Columbus

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus

Standard

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus Partners

Columbus Alerts

Alert

Columbus Members

Membership

Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio's wet August

Experts say they're probably nothing to worry about — but don't eat them.

News

As Central Ohio residents deal with an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abnormally stormy August" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/13/central-ohio-storm-rain-weather" data-vars-content-id="efb44b09-6488-460d-a0a3-49c75ac6311d" data-vars-headline="Mushrooms are thriving in Central Ohio&#x27;s wet August" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/13/central-ohio-storm-rain-weather" target="_self">abnormally stormy August</a>, our spore-bearing cousins are thriving.Why it matters: My normally green yard has become filled with dozens of large white mushrooms in recent days — some nearly as big as dinner plates.

Weekend picks: Take your dog to Bark Bash

Plus: ArborFest, ¡Festival Latino! and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks.

Things to Do

Well, hot dog — there&#x27;s a break in the rain in Saturday morning&#x27;s forecast, just in time for thousands of pups to go paddling at Prairie Oaks Metro Park.🐶 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bark Bash" data-vars-click-url="https://www.metroparks.net/event/bark-bash/" data-vars-content-id="1397043f-a7e3-4e51-be1d-8d1ce66563e6" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: Take your dog to Bark Bash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.metroparks.net/event/bark-bash/" target="_blank">Bark Bash</a>.

Teachers are AI-curious, but worried about screens

A Columbus-based education company surveyed teachers across the globe.

Teachers are struggling to embrace useful and increasingly unavoidable technology while keeping students focused, per a new global survey from a Columbus-based education company.Why it matters: Many Central Ohio students are back to school this week for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first school year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/08/ohio-schools-require-ai-policy-artificial-intelligence" data-vars-content-id="f450e040-cef1-4795-82c8-228982452ddb" data-vars-headline="Teachers are AI-curious, but worried about screens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/08/ohio-schools-require-ai-policy-artificial-intelligence" target="_self">first school year</a> in which all Ohio K-12 public districts must have policies in place related to AI in the classroom.

Micro Center doubles down on in-store experience

The retailer is debuting a new look at its flagship Columbus store.

Micro Center is adding AI development space and 3D printing tech as part of a reintroduction to its hometown this weekend. Why it matters: Micro Center&#x27;s flagship Columbus store is a notable outlier in the fading electronics <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="retail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/retail-sales-amazon-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="6beeaf75-f9e7-4979-bd3e-32a1156e4336" data-vars-headline="Micro Center doubles down on in-store experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/retail-sales-amazon-world-cup" target="_self">retail</a> space.Driving the news: The company is hosting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grand reopening" data-vars-click-url="https://www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news/article/micro-center-columbus-remodel.aspx" data-vars-content-id="6beeaf75-f9e7-4979-bd3e-32a1156e4336" data-vars-headline="Micro Center doubles down on in-store experience" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.microcenter.com/site/mc-news/article/micro-center-columbus-remodel.aspx" target="_blank">grand reopening</a> of its Bethel Road store Saturday, showing off a new look for its &quot;home base&quot; and oldest location.

Inside South Bloomfield, Ohio's fastest-growing community

This Pickaway County village won't stay under the radar for long.

The road leading to South Bloomfield&#x27;s municipal building is a fitting metaphor: On one side, tractors harvest sprawling sod fields. On the other, modern homes line the horizon — and construction crews are still building more.Why it matters: This is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing community" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/01/central-ohio-population-growth-census?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="a67c8f90-c36f-41b9-92ae-a52638e4269a" data-vars-headline="Inside South Bloomfield, Ohio&#x27;s fastest-growing community" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/01/central-ohio-population-growth-census?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">fastest-growing community</a> in all of Ohio, luring Columbus workers with vacant land, good schools and safe, affordable housing.<ul><li>The spike is redefining a once-sleepy Pickaway County village formerly on the fringes, where officials tell Axios they&#x27;re working to balance growth with preserving its character.</li></ul>

Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building

A few extra looks inside the massive, fascinating basket.

The people are demanding more basket photos. The intrigue: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="I wrote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/10/longaberger-basket-building-newark-ohio-building-inside-photos" data-vars-content-id="c2dec018-51f7-44df-9d09-4a9137149fad" data-vars-headline="Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/10/longaberger-basket-building-newark-ohio-building-inside-photos" target="_self">I wrote</a> about my recent exploration of the Longaberger basket building and a few readers asked to see more pictures from the trip.

Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building

The unique Newark landmark is up for sale again.

Real Estate

As a Central Ohio native, I have been fascinated by the Longaberger Basket Building for decades. I finally got a tour inside, and it felt like a pilgrimage. Why it matters: Long vacant and recently for sale once more, the basket is perhaps Ohio&#x27;s most <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="well-known" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" data-vars-content-id="c0a7793e-d3fa-479d-bd04-6c0665460ff9" data-vars-headline="Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/realestate/ohio-basket-building-for-sale.html" target="_blank">well-known</a> oddity.

The Longaberger Basket Building's history and future

After a decade sitting vacant, what comes next for the basket with it up for sale?

History

The Longaberger Basket Building opened as the company&#x27;s Newark headquarters in 1997, welcoming hundreds of employees.Flashback: The $30 million building was the crown jewel of founder Dave Longaberger&#x27;s empire, founded in 1973 in nearby Dresden.

Despite more inventory, home prices continue to rise

Central Ohio homes are staying on the market longer, but buyers aren't seeing price relief.

Central Ohio homes are staying on the market longer and inventory is increasing, yet prices are still rising.Why it matters: Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="badly needs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/ohio-affordable-housing-gap-cost" data-vars-content-id="42311bba-9a27-439a-81ce-016edb95a1ec" data-vars-headline="Despite more inventory, home prices continue to rise" 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">badly needs</a> more available houses, and an increase in properties for sale should trigger price declines — but the latter is not yet borne out in the market.

Franklin County home values keep going up

New valuations will arrive in June, affecting 2027 tax bills.

Heads up, Franklin County homeowners: There&#x27;s a good chance your property value is going to rise <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/08/08/franklin-county-home-values-2023" data-vars-content-id="c284c988-3eb7-4353-b292-143cb67aaf5f" data-vars-headline="Franklin County home values keep going up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/08/08/franklin-county-home-values-2023" target="_self">again</a>.Why it matters: A home&#x27;s appraised value affects sale prices and how much owners pay in property taxes.

Local office space holds steady as U.S. vacancies rise

National rates hit a record high, but Columbus bucked the trend.

Office vacancy rates nationwide hit <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a record high" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/office-vacancies-moodys-real-estate" data-vars-content-id="99dcb2c7-a2e8-4537-a1fa-8d2dc85cab76" data-vars-headline="Local office space holds steady as U.S. vacancies rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/02/office-vacancies-moodys-real-estate" target="_self">a record high</a> in the first three months of the year — but not in Columbus.Why it matters: At a time when many companies <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="don&#x27;t need" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" data-vars-content-id="99dcb2c7-a2e8-4537-a1fa-8d2dc85cab76" data-vars-headline="Local office space holds steady as U.S. vacancies rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/16/work-from-home-offices-remote-work-census" target="_self">don&#x27;t need</a> as much office space, the local market appears to be holding steady.

Central Ohio home sales shift to the suburbs

Sales dropped in Franklin County last month while surrounding areas saw steady growth.

The Central Ohio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/19/why-more-central-ohio-home-sales-are-falling-apart" data-vars-content-id="870e4a6b-0949-4994-82a7-27f8e4e462bc" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio home sales shift to the suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/19/why-more-central-ohio-home-sales-are-falling-apart" target="_self">housing market</a> is shifting away from the city, with sales moving to the suburbs as prices continue to increase.Why it matters: After a harsh winter, the spring housing market is heating up.<ul><li>The market&#x27;s adjusting to pent-up demand and the reality of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high interest rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/fed-powell-interest-rate" data-vars-content-id="870e4a6b-0949-4994-82a7-27f8e4e462bc" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio home sales shift to the suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/fed-powell-interest-rate" target="_self">high interest rates</a> and low inventory.</li></ul>

The latest on "Rambling House South" and City Winery

Here's where the two delayed South side projects stand now.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Great Southern Metro Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/02/great-southern-metro-park-soft-opening" data-vars-content-id="eee973ce-da5a-41a4-94e8-e52f748206aa" data-vars-headline="The latest on &quot;Rambling House South&quot; and City Winery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/02/great-southern-metro-park-soft-opening" target="_self">Great Southern Metro Park</a> is just one example of renewed interest in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South Side redevelopment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/10/17/south-side-projects-to-watch.html" data-vars-content-id="eee973ce-da5a-41a4-94e8-e52f748206aa" data-vars-headline="The latest on &quot;Rambling House South&quot; and City Winery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2024/10/17/south-side-projects-to-watch.html" target="_blank">South Side redevelopment</a>.The latest: An entertainment venue, tentatively called &quot;Rambling House South,&quot; is preparing to break ground this summer following a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2022 announcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/03/02/rambling-house-south-entertainment-complex-planned-south-side/6976634001/" data-vars-content-id="eee973ce-da5a-41a4-94e8-e52f748206aa" data-vars-headline="The latest on &quot;Rambling House South&quot; and City Winery" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/business/2022/03/02/rambling-house-south-entertainment-complex-planned-south-side/6976634001/" target="_blank">2022 announcement</a>, John Lynch tells Axios in an email.

Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained

Wexner is set to testify as pressure mounts over the Epstein files.

Politics & Policy

Embattled billionaire Les Wexner is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his association with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" target="_self">Jeffrey Epstein</a> as public pressure mounts on the L Brands founder and his many Columbus connections.Why it matters: Wexner permanently shaped Central Ohio. He&#x27;s Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="richest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" target="_self">richest</a> person and an international business titan whose influence extends well beyond our state.

Real Estate 🏠

Inside South Bloomfield, Ohio's fastest-growing community

What a luxury home costs in Columbus

Photos: A closer look inside the Longaberger basket building

Exploring the empty, iconic Longaberger basket building

The Longaberger Basket Building's history and future