We’re ready to hear your ideas. There will even be cider and donuts

We’re back. Our reader event was originally scheduled for August, but was postponed because of an injury. Join us on Oct. 8 for cider, donuts and conversation about story ideas and community coverage.

At the start of 2025, our reporting team made a pledge to focus more of our stories on the economic challenges that Thurston County is facing — and particularly the growing number of people who are really struggling to make ends meet. Housing and child care costs, particularly, are keeping many families from saving any of the money they earn, and others from simply keeping up on their bills. But the rising prices of homes, gas, food, taxes and other items are straining nearly everyone more than they did just a few years ago.

Here is a sampling of some of the stories we’ve produced on these issues:

• New WA law boosting gas tax by 6 cents takes effect Tuesday. Here’s where that money goes
• WA officials warn ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ will wreak havoc on Medicaid system
• Olympia City Council sends $20 minimum wage, Workers’ Bill of Rights to Nov. ballot
• Would you consider sharing your Thurston County home? This program can help
• Money tight? No wonder. Study shows six-figure salary needed to live comfortably in WA
• Kids can grab a free meal and snack at these schools this summer

But we would be the first ones to say we’ve only just begun to explore stories that are essential to people worried about finances. So we would like to invite you — and other people you think would be interested — to a gathering where we can talk about more story ideas.

Please join our journalists from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 8, at Harbor House on Percival Landing. We will serve up seasonal treats: apple cider and donuts, appropriate for what we hope will be a crisp, sunny fall day. You can sign up for the free event here!

While we are focused on gleaning story ideas on how to cope with the financial challenges of living in Thurston County, we are, of course, happy to hear other story ideas you would like to share. We also welcome you to come to the event to meet our reporters, editor and visual journalist, and ask questions about how we operate.

(Note: There will not be employees available to help with subscription issues.)

As always, reach out to me at ddemarest@theolympian.com with any questions you have. And I look forward to seeing you on Oct. 8.

Olympian Executive Director Dusti Demarest

Reporting team leader Rolf Boone

Reporter Ty Vinson

State government reporter Simone Carter

Reporter Martín Bilbao

Photo journalist Steve Bloom

This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 12:41 PM.