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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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Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

We took in the experience of watching Columbus' newest team.

News

Columbus has a professional football team again. Why it matters: In a town enthusiastic about the sport, Friday marked the first outdoor pro football game in Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 34 years" data-vars-click-url="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" data-vars-content-id="dea41af6-b9b4-4cec-8b15-d9da299bea25" data-vars-headline="Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" target="_blank">in 34 years</a>.

What's on the May 5 primary ballot

Voters face school levies, a police response amendment and more.

Early voting is underway for the May 5 primary election, kicking off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" data-vars-content-id="0a156d75-86bb-4a77-bc19-55e9c67eb430" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the May 5 primary ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" target="_self">busy</a> midterm year.Why it matters: While statewide races like governor and U.S. Senate will likely grab the spotlight, there are plenty of local issues being decided now.

At long last, Buc-ee's brings BBQ and hype to Ohio

The Huber Heights store marks Buc-ee's debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

Business

Ohio has its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" data-vars-content-id="0aa83960-fdc8-49bb-8070-6cb90afa08b0" data-vars-headline="At long last, Buc-ee&#x27;s brings BBQ and hype to Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> — the Texas-born mega travel center known for turning gas stops into full-blown day trips.Why it matters: The massive 74,000-square-foot gas station on steroids opened this week in Huber Heights (near Dayton), marking Buc-ee&#x27;s debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer

On National Beer Day, take a moment to appreciate our water.

Enjoying a local beverage on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Beer Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" data-vars-content-id="8adf4f65-133b-41ee-9444-6d6fddf9a650" data-vars-headline="How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" target="_blank">National Beer Day</a>? Take a moment to consider the most important ingredient in Columbus beer: our water.Why it matters: Beer is over 90% water, and Columbus gives brewmasters — from small craft breweries to massive distributors — a big advantage.

Controversial school tradition Senior Tag is back

Police, parents and businesses hate it. Seniors love it.

Springtime at Central Ohio high schools means the return of traditions like prom, senior skip day and, surprisingly to some, students running around in their underwear with water guns.Why it matters: Depending on who you ask, &quot;Senior Tag&quot; is a beloved tradition and silly spectacle or a public nuisance and serious accident in the making. Either way, it&#x27;s likely coming to a suburban neighborhood near you this month.

Peek inside Ohio State's biodiversity museum

Explore rare specimens and hands-on exhibits at a March 28 open house.

In a nondescript building on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/24/ohio-state-digital-reservation-team-cinema-revival-festival" data-vars-content-id="944ecd43-55bd-486e-8f10-d626eae99537" data-vars-headline="Peek inside Ohio State&#x27;s biodiversity museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/24/ohio-state-digital-reservation-team-cinema-revival-festival" target="_self">Ohio State</a>&#x27;s west campus, dozens of scientists study the natural world — and visitors will get a rare look inside this weekend.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Museum of Biological Diversity" data-vars-click-url="https://mbd.osu.edu/" data-vars-content-id="944ecd43-55bd-486e-8f10-d626eae99537" data-vars-headline="Peek inside Ohio State&#x27;s biodiversity museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mbd.osu.edu/" target="_blank">Museum of Biological Diversity</a> is essentially an archive of life on Earth.

Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State's campus

Thompson Library, Mirror Lake top readers' list of favorites.

Things to Do

👋 Hello from the top of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thompson Library" data-vars-click-url="https://library.osu.edu/locations/thompson" data-vars-content-id="2f004d12-8b7a-4462-b3f2-54d5df2a3272" data-vars-headline="Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State&#x27;s campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.osu.edu/locations/thompson" target="_blank">Thompson Library</a> — one of several scenic spots readers recently suggested we explore.Behind the scenes: Like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Museum of Biological Diversity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/ohio-state-museum-of-biological-diversity" data-vars-content-id="2f004d12-8b7a-4462-b3f2-54d5df2a3272" data-vars-headline="Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State&#x27;s campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/ohio-state-museum-of-biological-diversity" target="_self">Museum of Biological Diversity</a> we recently toured, a lot happens on Ohio State University&#x27;s campus beyond classroom lectures.

How Ohio schools teach COVID, 6 years later

The pandemic is becoming history — but it's also students' lived experience.

Six years later, COVID is already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="becoming history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-state-covid-19-pandemic-research-history" data-vars-content-id="73ac31cb-fa05-4110-ad5d-75f49bb447f7" data-vars-headline="How Ohio schools teach COVID, 6 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-state-covid-19-pandemic-research-history" target="_self">becoming history</a> — but how schools teach it is still evolving.

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

Former president Ted Carter Jr. abruptly resigned days ago.

Education

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.

Long after COVID shutdowns, many Ohio students are still learning online

Over 50 K-12 districts operated an online school last year.

Six years after Ohio first moved school online during COVID shutdowns, several virtual schools from that era remain.Why it matters: Proponents say they offer flexibility to kids facing unique challenges, from health concerns to unstable homes and demanding jobs.

A brief history of recent Ohio State presidents

The university starts the search for its 18th president after Ted Carter Jr.'s resignation.

Ted Carter Jr.&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resignation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/10/ohio-state-president-search-ted-carter-resignation" data-vars-content-id="40f69b9c-c874-4e69-80ac-ae6d8f774660" data-vars-headline="A brief history of recent Ohio State presidents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/10/ohio-state-president-search-ted-carter-resignation" target="_self">resignation</a> is yet another in a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long line" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/ohio-state-university/no-ohio-state-president-has-exited-as-planned-since-1981/amp/" data-vars-content-id="40f69b9c-c874-4e69-80ac-ae6d8f774660" data-vars-headline="A brief history of recent Ohio State presidents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/ohio-state-university/no-ohio-state-president-has-exited-as-planned-since-1981/amp/" target="_blank">long line</a> of unplanned leadership transitions for Ohio State, which now begins the search for its 18th president.Flashback: The university appointed its first president, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Edward Orton" data-vars-click-url="https://library.osu.edu/edward-francis-baxter-orton-sr." data-vars-content-id="40f69b9c-c874-4e69-80ac-ae6d8f774660" data-vars-headline="A brief history of recent Ohio State presidents" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.osu.edu/edward-francis-baxter-orton-sr." target="_blank">Edward Orton</a>, way back in 1873, when it was known as Ohio A&amp;M College.

Ohio State braces for another president search

The university is investigating an "inappropriate relationship."

Former Ohio State president Ted Carter Jr.&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unexpected 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="8bb031a3-823d-47ad-aac0-4633b33b19ed" data-vars-headline="Ohio State braces for another president search" 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">unexpected resignation</a> due to an &quot;inappropriate relationship&quot; is the latest shakeup during a turbulent time at Ohio&#x27;s flagship university.Why it matters: The school now faces its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/05/05/ohio-state-university-president-search-2023" data-vars-content-id="8bb031a3-823d-47ad-aac0-4633b33b19ed" data-vars-headline="Ohio State braces for another president search" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/05/05/ohio-state-university-president-search-2023" target="_self">third</a> costly presidential search in six years.

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

The university announced the news Monday morning.

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.

Reviving historic media with OSU's digitization team

Catch a showcase of the team's work at the upcoming Cinema Revival festival.

Culture

There are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/OSULibraries/posts/do-you-know-how-many-books-we-have-at-thompson-library-about-125-million-there-a/788221573334581/" data-vars-content-id="de330718-e2a5-4a78-8ec2-f2453ec9dc52" data-vars-headline="Reviving historic media with OSU&#x27;s digitization team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/OSULibraries/posts/do-you-know-how-many-books-we-have-at-thompson-library-about-125-million-there-a/788221573334581/" target="_blank">millions</a> of books in Ohio State&#x27;s library system, but countless outdated media gems buried deep in the archives require the help of preservationists to return them to life.Why it matters: Thousands of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic" data-vars-click-url="https://library.osu.edu/archives" data-vars-content-id="de330718-e2a5-4a78-8ec2-f2453ec9dc52" data-vars-headline="Reviving historic media with OSU&#x27;s digitization team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.osu.edu/archives" target="_blank">historic</a> audiovisual items are kept at OSU, especially its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="special collections" data-vars-click-url="https://library.osu.edu/special-collections" data-vars-content-id="de330718-e2a5-4a78-8ec2-f2453ec9dc52" data-vars-headline="Reviving historic media with OSU&#x27;s digitization team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.osu.edu/special-collections" target="_blank">special collections</a> — and without digitization, these items largely sit unused and forgotten.

Education 📚

Controversial school tradition Senior Tag is back

Peek inside Ohio State's biodiversity museum

Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State's campus

How Ohio schools teach COVID, 6 years later

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