Columbus

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus Partners

Columbus Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus

Standard

Columbus Members

Membership

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.

Controversial school tradition Senior Tag is back

Police, parents and businesses hate it. Seniors love it.

Springtime at Central Ohio high schools means the return of traditions like prom, senior skip day and, surprisingly to some, students running around in their underwear with water guns.Why it matters: Depending on who you ask, &quot;Senior Tag&quot; is a beloved tradition and silly spectacle or a public nuisance and serious accident in the making. Either way, it&#x27;s likely coming to a suburban neighborhood near you this month.

Ohio State grad leads Artemis II return

The NASA mission's lead flight director, Jeff Radigan, is a Buckeye.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis II" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" data-vars-content-id="f0a93341-efd8-4661-9396-212f95c41269" data-vars-headline="Ohio State grad leads Artemis II return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-distance-record-apollo-13" target="_self">Artemis II</a> crew is set to return to Earth today — and the person from mission control ensuring everything goes smoothly learned the ropes in Ohio.Catch up quick: Jeff Radigan, the mission&#x27;s lead flight director, earned his bachelor&#x27;s and master&#x27;s degrees at Ohio State in the early 2000s. He joined NASA in 2008.

Jason Day brings local ties to the Masters

The Australian-born golfer has lived in the suburb of Westerville since 2010.

Sports

Ohio golf fans tuning into The Masters don&#x27;t have to look far for a local rooting interest — even if he comes with an Australian accent.Zoom in: Australia native Jason Day, a 13-time PGA Tour winner, has lived in Westerville since 2010.

Columbus women feel safer than men, survey finds

Researchers say Columbus stands out, but don't have an explanation.

Women feel less safe than men in most major cities <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/women-men-cities-safety" data-vars-content-id="44ff519f-d1f0-471f-a3b3-bce0f6a1c8ae" data-vars-headline="Columbus women feel safer than men, survey finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/11/women-men-cities-safety" target="_self">across the country</a> — but not in Columbus.Why it matters: We&#x27;re a glaring outlier among 27 select cities, and researchers aren&#x27;t sure why.

A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting

Today is National Zoo Lovers Day and we've got recs.

This month marks a decade of me covering the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — the good, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/12/zoo-moving-forward-theft-scandal" data-vars-content-id="ef6d566c-d2d3-4b04-a7c2-f14ecb40254c" data-vars-headline="A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/12/zoo-moving-forward-theft-scandal" target="_self">bad</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utterly adorable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/12/05/columbus-zoo-baby-orangutan-birth" data-vars-content-id="ef6d566c-d2d3-4b04-a7c2-f14ecb40254c" data-vars-headline="A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/12/05/columbus-zoo-baby-orangutan-birth" target="_self">utterly adorable</a>.

Why Ohio banned the smelly, ubiquitous Bradford pear

Even after a ban, these pungent invasive trees are hard to stop.

The days are heating up, the sun is out longer and the smells of spring are in the air. Or is that just the smell of a Bradford pear tree?Why it matters: The tree is a troublesome invasive species, but it&#x27;s also one of the most noticeable plants in Central Ohio — among the first trees to bloom each spring and arguably the smelliest.

Save The Crew inspires national bill to keep teams local

Lawmakers want communities to get first shot at keeping their franchises.

The movement that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="saved the Columbus Crew" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/mls/columbus-crew/2018/12/28/save-crew-timeline-columbus-efforts/6437639007/" data-vars-content-id="7a06f254-015a-47a2-95f4-7a60cad121a3" data-vars-headline="Save The Crew inspires national bill to keep teams local" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/mls/columbus-crew/2018/12/28/save-crew-timeline-columbus-efforts/6437639007/" target="_blank">saved the Columbus Crew</a> has inspired national legislation to help other cities do the same.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Home Team Act" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/01/casar-sanders-bill-sports-team-relocation-spurs" data-vars-content-id="7a06f254-015a-47a2-95f4-7a60cad121a3" data-vars-headline="Save The Crew inspires national bill to keep teams local" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/04/01/casar-sanders-bill-sports-team-relocation-spurs" target="_self">Home Team Act</a>, newly introduced in the U.S. House, would require owners of professional sports teams to give their community a chance to buy the team before relocating — a move inspired by Save The Crew and an Ohio law.

A range plot showing the percentage of U.S. residents who feel "safe" or "very safe" in 27 cities. Responses were collected from 13,464 residents between July 18 and November 22, 2024. Boston leads with 80% of males and 77% of females saying they feel safe. Baltimore trails with 31% of females and 44% of males. In almost every city, fewer females report feeling safe than males.

News 🗞

Controversial school tradition Senior Tag is back

Ohio State grad leads Artemis II return

Jason Day brings local ties to the Masters

Columbus women feel safer than men, survey finds

A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting