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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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A few years back, I called The Eclectic Diner & Sweeterie "the real deal" … and it closed shortly after.

I hope the same fate does not befall its replacement, the equally awesome Delaware Diner.

State of play: My family's visit kicked off a recent road trip, greatly helping to mitigate the anguish of driving on Route 23.

It also directly followed my annual physical — meaning the consequences of ordering my favorite diner sandwich (a patty melt) wouldn't show up for another year.

Instead, I made my doc proud with a turkey burger ($12), which the menu correctly describes as "lean and flavorful."

🤫 I won't mention my delicious, sugary side of fried cinnamon apples ($4).

Burger with lettuce and tomato and a large plate of fries in the foreground; background shows a bacon-and-eggs plate with potatoes. A glass of water on the left and a white mug on the right.

Vibe check: The new joint is less of a kitschy paradise than before, but you'll still see a few Americana pieces and kids' drawings on the wall.

Besides the traditional grub, there are a surprising number of Mexican dinner specials.

💭 My thought bubble: The more waffles and birria tacos in this world, the better.

Stop by: 755 Route 23, Delaware. 7am-7pm Tuesday-Saturday; 7am-3pm Sunday; 7am-4pm Monday.

The Delaware Diner doesn't disappoint

It opened last year in a longtime diner spot off of Route 23.

Exterior of The Delaware Diner: white building with red stripes, a vertical DINER sign, outdoor black metal tables with red umbrellas, and a blue sky with clouds.

The Delaware Diner opened last year on Route 23. Photo: Tyler Buchanan/Axios

A few years back, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I called" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/03/11/eclectic-diner-delaware-restaurant-review" data-vars-content-id="20a2c5ad-aecf-4d9d-99fa-1673d9b4bac6" data-vars-headline="The Delaware Diner doesn&#x27;t disappoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/03/11/eclectic-diner-delaware-restaurant-review" target="_self">I called</a> The Eclectic Diner &amp; Sweeterie &quot;the real deal&quot; … and it closed shortly after.I hope <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the same fate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/24/ohio-restaurant-review-axios" data-vars-content-id="20a2c5ad-aecf-4d9d-99fa-1673d9b4bac6" data-vars-headline="The Delaware Diner doesn&#x27;t disappoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/24/ohio-restaurant-review-axios" target="_self">the same fate</a> does not befall its replacement, the equally awesome <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Delaware Diner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/delawarediner/" data-vars-content-id="20a2c5ad-aecf-4d9d-99fa-1673d9b4bac6" data-vars-headline="The Delaware Diner doesn&#x27;t disappoint" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/delawarediner/" target="_blank">Delaware Diner</a>.

Food and Drink

Things to Do

Count me among those disappointed in the Blue Jackets' recent decision to get rid of radio broadcaster Bob McElligott.

State of play: Columbus plans to simulcast the TV broadcast audio feed on its radio network starting this season, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan.

Due to the ridiculous state of TV blackout rules, I haven't been able to watch a game in years.

I've instead followed the team on the radio. McElligott has been a big reason why.

Zoom in: He's a master of his craft — quick-witted, an awesome goal call, and a proper balance of homerism and willingness to call out the team for lackluster play.

Between the lines: I'm glad the talented Steve Mears is sticking around on the TV side, but those broadcasts have a much different feel than radio.

TV broadcasters don't always have to spell out every moment of game action since viewers are following along visually.

That could leave us listeners in the dark during certain pivotal moments.

The bottom line: A franchise with a six-year playoff drought has plenty else worth shaking up than its fantastic radio voice. Just saying.

CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty

Bob McElligott will no longer call games for Columbus on radio.

Blue Jackets hockey player Sonny Milano skates on the ice with an advertisement for 97.1 FM The Fan radio station in the background. 

97.1 The Fan is the flagship station of the Blue Jackets radio network. Photo: Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images

Count me <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among those disappointed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueJackets/comments/1va3we5/blue_jackets_to_simulcast_games_on_tv_and_radio/" data-vars-content-id="289effd3-200a-440c-b503-5aaaed25c660" data-vars-headline="CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueJackets/comments/1va3we5/blue_jackets_to_simulcast_games_on_tv_and_radio/" target="_blank">among those disappointed</a> in the Blue Jackets&#x27; recent decision to get rid of radio broadcaster Bob McElligott.State of play: Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans to simulcast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-to-simulcast-games-on-tv-and-radio" data-vars-content-id="289effd3-200a-440c-b503-5aaaed25c660" data-vars-headline="CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-to-simulcast-games-on-tv-and-radio" target="_blank">plans to simulcast</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TV broadcast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/23/blue-jackets-announce-new-tv-production-plans" data-vars-content-id="289effd3-200a-440c-b503-5aaaed25c660" data-vars-headline="CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/23/blue-jackets-announce-new-tv-production-plans" target="_self">TV broadcast</a> audio feed on its radio network starting this season, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan.

Sports

Enjoy a weekend of visual arts, dancing, singing and every other form of human creativity at the downtown riverfront.

🎨 Our pick: The Columbus Arts Festival.

What to know: The free event features the works of hundreds of artists based near and far, from ceramicists and painters to photographers and sculptors.

There's four stages of live performances and dozens of food vendors.

The festival runs 11am-9pm Friday; 10am-9pm Saturday; 10am-5pm Sunday.

The intrigue: Children can stay busy at the Kids Hands-On Activities Village on the Dorrian Green next to COSI.

Options include Irish dancing, doughnut decorating and a soccer-themed obstacle course.

⚽ Bridge Park in Dublin will host a World Cup watch party for Friday night's U.S. opener against Paraguay.

Other restaurants, bars and movie theaters are showing matches as well.

🦸‍♀️ Animate! offers three days of cosplay and gaming at a convention dedicated to the world of animation.

🤠 Grab your cowboy boots and hats for Buckeye Country Superfest on Saturday, with Tyler Childers headlining.

🎉 Celebrate our area code with 614 Day on Sunday (6/14) and "discover your new favorite local everything" in the Discovery District.

Weekend picks: The Arts Festival is back

Plus: The World Cup, cosplaying and cowboy boots.

Busy city street festival with food trucks and white tents, crowded with people. In the background, a tall ornate white tower rises between modern office buildings, framed by green trees.

Crowds at the Columbus Arts Festival peruse booths and food trucks along the riverfront. Photo: David Heasley, courtesy of the Columbus Arts Festival

Enjoy a weekend of visual arts, dancing, singing and every other form of human creativity at the downtown riverfront.🎨 Our pick: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbus Arts Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.columbusartsfestival.org/" data-vars-content-id="5a09217a-2ff7-42b3-bb65-d6bd918231ba" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: The Arts Festival is back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.columbusartsfestival.org/" target="_blank">Columbus Arts Festival</a>.

It's that time again to rank the concerts at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9.

State of play: Concerts are held at the Celeste Center, and advance tickets include fair admission.

The fair schedule also includes plenty of free live music performances.

10. Be Like Blippi. For the life of me, I can't understand why my kid and millions of others love this wacky adult who gets filmed playing alone at playgrounds. But they do, and this show will bring the house down.

9. Bailey Zimmerman. The rising country star released his debut studio album just three years ago, and is currently on his first arena tour.

8. For King + Country. The Christian-pop duo brings plenty of energy to live shows.

7. Alison Krauss & Union Station. They'll say it best when they say nothing at all.

6. Sammy Kershaw. The country veteran will make the fairgrounds seem like an old-fashioned honky-tonk.

5. Nelly. The Grammy Award-winning superstar is back.

4. The S.O.S. Band/The Dazz Band. "Dazz Band may not be a Rock & Rock Hall of Fame level act," says Axios Cleveland's Troy Smith, "but the group's signature hit 'Let It Whip' is an essential, Northeast Ohio classic."

3. Gin Blossoms/Blues Traveler, with Spin Doctors. Blues Traveler alone makes me want to run around the fair and catch this one.

2. Weird Al. The legendary parodist returns to the fairgrounds with accordion in tow.

1. Styx, with Don Felder. What can I say, I'm a sucker for classic rock and power ballads.

We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts

The fair is scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9 and has nearly a dozen ticketed concerts.

Singer Bobby Harris raises a microphone on stage during a performance. 

Singer Bobby Harris of The Dazz Band, a funk group from Cleveland. Photo: Scott Dudelson/Getty Images  

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that time again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/2025-ohio-state-fair-concerts-foreigner-tpain-taylor-swift" data-vars-content-id="b1e9fbbe-173a-4455-a3eb-6ceecb0a99d1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/2025-ohio-state-fair-concerts-foreigner-tpain-taylor-swift" target="_self">that time again</a> to rank the concerts at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" data-vars-content-id="b1e9fbbe-173a-4455-a3eb-6ceecb0a99d1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" target="_blank">Concerts</a> are held at the Celeste Center, and advance tickets include fair admission.

Culture

State Fair

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.

Cleveland

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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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