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Axios Columbus
Flu season is here — plus COVID and RSV, too
Data: CDC; Map: Axios VisualsOdds are you know somebody who's recently felt under the weather, with a post-holidays spike in respiratory viruses sweeping across the country.Why it matters: This year's virus season appears to be returning to patterns typically seen before the pandemic — which means a peak may be a little while away yet.The latest: About half of states, including Ohio, were reporting "very high" flu activity as of Dec. 30, according to the latest CDC data released Friday.Dashboards tracking COVID-19 hospitalizations and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases also show increases in Ohio throughout December.Zoom in: The percentage of...
Franklin County leaders to take civil rights tour of the south
The Franklin County commissioners are planning another Civil Rights tour of the southern U.S., to set an "inspirational direction" for their work.Driving the news: Commissioners will vote today on a $74,000 contract with the Alabama Civil Rights Tourism Association, a nonprofit travel planner.Details: The tour is slated for mid-March and will include 19 county leaders and workers.Attendees will take "a historical pilgrimage through Mississippi and Tennessee, to discover how Soul music and the Civil Rights movements are inextricably linked," a resolution states.The trip will "position us to be the leaders we aspire to be, because so much of our success...
Ohio's rejected license plates from 2023
The most mature drivers kept the Ohio BMV's quality control folks busy for another year.Driving the news: We've once again received the list of custom license plates rejected in 2023 for being too vulgar or suggestive.At 833 total rejects, it's another banger of a list, but is NSFW in some spots and objectively offensive in others.See it here.The intrigue: The BMV doesn't always get it right.Three plates were issued to drivers before later being recalled, two of which were ethnic slurs, the list shows.Zoom in: There's only so much you can say in eight or so characters, but some drivers tried to be clever by roping in a specialty logo plate.Officials nixed "WUSSIE" on a Stop Bullying plate, as well as other insensitive messages aligned with football, police and breast cancer plates.Quick take: Luckily, there are plenty of submissions that are more funny than offensive.Our favorites:FN 2 COLDOHANA AFFU TONYHU JASSO4FSAKEWTF I DOBISH; BISH2; BISH 3; BISH 4, all submitted on the same day.FTUN (Is that you, Ryan Day?)Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Zillow says Columbus' housing market is among country's hottest
Zillow predicts the Columbus metro area will be one of the hottest housing markets in 2024, according to its annual report.Why it matters: The 10 hottest markets of the year — three of which are in Ohio — are projected to have strong demand, steady home values, a growing number of homeowners and job growth, per the report.Zoom in: Columbus, No. 3 on the list, jumped 17 spots from 2023 to 2024.A fast-paced market and steady projected home values (+0.5%) contributed to our rise.Zillow also predicts Columbus will have the highest percentage of new owner-occupied homes compared to any other...
Columbus City Council features more members, new districts
The Columbus City Council has a new look in the new year.State of play: Per changes approved by voters in 2018, the council has grown from seven to nine members who represent newly created districts around town.Members must live in their district — each with about 100,000 residents — but are elected by the entire city.District elections will be staggered every two years starting in 2025, with members serving four-year terms thereafter.The intrigue: At a recent organizational meeting, the clerk drew colored ping pong balls to determine which members will face re-election in 2025, only serving two years initially, or get to serve a full four-year term until 2027.Here is the new council roster by district, with the next election in parenthesis:1: Christopher Wyche (2025)2: Nancy Day Achauer (2027)3: Council president pro tem Rob Dorans (2025)4: Emmanuel Remy (2025)5: Nicholas Bankston (2027)6: Melissa Green (2027)7: Shayla Favor (2025)8: Lourdes Barroso de Padilla (2027)9: Council president Shannon Hardin (2027)Be smart: Find your district with this interactive mapping tool.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Freedom a la Cart in downtown Columbus serves tasty salads for a good cause
After reading two rave reviews for Freedom a la Cart's Life Salad in our Best Day Ever series, I finally stopped by the nonprofit's downtown cafe to investigate the hype.Zoom in: It's a mixed greens base with blue cheese crumbles, dried fruit, pecans and carrots ($10). I added grilled chicken for $3.The tangy herb-mustard vinaigrette dressing, a vibrant lime green, ties together the salty-sweet dish.Quick take: If you worry that eating a salad for lunch will leave you feeling hungry later, don't.There was no hope of me finishing it — though I was making sure I saved a little room for a white mocha latte for dessert.Bonus: Your meal or coffee benefits a good cause. The catering business and its cafe help human trafficking survivors find steady employment, and more recently, stable housing.If you go: 7am-3pm Monday-Friday and 8am-3pm Saturday. Closed Sunday. 123 E. Spring St. The nonprofit cafe's cozy seating area includes spoons featuring donors' names and table vases with fresh flowers.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Get out of the house and visit these winter festivals
A wintry mix is in the forecast for the first weekend of 2024.Why it matters: Once the fluffy stuff starts falling, it feels like winter has officially arrived — which, sadly, can be a dreary time for us Midwesterners.Yes, but: You don't have to stay cooped up, as our region has a lengthy lineup of indoor and outdoor winter festivals to add some excitement to the cold, dark months ahead.We've compiled a chronological list so you can mark your calendars now.The intrigue: While it's technically not a festival, Land-Grant's Wintergarden has earned a spot on our list because it boasts...
Want free Chipotle? Get moving with this Columbus contest
If you need tasty motivation for your New Year's resolution, Chipotle has you covered.Driving the news: The chain is giving away free entrees for a year to the winner of a local contest that encourages participants to get outside this month.How it works: The goal is to run, walk or wheelchair a 0.2-mile "segment" along Lane Avenue ending near High Street as many times in January as possible — the person with the most completions gets free weekly meals for the next year.Zoom in: Off to a hot start is Andrew Ye, an OSU student who started running during the...
Want free Chipotle? Get moving with this Columbus contest
If you need tasty motivation for your New Year's resolution, Chipotle has you covered.Driving the news: The chain is giving away free entrees for a year to the winner of a local contest that encourages participants to get outside this month.How it works: The goal is to run, walk or wheelchair a 0.2-mile "segment" along Lane Avenue ending near High Street as many times in January as possible — the person with the most completions gets free weekly meals for the next year.Zoom in: Off to a hot start is Andrew Ye, an OSU student who started running during the...
Columbus weekend events: Metro Parks winter hikes, karaoke night and Brick Fest
🎤 Sing like a star and enjoy $1 margaritas at Summit Music Hall's Karaoke Night.8pm Friday, 2210 Summit St. Free!🦖 Have a roaring good time during Dinosaur Adventure at the Convention Center.9am-8pm Saturday and 9am-7pm Sunday.$25-35, with separate "adventure" packages offered. Kids under 2 free!🧱 Assemble amazing creations at the family-friendly Brick Fest, also at the Convention Center.9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. $20-40. Kids under 3 free!🚶♀️ Take a winter hike at a local Metro Park. Free refreshments provided!Prairie Oaks: 10am-1pm Saturday, 3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson.Walnut Woods: 10am-1pm Sunday, 6723 Lithopolis Road, Groveport.🏒 Cheer on the Blue Jackets against the Minnesota Wild during '90s throwback night.7pm Saturday. Resale tickets start at $20.📃 Find rare collectables at the Columbus Paper, Postcard & Book Show.9am-4pm Sunday, Ohio Expo Center's Rhodes Hall. $6.🗓️ Reminder: This weekend is your last chance to check out Wildlights, Conservatory Aglow and Holiday Blooms, and COSI's Barbie exhibit (free with museum admission).Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Columbus weekend events: Metro Parks winter hikes, karaoke night and Brick Fest
🎤 Sing like a star and enjoy $1 margaritas at Summit Music Hall's Karaoke Night.8pm Friday, 2210 Summit St. Free!🦖 Have a roaring good time during Dinosaur Adventure at the Convention Center.9am-8pm Saturday and 9am-7pm Sunday.$25-35, with separate "adventure" packages offered. Kids under 2 free!🧱 Assemble amazing creations at the family-friendly Brick Fest, also at the Convention Center.9am-5pm Saturday and 10am-4pm Sunday. $20-40. Kids under 3 free!🚶♀️ Take a winter hike at a local Metro Park. Free refreshments provided!Prairie Oaks: 10am-1pm Saturday, 3225 NE Plain City-Georgesville Road, West Jefferson.Walnut Woods: 10am-1pm Sunday, 6723 Lithopolis Road, Groveport.🏒 Cheer on the Blue Jackets against the Minnesota Wild during '90s throwback night.7pm Saturday. Resale tickets start at $20.📃 Find rare collectables at the Columbus Paper, Postcard & Book Show.9am-4pm Sunday, Ohio Expo Center's Rhodes Hall. $6.🗓️ Reminder: This weekend is your last chance to check out Wildlights, Conservatory Aglow and Holiday Blooms, and COSI's Barbie exhibit (free with museum admission).Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Columbus' hottest takes for 2024
The new year has us thinking about the future — what's next for local politics? Ohio sports? The State Fair butter cow?Driving the news: We asked local officials, reporters and friends of the newsletter for their 2024 predictions:🌳 Aryeh Alex, a Metro Parks commissioner, says there will likely be two new parks opening in 2024 — one off South High Street near the Great Southern Shopping Center and one off Rohr Road near Lockbourne in southeastern Franklin County."I predict that I'll be hiking them!"🎙 Karen Kasler, chief reporter for the Statehouse News Bureau, predicts Michigan will lose the college football...
New Franklin County property tax bills now ready
Back in August, we reported that many of your property taxes would likely go up in 2024 due to reappraisals across Franklin County.The latest: This year's bills are now viewable on the county treasurer's website.How it works: Search for your property. Your new annual bill is listed under "tax summary."If you pay twice yearly, half of this amount is what you'll owe by Jan. 31.If you use an escrow account, divide by 12 to calculate how much you'll now pay into it monthly.Click the "payments" tab to compare to previous years.Meanwhile, you can use the Franklin County auditor's website to...
New historical marker honors local company's Internet pioneers
Our Franklin County historical marker tour has visited the region's oldest homes, churches and organizations, but the most recently installed marker recognizes pioneers of the digital age.The marker: CompuServe World Headquarters at 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd., Upper Arlington.Local officials, former CompuServe employees and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted gathered for a Dec. 21 marker dedication ceremony honoring 50 years since the headquarters' opening.Flashback: CompuServe was founded here in 1969 and later earned worldwide renown as the first major online information services provider."Its subscribers were the first to have access to email, online newspapers and magazines, the ability to share and download...
New historical marker honors local company's Internet pioneers
Our Franklin County historical marker tour has visited the region's oldest homes, churches and organizations, but the most recently installed marker recognizes pioneers of the digital age.The marker: CompuServe World Headquarters at 5000 Arlington Centre Blvd., Upper Arlington.Local officials, former CompuServe employees and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted gathered for a Dec. 21 marker dedication ceremony honoring 50 years since the headquarters' opening.Flashback: CompuServe was founded here in 1969 and later earned worldwide renown as the first major online information services provider."Its subscribers were the first to have access to email, online newspapers and magazines, the ability to share and download...
Columbus Promise adapts to student aid changes
Data: Columbus State Community College; Note: By fall enrollment; Chart: Axios VisualsA program that gives Columbus' high school graduates a free college education is on a compressed timeline this year due to the federal government delaying student financial aid applications for 2024.Driving the news: The Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA) is typically available to complete on Oct. 1 for the following school year.But the 2024-25 application just soft launched this past weekend, following a major overhaul Congress approved in 2020.The form is a prerequisite for many scholarships — including the Columbus Promise, which enters its third year this...
December 2023 was one of Columbus' warmest ever
Data: National Weather Service; Table: Axios VisualsDecember 2023 tied for Columbus' fourth-warmest December on record, with an average temperature of 41.8 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.Catch up quick: NOAA seasonal outlooks have been predicting a hotter, drier winter for Ohio, and so far that's been true.A strong El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean is warming things up.By the numbers: Typically, December's average temperature here is 34.5 degrees.Our wet Christmas was the month's warmest day, with a high of 62.The total 0.4 inches of snow recorded during the month was significantly less than the normal amount of 5.1 inches.The big picture: Last year was the planet's warmest yet, and experts warn that this year may break that record, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.❄️ What we're watching: It looks like Columbus could get its first significant snowfall on Saturday!Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
December 2023 was one of Columbus' warmest ever
Data: National Weather Service; Table: Axios VisualsDecember 2023 tied for Columbus' fourth-warmest December on record, with an average temperature of 41.8 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.Catch up quick: NOAA seasonal outlooks have been predicting a hotter, drier winter for Ohio, and so far that's been true.A strong El Niño event in the Pacific Ocean is warming things up.By the numbers: Typically, December's average temperature here is 34.5 degrees.Our wet Christmas was the month's warmest day, with a high of 62.The total 0.4 inches of snow recorded during the month was significantly less than the normal amount of 5.1 inches.The big picture: Last year was the planet's warmest yet, and experts warn that this year may break that record, Axios' Andrew Freedman reports.❄️ What we're watching: It looks like Columbus could get its first significant snowfall on Saturday!Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
The top stories we'll follow in 2024
As we say hello to 2024, here are some local storylines we'll be watching over the next 12 months.🗳 Whaddaya know, it's an election yearA U.S. Senate race will pit Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown against one of three GOP challengers: Secretary of State Frank LaRose, entrepreneur Bernie Moreno and state Sen. Matt Dolan.Ohioans will also vote for new state legislators, U.S. representatives and Ohio Supreme Court justices.And there's also the presidential race, though Ohio's status as a pivotal swing state has severely waned in the Trump years.The intrigue: This year's ballots could also feature constitutional amendments to reform the state's...
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 — 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.
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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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