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Why we don't talk about COVID anymore

An Ohio State expert says moving on too quickly has consequences.

News

Six years ago this week, COVID-19 dominated daily life. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-covid-history-lessons" data-vars-content-id="19ebde6e-18f4-496a-b160-8eff8cdf9dae" data-vars-headline="Why we don&#x27;t talk about COVID anymore" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/18/ohio-covid-history-lessons" target="_self">Schools</a> closed, headlines tracked cases, and Ohio reported its first deaths and postponed a primary election.Why it matters: Today, the pandemic that killed over 1 million Americans and reshaped society has largely faded from public conversation.

Potential ICE presence at Columbus airport unclear

Airport officials don't know and federal officials won't say whether ICE will serve as a local TSA backup.

Columbus airport officials don&#x27;t know and a federal official won&#x27;t say whether ICE agents will be sent to bolster local TSA checkpoints.Why it matters: The last time Columbus felt a major ICE presence, in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="December," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/12/18/ice-immigration-agent-mayor-ginther-respond" data-vars-content-id="8c7af28c-ed4b-4f07-8445-ff718016a020" data-vars-headline="Potential ICE presence at Columbus airport unclear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/12/18/ice-immigration-agent-mayor-ginther-respond" target="_self">December,</a> there were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/12/ice-detainees-butler-county-jail-ohio" data-vars-content-id="8c7af28c-ed4b-4f07-8445-ff718016a020" data-vars-headline="Potential ICE presence at Columbus airport unclear" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/12/ice-detainees-butler-county-jail-ohio" target="_self">hundreds of arrests</a>.

At City Club, a rare public clash over homelessness policy

NEOCH and Downtown Cleveland Inc. leaders traded perspectives on new seasonal shelter.

A confrontation at the City Club of Cleveland this month exposed a simmering feud over how the city addresses homelessness.State of play: The Superior Arts District in downtown Cleveland has become ground zero for the tension after the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opened a seasonal shelter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/06/neoch-seasonal-shelter" data-vars-content-id="6730ee75-fe42-41fd-aa48-3d5dcb6fa64c" data-vars-headline="At City Club, a rare public clash over homelessness policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/01/06/neoch-seasonal-shelter" target="_self">opened a seasonal shelter</a> there in January.

Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production

Fury autonomous drone production is set to begin months ahead of schedule.

Anduril&#x27;s Arsenal-1 factory near Rickenbacker is about to start production, and leaders of the autonomous weapons manufacturer believe it will produce superior weaponry at a fraction of the cost and time other companies require.Why it matters: The project promises to be one of the biggest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="job creation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" data-vars-content-id="447a9b30-d5e4-4c79-b224-9bb94678b677" data-vars-headline="Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/31/anduril-arsenal-1-project-plant-ohio-tax-breaks" target="_self">job creation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="economic development" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" data-vars-content-id="447a9b30-d5e4-4c79-b224-9bb94678b677" data-vars-headline="Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/01/16/anduril-weapons-factory-ohio-brose" target="_self">economic development</a> projects in Ohio&#x27;s history and comes with a massive tax break from the state.

Ohio lawmakers grappling with how to regulate AI

The majority say they use AI in their work.

Some Ohio lawmakers are embracing AI, while others — including one Columbus Democrat — are working to limit harm done by the technology.Why it matters: Confusion and indecision persist on how AI <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="should be regulated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-columbus-3f925d20-d9da-11f0-87c3-ebe17279ed99.html?chunk=2&amp;utm_term=emshare#story2" data-vars-content-id="25e97a10-272b-48ef-8c76-75718321feaf" data-vars-headline="Ohio lawmakers grappling with how to regulate AI" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-columbus-3f925d20-d9da-11f0-87c3-ebe17279ed99.html?chunk=2&amp;utm_term=emshare#story2" target="_self">should be regulated</a>, and who should do the regulating.

Ginther will tout public safety and housing in State of the City

The Columbus mayor's 2026 speech will highlight declining violent crime rates and plans for $500M in housing bonds.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther will mainly spend Tuesday&#x27;s State of the City address touting his administration&#x27;s 2025 accomplishments rather than announcing new plans, Axios has learned. Why it matters: At last year&#x27;s speech, Ginther <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unveiled his request" 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="92ba4848-aeea-4277-b83c-ef8117925e27" data-vars-headline="Ginther will tout public safety and housing in State of the City" 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">unveiled his request</a> for a $500 million bond package that was eventually approved by voters in November.

Ohio limits controversial gestational crates after 15-year wait

An advocate says it's a major shift for animal welfare in pork production.

Ohio has greatly limited the use of gestational crates for pregnant sows following years of pushing by animal rights advocates.Why it matters: There are more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.5 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ohio/Publications/Current_News_Releases/2025/nr2518oh.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="084bc8f0-47de-488f-8bb5-f1bf65a9d959" data-vars-headline="Ohio limits controversial gestational crates after 15-year wait" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Ohio/Publications/Current_News_Releases/2025/nr2518oh.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">2.5 million</a> hogs in Ohio, which is 10th in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hog production" data-vars-click-url="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/hog-production-by-state?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="084bc8f0-47de-488f-8bb5-f1bf65a9d959" data-vars-headline="Ohio limits controversial gestational crates after 15-year wait" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/hog-production-by-state?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">hog production</a> in the country.

ICE detainees report mistreatment at Butler County Jail

Attorneys and state reps say conditions include poor food and lack of medical care.

Local elected officials and attorneys are working to learn more about the conditions faced by ICE detainees at the Butler County Jail, who have reported overcrowding, limited food and other complaints.Why it matters: December ICE raids in Central Ohio resulted in more than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="200 arrests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/12/26/operation-buckeye-ice-arrests-ohio-immigrant-alliance-columbus/87920108007/" data-vars-content-id="346da6f9-4343-476f-862b-bffc1fe2bdde" data-vars-headline="ICE detainees report mistreatment at Butler County Jail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/12/26/operation-buckeye-ice-arrests-ohio-immigrant-alliance-columbus/87920108007/" target="_blank">200 arrests</a>, with Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther calling the presence &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unwelcome" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/12/18/ice-immigration-agent-mayor-ginther-respond" data-vars-content-id="346da6f9-4343-476f-862b-bffc1fe2bdde" data-vars-headline="ICE detainees report mistreatment at Butler County Jail" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/12/18/ice-immigration-agent-mayor-ginther-respond" target="_self">unwelcome</a>.&quot;

Day cares face harassment as fraud claims reach Ohio

Gov. Mike DeWine said Ohio is already rooting out fraud and urged people to stop showing up unannounced.

Gov. Mike DeWine is pushing back against some claims of fraud at day care centers, saying Ohio already has methods in place to root out issues and urging activists to stop showing up to locations unannounced.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Viral videos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/29/nick-shirley-minnesota-fraud-vance-fbi-somali" data-vars-content-id="3045396b-4f1e-4f10-aa9d-20a1f11e3493" data-vars-headline="Day cares face harassment as fraud claims reach Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/29/nick-shirley-minnesota-fraud-vance-fbi-somali" target="_self">Viral videos</a> of right-wing influencers and independent journalists alleging widespread fraud have prompted a frenzy at day care centers, with a focus on those associated with Somali immigrants.

The top Columbus stories we're watching in 2026

From midterm elections to school changes.

As the new year begins, here are some of the 2026 storylines we&#x27;re keeping an eye on:

Columbus leaders warn of "unwelcome" ICE presence

One council member says: "If you don't feel safe, you should not leave your home."

Columbus city leaders say ICE activity has increased locally without their permission or cooperation.Why it matters: The Trump administration continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="increase" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/13/border-patrol-ice-sheriff-charlotte-operation-immigration" data-vars-content-id="ad0444b5-e748-4c8f-b845-db6db2955e4b" data-vars-headline="Columbus leaders warn of &quot;unwelcome&quot; ICE presence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/13/border-patrol-ice-sheriff-charlotte-operation-immigration" target="_self">increase</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ICE" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/immigration-enforcement-ice-deportations-states-trump" data-vars-content-id="ad0444b5-e748-4c8f-b845-db6db2955e4b" data-vars-headline="Columbus leaders warn of &quot;unwelcome&quot; ICE presence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/03/immigration-enforcement-ice-deportations-states-trump" target="_self">ICE</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="presence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/27/ice-arrests-portland-suburbs-surge" data-vars-content-id="ad0444b5-e748-4c8f-b845-db6db2955e4b" data-vars-headline="Columbus leaders warn of &quot;unwelcome&quot; ICE presence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/27/ice-arrests-portland-suburbs-surge" target="_self">presence</a> in cities across the country as the agency attempts to meet its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="goal of deporting millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/04/trump-ice-immigration-arrests-deportations" data-vars-content-id="ad0444b5-e748-4c8f-b845-db6db2955e4b" data-vars-headline="Columbus leaders warn of &quot;unwelcome&quot; ICE presence" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/04/trump-ice-immigration-arrests-deportations" target="_self">goal of deporting millions</a>.

Removing Ohio city council members isn't easy — even after criminal charges

Gerald Dixon's case is dividing the Columbus suburb of Whitehall.

A Whitehall City Council member accused of sexually abusing children will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="stay in office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wosu.org/politics-government/2025-12-16/whitehall-city-council-votes-to-allow-gerald-dixon-to-remain-on-council-after-sexual-abuse-charges" data-vars-content-id="92dfd601-6c1a-4dfd-a518-ecaba5e8d822" data-vars-headline="Removing Ohio city council members isn&#x27;t easy — even after criminal charges" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wosu.org/politics-government/2025-12-16/whitehall-city-council-votes-to-allow-gerald-dixon-to-remain-on-council-after-sexual-abuse-charges" target="_blank">stay in office</a>, for now — a tumultuous case drawing attention to municipal government&#x27;s usually mundane mechanics.Why it matters: Most people don&#x27;t think much about city charters, the local equivalent of a constitution. But some, like Whitehall&#x27;s, make it surprisingly difficult to remove an embattled elected official.

Axios Cleveland

Ohio House votes to ban ranked choice voting statewide

Cleveland

Politics

Politics 🇺🇸

Potential ICE presence at Columbus airport unclear

Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production

Ohio lawmakers grappling with how to regulate AI

Ginther will tout public safety and housing in State of the City

Ohio House votes to ban ranked choice voting statewide