The Ongoing History of Works in Progress
by Arlo Dolven
History is not only what happened, but also how things are remembered. Since 1990, Works in Progress (WIP) has been a platform for the public and independent thinking of a community assuming control of its own history. A summary of WIP headlines from when it was first published up to now illustrates both the global and local nature of Olympia’s political sensibilities.
Fifty years of neoliberalism have demolished social and political institutions across the country. “Capitalism is eating democracy alive,” says cultural critic Catherine Liu. Organizations like WIP are the frontline of defense against the Far Right. With massive corporations devouring newsrooms everywhere, WIP lets Olympia tell its own story.
Inside the Fight Over Olympia School Closures
By Jacqueline Garrison
On September 17th, the Olympia School Board was presented with a plan slating Madison, McKenny, and LP Brown Elementary Schools for closure. The written analysis justifying these closures coincides with a 90-day period for public hearings before a final vote on November 12th. If the board votes in favor of closing and consolidation, this school year will be the final operating year for these schools.
While this news may shock some, closures were never truly off the table after being introduced in 2023. Our district reached a crossroads where a clear path forward was never chosen. Now, we must finally decide: do we accept the promised efficiency of a larger school model, or do we fight for the values represented by our small neighborhood schools? This tension between community values and corporate-style consolidation isn’t unique to Olympia — it reflects the broader crisis facing public education and the growing trend toward divestment and privatization.
Labor Daze and Class Struggle
by Nicholas Hefling and Peter Bohmer
Oh, Labor Day, what a glorious day! In leftist circles, we sometimes hear conspiracy theories about how the September Labor Day was a “counterrevolutionary” move by the state to distract workers from the real labor day, May Day. The truth is a bit more nuanced.
Thank you to everyone who came out to the print launch party last Wednesday, September 9th!
1,000 newspapers have been distributed around Thurston County. You can pick up your very own copy free of charge at:
Bar Francis
Old School Pizzeria
Schwartz’s
The Brotherhood Lounge
Orca Books
Glowies
Rainy Day Records
San Francisco Street Bakery
Sound and Vision
Sophie’s Scoops
Traditions
Soul Kitchen
Last Word Books
Owl’s Nest
Opal Salon
Marmo (Shelton)
Gabi’s Olympic Cards & Comics
Timberland Regional Libraries (Olympia, Tumwater, Hawks Prairie)
…coming to more locations soon!
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For more stories from September and previous months go to our website, www.olywip.org