Special Reports | The JOLT News Organization, A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization

Port of Olympia Executive Director Sam Gibboney updated the Tumwater City Council about a lease option on the port-owned New Market Industrial Campus, which port officials want to develop. Panattoni Development, a California-based industrial development firm, is interested in the property.

Concerns air over Port of Olympia’s New Market Industrial Campus

TUMWATER –– The Port of Olympia’s impending New Market Industrial Campus lease option came up for air again last night, this time in a Tumwater City Council meeting that saw some city council members expressing concern over whether or not the Port should develop that property. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 7/1/20

Protestors gather outside Olympia City Hall June 23 to celebrate the life of Yvonne McDonald, a Black woman from Olympia who died two years ago. Her family is still waiting on information about McDonald's death they requested from local officials.

Locals honor late Yvonne McDonald with “Her Life Mattered” birthday party

OLYMPIA –– A large crowd came out to downtown Olympia last week to celebrate the life of Yvonne McDonald, a local Black woman who died under mysterious circumstances in Aug. 2018. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/29/20

Lacey government buildings and offices start reopening today

LACEY –– Some of the City of Lacey’s government buildings and offices will start reopening today under modified hours now that Thurston County is moving into “Safe Start” Phase 3. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/29/20

Local officials stress safety measures in area parks

THURSTON COUNTY –– As parks in the greater Olympia area start to open up under “Safe Start” Phase 3, government officials are starting to spread the word about what to do to stay safe while enjoying local parks. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/29/20

Dressed in padded clothing, an actor rumored to be Sacha Baron Cohen sang a song with provocative, violent, unprintable lyrics that parodied some Conservative voters' views about people and organizations they oppose. Several people in the audience sang along.

“March for Our Rights” rally upstaged by actor Sacha Baron Cohen

OLYMPIA –– The actor Sacha Baron Cohen, famous for movies like “Borat” and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” was widely reported on social media to be an uninvited participant in the “March For Our Rights” rally in Olympia on Saturday. more

By Madeline Shannon of JOLT | 6/27/20

Restaurant and retail staff will typically wear face masks in Phase 2 of Washington's Safe Start program.

Restaurants, retailers and services businesses are legal to re-open as of today

OLYMPIA, May 27, 2020 – Seventy-two days after Governor Jay Inslee’s statewide lockdown orders were issued, the Washington State Department of Health granted Thurston County permission to … more

by Danny Stusser | 5/27/20

Before Thurston County can apply to move to Phase 2 of the Washington State Safe Start Plan, commissioners must vote twice.

Thurston Board of Health to Vote Friday re Variance to Move to Safe Start Phase 2

OLYMPIA - Thu., May 21- Thurston County's Board of Health is set to meet Friday, May 22 at 8:30 a.m. about whether to apply to the state to move to Safe Start Phase 2 re-opening rules. This board … more

by Danny Stusser | 5/21/20