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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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Jeni's drops a trio of new summer flavors

We tried Confetti Brownie Batter, Matchapolitan and Summer Berries & Passion Fruit.

Food and Drink

To kick off summer, Jeni&#x27;s dropped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three seasonal flavors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY4lVIOx_Cn/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="7d822318-f2cc-44f3-9c3d-02b645838115" data-vars-headline="Jeni&#x27;s drops a trio of new summer flavors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY4lVIOx_Cn/?hl=en" target="_blank">three seasonal flavors</a> on Thursday — each familiar but new.I tried all three:

Central Ohio nonprofits feel federal funding squeeze

39% of nonprofits are operating at a deficit, up from 22% in 2022.

News

Columbus-area nonprofits providing housing, food access and other basic services face growing financial strain as federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="funding cuts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/25/doge-trump-musk-budget-cuts-math" data-vars-content-id="0666a281-87d3-416c-ab9d-f8ddd5e2c8c9" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio nonprofits feel federal funding squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/25/doge-trump-musk-budget-cuts-math" target="_self">funding cuts</a> increase demand and intensify competition for private donations.Why it matters: A recent survey from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Center for Effective Philanthropy" data-vars-click-url="https://cep.org/report-backpacks/state-of-nonprofits-2026/" data-vars-content-id="0666a281-87d3-416c-ab9d-f8ddd5e2c8c9" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio nonprofits feel federal funding squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cep.org/report-backpacks/state-of-nonprofits-2026/" target="_blank">Center for Effective Philanthropy</a> found 66% of nonprofits are concerned about their financial stability as demand for their assistance rises and public support shrinks.<ul><li>The percentage of responding nonprofits operating at a deficit rose to 39%, up from 22% in 2022.</li></ul>

Demand is high at Franklin County's new Crisis Care Center

The Franklinton facility has already helped 4,400 people.

Franklin County&#x27;s Crisis Care Center helped more than 4,400 people in its first eight months of operations, officials tell Axios.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="center" data-vars-click-url="https://adamhfranklin.org/crisis-center/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_columbus&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="1682c757-46e9-4b8b-be92-3b8db319a1dd" data-vars-headline="Demand is high at Franklin County&#x27;s new Crisis Care Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adamhfranklin.org/crisis-center/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_columbus&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">center</a> gives adults facing behavioral health crises and addiction an alternative to hospital emergency rooms.

Harambe's death still echoes 10 years later

The death of the beloved Cincinnati gorilla set off a social media firestorm.

Ten years ago today, Cincinnati became the center of the internet after Harambe — a 17-year-old gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo — died in one of the strangest viral news cycles of the social media era.Flashback: On <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="May 28, 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://cincinnatizoo.org/cincinnati-zoo-devastated-by-death-of-beloved-gorilla/" data-vars-content-id="30ed0105-8a97-4307-bd80-7d7aa78b2de4" data-vars-headline="Harambe&#x27;s death still echoes 10 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cincinnatizoo.org/cincinnati-zoo-devastated-by-death-of-beloved-gorilla/" target="_blank">May 28, 2016</a>, a 3-year-old boy entered the zoo&#x27;s Gorilla World exhibit.<ul><li>Fearing the child could be seriously hurt or killed, a zoo response team shot Harambe, an endangered western lowland silverback.</li></ul>

Columbus voters expand 911 alternatives

Plus: A quick recap of other 2026 primary election results in Central Ohio.

Columbus voters agreed to expand city programs offering 911 callers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="alternatives to police" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/14/911-alternative-police-response-ballot-measure" data-vars-content-id="5b5276b0-34fd-45e8-992c-12765f8a88c9" data-vars-headline="Columbus voters expand 911 alternatives" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/14/911-alternative-police-response-ballot-measure" target="_self">alternatives to police</a>, such as social workers and mental health experts, according to Tuesday&#x27;s unofficial election results.Why it matters: The Issue 5 charter amendment enables two firsts — 24/7 services and response teams for nonviolent calls with no police involvement.

A last-minute guide to Tuesday's primary

Polls close at 7:30pm. Here's what to know before you vote.

Don&#x27;t forget to stop by the polls Tuesday and cast your vote.

Columbus voters could create police-free 911 options

A May 5 ballot measure would also expand crisis teams to 24/7.

When Columbus residents in crisis dial 911 in a few years, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="their options" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/25/police-alternatives-november-ballot-proposal-ohio" data-vars-content-id="8b0d4e32-8108-4c99-b966-df01b62f179c" data-vars-headline="Columbus voters could create police-free 911 options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/25/police-alternatives-november-ballot-proposal-ohio" target="_self">their options</a> for help will look different if a ballot measure passes in May.Why it matters: The city charter amendment would establish a 24/7 program connecting some callers to resources beyond police, such as social workers and experts in mental and behavioral health.

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.

A quick roundup of Central Ohio election results

Columbus voters OK'd bonds, tax levies and 4 endorsed Democrats.

Here&#x27;s a smart, fast recap of what you need to know regarding Tuesday&#x27;s local elections, according to unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Columbus voters approve bond issues, elect Ross

The District 7 race between Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel was decided by a narrow margin.

Columbus voters approved nearly $2 billion in bond issues and named new city council and school board members, per unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Voters will decide Ginther's $1.9 billion bond plan

Five bond issues could fund housing, parks, safety and more — without raising taxes.

Ballots in Columbus are dominated by a quintet of bond issues that could shape the city&#x27;s future.Why it matters: The Nov. 4 election will decide five substantial issues totaling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$1.9 billion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/22/ohio-bond-package-november-ballot-housing-investment" data-vars-content-id="faf5e2ca-fa08-46b3-a426-36743b1d8db7" data-vars-headline="Voters will decide Ginther&#x27;s $1.9 billion bond plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/22/ohio-bond-package-november-ballot-housing-investment" target="_self">$1.9 billion</a> that will fund projects related to development, utilities, city services and infrastructure.

Voter guide 2025: What's on the ballot in Columbus

Election Day is Nov. 4. Brush up on council races, bond issues, a zoo levy and more.

With a week left until Election Day, we&#x27;re diving deeper into the Nov. 4 ballot — plus how to vote early.

Insider vs. outsider in City Council District 7 race

Jesse Vogel and Tiara Ross offer sharply different visions for Columbus.

Columbus voters will have a rare choice at the ballot box next week: a one-on-one showdown for a vacant city council seat.Why it matters: The City Council District 7 race has become a broader referendum about our local politics, pitting a council-endorsed city prosecutor against an immigration attorney with criticisms of the insider nature of Columbus leadership.

Scoop: Ramaswamy raised over $8.5M in campaign for governor

It's a massive haul this early in the election cycle.

Election

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has raised over $8.5 million since February toward his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="campaign for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/24/vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-bid-launch" data-vars-content-id="18c0ea72-ac13-4072-b324-eaf64f23a839" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ramaswamy raised over $8.5M in campaign for governor" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/24/vivek-ramaswamy-ohio-governor-bid-launch" target="_self">campaign for governor</a>, Axios has learned.Why it matters: It&#x27;s a massive haul this early in the election cycle, with the primary nearly a full year away.

🗳 How the SAVE Act could affect Ohio

How the SAVE Act could affect Ohio voters

A map of the United States showing the estimated driving time to the nearest election office, without traffic, as of March 2026. Distance varies significantly by state. Much of New England, Wisconsin and Michigan are within 30 minutes of an election office. However, the closest election office can be three or more hours away in parts of the West.

Axios Visuals: 2026-03-26-save-distance

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Election 🗳️

Columbus voters expand 911 alternatives

A last-minute guide to Tuesday's primary

Columbus voters could create police-free 911 options

What's on the May 5 primary ballot

How the SAVE Act could affect Ohio voters