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Axios Columbus
Where to pick apples near Columbus
Picking the perfect apple is a fall staple, and there are plenty of spots less than an hour's drive from Columbus where the tradition is already underway.Our picks, with links to harvest schedules:Branstool Orchards: 5895 Johnstown Utica Road NE, Utica.CherryHawk Farm: 16220 Springdale Road, Marysville.The Orchard & Co: 7255 U.S. Highway 42, Plain City.Ochs Fruit Farm: 2161 Pleasantville Road, Lancaster.Lynd Fruit Farm: 9399 Morse Road SW, Pataskala.Of note: Mark your calendars for Lynd's Honeycrisp day on Sept. 6.Plan to line up in the morning before the gates open β the Honeycrisps go fast.Alissa once showed up in the afternoon, like an amateur, and the trees were already picked clean.What's next: So what should you do with all those apples once you pick 'em? Ohio Proud has a list of apple-themed recipes to inspire you.We're intrigued by the apple-blue cheese mac and cheese, but you can't go wrong with a classic dessert like bread pudding or apple dumplings.
Columbus Humane's low-cost vet clinic is open
Columbus Humane has opened a new facility on the South Side to help pets and their families by making care more affordable.Why it matters: Soaring veterinary costs and overall inflation are making it more difficult for Americans to afford their pets.Proactive support prevents animals from being surrendered to crowded shelters or living in poor conditions.Details: Columbus Humane says the nearly 12,000-square-foot Essential Care Center, at 3772 S. High St., is the first of its kind in the nation because it houses three initiatives under one roof.How it works: An animal hospital provides subsidized veterinary care for cats and dogs, such...
What to watch this weekend: "BS High"
A fascinating and heartbreaking documentary about an infamous Columbus high school that never actually existed is now streaming on MAX.Catch up quick: The aptly named "BS High" details the saga of Bishop Sycamore High School, a phony private online school launched in 2019 that existed solely as a means for young men to play football.The players, mostly from underprivileged backgrounds, were duped into thinking they'd get into Division I colleges or go pro.The team wasn't any good though, and lost 58-0 to a high school football powerhouse in a nationally televised game on ESPN in 2021. Then the fraud unraveled.The intrigue: The film features a lengthy and at times unbelievable interview with coach Roy Johnson, the alleged fame-seeking mastermind behind the scam.π Alissa's thought bubble: While Johnson's brazen, unapologetic interview is stunning, hearing from several of the exploited players impacted me the most.It's easy to get caught up in the scandal's shock value, but the documentary does an excellent job of keeping the focus on the devastation it caused.
Ohio State's new president talks priorities
Ohio State's incoming president, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, says he's ready to begin "steadying the ship" when he takes the helm Jan. 1.Why it matters: Following former president Kristina M. Johnson's abrupt departure, OSU staff and students and the broader Columbus community are looking to Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. for stable leadership.Catch up quick: The university announced Carter as its new leader Tuesday afternoon, the same day fall classes started.He has been the University of Nebraska system president since 2020 and is a former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.Peter Mohler, OSU's executive vice president for research, innovation...
Columbus area faces extreme heat watch Thursday
Did you think the arrival of football season and pumpkin-spice everythings meant fall weather was around the corner?Sweat level: Think again. Central Ohio is under an excessive heat watch Thursday between noon-9pm, per the National Weather Service.Expect temperatures up to 96 degrees and a heat index reaching up to 110.It'll be very warm again Friday, with temps cooling down to highs in the 80s this weekend.The big picture: A sweltering, stagnant air mass is currently draped across the entire Central U.S., resulting in this extreme "heat dome," Axios' Andrew Freedman writes.As of Wednesday afternoon, about 150 million people were under...
Why you should hit Columbus' live music trail
π Alissa here. While live music is certainly its own reward, I'll never turn down free swag.Driving the news: Experience Columbus recently beefed up its Live Music Trail, a guidebook to 46 local venues, ranging from powerhouses like Nationwide Arena to small clubs like Ace of Cups and Woodlands Tavern.Why it matters: Now you can get rewarded for visiting your favorite spots, or use it for inspiration to check out somewhere new.How it works: Visit this website to receive your mobile passport via email or text. There's no app download required, but you can save your passport page to your...
Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy seeks path from Ohio to the White House
An Upper Arlington poll worker stepped outside her precinct on Aug. 8 and was shocked to see a presidential candidate in the parking lot."I didn't know that you were local," she said."Yes," Vivek Ramaswamy replied, "we are!"Driving the news: In a few short months, the Ohioan has risen from political obscurity to presidential contender.Why it matters: Tonight is a major test for Ramaswamy's campaign as GOP candidates gather for their first debate.With frontrunner Donald Trump not participating, Ramaswamy has a prime opportunity to pitch himself to a national audience as a viable alternative.State of play: Few had heard of the...
Carter named 17th president of Ohio State University
Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. was chosen to be the next president of Ohio State University, the board of trustees voted Tuesday.Why it matters: Upon taking office Jan. 1, 2024, he will lead the state's flagship university with over 60,000 students on its main campus and at numerous satellite branches.State of play: The selection concludes a lengthy search to replace former president Kristina M. Johnson.She departed after three school years at the helm β one of the shortest presidential tenures in OSU history.Peter Mohler, the executive VP for research, innovation and knowledge, will serve as acting president through the end of 2023.Zoom in: Carter has served as president of the University of Nebraska since 2020.He is a retired vice admiral with 38 years of service as a combat pilot and superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Ohio's unemployment rate reaches record low
Note: Rate is seasonally adjusted. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Chart: Axios VisualsOhioans are getting to work this summer in record numbers.Driving the news: Ohio tallied 5,639,200 non-farming jobs last month, per the latest federal and state labor data. Why it matters: That's the highest number of filled jobs ever recorded in state history, also leading to a record-low unemployment rate of 3.3%.State of play: Ohio had already recovered nearly all the jobs lost during the pandemic by late spring of this year.With July's figures, Ohio has finally recovered the losses since its previous jobs peak in May 2000.The...
New "grow your own" program hopes to fill Columbus teacher gap
Columbus City Schools has created a new partnership with local colleges aiming to solve educator shortages and diversify its teaching staff.Why it matters: The teaching profession is facing an existential crisis, with high turnover β especially for new teachers β and not enough young people interested in the profession, Axios' Erica Pandey reports.Driving the news: The Capital City Teacher Residency Program launches tomorrow with a pilot cohort of about 20 students.It puts recent Columbus graduates and non-teaching employees β such as aides, custodians and cafeteria workers β on a path to a Capital University teaching degree and higher-paying job.The big...
Vote for OSU in Axios Local's college football tradition bracket
Bracket: Axios VisualsAll right Buckeyes fans, it's your time to shine.What's happening: With college football on the horizon, Axios Local cities are competing to see which school has the best game day traditions.Zoom in: Ohio State faces off against Notre Dame today in round two.Voting is open till 3pm.The intrigue: Axios Columbus will highlight a different Buckeyes tradition for each successive round we (hopefully) reach.Today we look at the history of OSU's favorite rock song, "Hang on Sloopy."Flashback: The McCoys' version reached No. 1 on the charts during the 1965 football season, leading the marching band to whip up a halftime show arrangement.The song debuted at Ohio Stadium on Oct. 9, 1965, and was, surprisingly, paired with a Tchaikovsky waltz. Take a listen.The big picture: The Buckeyes won 28-14 that day and a new tradition was born."Sloopy" would later be named Ohio's official state rock song and Billy Joel recently included it on his local concert setlist.Cast your ballot!
Yes, COVID is still a thing βΒ and hospitalizations are ticking up
Data: CDC; Chart: Axios VisualsCOVID-19 hospitalization rates across Ohio are ticking up amid a late-summer wave sweeping the country.Why it matters: Most Americans have put the virus in their rearview mirrors, leaving the nation both mentally and practically ill-prepared for another surge of cases.Zoom in: Ohio's average hospitalization rate rose a modest 4% between June and July, according to the latest CDC data.Zoom out: The rate rose 17% nationwide during that time frame, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick and Kavya Beheraj report.A new variant, EG.5, is now the dominant strain in the U.S., though it's unclear if it's directly responsible for the...
Lupita's: Our new favorite Mexican restaurant
π Alissa here. Last week several of you asked me to check out Merion Village's new Mexican restaurant for our latest edition of Columbites β sure, twist my arm.Dining the news: Lupita's Mexican Cuisine opened July 31 in the former Geordie's Restaurant, offering an authentic taste of Mexico City and a cozy atmosphere.What I ate: My go-to dish: chicken chimichangas with rice, refried beans and fajita salad ($14).Bonus: Each meal includes chips, a trio of salsas and bean dip! Not pictured: The bean dip, plus all the chips I used to devour it before my meal arrived.Quick take: This is the best Mexican food I've had in Central Ohio. (Thanks, readers!)The portions are generous and the flavors taste fresh and original.I'll definitely be back to try more of the expansive menu.Of note: The staff still seems to be working out some of the kinks that come with opening a new restaurant, so be patient. I assure you the food is well worth the wait.If you go: 11-9pm Monday-Thursday, 11-10pm Friday-Saturday, 12-5pm Sunday. 1586 S. High St.π¬ What should we eat next? Email columbus@axios.com with your suggestions.Get the rundown of the biggest stories of the day with Axios Daily Essentials.
Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati fans gear up for "Hell is Real" weekend
"Hell Is Real," the famous I-71 billboard claims, and so too is the growing sports rivalry between the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati.Kicking the news: The teams battle again Sunday evening for the annual "Hell Is Real" derby.The match is Columbus' 10th-straight sellout β a franchise record. Resale tickets start at $89.Why it matters: Columbus is leaning into the rivalry weekend more than ever now that FC Cincinnati is a bona fide playoff contender.Flashback: Fans gave the match-up its unusual nickname back in 2017, a few years before Cincinnati even joined Major League Soccer.Columbus has five wins in the series...
Columbus police shielding officers' identities after shootings
Columbus police officers fatally shot four people this summer,Β but it's possible the public will never know the officers' names.Driving the news: The Columbus Division of Police is no longer identifying officers who shoot people, citing an update to Ohio's crime victim privacy law that took effect April 6.The division says the officers are also considered victims, so identifying them would now be illegal.Why it matters: Critics say shielding officers' names worsens accountability for a department that is already facing scrutiny β and a federal review β over its use of force.State of play: Ohio voters in 2017 overwhelmingly approved Marsy's...
Clevelanders want to move to Columbus (and we don't blame them)
Data: Zillow; Note: Origins include the entire metro area; Chart: Axios VisualsLooks like lots of Clevelanders want to take a permanent trip down I-71.Moving the news: Over half of page views for Columbus-area home listings this year are from Cleveland, according to first-quarter Zillow data shared with Axios.Overall, 75% are from within Ohio.The big picture: Central Ohio's population has been booming for years, with many Ohioans β like Tyler and Alissa β moving to the area for work and education opportunities.It's unlikely that growth will let up as the area develops into a Midwest powerhouse for warehouses, data centers and other tech jobs.Meanwhile, "legacy cities" like Cleveland, with aging populations and economies built around a manufacturing sector that peaked years ago, continue to lose population.π Our thought bubble: Clevelanders, we don't blame you for leaving behind a perpetually losing football team and that lake-effect snow, either.Also, those hastily made tourism videos probably aren't helping your cause.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Clevelanders want to move to Columbus (and we don't blame them)
Data: Zillow; Note: Origins include the entire metro area; Chart: Axios VisualsLooks like lots of Clevelanders want to take a permanent trip down I-71.Moving the news: Over half of page views for Columbus-area home listings this year are from Cleveland, according to first-quarter Zillow data shared with Axios.Overall, 75% are from within Ohio.The big picture: Central Ohio's population has been booming for years, with many Ohioans β like Tyler and Alissa β moving to the area for work and education opportunities.It's unlikely that growth will let up as the area develops into a Midwest powerhouse for warehouses, data centers and other tech jobs.Meanwhile, "legacy cities" like Cleveland, with aging populations and economies built around a manufacturing sector that peaked years ago, continue to lose population.π Our thought bubble: Clevelanders, we don't blame you for leaving behind a perpetually losing football team and that lake-effect snow, either.Also, those hastily made tourism videos probably aren't helping your cause.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose becomes political target after Issue 1 flop
Republican Frank LaRose had a lot on the line when voters went to the polls on Aug. 8.As secretary of state, it was his responsibility to ensure a smooth election day and encourage citizens to cast ballots.Meanwhile, as a major Issue 1 supporter and U.S. Senate candidate, he publicly urged a yes vote on the only ballot item, which would have raised the threshold for constitutional amendment passage to 60%.Why it matters: The collision of LaRose's professional and personal interests has made him a central target across the political spectrum following the demise of Issue 1.State of play: Just as...
Here's how many miles Columbus households travel a year
Data: Brookings; Note:Β Includes all biking, walking, transit and vehicle miles;Β Map: Alice Feng/Axios VisualsThe average Columbus metro area household traveled 28,775 miles last year, per a new study, nearly the equivalent of taking a one-way trip to Kings Island every single day.Why it matters: Closer proximity to entertainment, jobs and other essentials "could lower environmental emissions, create safer streets, and unlock financial savings," analysts with the Brookings Institution wrote.What they did: The study tracked household auto, biking, mass transit and walking data for the 110 largest U.S. metro areas to measure how close people are to where they work, eat, play...
Columbus hosting national truck driving skills competition
The Short North will be uncharacteristically full of 18-wheelers for the next few days.Driving the news: The National Truck Driving & Step Van Driving Championships kick off today at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and run through Saturday.How it works: Also called the "Super Bowl of Trucking Safety," the competition features the very best truck drivers from all 50 states.Participants must be accident-free for the past year and succeed in their home state's qualifier to make it to nationals.The intrigue: Drivers showcase more than just their expert maneuvering skills.They must also complete a written exam and truck inspection test to be crowned champion.Our take: This sounds difficult enough, but the real test would be driving those suckers through the streets of German Village. Good luck with that.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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