Columbus

blue

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

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus Partners

Columbus Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus

Standard

Columbus Members

Membership

Ohio's first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills

It's expected to open in 2027, offering a scenic 5-minute trip.

News

Construction is starting soon on Ohio&#x27;s first mountain coaster, just a short trip away in the Hocking Hills.For the unfamiliar: They&#x27;re scenic, gravity-driven <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rides" data-vars-click-url="https://anakeesta.com/blog/what-is-a-mountain-coaster/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="74f11562-b424-4d53-8212-b832212e1c20" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://anakeesta.com/blog/what-is-a-mountain-coaster/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">rides</a> on tracks built into mountainsides, with single-car riders using hand brakes to control the speed.

Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building

The unique Newark landmark is up for sale again.

Real Estate

As a Central Ohio native, I have been fascinated by the Longaberger Basket Building for decades. I finally got a tour inside, and it felt like a pilgrimage. Why it matters: Long vacant and recently for sale once more, the basket is perhaps Ohio&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="well-known" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" data-vars-content-id="c0a7793e-d3fa-479d-bd04-6c0665460ff9" data-vars-headline="Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" target="_blank">well-known</a> oddity.

The Longaberger Basket Building's history and future

After a decade sitting vacant, what comes next for the basket with it up for sale?

History

The Longaberger Basket Building opened as the company&#x27;s Newark headquarters in 1997, welcoming hundreds of employees.Flashback: The $30 million building was the crown jewel of founder Dave Longaberger&#x27;s empire, founded in 1973 in nearby Dresden.

Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building

A few extra looks inside the massive, fascinating basket.

The people are demanding more basket photos. The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/10/longaberger-basket-building-newark-ohio-building-inside-photos" data-vars-content-id="c2dec018-51f7-44df-9d09-4a9137149fad" data-vars-headline="Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/10/longaberger-basket-building-newark-ohio-building-inside-photos" target="_self">I wrote</a> about my recent exploration of the Longaberger basket building and a few readers asked to see more pictures from the trip.

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.

Election 🗳️

FBI raid and voter ID push fuel election fears in Ohio

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