This week we welcome back former Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby to talk about the new AHA Olympia Museum downtown and the future of Olympia’s history.

Olympia Arts and History Alliance

In the Olympia School District primary ballot rundown episode last weekend we incorrectly described Renee Fullerton’s position on school vouchers. So, we’re running her entire answer the voucher question at the OSD4All Forum now so you have a chance to hear from her.

Note: In this episode, we incorrectly described Renee Fullerton’s position on school vouchers. So, we’re running her entire answer the voucher question at the OSD4All Forum now so you have a chance to hear from her.

We are in your feeds early as we hand the mics over to the crew at OSD4All as they review the primary ballot for your 2025 Olympia School District board candidates. OSD4All co-presidents Erika Lari and Sheila Beadling were joined by former school board member Justin McKaughan to talk about the candidates on the ballot.

You can view all of OSD4All’s election resources, including their forum from last weekend. at their website.

This is not a regular episode of The Olympia Standard, this is a bonus episode! We’re sharing the audio from yesterday’s Olympia School Board candidate forum from OSD4All. We will be back in our feed in a few days with a more traditional ballot rundown episode, also featuring some folks from OSD4All.

You can watch the YouTube video of the forum here.

You can also see all of OSD4All’s candidate resources on their website.

We take a hard look at the soft xenophobia embedded in the jokes of beloved Seattle columnist Emmett Watson and the eco-soundbites of Oregon Governor Tom McCall. What starts as tongue-in-cheek jabs at newcomers evolves into real political consequences, downzoning, exclusionary housing policy, and a regional identity shaped by who we keep out. We trace the cultural and historical roots of “Lesser Seattle,” explore how humor became a gateway to NIMBYism, and examine how today’s housing crisis can be traced back to decades of protecting “neighborhood character.”

This episode explores the legacy of Judge George H. Boldt and the lasting impact of the 1974 Boldt Decision, which reaffirmed tribal fishing rights in Washington. Featuring a recording from Boldt’s daughter and grandson, the episode highlights the judge’s integrity, precision, and quiet courage, not just in issuing a landmark ruling, but in standing firm amid years of resistance from state and local officials. Being a patriot, Boldt believed, meant upholding treaty rights and justice, even when doing so was unpopular or difficult.

In this episode of The Olympia Standard, we dive into the debate over who and what deserves a statue on Washington’s capitol campus. As the state grapples with the future of its Marcus Whitman monument, we explore the deeper meanings behind public memorials, the myths they enshrine, and the process (or lack thereof) for removing them. From the racist legacy embedded in the Whitman statue to the forgotten controversy over Governor John Rogers, we argue that it’s not only okay to take statues down, it’s sometimes the most historically honest thing we can do.

In this episode of The Olympia Stanard, we reflect on how Arts Walk has quietly become the festival Lakefair was always meant to be, a celebration of place, people, and downtown Olympia. We explore the origins of Lakefair in 1957, its car-centric context, and how downtown’s evolution has made space for something more human-scaled. As Capitol Lake faces restoration, we ask what it means for Lakefair’s future and why Arts Walk might be the model for where Olympia is headed.

The most enduring local history myth is that Tumwater’s downtown was destroyed by Interstate 5.

Also, thanks for listening. After a month or so of successful interviews, this will be the first of a few episodes where I largely read you something. I’ll be back in mid-July with more interviews!

Join us for our annual “Sine Die” episode as we sit down with Representative Lisa Parshley, a freshman legislator for the 22nd Legislative District and former Olympia City Council member, to discuss her whirlwind first legislative session. Rep. Parshley shares her insights on the transition from local to state government, the challenges and successes of passing four bills, and the intense debates surrounding progressive taxation and the 1% property tax cap. We also delve into the significant capital project funding secured for Olympia, including investments in affordable housing, the Children’s Museum, and animal services, along with the pushback against proposed cuts to state worker collective bargaining agreements.