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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.

Rite Rug owner's stunning collection goes to auction

Hundreds of items are a "portrait of a man of broad interests and boundless curiosity."

A Columbus carpet kingpin&#x27;s memorabilia collection is up for auction, with a selection of dazzling showpieces set to fetch tens of thousands of dollars.Why it matters: The collection belongs to Michael Goldberg, who owned Columbus-based Rite Rug and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died" data-vars-click-url="https://epsteinmemorialchapel.com/obituaries/michael-goldberg-2025" data-vars-content-id="6353cd15-d317-4f32-bc8d-96ccdd01d817" data-vars-headline="Rite Rug owner&#x27;s stunning collection goes to auction" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://epsteinmemorialchapel.com/obituaries/michael-goldberg-2025" target="_blank">died</a> in December.

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>.

Two visions for Columbus council could clash in November

Although two conflicting issues can pass, only one can prevail.

Efforts to reform Columbus City Council&#x27;s election system could soon get more complicated, with two dueling ballot items looking increasingly likely in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="November" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/11/ballot-issues-2026-bexley-upper-arlington-south-western-levy" data-vars-content-id="c2f24cb4-e4a3-4a5d-9152-fb72943d5713" data-vars-headline="Two visions for Columbus council could clash in November" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/11/ballot-issues-2026-bexley-upper-arlington-south-western-levy" target="_self">November</a>.Why it matters: The situation could muddy a grassroots effort to overhaul how council is elected — and potentially trigger a legal battle if voters approve conflicting proposals.

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.

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.

Election 🗳️

Two visions for Columbus council could clash in November

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

FBI raid and voter ID push fuel election fears in Ohio

Columbus voters expand 911 alternatives

A last-minute guide to Tuesday's primary