urban agriculture code updates, opens opportunity for community farming

The Olympia City Council adopted urban agriculture code updates that allow farming in most residential and commercial zones, as well as ease ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 1/15/26 | 1 comment

Local and state officials gathered at Olympia City Hall, Council Chambers for a meeting to discuss the 2026 Legislative Agenda for the City of Olympia on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.

Olympia City Council moves forward with 2026 Legislative Agenda

The Olympia City Council approved a 2026 Legislative Agenda that lists a number of priorities for the year with an emphasis on housing and ... more

By Wyatt Haupt Jr. | 1/15/26 | 2 comments