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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

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Ohio State president Ted Carter Jr. has resigned after disclosing an "inappropriate relationship" to the board of trustees, the university announced Monday morning.

Why it matters: The shakeup marks the second straight abrupt presidential departure at Ohio's flagship institution over the past three years.

State of play: Carter recently told trustees of "an inappropriate relationship with someone seeking public resources to support her personal business," and they accepted his offer to resign, per a university statement.

The statement noted the university will share "additional information about the transition" in the coming days.

Flashback: Carter, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, was hired for a five-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024, to lead the university and its satellite branches.

He replaced president Kristina M. Johnson, who left as one of the shortest-tenured presidencies in school history.

OSU president Ted Carter Jr. resigns over "inappropriate relationship"

The university announced the news Monday morning.

A headshot of former Ohio State University president Ted Carter Jr. 

Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. Photo: Courtesy of Ohio State University

Ohio State president Ted Carter Jr. has resigned after disclosing an &quot;inappropriate relationship&quot; to the board of trustees, the university announced Monday morning.Why it matters: The shakeup marks the second straight <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abrupt presidential departure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/12/08/ohio-state-president-kristina-johnson-tenure" data-vars-content-id="269e5522-4b78-4bda-b254-71110cebf57b" data-vars-headline="OSU president Ted Carter Jr. resigns over &quot;inappropriate relationship&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/12/08/ohio-state-president-kristina-johnson-tenure" target="_self">abrupt presidential departure</a> at Ohio&#x27;s flagship institution over the past three years.

Education

News

Columbus' baby elephants, COSI exhibits and Quarry Trails climbs all get prime billing in Ohio's new 2026 travel guide.

Why it matters: It's a good time to start planning summer getaways, and the guide offers plenty of options within driving distance.

Zoom in: Our local section recommends outsiders check out the experimental museum Prototype, partake in Red, White & Boom, and visit North Market as it celebrates 150 years.

Zoom out: The lengthy guide features a state parks checklist, from Catawba Island off of Lake Erie to Shawnee 200 miles south in Portsmouth.

It shares how Ohio is celebrating America's 250th birthday with public artwork, creative trails and movie screenings.

For the cryptid cranks, the guide suggests attending the Ohio Bigfoot Conference near Cambridge in May or the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival in August.

🐶 The intrigue: Gov. Mike DeWine's dog, Dolly, recommends visiting "pup-friendly hot spots" like Hamilton's Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park with 70 outdoor pieces "that blend nature with art."

💭 Tyler's thought bubble: I'm a lifelong Ohioan who has been to all 88 counties, yet I still use this annual guide for finding new travel ideas.

One example: learning the Aullwood Audubon Center in Dayton has an iconic Thomas Dambo troll installation.

Or that the new Ohio Museum of Horror in Galion has an on-site restaurant with a menu based on famous criminals' "last meals."

Go deeper: Read the digital guide or request a printed copy by mail.

New guide maps out Ohio road trip ideas, from state parks to Bigfoot

Columbus ideas: Prototype, North Market and Red, White & Boom.

An old postcard reads "Greetings from Ohio," with artwork depicting a bridge, tall buildings, baseball field and the state capitol.


A vintage postcard of Ohio. Photo: Found Image Holdings/Corbis via Getty Images

Columbus&#x27; baby elephants, COSI exhibits and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Quarry Trails climbs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/07/quarry-trails-via-ferrata-guide-park-climbing" data-vars-content-id="5b900f92-7943-4ea9-87e0-572af3552f71" data-vars-headline="New guide maps out Ohio road trip ideas, from state parks to Bigfoot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/07/quarry-trails-via-ferrata-guide-park-climbing" target="_self">Quarry Trails climbs</a> all get prime billing in Ohio&#x27;s new 2026 travel guide.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a good time to start planning summer getaways, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the guide" data-vars-click-url="https://issuu.com/greatlakespublishing/docs/ohio_travel_guide_2026?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw" data-vars-content-id="5b900f92-7943-4ea9-87e0-572af3552f71" data-vars-headline="New guide maps out Ohio road trip ideas, from state parks to Bigfoot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://issuu.com/greatlakespublishing/docs/ohio_travel_guide_2026?fr=xKAE9_zMzMw" target="_blank">the guide</a> offers plenty of options within driving distance.

Travel

Things to Do

The wait is over. Bring on the golden goblets and melodrama!

Why it matters: The latest season of "Love Is Blind" debuts Wednesday, putting Columbus and its dating scene in the spotlight.

Our singles, our romantic spots, our Midwest charm — all are on display for the world to enjoy. And judge.

How it works: The first six 1-hour episodes, out now on Netflix, feature 32 Ohioans "meeting" each other in separate pods, without knowing what their potential partners look like.

Some pairs will get engaged, and only then meet up in person.

The couples are whisked away for a tropical vacation to get to know each other.

Zoom in: The cast list will start with plenty of Central Ohio representation, and Columbus is the season's "main location," per Experience Columbus.

More episodes will drop the next three Wednesdays. They'll showcase couples returning to the Buckeye State to meet their partners' families and try "living together."

The March 4 finale will feature a succession of weddings, where cast members decide at the altar if they still want to get married or split up.

📺 Where to watch: Lots of local watch parties are popping up.

We'll also share our hot takes over the next few weeks.

🇩🇪 Schmidt's buffet, anyone? Reddit sleuths claim to have seen cast members "living" at the Jaeger Square apartments last year. (It happens to also be one watch party site.)

If true, we may see plenty of German Village and the Brewery District.

Think Fudge Haus dates and romantic dog walks at Scioto Audubon Metro Park.

🎳 Bowling for love. Producers typically organize a group night out with a few adult beverages, and a private party at Pins fits the vibe.

Or maybe they'll give Makers Social even more exposure following its recent "Shark Tank" appearance.

🌳 Topiary Park and Otherworld. Three shots from the official trailer feature these unusual local landmarks.

🚗 Long-distance drama. The cast list features singles "from Cincinnati to Columbus," and a few Clevelanders too.

That could fuel tension if partners hail from different places … maybe they'll compromise and move to Dayton or Mansfield?

A beginner's guide to "Love Is Blind" in Columbus

Season 10 of Netflix's reality show — filmed here — debuts Wednesday.

Top-down view of a man in a black suit proposing to a blonde woman in a black dress on a red carpet. Text reads: "Love is Blind Season 10," premiering February 11 on Netflix.

The wait is over. Bring on the golden goblets and melodrama!Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/27/love-is-blind-season-10-ohio-premiere-netflix" data-vars-content-id="694a1f0f-18c7-47b0-ba12-f9999f461008" data-vars-headline="A beginner&#x27;s guide to &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/27/love-is-blind-season-10-ohio-premiere-netflix" target="_self">latest season</a> of &quot;Love Is Blind&quot; debuts Wednesday, putting Columbus and its dating scene in the spotlight.

Culture

Love is Blind

Trustees named Ravi V. Bellamkonda the 18th president of Ohio State University on Thursday, just days after the former president's abrupt resignation over an "inappropriate relationship."

Why it matters: Bellamkonda's rapid ascent into the presidency after just one year as provost signals the university's desire to quickly move forward during a turbulent time.

Catch up quick: Ted Carter Jr. unexpectedly resigned last weekend.

The board of trustees unanimously approved Bellamkonda's promotion Thursday, a move they'd been discussing since Sunday, he told reporters.

A bioengineer and neuroscientist, Bellamkonda brings a vast health and tech background to the role, plus about 20 years of academic leadership.

What he's saying: "One event, one person or one news story does not define The Ohio State University," Bellamkonda said.

"The way we rebuild trust is to stay focused on our mission."

Follow the money: The quick pick means the board of trustees avoided its third costly presidential search in six years.

The search to appoint Carter's predecessor, for example, cost more than $400,000.

Bellamkonda signed a five-year contract with a $1.4 million annual base salary.

Referencing the lack of search, board chair John Zeiger said Thursday that "the right leader is already at our university."

He complimented Bellamkonda's "vast experience, his personal values and management skills, and his strong record here."

Flashback: Bellamkonda's academic career began as a Case Western Reserve University professor in Cleveland in 1995. He has also held positions at Emory University, Duke University and Georgia Tech.

At OSU, he's been heavily involved in developing a new strategic plan and launching an "AI Fluency" initiative embedding artificial intelligence into the general education requirements of all undergraduate degrees.

Zoom in: Bellamkonda's priorities as president will include advancing research, being on the "leading edge" of the AI revolution, and "shaping the future through our students."

Asked about recent debates regarding DEI on campus, he said he's "very committed to intellectual diversity."

He also said OSU will continue its "thorough, fair and open" process of considering calls to rename Wexner Medical Center, another hot-button issue.

What we're watching: Bellamkonda expects to appoint an interim provost and search nationally for a permanent replacement for that role.

Officials gave no updates on the investigation into Carter's misconduct Thursday, but acknowledged the investigation is ongoing.

Ohio State's new president didn't just talk business — here are a few fun facts mentioned during his first day on the job.

He holds 11 U.S. patents focused on new ways to treat cancer, brain diseases and nerve injuries.

His middle-aged goldendoodle, C.J., is the first pet he's ever owned.

He roots for Cleveland sports, calling the day the Cavs won the 2016 championship "one of the best days of my life."

Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda is OSU's 18th president

Former president Ted Carter Jr. abruptly resigned days ago.

A headshot of Ravi V. Bellamkonda in a gray suit, white shirt, and red striped tie stands in an office with a red wall on the left and a light-gray wall behind, wearing glasses.

Ravi V. Bellamkonda. Photo: Courtesy of Ohio State University

Trustees named Ravi V. Bellamkonda the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="18th president" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/11/ohio-state-presidents-ted-carter-jr-history" data-vars-content-id="87f93999-a5a7-43fa-8621-3eca47cda182" data-vars-headline="Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda is OSU&#x27;s 18th president" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/11/ohio-state-presidents-ted-carter-jr-history" target="_self">18th president</a> of Ohio State University on Thursday, just days after the former president&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abrupt resignation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/09/osu-president-ted-carter-jr-resigns-inappropriate-relationship" data-vars-content-id="87f93999-a5a7-43fa-8621-3eca47cda182" data-vars-headline="Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda is OSU&#x27;s 18th president" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/09/osu-president-ted-carter-jr-resigns-inappropriate-relationship" target="_self">abrupt resignation</a> over an &quot;inappropriate relationship.&quot;Why it matters: Bellamkonda&#x27;s rapid ascent into the presidency after just one year as provost signals the university&#x27;s desire to quickly move forward during a turbulent time.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is resigning next month to take a leadership position at a nonprofit law firm, he announced Thursday.

Why it matters: The departure likely marks the end of Yost's decades-long career as an elected official and comes after a failed run for governor last year.

State of play: Gov. Mike DeWine is tasked with appointing a replacement to serve out the remainder of Yost's term.

DeWine praised his "long career in public service" in a statement but did not yet disclose a successor.

"I will give the appointment of someone to serve as Attorney General thoughtful and deliberate consideration."

State Auditor Keith Faber, a fellow Republican, is currently campaigning for attorney general against Democratic nominee John Kulewicz.

Zoom in: Yost said he will start June 8 as VP of strategic research and innovation for Alliance Defending Freedom.

The Arizona-based Christian legal advocacy group describes itself as "the world's largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom."

Flashback: Yost has made recent headlines for urging an end to Ohio's death penalty moratorium and launching a new pipeline for prosecutors at Cleveland State University.

Other legal targets in his second term have included Live Nation over ticketing policies, Norfolk Southern Railway following the East Palestine derailment, and Columbus City Schools over charter student transportation.

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Ohio AG Yost to resign next month

Yost is set to become a VP at a nonprofit law firm.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost holds a microphone and speaks on a stage. 

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaking at a Columbiana County GOP event in 2024. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is resigning next month to take a leadership position at a nonprofit law firm, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="he announced Thursday" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/DaveYostOH/status/2052484836800274674" data-vars-content-id="ebf1dac5-bd66-4973-b13f-9cedf2eeb80c" data-vars-headline="Ohio AG Yost to resign next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/DaveYostOH/status/2052484836800274674" target="_blank">he announced Thursday</a>.Why it matters: The departure likely marks the end of Yost&#x27;s decades-long career as an elected official and comes after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="failed run for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/16/attorney-general-dave-yost-governor-election-campaign" data-vars-content-id="ebf1dac5-bd66-4973-b13f-9cedf2eeb80c" data-vars-headline="Ohio AG Yost to resign next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/16/attorney-general-dave-yost-governor-election-campaign" target="_self">failed run for governor</a> last year.

Tyler Buchanan

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Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda is OSU's 18th president