Columbus
Axios Columbus
How Ohio's minimum wage compares to other states in 2024
Explore an interactive map. Data: Paycor; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios VisualsThe minimum wage increased in 22 states on Monday, including Ohio, Axios' Emily Peck reports.By the numbers: The federal minimum wage of $7.25 is in effect in 20 states, including three of our neighbors β Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky.Ohio's $10.45 for non-tipped employees is middle of the pack.It's up from $10.10 last year, through an annual raise that's tied to inflation.What we're watching: As more states are committing to a $15 minimum wage, Ohioans could vote later this year on a constitutional amendment that would do the same.Raise the Wage Ohio is gathering signatures to place the issue on the November ballot.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
The top stories in Columbus in 2023
It's been another busy and interesting year in Columbus.The big picture: We covered important news impacting our communities, from consequential elections to the housing shortage and public health issues.π€ State of play: The rise of artificial intelligence was a major theme of 2023 and we suspect that will continue next year.We wrote about awkward AI sports writing, ChatGPT's knowledge of Ohio and White Castle's new computerized ordering system.Flashback: Readers learned of Columbus' forgotten Green Book sites, the city's past practice of redlining, the lack of monuments depicting women of history and the first local historical marker to celebrate the LGBTQ+...
Gallery: Columbus' 2023 in photos
SZA performs onstage at the Schottenstein Center during her SOS North American Tour. Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images for Live Nation An OSU student "inside" the zero within the campus' Garden of Constants. Photo: Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images This year's butter cow display at the Ohio State Fair celebrated the most famous Ohioan inventors. Photo: Courtesy of American Dairy Association Mideast Abortion rights supporters celebrate the passage of Issue 1 on Nov. 7. Photo: Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images Blue Jackets and Storm Troopers greet each other outside the locker room on Star Wars Night in October. Photo: Ben...
The most popular books at Columbus Metropolitan Library in 2023
The story of a fictional 1960s cooking show and its revolutionary host was the most popular read among Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) cardholders in 2023.Zoom in: "Lessons in Chemistry," the debut novel by Bonnie Garmus, was checked out nearly 5,000 times. Other popular library books by genre:Non-fiction: "Spare" by Prince Harry.Children's fiction: "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper ΓverlΓΆde" by Jeff Kinney.Children's graphic novel: "Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea" by Dav Pilkey.The big picture: CML celebrated its 150th birthday this year with a host of sesquicentennial events, an inaugural book festival and a new branch in Gahanna.The...
2023 predictions made in the year 1923
One-hundred years ago, a genius inventor and electrical engineer named Charles P. Steinmetz offered grand predictions for the year 2023.Here's how some of them shook out:πΌ Americans will enjoy four-hour workdays.Not quite. The current debate involves a shortened workweek, not workday.π¨ Cities will have no air pollution. Streets will be electrically cleaned and free of trash.We'll give half credit. Pollution is still a problem, but most major cities have developed complex refuse, recycling and composting programs.War will continue, "because men and systems continue to struggle against each other instead of with each other."Sadly, correct.π Humans will communicate with Mars.Nailed it.π§ A more intelligent and self-expressive human race.Your mileage may vary. πGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
How Ohio is helping our country's most-endangered creatures
A scientific breakthrough that could save our country's most endangered group of organisms is happening on the bank of the Scioto River.Why it matters: Freshwater mussels help keep our local rivers clean, and their disappearance signals problems, such as pollution and destruction from dams.What's happening: The Watters Aquatic Conservation Center near Powell is one of just a few places nationwide that has successfully bred mussels using in vitro propagation.Their life cycle is complicated, and this work could help repopulate them more efficiently.Driving the news: The Endangered Species Act, which guides local efforts, turns 50 next Wednesday, so we visited the...
Ohio's Endangered Species Act success stories
We asked the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to highlight conservation efforts with local impact ahead of the Endangered Species Act's 50th anniversary this month.π Freshwater musselsCheck out our behind-the-scenes look at the Watters Aquatic Conservation Center, a state-of-the-art facility near Powell working to conserve our country's most-endangered organism.π American burying beetlesThis federally endangered insect cleans up ecosystems by eating and living in dead animals.Conservationists at The Wilds have hand-raised and released beetles for years and made a breakthrough in 2019. The bugs reproduced and overwintered in Ohio, their first wild spotting here since 1974, offering hope they could...
How Columbus plans to curb its housing shortage
Columbus entered 2023 mired in a housing shortage and is on pace to end the year falling even further behind.Why it matters: The region's population is growing rapidly, but home and apartment construction is not keeping up with rising demand.Driving the news: Columbus is on track to add just 5,500 new housing units in 2023 β hundreds fewer than were built here in 2022, per data shared with us by Erin Prosser, the city's assistant director of housing strategy.To adequately meet this population growth and make up for years of under-building, Columbus needs to start adding 10,000-15,000 units per year,...
We tried Columbus' new Spaghetti Warehouse and left confused
If you dine at Columbus' new Spaghetti Warehouse with no knowledge of the old place, you may very well enjoy it.But be forewarned: If you expect anything like the massive joint on Broad Street, you will be confused and disappointed.State of play: The former restaurant closed in March 2022 after its roof collapsed and has reopened at a new downtown spot overlooking the Columbus Commons.We recently visited for lunch. Tyler was a fan of the first location, while Alissa had never gone.Like a Willy Wonka reboot, it's impossible to consider the new restaurant without comparing it to the original:π No...
10 places to celebrate New Year's Eve in Columbus
The countdown to 2024 has begun, and there's no shortage of ways to ring in the new year.Pro tip: We recommend reserving tickets now, before events raise prices or sell out.What's happening:1. πΉ The Piano BarYour requests create the playlist.7pm, 1516 N. High St. (former Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar)$35 online, $40 at the door. Includes Champagne toast and party favors.2. πͺ© Budd Dairy Food HallBoogie down during disco night. Chrome and silver attire encouraged.8pm, 1086 N. Fourth St.Free!3. π Forty DeuceCount down to midnight with Ivan Kane's burlesque dancers.9:30pm, 3959 Brighton Rose Square, Easton.$35 till Dec. 25. Includes party...
Columbus residents don't walk as much as they used to
Explore the interactive map. Data: StreetLight Data; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosThere's been a staggering decline in people traversing the Columbus area by foot in the past few years, Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.Why it matters: Walking is good for us.That's true on a personal level (thanks to all the health benefits) and in the global climate change sense (given that it's the OG form of zero-emissions travel).The big picture: The annual number of average daily walking trips dropped a whopping 36% in the contiguous U.S. between 2019 and 2022, per a new StreetLight data report.Walking trips declined significantly in every...
Columbus weekend events: Holiday markets, the "My 00's Playlist" tour
π Immerse yourself in Otherworld's Yuletide Emporium night market.6-9pm Friday, 5819 Chantry Drive, included with admission ($24-30). Kids under 3 free!πΉ Sing yuletide carols with pianist Jim Brickman at the Southern Theatre.7:30pm Friday, $34-54.π€£ Laugh off seasonal stress during Hashtag Comedy's open mic night.10pm Friday, 1253 N. High St. Free!πΆ Create a handmade gift for your pup or partner at Good Dea Craft School, 4145 N. High St.Stained glass date night: 6pm Friday ($125).Leather belt or dog collar: 4:30pm Saturday ($85).π Selfie with Santa and shop local vendors at North Market Bridge Park's Holiday Market.9am-noon Saturday. Free!π₯ Watch a holiday classic on the big screen at Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St."Christmas Vacation": 7pm Saturday ($15) and 4:45pm Sunday ($9.25)."It's a Wonderful Life": 1:30pm Sunday ($18).πΆ Reminisce during the "My 00's Playlist" tour, featuring Nelly, Ja Rule, T.I. and Ashanti at the Schottenstein Center.7pm Saturday. $66.50-$140.π Celebrate the season with the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, performing "Holiday!" at the Davidson Theatre.7:30pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday, 77 S. High St. $10-47.π Reminder: Check out our guide to the top holiday light displays in Central Ohio.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Columbus' year in Google searches
Here's more proof Columbus is a soccer town.Driving the news: Google released its annual data summarizing cities' top searches, and Columbus is the only place in the country that had "Cincinnati vs Inter Miami" in its top five.Between the lines: We're guessing soccer fans wanted to see superstar Lionel Messi at the Oct. 7 match. The Crew had already faced Inter Miami before his sensational signing.PSG vs. Al Nassr βΒ involving Messi's former team β was our No. 1 "versus" sports search.The intrigue: "Ohio" was No. 2 nationwide for meme searches, behind only Kevin James.We've been telling you for years β¦ it's all Ohio.Unfortunately this most recent round of Buckeye State memes is mostly disparaging, but we'll take the high road and say that all press is good press.More of our search resultsGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
The nation's first Biden-funded EV chargers are near Columbus
Two years after President Biden signed legislation to fund a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations, Ohio is leading the charge.Driving the news: The first station in the country made possible by the $5 billion program opened last week on Interstate 70, just west of Columbus, Axios' Joann Muller reports.Why it matters: Having convenient, reliable fast chargers along major highways is an important confidence-booster for people considering an EV.EV uptake in Ohio is lagging compared to other parts of the U.S., but an influx of new chargers could help it surge.Catch up quick: The 2021 infrastructure law established the...
Ohio's electric vehicle hotspots, mapped
Explore an interactive map. Data: Replica; Map: Kavya Beheraj/Axios Delaware County leads the state in EV adoption, with an estimated 340 EV miles driven per 1,000 residents on a typical weekday in the second quarter of 2023.Zoom in: Union and Franklin aren't too far behind, ranking fourth and ninth statewide, with 166 and 124 miles driven, respectively.Coshocton County, about 73 miles northeast of Columbus, ranks lowest, with just 10 miles.The big picture: Our top-ranking counties are just a blip on the radar, though, when compared to the rest of the country.EV use is largely concentrated in the "four corners" β California, the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast and the Southeast, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports.Marin County, Calif., took the No. 1 spot for large counties with 1,942 miles.Go deeper: The country's electric car hotspots, mappedGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Crew parade caps off another championship season
This is what Columbus envisioned when it began developing the Arena District so many years ago.A blighted neighborhood β anchored by the enormous, menacing former state prison β completely transformed to become our very own Canyon of Heroes.Why it matters: The Columbus Crew's first championship in 2008 was won at a neutral site and the second in 2020 was notable for its lack of any public festivities because of COVID.But this victory was especially gratifying, fans told us along the parade route yesterday, because it was earned and celebrated at home.Marching the news: Thousands clad in black and gold celebrated...
Why you can't feed the deer in Dublin
Feeding deer in Dublin city limits could now cost you $150, per a new ordinance.Driving the news: Dublin City Council members recently approved a ban on feeding nearly all wildlife in hopes of deterring the suburb's sprawling deer population and warding off future problems.Threat level: There are approximately 50-85 deer per square mile within Dublin, per a May survey by OSU's School of Environmental and Natural Resources.A healthy population of deer, with enough food, is around 20-25 per square mile.Overpopulation means a greater likelihood of deer spreading disease, damaging landscapes and causing vehicle crashes.Of note: Feeding birds and outdoor pets in Dublin is still permitted.The big picture: Worthington City Council passed a similar measure last year and communities statewide are grappling with the issue, WOSU reports.What we're watching: We checked with the City of Columbus and other local suburban governments and couldn't find any additional animal feeding ordinances in place.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Shopping malls are transforming into entertainment hubs
Going to the mall is no longer just for browsing stores and grabbing a snack at the food court.What's happening: Shopping malls across the country are adding lifestyle experiences and off-kilter attractions, along with coworking spaces and company offices, to draw in consumers in the age of e-commerce, Axios' April Rubin reports. Why it matters: The entertainment options popping up at Columbus-area malls in recent years could be vital to keeping our shopping centers afloat.State of play: Mall vacancies nationwide are at their highest level in over 15 years, according to a November report by JLL, a real estate services...
Here's what is next for Ohio passenger rail plans
Train advocates have spent years working to restore passenger rail to Central Ohio. Now that effort is really gaining steam.Driving the news: The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) last week selected four Ohio routes as priorities for railroad expansion and issued millions of dollars in planning funds, Sam Allard writes for Axios Cleveland.Why it matters: This is a critical step toward eventually building new train routes.Details: Two of the four routes involve Central Ohio.The "3C+D" route would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton.The "Midwest Connect" route would connect Columbus with Chicago and Pittsburgh.The other routes would connect Cleveland to Detroit via...
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Axios Columbus, anchored by Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese, is here to help readers get smarter, faster on the most consequential news and developments unfolding in their own backyard.
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