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

Thurston County leaders, Olympia Mayor Dontae Payne, top center, and LGBTQ+ advocates from PFLAG Olympia, Pizza Klatch, Capital City Pride and the New Boys Club celebrated the county’s adoption of June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month, following a proclamation by the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners at a meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Thurston County defends LGBTQ+ rights amid federal backsliding

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The move comes amid a backdrop of ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/11/25 | 21 comments

The Olympia City Council approved $1.3 million in funding grants to support 60 local arts and heritage organizations through the Inspire Olympia program. Inspire Olympia Program Manager Marygrace Goddun and Cultural Access Advisory Board (CAAB) chair Melissa Meade presented the recommendations on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.

Olympia City Council approves $1.3M in cultural access grants

The Olympia City Council approved $1.3 million in cultural grants, supporting 60 local arts and heritage organizations through the Inspire Olympia ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/9/25 | 6 comments

Thurston County will launch a six-month pilot program on June 17, 2025, to expand public comment access during Thurston County Board of County Commissioners business meetings. The trial will run through the end of 2025 and will be reviewed for possible long-term adoption.

Thurston County formalizes new public comment system

Thurston County has released new public comment guidelines ahead of a Tuesday, June 17, rollout that will alter how members of the public speak at all Thurston County ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/9/25 | 2 comments

At a meeting on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Olympia City Council approved creating a new assistant role to provide administrative support to the council members.

Olympia City Council approves new assistant position

The Olympia City Council is adding to its ranks. The seven-member group approved the creation of a new assistant for the council at a meeting on ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 6/6/25 | 11 comments

The Tumwater City Council adopted an ordinance on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, that expands the delegated authority given to the mayor and department directors for the purpose of streamlining contract amendments.

Tumwater adopts ordinance expanding mayor’s delegated authority

The Tumwater City Council will have less to deal with moving forward after passing an ordinance that allows the city to bypass the council for certain contract ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 6/6/25 | 2 comments

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners approved a six-month pilot to split public comment into two timed sessions during its May 28 agenda-setting meeting.

New public comment policy to launch in Thurston County

Public comment is moving to a two-track format to separate agenda specific remarks from general business in Thurston ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 6/3/25 | 3 comments

The Thurston Regional Housing Council on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, unanimously approved a recommendation, selecting Catholic Community Services to manage the EPRA program.

Housing council selects Catholic Community Services to administer eviction prevention funds

The Thurston Regional Housing Council selected Catholic Community Services (CCS) to manage the Eviction Prevention Rental Assistance (EPRA) program for single ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/30/25

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners reviewed the revised land acknowledgment during its Wednesday, May 2, 2025, check-in meeting and reached consensus to share it with the Squaxin Island, Nisqually and Chehalis tribes.

Thurston County’s land acknowledgment revision heads for tribal evaluation

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) stripped the county’s land acknowledgment of a euphemism and rewrote it to be more meaningful and ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/28/25 | 13 comments

Olympia City Council members posed with Heritage commissioners and partner organizations working on projects to document and archive the city's history and heritage. On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the city council proclaimed May 2025 as Heritage Month.

Olympia City Council proclaims May as Heritage Month

The Olympia City Council proclaimed May 2025 as Heritage Month at its meeting on Tuesday, May 20, recognizing the contributions of historic preservation to the city's ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/27/25 | 3 comments

Troy Niemeyer (bottom center), City of Tumwater Finance Director, briefed the Tumwater Budget and Finance Committee on Friday, May 23, 2025, about an engagement letter with D.A. Davidson to provide the city with bond underwriting services.

Committee endorses firm to help Tumwater issue bond for operations and maintenance facility

The Tumwater Budget and Finance Committee endorsed a financial services firm to help the city issue a bond for its new operations and maintenance ... more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/27/25 | 3 comments

The Lacey City Council on May 20, 2025, unanimously approved Ordinance 1677, adopting the City’s updated Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Four-Year Plan for 2025–29.

Lacey adopts updated commute trip reduction plan to support cleaner, smarter commuting

The Lacey City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 1677, adopting the City’s updated Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Four-Year Plan for ... more

By JC Medina | 5/23/25 | 1 comment

Olympia committee to review tenant screening policy option

Olympia's Land Use and Environment Committee will review potential tenant screening policy options at its meeting on Thursday, May 22, as part of ongoing efforts to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/19/25 | 9 comments

Olympia Public Works Director Mark Russell discussed the potential impact on local projects if federal funding is lost during a city council study session on budget sustainability and the 2026 operating budget held on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

Olympia's sanctuary city status puts $11.9M in local projects at risk

The City of Olympia is bracing for potential federal funding cuts that could impact up to $11.9 million in public works projects due to its sanctuary status. At a city council study … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/14/25 | 18 comments

Thurston County’s Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jane Futterman briefed the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners on statutory conflicts affecting the Salary Commission during the board’s agenda setting meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Thurston County’s Salary Commission in limbo over state law conflict

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) grappled to reconcile two incompatible appointment requirements during an agenda ... more

By Kameko Marquez | 5/13/25 | 2 comments

The Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation Board discussed the upcoming Metropolitan Park District (MPD) ballot measure at its May 7, 2025, meeting, providing details about the Aug. 5 election proposition that could impact the city's parks and recreational services.

Lacey board outlines plan for parks funding ballot measure

The Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation Board discussed the upcoming Metropolitan Park District (MPD) ballot measure at its May 7 meeting, providing details ... more

By JC Medina | 5/13/25 | 2 comments

Mustafa Mohamedali, a member of the Islamic Center of Olympia, accepted the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month proclamation during the Lacey City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Lacey declares May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Lacey City Council proclaimed May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, honoring the community’s contributions to ... more

By JC Medina | 5/13/25 | 3 comments

Olympia's Site Plan Review Committee discussed the city's incentives for developers who are willing to introduce different housing options or commit to making units affordable. The committee held a presubmission conference for a proposed residential development on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Olympia offering incentives to developers to increase residential density

Olympia city planners actively encourage innovative housing solutions to address the city's housing crisis by offering developers multiple pathways to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/9/25 | 8 comments

Lin Crowley, representing the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition of South Puget Sound, accepted the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month proclamation during the Board of County Commissioners meeting on May 6, 2025.

Thurston County commissioners proclaim May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners has proclaimed May 2025 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month ... more

By JC Medina | 5/9/25 | 1 comment

The Olympia City Council signed a proclamation recognizing the city's public servants on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The city dedicates each week of the month to celebrate and recognize the services of different public sector professionals.

Olympia City Council honors public servants with a proclamation

The Olympia City Council celebrated public service on Tuesday, May 6, by endorsing a proclamation recognizing municipal workers for their services to ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/9/25 | 1 comment

Olympia Council of Neighborhood Associations Chair Larry Dzieza proposed that Olympia launch "A Get Stuff Done Initiative" focused on immediate sidewalk repairs. He spoke at the Olympia City Council's public comment segment on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Olympia neighborhood leader calls for immediate sidewalk repair work

Speaking as chair of the Olympia Council of Neighborhood Associations, Larry Dzieza proposed a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to address the city's deteriorated sidewalks ... more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/8/25 | 12 comments