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Axios Columbus
Study: AI will threaten many Columbus area jobs
Approximately one out of every eight jobs in the Columbus metro area will be threatened by artificial intelligence in the coming years, per new analysis from the research website ChamberofCommerce.org.Why it matters: Rapid AI development can be an economic double-edged sword, with the potential boost in productivity accompanied by significant job losses.What they did: ChamberofCommerce.org, which is not affiliated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, compared federal labor data with research of the occupations most vulnerable to AI .Threat level: Roughly 13% of the Columbus metro area's workforce is at risk, or nearly 140,000 jobs in total.Zoom out: Columbus has...
Ohio endurance runners strive to be the Last Buckeye Standing
An epic endurance test steps off this weekend at Alum Creek State Park with one simple but harrowing goal in mind: be the last one still running.Pacing the news: This Saturday's Last Buckeye Standing differs greatly from traditional races and is not for the faint of heart.How it works: Runners start at 7am and have an hour's time to complete a 4.167-mile trail loop.Once finished, they can rest … until a bell sounds at 8am and they must complete another loop.This continues on an hourly cycle until only one person finishes a loop within the hour.The big picture: "Backyard Ultra"...
Food Review: Poke Bunny in Columbus offers vast, delicious menu
👋 Alissa here. When Poke Bros. closed its corner spot on Gay Street, I was skeptical any other poke could compare.Yes, but: I finally tried Poke Bunny, which took over the Poke Bros. spot last fall.Quick take: It doesn't just compare, it excels, offering an expanded menu with ramen, bento boxes, chicken entrees and refreshing teas.What I ate: A build-your-own poke bowl ($13): sushi rice, crab stick, pineapple, piles of vegetables, sweet soy and yum-yum sauces and crunchy tempura crisps on top.The topping and sauce selection is top-notch for endless combinations.My husband ate the premade Don Unagi bowl ($19), topped...
Pelotonia celebrates its 15th anniversary this weekend
More than 6,500 riders will bike across the region during the 15th annual Pelotonia weekend.Why it matters: The fundraiser benefiting cancer research at Ohio State University has raised over $271 million to date — including nearly $13 million so far this year — with 100% of donations to participants going straight to the cause.How it works: Riders collect donations before traveling their routes Saturday and Sunday. They range from 24 to 184 miles, passing through downtown, Pickerington, New Albany and as far away as Gambier.Over 3,000 volunteers help make it possible, from providing mechanical support to making peanut butter and...
Ohio's congressional delegation ruled by Baby Boomer generation
Note: Overall U.S. data based on 2021 resident population estimates; Includes non-voting Congress members; Data: Quorum, U.S. Census Bureau, Axios research; Chart: Simran Parwani/AxiosBaby Boomers make up nearly half of Congress — despite that generation representing just 21% of the American population, according to data from Quorum.It's an even higher ratio for Ohio lawmakers.Why it matters: The post-World War II generation has disproportionate control over U.S. policymaking, including emerging technologies like AI and social media.The big picture: The average age of members in this congressional term is one of the oldest in U.S. history, spurring debates about fitness for office, term limits...
What the Ohio State Fairgrounds may look like in the future
The state fair you're enjoying now might look a lot different in the not-too-distant future.Driving the news: Gov. Mike DeWine, a major fair supporter, asked for and received $190 million in the recent state budget toward mapping out a "long-term strategic vision" for the grounds.The overhaul, dubbed Expo 2050, would include facilities renovations, parking improvements and crowded midways replaced with a centrally located "town square."Why it matters: The 360-acre site, just off I-71 and next to OSU's campus, is uniquely suited to host major events besides the annual fair.State leaders hope this Expo 2050 project can help the property reach...
What's new on the 2023 Ohio State Fair menu
Greasy, deep-fried, sweet, savory and spicy — a fair is only as good as its food, and with 146 vendors to choose from, you can taste it all at the Ohio State Fair.The latest: Sixteen new items debuted this year and we tried four of them.🔥 Flamin' Hot Cheetos BurgerGooey cheese glues the crunchy Flamin' Hot Cheetos onto a well-sized burger patty from Dickerson & Kenna Concessions.Alissa enlisted her spicy-food-loving husband to try this one. He added pickles and jalapeños and described the combination as "sweet heat."$12, near the Celeste Center. The Flamin' Hot Cheetos burger at Dickerson & Kenna...
Legal aid helps Columbus tenants face evictions
Columbus is taking action to protect tenants' rights amid a record-breaking number of local eviction filings.Driving the news: City Council on Monday renewed its support for the Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) with up to $1.5 million in new funding toward housing attorney costs.Why it matters: Tenants are less likely to be evicted if they have legal representation.Attorneys can also negotiate payment plans and connect tenants with rental assistance and other social services.What they're saying: "Without legal representation, they are more likely to lose their case, lose their home and have an eviction on the record that will follow...
Best Day Ever: Butter cow artist Erin Birum
The Ohio State Fair wouldn't be complete without a butter cow.What's happening: Since 2010, Columbus artist Erin Birum has been on the team that makes the legen-dairy displays, including this year's.For our latest Best Day Ever, we asked how Erin spends her time when she isn't sculpting butter.🎵 Music to start your day: When I need a slower start, I listen to lo-fi radio or calming instrumental music, like Ludovico Einaudi.If I'm wide awake and need to get things done, I like Jungle, Maggie Rogers, London Grammar, Tame Impala, Portugal. The Man, or something with a bit of psychedelic pop.🫖...
Cedar Point unveils new Top Thrill 2 roller coaster
Once the world's tallest, fastest roller coaster, Top Thrill Dragster is getting a major overhaul for the 2024 season.Catch up quick: The Cedar Point coaster closed in 2021 after a metal piece flew off the track and seriously injured a guest waiting in line.The park set out to create a "new and reimagined ride experience," and it unveiled Top Thrill 2 yesterday.Details: The original coaster featured a 120 mph launch over a 420-foot top hat hill, though some had hoped for a rare "rollback" ride.The new, triple-launch layout will include a "rollback" every time.It starts with a 74 mph launch reaching halfway up the top hat, then a backwards 101 mph launch up a newly built tower and a final launch forward again at 120 mph up and over the top hat.Our quick take: Cool ride idea, lackluster name.Watch the hype video.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Columbus homicides are trending up in 2023
Data: Columbus Division of Police; Chart: Axios VisualsHomicides in Columbus are trending higher than this time last year, but aren't on track to eclipse 2021's record level of violence, per a report the Columbus Division of Police provided to Axios.Why it matters: The city's 204 total homicides in 2021 were largely viewed as a pandemic-fueled outlier, especially as crime declined in 2022.If this pace keeps up, 2023 could be our second-most-violent year on record.The big picture: The increase comes as homicide rates in 30 U.S. cities dropped an average of 9.4% in the first half of 2023, Axios' Ivana Saric...
Columbus City Council OKs virtual meetings
Columbus City Council met virtually during the throes of the pandemic and now has the power to do so again when necessary.Driving the news: Voters supported a charter amendment last November allowing for future virtual meetings. Council approved an ordinance last night confirming the change.State of play: Ohio's open meetings law requires public bodies to meet in person, though the Statehouse granted temporary pandemic exceptions.Columbus is now saying the "home rule" principle allows a city charter to determine local meeting rules.Zoom in: Council can now meet in-person, virtually or in a hybrid format at the discretion of its president so...
Columbus City Council OKs virtual meetings
Columbus City Council met virtually during the throes of the pandemic and now has the power to do so again when necessary.Driving the news: Voters supported a charter amendment last November allowing for future virtual meetings. Council approved an ordinance last night confirming the change.State of play: Ohio's open meetings law requires public bodies to meet in person, though the Statehouse granted temporary pandemic exceptions.Columbus is now saying the "home rule" principle allows a city charter to determine local meeting rules.Zoom in: Council can now meet in-person, virtually or in a hybrid format at the discretion of its president so...
Maternal mortality rates are highest for Black women in Ohio
Data: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation; Map: Tory Lysik/Axios VisualsBlack women in Ohio are more than five times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than the state average, according to a new JAMA study spanning 1999-2019.Driving the news: Ohio's overall maternal mortality rate rose from 10.7 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1999 to 10.8 in 2019.However, the rate fluctuated wildly during that time, with a low of 5.3 in 2001 and a high of 29.7 in 2016.Yes, but: For Black women in Ohio, the rate spiked from 29.3 to 59.7.American Indians and Alaska Natives had the largest...
Franklin County needs more GOP poll workers for Issue 1 vote
Time is running out for Franklin County to recruit more Republican poll workers for the August special election.Why it matters: Poll workers are needed to ensure elections are secure and accessible.State of play: As of last week, the county was still 1,077 Republicans short of its target.Counties have a quick turnaround for paid training opportunities, then pay $134 for working the full day of Aug. 8.What they're saying: GOP recruitment remains a priority for the Franklin County Board of Elections, spokesperson Aaron Sellers tells us."This is not uncommon in large counties," he says, noting rural counties have "the same issue needing more Democrats.""We will get there by election day."Interested? Apply online or contact your county's board of elections office.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Restaurant Week review: The Rail in Grandview
👋 Tyler here. My first trip to The Rail in May was befitting a newly opened restaurant, with slow service and mixed-up orders.But the food was great, so we gave the Grandview location another chance with a pre-"Barbie" screening meal. I'm glad we did.What I ate: Our 614 Restaurant Week special started with a generous bowl of pretzel bites, followed by a classic cheeseburger with the usual fixings plus sautéed onions and roasted red peppers.I chose the Buckeye pie for dessert, which had my taste buds singing "Beautiful Ohio."The service and overall experience were better this time around.Pro tip: The Rail serves delicious but pricy truffle parmesan fries. I recommend saving a few bucks and ordering regular fries and a side of truffle aioli sauce.Vibe check: A mix between sports bar and comfy burger joint. Plenty of outdoor seating.Want to go? 1064 Dublin Road, Columbus; and 5839 Frantz Road, Dublin. Hours vary.Waitlist offered. Buckeye pie and carrot cake at The Rail. Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
How political affiliation impacted Ohio's COVID-19 deaths
Registered Republicans in Ohio experienced a "significantly higher" rate of excess deaths than Democrats in the months after COVID-19 vaccines were made widely available, new research has found.Why it matters: The study builds on growing evidence suggesting that a person's political leanings could have been a COVID risk factor, Axios' Rebecca Falconer writes.What they did: Yale researchers examined 538,159 deaths in individuals aged 25 years and older in Ohio and Florida from March 2020 to December 2021.What they found: The excess death rate among Republican voters was 43% higher than among Democratic voters.The differences were concentrated in counties with lower...
Barbie and Titanic are coming to COSI in the months ahead
Tour Barbie Land, plunge to the ocean floor and immerse yourself in the full spectrum of color.Driving the news: COSI unveiled an impressive lineup of traveling exhibits for fall and spring and we can't wait to see them all.💕 Barbie: You Can Be Anything: Learn about Barbie's history, occupations and real-life women who broke barriers.Opens Oct. 4. Free with admission!💡 Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence: Discover what makes fireflies, jellyfish and other beings glow.Opens Oct. 14.🚢 Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition: Experience the wonder and tragedy of the doomed voyage, featuring over 350 wreckage artifacts, including a piece of the ship.Opens March 9, 2024. Get notified when tickets go on sale.🎨 The Nature of Color: Explore the role of colors in nature, culture and art.Opens April 13, 2024.Reminder: Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is on display through Sept. 4.10am-5pm daily. $35-40, including admission.Go deeper: Peek inside King Tut's tomb at new COSI exhibitGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Barbie and Titanic are coming to COSI in the months ahead
Tour Barbie Land, plunge to the ocean floor and immerse yourself in the full spectrum of color.Driving the news: COSI unveiled an impressive lineup of traveling exhibits for fall and spring and we can't wait to see them all.💕 Barbie: You Can Be Anything: Learn about Barbie's history, occupations and real-life women who broke barriers.Opens Oct. 4. Free with admission!💡 Creatures of Light: Nature's Bioluminescence: Discover what makes fireflies, jellyfish and other beings glow.Opens Oct. 14.🚢 Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition: Experience the wonder and tragedy of the doomed voyage, featuring over 350 wreckage artifacts, including a piece of the ship.Opens March 9, 2024. Get notified when tickets go on sale.🎨 The Nature of Color: Explore the role of colors in nature, culture and art.Opens April 13, 2024.Reminder: Tutankhamun: His Tomb and His Treasures is on display through Sept. 4.10am-5pm daily. $35-40, including admission.Go deeper: Peek inside King Tut's tomb at new COSI exhibitGet more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
All eyes will be on Ohio's abortion rights decision at the ballot box this November
This was supposed to be a political off-year in Ohio, but it's shaping up to be anything but: the state officially has two contentious ballots on the horizon: Issue 1 in August and a constitutional amendment to protect abortion access in November.Why it matters: The latter vote could shape abortion policy in Ohio for years to come — enshrining a constitutional right that cannot be undone by a conservative, anti-abortion state legislature.Ohio may no longer be a perennial battleground state, but this campaign will be one of this fall's key elections across the nation.Catch up quick: Issue 1 proposes to...
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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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