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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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Beam Benefits founder's new startup draws $21M seed funding

Stack Health aims to change the way employers offer health insurance.

News

Beam Benefits co-founder Alex Frommeyer is back with a new Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="startup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/20/startup-funding" data-vars-content-id="cb19d852-a214-4b23-acf4-f7b8224b8b9c" data-vars-headline="Beam Benefits founder&#x27;s new startup draws $21M seed funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/20/startup-funding" target="_self">startup</a> that just secured $21 million to rethink how employers provide health insurance.Why it matters: Frommeyer sees the impressive seed funding round as part of a rising tide for Columbus startups.

How much rain Columbus got in August

With a derecho, tornadoes and flash flooding, it was one for the record books.

August was a month for the record books, with the second-most rain ever recorded in Columbus.By the numbers: The city logged 9.94 inches of rain last month — more than 2.5 times what&#x27;s normal (3.74), per National Weather Service data.

Rite Rug owner's stunning collection goes to auction

Hundreds of items are a "portrait of a man of broad interests and boundless curiosity."

A Columbus carpet kingpin&#x27;s memorabilia collection is up for auction, with a selection of dazzling showpieces set to fetch tens of thousands of dollars.Why it matters: The collection belongs to Michael Goldberg, who owned Columbus-based Rite Rug and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died" data-vars-click-url="https://epsteinmemorialchapel.com/obituaries/michael-goldberg-2025" data-vars-content-id="6353cd15-d317-4f32-bc8d-96ccdd01d817" data-vars-headline="Rite Rug owner&#x27;s stunning collection goes to auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://epsteinmemorialchapel.com/obituaries/michael-goldberg-2025" target="_blank">died</a> in December.

Data center fight could change the future of Grove City

A proposed charter amendment would give residents say over major development projects.

Grove City residents and leaders are clashing over a proposed charter amendment that one side says would protect the city and the other says would destroy its economic prospects.Why it matters: The conflict is a microcosm of nationwide pushback against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unpopular" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/gop-data-center-memo-ai-election" data-vars-content-id="b6306326-a8eb-46e3-9664-09a669c1aac5" data-vars-headline="Data center fight could change the future of Grove City" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/19/gop-data-center-memo-ai-election" target="_self">unpopular</a> data centers and one of the most extreme local attempts to stop them.

Ask Axios: Why do we measure rain at the airport?

Your backyard rainfall may differ from Columbus' official total.

A few readers have asked: When you report rainfall totals or a certain number of 90-degree days in Columbus, where do those weather measurements come from? 👋 Alissa here, our resident weather nerd. Our reporting uses records from the National Weather Service, the federal agency that collects and maintains official U.S. weather observations.

Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio's wet August

Experts say they're probably nothing to worry about — but don't eat them.

As Central Ohio residents deal with an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abnormally stormy August" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/13/central-ohio-storm-rain-weather" data-vars-content-id="efb44b09-6488-460d-a0a3-49c75ac6311d" data-vars-headline="Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio&#x27;s wet August" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/13/central-ohio-storm-rain-weather" target="_self">abnormally stormy August</a>, our spore-bearing cousins are thriving.Why it matters: My normally green yard has become filled with dozens of large white mushrooms in recent days — some nearly as big as dinner plates.

Heavy storms are only getting more common

This summer's weather events are part of a broader trend.

It&#x27;s a stormy week in Columbus — unfortunately, we probably need to get used to it.Why it matters: Heavy, concentrated storms can cause <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flooding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/21/flash-floods-ohio-climate-2025" data-vars-content-id="091fbe76-a467-4974-b3f1-28ce1cdb5426" data-vars-headline="Heavy storms are only getting more common" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/21/flash-floods-ohio-climate-2025" target="_self">flooding</a>, disrupt travel and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stress infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/10/snow-melt-winter-central-ohio-flood" data-vars-content-id="091fbe76-a467-4974-b3f1-28ce1cdb5426" data-vars-headline="Heavy storms are only getting more common" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/10/snow-melt-winter-central-ohio-flood" target="_self">stress infrastructure</a> in a city that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already sinking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/14/columbus-is-slowly-sinking-into-the-ground" data-vars-content-id="091fbe76-a467-4974-b3f1-28ce1cdb5426" data-vars-headline="Heavy storms are only getting more common" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/14/columbus-is-slowly-sinking-into-the-ground" target="_self">already sinking</a>.

Destructive Central Ohio storm leaves 100,000 without power

"I hope I have folks' attention," Mayor Andrew Ginther said. "This is very serious."

Central Ohio is reeling from a massive storm that left flooding and damage in its wake and around 100,000 residents without power.Catch up quick: The storm rolled in Tuesday morning around 10am, creating dangerous conditions in a matter of minutes.

Clawed visitors are appearing in Columbus backyards

They may be alarming, but they're not the crayfish we need to worry about.

The invasive red swamp crayfish is wandering into Central Ohio backyards and patios — but it&#x27;s not the scariest crustacean staring at us.Why it matters: Invasive species harm natural ecosystems by pushing out native life, spreading disease and harming vegetation — if uncontrolled, that can affect our waterways.

Ohio dodges drought as much of the U.S. dries out

A rainy spring has kept things moist, but hot, dry days are ahead.

Drought is sweeping across <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/07/water-falls-lake-drought-irrigation-demand" data-vars-content-id="ae037727-e6d3-45ed-8264-4d5273c6f29d" data-vars-headline="Ohio dodges drought as much of the U.S. dries out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/07/07/water-falls-lake-drought-irrigation-demand" target="_self">most</a> of the U.S. this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/07/09/monsoon-rains-colorados-wildfire-danger" data-vars-content-id="ae037727-e6d3-45ed-8264-4d5273c6f29d" data-vars-headline="Ohio dodges drought as much of the U.S. dries out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/colorado-springs/2026/07/09/monsoon-rains-colorados-wildfire-danger" target="_self">summer</a>, but for the first time in a while, Ohio is actually doing OK.Why it matters: Prolonged dry conditions have widespread impact, from damaged crops to crispy lawns and gardens and potentially <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="higher water bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.drought.gov/sectors/water-utilities" data-vars-content-id="ae037727-e6d3-45ed-8264-4d5273c6f29d" data-vars-headline="Ohio dodges drought as much of the U.S. dries out" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.drought.gov/sectors/water-utilities" target="_blank">higher water bills</a>.

The longest cold streaks in Columbus history

Our recent stretch of below-freezing days cracked the top 10.

It feels positively balmy outside this week. Or maybe it&#x27;s just been entirely too long since we&#x27;ve experienced above-freezing temperatures.By the numbers: Columbus&#x27; recent stretch of high temperatures of 32 degrees or below started Jan. 23 and lasted 18 days.

Slow thaw may help avoid dangerous winter flooding

Weather and soil conditions are working in the city's favor this week.

As slightly warmer weather moves into Columbus, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="piles of snow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/26/winter-storm-fern-snow-emergency" data-vars-content-id="0af82b40-373a-475d-abe1-b405cb6f0975" data-vars-headline="Slow thaw may help avoid dangerous winter flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/26/winter-storm-fern-snow-emergency" target="_self">piles of snow</a> outside will likely take all week to melt — and that gradualness would be a good thing.Why it matters: Under the right conditions, heavy snowfall followed by a quick warmup can lead to dangerous flooding that further stresses infrastructure.

Winter storm Fern breaks a local snowfall record

Sunday was the third-snowiest day in city history.

If you&#x27;re still sore from shoveling, this may make you feel better: It&#x27;ll likely be a very long time before you&#x27;re hauling away this much snow again.Stunning stat: Sunday tied for the third-snowiest day in Columbus history — and the snowiest January date ever — according to measurements the National Weather Service provided Axios.<ul><li>It was by far the snowiest Jan. 25 date ever, topping 4.7 inches recorded on Jan. 25, 1988.</li></ul>

A bar chart that ranks Columbusâ wettest Augusts from 1878 to 2026 by rainfall totals. August 2003 is highest at 11.46 inches, followed by 2026 at 9.94 and 1979 at 8.63. The lowest value shown is 1926 at 6.13 inches. Most listed years cluster between 6 and 8 inches.

Climate 🌿

How much rain Columbus got in August

Ask Axios: Why do we measure rain at the airport?

Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio's wet August

Heavy storms are only getting more common

Destructive Central Ohio storm leaves 100,000 without power