Columbus

blue

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

Axios Columbus

Standard

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

Columbus Members

Membership

Central Ohio filmmakers' new movie "The Cycle" streams this weekend

"ThanksKilling" director Jordan Downey is back with a more serious murder mystery.

News

A new horror film written, directed and produced by Central Ohio natives is wrapping up its festival circuit and is ready for its streaming launch just in time for Halloween.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;The Cycle&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32358390/?_ssoLoop=1" data-vars-content-id="45c3c2d7-3770-4bd0-b437-a23f756e34f7" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio filmmakers&#x27; new movie &quot;The Cycle&quot; streams this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32358390/?_ssoLoop=1" target="_blank">&quot;The Cycle&quot;</a> is the new (and a bit more serious) movie from Granville native Jordan Downey, who made the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="infamous" data-vars-click-url="https://collider.com/thankskilling-horror-movie/" data-vars-content-id="45c3c2d7-3770-4bd0-b437-a23f756e34f7" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio filmmakers&#x27; new movie &quot;The Cycle&quot; streams this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://collider.com/thankskilling-horror-movie/" target="_blank">infamous</a> horror-comedy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;ThanksKilling.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1129441/" data-vars-content-id="45c3c2d7-3770-4bd0-b437-a23f756e34f7" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio filmmakers&#x27; new movie &quot;The Cycle&quot; streams this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1129441/" target="_blank">&quot;ThanksKilling.&quot;</a>

Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad

Politicians and commentators from both sides of the aisle have been critical.

As Vivek Ramaswamy <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="doubles down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/21/ramaswamy-ad-acton-mother-ohio" data-vars-content-id="1c441c31-61c6-4851-a87e-95688fe6855e" data-vars-headline="Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/21/ramaswamy-ad-acton-mother-ohio" target="_self">doubles down</a> on his controversial ad attacking Amy Acton, backlash has grown to include Democrats, Republicans and political commentators across the country.Why it matters: Ohio&#x27;s gubernatorial race is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="projected" data-vars-click-url="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/midterm-elections-in-ohio-october-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1c441c31-61c6-4851-a87e-95688fe6855e" data-vars-headline="Ramaswamy faces expanding blowback over Acton attack ad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://maristpoll.marist.edu/polls/midterm-elections-in-ohio-october-2026/" target="_blank">projected</a> to be a tight one — Ramaswamy&#x27;s ad is garnering enough negative attention that it could affect the result.

Husted and Brown battle for high-profile Senate seat

The Ohio race may determine control of the Senate next year.

Election

All eyes are back on Ohio as Republican Sen. Jon Husted seeks to fend off former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in a race with big implications for the years ahead.Why it matters: The race may determine control of the Senate, and a good showing from Brown could return Ohio to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="swing-state status in 2028" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/2028-map-swing-states-democrats-red-conservatives" data-vars-content-id="c39cc54a-ee35-47fd-8254-962aa8c3b283" data-vars-headline="Husted and Brown battle for high-profile Senate seat" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/13/2028-map-swing-states-democrats-red-conservatives" target="_self">swing-state status in 2028</a>.

Intel hits construction milestone at Ohio One

In an update this week, the company says "demand for computing power is growing at an unprecedented pace."

Construction on Intel&#x27;s massive Ohio One development in New Albany has hit a new milestone as the company continues work toward its most recent 2030 target date.Driving the news: Naga Chandrasekaran, Intel Foundry chief technology and operations officer, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="provided an update Wednesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/opinion/building-america-capacity-to-innovate.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top&amp;lctg=61143c39cd4dcd37e13a7294" data-vars-content-id="0be64679-daf7-4f07-8c6e-8b96dc4ca877" data-vars-headline="Intel hits construction milestone at Ohio One" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/opinion/building-america-capacity-to-innovate.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top&amp;lctg=61143c39cd4dcd37e13a7294" target="_blank">provided an update Wednesday</a> on the company&#x27;s efforts to expand semiconductor production capacity across the country.

Dawn of the dead wood: How to spot zombie trees

Just because your trees have leaves doesn't mean they're alive.

Zombies in scary movies emerge dramatically from underground or shriek to announce their presence — but in your backyard, they might be hiding in plain sight.Why it matters: The undead you might actually need to worry about are &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="zombie trees" data-vars-click-url="https://blog.davey.com/what-are-zombie-trees/" data-vars-content-id="0d56f4c4-6576-4c1e-ac4f-926fcddc521d" data-vars-headline="Dawn of the dead wood: How to spot zombie trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://blog.davey.com/what-are-zombie-trees/" target="_blank">zombie trees</a>,&quot; which can appear perfectly healthy until they topple onto your house.

Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees

The organization grew and nurtured 3,000 trees — now it's sharing them.

Green Columbus is giving away thousands of young trees to Franklin County residents for free.What they&#x27;re doing: It&#x27;s the Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sustainability nonprofit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greencbus.org/" data-vars-content-id="96c28c82-9b16-401f-b9a0-545e82b862e7" data-vars-headline="Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greencbus.org/" target="_blank">sustainability nonprofit</a>&#x27;s annual Tree Giveaway, part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greencbus.org/about-us#our-mission" data-vars-content-id="96c28c82-9b16-401f-b9a0-545e82b862e7" data-vars-headline="Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greencbus.org/about-us#our-mission" target="_blank">mission</a> to increase the city&#x27;s canopy coverage.

Armadillos may be arriving in Ohio for the first time

The  mammals have been here before, but as hitchhikers rather than residents.

Researchers in southwest Ohio believe the state may have a new resident. Driving the news: A research team at Miami University has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wlwt.com/article/miami-university-ohio-first-naturally-occurring-armadillo/73657483" data-vars-content-id="7ccf1f87-e505-4443-abec-1b7f9053746c" data-vars-headline="Armadillos may be arriving in Ohio for the first time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wlwt.com/article/miami-university-ohio-first-naturally-occurring-armadillo/73657483" target="_blank">found</a> what is possibly the first naturally occurring armadillo in the state.

Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio's wet August

Experts say they're probably nothing to worry about — but don't eat them.

As Central Ohio residents deal with an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abnormally stormy August" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/13/central-ohio-storm-rain-weather" data-vars-content-id="efb44b09-6488-460d-a0a3-49c75ac6311d" data-vars-headline="Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio&#x27;s wet August" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/13/central-ohio-storm-rain-weather" target="_self">abnormally stormy August</a>, our spore-bearing cousins are thriving.Why it matters: My normally green yard has become filled with dozens of large white mushrooms in recent days — some nearly as big as dinner plates.

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.

Environment

Dawn of the dead wood: How to spot zombie trees

Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees

Armadillos may be arriving in Ohio for the first time

Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio's wet August

Clawed visitors are appearing in Columbus backyards