Gov. Ferguson's office nominated four Thurston County tracts for federal Opportunity Zone designation, including Olympia's Capital Mall area, a Tumwater tract with city hall and Lacey's Midtown District.
The U.S. Treasury reviews the nominations until Nov. 27 & if approved, the designations take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Washington Center for the Performing Arts reported a clean audit at an Olympia Finance Committee meeting on Oct.
19 and announced upgrades including marquee lighting fixes, new carpeting, and green room improvements while allocating funds for operating reserves, technology, and community programming amid reduced lodging tax revenue.
Residents and school staff questioned the proposal to close LP Brown Elementary during a public hearing on Oct.
15 at the school — many emphasized that consolidating classes could disrupt learning and support for economically disadvantaged students.
Community members shared concerns at McKenny Elementary’s public hearings on Monday, Oct.
12 and Thursday, Oct. 15, urging the board not to close the school that houses over 300 students; officials said they will consider the input before a final decision in November.
Local organizers Olympia Indivisible and Evergreen Resistance host No Kings: Vote Early to boost early voting on Oct.
17 in Olympia. The event begins at 9:45 a.m. with a ballot drop from Lions Park to the Atrium Building and continues at the Capitol Campus with sign-waving (noon to 2 p.m.)
The Olympia City Council proclaimed October as Walk to School Month to boost safer routes for kids, endorsing projects such as the Westside Bike Corridor that will begin this year in key neighborhoods.
The city also plans traffic calming near Roosevelt Elementary and will refresh over 100 crosswalk markings to support sustainable transportation.
OSD is engaging parents, students and residents as it considers closing LP Brown, Madison and McKenny elementary schools to meet its budget requirements for the 2025-26 school year.
Superintendent Patrick Murphy answered board and community questions at a meeting on Oct. 8.
Olympia City Council approved $12,500 to create an educational program at the OlyAHA Museum and Visitor Center.
The city will work with the Olympia School District to develop a curriculum for kindergarten through 12th grade students in a program scheduled to launch in 2027.
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