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Hard Mountain Dew has arrived in Columbus
π Alissa here, with more "Why did they add alcohol to that?" musings.Drinking the news: Hard Mountain Dew has arrived in Central Ohio. Depending on your boozy beverage preferences, that may be cause for celebration or for alarm.Quick take: I tried a four-flavor variety pack ($18). All contain 5% alcohol and zero sugar.Just like the pop, Baja Blast is the superior flavor β and it tastes closest to the real thing.The original citrus and watermelon options are mid-tier. Inoffensive but unremarkable by comparison.Of note: As Axios Des Moines' Linh Ta warned us, black cherry is the weakest link, unless you enjoy drinking cough syrup. How did the creators of Code Red mess this up?The bottom line: Mountain Dew is polarizing. For years, friends have ridiculed me for drinking "battery acid." Adding alcohol doesn't change that.If you abhor the syrupy sweetness of malt beverages, like my colleagues in Richmond, steer clear.If, like me, you regularly Do the Dew, give it a try. It's not that bad.The latest: New tropical flavors βΒ peach, mango and pineapple β have hit shelves for summer. Find a case near you.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Hard Mountain Dew has arrived in Columbus
π Alissa here, with more "Why did they add alcohol to that?" musings.Drinking the news: Hard Mountain Dew has arrived in Central Ohio. Depending on your boozy beverage preferences, that may be cause for celebration or for alarm.Quick take: I tried a four-flavor variety pack ($18). All contain 5% alcohol and zero sugar.Just like the pop, Baja Blast is the superior flavor β and it tastes closest to the real thing.The original citrus and watermelon options are mid-tier. Inoffensive but unremarkable by comparison.Of note: As Axios Des Moines' Linh Ta warned us, black cherry is the weakest link, unless you enjoy drinking cough syrup. How did the creators of Code Red mess this up?The bottom line: Mountain Dew is polarizing. For years, friends have ridiculed me for drinking "battery acid." Adding alcohol doesn't change that.If you abhor the syrupy sweetness of malt beverages, like my colleagues in Richmond, steer clear.If, like me, you regularly Do the Dew, give it a try. It's not that bad.The latest: New tropical flavors βΒ peach, mango and pineapple β have hit shelves for summer. Find a case near you.
Cafe Overlook: Downtown food with a view
A stunning panorama and solid food options greet those who venture up to the Franklin County Courthouse's 16th floor.State of play: Cafe Overlook looks like a standard cafeteria-style restaurant β but it does more than feed government employees and courthouse visitors.The space opened last year as a workforce development project jointly managed by the county and Service!, a local nonprofit that supports hospitality workers.Commissioners initially invested $450,000 and intended to commit $1 million annually for three years, the Dispatch reports.How it works: The partners will connect aspiring chefs and restaurant owners with personalized, hands-on training for future careers.Along with paying...
Cafe Overlook: Downtown food with a view
A stunning panorama and solid food options greet those who venture up to the Franklin County Courthouse's 16th floor.State of play: Cafe Overlook looks like a standard cafeteria-style restaurant β but it does more than feed government employees and courthouse visitors.The space opened last year as a workforce development project jointly managed by the county and Service!, a local nonprofit that supports hospitality workers.Commissioners initially invested $450,000 and intended to commit $1 million annually for three years, the Dispatch reports.How it works: The partners will connect aspiring chefs and restaurant owners with personalized, hands-on training for future careers.Along with paying...
Ask Axios: When will Columbus offer composting?
Phyllis P. asks: I'm glad to see weekly recycling coming to Columbus. Any word on food composting?What they're saying: Good timing! The Division of Refuse Collection is finalizing plans for new drop-off sites at its Alum Creek Drive and Georgesville Road locations, a spokesperson tells us.Residents will be able to bring trash, recyclables, yard waste, bulk items and food waste, and workers will help them sort it properly.What's more: A pilot program for food waste drop-off at three yet-to-be-named community centers is also in the works, with support from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio.Yes, but: There's no news to report on citywide curbside composting.What's next: We'll let you know once the city announces drop-off site details.π± Meanwhile, check out our guide on how to compost at home and other local options.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Ask Axios: When will Columbus offer composting?
Phyllis P. asks: I'm glad to see weekly recycling coming to Columbus. Any word on food composting?What they're saying: Good timing! The Division of Refuse Collection is finalizing plans for new drop-off sites at its Alum Creek Drive and Georgesville Road locations, a spokesperson tells us.Residents will be able to bring trash, recyclables, yard waste, bulk items and food waste, and workers will help them sort it properly.What's more: A pilot program for food waste drop-off at three yet-to-be-named community centers is also in the works, with support from the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio.Yes, but: There's no news to report on citywide curbside composting.What's next: We'll let you know once the city announces drop-off site details.π± Meanwhile, check out our guide on how to compost at home and other local options.
A protective "base tan" is actually a harmful myth
Data: CDC;Β Chart: Jared Whalen/AxiosWith warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine, it's tempting to spend more time soaking up the rays.Yes, but: Maybe don't.As of 2019 β the latest year with nationwide data available β Ohio's rate of new melanoma cases is higher than the national average, per CDC data.Why it matters: Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer.The biggest factor in lowering rates is being aware of your risk and taking steps to protect yourself.The latest: Ohio's 2020 rate of new melanoma cases dropped a bit from 26.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2019 to 23.6, per the most...
What to do this weekend in Columbus
π¨ Celebrate art all weekend during the Columbus Arts Festival.11am-10:30pm today, 10am-10:30pm tomorrow and 10am-5pm Sunday on the downtown riverfront. Free!π Meet voice actors from "Pokemon," "Yu-Gi-Oh!," "Futurama" and more at Animate! Columbus at the Convention Center.Exhibit hall hours: 2-8pm tonight, 10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday. $35-55 daily admission.π€ Be a part of the show when YouTuber Stephen Sharer brings his "Share the Love" tour to the Wexner Center for the Arts.6pm tonight. $29-50.βΎ Root for the home team! The Clippers are home this weekend. 7:05pm tonight ($5 Friday concessions), 7:05pm Saturday (fireworks) and 1:05pm Sunday (family day). $8-21. πΆ...
What to do this weekend in Columbus
π¨ Celebrate art all weekend during the Columbus Arts Festival.11am-10:30pm today, 10am-10:30pm tomorrow and 10am-5pm Sunday on the downtown riverfront. Free!π Meet voice actors from "Pokemon," "Yu-Gi-Oh!," "Futurama" and more at Animate! Columbus at the Convention Center.Exhibit hall hours: 2-8pm tonight, 10am-8pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday. $35-55 daily admission.π€ Be a part of the show when YouTuber Stephen Sharer brings his "Share the Love" tour to the Wexner Center for the Arts.6pm tonight. $29-50.βΎ Root for the home team! The Clippers are home this weekend. 7:05pm tonight ($5 Friday concessions), 7:05pm Saturday (fireworks) and 1:05pm Sunday (family day). $8-21. πΆ...
Ohio community college enrollment is rising
Data: National Student Clearinghouse Research Center; Chart: Axios VisualsOhio's community college enrollment has begun to rebound from a pandemic plummet, even as overall undergraduate enrollment has yet to bounce back, according to new data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.Why it matters: The high cost of college, economic anxiety and a hot labor market may be causing students to consider how to get the most bang for their buck when it comes to postsecondary degrees.By the numbers: Between spring 2019 and spring 2022, overall enrollment in Ohio colleges dropped by nearly 53,000 students, or 9.2%.Over 17,000 of those students...
Why it's so gray outside this week
Data: AirNow; Map: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosMore hazy skies are in the forecast as an air quality alert extends into a third-straight day for our region.Driving the news: Air quality across the Midwest, northeastern U.S. and Canada has plummeted to unhealthy levels due to smoke from wildfires burning from Yukon to Nova Scotia.The smoke has caused hazy conditions here and many other cities, on top of other forms of air pollution, Axios' Jacob Knutson reports.What's more: Central Ohio's lack of rain, which we reported on earlier this week, is likely making the situation worse by allowing pollutants to hang in the air.Threat...
The world's longest COVID patient may live in Columbus
If you live in Columbus and spend a lot of time in Washington Court House, scientists want to talk to you about your poop.What's happening: An Ohio resident has been carrying a uniquely mutated strain of COVID-19 for at least two years, and researchers are trying to find them, WCMH-TV reports.Why it matters: The patient could help scientists learn more about treating long COVID.Catch up quick: Researchers regularly track virus trends by studying local wastewater, which contains genetic material people shed in their feces.This spring, University of Missouri molecular virologist Marc Johnson discovered a COVID strain in Columbus' sewer shed that predates the Delta variant of 2021.It continues to appear, and can sometimes be detected 47 miles away in Washington Court House, often on the same day.The Daily Mail first broke the peculiar story back in April, noting the world's longest confirmed COVID case to date was 505 days.The latest: Researchers haven't made any progress identifying the person, Johnson posted this week on Twitter.π¬ Got any tips? Email marcjohnson@missouri.edu.Of note: COVID is inactive once it passes through somebody's gastrointestinal tract, so it's unlikely the person poses a threat to public health.
How Columbus' parks compare to other cities
Data: ParkScore; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosColumbus' ParkScore ranks No. 56 among the 100 largest U.S. cities, per the latest public parks index from the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.Why it matters: Parks confer a wealth of benefits, including significant health boosts.Residents of the top 25 cities are less likely to report poor mental health or low physical activity, per the Trust's report.How it works: The group rates cities on a variety of metrics, including the percentage of residents who live near a park, the share of city land reserved for parks, park amenities and public and private investment.The big picture: Columbus'...
How Columbus' parks compare to other cities
Data: ParkScore; Chart: Kavya Beheraj/AxiosColumbus' ParkScore ranks No. 56 among the 100 largest U.S. cities, per the latest public parks index from the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.Why it matters: Parks confer a wealth of benefits, including significant health boosts.Residents of the top 25 cities are less likely to report poor mental health or low physical activity, per the Trust's report.How it works: The group rates cities on a variety of metrics, including the percentage of residents who live near a park, the share of city land reserved for parks, park amenities and public and private investment.The big picture: Columbus'...
Student loan payments set to resume Aug. 30
After a more than three-year pause, interest and repayments on student loans are set to resume Aug. 30.Driving the news: The federal debt ceiling bill President Biden signed last week included language ending the moratorium on federal student loan payments.The pause has been in place since March 2020.Zoom in: More than 1.8 million Ohioans, or about 15% of the state population, have some type of student loan debt, per Ohio Department of Higher Education data provided to Axios.The average balance is nearly $35,000.Pro tip: Find your loan servicer and explore repayment options at studentaid.gov β especially recent graduates, who likely haven't had to set up a payment plan until now.What we're watching: The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling later this month on Biden's plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt, which would immediately benefit over 700,000 Ohioans.π¬ Our thought bubble: That includes us, so we're awaiting the outcome with bated breath!Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Student loan payments set to resume Aug. 30
After a more than three-year pause, interest and repayments on student loans are set to resume Aug. 30.Driving the news: The federal debt ceiling bill President Biden signed last week included language ending the moratorium on federal student loan payments.The pause has been in place since March 2020.Zoom in: More than 1.8 million Ohioans, or about 15% of the state population, have some type of student loan debt, per Ohio Department of Higher Education data provided to Axios.The average balance is nearly $35,000.Pro tip: Find your loan servicer and explore repayment options at studentaid.gov β especially recent graduates, who likely haven't had to set up a payment plan until now.What we're watching: The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling later this month on Biden's plan to forgive up to $20,000 in student loan debt, which would immediately benefit over 700,000 Ohioans.π¬ Our thought bubble: That includes us, so we're awaiting the outcome with bated breath!
Ask Axios: Why are they digging at North Market?
Rick S. asks: There is an expansion going on at North Market, which apparently involves building on top of the existing surface parking lot.[Somebody told me] the construction effort unearthed graves β¦ have you heard any of this?Catch up quick: That's correct. For the past few months, archeologists have been unearthing the remains of the North Graveyard, which dates back to the 1800s.A sewer line project in 2001 first revealed there were bodies still buried underground, so developers knew excavation would be necessary before the construction on the Merchant Building started, WOSU reports.What's next: The recovered remains will be studied and laid to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery.The lot, meanwhile, will be the site of a massive 31-story tower including apartments, office space, a hotel and an 18,000-square-foot expansion to the iconic North Market. Its anticipated opening is early 2026.The latest: Construction is expected to begin later this summer, a spokesperson for Rockbridge, a firm involved with the project, tells Axios.Some deeper-ground excavation and prep work will continue through the end of June.π Thanks for the question! What are you curious about? Email Columbus@axios.com and we'll track down the answer.Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios Columbus.
Ask Axios: Why are they digging at North Market?
Rick S. asks: There is an expansion going on at North Market, which apparently involves building on top of the existing surface parking lot.[Somebody told me] the construction effort unearthed graves β¦ have you heard any of this?Catch up quick: That's correct. For the past few months, archeologists have been unearthing the remains of the North Graveyard, which dates back to the 1800s.A sewer line project in 2001 first revealed there were bodies still buried underground, so developers knew excavation would be necessary before the construction on the Merchant Building started, WOSU reports.What's next: The recovered remains will be studied and laid to rest at Greenlawn Cemetery.The lot, meanwhile, will be the site of a massive 31-story tower including apartments, office space, a hotel and an 18,000-square-foot expansion to the iconic North Market. Its anticipated opening is early 2026.The latest: Construction is expected to begin later this summer, a spokesperson for Rockbridge, a firm involved with the project, tells Axios.Some deeper-ground excavation and prep work will continue through the end of June.π Thanks for the question! What are you curious about? Email Columbus@axios.com and we'll track down the answer.
With little rain in the forecast, Columbus is on drought watch
The trace amounts of rain that fell during this weekend's pop-up storms weren't enough to quench our region.Driving the news: Most of Central Ohio is abnormally dry, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. We haven't had measurable rainfall since May 20, 17 days ago β and the forecast isn't looking great for the foreseeable future.Why it matters: A prolonged lack of rain can devastate crops and make summer temperatures swell, while also negatively affecting air quality and increasing wildfire risk.Plus, it's no fun staying indoors all summer.Case in point: Our region is under an air quality alert today, the third...
How to get free entry to Columbus pools this summer
Here's a tip for a cost-free cooldown during our next heat wave.What's happening: Columbus Metropolitan Library cardholders are entitled to five free visits to Columbus pools this summer, as part of the library system's 150th anniversary celebration.How it works: Show your card at any pool and you'll receive a "leisure card" to use for free admission four additional times.All pools will be open for the season starting Saturday. Check online for hours.π Plus: Our map from last year of all the pools and splash pads across Central Ohio.
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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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