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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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Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

We took in the experience of watching Columbus' newest team.

News

Columbus has a professional football team again. Why it matters: In a town enthusiastic about the sport, Friday marked the first outdoor pro football game in Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 34 years" data-vars-click-url="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" data-vars-content-id="dea41af6-b9b4-4cec-8b15-d9da299bea25" data-vars-headline="Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" target="_blank">in 34 years</a>.

What's on the May 5 primary ballot

Voters face school levies, a police response amendment and more.

Early voting is underway for the May 5 primary election, kicking off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" data-vars-content-id="0a156d75-86bb-4a77-bc19-55e9c67eb430" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the May 5 primary ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" target="_self">busy</a> midterm year.Why it matters: While statewide races like governor and U.S. Senate will likely grab the spotlight, there are plenty of local issues being decided now.

At long last, Buc-ee's brings BBQ and hype to Ohio

The Huber Heights store marks Buc-ee's debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

Business

Ohio has its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" data-vars-content-id="0aa83960-fdc8-49bb-8070-6cb90afa08b0" data-vars-headline="At long last, Buc-ee&#x27;s brings BBQ and hype to Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> — the Texas-born mega travel center known for turning gas stops into full-blown day trips.Why it matters: The massive 74,000-square-foot gas station on steroids opened this week in Huber Heights (near Dayton), marking Buc-ee&#x27;s debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

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.

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.

Music

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>.

Struggling indie music venues bring billions to Ohio's economy

Indie venues support 21,000 jobs and generate $1.5B in GDP across Ohio.

Independent music venues drive billions in state GDP and economic output as they struggle to stay afloat, per a first-of-its-kind report released this fall.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive/state-reports" data-vars-content-id="cc072f54-213e-4061-9775-a4e724ec16e0" data-vars-headline="Struggling indie music venues bring billions to Ohio&#x27;s economy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nivassoc.org/stateoflive/state-reports" target="_blank">report</a> was produced by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to inform policymakers and music industry stakeholders about the importance of independent venues.

Our weekend picks: A massive concert Saturday

Paul McCartney, the Jonas Brothers, Chicago and more events.

It&#x27;s looking like a gloomy, chilly weekend, but some of our best entertainment options are inside.🎶 Our pick: See a massive concert.

Columbus author's new book charts indie music history

From Myspace to Phoebe Bridgers, a history of indie's biggest moments

A Columbus author&#x27;s new book chronicles the history of indie rock.Why it matters: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion" data-vars-click-url="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250363398/suchgreatheights/" data-vars-content-id="b0d301e6-3f57-4889-8b44-e7afe69581d5" data-vars-headline="Columbus author&#x27;s new book charts indie music history" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250363398/suchgreatheights/" target="_blank">Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion</a>&quot; — a nod to legends The Postal Service — charts indie music&#x27;s rise and cultural impact through the lens of its Central Ohio author.

Central Ohio's best small music venues, according to Axios readers

A bracket that shows Axios readersâ picks for Central Ohioâs best small music venue in a March 24-26, 2026, survey of 101 readers. Round 2 advanced Natalieâs, Newport Music Hall, Dickâs Den and The Bluestone, all winning about two-thirds of the vote against their opponents.

A bracket that shows Axios readersâ picks for Central Ohioâs best small music venues from a March 19-23, 2026 survey of 111 readers. Round 1 winners include The Bluestone at 83%, Natalieâs at 77% and Newport Music Hall at 75%. Dickâs Den advanced with 50%, the closest result.

Central Ohio's best small music venues, according to Axios readers


A bracket that lists 16 Central Ohio small music venues to start a reader-voted tournament. The field will narrow across four rounds to one winner.