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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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When is your community's trick-or-treat night?

Not every beggar's night is held on Oct. 31 here in Central Ohio.

News

It&#x27;s a split calendar for trick-or-treating this year, with some Central Ohio communities holding &quot;beggar&#x27;s night&quot; on the Thursday before Halloween and some holding it on Oct. 31 itself.Between the lines: Why isn&#x27;t everyone on Halloween?

Flu season is getting underway earlier than usual

What Ohio doctors are seeing and how you can keep yourself healthy.

The flu is getting an early start in Columbus and around the country this year.Why it matters: Does it feel like you keep hearing about friends and family getting sick? It&#x27;s a good reminder to get a flu shot.

Spirit Halloween haunts former local stores 

The Halloween retailer has been climbing inside the vacated homes of a Columbus original.

Spooky season means the return of Spirit Halloween — and here in Central Ohio, the purveyors of costumes and ghostly decor are haunting the former homes of one of Columbus&#x27; recently departed companies.Why it matters: It just doesn&#x27;t feel like October until you drive by a big-box store you once knew and think, &quot;Wait, that&#x27;s a Spirit Halloween now?&quot;

Banana Ball is headed back to Columbus in 2027

Two teams affiliated with the Savannah Bananas will come to Huntington Park.

Things to Do

Banana Ball hijinks are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="headed back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/29/savannah-bananas-banana-ball-ohio-tour-2024" data-vars-content-id="5c1f8d4a-965f-462c-955a-3ac0168970ed" data-vars-headline="Banana Ball is headed back to Columbus in 2027" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/29/savannah-bananas-banana-ball-ohio-tour-2024" target="_self">headed back</a> to Huntington Park next summer.State of play: It won&#x27;t be the famous Savannah Bananas, but we&#x27;ll see two affiliated teams that play the same brand of wacky baseball.<ul><li>The Party Animals will take on the Texas Tailgaters on Aug. 6-7.</li></ul>

Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day

Even a short daily walk can do wonders for your health.

Health

Columbus residents and visitors walk about a half-mile per day on average, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new StreetLight report" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/measuring-walking-and-biking-miles-traveled-ebook" data-vars-content-id="9c6eeb37-f35b-4445-866a-8942276d8907" data-vars-headline="Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/measuring-walking-and-biking-miles-traveled-ebook" target="_blank">a new StreetLight report</a>.Why it matters: Even a short daily walk <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="can do wonders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/14/fast-walking-improve-longevity-prevent-death" data-vars-content-id="9c6eeb37-f35b-4445-866a-8942276d8907" data-vars-headline="Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/14/fast-walking-improve-longevity-prevent-death" target="_self">can do wonders</a> for your health, and the data shows we could be lacing &#x27;em up a little more often.

Nationwide Children's stays atop Midwest rankings

The hospital ranks among the best in the country.

For the third year <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in a row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/07/nationwide-childrens-hospital-ranking" data-vars-content-id="ae157269-3d32-4f89-8db8-6c7505707dff" data-vars-headline="Nationwide Children&#x27;s stays atop Midwest rankings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/07/nationwide-childrens-hospital-ranking" target="_self">in a row</a>, Nationwide Children&#x27;s Hospital tied for first place in U.S. News &amp; World Report&#x27;s ranking of Midwest children&#x27;s hospitals. Why it matters: Ohioans have access to a concentrated grouping of world class children&#x27;s hospitals.

Beam Benefits founder's new startup draws $21M seed funding

Stack Health aims to change the way employers offer health insurance.

Beam Benefits co-founder Alex Frommeyer is back with a new Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="startup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/20/startup-funding" data-vars-content-id="cb19d852-a214-4b23-acf4-f7b8224b8b9c" data-vars-headline="Beam Benefits founder&#x27;s new startup draws $21M seed funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/20/startup-funding" target="_self">startup</a> that just secured $21 million to rethink how employers provide health insurance.Why it matters: Frommeyer sees the impressive seed funding round as part of a rising tide for Columbus startups.

Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio

Nearly half of Ohio counties lack a hospital with labor and delivery services.

Nearly half of Ohio counties lack a hospital with labor and delivery services, per a new March of Dimes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/united-states/maternity-care-deserts" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/united-states/maternity-care-deserts" target="_blank">report</a> — and that now includes Delaware County, after Grady Memorial Hospital stopped delivering babies this month.Why it matters: OhioHealth&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/advocates-rally-grady-memorial-labor-delivery-unit-closure-nears/530-2b11a6c6-176c-44d0-87be-3fde7e87fd9f" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/advocates-rally-grady-memorial-labor-delivery-unit-closure-nears/530-2b11a6c6-176c-44d0-87be-3fde7e87fd9f" target="_blank">controversial</a> decision in one of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" target="_self">fastest-growing</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wealthiest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/03/23/ohio-median-household-income-2020-census-data" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/03/23/ohio-median-household-income-2020-census-data" target="_self">wealthiest</a> counties illustrates how loss of maternity care isn&#x27;t just a rural issue.

As cyclospora fears grow, Ohio farmers markets are having a moment

Demand for local lettuce is soaring as shoppers seek transparency.

One unexpected effect of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cyclosporiasis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/01/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-foodborne-illness-record" data-vars-content-id="632bf723-3c0a-41da-91e0-2883e3cabb15" data-vars-headline="As cyclospora fears grow, Ohio farmers markets are having a moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/01/cyclospora-lettuce-outbreak-foodborne-illness-record" target="_self">cyclosporiasis</a> outbreak: Ohioans are flocking to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="farmers markets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/04/a-central-ohio-farmers-market-for-every-day-in-the-week" data-vars-content-id="632bf723-3c0a-41da-91e0-2883e3cabb15" data-vars-headline="As cyclospora fears grow, Ohio farmers markets are having a moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/04/a-central-ohio-farmers-market-for-every-day-in-the-week" target="_self">farmers markets</a> for locally grown lettuce.Why it matters: The shift reflects a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader" data-vars-click-url="https://www.grocerydive.com/news/grocery-shoppers-transparency-sourcing-FMI/701512/" data-vars-content-id="632bf723-3c0a-41da-91e0-2883e3cabb15" data-vars-headline="As cyclospora fears grow, Ohio farmers markets are having a moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.grocerydive.com/news/grocery-shoppers-transparency-sourcing-FMI/701512/" target="_blank">broader</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trend" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/farmers-markets-local-produce-cyclospora-93f537c9" data-vars-content-id="632bf723-3c0a-41da-91e0-2883e3cabb15" data-vars-headline="As cyclospora fears grow, Ohio farmers markets are having a moment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/farmers-markets-local-produce-cyclospora-93f537c9" target="_blank">trend</a> of U.S. consumers pushing for more transparency about where their food comes from.

Ohio cyclosporiasis cases top 1,200

Here's when — and how — to get tested.

The number of cyclosporiasis cases in Ohio has ballooned beyond 1,200 in about a month, including a few dozen in Franklin County, per an Ohio Department of Health <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://data.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/data/view/summary-of-infectious-diseases-in-ohio" data-vars-content-id="2841b85b-d42e-4e21-b268-8d98d782eb72" data-vars-headline="Ohio cyclosporiasis cases top 1,200" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/data/view/summary-of-infectious-diseases-in-ohio" target="_blank">dashboard</a>.Caveat: Actual case numbers are likely much higher because of delayed federal health tracking and limited testing. Michigan and Ohio are currently most affected.

Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop

Expiring subsidies led Ohio to lose 32.4% of its enrollment between February 2025 and 2026.

Ohio has seen the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s largest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/where-obamacare-enrollment-is-plummeting?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/where-obamacare-enrollment-is-plummeting?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" target="_self">nation&#x27;s largest</a> percentage decline in residents covered by Affordable Care Act plans as a result of federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="subsidies allowed to expire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/05/republicans-aca-health-care-subsidies" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/05/republicans-aca-health-care-subsidies" target="_self">subsidies allowed to expire</a> this year, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal data" data-vars-click-url="https://data.cms.gov/summary-statistics-on-beneficiary-enrollment/health-insurance-marketplace/health-insurance-exchanges-monthly-effectuated-enrollment/" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.cms.gov/summary-statistics-on-beneficiary-enrollment/health-insurance-marketplace/health-insurance-exchanges-monthly-effectuated-enrollment/" target="_blank">federal data</a>.Why it matters: Expiration of the subsidies has resulted in tens of thousands of Ohioans losing health care access in a state that already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggles with health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" target="_self">struggles with health</a>.

Federal officials unveil Ohio fraud crackdown

Allegations include over $50 million in fraud schemes involving Medicaid and other programs.

Federal officials were in Columbus this week to announce prosecution of a variety of alleged fraud schemes, along with a &quot;fraud-fighting enforcement partnership&quot; with Ohio.Driving the news: At a press conference Thursday, several high-ranking Trump administration officials announced what <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/04/trump-nominate-todd-blanche-attorney-general" data-vars-content-id="e88cb66a-6f47-4a51-a2b7-afbefcef99ad" data-vars-headline="Federal officials unveil Ohio fraud crackdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/06/04/trump-nominate-todd-blanche-attorney-general" target="_self">acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche</a> called &quot;significant fraud enforcement&quot; in the state that he says centers in Franklin County.

Demand is high at Franklin County's new Crisis Care Center

The Franklinton facility has already helped 4,400 people.

Franklin County&#x27;s Crisis Care Center helped more than 4,400 people in its first eight months of operations, officials tell Axios.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="center" data-vars-click-url="https://adamhfranklin.org/crisis-center/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_columbus&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="1682c757-46e9-4b8b-be92-3b8db319a1dd" data-vars-headline="Demand is high at Franklin County&#x27;s new Crisis Care Center" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://adamhfranklin.org/crisis-center/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_columbus&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">center</a> gives adults facing behavioral health crises and addiction an alternative to hospital emergency rooms.

A five-line chart titled "Positive flu tests rising earlier this fall" shows the percentage of positive of respiratory tests for the influenza virus from the fall of 2022 to 2026. The line for 2026 rises the most by the 38th week of the year to 3.4%.

Positive flu tests rising earlier this fall

Bar chart shows the five cities where residents walk the most – Orlando, Boston, Anaheim, New Orleans and Tampa Bay – and the least: San Jose, Fresno, Colorado Springs, and Bakersfield and Stockton Calif.

How much walking we do in Columbus&nbsp;

Data: StreetLight; Graphic: Jim Sergent/Axios

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Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline

Cleveland

A line chart that shows kindergartner vaccine exemption rates and the U.S. average from 2011-12 to 2025-26. The local rate rose from 0.6% to 3%, with faster gains after 2020. It remained below the national average each year, which increased from 1.6% to 4.2%.

Ohio kindergartner vaccination exemptions

Data: CDC; Note: Data collection methods can vary from state to state; Brad Jennings/Axios

Health 🩺

Flu season is getting underway earlier than usual

Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day

Nationwide Children's stays atop Midwest rankings

Beam Benefits founder's new startup draws $21M seed funding

Ohio kindergarten vaccine rates decline