The Columbus stories we're watching in September

🏛️ Summer recess is over for Columbus City Council and ends this month for the Ohio legislature.

• Locally, council has decisions to make about Flock cameras, short-term rentals, data centers and more.
• State legislators have their own data center laws to consider, along with potential property tax changes.

🗳️ Midterms are approaching and election season will heat up this month.

• Races for governor and U.S. House and Senate seem set to take center stage.
• Plus: Columbus voters decide on a ward system.

🏈 Football is back, with the Buckeyes kicking off this weekend at No. 1 and the NFL returning next week.

• Bengals, Browns and Steelers fans: visit our friends in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

⚽️ Meanwhile, the Crew try to salvage an awful season.

• And the Blue Jackets enter preseason ahead of an Oct. 1 season opener.

✏️ School districts will get their annual report cards mid-month.

🎉 Festival season transitions from summer to fall.

• September starts with the Greek Festival and Zucchinifest.
• Then it's time for Oktoberfest and the Serbian Festival.