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Former Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud drafted by NFL's
Star quarterback C.J. Stroud is taking his talents from Ohio State to the Lone Star State.The latest: Stroud was drafted No. 2 overall last night by the Houston Texans.He will join former OSU QBs Justin Fields (Chicago Bears) and Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) in the NFL.Fellow Buckeye Paris Johnson Jr., an offensive tackle, was drafted No. 6 by the Arizona Cardinals.State of play: The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist threw 85 touchdowns for the Buckeyes against just 12 interceptions in 2021 and 2022.His career passer rating — which combines five major QB stats — is the fourth best in college football history.Being drafted second, he overcame reports from some NFL personnel that he was difficult to coach. He also faced questions about his alleged poor results on a pre-draft cognition test.What he's saying: "I'm not a test taker, I play football," Stroud responded, a quote reminiscent of fellow Buckeye QB Cardale Jones' famous line about being in college to play football, not school.The bottom line: Stroud never defeated the team up north, but he remains a true Buckeye great and now has the chance to prove himself as a Texan.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Richmond.
Former Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud drafted by NFL's
Star quarterback C.J. Stroud is taking his talents from Ohio State to the Lone Star State.The latest: Stroud was drafted No. 2 overall last night by the Houston Texans.He will join former OSU QBs Justin Fields (Chicago Bears) and Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) in the NFL.Fellow Buckeye Paris Johnson Jr., an offensive tackle, was drafted No. 6 by the Arizona Cardinals.State of play: The two-time Heisman Trophy finalist threw 85 touchdowns for the Buckeyes against just 12 interceptions in 2021 and 2022.His career passer rating — which combines five major QB stats — is the fourth best in college football history.Being drafted second, he overcame reports from some NFL personnel that he was difficult to coach. He also faced questions about his alleged poor results on a pre-draft cognition test.What he's saying: "I'm not a test taker, I play football," Stroud responded, a quote reminiscent of fellow Buckeye QB Cardale Jones' famous line about being in college to play football, not school.The bottom line: Stroud never defeated the team up north, but he remains a true Buckeye great and now has the chance to prove himself as a Texan.
What to do this weekend in Columbus
🌳 Celebrate Arbor Day at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens' annual festival, with tree climbing, crafts, food trucks and more.10am-4pm Saturday. Included with admission ($15-23). Kids under 3 free!🏳️🌈 Support LGBTQ+ youth at a Land-Grant Drag Brunch fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Kaleidoscope Youth Center.11am-3pm Saturday, 424 W. Town St. Free! $5 donation suggested.🌱 Plant a tree during Sharon Woods Metro Park's Tree Planting Palooza.1-4pm Saturday, 6911 Cleveland Ave. Free!🌮 It's Tuesday somewhere! Indulge in the Taco & Tequila Bar Crawl.1-6pm Saturday. Check in at Park Street Cantina, 491 Park St. $25, includes four tacos.🐶 Bring your pup to the...
Unruly fans lead to shortage of sports officials in Ohio
Charges have been filed against a local adult league softball player in connection with the recent assault of an umpire — yet another example of the abuse increasingly making sports officials quit.Why it matters: Poor behavior from spectators and participants is a major reason for the shortage of athletics officials among a variety of sports at all age levels.This is leading to local games being canceled and threatening the growth of youth sports.State of play: The scarcity is especially felt in high school sports, which lost around 50,000 officials nationwide from 2018-2022.The Ohio High School Athletic Association hopes increased pay...
Travel the world without ever leaving Ohio
Data: U.S. Census, Wikipedia; Visual: Will Chase, Jacque Schrag, Tory Lysik/AxiosYou don't need a passport to visit Cairo, Moscow and Toronto. In fact, you don't even need to leave the state.Driving the news: Ohio is full of communities named for famous foreign places, from Oxford to Rome.If your summer wanderlust is hitting early and you can't catch a flight, hop in the car and try out this epic road trip created by our Axios Visuals team.Flashback: These locales were often named by immigrants paying tribute to their native homes, such as Dublin, given that name by Irish surveyor John Shields...
Best Day Ever: Columbus city forester Steve Horhut
Steve Horhut is one city employee who should be able to see the forest for the trees.Horhut was hired as the Columbus city forester last August amid an ongoing project to document and preserve over 100,000 "public trees" across town.We asked Horhut to describe his Best Day Ever in Columbus and appreciate his commitment to Smart Brevity:🎵 Music to start your day: Hard rock or early metal like Iron Maiden, Motörhead, Dio.🙅♂️ Breakfast: Not a breakfast person.🌲 Morning activity: Anything tree care-related: pruning, planting or removing hazardous trees.🥪 Lunch: A sandwich, possibly from Panera Bread or someplace else on the go.🌳 Afternoon activity: Consultations or meetings with like-minded tree lovers.🥩 Dinner: A formal night out with family to Mitchell’s Steakhouse or Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse.🔥 Evening activity: Close the evening out at home with family and a fire.
How airports help travelers with disabilities
Both of Columbus' airports feature a program supporting those with hidden disabilities to navigate the flying experience.Why it matters: One in seven people live with a disability such as autism, anxiety or dementia that could make flying particularly challenging, per the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower project.Project advocates urge airports to better accommodate these passengers to avoid misunderstandings and potentially ensuing disasters.How it works: Airport information booths offer sunflower-themed lanyards and wristbands as discreet signs a traveler needs extra time or assistance while flying.Fuller "Journey Care Kits," which include face masks, travel checklists and bag tags, are available by emailing CustomerService@ColumbusAirports.com two months before flying.The big picture: The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network includes many airports across the world, including others in Ohio like Cincinnati and Akron-Canton.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Gear up for air travel hell this summer
All signs point to a hectic travel season at Columbus' airports this summer, with passenger levels expected to return to — if not exceed — pre-pandemic levels.Why it matters: It's a good idea to start planning ahead to mitigate what looks to be, as Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick puts it, a summer of air-travel hell.State of play: About 7.75 million passengers traveled through John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) and Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) in 2022, and the regional airport authority projects an even busier 2023.Last year's total represented 87% of the record-breaking passenger total in 2019.The big picture: The U.S....
Ohio-native flower suggestions for your spring garden
April is Native Plant Month in Ohio.Why it matters: Native plants require less maintenance and provide valuable food and shelter for pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies.Consider these flowers for your garden:Swamp milkweed, a Monarch butterfly habitat.Purple coneflower, classic and colorful.Narrowleaf mountain mint, deters deer and rabbits.Smooth blue aster, a fall bloomer.🌻 Pro tip: Alissa has had lots of luck with black-eyed Susans, which offer the pop of a sunflower's color with a small footprint.Go deeper: Lists of native plants and local sellers
How airports help travelers with disabilities
Both of Columbus' airports feature a program supporting those with hidden disabilities to navigate the flying experience.Why it matters: One in seven people live with a disability such as autism, anxiety or dementia that could make flying particularly challenging, per the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower project.Project advocates urge airports to better accommodate these passengers to avoid misunderstandings and potentially ensuing disasters.How it works: Airport information booths offer sunflower-themed lanyards and wristbands as discreet signs a traveler needs extra time or assistance while flying.Fuller "Journey Care Kits," which include face masks, travel checklists and bag tags, are available by emailing CustomerService@ColumbusAirports.com two months before flying.The big picture: The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Network includes many airports across the world, including others in Ohio like Cincinnati and Akron-Canton.
Charted: Local airplanes hit birds surprisingly often
Data: Federal Aviation Administration wildlife strike database; Chart: Axios VisualsPassenger videos are making the rounds online after a plane engine caught fire from a bird strike Sunday and the airliner had to return to John Glenn International Airport shortly after takeoff.Threat level: The clips are understandably unnerving, but planes actually hit birds more often than you'd think, per a Federal Aviation Administration database.Already this year, 16 strikes have been reported out of John Glenn, not including Sunday's incident.The big picture: Before the pandemic, reports of wildlife strikes nationwide had been trending upward for years, partially spurred by increased awareness following the 2009 "Miracle on the Hudson."Yes, but: Impacts causing substantial damage are much less common today because of successful wildlife mitigation strategies, a recent USA Today investigation found.Zoom in: There have been over 2,000 reported strikes out of Columbus' two airports since 2003, and eight have caused substantial damage.The most recent was in 2015, when a red-tailed hawk flew into an engine and also led to an emergency return to the airport.
Try this vibrant putt-putt spot in Gahanna
👋 If you're looking for a fun activity for both kids and kids-at-heart, Glow Putt Mini Golf is a hidden neon gem.Driving the news: I've visited Gahanna for years and never spotted it tucked in a strip mall — until I saw a friend's recent Instagram post about it.Bonus: It's indoors, so fickle spring weather won't disrupt your plans!How it works: For just $7-9, play 18 holes under black lights featuring a dinosaur and jungle safari theme.With lots of colorful obstacles, it's exciting to golf competitively or casually.I opted for the latter after my husband scored an unbelievable hole-in-one on the loop-de-loop. (He won 32-67.)Quick take: The corniness is part of the appeal. I saw kids and adult couples equally enjoying it. Set aside about an hour for one round.🍔 Pro tip: Stop by Gahanna Grill afterward for a Beanie Burger. You won't regret it.If you go: 161 Granville St., Gahanna. Noon-8pm Sunday, 3:30-8pm Tuesday-Thursday, 3:30-10pm Friday, noon-10pm Saturday. One of the many bridges and other dinosaur-themed obstacles that Alissa struggled to conquer.
Columbus probe into crisis pregnancy centers may continue
Columbus may extend an investigation into the practices of local crisis pregnancy centers as part of the city's ardent support for residents' abortion rights.Why it matters: The centers, which receive millions of dollars from the state, are accused by critics of providing unregulated, inaccurate medical information to those seeking pregnancy care.Flashback: City Council unanimously approved a $26,500 contract with the group Pro-Choice Ohio last July to examine the centers and determine if local residents "have access to medically accurate and legal reproductive health information."The vote took place shortly after Roe v. Wade was overturned and a six-week abortion ban was...
Climate change is shifting Ohio's growing season
It's the start of the spring planting season. But what we plant in Ohio — and when — could look different in the coming decades due to climate change.Threat level: The projected shift could be so drastic that our iconic state tree, the buckeye, would fare better in cooler climates … Up North. Unfathomable.Driving the news: A recent map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture highlights how our planting zones are expected to transform by 2070.What's happening: The USDA uses average minimum winter temperatures to create its Plant Hardiness Zone maps.Today, Columbus is in zone 6a, as is most of...
Your favorite grocery stores in Columbus
Axios Columbus readers sure are passionate about local grocery wars.What's happening: While Kroger is king when it comes to our region's market share, lots of you prefer to shop at other places, too.🛒 What you're saying:Kristina E.: "I'm a big fan of Lucky's in Clintonville. They carry the brands and organics I prefer, and I like the vibe, which I would describe as 'Clintonvilly.'"Diane B.: "My favorite shopping trip is to head to Sawmill Road where I can peruse the aisles at Trader Joe’s, Fresh Thyme and Whole Foods. I make this trip about once a month, stocking up on...
What to see at the 2023 Cinema Columbus Film Festival
Grab some popcorn and get ready for the annual Cinema Columbus Film Festival.What's happening: Venues across the city will showcase independent movies, documentaries and short films Wednesday through Sunday.The festival kicks off with a jazzy opening night at the Lincoln Theatre: a screening of the music documentary "Hargrove," a concert and a Q&A with the director and "local jazz aficionados" ($17).Check out a schedule of 30 more showtimes ($10 each).The intrigue: Moviegoers will vote for an Audience Choice Award, while experts will choose the best documentary, narrative feature and short film.Among the jury members: Columbus native Beverly D'Angelo, who portrayed Ellen Griswold in the "Vacation" films.Other highlights: The Palace Theatre hosts "The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes" on Saturday.The actor, who played Westley in the 1987 cult classic, will share behind-the-scenes stories from filming ($25-35)."We Are The Troopers," a documentary about a dominant pro women's football team from Toledo, screens Friday at the McConnell Arts Center.
Ohio is officially "festival obsessed"
Speaking of festivals: Ohio is one of the most "festival-obsessed" states, according to a recent Google search analysis by UK fashion retailer Boohoo.We ranked No. 2, only behind Wisconsin.💭 Our thought bubble: … no surprise there.Whether it's zucchini, fish, flags or bratwurst, it seems any weekend with somewhat-decent weather is spent celebrating something in the Buckeye State.The latest: Festival season is already underway, with the Geauga County Maple Festival in Northeast Ohio and Pike County Dogwood Festival south of Columbus this weekend.Go deeper: A list of some upcoming events.
Martin Luther King Jr. library's history celebrated
The first public library in the U.S. named for Martin Luther King Jr. — and the architect who designed it — have been honored in the King-Lincoln Bronzeville neighborhood as a critical part of our state's history.Driving the news: Community leaders gathered Wednesday at the corner of Taylor and Long Streets to celebrate the new plaque recognizing the Martin Luther King Branch and architect Leon Ransom Jr. Eighteen months into Axios Columbus' historical marker tour, this is our first time attending a marker's unveiling.What they're saying: Columbus Metropolitan Library CEO Pat Losinski calls the library's history "a point of pride...
Twitter changes curbs automated Central Ohio weather alerts
If you get your emergency weather alerts from Twitter, it's time to find another way.Driving the news: One of the many changes owner Elon Musk is making to the social media platform is ending free access to a tool that posts automated content.Some accounts are silly — tweeting out MLB home run distances and every "Shrek 2" movie frame in order — but the National Weather Service uses the tool to post real-time weather updates.Twitter will limit the number of automated tweets to 50 per 24-hour period. Businesses and "scaled commercial projects" that wish to automate more tweets than that...
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