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Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained

Wexner is set to testify as pressure mounts over the Epstein files.

Politics & Policy

Embattled billionaire Les Wexner is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his association with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" target="_self">Jeffrey Epstein</a> as public pressure mounts on the L Brands founder and his many Columbus connections.Why it matters: Wexner permanently shaped Central Ohio. He&#x27;s Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="richest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" target="_self">richest</a> person and an international business titan whose influence extends well beyond our state.

Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty

Some Columbus fans say rising costs are changing how often they can attend matches.

News

Since moving to a new Arena District home in 2021, the Crew has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="built momentum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" data-vars-content-id="299f6024-2780-40b8-802b-421bd9e73bd0" data-vars-headline="Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">built momentum</a> on packed crowds and good atmosphere — but is it waning?Why it matters: Some fans say they&#x27;re being priced out, while others worry costs are stalling that momentum.

Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep

Zach Werenski and Laila Edwards delivered key assists.

Both U.S. hockey teams brought home the gold from Milan with dramatic 2-1 overtime wins over Canada — and that&#x27;s thanks to some big assists <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" data-vars-content-id="3397ff2b-510e-4654-92fb-618d7976bf44" data-vars-headline="Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" target="_self">from Ohio</a>.Why it matters: The men&#x27;s victory ended a 46-year drought, their first gold since the 1980 &quot;Miracle on Ice.&quot;

Poll: Should Les Wexner's name stay on buildings?

Scrutiny is growing over the donor's Jeffrey Epstein ties.

Ohio State&#x27;s new University Hospital welcomed its first patients over the weekend as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over 100 protesters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" target="_blank">over 100 protesters</a> demanded that Les Wexner&#x27;s name be removed from it.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" target="_blank">debate</a> over the billionaire donor&#x27;s naming rights likely isn&#x27;t going anywhere, amid renewed scrutiny over his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ties to Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" target="_self">ties to Jeffrey Epstein</a>.

A look back at Jesse Jackson's visits to Columbus

The civil rights icon died Tuesday. He rallied here for years.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon who <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died Tuesday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" data-vars-content-id="17a7195e-6291-4349-8dc9-964dbc678053" data-vars-headline="A look back at Jesse Jackson&#x27;s visits to Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/17/jesse-jackson-dies-civil-rights-leader" target="_self">died Tuesday</a> at age 84, visited Columbus several times over his lengthy career of fighting against racial inequality and injustice.

The Columbus Zoo's surprising ties to a Broadway musical

A stranded bonobo is part of the true story behind "Come From Away."

The Broadway hit &quot;Come From Away&quot; is at the Short North Stage this month, and its story comes with a surprising Columbus connection.Catch up quick: The heartwarming musical is inspired by the true story of what happened when 7,000 unexpected guests arrived in Gander, Newfoundland, during the 9/11 attacks.

Inventions from Ohio that changed everyday life

From traffic signals to beer tabs, the Buckeye State has a history of innovation.

Most of us are familiar with life-changing Ohio inventions like Thomas Edison&#x27;s light bulb and the Wright Brothers&#x27; airplane.Yes, but: There are lots of less-recognized innovations with Buckeye State origins, too.

Take a nostalgic virtual tour of the old COSI

A fan-made site revives beloved exhibits from the Memorial Hall days.

History

COSI is making headlines due to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="layoffs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wosu.org/2026-01-14/cosi-lays-off-15-of-staff-citing-attendance-and-funding" data-vars-content-id="6e57f377-be6a-431a-9dab-c8f2b2930291" data-vars-headline="Take a nostalgic virtual tour of the old COSI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wosu.org/2026-01-14/cosi-lays-off-15-of-staff-citing-attendance-and-funding" target="_blank">layoffs</a> and funding woes, but if you want to reminisce about the museum&#x27;s better days, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="we&#x27;ve found a website" data-vars-click-url="https://oldcosi.com/" data-vars-content-id="6e57f377-be6a-431a-9dab-c8f2b2930291" data-vars-headline="Take a nostalgic virtual tour of the old COSI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oldcosi.com/" target="_blank">we&#x27;ve found a website</a> for you.Flashback: &quot;The Old COSI&quot; uses old images to recreate the original museum at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.franklincountyohio.gov/County-Government/Buildings/Buildings-Folder/Memorial-Hall" data-vars-content-id="6e57f377-be6a-431a-9dab-c8f2b2930291" data-vars-headline="Take a nostalgic virtual tour of the old COSI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.franklincountyohio.gov/County-Government/Buildings/Buildings-Folder/Memorial-Hall" target="_blank">Memorial Hall</a>, which opened in 1964 and closed in 1999.

Lake Erie private island hits the market for $5 million

Mouse Island once served as the "Summer White House" for President Hayes.

The Mar-a-Lago of the late 1800s was on Lake Erie — and if you&#x27;ve got a spare $5 million lying around, it could be yours.The intrigue: Mouse Island was once the &quot;Summer White House&quot; of Ohio-born President Rutherford B. Hayes, per a Lake Erie Shores and Islands <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blog post" data-vars-click-url="https://www.shoresandislands.com/blog/post/the-summer-white-house-rb-hayes-connection-to-shores-islands-ohio/" data-vars-content-id="5f7dc626-9fe5-4278-84d8-776147a3100a" data-vars-headline="Lake Erie private island hits the market for $5 million" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.shoresandislands.com/blog/post/the-summer-white-house-rb-hayes-connection-to-shores-islands-ohio/" target="_blank">blog post</a>.

Why Ohio State won't adopt a Native American land acknowledgment

Senate Bill 1 is chilling efforts to honor Indigenous history.

Ohio&#x27;s flagship university doesn&#x27;t have a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="land acknowledgment" data-vars-click-url="https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/land-acknowledgment" data-vars-content-id="37114e1c-8d0b-4bff-9b8c-72ec020d6aa4" data-vars-headline="Why Ohio State won&#x27;t adopt a Native American land acknowledgment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/land-acknowledgment" target="_blank">land acknowledgment</a> — and with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Senate Bill 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/04/ohio-senate-bill-1-dei-ban" data-vars-content-id="37114e1c-8d0b-4bff-9b8c-72ec020d6aa4" data-vars-headline="Why Ohio State won&#x27;t adopt a Native American land acknowledgment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/04/ohio-senate-bill-1-dei-ban" target="_self">Senate Bill 1</a> in place, that&#x27;s unlikely to change.Why it matters: It&#x27;s Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the history, cultures and contributions of Indigenous people.<ul><li>Instead, Ohio State University professors and administrators remain at odds over whether acknowledging who lived here first violates Ohio&#x27;s new anti-DEI law.</li></ul>

5 places to explore Native American history near Columbus

On our list: A museum, memorials and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

November is Native American Heritage Month. If you want to explore Central Ohio&#x27;s Indigenous history, here are a few places to start.🌔 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks" data-vars-click-url="https://hopewellearthworks.org/" data-vars-content-id="ee760471-9d14-439b-a03c-7394a60e7c29" data-vars-headline="5 places to explore Native American history near Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hopewellearthworks.org/" target="_blank">Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks</a>: Ohio&#x27;s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, dedicated in 2023 and built 1,600-2,000 years ago.

Central Ohio place names with Native American roots

Olentangy, Scioto and even Ohio come from Indigenous languages.

When you reference local rivers or say you&#x27;re from Ohio, you&#x27;re speaking parts of Indigenous history, even if you don&#x27;t realize it.🔎 Zoom in: Many familiar place names come from words originally spoken by our state&#x27;s Native people, typically referencing important bodies of water.

The story of Pete, the Ohio Senate pigeon

The taxidermied bird is an unofficial Capitol mascot.

While most Columbus pigeons keep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a low profile" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/22/pigeons-peregrine-falcons" data-vars-content-id="ef5fe6e1-03ea-454b-94a0-4fc57950453b" data-vars-headline="The story of Pete, the Ohio Senate pigeon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/22/pigeons-peregrine-falcons" target="_self">a low profile</a> these days, we&#x27;ve learned about one who&#x27;s famous among state lawmakers.Flying the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pete, a taxidermied pigeon" data-vars-click-url="https://ohiosenate.gov/about/meet-pete" data-vars-content-id="ef5fe6e1-03ea-454b-94a0-4fc57950453b" data-vars-headline="The story of Pete, the Ohio Senate pigeon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ohiosenate.gov/about/meet-pete" target="_blank">Pete, a taxidermied pigeon</a>, has perched atop the Ohio Senate Building doorway for years, harkening back to an earlier era when local pigeons were more prolific.

How Columbus is grappling with its namesake

Ohio's capital city removed its statue but is still exploring its identity.

Columbus has moved away from celebrating its controversial namesake but not beyond <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debating" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/02/21/christopher-columbus-statue-ohio" data-vars-content-id="63ef0246-417f-4db3-ba2a-dd08497e361b" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is grappling with its namesake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/02/21/christopher-columbus-statue-ohio" target="_self">debating</a> what he represents.Why it matters: The local change reflects <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/27/trump-columbus-indigenous-peoples-day" data-vars-content-id="63ef0246-417f-4db3-ba2a-dd08497e361b" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is grappling with its namesake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/27/trump-columbus-indigenous-peoples-day" target="_self">broader</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="discourse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/12/indigenous-peoples-day-columbus-day-observance" data-vars-content-id="63ef0246-417f-4db3-ba2a-dd08497e361b" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is grappling with its namesake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/12/indigenous-peoples-day-columbus-day-observance" target="_self">discourse</a> over whether Americans should continue honoring Christopher Columbus&#x27; colonial legacy.<ul><li>As the largest U.S. city bearing the Italian explorer&#x27;s name — a city still wrestling with its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uncertain" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/05/yes-columbus-ad-campaign-tourism-ohio" data-vars-content-id="63ef0246-417f-4db3-ba2a-dd08497e361b" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is grappling with its namesake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/05/yes-columbus-ad-campaign-tourism-ohio" target="_self">uncertain</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="identity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/22/arch-city-nickname-history" data-vars-content-id="63ef0246-417f-4db3-ba2a-dd08497e361b" data-vars-headline="How Columbus is grappling with its namesake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/22/arch-city-nickname-history" target="_self">identity</a> — that question feels especially personal.</li></ul>

History

A look back at Jesse Jackson's visits to Columbus

Celebrate Presidents Day with these fun Ohio presidential facts

The Columbus Zoo's surprising ties to a Broadway musical

Inventions from Ohio that changed everyday life

Take a nostalgic virtual tour of the old COSI