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

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Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

We took in the experience of watching Columbus' newest team.

News

Columbus has a professional football team again. Why it matters: In a town enthusiastic about the sport, Friday marked the first outdoor pro football game in Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in 34 years" data-vars-click-url="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" data-vars-content-id="dea41af6-b9b4-4cec-8b15-d9da299bea25" data-vars-headline="Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/tonight-34-years-later-professional-outdoor-football-is-back-in-columbus-nfl-ufl-sports-today-espn-broadcast-event-game-athletes" target="_blank">in 34 years</a>.

What's on the May 5 primary ballot

Voters face school levies, a police response amendment and more.

Early voting is underway for the May 5 primary election, kicking off a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="busy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" data-vars-content-id="0a156d75-86bb-4a77-bc19-55e9c67eb430" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s on the May 5 primary ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/12/ohio-2026-elections-yost-larose-sprague-faber" target="_self">busy</a> midterm year.Why it matters: While statewide races like governor and U.S. Senate will likely grab the spotlight, there are plenty of local issues being decided now.

At long last, Buc-ee's brings BBQ and hype to Ohio

The Huber Heights store marks Buc-ee's debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

Business

Ohio has its first <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" data-vars-content-id="0aa83960-fdc8-49bb-8070-6cb90afa08b0" data-vars-headline="At long last, Buc-ee&#x27;s brings BBQ and hype to Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/09/11/columbus-dayton-business-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> — the Texas-born mega travel center known for turning gas stops into full-blown day trips.Why it matters: The massive 74,000-square-foot gas station on steroids opened this week in Huber Heights (near Dayton), marking Buc-ee&#x27;s debut in Ohio — and the Midwest.

How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer

On National Beer Day, take a moment to appreciate our water.

Enjoying a local beverage on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Beer Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" data-vars-content-id="8adf4f65-133b-41ee-9444-6d6fddf9a650" data-vars-headline="How Columbus water helps breweries make better beer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.brewersassociation.org/events/national-beer-day/" target="_blank">National Beer Day</a>? Take a moment to consider the most important ingredient in Columbus beer: our water.Why it matters: Beer is over 90% water, and Columbus gives brewmasters — from small craft breweries to massive distributors — a big advantage.

Jason Day brings local ties to the Masters

The Australian-born golfer has lived in the suburb of Westerville since 2010.

Sports

Ohio golf fans tuning into The Masters don&#x27;t have to look far for a local rooting interest — even if he comes with an Australian accent.Zoom in: Australia native Jason Day, a 13-time PGA Tour winner, has lived in Westerville since 2010.

The Crew is still winless to start the 2026 season

Columbus has just two points in five matches.

The Crew season is still young, but the team already desperately needs a win.Catch up quick: Through five games, Columbus has had one of the worst starts in MLS.

Weekend picks: Sports, sports and more sports

Plus: An R&B legend and an emo kid doubleheader.

Things to Do

April is not known as the greatest sports month, but this weekend is packed with competition.🌭 Our pick: Catch a game — no matter which sport you&#x27;re into.

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.

Weekend picks: Help pack Nationwide Arena

Plus: Cherry blossoms, K-pop and heavy metal

It&#x27;s been six years since there was playoff hockey in Columbus — do your part to bring it back.🥅 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Back-to-back Jackets games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/tickets/single-game-tickets?partnerId=cbj-web-ext-DMG-tix-Search&amp;&amp;utm_source=localiq&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=regularseason&amp;utm_content=upcominggames&amp;scid=3998867&amp;kw=2623902&amp;pub_cr_id=511622589993&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;targetid=kwd-133953292&amp;loc_interest_ms=&amp;loc_physical_ms=9014901&amp;tc=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB&amp;rl_key=269f652bb32583d53264a559fc772e4f&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="a8458df7-d5d0-46a3-82f7-d8c442fdb915" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: Help pack Nationwide Arena" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/tickets/single-game-tickets?partnerId=cbj-web-ext-DMG-tix-Search&amp;&amp;utm_source=localiq&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=regularseason&amp;utm_content=upcominggames&amp;scid=3998867&amp;kw=2623902&amp;pub_cr_id=511622589993&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;targetid=kwd-133953292&amp;loc_interest_ms=&amp;loc_physical_ms=9014901&amp;tc=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB&amp;rl_key=269f652bb32583d53264a559fc772e4f&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Back-to-back Jackets games</a>.

OSU men surge into March Madness as women eye deep run

Both teams enter the tournament with momentum and high expectations.

It&#x27;s tournament time, and Ohio State is sending both its men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s teams to March Madness.Why it matters: Whether you&#x27;re building brackets or just cheering for the home team, here&#x27;s a quick guide as the Buckeyes&#x27; postseason runs begin.

Columbus builds "women's sports capital" momentum

An NWSL bid and major events spotlight the city's ambitions.

Momentum appears to be building toward Mayor Andrew Ginther&#x27;s ambition of making Columbus the nation&#x27;s capital for women&#x27;s sports.Why it matters: Women&#x27;s sports are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exploding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/08/22/womens-pro-sports-leagues-growing" data-vars-content-id="b9109615-06fa-4342-b06d-334cdfa893cf" data-vars-headline="Columbus builds &quot;women&#x27;s sports capital&quot; momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/08/22/womens-pro-sports-leagues-growing" target="_self">exploding</a> in popularity — and in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revenue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44402483/2025-women-sports-revenue-projected-hit-235b" data-vars-content-id="b9109615-06fa-4342-b06d-334cdfa893cf" data-vars-headline="Columbus builds &quot;women&#x27;s sports capital&quot; momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44402483/2025-women-sports-revenue-projected-hit-235b" target="_blank">revenue</a> — as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cities across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/07/competition-womens-sports-capital" data-vars-content-id="b9109615-06fa-4342-b06d-334cdfa893cf" data-vars-headline="Columbus builds &quot;women&#x27;s sports capital&quot; momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/07/competition-womens-sports-capital" target="_self">cities across the country</a> vie for expansion franchises and the &quot;capital&quot; moniker.

Ranking the new Crew concessions options

Columbus' team has added sandwiches, desserts, drinks and more.

Food and Drink

👋 Andrew here. Saturday marks the Crew home opener, and the 2026 team is debuting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renamed stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.columbuscrew.com/news/columbus-crew-and-scottsmiracle-gro-expand-long-standing-partnership-highlighted-by-stadium-naming-rights" data-vars-content-id="7e7ac50d-01ff-4322-ba55-212b49ed7773" data-vars-headline="Ranking the new Crew concessions options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.columbuscrew.com/news/columbus-crew-and-scottsmiracle-gro-expand-long-standing-partnership-highlighted-by-stadium-naming-rights" target="_blank">renamed stadium</a>, a refreshed roster and a handful of new concessions options.Driving the news: At a preseason media event, the team showed off a dozen new food items and a pair of new signature drinks.<ul><li>I ranked the food I tried:</li></ul>

Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals

Currently most states allow teen NIL deals, but that may change.

Ohio high school athletes have been legally able to strike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="name, image and likeness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/high-school-athletes-nil-deals" data-vars-content-id="b421c559-109c-4d2f-83e1-69fdde964704" data-vars-headline="Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/high-school-athletes-nil-deals" target="_self">name, image and likeness</a> deals for a few months, but a proposed law could make the practice short-lived.

Sports 🏅

Jason Day brings local ties to the Masters

Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

A pair of pro bowling events come to Columbus this weekend

The Crew is still winless to start the 2026 season

Weekend picks: Sports, sports and more sports