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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Tyler Buchanan and Alissa Widman Neese.

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A closer look at Ohio's new political maps

The maps are set to be in place for the rest of this decade.

News

Columbus' nightlife is bouncing back

Square transactions after 7pm now exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Columbus sees momentum for local tree growing plan

The city is eyeing over 96,000 potential planting sites.

What makes Ohioans want to stay (and leave)

Axios readers describe the reasons they stayed put or moved away.

Ohio's ACT scores are on the decline

This is likely another indicator of COVID-19's impact on education.

Ohio&#x27;s graduating seniors performed worse on the ACT college admissions exam than their counterparts from a decade ago, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/2023-Average-ACT-Scores-by-State.pdf" data-vars-content-id="97e54f38-24ff-4763-8922-b6fbc0220649" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s ACT scores are on the decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/2023-Average-ACT-Scores-by-State.pdf" target="_blank">according to data</a> from the nonprofit that administers the test.Why it matters: An increasing number of graduates across the country do not meet the ACT&#x27;s college readiness benchmarks, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; April Rubin writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/11/act-test-scores-lowest-2023" data-vars-content-id="97e54f38-24ff-4763-8922-b6fbc0220649" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s ACT scores are on the decline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/11/act-test-scores-lowest-2023" target="_self">Axios&#x27; April Rubin writes</a>.

A cell phone with the ACT test logo on it

Ohio school board races may get even more political

Rep. Mike Loychik wants candidates to pick a party.

A Northeast Ohio lawmaker wants to make Tuesday&#x27;s elections our last to feature nonpartisan school board races.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb267" data-vars-content-id="205d5c96-0834-4952-8595-9026bb172ce0" data-vars-headline="Ohio school board races may get even more political" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb267" target="_blank">The proposal</a> from state Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) would formalize a trend we&#x27;ve observed for years — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="K-12 schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/01/30/ohios-education-culture-war" data-vars-content-id="205d5c96-0834-4952-8595-9026bb172ce0" data-vars-headline="Ohio school board races may get even more political" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/01/30/ohios-education-culture-war" target="_self">K-12 schools</a>, and the elections of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="officials that govern them" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2021/11/01/ohio-school-board-races-2021-politics" data-vars-content-id="205d5c96-0834-4952-8595-9026bb172ce0" data-vars-headline="Ohio school board races may get even more political" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2021/11/01/ohio-school-board-races-2021-politics" target="_self">officials that govern them</a>, are increasingly becoming political battlegrounds.

Illustration of red and blue broken pencils.

Explaining Columbus' Nov. 7 school levy conflict

Some local Black leaders oppose the $99 million request.

Some local Black leaders are campaigning against Columbus City Schools&#x27; Nov. 7 levy, arguing now is not the time to increase homeowners&#x27; expenses.Why it matters: After a polarizing teachers strike and threats of a recession <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="thwarted last year&#x27;s levy attempt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/ccs-votes-remove-school-improvement-levy-bond-issue-from-november-ballot/530-2f4abf6c-49a5-4821-abaf-5da110a2f33b" data-vars-content-id="9909064d-062a-4f93-9a08-8d226768fb24" data-vars-headline="Explaining Columbus&#x27; Nov. 7 school levy conflict" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/ccs-votes-remove-school-improvement-levy-bond-issue-from-november-ballot/530-2f4abf6c-49a5-4821-abaf-5da110a2f33b" target="_blank">thwarted last year&#x27;s levy attempt</a>, the latest opposition signals lingering community frustrations with the Columbus Board of Education.

Illustration of an apple looking like an angry face emoji

Best Day Ever: Ohio's Teacher of the Year Mark Lowrie

Lowrie shares his favorite local restaurants and activities.

Education

Ohio&#x27;s 2024 teacher of the year is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="local educator Mark Lowrie" data-vars-click-url="https://education.ohio.gov/Media/Media-Releases/2023-Media-Releases/Gahanna-Jefferson-Public-Schools-educator-named-20#:~:text=Mark%20Lowrie%2C%20a%20broadcast%20journalism,Superintendent%20of%20Public%20Instruction%20Dr." data-vars-content-id="49a5ca2e-ec77-4bd1-b986-f75abf53e5f6" data-vars-headline="Best Day Ever: Ohio&#x27;s Teacher of the Year Mark Lowrie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://education.ohio.gov/Media/Media-Releases/2023-Media-Releases/Gahanna-Jefferson-Public-Schools-educator-named-20#:~:text=Mark%20Lowrie%2C%20a%20broadcast%20journalism,Superintendent%20of%20Public%20Instruction%20Dr." target="_blank">local educator Mark Lowrie</a>.Driving the news: Lowrie, who teaches broadcast journalism at Gahanna Lincoln High School, has grown the program from 27 to over 130 students. His teaching career spans 22 years.<ul><li>For our latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Best Day Ever" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/25/columbus-city-superintendent-angela-chapman" data-vars-content-id="49a5ca2e-ec77-4bd1-b986-f75abf53e5f6" data-vars-headline="Best Day Ever: Ohio&#x27;s Teacher of the Year Mark Lowrie" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/25/columbus-city-superintendent-angela-chapman" target="_self">Best Day Ever</a>, here&#x27;s Lowrie&#x27;s ideal day both inside and outside the classroom.</li></ul>

Best Day Ever: Superintendent Angela Chapman

Get to know the new leader of Columbus City Schools.

The school year is officially in full swing, with a new superintendent in charge of Columbus City Schools.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Angela Chapman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/1162" data-vars-content-id="281681be-a964-4e4e-bb1c-4de3250ca729" data-vars-headline="Best Day Ever: Superintendent Angela Chapman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ccsoh.us/Page/1162" target="_blank">Angela Chapman</a> took over the role full-time July 1 following the retirement of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Talisa Dixon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/12/09/columbus-city-schools-talisa-dixon-retire" data-vars-content-id="281681be-a964-4e4e-bb1c-4de3250ca729" data-vars-headline="Best Day Ever: Superintendent Angela Chapman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/12/09/columbus-city-schools-talisa-dixon-retire" target="_self">Talisa Dixon</a>.

Columbus City Schools superintendent Angela Chapman reads to a group of seated children while wearing a "Cat in the Hat" hat

Higher education in Ohio has higher cost

Private schools are driving up education costs in the Buckeye State.

Pricy private schools are leading Central Ohio students to pay more to obtain a higher ed degree here than they would in other parts of the country, an Axios review finds.Why it matters: Ever-growing tuition costs are a major burden for prospective college students and have been contributing to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a statewide enrollment drop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/08/22/college-enrollment-drop-ohio" data-vars-content-id="f1544e01-4f4c-4841-9c20-00afb5e239a0" data-vars-headline="Higher education in Ohio has higher cost" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/08/22/college-enrollment-drop-ohio" target="_self">a statewide enrollment drop</a> in recent years.

View your school district's report card rating

Ohio used a new 5-star overall ratings this year.

Ohio school districts received their first rating based on a new 5-star system yesterday.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new overall ratings" data-vars-click-url="http://www.oepiohio.org/index.php/newsroom/summer-2021-newsletter/house-bill-82-implements-report-card-changes-for-the-2021-22-school-year/" data-vars-content-id="d2353238-d92a-42a5-bd0b-174ed0f10f02" data-vars-headline="View your school district&#x27;s report card rating" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.oepiohio.org/index.php/newsroom/summer-2021-newsletter/house-bill-82-implements-report-card-changes-for-the-2021-22-school-year/" target="_blank">new overall ratings</a> summarize students&#x27; academic achievement across a variety of categories in the 2022-23 school year and can be used <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="punitively against schools" data-vars-click-url="https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/School-and-District-Improvement/Identification-and-Requirements/Academic-Distress-Commission" data-vars-content-id="d2353238-d92a-42a5-bd0b-174ed0f10f02" data-vars-headline="View your school district&#x27;s report card rating" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/School-and-District-Improvement/Identification-and-Requirements/Academic-Distress-Commission" target="_blank">punitively against schools</a> that perform poorly.

Ohio State's new president talks priorities

Walter "Ted" Carter Jr. starts on Jan. 1, 2024.

Ohio State&#x27;s incoming president, a retired U.S. Navy vice admiral, says he&#x27;s ready to begin &quot;steadying the ship&quot; when he takes the helm Jan. 1.Why it matters: Following former president Kristina M. Johnson&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abrupt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/12/08/ohio-state-president-kristina-johnson-tenure" data-vars-content-id="a1589b65-8cb8-44a3-8465-75a618a9811f" data-vars-headline="Ohio State&#x27;s new president talks priorities" 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</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="departure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/12/08/ohio-state-president-kristina-johnson-tenure" data-vars-content-id="a1589b65-8cb8-44a3-8465-75a618a9811f" data-vars-headline="Ohio State&#x27;s new president talks priorities" 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">departure</a>, OSU staff and students and the broader Columbus community are looking to Walter &quot;Ted&quot; Carter Jr. for stable leadership.

An aerial overview photo of the OSU campus Oval

Carter named 17th president of Ohio State University

The educator and former combat pilot will take over Jan. 1, 2024.

Walter &quot;Ted&quot; Carter Jr. was chosen to be the next president of Ohio State University, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the board of trustees voted Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://news.osu.edu/walter-ted-carter-jr-appointed-by-board-of-trustees-as-17th-president-of-the-ohio-state-university/" data-vars-content-id="edfe5a39-ff1e-45b8-81be-81065bc44851" data-vars-headline="Carter named 17th president of Ohio State University" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://news.osu.edu/walter-ted-carter-jr-appointed-by-board-of-trustees-as-17th-president-of-the-ohio-state-university/" target="_blank">the board of trustees voted Tuesday</a>.Why it matters: Upon taking office Jan. 1, 2024, he will lead the state&#x27;s flagship university with over 60,000 students on its main campus and at numerous satellite branches.

"Grow your own" program hopes to fill teacher gap

It's a flexible path to a Capital University teaching degree.

Columbus City Schools has created a new partnership with local colleges aiming to solve educator shortages and diversify its teaching staff.Why it matters: The teaching profession is facing an existential crisis, with high turnover — especially for new teachers — and not enough young people interested in the profession, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Erica Pandey reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/19/teacher-shortage-schools-education-salaries-training" data-vars-content-id="5056fcfe-e64f-47b1-8d94-3c0e272c98ea" data-vars-headline="&quot;Grow your own&quot; program hopes to fill teacher gap" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/19/teacher-shortage-schools-education-salaries-training" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Erica Pandey reports</a>.

Illustration of people climbing up a ladder made of pencils

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

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