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Columbus Zoo evacuates again amid nationwide trend of hoax threats

Zoos across Ohio and the country have evacuated over false threats of bombs and shooters.

News

Columbus Zoo visitors have had their trips interrupted twice in the last four days amid a national wave of violent threats.Catch up quick: The zoo closed for the day on May 2 when it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="received false threats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/05/02/columbus-zoo-evacuated-closed-as-sheriff-investigates-swatting-call/89910347007/" data-vars-content-id="4d3c2e89-ba10-47bd-9411-89ef597e4469" data-vars-headline="Columbus Zoo evacuates again amid nationwide trend of hoax threats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/05/02/columbus-zoo-evacuated-closed-as-sheriff-investigates-swatting-call/89910347007/" target="_blank">received false threats</a> of a bomb and an active shooter.

Why Columbus is a top food test market

Fast food chains like Burger King often try new items here first.

If Burger King sliders never go nationwide, you can blame — or thank — Columbus.Why it matters: Columbus&#x27; perceived <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="identity crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/05/yes-columbus-ad-campaign-tourism-ohio" data-vars-content-id="cd75de18-4c94-4f41-a913-91773369eba9" data-vars-headline="Why Columbus is a top food test market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/05/yes-columbus-ad-campaign-tourism-ohio" target="_self">identity crisis</a> is well documented. But as our city evolves, one bragging point has endured: It&#x27;s still a top test market, especially for food.

Ohio AG Yost to resign next month

Yost is set to become a VP at a nonprofit law firm.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is resigning next month to take a leadership position at a nonprofit law firm, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="he announced Thursday" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/DaveYostOH/status/2052484836800274674" data-vars-content-id="ebf1dac5-bd66-4973-b13f-9cedf2eeb80c" data-vars-headline="Ohio AG Yost to resign next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/DaveYostOH/status/2052484836800274674" target="_blank">he announced Thursday</a>.Why it matters: The departure likely marks the end of Yost&#x27;s decades-long career as an elected official and comes after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="failed run for governor" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/16/attorney-general-dave-yost-governor-election-campaign" data-vars-content-id="ebf1dac5-bd66-4973-b13f-9cedf2eeb80c" data-vars-headline="Ohio AG Yost to resign next month" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/16/attorney-general-dave-yost-governor-election-campaign" target="_self">failed run for governor</a> last year.

Help share your favorite Ohio building's story

The  "250 Buildings, 250 Stories" project is open for submissions statewide.

History

A new statewide initiative gives Ohio residents a chance to highlight historic buildings they care about and maybe even help keep them around for decades to come.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Heritage Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://heritageohio.org/" data-vars-content-id="58aee458-a575-4432-816c-a6704d6b364a" data-vars-headline="Help share your favorite Ohio building&#x27;s story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://heritageohio.org/" target="_blank">Heritage Ohio</a>, a historic preservation nonprofit, is using its &quot;250 Buildings, 250 Stories&quot; project to find sites that could be preserved, restored or redeveloped, especially ones that might otherwise be overlooked.<ul><li>The effort, tied to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="America 250 celebration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" data-vars-content-id="58aee458-a575-4432-816c-a6704d6b364a" data-vars-headline="Help share your favorite Ohio building&#x27;s story" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/03/ohio-america-250-celebration-2026" target="_self">America 250 celebration</a>, will spotlight 250 buildings across the state that are at least 50 years old.</li></ul>

Can Ohio sports betting changes curb problem gambling? Advocates doubt it

Proposed legislation would ban online sports betting and credit card deposits.

Ohio&#x27;s problem gambling advocates support new proposals to prohibit online sports betting and limit other wagers, but question whether they&#x27;ll be adopted or make a meaningful impact.Why it matters: Legalized sports gambling has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="made millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/20/ohio-sports-betting-wager-legal-online-app" data-vars-content-id="ae309036-0f64-4788-a67e-129fed20cd89" data-vars-headline="Can Ohio sports betting changes curb problem gambling? Advocates doubt it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/20/ohio-sports-betting-wager-legal-online-app" target="_self">made millions</a> for Ohio, but it&#x27;s also created an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="explosion of problem gambling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/20/ohio-problem-gambling-betting-network-addiction-services" data-vars-content-id="ae309036-0f64-4788-a67e-129fed20cd89" data-vars-headline="Can Ohio sports betting changes curb problem gambling? Advocates doubt it" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/20/ohio-problem-gambling-betting-network-addiction-services" target="_self">explosion of problem gambling</a>.

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.

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>.

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.

Politics 🇺🇸

Ohio AG Yost to resign next month

Can Ohio sports betting changes curb problem gambling? Advocates doubt it

Yost calls for ending Ohio's death penalty moratorium

Save The Crew inspires national bill to keep teams local

Potential ICE presence at Columbus airport unclear