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Massive Anduril weapons plant preps for production

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

News

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.

Vote for Central Ohio's best music venues: Round 2

One close call: Dick's Den beat A&R Music Bar by one vote.

Things to Do

Some obvious headliners emerged in the first round of our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Music Madness bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/19/music-venues-bracket-ohio" data-vars-content-id="72dfff58-4941-491a-81a8-29c88eddc126" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Round 2" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/19/music-venues-bracket-ohio" target="_self">Music Madness bracket</a>, and one close call proves that every vote counts.Zoom in: The Bluestone (83%), Natalie&#x27;s (77%) and Newport Music Hall (75%) won by the largest margins.

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.

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>.

Ranking the safety of Columbus streets

Vision Zero leaders say lowering speeds is key to safer streets.

Columbus streets are relatively safe compared to other large cities, but still have room for improvement, a new study finds.Why it matters: Dozens are killed in local traffic crashes annually, and Columbus&#x27; <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Vision Zero plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/06/16/columbus-safer-streets-bicycling-2023" data-vars-content-id="3b4d8b33-f3bb-41e2-aab3-faa418b755c3" data-vars-headline="Ranking the safety of Columbus streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/06/16/columbus-safer-streets-bicycling-2023" target="_self">Vision Zero plan</a> seeks to eliminate those deaths completely.

ABC News series recaps Tepe murder case

The Weinland Park couple's deaths have captured national attention.

The Weinland Park murders are getting more national attention, now featured on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest episode" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detpress.com/abcnews/pressrelease/impact-x-nightline-reports-on-the-double-murder-of-an-ohio-dentist-and-his-wife-streaming-feb-5-on-disney-and-hulu/" data-vars-content-id="6eac6280-6734-40ce-a491-77bf2c9773ba" data-vars-headline="ABC News series recaps Tepe murder case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detpress.com/abcnews/pressrelease/impact-x-nightline-reports-on-the-double-murder-of-an-ohio-dentist-and-his-wife-streaming-feb-5-on-disney-and-hulu/" target="_blank">latest episode</a> of the ABC News Studio series &quot;Impact x Nightline.&quot;Zoom in: The 28-minute episode recaps the circumstances surrounding the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dec. 30 killings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/07/dentist-homicide-police-investigation" data-vars-content-id="6eac6280-6734-40ce-a491-77bf2c9773ba" data-vars-headline="ABC News series recaps Tepe murder case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/07/dentist-homicide-police-investigation" target="_self">Dec. 30 killings</a> of Spencer and Monique Tepe, plus recent developments after the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="arrest" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-couple-killed-03f47d11f7d14f3a5581933b0f2a5013" data-vars-content-id="6eac6280-6734-40ce-a491-77bf2c9773ba" data-vars-headline="ABC News series recaps Tepe murder case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-couple-killed-03f47d11f7d14f3a5581933b0f2a5013" target="_blank">arrest</a> of Monique&#x27;s ex-husband, Michael McKee.

FBI investigates wave of Ohio bomb threats

Columbus and Springfield had hoaxes Monday, but no link is confirmed.

A wave of bomb threats <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hit Columbus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/bomb-threats-sent-to-dozens-of-central-ohio-locations-including-statehouse/" data-vars-content-id="a587b80c-b349-4e17-b394-ab91ddd17219" data-vars-headline="FBI investigates wave of Ohio bomb threats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/bomb-threats-sent-to-dozens-of-central-ohio-locations-including-statehouse/" target="_blank">hit Columbus</a> Monday morning, targeting over 30 elementary schools, the Statehouse and the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, according to news reports.The big picture: The hoax messages came around the same time that suspicious packages and threats referencing Haitians shut down schools and other buildings <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in nearby Springfield" data-vars-click-url="https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/bomb-threats-suspicious-packages-in-springfield-prompt-evacuations/USM6T4IWIRCT3MG6JRGZETETDA/" data-vars-content-id="a587b80c-b349-4e17-b394-ab91ddd17219" data-vars-headline="FBI investigates wave of Ohio bomb threats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/bomb-threats-suspicious-packages-in-springfield-prompt-evacuations/USM6T4IWIRCT3MG6JRGZETETDA/" target="_blank">in nearby Springfield</a>.

Study: Ohio drivers are less distracted by phones than other Americans

Distracted driving leads to thousands of crashes in Ohio every year, but there's signs of improvement.

Buckeye State drivers spent less time on their phones than the average American in 2025, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/about-us/news/statewide/new-study-finds-ohio-below-national-average-for-distracted-driving" data-vars-content-id="462822b4-7838-47c7-af60-21f6310a0bfe" data-vars-headline="Study: Ohio drivers are less distracted by phones than other Americans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/about-us/news/statewide/new-study-finds-ohio-below-national-average-for-distracted-driving" target="_blank">a new analysis</a> from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) shows.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Distracted driving" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/ohio-distracted-driving-cell-phone-dewine-law" data-vars-content-id="462822b4-7838-47c7-af60-21f6310a0bfe" data-vars-headline="Study: Ohio drivers are less distracted by phones than other Americans" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/ohio-distracted-driving-cell-phone-dewine-law" target="_self">Distracted driving</a> leads to thousands of crashes in Ohio every year, though recent crash data shows signs of improvement.

Ohio's funny highway signs aren't going anywhere

New federal rules urge simpler signs, but aren't a ban on humor.

Holiday travelers probably saw highway signs declaring &quot;Santa sees you when you&#x27;re speeding&quot; and &quot;only the menorah should be lit — drive sober.&quot;Why it matters: Two years ago, reports warned of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a federal &quot;ban&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/17/federal-highway-administration-ban-funny-electronic-signs/72253799007/" data-vars-content-id="f686986f-4f9d-47f5-bdc4-fa3d552e3391" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s funny highway signs aren&#x27;t going anywhere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/17/federal-highway-administration-ban-funny-electronic-signs/72253799007/" target="_blank">a federal &quot;ban&quot;</a> on humorous digital highway signs taking effect this past weekend.<ul><li>But like a tire, it seems the warnings were a bit … inflated.</li></ul>

Why it's hard to get your joke on an Ohio highway sign

ODOT accepts sign ideas from the public, but few make the cut.

Coming up with those clever safety messages <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="you see on highways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/20/ohio-funny-highway-signs-federal-guidelines" data-vars-content-id="87015fae-8d2f-4d6d-b3fc-bacabb6d049d" data-vars-headline="Why it&#x27;s hard to get your joke on an Ohio highway sign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/20/ohio-funny-highway-signs-federal-guidelines" target="_self">you see on highways</a> is a surprisingly thorough process, with a state transportation officials planning the schedule weeks in advance.The intrigue: Drivers can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="submit their own ideas" data-vars-click-url="https://zerodeaths.transportation.ohio.gov/create-your-message.aspx" data-vars-content-id="87015fae-8d2f-4d6d-b3fc-bacabb6d049d" data-vars-headline="Why it&#x27;s hard to get your joke on an Ohio highway sign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zerodeaths.transportation.ohio.gov/create-your-message.aspx" target="_blank">submit their own ideas</a> — nearly 400 did last year, public records show.

Tepe case puts a spotlight on Ohio's rising domestic violence deaths

Killings rose 37% statewide from 2024 to 2025, per one report.

There&#x27;s a person behind every domestic violence statistic — and year after year, more represent lives lost in Ohio.Why it matters: The recent arrest of Monique Tepe&#x27;s ex-husband in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Weinland Park murders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/07/dentist-homicide-police-investigation" data-vars-content-id="23c997fb-a4b8-45b3-965c-2cedaa7ff36b" data-vars-headline="Tepe case puts a spotlight on Ohio&#x27;s rising domestic violence deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/07/dentist-homicide-police-investigation" target="_self">Weinland Park murders</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="underscores" data-vars-click-url="https://abcnews.go.com/US/family-couple-allegedly-killed-speaks/story?id=129200502" data-vars-content-id="23c997fb-a4b8-45b3-965c-2cedaa7ff36b" data-vars-headline="Tepe case puts a spotlight on Ohio&#x27;s rising domestic violence deaths" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/family-couple-allegedly-killed-speaks/story?id=129200502" target="_blank">underscores</a> a troubling trend of rising domestic violence-related deaths.

Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025

Police say new strategies and community tips are reducing violence.

Columbus&#x27; 2025 homicide count was its lowest in 16 years, continuing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trend of decline" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/09/ohio-homicide-trends-2024" data-vars-content-id="6a44d1d4-4fed-4370-8f51-70a3c8d3b21b" data-vars-headline="Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/09/ohio-homicide-trends-2024" target="_self">trend of decline</a> following a pandemic-era peak.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suspected murders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/07/dentist-homicide-police-investigation" data-vars-content-id="6a44d1d4-4fed-4370-8f51-70a3c8d3b21b" data-vars-headline="Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/07/dentist-homicide-police-investigation" target="_self">suspected murders</a> of a Weinland Park couple on Dec. 30 have placed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="national" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/07/us/spencer-monique-tepe-killings-timeline" data-vars-content-id="6a44d1d4-4fed-4370-8f51-70a3c8d3b21b" data-vars-headline="Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/07/us/spencer-monique-tepe-killings-timeline" target="_blank">national</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="attention" data-vars-click-url="https://people.com/police-release-footage-of-person-of-interest-in-killings-of-dentist-and-his-wife-11878610" data-vars-content-id="6a44d1d4-4fed-4370-8f51-70a3c8d3b21b" data-vars-headline="Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://people.com/police-release-footage-of-person-of-interest-in-killings-of-dentist-and-his-wife-11878610" target="_blank">attention</a> on our city, and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="big-city crime" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/24/ohio-crime-rate-cities-2024-data" data-vars-content-id="6a44d1d4-4fed-4370-8f51-70a3c8d3b21b" data-vars-headline="Columbus homicides hit 16-year low in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/24/ohio-crime-rate-cities-2024-data" target="_self">big-city crime</a> remains a political lightning rod.

The latest updates on the Weinland Park killings

Spencer and Monique Tepe were found dead Dec. 30 in Weinland Park.

While Columbus police have solved a majority of 2025 homicides, they say a killer is likely still at large in the city&#x27;s highest-profile case of last year.Catch up quick: The fatal Dec. 30 shootings of dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, at their Weinland Park home have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="captivated" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/06/us/columbus-ohio-dentist-wife-killings-clues" data-vars-content-id="488b0b04-2eea-4d74-bf12-14f455119d4a" data-vars-headline="The latest updates on the Weinland Park killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/06/us/columbus-ohio-dentist-wife-killings-clues" target="_blank">captivated</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="readers" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/dentist-ohio-couple-killed-51d310ada47235ea6aaa40c8bcc1e9af" data-vars-content-id="488b0b04-2eea-4d74-bf12-14f455119d4a" data-vars-headline="The latest updates on the Weinland Park killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/dentist-ohio-couple-killed-51d310ada47235ea6aaa40c8bcc1e9af" target="_blank">readers</a> nationwide. But so far, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="information is scarce" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/05/spencer-monique-tepe-deaths-killings-murder-columbus-ohio-weinland-park-dentist-wife-shot/88029291007/" data-vars-content-id="488b0b04-2eea-4d74-bf12-14f455119d4a" data-vars-headline="The latest updates on the Weinland Park killings" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2026/01/05/spencer-monique-tepe-deaths-killings-murder-columbus-ohio-weinland-park-dentist-wife-shot/88029291007/" target="_blank">information is scarce</a>.

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.

Public Safety

Ranking the safety of Columbus streets

ABC News series recaps Tepe murder case

FBI investigates wave of Ohio bomb threats

Study: Ohio drivers are less distracted by phones than other Americans

Ohio's funny highway signs aren't going anywhere