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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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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.

How Columbus is making composting easier

We tried the city's free compost drop-offs. Here's what we learned.

News

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.

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.

New Columbus program lets residents decide the budget

Residents can submit community ideas for $9 million in city funding.

Columbus begins a financial experiment this week, handing over the keys to a portion of the city&#x27;s budget to the public for the first time.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s inaugural participatory budget represents a small fraction of its overall budget — but it&#x27;s meant to give residents a direct say in community investment.

Inside Ohio's gift to the future

The America250 time capsule will include a piece of the Wright brothers' Flyer and a "Heart of It All" pin.

America at 250

From a piece of the Wright brothers&#x27; Flyer to a &quot;Heart of It All&quot; pin, Ohio has picked the artifacts that will represent the state in a national time capsule honoring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America&#x27;s 250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" data-vars-content-id="765335ae-d442-402d-995a-560a6690194a" data-vars-headline="Inside Ohio&#x27;s gift to the future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" target="_self">America&#x27;s 250th birthday</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America250-Ohio collection" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/#OH" data-vars-content-id="765335ae-d442-402d-995a-560a6690194a" data-vars-headline="Inside Ohio&#x27;s gift to the future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/#OH" target="_blank">America250-Ohio collection</a> captures the Buckeye State in 2026 — its history, priorities and identity — for future Americans opening the capsule in 2276.

Central Ohio's odd connection to Paraguay

How an Ohio-born president became a hero to a South American nation.

Did you know one of Ohio&#x27;s presidents is a big deal in Paraguay?Why it matters: The United States begins its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/11/world-cup-guide-watch-parties-central-ohio" data-vars-content-id="9ae52a4a-cf6f-4adc-b4d4-a9b3ae6cf7f5" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio&#x27;s odd connection to Paraguay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/11/world-cup-guide-watch-parties-central-ohio" target="_self">World Cup</a> journey today, and Central Ohio has tons of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="international representation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/visuals/global-international-food-cuisine" data-vars-content-id="9ae52a4a-cf6f-4adc-b4d4-a9b3ae6cf7f5" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio&#x27;s odd connection to Paraguay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/visuals/global-international-food-cuisine" target="_self">international representation</a>, so we planned to write about local ties to each opponent.<ul><li>🇵🇾 First up: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paraguay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ussoccer.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup-26/matches/united-states-paraguay-tickets-live-score-match-hub-lineups-highlights" data-vars-content-id="9ae52a4a-cf6f-4adc-b4d4-a9b3ae6cf7f5" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio&#x27;s odd connection to Paraguay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ussoccer.com/competitions/fifa-world-cup-26/matches/united-states-paraguay-tickets-live-score-match-hub-lineups-highlights" target="_blank">Paraguay</a>.</li></ul>

Harambe's death still echoes 10 years later

The death of the beloved Cincinnati gorilla set off a social media firestorm.

Ten years ago today, Cincinnati became the center of the internet after Harambe — a 17-year-old gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo — died in one of the strangest viral news cycles of the social media era.Flashback: On <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="May 28, 2016" data-vars-click-url="https://cincinnatizoo.org/cincinnati-zoo-devastated-by-death-of-beloved-gorilla/" data-vars-content-id="30ed0105-8a97-4307-bd80-7d7aa78b2de4" data-vars-headline="Harambe&#x27;s death still echoes 10 years later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cincinnatizoo.org/cincinnati-zoo-devastated-by-death-of-beloved-gorilla/" target="_blank">May 28, 2016</a>, a 3-year-old boy entered the zoo&#x27;s Gorilla World exhibit.<ul><li>Fearing the child could be seriously hurt or killed, a zoo response team shot Harambe, an endangered western lowland silverback.</li></ul>

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.

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.

Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend

A statewide effort is preserving history before it disappears.

If you&#x27;re visiting family in Cincinnati or Youngstown over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Memorial Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/23/memorial-day-weekend-2025-federal-holiday-meaning" target="_self">Memorial Day</a> weekend, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grave-tracking project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiohistory.org/ohio-revolutionary-war-veterans-project/" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiohistory.org/ohio-revolutionary-war-veterans-project/" target="_blank">grave-tracking project</a> honoring our nation&#x27;s earliest veterans could use your help.Why it matters: Revolutionary War soldiers were among Ohio&#x27;s first settlers, but their graves are deteriorating, disappearing and often <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="difficult to track down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/columns/2022/05/30/memorial-day-early-u-s-vets-buried-hidden-reynoldsburg-cemetery/9890084002/" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/columns/2022/05/30/memorial-day-early-u-s-vets-buried-hidden-reynoldsburg-cemetery/9890084002/" target="_blank">difficult to track down</a>.<ul><li>Over 400 volunteers have documented thousands over the past year, and the state will use the data to make an interactive online map and database.</li></ul>The latest: Collection wraps up Monday ahead of a July Fourth reveal coinciding with America&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="250th birthday" data-vars-click-url="https://america250-ohio.org/" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250-ohio.org/" target="_blank">250th birthday</a>.The big picture: Ohio didn&#x27;t become a state until 1803 — 20 years after the Revolutionary War ended — but thousands of soldiers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="migrated here" data-vars-click-url="https://america250-ohio.org/2025/04/rev-war-graves/" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250-ohio.org/2025/04/rev-war-graves/" target="_blank">migrated here</a> and died in old age.<ul><li>Many were given land as back pay for their service.</li><li> The Sons of the American Revolution estimates about 7,000 are buried here, including 169 in Franklin County. The group&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive list" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiohistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Revolutionary-War-Patriots-Buried-in-Ohio_opt.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiohistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Revolutionary-War-Patriots-Buried-in-Ohio_opt.pdf" target="_blank">massive list</a> documents presumed locations but doesn&#x27;t track their conditions — a gap project organizers hope to fill.</li></ul>By the numbers: Volunteers have already recorded over 4,100 graves across 1,400 cemeteries, according to a live preliminary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://ohpo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/6c0513ba52704005b71e1783a00be8f0" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ohpo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/6c0513ba52704005b71e1783a00be8f0" target="_blank">dashboard</a>. <ul><li>That includes 129 in Franklin County.</li><li>The Cincinnati, Youngstown and Marietta areas have the largest estimated concentration of graves — over 1,000 total — but less than half have been recorded so far.</li></ul>How to help: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Download a free phone app" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiohistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AM250_RevWarGuidetoFieldCollection.pdf" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiohistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/AM250_RevWarGuidetoFieldCollection.pdf" target="_blank">Download a free phone app</a> to submit photos.<ul><li>Use historical records, like the list above or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="others listed here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiohistory.org/preserving-ohio/history-preservation-where-you-live/revwarvet-graves/" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiohistory.org/preserving-ohio/history-preservation-where-you-live/revwarvet-graves/" target="_blank">others listed here</a>, to figure out where to start looking.</li></ul>Pro tip: Check the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dashboard" data-vars-click-url="https://ohpo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/6c0513ba52704005b71e1783a00be8f0" data-vars-content-id="3e7dc645-b4c1-4e67-bbde-c5ce6ad97d02" data-vars-headline="Help Ohio find missing veteran graves this Memorial Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ohpo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/6c0513ba52704005b71e1783a00be8f0" target="_blank">dashboard</a> first to see whether the site has already been recorded.<ul><li>Some graves are duplicates and now must be consolidated as a consultant reviews the data, says project manager Krista Horrocks, with the State Historic Preservation Office.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: In addition to historical record keeping, organizers also hope to help communities look to the future.<ul><li>The project may spur discussions about cemetery upkeep or how to honor veterans whose markers are missing, Horrocks says.</li></ul>The bottom line: &quot;Maybe someone will have gravestones put in for them, so they won&#x27;t be forgotten,&quot; she says.

The century-old LeVeque Tower needs some work

The signature silhouette of the Columbus skyline has become something of a pedestrian eyesore.

The signature silhouette of the Columbus skyline has become something of a pedestrian eyesore, wrapped in cheap metal and wood to ensure no one is hit by falling debris.Why it matters: The LeVeque Tower isn&#x27;t just any downtown building, it&#x27;s the city&#x27;s most iconic structure and a reminder of a time when we built skyscrapers with aesthetics in mind.

Columbus Landmarks wants help saving these historic buildings

The nonprofit has released its 2026 list of "Most Endangered Sites."

Development

Central Ohio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historians" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/16/endangered-history-sites-local-face-demolition-preservation-ohio" data-vars-content-id="7f022da2-b901-4568-a97b-31b05cc70c65" data-vars-headline="Columbus Landmarks wants help saving these historic buildings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/16/endangered-history-sites-local-face-demolition-preservation-ohio" target="_self">historians</a> and preservationists have new marching orders this week, with the arrival of a new list of Columbus&#x27; &quot;Most Endangered Sites.&quot;Why it matters: The annual list attempts to save pieces of local culture and heritage at risk of disappearing, along with the histories within their walls.

Help share your favorite Ohio building's story

The  "250 Buildings, 250 Stories" project is open for submissions statewide.

A new statewide initiative gives Ohio residents a chance to highlight historic buildings they care about and maybe even help keep them around for decades to come.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heritage Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://heritageohio.org/" data-vars-content-id="58aee458-a575-4432-816c-a6704d6b364a" data-vars-headline="Help share your favorite Ohio building&#x27;s story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://heritageohio.org/" target="_blank">Heritage Ohio</a>, a historic preservation nonprofit, is using its &quot;250 Buildings, 250 Stories&quot; project to find sites that could be preserved, restored or redeveloped, especially ones that might otherwise be overlooked.<ul><li>The effort, tied to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America 250 celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" data-vars-content-id="58aee458-a575-4432-816c-a6704d6b364a" data-vars-headline="Help share your favorite Ohio building&#x27;s story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" target="_self">America 250 celebration</a>, will spotlight 250 buildings across the state that are at least 50 years old.</li></ul>

How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer

On National Beer Day, take a moment to appreciate our water.

Enjoying a local beverage on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Beer Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" data-vars-content-id="8adf4f65-133b-41ee-9444-6d6fddf9a650" data-vars-headline="How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" target="_blank">National Beer Day</a>? Take a moment to consider the most important ingredient in Columbus beer: our water.Why it matters: Beer is over 90% water, and Columbus gives brewmasters — from small craft breweries to massive distributors — a big advantage.

History

The Longaberger Basket Building's history and future

New Muse album inspired by Ohio's famous "Wow!" signal

Inside Ohio's gift to the future

Central Ohio's odd connection to Paraguay

Throwback Thursday: Remembering Jesse Owens