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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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Where Central Ohio is growing the fastest may surprise you

Small towns are adding residents at the fastest rates.

News

Central Ohio&#x27;s explosive growth is no secret. What&#x27;s less obvious is where it&#x27;s mainly happening: smaller cities and villages on the fringes.Why it matters: The demographic landscape of the U.S. is undergoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a dramatic outward shift" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/exurbs-urban-cities-growth-census" data-vars-content-id="d096db98-6da4-4b44-a62a-bc55e8852e00" data-vars-headline="Where Central Ohio is growing the fastest may surprise you" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/19/exurbs-urban-cities-growth-census" target="_self">a dramatic outward shift</a> to more affordable exurban communities — our region perfectly mirrors that trend.

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.

How readers are building community with neighbors

Americans are talking with their neighbors far less than they used to, but some are bucking that trend.

Neighborhoods

Americans are talking with their neighbors <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="far less" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" data-vars-content-id="21943c2c-11a9-44e6-a14a-4c53a7688ab4" data-vars-headline="How readers are building community with neighbors" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/13/americans-neighbors-socializing-less" target="_self">far less</a> than they used to, but Axios Columbus readers are finding ways to buck that trend and build community here.Why it matters: Casual neighborhood ties are quietly disappearing in our digital world, and the health consequences run deeper than most people realize.

Ohio data center debate heats up

Residents push back as lawmakers consider new oversight.

Data center discourse is reaching a crescendo in Ohio, with public opposition <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/04/ohio-data-center-boom-moratorium-laws" data-vars-content-id="99853185-77c0-4b86-bfab-5091c08f70ef" data-vars-headline="Ohio data center debate heats up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/04/ohio-data-center-boom-moratorium-laws" target="_self">mounting</a> and Gov. Mike DeWine pausing state sales tax breaks.Why it matters: Central Ohio has been one of the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hottest spots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" data-vars-content-id="99853185-77c0-4b86-bfab-5091c08f70ef" data-vars-headline="Ohio data center debate heats up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/28/central-ohio-data-center-boom" target="_self">hottest spots</a> for data center development, but shifts in perception and policy could change that.

Despite more inventory, home prices continue to rise

Central Ohio homes are staying on the market longer, but buyers aren't seeing price relief.

Central Ohio homes are staying on the market longer and inventory is increasing, yet prices are still rising.Why it matters: Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="badly needs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/ohio-affordable-housing-gap-cost" data-vars-content-id="42311bba-9a27-439a-81ce-016edb95a1ec" data-vars-headline="Despite more inventory, home prices continue to rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/ohio-affordable-housing-gap-cost" target="_self">badly needs</a> more available houses, and an increase in properties for sale should trigger price declines — but the latter is not yet borne out in the market.

Backyard apartments aim to ease Columbus housing shortage

The city may allow ADUs to boost affordable housing options.

Columbus may soon allow residents to turn their backyard garages and carriage houses into independent apartments.Why it matters: Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) like these could be a small, but useful step toward easing Columbus&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing shortage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/23/mayor-andrew-ginther-500-million-bond-affordable-housing-ohio" data-vars-content-id="e81fc86a-baf9-41e4-8000-a26cce9ea47b" data-vars-headline="Backyard apartments aim to ease Columbus housing shortage" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/23/mayor-andrew-ginther-500-million-bond-affordable-housing-ohio" target="_self">housing shortage</a>.

Your Central Ohio spring festival guide

The weather is getting nicer, and that means festival season is upon us.

Things to Do

The weather is getting warmer, and that means festival season is upon us.<ul><li>To honor the season, we&#x27;re showcasing the spring slate of festivals bringing communities together, celebrating niche interests and in some cases attracting national interest.</li></ul>

Columbus eyes rezoning for a more walkable Northland

The land may be redeveloped for a walkable, suburban feel.

Denser, pedestrian-friendly development could be coming to Route 161 in Northland thanks to ongoing efforts to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="modernize zoning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/04/13/columbus-plans-long-needed-zoning-overhaul" data-vars-content-id="cd3842f3-2c8d-4797-a08f-94e862946eca" data-vars-headline="Columbus eyes rezoning for a more walkable Northland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/04/13/columbus-plans-long-needed-zoning-overhaul" target="_self">modernize zoning</a> throughout Columbus.Why it matters: Zoning determines what kind of development can happen on a land parcel, shaping how communities look, feel and function.

Eastland community plan plots area's future

The mall closed in 2022 and was declared a public nuisance, but new development is coming.

Columbus has unveiled a massive plan to redevelop the Eastland Mall area.Why it matters: Once anchored by a bustling, million-square-foot retail center, Eastland declined for decades before the mall closed in 2022 and was declared a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public nuisance" data-vars-click-url="https://city-attorney.columbus.gov/pdf/press/eastland_mall_declared_a_public_nuisance_as_city_pushes_to_hold_property_owners_accountable_for_deteriorating_conditions.pdf" data-vars-content-id="a97fed18-7d86-44bf-bc51-e941e07ffa74" data-vars-headline="Eastland community plan plots area&#x27;s future" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://city-attorney.columbus.gov/pdf/press/eastland_mall_declared_a_public_nuisance_as_city_pushes_to_hold_property_owners_accountable_for_deteriorating_conditions.pdf" target="_blank">public nuisance</a>.

How strange Columbus streets got their names

We explore the stories behind popular Columbus roadways.

Apparently, lots of our readers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wonder" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-columbus-142fa650-e94f-11ef-b086-755337ddbe13.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_columbus&amp;stream=top?chunk=5&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story5" data-vars-content-id="6c3710d5-ac49-4a22-9817-a97ea8a11e9d" data-vars-headline="How strange Columbus streets got their names" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-columbus-142fa650-e94f-11ef-b086-755337ddbe13.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_columbus&amp;stream=top?chunk=5&amp;utm_term=twsocialshare#story5" target="_self">wonder</a> &quot;How did that name happen?&quot; while traveling Central Ohio streets. So we tracked down some answers.Why it matters: Street names not only pique our curiosity but also shape a neighborhood&#x27;s character, reflect local history and can even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="affect property values" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kiplinger.com/real-estate/these-street-names-could-boost-your-home-value-by-thousands" data-vars-content-id="6c3710d5-ac49-4a22-9817-a97ea8a11e9d" data-vars-headline="How strange Columbus streets got their names" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kiplinger.com/real-estate/these-street-names-could-boost-your-home-value-by-thousands" target="_blank">affect property values</a>.

The story of Bronzeville, a hub of local Black history

Columbus leaders are working to revitalize the neighborhood.

When Willis Brown moved into Bronzeville in the &#x27;80s, he saw a &quot;rough area&quot; surrounding his new home. But his mother saw potential.<ul><li>&quot;She said, &#x27;Any time you can see downtown from your front porch, it&#x27;s a million-dollar view in any city. You can&#x27;t move from here, it&#x27;s only going to develop,&#x27;&quot; he recalls.</li></ul>

Adelphi offers "mission-driven" banking in King-Lincoln Bronzeville

It launched in 2023 as the only active Black-owned bank in Ohio.

Adelphi Bank launched in 2023 as the only active Black-owned bank in Ohio, headquartered at 800 E. Long St. in the heart of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="King-Lincoln Bronzeville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/18/bronzeville-ohio-black-history-month" data-vars-content-id="52de6526-f3f6-4e51-af32-1ca23afa6abb" data-vars-headline="Adelphi offers &quot;mission-driven&quot; banking in King-Lincoln Bronzeville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/18/bronzeville-ohio-black-history-month" target="_self">King-Lincoln Bronzeville</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The bank" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adelphibank.com/" data-vars-content-id="52de6526-f3f6-4e51-af32-1ca23afa6abb" data-vars-headline="Adelphi offers &quot;mission-driven&quot; banking in King-Lincoln Bronzeville" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adelphibank.com/" target="_blank">The bank</a> is a symbol of financial independence, a &quot;mission-driven&quot; organization aiming to close financial gaps not just for the Black community, but for all underserved people, co-founder and Franklin County Commissioner Kevin Boyce tells us.<ul><li>Both its name and location honor Adelphi Loan &amp; Savings Co., Columbus&#x27; first Black-owned bank formed just down the street in 1921.</li></ul>

Axios Nashville

A map showing zones along the Route 161 corridor in Columbus, OH, that have been zoned for a community activity center or urban general 2. 