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Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building

The unique Newark landmark is up for sale again.

Real Estate

As a Central Ohio native, I have been fascinated by the Longaberger Basket Building for decades. I finally got a tour inside, and it felt like a pilgrimage. Why it matters: Long vacant and recently for sale once more, the basket is perhaps Ohio&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="well-known" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" data-vars-content-id="c0a7793e-d3fa-479d-bd04-6c0665460ff9" data-vars-headline="Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" target="_blank">well-known</a> oddity.

Ohio's first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills

It's expected to open in 2027, offering a scenic 5-minute trip.

News

Construction is starting soon on Ohio&#x27;s first mountain coaster, just a short trip away in the Hocking Hills.For the unfamiliar: They&#x27;re scenic, gravity-driven <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rides" data-vars-click-url="https://anakeesta.com/blog/what-is-a-mountain-coaster/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="74f11562-b424-4d53-8212-b832212e1c20" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s first mountain coaster is coming to Hocking Hills" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://anakeesta.com/blog/what-is-a-mountain-coaster/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">rides</a> on tracks built into mountainsides, with single-car riders using hand brakes to control the speed.

The Longaberger Basket Building's history and future

After a decade sitting vacant, what comes next for the basket with it up for sale?

History

The Longaberger Basket Building opened as the company&#x27;s Newark headquarters in 1997, welcoming hundreds of employees.Flashback: The $30 million building was the crown jewel of founder Dave Longaberger&#x27;s empire, founded in 1973 in nearby Dresden.

Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building

A few extra looks inside the massive, fascinating basket.

The people are demanding more basket photos. The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/10/longaberger-basket-building-newark-ohio-building-inside-photos" data-vars-content-id="c2dec018-51f7-44df-9d09-4a9137149fad" data-vars-headline="Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/10/longaberger-basket-building-newark-ohio-building-inside-photos" target="_self">I wrote</a> about my recent exploration of the Longaberger basket building and a few readers asked to see more pictures from the trip.

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.

What's next for Columbus' new non-police 911 response team

The Civilian Response Team will operate 24/7 by 2030.

Following Issue 5&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/05/06/may-primary-election-results-2026" data-vars-content-id="be6726db-e507-40ec-84fa-08295123e796" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Columbus&#x27; new non-police 911 response team" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/05/06/may-primary-election-results-2026" target="_self">passage</a> earlier in May, Columbus now has just under four years to establish an entirely non-police 911 response team.Why it matters: The team of trained behavioral health experts will respond to nonviolent emergencies to offer help and connect callers with resources.

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.

Axios Cleveland

Ohio among states reporting stomach parasite infections

Cleveland

Choropleth map showing the change in ACA health care enrollments from February 2025 to February 2026. The U.S. rate is a decrease of 12%. Every state showed a decline except New Mexico, which increased 14%. Ohio and Oklahoma led the U.S. in largest decreases, both at nearly 32% over one year.

Health 🩺

Ohio among states reporting stomach parasite infections

Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop

Ohio lands in bottom half of states for children's wellbeing

Federal officials unveil Ohio fraud crackdown

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