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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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Remembering Dolly Parton through her books

The Imagination Library was the legacy the music icon hoped to leave.

Education

When I heard the news that country music icon Dolly Parton had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="d0e0747e-73df-4e91-bdb8-2c976322ccf9" data-vars-headline="Remembering Dolly Parton through her books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">died</a>, I didn&#x27;t think about her songs. I thought about her books.Why it matters: Parton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Imagination Library" data-vars-click-url="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" data-vars-content-id="d0e0747e-73df-4e91-bdb8-2c976322ccf9" data-vars-headline="Remembering Dolly Parton through her books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" target="_blank">Imagination Library</a> has sent free books to children worldwide since she launched the program 31 years ago.

Ohio explores 3-year bachelor's degrees

They could launch as early as 2028 at Ohio State and other universities.

News

Ohio higher education leaders are exploring options for three-year bachelor&#x27;s degrees, including at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State University" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/22/ohio-state-civics-center-mandate" data-vars-content-id="08a91add-d3a0-4e36-a191-32f79971064a" data-vars-headline="Ohio explores 3-year bachelor&#x27;s degrees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/22/ohio-state-civics-center-mandate" target="_self">Ohio State University</a>.Why it matters: Graduates could enter the workforce a year sooner, while potentially saving thousands in tuition and living expenses.

Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal

After a drop in year one, Veo and Spin ridership is stabilizing for scooters and bikes.

Usage of rentable scooters and bikes is stabilizing in Columbus, but the city and its partners are still trying to make their presence on streets and sidewalks less disruptive.Why it matters: Cities like Columbus encourage the alternatives to car travel, but are still grappling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/e-scooters-injuries-kids" data-vars-content-id="383346cb-794d-46d5-9829-8e951e2c886b" data-vars-headline="Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/e-scooters-injuries-kids" target="_self">safety</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="logistics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/2026/08/02/which-columbus-area-cities-have-e-bike-scooter-restrictions/90973878007/" data-vars-content-id="383346cb-794d-46d5-9829-8e951e2c886b" data-vars-headline="Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/2026/08/02/which-columbus-area-cities-have-e-bike-scooter-restrictions/90973878007/" target="_blank">logistics</a>.

Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront

The ambiance is the main attraction — but the food is great, too.

Food and Drink

I finally snagged a reservation at one of Columbus&#x27; buzziest new restaurants, the long-anticipated replacement of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milestone 229" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/16/ohio-milestone-229-restaurant-closing" data-vars-content-id="5dc0be3c-5e37-46f8-9767-5bb4df99c70d" data-vars-headline="Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/16/ohio-milestone-229-restaurant-closing" target="_self">Milestone 229</a>.Dining the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amara" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eatamara.com/" data-vars-content-id="5dc0be3c-5e37-46f8-9767-5bb4df99c70d" data-vars-headline="Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eatamara.com/" target="_blank">Amara</a> opened about a month ago and tables have been filling fast. Billed as &quot;Mediterranean at Heart,&quot; it&#x27;s the latest concept from Josh Dalton, the chef behind Veritas and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Speck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/16/speck-restaurant-review-downtown-italian" data-vars-content-id="5dc0be3c-5e37-46f8-9767-5bb4df99c70d" data-vars-headline="Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/16/speck-restaurant-review-downtown-italian" target="_self">Speck</a>.

Our readers' thoughts on three-year bachelor's degrees

Ohio education officials are exploring the option for 2028.

Earlier this week we asked for your thoughts on Ohio education leaders exploring the possibility of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-year bachelor&#x27;s degrees" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/25/ohio-college-university-three-year-bachelors-degrees" data-vars-content-id="e4540250-79e9-4272-a5f4-fb42ce41a677" data-vars-headline="Our readers&#x27; thoughts on three-year bachelor&#x27;s degrees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/25/ohio-college-university-three-year-bachelors-degrees" target="_self">three-year bachelor&#x27;s degrees</a>.The intrigue: Your replies suggest the conversation needs more nuance.

Ohio State's Wexner naming question remains

The future of Les Wexner's name at Ohio State remains in limbo.

Protests and public outrage <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" data-vars-content-id="03bc2edc-6ee1-4e9b-842a-affcc390aa5d" data-vars-headline="Ohio State&#x27;s Wexner naming question remains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" target="_self">over Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein</a> have quieted since spring, but the future of his name at Ohio State remains in limbo.The latest: Wexner &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stepped back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thelantern.com/2026/08/les-wexner-steps-down-from-university-medical-board-remains-as-chair-emeritus/" data-vars-content-id="03bc2edc-6ee1-4e9b-842a-affcc390aa5d" data-vars-headline="Ohio State&#x27;s Wexner naming question remains" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thelantern.com/2026/08/les-wexner-steps-down-from-university-medical-board-remains-as-chair-emeritus/" target="_blank">stepped back</a>&quot; as chairman of the board of his namesake OSU Wexner Medical Center last week.

Teachers are AI-curious, but worried about screens

A Columbus-based education company surveyed teachers across the globe.

Teachers are struggling to embrace useful and increasingly unavoidable technology while keeping students focused, per a new global survey from a Columbus-based education company.Why it matters: Many Central Ohio students are back to school this week for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first school year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/08/ohio-schools-require-ai-policy-artificial-intelligence" data-vars-content-id="f450e040-cef1-4795-82c8-228982452ddb" data-vars-headline="Teachers are AI-curious, but worried about screens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/08/ohio-schools-require-ai-policy-artificial-intelligence" target="_self">first school year</a> in which all Ohio K-12 public districts must have policies in place related to AI in the classroom.

What's on the Nov. 3 ballot in Central Ohio

Voters will decide school levies, bond issues, income tax and more.

Election

Races of national importance are already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heating up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/29/ohio-political-ads-brown-husted-acton-ramaswamy-2026" data-vars-content-id="da6a3416-c400-4998-a815-77d8846e95f1" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the Nov. 3 ballot in Central Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/29/ohio-political-ads-brown-husted-acton-ramaswamy-2026" target="_self">heating up</a> in Ohio, but several local issues are also worth watching as the Nov. 3 general election approaches.Reminder: The deadline to register to vote <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="is Oct. 5" data-vars-click-url="https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/" data-vars-content-id="da6a3416-c400-4998-a815-77d8846e95f1" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the Nov. 3 ballot in Central Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/" target="_blank">is Oct. 5</a>, and you can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="view your sample ballot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiosos.gov/directories/sample-ballot" data-vars-content-id="da6a3416-c400-4998-a815-77d8846e95f1" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the Nov. 3 ballot in Central Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/directories/sample-ballot" target="_blank">view your sample ballot</a> now.

Facing low enrollment, Ohio may mandate university civics center courses

They're part of a Republican push to make public education less "woke."

The lawmaker behind Ohio State University&#x27;s state-mandated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="civics center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/04/24/ohio-state-university-salmon-chase-civic-center-student" data-vars-content-id="4f47c39d-262e-493a-a5ba-71a126d1b4b6" data-vars-headline="Facing low enrollment, Ohio may mandate university civics center courses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/04/24/ohio-state-university-salmon-chase-civic-center-student" target="_self">civics center</a> wants to require undergraduates to take its courses after just 131 students enrolled last semester.Why it matters: Such centers have become a Republican <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="priority" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/05/27/rise-conservative-civic-education-programs-universities/" data-vars-content-id="4f47c39d-262e-493a-a5ba-71a126d1b4b6" data-vars-headline="Facing low enrollment, Ohio may mandate university civics center courses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2026/05/27/rise-conservative-civic-education-programs-universities/" target="_blank">priority</a> in Ohio and other GOP-led states amid a push to overhaul public education and make it less &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="woke" data-vars-click-url="https://ohiosenate.gov/news/on-the-record/senator-cirino-highlights-success-of-1st-year-of-the-advance-ohio-higher-education-act" data-vars-content-id="4f47c39d-262e-493a-a5ba-71a126d1b4b6" data-vars-headline="Facing low enrollment, Ohio may mandate university civics center courses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ohiosenate.gov/news/on-the-record/senator-cirino-highlights-success-of-1st-year-of-the-advance-ohio-higher-education-act" target="_blank">woke</a>.&quot;

Columbus State proposes free tuition tax levy

The plan would cover costs for all new grads in Franklin County.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbus State Community College" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/25/columbus-state-ymca-child-care-vote" data-vars-content-id="949efa90-fa7e-4617-be5d-1f08cb672fc1" data-vars-headline="Columbus State proposes free tuition tax levy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/25/columbus-state-ymca-child-care-vote" target="_self">Columbus State Community College</a> plans to put a property tax levy before November voters to fund a free tuition program for all new high school graduates who live in Franklin County.Why it matters: College president David Harrison says this plan to expand free tuition would strengthen our local workforce by connecting more people with good-paying jobs.<ul><li>If approved, it would also offer discounted tuition to all other Franklin County residents —$1,000 less per academic year for a full-time student with 30 credit hours, per a news release.</li></ul>State of play: Columbus State has offered free tuition to all Columbus City Schools graduates since 2022 through its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbus Promise program" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/06/13/columbus-promise-program-extended-ohio" data-vars-content-id="949efa90-fa7e-4617-be5d-1f08cb672fc1" data-vars-headline="Columbus State proposes free tuition tax levy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/06/13/columbus-promise-program-extended-ohio" target="_self">Columbus Promise program</a>.<ul><li>The college reports 80% of its graduates stay and work in Central Ohio.</li></ul>Follow the money: The proposal would cost all Franklin County homeowners $67 for every $100,000 of home value, per unofficial estimates.<ul><li>It would generate $95 million annually.</li></ul>The big picture: The request is a first for the college, made possible by a 2025 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="change in state law" data-vars-click-url="https://ccao.org/aws/CCAO/pt/sd/news_article/584740/_PARENT/layout_details/false" data-vars-content-id="949efa90-fa7e-4617-be5d-1f08cb672fc1" data-vars-headline="Columbus State proposes free tuition tax levy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ccao.org/aws/CCAO/pt/sd/news_article/584740/_PARENT/layout_details/false" target="_blank">change in state law</a> included in the biennial budget.<ul><li>In 2020, voters approved the college&#x27;s first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bond issue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/06/30/how-columbus-state-is-spending-its-300-million-bond-funds-on-redeveloping-campus/90591681007/" data-vars-content-id="949efa90-fa7e-4617-be5d-1f08cb672fc1" data-vars-headline="Columbus State proposes free tuition tax levy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/06/30/how-columbus-state-is-spending-its-300-million-bond-funds-on-redeveloping-campus/90591681007/" target="_blank">bond issue</a> to support ongoing capital improvements on campus.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Aug. 5 is the deadline to place the tax issue on the Nov. 3 ballot.<ul><li>If passed, the new tuition rates would take effect in fall 2027.</li></ul>

Ohio classrooms lean into analog learning in the AI era

At least 16 states have introduced bills to limit classroom technology.

Parents, educators and lawmakers are pushing schools to curb classroom <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="screen use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/15/screen-free-childhood-parents-ditch-kids-phones" data-vars-content-id="b00c8ffa-eb78-4fc7-b0cd-46c082755b28" data-vars-headline="Ohio classrooms lean into analog learning in the AI era" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/15/screen-free-childhood-parents-ditch-kids-phones" target="_self">screen use</a> amid concerns about student attention, behavior and learning.Why it matters: School cellphone bans in Ohio and elsewhere are expanding into broader efforts to limit screen use and establish guardrails around AI in education.

Amid financial struggles, COSI reaches beyond its walls

COSI is kicking off a 20-city, two-year program that will bring hands-on learning to students across the country.

COSI and its corporate partners are kicking off a 20-city, two-year program that will bring hands-on learning experiences to students across the country.Why it matters: The science center is one of Columbus&#x27; most recognizable institutions, and the new program is another way to take its STEM focus beyond its walls.

A bar chart that shows Axios Columbus reader views on removing Les Wexnerâs name from local buildings. In a Feb. 24-26, 2026, survey of 486 readers, 63% said yes and 37% said no. Support for removal leads opposition by 26 percentage points.

Should local institutions remove Les Wexner's name from their buildings?

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Axios Cleveland

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Cleveland

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Ohio kindergartner vaccination exemptions

Data: CDC; Note: Data collection methods can vary from state to state; Brad Jennings/Axios

Education 📚

Our readers' thoughts on three-year bachelor's degrees

Ohio State's Wexner naming question remains

Remembering Dolly Parton through her books

Ohio explores 3-year bachelor's degrees

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline