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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 new era for OSU's world-renowned cartoon museum

The new-look Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is open after six months of updates and renovations.

News

One of Columbus&#x27; best-kept secrets marks the start of a new era this weekend, reopening at Ohio State with a new look, new exhibitions and an internationally recognized headliner.Why it matters: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library &amp; Museum is the world&#x27;s largest collection of comics and cartoon art, an archive that draws experts and enthusiasts from all over the world.

Franklin County home values keep going up

New valuations will arrive in June, affecting 2027 tax bills.

Heads up, Franklin County homeowners: There&#x27;s a good chance your property value is going to rise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/08/08/franklin-county-home-values-2023" data-vars-content-id="c284c988-3eb7-4353-b292-143cb67aaf5f" data-vars-headline="Franklin County home values keep going up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/08/08/franklin-county-home-values-2023" target="_self">again</a>.Why it matters: A home&#x27;s appraised value affects sale prices and how much owners pay in property taxes.

Ohio's most popular baby names of 2025

Oliver and Charlotte are Ohio&#x27;s most popular baby names for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fourth year in a row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/most-popular-baby-names-ohio-2024-olivia-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="b4355bf3-343f-4882-98e0-636cc6b9f9ba" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s most popular baby names of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/most-popular-baby-names-ohio-2024-olivia-charlotte" target="_self">fourth year in a row</a>,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" according to Social Security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" data-vars-content-id="b4355bf3-343f-4882-98e0-636cc6b9f9ba" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s most popular baby names of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" target="_blank"> according to Social Security</a> card applications submitted at birth.

Ask Axios: Where can you recycle a TV for free in Columbus?

Unfortunately, there's almost always a fee. Here's why.

Reader Juliet K. asks: Do you know of a place to recycle TVs and monitors for free? Everywhere seems to have a price tag attached to it!<ul><li>Worthington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new recycling center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.worthington.org/2459/Worthington-Recycling-Convenience-Center" data-vars-content-id="0611336d-e927-43d9-927d-9926381c127d" data-vars-headline="Ask Axios: Where can you recycle a TV for free in Columbus?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.worthington.org/2459/Worthington-Recycling-Convenience-Center" target="_blank">new recycling center</a> says it accepts all electronics but those two.</li></ul>

The century-old LeVeque Tower needs some work

The signature silhouette of the Columbus skyline has become something of a pedestrian eyesore.

The signature silhouette of the Columbus skyline has become something of a pedestrian eyesore, wrapped in cheap metal and wood to ensure no one is hit by falling debris.Why it matters: The LeVeque Tower isn&#x27;t just any downtown building, it&#x27;s the city&#x27;s most iconic structure and a reminder of a time when we built skyscrapers with aesthetics in mind.

Columbus Landmarks wants help saving these historic buildings

The nonprofit has released its 2026 list of "Most Endangered Sites."

Development

Central Ohio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/16/endangered-history-sites-local-face-demolition-preservation-ohio" data-vars-content-id="7f022da2-b901-4568-a97b-31b05cc70c65" data-vars-headline="Columbus Landmarks wants help saving these historic buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/16/endangered-history-sites-local-face-demolition-preservation-ohio" target="_self">historians</a> and preservationists have new marching orders this week, with the arrival of a new list of Columbus&#x27; &quot;Most Endangered Sites.&quot;Why it matters: The annual list attempts to save pieces of local culture and heritage at risk of disappearing, along with the histories within their walls.

As stock soars, good vibes are back for Intel in Ohio

The company is reaffirming its semiconductor plans after multiple delays.

A year after another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="delay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/28/intel-ohio-one-chip-delayed-chip-factory-fab" data-vars-content-id="361cb923-968c-44d9-8342-4bf2b1ce4840" data-vars-headline="As stock soars, good vibes are back for Intel in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/28/intel-ohio-one-chip-delayed-chip-factory-fab" target="_self">delay</a> to Intel&#x27;s pair of semiconductor plants in New Albany, the company is now riding a wave of momentum and doubling down on its new timeline.Why it matters: The $20 billion project known as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio One" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/01/22/intel-ohio-one-semiconductor-plant-columbus" data-vars-content-id="361cb923-968c-44d9-8342-4bf2b1ce4840" data-vars-headline="As stock soars, good vibes are back for Intel in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/01/22/intel-ohio-one-semiconductor-plant-columbus" target="_self">Ohio One</a> is the state&#x27;s largest investment ever in a private company.

Help share your favorite Ohio building's story

The  "250 Buildings, 250 Stories" project is open for submissions statewide.

History

A new statewide initiative gives Ohio residents a chance to highlight historic buildings they care about and maybe even help keep them around for decades to come.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heritage Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://heritageohio.org/" data-vars-content-id="58aee458-a575-4432-816c-a6704d6b364a" data-vars-headline="Help share your favorite Ohio building&#x27;s story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://heritageohio.org/" target="_blank">Heritage Ohio</a>, a historic preservation nonprofit, is using its &quot;250 Buildings, 250 Stories&quot; project to find sites that could be preserved, restored or redeveloped, especially ones that might otherwise be overlooked.<ul><li>The effort, tied to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America 250 celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" data-vars-content-id="58aee458-a575-4432-816c-a6704d6b364a" data-vars-headline="Help share your favorite Ohio building&#x27;s story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" target="_self">America 250 celebration</a>, will spotlight 250 buildings across the state that are at least 50 years old.</li></ul>

Columbus explores recycling water for data centers

A water reclamation project could remove data centers from Central Ohio's drinking water supply.

Columbus is exploring a plan to use reclaimed wastewater to operate local data centers, removing the need to send drinking water to the facilities.Why it matters: The increasing number of Central Ohio data centers require <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive amounts of water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/20/water-demand-data-centers-intel-ohio" data-vars-content-id="18a498b5-2edf-4b9a-82ad-80fcfc70c408" data-vars-headline="Columbus explores recycling water for data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/20/water-demand-data-centers-intel-ohio" target="_self">massive amounts of water</a>, but so does the area&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rapidly growing population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="18a498b5-2edf-4b9a-82ad-80fcfc70c408" data-vars-headline="Columbus explores recycling water for data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" target="_self">rapidly growing population</a>.

Columbus pro women's soccer team announced

The league's 18th franchise reportedly cost ownership a $205 million expansion fee.

A day after the city of Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approved a deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/04/20/columbus-city-council-amendment-could-tie-nwsl-deal-to-mccoy-park-replacement/89662112007/" data-vars-content-id="a140eaed-04e2-4fc5-a6ce-363ea8d89cdf" data-vars-headline="Columbus pro women&#x27;s soccer team announced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/04/20/columbus-city-council-amendment-could-tie-nwsl-deal-to-mccoy-park-replacement/89662112007/" target="_blank">approved a deal</a> paving the way for a National Women&#x27;s Soccer League expansion franchise, the league officially awarded the city a team that will start play in 2028.Why it matters: An NWSL franchise marks the biggest step toward the city&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s sports capital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/06/columbus-builds-womens-sports-capital-momentum" data-vars-content-id="a140eaed-04e2-4fc5-a6ce-363ea8d89cdf" data-vars-headline="Columbus pro women&#x27;s soccer team announced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/06/columbus-builds-womens-sports-capital-momentum" target="_self">women&#x27;s sports capital</a>&quot; ambitions. The announcement follows a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contentious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/20/nwsl-haslam-group-soccer-womens-mccoy-park" data-vars-content-id="a140eaed-04e2-4fc5-a6ce-363ea8d89cdf" data-vars-headline="Columbus pro women&#x27;s soccer team announced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/20/nwsl-haslam-group-soccer-womens-mccoy-park" target="_self">contentious</a> exchange with the public over using city funds and park space for the team.

What's next for Columbus' old Greyhound station

The wheels keep turning, but redevelopment is slow going.

This month marks four years since Columbus&#x27; old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greyhound" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/18/ohio-greyhound-bus-stop-controversy" data-vars-content-id="40fd3441-c0fe-4d64-92c2-3f88948b4bc5" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Columbus&#x27; old Greyhound station" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/18/ohio-greyhound-bus-stop-controversy" target="_self">Greyhound</a> bus station shut down, and the wheels keep turning behind the scenes on its potential redevelopment.Why it matters: The site sits on 2.6 acres of prime real estate in the heart of downtown, but it was plagued with crime and violence in its final years as a transit terminal.

NWSL group faces pushback over public park space

Leaders say they want to include public amenities, but can't commit just yet.

The ownership group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="working to bring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/13/eagles-face-uncertainty-as-columbus-eyes-pro-womens-soccer" data-vars-content-id="415b71b1-e173-4fee-92dc-e2373645cac5" data-vars-headline="NWSL group faces pushback over public park space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/13/eagles-face-uncertainty-as-columbus-eyes-pro-womens-soccer" target="_self">working to bring</a> a National Women&#x27;s Soccer League (NWSL) team to Columbus says it&#x27;s committed to providing public park space, but can&#x27;t commit to specifics.State of play: Columbus City Council is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expected to vote Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://columbus.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1405774&amp;GUID=97843B71-BC32-40FF-8EF8-6DC0060E2DFD&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=" data-vars-content-id="415b71b1-e173-4fee-92dc-e2373645cac5" data-vars-headline="NWSL group faces pushback over public park space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://columbus.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1405774&amp;GUID=97843B71-BC32-40FF-8EF8-6DC0060E2DFD&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=" target="_blank">expected to vote Monday</a> on a deal that would give McCoy Park land to the ownership group.

Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production

Fury autonomous drone production is set to begin months ahead of schedule.

Anduril&#x27;s Arsenal-1 factory near Rickenbacker is about to start production, and leaders of the autonomous weapons manufacturer believe it will produce superior weaponry at a fraction of the cost and time other companies require.Why it matters: The project promises to be one of the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job creation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="447a9b30-d5e4-4c79-b224-9bb94678b677" data-vars-headline="Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" target="_self">job creation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" data-vars-content-id="447a9b30-d5e4-4c79-b224-9bb94678b677" data-vars-headline="Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" target="_self">economic development</a> projects in Ohio&#x27;s history and comes with a massive tax break from the state.

Why Amazon's data centers face opposition in Hilliard

A proposal would use natural gas fuel cells to generate power.

As more Ohio communities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/04/ohio-data-center-boom-moratorium-laws" data-vars-content-id="3e6fc170-23d8-4300-8e34-793065d938cd" data-vars-headline="Why Amazon&#x27;s data centers face opposition in Hilliard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/04/ohio-data-center-boom-moratorium-laws" target="_self">push back</a> against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data centers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="3e6fc170-23d8-4300-8e34-793065d938cd" data-vars-headline="Why Amazon&#x27;s data centers face opposition in Hilliard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" target="_self">data centers</a>, a plan to power Hilliard&#x27;s new Amazon campus with natural gas fuel cells is the latest local flashpoint.Why it matters: The dispute highlights ongoing tension over how the energy-hungry centers popping up everywhere will be powered.<ul><li>It also raises a new question: How much can local officials control what&#x27;s built?</li></ul>

A line chart that tracks Intel Corp.âs daily opening stock price from Jan. 1, 2022, to May 11, 2026. The price was $51.65 on Jan. 3, 2022, fell to $29.62 on Feb. 3, 2023, rose to $45.55 on March 7, 2024, and reached $130.95 on May 11, 2026.

Development 🏗️

The century-old LeVeque Tower needs some work

Columbus Landmarks wants help saving these historic buildings

As stock soars, good vibes are back for Intel in Ohio

Help share your favorite Ohio building's story

Columbus explores recycling water for data centers