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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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Franklin County home values keep going up

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

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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.

A new era for OSU's world-renowned cartoon museum

The new-look Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is open after six months of updates and renovations.

One of Columbus&#x27; best-kept secrets marks the start of a new era this weekend, reopening at Ohio State with a new look, new exhibitions and an internationally recognized headliner.Why it matters: The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library &amp; Museum is the world&#x27;s largest collection of comics and cartoon art, an archive that draws experts and enthusiasts from all over the world.

Ohio's most popular baby names of 2025

Oliver and Charlotte are Ohio&#x27;s most popular baby names for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fourth year in a row" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/most-popular-baby-names-ohio-2024-olivia-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="b4355bf3-343f-4882-98e0-636cc6b9f9ba" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s most popular baby names of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/19/most-popular-baby-names-ohio-2024-olivia-charlotte" target="_self">fourth year in a row</a>,<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" according to Social Security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" data-vars-content-id="b4355bf3-343f-4882-98e0-636cc6b9f9ba" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s most popular baby names of 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" target="_blank"> according to Social Security</a> card applications submitted at birth.

Ask Axios: Where can you recycle a TV for free in Columbus?

Unfortunately, there's almost always a fee. Here's why.

Reader Juliet K. asks: Do you know of a place to recycle TVs and monitors for free? Everywhere seems to have a price tag attached to it!<ul><li>Worthington&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new recycling center" data-vars-click-url="https://www.worthington.org/2459/Worthington-Recycling-Convenience-Center" data-vars-content-id="0611336d-e927-43d9-927d-9926381c127d" data-vars-headline="Ask Axios: Where can you recycle a TV for free in Columbus?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.worthington.org/2459/Worthington-Recycling-Convenience-Center" target="_blank">new recycling center</a> says it accepts all electronics but those two.</li></ul>

How much the Crew is spending on its 2026 roster

Columbus' $22.3 million total salary is less than Lionel Messi alone.

Sports

The Crew has a top 10 MLS player salary even as the team sits <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="in the bottom half" data-vars-click-url="http://mlssoccer.com/standings/2026/conference" data-vars-content-id="141ec841-af18-4220-9f68-fd030277bb74" data-vars-headline="How much the Crew is spending on its 2026 roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://mlssoccer.com/standings/2026/conference" target="_blank">in the bottom half</a> of league standings.Driving the news: The Major League Soccer Players Association released its latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="salary guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="141ec841-af18-4220-9f68-fd030277bb74" data-vars-headline="How much the Crew is spending on its 2026 roster" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">salary guide</a> this week, detailing player compensation across the league.

Fury attendance drops after another tough season

The team will finish in last place for two years straight.

Fewer fans have attended Columbus Fury home matches this year compared to the past two seasons — and if you want to help pack the seats, this weekend is your last chance.

Columbus pro women's soccer team announced

The league's 18th franchise reportedly cost ownership a $205 million expansion fee.

A day after the city of Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="approved a deal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/04/20/columbus-city-council-amendment-could-tie-nwsl-deal-to-mccoy-park-replacement/89662112007/" data-vars-content-id="a140eaed-04e2-4fc5-a6ce-363ea8d89cdf" data-vars-headline="Columbus pro women&#x27;s soccer team announced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/04/20/columbus-city-council-amendment-could-tie-nwsl-deal-to-mccoy-park-replacement/89662112007/" target="_blank">approved a deal</a> paving the way for a National Women&#x27;s Soccer League expansion franchise, the league officially awarded the city a team that will start play in 2028.Why it matters: An NWSL franchise marks the biggest step toward the city&#x27;s &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s sports capital" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/06/columbus-builds-womens-sports-capital-momentum" data-vars-content-id="a140eaed-04e2-4fc5-a6ce-363ea8d89cdf" data-vars-headline="Columbus pro women&#x27;s soccer team announced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/06/columbus-builds-womens-sports-capital-momentum" target="_self">women&#x27;s sports capital</a>&quot; ambitions. The announcement follows a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="contentious" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/20/nwsl-haslam-group-soccer-womens-mccoy-park" data-vars-content-id="a140eaed-04e2-4fc5-a6ce-363ea8d89cdf" data-vars-headline="Columbus pro women&#x27;s soccer team announced" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/20/nwsl-haslam-group-soccer-womens-mccoy-park" target="_self">contentious</a> exchange with the public over using city funds and park space for the team.

NWSL group faces pushback over public park space

Leaders say they want to include public amenities, but can't commit just yet.

The ownership group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="working to bring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/13/eagles-face-uncertainty-as-columbus-eyes-pro-womens-soccer" data-vars-content-id="415b71b1-e173-4fee-92dc-e2373645cac5" data-vars-headline="NWSL group faces pushback over public park space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/13/eagles-face-uncertainty-as-columbus-eyes-pro-womens-soccer" target="_self">working to bring</a> a National Women&#x27;s Soccer League (NWSL) team to Columbus says it&#x27;s committed to providing public park space, but can&#x27;t commit to specifics.State of play: Columbus City Council is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expected to vote Monday" data-vars-click-url="https://columbus.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1405774&amp;GUID=97843B71-BC32-40FF-8EF8-6DC0060E2DFD&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=" data-vars-content-id="415b71b1-e173-4fee-92dc-e2373645cac5" data-vars-headline="NWSL group faces pushback over public park space" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://columbus.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1405774&amp;GUID=97843B71-BC32-40FF-8EF8-6DC0060E2DFD&amp;Options=info%7C&amp;Search=" target="_blank">expected to vote Monday</a> on a deal that would give McCoy Park land to the ownership group.

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>.

Eagles face uncertainty as Columbus eyes pro women's soccer

The women's team since 2014 could be dwarfed by the NWSL.

The City of Columbus and a wealthy Ohio ownership group want to bring the National Women&#x27;s Soccer League (NWSL) to town — but what does that mean for our existing women&#x27;s soccer team?Why it matters: As the NWSL found its footing, expanding and contracting across the country, the Eagles survived in lower divisions and gave Columbus women somewhere to play.<ul><li>A professional team on the horizon seems poised to overtake the local team that has kept women&#x27;s soccer afloat.</li></ul>

Jason Day brings local ties to the Masters

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

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.

Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

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

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>.

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.

Axios Nashville

A column chart that shows Columbus Fury average match attendance from 2024 to 2026. Attendance fell each year, from 4,518 in 2024 to 3,558 in 2025 and 2,876 in 2026. The peak was 4,518, and the low was 2,876.

Sports 🏅

How much the Crew is spending on its 2026 roster

Fury attendance drops after another tough season

Columbus pro women's soccer team announced

NWSL group faces pushback over public park space

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