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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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OSU has no plans to accommodate World Cup soccer at Ohio Stadium

It appears Columbus still won't have a plausible host stadium for a future tournament.

News

America&#x27;s World Cup was a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="huge success" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/world-cup-2026-usmnt-loss-usa-soccer" data-vars-content-id="c85f2f37-6144-4796-b010-d87827195ef6" data-vars-headline="OSU has no plans to accommodate World Cup soccer at Ohio Stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/12/world-cup-2026-usmnt-loss-usa-soccer" target="_self">huge success</a> — but don&#x27;t expect 100,000 soccer fans watching games in Columbus any time soon.Why it matters: The United States is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="already being floated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqx13p4q8wvo" data-vars-content-id="c85f2f37-6144-4796-b010-d87827195ef6" data-vars-headline="OSU has no plans to accommodate World Cup soccer at Ohio Stadium" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cqx13p4q8wvo" target="_blank">already being floated</a> as a host country again in 2038, but the World Cup demands massive stadiums.

Gigi's lands $2M to expand its dog rescue strategy nationwide

The Columbus nonprofit is helping shelters buy transport vans.

A nonprofit near Canal Winchester that helps homeless dogs get adopted faster has received $2 million to share its strategy across the nation.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gigi&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://gigis.org/" data-vars-content-id="9f7f5251-f6b2-4e06-97f6-62f8e4df1209" data-vars-headline="Gigi&#x27;s lands $2M to expand its dog rescue strategy nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gigis.org/" target="_blank">Gigi&#x27;s</a> already moves 1,400 dogs a year out of rural Appalachian shelters into Columbus, and a donation from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Stanton Foundation" data-vars-click-url="https://thestantonfoundation.org/" data-vars-content-id="9f7f5251-f6b2-4e06-97f6-62f8e4df1209" data-vars-headline="Gigi&#x27;s lands $2M to expand its dog rescue strategy nationwide" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://thestantonfoundation.org/" target="_blank">The Stanton Foundation</a> will launch a grant program to significantly scale its impact.

The best theaters to see a blockbuster in Columbus

From massive screens to draft beer selections, Columbus has a screen for you.

Superstar director Christopher Nolan&#x27;s new film, &quot;The Odyssey,&quot; is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="packing theaters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/07/15/the-odyssey-box-office-estimates-are-in-and-they-are-near-record-high/" data-vars-content-id="f8778ffd-de45-475f-8516-82369b4b12ac" data-vars-headline="The best theaters to see a blockbuster in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2026/07/15/the-odyssey-box-office-estimates-are-in-and-they-are-near-record-high/" target="_blank">packing theaters</a> this weekend — but where should you see it?Why it matters: The movie was meant for massive screens, and whether you&#x27;re a dedicated cinephile or the casual &quot;dinner and a show&quot; type, Columbus has a theater for you.

Clawed visitors are appearing in Columbus backyards

They may be alarming, but they're not the crayfish we need to worry about.

The invasive red swamp crayfish is wandering into Central Ohio backyards and patios — but it&#x27;s not the scariest crustacean staring at us.Why it matters: Invasive species harm natural ecosystems by pushing out native life, spreading disease and harming vegetation — if uncontrolled, that can affect our waterways.

How Columbus is making composting easier

We tried the city's free compost drop-offs. Here's what we learned.

Columbus residents have composted about 400,000 pounds of food waste since the city started rolling out free public drop-off sites <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three years ago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/06/12/ask-axios-columbus-ohio-composting-sites" data-vars-content-id="e7f685ed-d90d-4d12-8b0b-b6a3ce5e06a6" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is making composting easier" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/06/12/ask-axios-columbus-ohio-composting-sites" target="_self">three years ago</a>.Why it matters: Food is the most common divertible material dumped in the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill, at a rate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nearly 1 million pounds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/22/columbus-landfill-trash-recycling-compost" data-vars-content-id="e7f685ed-d90d-4d12-8b0b-b6a3ce5e06a6" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is making composting easier" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/22/columbus-landfill-trash-recycling-compost" target="_self">nearly 1 million pounds</a> daily.

"Human composting" may be coming to Ohio

An Ohio Senate bill would legalize the burial alternative that turns human remains into soil.

An Ohio legislator and national funeral company are working to give residents a new option for their remains: &quot;human composting.&quot;Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The burial method" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/human-composting" data-vars-content-id="7e5f8b90-762e-4f52-86a5-11b2e8af4c1c" data-vars-headline="&quot;Human composting&quot; may be coming to Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/11/21/human-composting" target="_self">The burial method</a> is gaining popularity across the country and drawing hundreds of curious Ohioans — but it&#x27;s not currently legal in the state.

Ticks set ER records as Lyme disease rises in Ohio

Once concentrated in the Northeast, around half of Ohio ticks now carry Lyme disease.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tick season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/tick-bite-rate-lyme-disease-what-to-do" data-vars-content-id="c8e10d80-a6a4-4398-9050-1dd08ebde5cd" data-vars-headline="Ticks set ER records as Lyme disease rises in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/12/tick-bite-rate-lyme-disease-what-to-do" target="_self">Tick season</a> is in full force with summer approaching, and May being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lyme Disease Awareness Month" data-vars-click-url="https://www.globallymealliance.org/about-lyme/prevention/lymeawareness/" data-vars-content-id="c8e10d80-a6a4-4398-9050-1dd08ebde5cd" data-vars-headline="Ticks set ER records as Lyme disease rises in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.globallymealliance.org/about-lyme/prevention/lymeawareness/" target="_blank">Lyme Disease Awareness Month</a> helps remind us of the risks these pests pose.Why it matters: Tick-related <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="illnesses" data-vars-click-url="https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2026-04-14/the-number-of-tick-related-illnesses-in-ohio-is-skyrocketing-heres-why" data-vars-content-id="c8e10d80-a6a4-4398-9050-1dd08ebde5cd" data-vars-headline="Ticks set ER records as Lyme disease rises in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.statenews.org/government-politics/2026-04-14/the-number-of-tick-related-illnesses-in-ohio-is-skyrocketing-heres-why" target="_blank">illnesses</a> are skyrocketing this season, sending people to the ER in record numbers.

Columbus explores recycling water for data centers

A water reclamation project could remove data centers from Central Ohio's drinking water supply.

Columbus is exploring a plan to use reclaimed wastewater to operate local data centers, removing the need to send drinking water to the facilities.Why it matters: The increasing number of Central Ohio data centers require <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive amounts of water" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/20/water-demand-data-centers-intel-ohio" data-vars-content-id="18a498b5-2edf-4b9a-82ad-80fcfc70c408" data-vars-headline="Columbus explores recycling water for data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/20/water-demand-data-centers-intel-ohio" target="_self">massive amounts of water</a>, but so does the area&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rapidly growing population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="18a498b5-2edf-4b9a-82ad-80fcfc70c408" data-vars-headline="Columbus explores recycling water for data centers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" target="_self">rapidly growing population</a>.

What's next for the Big Darby Accord

Columbus has paused a vote as partners and advocates push for changes.

Facing pressure from environmental activists and local government partners, the City of Columbus will delay voting to overhaul the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Darby Accord" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/14/big-darby-accord-update-development-limits" data-vars-content-id="8192ae72-6250-40ed-a6e3-8e56b986190c" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for the Big Darby Accord" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/14/big-darby-accord-update-development-limits" target="_self">Big Darby Accord</a> until later this year.Why it matters: As Central Ohio growth pushes west, the accord shapes development around Big Darby Creek — one of the Midwest&#x27;s most biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems.

Make your yard pollinator-friendly this spring

Native plants help birds, bees and butterflies — and you can start small.

Spring planting season is nearly here — for those wanting to make their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="yard" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/26/natural-organic-lawn-care-tips-ohio" data-vars-content-id="9c69f0f5-5188-4364-8068-d5c5d27ae19f" data-vars-headline="Make your yard pollinator-friendly this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/26/natural-organic-lawn-care-tips-ohio" target="_self">yard</a> more pollinator-friendly, there&#x27;s no better time to start.Why it matters: April is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Native Plant Month" data-vars-click-url="https://nationalnativeplantmonth.org/" data-vars-content-id="9c69f0f5-5188-4364-8068-d5c5d27ae19f" data-vars-headline="Make your yard pollinator-friendly this spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nationalnativeplantmonth.org/" target="_blank">Native Plant Month</a>, drawing attention to Ohio&#x27;s native trees, shrubs and flowers as an important food and habitat source for local wildlife.

Peek inside Columbus' AI-powered recycling center

Rumpke's tech sorts recyclables faster, reducing landfill waste.

A crushed bottle zips along a crowded conveyor belt, and in a split second, a puff of air blasts it into a pile of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plastics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/24/coke-pepsi-plastic-waste-study" data-vars-content-id="43871aaf-f2a8-4e68-955b-0e5e1344a4ff" data-vars-headline="Peek inside Columbus&#x27; AI-powered recycling center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/04/24/coke-pepsi-plastic-waste-study" target="_self">plastics</a>.Why it matters: Inside Rumpke&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Recycling &amp; Resource Center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.rumpke.com/about-us/service-areas/oh/franklin-county/columbus/recycling-resource-center" data-vars-content-id="43871aaf-f2a8-4e68-955b-0e5e1344a4ff" data-vars-headline="Peek inside Columbus&#x27; AI-powered recycling center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.rumpke.com/about-us/service-areas/oh/franklin-county/columbus/recycling-resource-center" target="_blank">Recycling &amp; Resource Center</a>, an AI-powered system makes over 1,000 of these decisions per minute.

Why Ohio banned the smelly, ubiquitous Bradford pear

Even after a ban, these pungent invasive trees are hard to stop.

The days are heating up, the sun is out longer and the smells of spring are in the air. Or is that just the smell of a Bradford pear tree?Why it matters: The tree is a troublesome invasive species, but it&#x27;s also one of the most noticeable plants in Central Ohio — among the first trees to bloom each spring and arguably the smelliest.

Outdoor recreation made Ohio $20 billion in 2024

The industry supports 150,000 jobs statewide.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outdoor recreation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/07/12/ohio-state-parks-hocking-hills-free-summer" data-vars-content-id="fe16962b-307d-404b-bf83-8ce326cb9902" data-vars-headline="Outdoor recreation made Ohio $20 billion in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/07/12/ohio-state-parks-hocking-hills-free-summer" target="_self">Outdoor recreation</a> in parks, on waterways and elsewhere made Ohio $20 billion in 2024, and represents an increasingly large percentage of our state GDP.Why it matters: In addition to state revenue, the industry supports tens of thousands of Ohio jobs and billions in wages in fields ranging from boating and fishing to equestrian and snow sports.

We're going to try composting

An Axios Columbus reporter tries composting

A column chart that shows U.S. emergency department visits for tick bites each April, measured per 100,000 visits. Rates rose from 56 in 2022 to 64 in 2023, dipped to 62 in 2024, then climbed to 68 in 2025 and 101 in 2026, the series high.

Tick bite ER visits in April

Data: CDC National Syndromic Surveillance Program; Note: 2026 data are preliminary; Chart: Carly Mallenbaum/Axios

Environment

Clawed visitors are appearing in Columbus backyards

How Columbus is making composting easier

An Axios Columbus reporter tries composting

"Human composting" may be coming to Ohio

Ticks set ER records as Lyme disease rises in Ohio