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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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A closer look at Ohio's new political maps

The maps are set to be in place for the rest of this decade.

News

Columbus' nightlife is bouncing back

Square transactions after 7pm now exceed pre-pandemic levels.

Columbus sees momentum for local tree growing plan

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

What makes Ohioans want to stay (and leave)

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

What's next for Ohio abortion law

Lawmakers and Ohio's largest abortion services provider are making plans.

Ohio&#x27;s largest abortion services provider and anti-abortion rights lawmakers are turning their attention to what&#x27;s next after the recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="passage of Issue 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/08/ohio-abortion-law-vote-election-pass" data-vars-content-id="33c821ab-8eab-45cf-8e64-9b0a67e84c44" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Ohio abortion law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/08/ohio-abortion-law-vote-election-pass" target="_self">passage of Issue 1</a>.Why it matters: While voters approved the constitutional amendment by a 13% margin, the Nov. 7 vote may not be the final word on legalization.

Ohio's weirdest 2023 General Election results

Alcohol at Cracker Barrel and fun with names.

Every election cycle, once the dust has settled, I search Ohio&#x27;s 88 counties for the most interesting results I can find.<ul><li>Break out the party hats and celebrate the 2023 list:</li></ul>

Ginther's 2024 budget calls for more police

Mayor Ginther's budget was released shortly after winning election to a third term.

Fresh off re-election to a third term, Mayor Andrew Ginther rolled out a 2024 budget proposing a record level of city spending.Why it matters: The city general fund, supported primarily by your income and property taxes, pays for essential services including public safety and infrastructure.

Illustration of Columbus City Hall with lines radiating from it.

A quick roundup of Franklin County election results

What happened with Issue 1, Issue 2, the Columbus mayoral race, school levies and more.

Election

Here&#x27;s a smart, fast recap of everything you need to know regarding Tuesday&#x27;s statewide and local elections, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial results" data-vars-click-url="https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/elections" data-vars-content-id="5fcf904a-265c-40d1-90b3-19c752f6d7a4" data-vars-headline="A quick roundup of Franklin County election results" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/elections" target="_blank">unofficial results</a>.

A voter fills out her ballot in Columbus.

Your guide to Election Day in Central Ohio

We recap what's on the ballot, including Issue 1 and Issue 2.

Many eyes will be on Ohio tonight as a contentious abortion-rights vote headlines our statewide ballot.Why it matters: If approved, Issue 1 would shape state abortion policy for the foreseeable future, enshrining a constitutional right that could not be undone by a conservative state legislature that opposes abortion rights.

Illustration of a pattern of checkmarks that turn into question marks and vice versa, over a red and blue background with a pattern of ballot elements.

Ohio school board races may get even more political

Rep. Mike Loychik wants candidates to pick a party.

A Northeast Ohio lawmaker wants to make Tuesday&#x27;s elections our last to feature nonpartisan school board races.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb267" data-vars-content-id="205d5c96-0834-4952-8595-9026bb172ce0" data-vars-headline="Ohio school board races may get even more political" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb267" target="_blank">The proposal</a> from state Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) would formalize a trend we&#x27;ve observed for years — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="K-12 schools" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/01/30/ohios-education-culture-war" data-vars-content-id="205d5c96-0834-4952-8595-9026bb172ce0" data-vars-headline="Ohio school board races may get even more political" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/01/30/ohios-education-culture-war" target="_self">K-12 schools</a>, and the elections of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="officials that govern them" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2021/11/01/ohio-school-board-races-2021-politics" data-vars-content-id="205d5c96-0834-4952-8595-9026bb172ce0" data-vars-headline="Ohio school board races may get even more political" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2021/11/01/ohio-school-board-races-2021-politics" target="_self">officials that govern them</a>, are increasingly becoming political battlegrounds.

Illustration of red and blue broken pencils.

Ginther, Motil face off in Columbus mayoral race

Ginther faces his first contested election since 2015.

Next week&#x27;s election marks the first time since 2015 that Columbus has a contested mayoral race on the ballot.Why it matters: Joe Motil&#x27;s challenge is drawing attention to local social issues and forcing Mayor Andrew Ginther to make a public case for a third term.

Columbus City Council races feature new districts

Council will now have nine members representing districts across town.

Columbus City Council races will look different on the ballot than in past elections.State of play: As of this election, Council is growing from seven to nine members through the creation of nine districts across town.

Ohio's political gender gap extends to donations

Women are underrepresented in the halls of power and in campaign donations.

Women contributed 30% of the donations to Ohio&#x27;s statewide and legislative campaigns in last year&#x27;s general elections, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://cawp.rutgers.edu/research/cawp-women-money-and-politics-series/donor-gap" data-vars-content-id="430c2d2b-187e-4399-93b7-ecb9c3ca3a81" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s political gender gap extends to donations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cawp.rutgers.edu/research/cawp-women-money-and-politics-series/donor-gap" target="_blank">according to a new report</a> from Rutgers&#x27; Center for American Women and Politics.Why it matters: Women are not just underrepresented in the halls of power, they&#x27;re underrepresented as the political donors that fuel those halls, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios&#x27; Emma Hurt writes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/17/women-political-donations-state-demographics-gender" data-vars-content-id="430c2d2b-187e-4399-93b7-ecb9c3ca3a81" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s political gender gap extends to donations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/17/women-political-donations-state-demographics-gender" target="_self">Axios&#x27; Emma Hurt writes</a>.

Answering questions about Ohio Issue 1

The amendment would enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio Constitution.

By now you&#x27;ve probably seen ads for and against <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Issue 1" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" data-vars-content-id="f7a356f7-f0cb-4c6d-93a3-57cd115b0ebd" data-vars-headline="Answering questions about Ohio Issue 1" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2023/10/10/abortion-november-election" target="_self">Issue 1</a>, which would enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio Constitution.<ul><li>But some of those arguments have caused confusion among voters. Here are a few questions we&#x27;ve heard:</li></ul>

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

Politics 🇺🇸