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A new era for OSU's world-renowned cartoon museum

The new-look Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is open after six months of updates and renovations.

News

One of Columbus&#x27; best-kept secrets marks the start of a new era this weekend, reopening at Ohio State with a new look, new exhibitions and an internationally recognized headliner.Why it matters: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library &amp; Museum is the world&#x27;s largest collection of comics and cartoon art, an archive that draws experts and enthusiasts from all over the world.

Franklin County home values keep going up

New valuations will arrive in June, affecting 2027 tax bills.

Heads up, Franklin County homeowners: There&#x27;s a good chance your property value is going to rise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/08/08/franklin-county-home-values-2023" data-vars-content-id="c284c988-3eb7-4353-b292-143cb67aaf5f" data-vars-headline="Franklin County home values keep going up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/08/08/franklin-county-home-values-2023" target="_self">again</a>.Why it matters: A home&#x27;s appraised value affects sale prices and how much owners pay in property taxes.

Central Ohio nonprofits feel federal funding squeeze

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

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>

Ask Axios: Where can you recycle a TV for free in Columbus?

Unfortunately, there's almost always a fee. Here's why.

Reader Juliet K. asks: Do you know of a place to recycle TVs and monitors for free? Everywhere seems to have a price tag attached to it!<ul><li>Worthington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new recycling center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.worthington.org/2459/Worthington-Recycling-Convenience-Center" data-vars-content-id="0611336d-e927-43d9-927d-9926381c127d" data-vars-headline="Ask Axios: Where can you recycle a TV for free in Columbus?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.worthington.org/2459/Worthington-Recycling-Convenience-Center" target="_blank">new recycling center</a> says it accepts all electronics but those two.</li></ul>

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 homelessness hits new high

Franklin County's homeless population rose to a record high for the fourth straight year.

Columbus&#x27; homeless population rose to a historic high for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fourth straight year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/11/20/ohio-hunger-homelessness-awareness-week" data-vars-content-id="d9ae0890-5b43-4275-88cd-da1487693290" data-vars-headline="Columbus homelessness hits new high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/11/20/ohio-hunger-homelessness-awareness-week" target="_self">fourth straight year</a>, 2026 data shows.Why it matters: Our region&#x27;s housing crisis is becoming impossible to ignore, as a lack of affordable options is a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary driver" data-vars-click-url="https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/Causes-and-Solutions-to-Homelessness.pdf" data-vars-content-id="d9ae0890-5b43-4275-88cd-da1487693290" data-vars-headline="Columbus homelessness hits new high" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/Causes-and-Solutions-to-Homelessness.pdf" target="_blank">primary driver</a> of homelessness.

Black and Hispanic Ohioans face stark health disparities

New national study finds Black and Hispanic Ohioans lagging far behind in key health indicators.

Black and Hispanic Ohioans continue to experience massive <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="disparities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/28/racism-public-health-crisis-ohio" data-vars-content-id="82c4197a-fec5-44c3-a6a8-ed6f71ff0430" data-vars-headline="Black and Hispanic Ohioans face stark health disparities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/28/racism-public-health-crisis-ohio" target="_self">disparities</a> in health care, according to a new national study.Why it matters: Health disparities leave thousands of Ohioans suffering from preventable conditions, financial strain and a lack of trust in the health care system, with stark gaps across racial groups.

The questions you should be asking your primary care provider — and why they matter

Patients with a primary care provider they trust have better health care outcomes.

Partners

Nearly half of Americans feel anxious before a doctor&#x27;s appointment — and most leave at least one question they forgot or didn&#x27;t feel comfortable asking.Here&#x27;s the deal: The relationship between a patient and their primary care provider (PCP) is one of the strongest predictors of long-term health.Studies show that patients with a PCP they trust have better health outcomes, lower hospitalization rates and higher satisfaction with their care, but the structure of most primary care visits makes that relationship difficult to organically build.

Ohioans reflect on COVID's lasting impact

Readers describe long COVID and loss, plus new jobs and perspectives.

Despite COVID-19 mostly disappearing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from daily conversation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-state-covid-19-pandemic-research-history" data-vars-content-id="8ef80231-29c2-46cc-af40-29dd236e6194" data-vars-headline="Ohioans reflect on COVID&#x27;s lasting impact" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-state-covid-19-pandemic-research-history" target="_self">from daily conversation</a>, it hasn&#x27;t disappeared from daily life. And it turns out many of our readers still want to talk about it.Why it matters: The pandemic was both universal and deeply personal. Discussing our experiences can help us process what happened and learn from it.

Why we don't talk about COVID anymore

An Ohio State expert says moving on too quickly has consequences.

Six years ago this week, COVID-19 dominated daily life. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-covid-history-lessons" data-vars-content-id="19ebde6e-18f4-496a-b160-8eff8cdf9dae" data-vars-headline="Why we don&#x27;t talk about COVID anymore" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-covid-history-lessons" target="_self">Schools</a> closed, headlines tracked cases, and Ohio reported its first deaths and postponed a primary election.Why it matters: Today, the pandemic that killed over 1 million Americans and reshaped society has largely faded from public conversation.

Fast facts: OSU's new hospital

The $1.9 billion project is set to open Sunday.

OSU Wexner Medical Center will welcome patients into its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="University Hospital tower" data-vars-click-url="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/lp/new-inpatient-hospital-tower" data-vars-content-id="c161efb0-ffb3-4846-ab68-fb84bc4827cf" data-vars-headline="Fast facts: OSU&#x27;s new hospital" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/lp/new-inpatient-hospital-tower" target="_blank">University Hospital tower</a> on Sunday, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="largest" data-vars-click-url="https://medicine.osu.edu/news/an-inside-look-at-the-new-university-hospital" data-vars-content-id="c161efb0-ffb3-4846-ab68-fb84bc4827cf" data-vars-headline="Fast facts: OSU&#x27;s new hospital" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://medicine.osu.edu/news/an-inside-look-at-the-new-university-hospital" target="_blank">largest</a> single facilities project in Ohio State history.By the numbers:2020: The year crews broke ground. There was no ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A pro donor's guide to giving blood

America's blood supply is facing a critical shortage — and you can help.

Over the past nine years, I&#x27;ve donated enough blood to fill two gallon jugs, potentially helping up to 66 people.Why it matters: America&#x27;s blood supply is facing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a critical shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/american-red-cross-blood-shortage-2026-winter-storm-flu" data-vars-content-id="9452dc3f-f655-4681-9aaf-cbc28b91e4f3" data-vars-headline="A pro donor&#x27;s guide to giving blood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/21/american-red-cross-blood-shortage-2026-winter-storm-flu" target="_self">a critical shortage</a> — and you can help.

Ask Axios: Are flu vaccination rates down?

The "super flu" is raging, while flu shots are lagging.

Reader Lisa M. asks: What is the rate of flu shots received last year versus this year and does it correlate to the increase in flu activity? One would suspect that flu shots are down, since illness is up?

Ohio limits controversial gestational crates after 15-year wait

An advocate says it's a major shift for animal welfare in pork production.

Ohio has greatly limited the use of gestational crates for pregnant sows following years of pushing by animal rights advocates.Why it matters: There are more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.5 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ohio/Publications/Current_News_Releases/2025/nr2518oh.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="084bc8f0-47de-488f-8bb5-f1bf65a9d959" data-vars-headline="Ohio limits controversial gestational crates after 15-year wait" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ohio/Publications/Current_News_Releases/2025/nr2518oh.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">2.5 million</a> hogs in Ohio, which is 10th in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hog production" data-vars-click-url="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/hog-production-by-state?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="084bc8f0-47de-488f-8bb5-f1bf65a9d959" data-vars-headline="Ohio limits controversial gestational crates after 15-year wait" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/hog-production-by-state?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">hog production</a> in the country.

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

A column chart that shows the estimated number of people experiencing homelessness in Franklin County each year from 2009 to 2026. Counts rose from 1,359 in 2009 to 2,587 in 2026, the peak. The low was 1,356 in 2021, when an outside count did not occur due to the pandemic.

Estimated number of people experiencing homelessness in Franklin County

Data: Community Shelter Board ; Chart: Alissa Widman Neese/Axios

Ohio health system performance scores

The Commonwealth Fund 2026 State Health Disparities Report, based on data from 2022-24; Table: Andrew King/Axios

Health 🩺

Ticks set ER records as Lyme disease rises in Ohio

Columbus homelessness hits new high

Black and Hispanic Ohioans face stark health disparities

The questions you should be asking your primary care provider — and why they matter

Ohioans reflect on COVID's lasting impact