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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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Longtime radio voice of the Blue Jackets has a new home

Bob McElligott is back with a new website and pair of podcasts.

News

The Blue Jackets are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/columbus-blue-jackets-team-season-preview-2026" data-vars-content-id="603c5871-23d3-482e-a7b0-73d947ef1ffa" data-vars-headline="Longtime radio voice of the Blue Jackets has a new home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/columbus-blue-jackets-team-season-preview-2026" target="_self">back</a>, but a voice many have come to associate with the team is now covering the team in his own new capacity. Driving the news: Former play-by-play broadcaster Bob McElligott recently launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clear Breakaway" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47787214.95/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbGVhcmJyZWFrYXdheS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/61143c39cd4dcd37e13a7294B32583e05" data-vars-content-id="603c5871-23d3-482e-a7b0-73d947ef1ffa" data-vars-headline="Longtime radio voice of the Blue Jackets has a new home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47787214.95/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbGVhcmJyZWFrYXdheS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/61143c39cd4dcd37e13a7294B32583e05" target="_self">Clear Breakaway</a>, a website featuring pregame and postgame Q&amp;As, podcasts and other analysis.

Ohio gas prices fall as tax holiday takes effect

The tax break is helping, but bigger factors continue to move gas prices as well.

Money

Ohio drivers are already seeing results of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas tax holiday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/ohio-gas-tax-holiday-gallon-diesel-2026" data-vars-content-id="70f7c9db-af5f-40ee-8fbc-140d0fc03fd4" data-vars-headline="Ohio gas prices fall as tax holiday takes effect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/ohio-gas-tax-holiday-gallon-diesel-2026" target="_self">gas tax holiday</a> — but there are bigger factors that affect the price at your gas pump.Why it matters: Prices may still fluctuate even with the tax break in place, gas price expert Patrick De Haan warns.

Columbus volunteers sought for '28 Olympic soccer matches

Columbus is set to host men's and women's soccer matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

Sports

It&#x27;s probably too late to start training for the 2028 Olympic Games, but the event sure could use you as a volunteer.State of play: Columbus is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="set to host" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/03/columbus-ohio-host-2028-summer-olympics-soccer" data-vars-content-id="ac95c9e7-63ff-42e0-9609-f4353cba466f" data-vars-headline="Columbus volunteers sought for &#x27;28 Olympic soccer matches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/03/columbus-ohio-host-2028-summer-olympics-soccer" target="_self">set to host</a> men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s soccer matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.

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.

Orchestra getting kids into classical music

A new kid-friendly website teaches about instruments, composers and concerts.

Music

Baby Mozart&#x27;s growing up, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra wants kids to be classical music fans for life.Strumming the news: The symphony recently launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a website" data-vars-click-url="https://csokids.org/" data-vars-content-id="cd7273ab-9854-4334-986c-abecb371c6b0" data-vars-headline="Orchestra getting kids into classical music" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://csokids.org/" target="_blank">a website</a> dedicated to making the music engaging for elementary-aged kids.

Weekend picks: Labor Day weekend is full of festivals

Obetz Zucchinifest, Columbus Greek Festival, GospelFest and more.

Business

We hope you&#x27;re in a festive mood, Columbus — this long weekend is packed with an almost absurd number of local festivals.🥳 Our pick: Why choose just one?

Remembering Dolly Parton through her books

The Imagination Library was the legacy the music icon hoped to leave.

Education

When I heard the news that country music icon Dolly Parton had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" data-vars-content-id="d0e0747e-73df-4e91-bdb8-2c976322ccf9" data-vars-headline="Remembering Dolly Parton through her books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2026/08/25/dolly-parton-has-died-at-80-obit" target="_self">died</a>, I didn&#x27;t think about her songs. I thought about her books.Why it matters: Parton&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Imagination Library" data-vars-click-url="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" data-vars-content-id="d0e0747e-73df-4e91-bdb8-2c976322ccf9" data-vars-headline="Remembering Dolly Parton through her books" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://imaginationlibrary.com/" target="_blank">Imagination Library</a> has sent free books to children worldwide since she launched the program 31 years ago.

Natalie's Grandview is our readers' favorite small music venue

The final round of Axios Columbus' Music Madness bracket wasn't much of a contest.

Give a round of applause to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview" data-vars-click-url="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" data-vars-content-id="5e2caca5-0890-4ac7-ad83-0eb4e26198cc" data-vars-headline="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview is our readers&#x27; favorite small music venue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" target="_blank">Natalie&#x27;s Grandview</a>, the undisputed champion of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our Music Madness venue bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/01/music-venues-bracket-ohio-final-round" data-vars-content-id="5e2caca5-0890-4ac7-ad83-0eb4e26198cc" data-vars-headline="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview is our readers&#x27; favorite small music venue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/01/music-venues-bracket-ohio-final-round" target="_self">our Music Madness venue bracket</a>.Reality check: The final matchup against The Bluestone wasn&#x27;t even a contest, with the crowd favorite claiming 84% of votes.

Vote for Central Ohio's best music venues: Final Round

Natalie's and The Bluestone face off in the last round of our March Madness bracket.

After three rounds of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/music-venues-bracket-ohio-round-3" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Final Round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/music-venues-bracket-ohio-round-3" target="_self">voting</a>, it&#x27;s time for the big finale.State of play: Just two venues remain in our Music Madness bracket — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview" data-vars-click-url="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Final Round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" target="_blank">Natalie&#x27;s Grandview</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bluestone" data-vars-click-url="https://liveatthebluestone.com/" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Final Round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://liveatthebluestone.com/" target="_blank">The Bluestone</a>.<ul><li>These two have drawn some of the most votes all tournament long, and now they face off in a winner-take-all final.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Cast a vote for your favorite here before noon Friday. Check back Monday to see which venue won it all!<div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/4209c882-b0b6-48c8-9fc5-c5a8cdd0f65e/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="4209c882-b0b6-48c8-9fc5-c5a8cdd0f65e" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="4209c882-b0b6-48c8-9fc5-c5a8cdd0f65e" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>

Vote for Central Ohio's best music venues: Round 3

In the semifinals: Natalie's, Dick's Den, Newport Music Hall and The Bluestone.

It&#x27;s time to vote in the next round of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music Madness bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/24/music-venues-bracket-ohio-round-2" data-vars-content-id="4990f28e-0c99-4201-8331-0b7420b80062" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Round 3" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/24/music-venues-bracket-ohio-round-2" target="_self">Music Madness bracket</a>.State of play: Four fan favorites are headed to the semifinals and all won by similar margins, so it&#x27;s still anybody&#x27;s contest.

Vote for Central Ohio's best music venues: Round 2

One close call: Dick's Den beat A&R Music Bar by one vote.

Things to Do

Some obvious headliners emerged in the first round of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music Madness bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/19/music-venues-bracket-ohio" data-vars-content-id="72dfff58-4941-491a-81a8-29c88eddc126" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Round 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/19/music-venues-bracket-ohio" target="_self">Music Madness bracket</a>, and one close call proves that every vote counts.Zoom in: The Bluestone (83%), Natalie&#x27;s (77%) and Newport Music Hall (75%) won by the largest margins.

Vote for the best music venues in Central Ohio

Tell us which local concert spot deserves the spotlight.

If <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="basketball" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/19/ohio-state-buckeyes-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-2026-bracket" data-vars-content-id="d5bc3955-15c9-4256-8fca-92fbfce795e6" data-vars-headline="Vote for the best music venues in Central Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/19/ohio-state-buckeyes-march-madness-ncaa-tournament-2026-bracket" target="_self">basketball</a> isn&#x27;t your thing, here&#x27;s a bracket you might like better: a showdown of Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues.

Columbus band Big Fat Head has a big, fat opportunity

The rockers are spending the week at South by Southwest in Austin.

Local rock band <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Fat Head" data-vars-click-url="https://bigfathead.bandcamp.com/album/mind-your-head" data-vars-content-id="e9ff4cea-17e7-4d68-a7ef-2c3ed6966912" data-vars-headline="Columbus band Big Fat Head has a big, fat opportunity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bigfathead.bandcamp.com/album/mind-your-head" target="_blank">Big Fat Head</a> is trading Columbus dive bars for the Austin spotlight this week as members head to Texas for a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South By Southwest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/press-past-releases/axios-house-at-sxsw-2026-to-host-tech-media-culture-leaders" data-vars-content-id="e9ff4cea-17e7-4d68-a7ef-2c3ed6966912" data-vars-headline="Columbus band Big Fat Head has a big, fat opportunity" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/press-past-releases/axios-house-at-sxsw-2026-to-host-tech-media-culture-leaders" target="_self">South By Southwest</a> (SXSW) adventure.Why it matters: From music and comedy to film and tech, SXSW is one of the country&#x27;s biggest festivals, and appearances can help boost careers.

The biggest concerts coming to Columbus in 2026

It's a big year for big shows: Bruno Mars, Luke Combs, AC/DC and more.

Tickets go on sale this week for two of Central Ohio&#x27;s biggest shows of the year.Driving the news: Set a reminder for a noon Wednesday presale and noon Thursday general sale if you want to see <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bruno Mars at Ohio Stadium on May 20" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ticketmaster.com/bruno-mars-the-romantic-tour-columbus-20-05-2026/event/05006394EB3DD035" data-vars-content-id="9f3a4f2d-f022-49b2-b407-b88079cfddd7" data-vars-headline="The biggest concerts coming to Columbus in 2026" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ticketmaster.com/bruno-mars-the-romantic-tour-columbus-20-05-2026/event/05006394EB3DD035" target="_blank">Bruno Mars at Ohio Stadium on May 20</a>.

Music

Orchestra getting kids into classical music

Weekend picks: Labor Day weekend is full of festivals

Remembering Dolly Parton through her books

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

Natalie's Grandview is our readers' favorite small music venue