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

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What the Ohio State Fairgrounds may look like

Ohio plans to reimagine the entire 360-acre fairgrounds in Columbus.

News

Columbus homicides are trending up in 2023

Guns, more domestic violence are big factors, police say.

Local doll museum celebrates Barbie's legacy

Amid the movie hype, explore 64 years of Barbie history.

Columbus' biggest ice cream chains, ranked

Jeni's is beloved, but it can't dethrone Dairy Queen.

Food and Drink

Abortions are increasing in Ohio

An influx of border-hopping patients is likely a factor.

The number of abortions performed in Ohio has increased 8%, based on a comparison of 2020 and 2023 data, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Adriel Bettelheim reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/07/abortions-surged-state-bans" data-vars-content-id="1cb79a6e-e50e-4f70-8849-b9a0f87ebe29" data-vars-headline="Abortions are increasing in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/07/abortions-surged-state-bans" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Adriel Bettelheim reports</a>.Driving the news: States that are situated near those that banned abortion after Roe v. Wade <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was overturned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/10/blue-states-abortion-protection-roe-supreme-court" data-vars-content-id="1cb79a6e-e50e-4f70-8849-b9a0f87ebe29" data-vars-headline="Abortions are increasing in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/10/blue-states-abortion-protection-roe-supreme-court" target="_self">was overturned</a> in June 2022 saw sharp increases in the number of procedures performed, likely due to an influx of border-hopping patients, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis from the Guttmacher Institute" data-vars-click-url="https://www.guttmacher.org/monthly-abortion-provision-study" data-vars-content-id="1cb79a6e-e50e-4f70-8849-b9a0f87ebe29" data-vars-headline="Abortions are increasing in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/monthly-abortion-provision-study" target="_blank">a new analysis from the Guttmacher Institute</a>.

A map of the United States showing the estimated change in the number of abortions provided by the formal health care system comparing 6-month period of 2020 to January to June, 2023. Four states have seen increases of more than 100%, including New Mexico with change of +220% and Wyoming with 202%.

Columbus sees momentum for local tree growing plan

The city is eyeing over 96,000 potential planting sites.

Columbus arborists are starting to see an urban forest for the trees.Driving the news: A citywide plan is underway to preserve public trees and plant new ones, while local leaders will eye code changes this fall to protect tree coverage.

Illustration of a pen with a tree growing out of the top.

Former Columbus Zoo officials indicted for theft

They allegedly stole nearly $2.3 million from the zoo over 10 years.

Three former Columbus Zoo and Aquarium officials were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="indicted Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://ohioauditor.gov/news/pressreleases/Details/7279" data-vars-content-id="0d808e01-9be3-44f1-b98b-cfc7714ee2fa" data-vars-headline="Former Columbus Zoo officials indicted for theft" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://ohioauditor.gov/news/pressreleases/Details/7279" target="_blank">indicted Monday</a> on a total of 89 felony counts in connection with the alleged theft of nearly $2.3 million from the zoo over a decade.Why it matters: The case, which has been filed in Delaware County court, is likely the final chapter in a scandal that has plagued the zoo for nearly three years.

Illustration of an elephant’s trunk holding a gavel.

Mapped: The impact of Alzheimer's across Ohio

An estimated 236,200 older Ohioans are living with the disease.

An estimated 11.3% of older Ohioans — 236,200 people — are living with Alzheimer&#x27;s disease, and residents of urban counties like Franklin are disproportionately impacted, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="per a new study" data-vars-click-url="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458371/" data-vars-content-id="00d586f7-8729-4ffa-bc94-278c552d3e17" data-vars-headline="Mapped: The impact of Alzheimer&#x27;s across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37458371/" target="_blank">per a new study</a>.Why it matters: It&#x27;s crucial for public health officials, policymakers and support groups to have a clear grasp of the number of Alzheimer&#x27;s cases in a given area, to ensure resources are allocated accordingly.

What makes Ohioans want to stay (and leave)

Axios readers describe the reasons they stayed put or moved away.

Ohioans like to stick together and we can&#x27;t resist a good bargain.Driving the news: Proximity to family and a relatively affordable cost of living is why many of you told us you&#x27;re staying in the Buckeye State.

Illustration of a suitcase with a sticker shaped like Ohio.

View your school district's report card rating

Ohio used a new 5-star overall ratings this year.

Ohio school districts received their first rating based on a new 5-star system yesterday.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new overall ratings" data-vars-click-url="http://www.oepiohio.org/index.php/newsroom/summer-2021-newsletter/house-bill-82-implements-report-card-changes-for-the-2021-22-school-year/" data-vars-content-id="d2353238-d92a-42a5-bd0b-174ed0f10f02" data-vars-headline="View your school district&#x27;s report card rating" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://www.oepiohio.org/index.php/newsroom/summer-2021-newsletter/house-bill-82-implements-report-card-changes-for-the-2021-22-school-year/" target="_blank">new overall ratings</a> summarize students&#x27; academic achievement across a variety of categories in the 2022-23 school year and can be used <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="punitively against schools" data-vars-click-url="https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/School-and-District-Improvement/Identification-and-Requirements/Academic-Distress-Commission" data-vars-content-id="d2353238-d92a-42a5-bd0b-174ed0f10f02" data-vars-headline="View your school district&#x27;s report card rating" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/School-and-District-Improvement/Identification-and-Requirements/Academic-Distress-Commission" target="_blank">punitively against schools</a> that perform poorly.

Jackets coach denies prying on players' photos

Mike Babcock, Jackets players say recent podcast allegations are false.

New Blue Jackets&#x27; head coach Mike Babcock is denying allegations he pried into players&#x27; cellphone pictures upon joining the team this summer.Why it matters: The unsubstantiated claim of misconduct puts Columbus in the hockey spotlight ahead of a much-needed rebuilding season.

Book ban attempts are surging in Ohio

Plus: Ohio's most-challenged book, per the American Library Association.

Ohio had the ninth-most attempts to restrict or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ban books nationwide" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/21/book-bans-states-push-back" data-vars-content-id="822670c3-0a56-4cd0-8193-741a3c29dc28" data-vars-headline="Book ban attempts are surging in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/21/book-bans-states-push-back" target="_self">ban books nationwide</a> in 2022, according to an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American Library Association report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/by-the-numbers" data-vars-content-id="822670c3-0a56-4cd0-8193-741a3c29dc28" data-vars-headline="Book ban attempts are surging in Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/bbooks/by-the-numbers" target="_blank">American Library Association report</a>.Driving the news: There were 93 attempts to restrict access to 79 titles in Ohio last year, compared to only 10 attempts to restrict access to 15 books in 2021.

Illustration of a book wrapped in caution tape

Ask Axios: How do lottery taxes work?

The state takes in big bucks from Powerball, Mega Millions and other jackpots.

Reader Jennifer J. asks: How is the cash flow from Powerball lottery sales handled by the Ohio Taxation Department … is it just added to the overall kitty or is it somehow flagged for specific use? <ul><li>On average, how much money does Ohio make on lottery winners&#x27; taxes every year?</li></ul>👋 Tyler here. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Powerball jackpots" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/19/powerball-numbers-billion-dollar-jackpot" data-vars-content-id="12c0759e-ee60-4db5-ae64-b36e67cbfb9d" data-vars-headline="Ask Axios: How do lottery taxes work?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/07/19/powerball-numbers-billion-dollar-jackpot" target="_self">Powerball jackpots</a> tend to draw a lot of hype, and you can be sure tax officials are paying attention, too.

We tried the new Pumpkin Spice Frosty at Wendy's

The limited-time Frosty tastes like a chilled cup of pumpkin pie. And it's good.

👋 Alissa here, with a confession: I&#x27;ve never been impressed with Wendy&#x27;s non-chocolate Frosty flavors.Yes, but: I knew <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pumpkin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/23/pumpkin-spice-latte-2023-starbucks-dunkin" data-vars-content-id="194817ca-1dae-4b87-952e-6ba7f3758324" data-vars-headline="We tried the new Pumpkin Spice Frosty at Wendy&#x27;s" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/08/23/pumpkin-spice-latte-2023-starbucks-dunkin" target="_self">pumpkin</a> would never disappoint me.

Two fall-themed frostys on a table with pumpkin and leaf decorations.

News 🗞