Columbus
Axios Columbus
What to know about today's solar eclipse in Central Ohio
Data: NASA; Map: Erin DavisWho's ready for a rare celestial phenomenon?State of play: Here is what you need to know to get the most out of today's solar eclipse:β° Get your timing down.The partial eclipse starts at 1:55pm. That's when the moon begins to block a portion of the sun.If you're watching from the path of the totality, expect the period of darkness during daytime around 3:10pm with a duration of between 90 seconds to 4 minutes, depending on your location.The partial eclipse here in Columbus continues until 4:27pm.π― If you're able, head toward the path of totality.That's where you...
How many miles the average Columbus resident travels daily
Data: Replica; Map: Alice Feng/AxiosPeople may be traveling long distances for today's eclipse, but the average Franklin County resident travels 35 miles a day, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Alice Feng report.That's compared to the national average of 42 daily miles, per data from mobility analytics platform Replica, which is based on anonymized mobile device info, roadside sensors, transit agencies and more.Why it matters: These numbers offer a compelling snapshot of differing mobility trends and needs across the country.They factor in all forms of transportation, including personal vehicles, public transportation, taxis/rideshares, walking, biking, etc.Zoom in: Franklin residents tend to travel a little farther than residents of Cuyahoga County in Cleveland, which had the state's lowest number of average daily miles traveled, at 31.5 per day.Meanwhile, neighboring Fairfield County had the highest miles traveled of any Ohio county tracked by Replica, racking up 47.8 miles per day.Zoom out: Manhattan residents had the lowest number of average miles traveled in the country, with 12.9.And Monroe County, Pennsylvania, had the highest, with an average of 70 miles traveled per day.
Try these new 2024 restaurants in the Columbus area
If you're looking to eat out this weekend, we suggest these new restaurants that have opened in 2024:π© Mochi Ring: A chain known for its colorful rice flour doughnuts and "viral corndogs" rolled in breadcrumbs, french fries and even Flamin' Hot Cheetos. Opened March 23.11am-8pm Wednesday-Monday, closed Tuesdays. 1144 Kenny Centre Mall.π€ PBR Cowboy Bar: Smokehouse eats and a mechanical bull to cap off your trip to Easton. Opened Feb. 29.11am-10pm Sunday-Wednesday, 11am-2am Thursday-Saturday, 3950 Gramercy St.π² PJ Hot Pot: A social meal with a variety of hot pot and Korean BBQ options. Opened Feb. 2.Noon-10pm Monday-Thursday, noon-10:30pm Friday and Saturday, noon-9:30pm Sunday, 6100 Sawmill Road, Dublin.πͺ Lion Cub's Cookies: A second location for this local cookie powerhouse with a rotating lineup. Opened March 8.8am-10pm Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-9pm Sunday, closed Mondays. 7105 N. High St., Worthington.Yes, but: A number of restaurants have closed so far this year, including Grand Tavern in Grandview Heights, a pair of Weenie Wonder locations and Goodwood Brewery in the Arena District.π’ Our thought bubble: We're still sad about the February closure of El Segundo Mexican Kitchen, a Cameron Mitchell joint featured in the inaugural Axios Columbus newsletter.
Columbus plans for busy summer travel season
Data: Axios Research; Map: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosThe stars are aligning for a busy summer travel season at Columbus' airports.The big picture: Nine new nonstop flights are opening in a year that has already seen record-breaking travel.The latest: Spirit just announced two new daily nonstop flights to Newark and Boston beginning in June.The airline had already announced new service to Myrtle Beach and New York-LaGuardia beginning May 8.Fellow discount airline Frontier will begin offering flights to Philadelphia and New Orleans on May 22.And in June, Delta begins flying to Salt Lake City and Southwest will open routes to San Diego and Kansas...
Columbus ranks high for passenger TSA flying complaints
Data: TSA via Data Liberation Project; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosJohn Glenn Columbus International Airport has a higher-than-average rate of TSA complaints compared with other airports, per data from the transportation agency.State of play: The airport ranked 19th in the country out of 103 major airports for the number of complaints per 100,000 passengers between January 2023 and January 2024.Zoom in: An analysis from Data Liberation Project found TSA PreCheck was the subject of the vast majority of complaints at CMH, followed by customer service, screening and pat downs.
Columbus weekend events: Eclipse activities, a Clippers game and Cirque du Soleil
π Locate and complete solar eclipse-themed art activities placed inside ARTboxes scattered around Dublin.All weekend, six Dublin locations. Free!π΅ Enjoy diverse cuisines and cultures with Ohio State's African American Heritage Festival.5-7pm Friday, 6-9pm Saturday and 5-7pm Sunday, various locations on campus. Free!βΎ Chase away the spring storms with a Clippers game against the Omaha Storm Chasers.6:15pm Friday, 2:05pm Saturday and 1:05pm Sunday, Huntington Park. $8+.π§ Watch Cirque du Soleil perform "Crystal," the traveling circus act's first show on ice.7pm Friday, 11:30am, 3:30pm and 7:30pm Saturday, 1pm and 5pm Sunday, Schottenstein Center. $49+.π Listen to iconic gospel group One Hallelujah at Mershon Auditorium.6:30pm Saturday, 1871 N. High St. $30+.πΈ Celebrate Japanese culture and cherry blossoms at Franklin Park Conservatory's monthly Community Day.10am-5pm Sunday, 1777 E. Broad St. Free for Columbus and Franklin County residents!πΊ Taste drinks made by women in the Ohio craft beer industry at Seventh Son Brewing's "Eclipsing Stereotypes" event.2-5pm Sunday, 1101 N. 4th St. $25 in advance, $40 at door, includes souvenir glass and 10 tasting tickets.
Distracted driving citations still on the rise
It's been six months since Ohio began citing drivers in violation of a stricter distracted driving law meant to curb cellphone use on the roads. State of play: Citations are way up since then, an Axios review of State Highway Patrol data finds. In the past, texting while driving was...
Partly sunny weather expected in Columbus for eclipse
Eclipse watchers may need to travel to see the total solar eclipse Monday, but all Ohioans will have a decent view no matter where they are. What to expect: The partial eclipse will begin in the Columbus area at 1:52pm and end at 4:27pm. The moon's shadow will enter the...
Ohio marijuana sales expected by end of summer
Ohioans could be legally buying recreational marijuana as early as this summer β but the exact timing is still unclear.Why it matters: Marijuana has been legal to possess since a voter-backed measure went into effect Dec. 7, but there is still no legal avenue to buy it.The big picture: Gov. Mike DeWine has decried the situation as "goofy" and shared concerns that it would embolden the black market.State lawmakers attempted to amend the law to speed up the sales timeline and address those concerns, but legislative efforts went nowhere.The latest: Earlier this week Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens told reporters...
How to watch the 2024 solar eclipse from home
Reader Chris B. asks: Will the eclipse be televised?We've highlighted many of the best places in Ohio to view the April 8 total solar eclipse in person.Yes, but: With so many visitors flocking here from across the country to be part of eclipse-mania, we don't blame some for considering virtual viewing options.Plus: No eclipse glasses necessary!How to watch (at home): NASA will broadcast the rare phenomenon live from 1-4pm on NASA TV, nasa.gov, the NASA app and on YouTube.The American Astronomical Society is tracking other live streams on its website.π¬ If you've got a question, we'll track down the answer. Email columbus@axios.com and Ask Axios.
The trailblazing history of Ohio's Scioto Trail
Our Franklin County Historical Marker tour brings us to Upper Arlington for a trail once considered the most important in the Old Northwest.The marker: Scioto Trail, on the path just south of 2875 Lane Road.Flashback: Native Americans built trails following waterways like this one that runs alongside the Scioto River.The trail once stretched all the way from Lake Erie to the Ohio River.It was used for warfare, trade and migration, the marker reads, and much later it guided the building of Route 33 through Franklin County. A map of the former Scioto Trail through Ohio.Today, a newer route called the Scioto Trail travels along the river and through parts of downtown.The intrigue: Near the marker is the burial site of Kihue (also known as Bill Moose), whose epitaph calls him the "last of the Wyandots" in the area.Kihue died in 1937 at 99 years old and a 9-foot memorial structure was built using boulders from the nearby river.4οΈβ£3οΈβ£ down, 85 to go.β Thanks to our series sponsor Ohio History Connection. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. A memorial for Bill Moose next to the marker.
Columbus police settlements are common and costly
Columbus paid out over $21.5 million between 2018-2023 to settle complaints against the Division of Police, an Axios investigation finds. Why it matters: Taxpayers regularly foot the bill for alleged police misconduct like wrongful shootings and discrimination claims. What we did: Axios obtained settlement records from the city attorney's office...
Thousands of librarians headed to Columbus
Talk of diverse book collections and the Dewey Decimal System is headed to Columbus this week for the Public Library Association's 2024 conference.Why it matters: Librarians are no longer the shushing protectors of dusty book collections β they're civic leaders, de facto social workers and increasingly the target of public scorn.The biggest library systems and smallest village branches are learning together how best to serve their modern communities.State of play: The conference opens tomorrow at the Convention Center and runs through Friday.Over 7,000 library professionals representing all 50 states and eight other countries are set to attend, Public Library Association...
Ohio book ban attempts on the rise
Data:Β American Library Association;Β Map: Rahul Mukherjee/AxiosOhio saw an increase in the number of book titles challenged last year compared to 2022, according to the American Library Association.Why it matters: Some of the most targeted books deal with themes of social justice, discrimination and inequality, which can diminish access to diverse viewpoints and cause harm, according to the ALA.By the numbers: Forty complaints were filed in Ohio last year, challenging a total of 235 books.That's fewer complaints than were filed in 2022, but nearly three times as many books targeted.The big picture: The number of books targeted for censorship at U.S. schools and libraries rose 65% between 2022 and 2023, Axios' Jennifer A. Kingson reports.Go deeper
Columbus Clippers game promos we're eyeing in '24
The Columbus Clippers play their first home game Tuesday night and, of course, it's Dime-A-Dog Night.Tickets start at $8 for the game against the Omaha Storm Chasers, which may get postponed due to, well, storms.State of play: The Clippers are the AAA minor league affiliate one step below the Cleveland Guardians.As usual, the 2024 roster is full of hopeful prospects and former big leaguers trying to earn another shot in Cleveland.Check the new stadium food options.Our pro tip: If you want cheap hot dogs without the crazy Tuesday crowds, head to Huntington Park a day later for Wednesday "Dollar Days."The weekday afternoon "Business Day Special" games are a fun chance to "work" at the park. Just don't tell your boss.Other game promotions we're eyeing:πΆ May 1 & Sept. 5: Puppypalooza!πͺ May 18: Appearance by actor Corbin Bernsen, who played Roger Dorn in "Major League."πͺ May 31: Star Wars Night, plus post-game fireworks.πΌ July 26: Appearance by actor Andy Buckley, who played David Wallace on "The Office."π¦Έ Aug. 24: Marvel Super Hero Night, featuring special player jerseys and a visit from Captain America, plus post-game fireworks.
Fun ways to watch the total eclipse in central Ohio
A once-in-a-lifetime solar eclipse is just one week away and if you haven't already made plans, it's time to start. Why it matters: Opportunities to stand in the shadow of the moon are few and far between on this planet. Don't let earthly troubles like traffic and insane crowds stand...
Ohio wants your help to see how animals react to the solar eclipse
Are humans the only animals who get super worked up about eclipses? Next week is an opportunity to help scientists find out. The big picture: There are reports that birds quiet, spiders tear down webs, and squirrels retreat to their dens. But most of the information we have on wildlife behavior during a total solar eclipse is anecdotal or based on observations of captive animals.
COSI celebrates 60 years of science (and rat basketball)
Columbus' Center of Science and Industry first opened its doors 60 years ago today.Why it matters: The museum has grown into a community mainstay with international reach and often tops lists of the best science museums in America.Flashback: COSI debuted in 1964 in the Memorial Hall Building on East Broad Street. In search of more space and updated facilities, it moved into its current home, the former Central High School, in 1999.To mark the anniversary, we talked to Josh Sarver, COSI's chief experience officer and a 22-year veteran of the museum, about the finer points of keeping a busy science...
Axios Columbus
2K+
Posts
5M+
Views
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.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. Itβs essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.