https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316584804.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/1910ab9d-cbac-449f-8f15-5e8bad122b47/1_th.jpg Low Capitol Lake levels hint at future estuary restoration work The water gate on the 5th Avenue Dam was opened on July 19 to allow water to flow from Capitol Lake to Budd Inlet. The work is part of efforts to restore the Deschutes Estuary and building a new bridge over the waterway. https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316584804.html/video-embed 63 2026-07-20T20:30:23Z no https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316597971.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/fd9ea903-23d6-47b7-833d-b45643c8ed26/1_th.jpg Workplace complaints surface at Thurston Co. board meeting Commissioner Rachel Grant requested an independent review into workplace complaints in Thurston County’s Public Health and Social Services Department during a board work session on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316597971.html/video-embed 120 2026-07-21T18:06:40Z no https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316543282.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/e8939e1a-0305-4b21-831e-55e262c8ef89/1_th.jpg Thurston Co. residents share their concerns about PSE bills Thurston County residents question rising Puget Sound Energy bills as PSE seeks multi-year rate hikes while citing renewables, infrastructure and wildfire resilience costs. https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316543282.html/video-embed 39 2026-07-20T11:55:00Z no https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316556522.html https://img.thecontentserver.com/8d6b0207-355b-4660-9688-01446cddf4fe/1_th.jpg Olympia schools superintendent proposes closing elementary schools Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy told the Board of Directors on Thursday that enrollment continues to trend downward and there isn’t enough money. https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article316556522.html/video-embed 173 2026-07-17T21:50:27Z no