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Mount Vernon prepares for a population boom

A new food hall may seem small, but it's a big step for a community with a sense of urgency.

News

Forty miles from downtown Columbus, the small city of Mount Vernon is preparing for regional growth that has yet to reach it.Why it matters: As Central Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exploding population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="25b294f6-54b1-44d1-92f1-a4826892db37" data-vars-headline="Mount Vernon prepares for a population boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" target="_self">exploding population</a> reaches <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the suburbs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/26/central-ohio-home-sales-shift-suburbs-2026" data-vars-content-id="25b294f6-54b1-44d1-92f1-a4826892db37" data-vars-headline="Mount Vernon prepares for a population boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/26/central-ohio-home-sales-shift-suburbs-2026" target="_self">the suburbs</a>, the region needs its next ring of communities to be ready, because they&#x27;re next.

New Ohio State Fair buildings embrace Buckeye pride

New exhibits and local food put Ohio on the main stage.

The biggest additions to this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" data-vars-content-id="8bca1f43-9afa-470e-9ab8-e1176c2198d2" data-vars-headline="New Ohio State Fair buildings embrace Buckeye pride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" target="_self">Ohio State Fair</a> are a collective statement about Buckeye State identity.Why it matters: Together, the renovations reflect a coordinated effort to make Ohio one of the main attractions.<ul><li>Honestly? It works.</li></ul>

CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty

Bob McElligott will no longer call games for Columbus on radio.

Sports

Count me <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="among those disappointed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueJackets/comments/1va3we5/blue_jackets_to_simulcast_games_on_tv_and_radio/" data-vars-content-id="289effd3-200a-440c-b503-5aaaed25c660" data-vars-headline="CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueJackets/comments/1va3we5/blue_jackets_to_simulcast_games_on_tv_and_radio/" target="_blank">among those disappointed</a> in the Blue Jackets&#x27; recent decision to get rid of radio broadcaster Bob McElligott.State of play: Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans to simulcast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-to-simulcast-games-on-tv-and-radio" data-vars-content-id="289effd3-200a-440c-b503-5aaaed25c660" data-vars-headline="CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/blue-jackets-to-simulcast-games-on-tv-and-radio" target="_blank">plans to simulcast</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TV broadcast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/23/blue-jackets-announce-new-tv-production-plans" data-vars-content-id="289effd3-200a-440c-b503-5aaaed25c660" data-vars-headline="CBJ cutting its radio voice deserves a penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/23/blue-jackets-announce-new-tv-production-plans" target="_self">TV broadcast</a> audio feed on its radio network starting this season, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan.

"The Odyssey" is hard to find at Columbus libraries

Getting a copy of the 2,700-year-old tale is proving to be quite the journey.

Getting a library copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot; is proving to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quite the journey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/29/odyssey-christopher-nolan-free-library-borrow" data-vars-content-id="01717a0d-0420-4382-9101-8f0c2a2161f5" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Odyssey&quot; is hard to find at Columbus libraries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/29/odyssey-christopher-nolan-free-library-borrow" target="_self">quite the journey</a> these days.Why it matters: Interest in the 2,700-year-old tale is on the rise, causing library waitlists for the book to grow by the day.

Brace for more political ads, Ohio

Campaigns could spend a record amount to reach Ohio voters before November.

The November midterms are less than <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="100 days away" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/26/midterm-election-outlook-100-days" data-vars-content-id="1dd700e4-b511-4fa8-9fe2-652f24a82c7c" data-vars-headline="Brace for more political ads, Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/26/midterm-election-outlook-100-days" target="_self">100 days away</a> and political groups are pouring ad money into Ohio.Why it matters: The record spending shows both parties <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="see opportunities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/ohio-back-both-parties-navigate-competitive-midterm-races-forgotten-ba-rcna342230" data-vars-content-id="1dd700e4-b511-4fa8-9fe2-652f24a82c7c" data-vars-headline="Brace for more political ads, Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/ohio-back-both-parties-navigate-competitive-midterm-races-forgotten-ba-rcna342230" target="_blank">see opportunities</a> in our marquee matchups, despite years of Republican dominance in statewide elections.

Ohio State Fair to feature attractions from Trump's  Freedom 250 event

The Freedom Ferris Wheel and Freedom Trucks are stopping in Columbus.

Two signature attractions from the Trump administration&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Freedom 250 initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" data-vars-content-id="9fdfac09-3de6-4b74-bf32-0203c0d53ff1" data-vars-headline="Ohio State Fair to feature attractions from Trump&#x27;s Freedom 250 event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/06/30/great-american-state-fair-national-mall-review" target="_self">Freedom 250 initiative</a> are rolling into town for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" data-vars-content-id="9fdfac09-3de6-4b74-bf32-0203c0d53ff1" data-vars-headline="Ohio State Fair to feature attractions from Trump&#x27;s Freedom 250 event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" target="_self">the Ohio State Fair</a>.Zoom in: Guests will be able to take a ride on the &quot;Freedom Ferris Wheel,&quot; the centerpiece of the recent 16-day <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great American State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/26/great-american-state-fair-ohio-pavilion" data-vars-content-id="9fdfac09-3de6-4b74-bf32-0203c0d53ff1" data-vars-headline="Ohio State Fair to feature attractions from Trump&#x27;s Freedom 250 event" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/26/great-american-state-fair-ohio-pavilion" target="_self">Great American State Fair</a> in Washington D.C.

Columbus eyes revolving loan fund to boost housing

Program would aim to close the gaps for mixed-income housing projects.

Columbus leaders want to create a self-replenishing pool of funds to spur more housing development.Why it matters: Central Ohio faces a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/ohio-affordable-housing-gap-cost" data-vars-content-id="79503734-32fb-4807-837b-0e9563498c47" data-vars-headline="Columbus eyes revolving loan fund to boost housing" 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">housing crisis</a> and needs to build new units fast and strategically.

Columbus unemployment reaches new modern low

The region's 2.7% unemployment in May was second lowest in the country.

Columbus-area unemployment in May was at its lowest point in decades and the second lowest among major U.S. metros, new federal data shows.Why it matters: Unemployment rates gauge the labor market — extremely low numbers can indicate a strong economy but a stretched workforce with few options for employers.

Columbus schedules a public hearing on Flock cameras

A recent audit discovered 15,000 immigration-related searches.

Columbus will hold a special public hearing with its Public Safety &amp; Criminal Justice Committee in August to examine police use of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock Safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/pro/all-deals/2026/04/13/flock-safety-fundraising-surveillance-tech" data-vars-content-id="7c7c1325-5702-498d-8b88-e4ed35d5264b" data-vars-headline="Columbus schedules a public hearing on Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/pro/all-deals/2026/04/13/flock-safety-fundraising-surveillance-tech" target="_self">Flock Safety</a> license plate readers.Why it matters: Flock has become a lightning-rod issue nationwide. Its technology is opposed by groups like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ACLU" data-vars-click-url="https://www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/get-the-flock-out" data-vars-content-id="7c7c1325-5702-498d-8b88-e4ed35d5264b" data-vars-headline="Columbus schedules a public hearing on Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.aclu.org/campaigns-initiatives/get-the-flock-out" target="_blank">ACLU</a>, and a growing number of cities are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suspending use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/flock-safety-cameras-police-departments-lapd-2026-7" data-vars-content-id="7c7c1325-5702-498d-8b88-e4ed35d5264b" data-vars-headline="Columbus schedules a public hearing on Flock cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/flock-safety-cameras-police-departments-lapd-2026-7" target="_blank">suspending use</a> over civil rights and privacy concerns.

Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop

Expiring subsidies led Ohio to lose 32.4% of its enrollment between February 2025 and 2026.

Ohio has seen the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nation&#x27;s largest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/where-obamacare-enrollment-is-plummeting?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/07/where-obamacare-enrollment-is-plummeting?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axiosam&amp;stream=top" target="_self">nation&#x27;s largest</a> percentage decline in residents covered by Affordable Care Act plans as a result of federal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="subsidies allowed to expire" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/05/republicans-aca-health-care-subsidies" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/05/republicans-aca-health-care-subsidies" target="_self">subsidies allowed to expire</a> this year, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="federal data" data-vars-click-url="https://data.cms.gov/summary-statistics-on-beneficiary-enrollment/health-insurance-marketplace/health-insurance-exchanges-monthly-effectuated-enrollment/" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://data.cms.gov/summary-statistics-on-beneficiary-enrollment/health-insurance-marketplace/health-insurance-exchanges-monthly-effectuated-enrollment/" target="_blank">federal data</a>.Why it matters: Expiration of the subsidies has resulted in tens of thousands of Ohioans losing health care access in a state that already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggles with health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" data-vars-content-id="dd92196a-735c-4bfb-b54d-fdda25f0da68" data-vars-headline="Ohio tops the nation in ACA enrollment drop" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/08/state-health-rankings-2026-healthiest-places-to-live" target="_self">struggles with health</a>.

New Columbus program lets residents decide the budget

Residents can submit community ideas for $9 million in city funding.

Columbus begins a financial experiment this week, handing over the keys to a portion of the city&#x27;s budget to the public for the first time.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s inaugural participatory budget represents a small fraction of its overall budget — but it&#x27;s meant to give residents a direct say in community investment.

Ginther: Ending TPS is "irresponsible and inhumane"

The Columbus mayor directed immigrants to community resources.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potential ending" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/25/supreme-court-tps-ohio-haitian-immigrants" data-vars-content-id="e0c6dbe5-7ee7-4faa-8fad-1d43fc332075" data-vars-headline="Ginther: Ending TPS is &quot;irresponsible and inhumane&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/25/supreme-court-tps-ohio-haitian-immigrants" target="_self">potential ending</a> of protected status for Syrians and Haitians living legally in the U.S. is &quot;irresponsible and inhumane.&quot;Why it matters: Central Ohio is home to about 30,000 Haitian immigrants, including at least 12,000 who make up about a quarter of the Springfield population.

Poll: Most Ohio lawmakers oppose the death penalty

Capital punishment is a talking point again after outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine declared opposition to the death penalty.

Most Ohio lawmakers say they&#x27;d vote to repeal the state&#x27;s death penalty and don&#x27;t want to see the next governor resume executions, per a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gongwer-Werth Legislative Poll" data-vars-click-url="https://gongwerwerthpoll.com/#about" data-vars-content-id="22a3f167-ef80-4761-abdd-c180210e3139" data-vars-headline="Poll: Most Ohio lawmakers oppose the death penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://gongwerwerthpoll.com/#about" target="_blank">Gongwer-Werth Legislative Poll</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Capital punishment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/07/ohio-death-penalty-execution-dave-yost-ag" data-vars-content-id="22a3f167-ef80-4761-abdd-c180210e3139" data-vars-headline="Poll: Most Ohio lawmakers oppose the death penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/04/07/ohio-death-penalty-execution-dave-yost-ag" target="_self">Capital punishment</a> is a talking point again after outgoing Gov. Mike DeWine <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="declared his opposition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/16/governor-mike-dewine-ohio-abolish-death-penalty" data-vars-content-id="22a3f167-ef80-4761-abdd-c180210e3139" data-vars-headline="Poll: Most Ohio lawmakers oppose the death penalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/16/governor-mike-dewine-ohio-abolish-death-penalty" target="_self">declared his opposition</a> to the death penalty.

Ohio showcases "The Heart of It All" at Great American State Fair

The Trump-backed event is on the National Mall through July 10.

The Great American State Fair is underway on the National Mall, and visitors to the President Trump-backed affair will get a chance to learn why Ohio is &quot;The Heart of It All.&quot;Why it matters: Several states, mostly led by Democrats, decided to skip the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial, politicized fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" data-vars-content-id="a560b4d9-ffc6-49a8-ada7-b623202be8d4" data-vars-headline="Ohio showcases &quot;The Heart of It All&quot; at Great American State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/05/29/trump-freedom-250-concert-state-fair-backlash" target="_self">controversial, politicized fair</a>, but Ohio is spending up to $750,000 to attend.

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Axios Cleveland

Pornhub targets age verification laws in Ohio and other states

Cleveland

A map showing 18 tossup House races and four tossup Senate races as of July 16, 2026.

Axios Visuals: 2026-07-24-tossup-districts

Data: Cook Political Report; Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals

A line chart that shows monthly values from July 2025 to May 2026. The series starts at 4.5 in July 2025, falls to 3.6 in December, rebounds to 4.1 in January and February 2026, then declines to a low of 2.7 in May.

Columbus metro area unemployment rate

Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Note: October 2025 data is not available. May 2026 data is preliminary and not seasonally adjusted. Chart: Andrew King/Axios

Politics 🇺🇸

Pornhub targets age verification laws in Ohio and other states

Brace for more political ads, Ohio

Ohio State Fair to feature attractions from Trump's Freedom 250 event

Columbus eyes revolving loan fund to boost housing

Columbus unemployment reaches new modern low