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

Worthington clashes over proposed redevelopment

Some residents say leaders aren't listening; leaders say neighbors' concerns don't outweigh broader goals.

News

Worthington leaders and residents are at odds over a redevelopment project that meets big-picture city goals but makes neighbors feel unheard.Why it matters: The clash is part of a Central Ohio theme of communities grappling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continued regional growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="99ae4969-0dd6-4083-a7bf-96e4919125dc" data-vars-headline="Worthington clashes over proposed redevelopment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" target="_self">continued regional growth</a>.

The stories behind Central Ohio's 9/11 steel

Ground Zero artifacts anchor Hilliard and Westerville's first responder memorials.

When the Twin Towers collapsed 25 years ago, 200,000 tons of steel fell to the ground. Many of those mangled beams now stand again as public memorials — including in Westerville and Hilliard.Why it matters: As time passes, 9/11 is shifting from a recent, shared experience into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a distant historical event" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/north-of-cincy/2026/09/10/teaching-911-attacks-ohio-schools-2026" data-vars-content-id="50311565-26a3-4230-8f01-f8cc79bcf9e1" data-vars-headline="The stories behind Central Ohio&#x27;s 9/11 steel" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/north-of-cincy/2026/09/10/teaching-911-attacks-ohio-schools-2026" target="_self">a distant historical event</a>.

Columbus schools see improvement in 2026 state report card 

Other Franklin County districts did well, too. Here's how to search for your rating.

Education

Columbus students are performing better in core subjects and graduating at a record-high rate, but the district is still not meeting the overall state standard.Why it matters: The annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state report card" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/15/ohio-school-report-cards-2025-district" data-vars-content-id="12d6b00e-cb4c-492b-bd58-23b7339d8107" data-vars-headline="Columbus schools see improvement in 2026 state report card " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/09/15/ohio-school-report-cards-2025-district" target="_self">state report card</a>, released Tuesday, offers another mixed bag for Ohio&#x27;s biggest school district.

Armadillos may be arriving in Ohio for the first time

The  mammals have been here before, but as hitchhikers rather than residents.

Researchers in southwest Ohio believe the state may have a new resident. Driving the news: A research team at Miami University has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="found" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wlwt.com/article/miami-university-ohio-first-naturally-occurring-armadillo/73657483" data-vars-content-id="7ccf1f87-e505-4443-abec-1b7f9053746c" data-vars-headline="Armadillos may be arriving in Ohio for the first time" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wlwt.com/article/miami-university-ohio-first-naturally-occurring-armadillo/73657483" target="_blank">found</a> what is possibly the first naturally occurring armadillo in the state.

Why the Ohio State Fair AI poster struck a nerve

The backlash reflects deeper concerns about AI, trust and creativity, experts say.

The recent public outrage over an AI-generated poster winning an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/state-fair" data-vars-content-id="98750ed9-6131-4187-a930-c8bda8a4597e" data-vars-headline="Why the Ohio State Fair AI poster struck a nerve" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/state-fair" target="_self">Ohio State Fair</a> art contest is about much more than how it looks, experts tell Axios.Why it matters: As low-effort posters and fliers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="proliferate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.404media.co/we-are-living-in-a-chatgpt-flyer-pandemic/" data-vars-content-id="98750ed9-6131-4187-a930-c8bda8a4597e" data-vars-headline="Why the Ohio State Fair AI poster struck a nerve" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.404media.co/we-are-living-in-a-chatgpt-flyer-pandemic/" target="_blank">proliferate</a>, they&#x27;re becoming lightning rods for broader anxieties about authenticity, trust and AI&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/07/ai-job-anxiety-ceo" data-vars-content-id="98750ed9-6131-4187-a930-c8bda8a4597e" data-vars-headline="Why the Ohio State Fair AI poster struck a nerve" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/07/ai-job-anxiety-ceo" target="_self">growing</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="impact" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/16/ai-data-center-water-regulations-cu-boulder" data-vars-content-id="98750ed9-6131-4187-a930-c8bda8a4597e" data-vars-headline="Why the Ohio State Fair AI poster struck a nerve" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/16/ai-data-center-water-regulations-cu-boulder" target="_self">impact</a> on everyday life.

Why Ohio has butter cow bragging rights

The Buckeye State did it first, way back in 1903.

The Iowa State Fair&#x27;s butter cow may be the country&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most famous" data-vars-click-url="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-life-size-cows-made-of-butter-became-an-iconic-symbol-of-the-midwest-180987208/" data-vars-content-id="a5412e46-e7c8-47ae-9633-f0823e691f26" data-vars-headline="Why Ohio has butter cow bragging rights" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/how-life-size-cows-made-of-butter-became-an-iconic-symbol-of-the-midwest-180987208/" target="_blank">most famous</a>, but just for the record: Ohio did it first.By the numbers: Ohio&#x27;s first cow and calf debuted in 1903, while Iowa didn&#x27;t have a cow until 1911.

New Ohio State Fair buildings embrace Buckeye pride

New exhibits and local food put Ohio on the main stage.

The biggest additions to this year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" data-vars-content-id="8bca1f43-9afa-470e-9ab8-e1176c2198d2" data-vars-headline="New Ohio State Fair buildings embrace Buckeye pride" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" target="_self">Ohio State Fair</a> are a collective statement about Buckeye State identity.Why it matters: Together, the renovations reflect a coordinated effort to make Ohio one of the main attractions.<ul><li>Honestly? It works.</li></ul>

The Ohio State Fair's new food hall is a hit

Bypass the corn dogs and funnel cakes — eat local instead.

State Fair

Though fairs are synonymous with rows of traveling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/13/2026-ohio-state-fair-new-foods-schmidts-cream-puff" data-vars-content-id="1bdb937e-28d8-4550-bd46-8c93101b0964" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair&#x27;s new food hall is a hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/13/2026-ohio-state-fair-new-foods-schmidts-cream-puff" target="_self">vendors</a>, I actually didn&#x27;t visit one during my <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest Ohio State Fair trip" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/03/ohio-state-fair-new-buildings" data-vars-content-id="1bdb937e-28d8-4550-bd46-8c93101b0964" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair&#x27;s new food hall is a hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/03/ohio-state-fair-new-buildings" target="_self">latest Ohio State Fair trip</a>.Dining the news: I left stuffed after visiting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new Food Hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/25/ohio-state-fair-food-hall-vendors-showcase-building" data-vars-content-id="1bdb937e-28d8-4550-bd46-8c93101b0964" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair&#x27;s new food hall is a hit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/25/ohio-state-fair-food-hall-vendors-showcase-building" target="_self">new Food Hall</a> on the first floor of the Ohio Showcase building and a couple other stops for local eats.

Red, white and moo: Ohio State Fair butter cow revealed

Plus: A butter bald eagle and Statue of Liberty for America 250.

America&#x27;s 250th birthday calls for cake. If you&#x27;re gathering ingredients, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" data-vars-content-id="e000708e-0ae5-44a6-b4a2-eef5051a45cb" data-vars-headline="Red, white and moo: Ohio State Fair butter cow revealed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/27/ohio-state-fair-2026-guide-tickets-schedule" target="_self">Ohio State Fair</a> has the butter covered.Zoom in: This year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="butter cow and calf" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/22/ohio-state-fair-butter-cow-construction-2025" data-vars-content-id="e000708e-0ae5-44a6-b4a2-eef5051a45cb" data-vars-headline="Red, white and moo: Ohio State Fair butter cow revealed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/22/ohio-state-fair-butter-cow-construction-2025" target="_self">butter cow and calf</a> celebrate the U.S. semiquincentennial, with a butter bald eagle, flags and Statue of Liberty set against a backdrop of fireworks.

The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair

The list includes ridiculous fried foods and trend-chasing adaptations.

Food and Drink

This year&#x27;s lineup of outrageous <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/25/ohio-state-fair-stick-food-guide" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/25/ohio-state-fair-stick-food-guide" target="_self">Ohio State Fair food</a> has been set.The intrigue: The fair <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/food" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/visit/food" target="_blank">announced</a> over two dozen new food and drink options, ranging from ridiculous fried things to trend-chasing adaptations of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dubai chocolate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/09/valentines-day-dessert-spots" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/09/valentines-day-dessert-spots" target="_self">Dubai chocolate</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dirty soda" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/dirty-soda-trend-mikes-hard-lemonade" data-vars-content-id="8a00d831-6d61-403e-972d-d6005ac1be70" data-vars-headline="The new food lineup at the 2026 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/31/dirty-soda-trend-mikes-hard-lemonade" target="_self">dirty soda</a>.

The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer

Columbus favorites will anchor the new Showcase Building.

No major development seems complete these days without a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food hall" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/19/ohio-food-hall-north-market-budd-dairy-little-grand" data-vars-content-id="f33644f8-cffb-4bf9-9f07-78acb27c3015" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/19/ohio-food-hall-north-market-budd-dairy-little-grand" target="_self">food hall</a>, and the Ohio Expo Center &amp; State Fairgrounds <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renovations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz15i_ERBc8" data-vars-content-id="f33644f8-cffb-4bf9-9f07-78acb27c3015" data-vars-headline="The Ohio State Fair is getting a food hall this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sz15i_ERBc8" target="_blank">renovations</a> are no exception.Why it matters: The new Ohio Showcase Building will become a central anchor to the fairgrounds when it debuts at this summer&#x27;s fair.

We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts

The fair is scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9 and has nearly a dozen ticketed concerts.

Culture

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="that time again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/2025-ohio-state-fair-concerts-foreigner-tpain-taylor-swift" data-vars-content-id="b1e9fbbe-173a-4455-a3eb-6ceecb0a99d1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/11/2025-ohio-state-fair-concerts-foreigner-tpain-taylor-swift" target="_self">that time again</a> to rank the concerts at the 2026 Ohio State Fair, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 9.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" data-vars-content-id="b1e9fbbe-173a-4455-a3eb-6ceecb0a99d1" data-vars-headline="We ranked the 2026 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" target="_blank">Concerts</a> are held at the Celeste Center, and advance tickets include fair admission.

Ranking the 2025 Ohio State Fair concerts

Acts include a Taylor Swift tribute show and Rock Hall of Fame band Foreigner.

We&#x27;re <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" data-vars-content-id="8878a689-d044-493a-b7e3-829ad8c483b8" data-vars-headline="Ranking the 2025 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" target="_self">back again</a> to rank the concerts at this year&#x27;s Ohio State Fair, slated for July 23-Aug. 3.State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All concerts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" data-vars-content-id="8878a689-d044-493a-b7e3-829ad8c483b8" data-vars-headline="Ranking the 2025 Ohio State Fair concerts" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" target="_blank">All concerts</a> take place in the WCOL Celeste Center.<ul><li>Advance tickets include fair admission.</li></ul>

A guide to the 2024 Ohio State Fair

What to know about the fair's new foods, contests and chaperone policy.

The deep fryers are sizzlin&#x27; and the butter cow is mooin&#x27;, which can only mean one thing: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="169th annual Ohio State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" data-vars-content-id="8b8573a7-aade-4d69-bcdc-33a1f9c16091" data-vars-headline="A guide to the 2024 Ohio State Fair" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/01/ohio-state-fair-concerts-ice-cube-gabriel-iglesias-stone-temple-pilots-alabama" target="_self">169th annual Ohio State Fair</a> has arrived.Driving the news: The fair opens this morning, with 12 full days of live entertainment, animal wrangling and food-truck munching.