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.

Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio

Nearly half of Ohio counties lack a hospital with labor and delivery services.

Nearly half of Ohio counties lack a hospital with labor and delivery services, per a new March of Dimes <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/united-states/maternity-care-deserts" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/reports/united-states/maternity-care-deserts" target="_blank">report</a> — and that now includes Delaware County, after Grady Memorial Hospital stopped delivering babies this month.Why it matters: OhioHealth&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="controversial" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/advocates-rally-grady-memorial-labor-delivery-unit-closure-nears/530-2b11a6c6-176c-44d0-87be-3fde7e87fd9f" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/advocates-rally-grady-memorial-labor-delivery-unit-closure-nears/530-2b11a6c6-176c-44d0-87be-3fde7e87fd9f" target="_blank">controversial</a> decision in one of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fastest-growing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/30/columbus-keeps-growing-at-a-rapid-pace" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" 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">fastest-growing</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wealthiest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/03/23/ohio-median-household-income-2020-census-data" data-vars-content-id="13d36401-98a1-4417-940d-11df6396678f" data-vars-headline="Hospital delivery rooms are disappearing across Ohio" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2022/03/23/ohio-median-household-income-2020-census-data" target="_self">wealthiest</a> counties illustrates how loss of maternity care isn&#x27;t just a rural issue.

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.

Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront

The ambiance is the main attraction — but the food is great, too.

Food and Drink

I finally snagged a reservation at one of Columbus&#x27; buzziest new restaurants, the long-anticipated replacement of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Milestone 229" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/16/ohio-milestone-229-restaurant-closing" data-vars-content-id="5dc0be3c-5e37-46f8-9767-5bb4df99c70d" data-vars-headline="Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/16/ohio-milestone-229-restaurant-closing" target="_self">Milestone 229</a>.Dining the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amara" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eatamara.com/" data-vars-content-id="5dc0be3c-5e37-46f8-9767-5bb4df99c70d" data-vars-headline="Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eatamara.com/" target="_blank">Amara</a> opened about a month ago and tables have been filling fast. Billed as &quot;Mediterranean at Heart,&quot; it&#x27;s the latest concept from Josh Dalton, the chef behind Veritas and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Speck" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/16/speck-restaurant-review-downtown-italian" data-vars-content-id="5dc0be3c-5e37-46f8-9767-5bb4df99c70d" data-vars-headline="Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/06/16/speck-restaurant-review-downtown-italian" target="_self">Speck</a>.

A Hilliard man built "20-0," one of summer's most addictive games

The NFL game began as an "overnight" project and took the internet by storm.

One of the summer&#x27;s hottest time-killing games came from an overnight project in Central Ohio.Why it matters: NBA season simulator &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="82-0" data-vars-click-url="https://82-0.com/" data-vars-content-id="c861fa99-e83f-4b51-ba37-0fc3095e91fe" data-vars-headline="A Hilliard man built &quot;20-0,&quot; one of summer&#x27;s most addictive games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://82-0.com/" target="_blank">82-0</a>&quot; started the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="craze" data-vars-click-url="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/82-0-broke-nba-twitter-203607095.html" data-vars-content-id="c861fa99-e83f-4b51-ba37-0fc3095e91fe" data-vars-headline="A Hilliard man built &quot;20-0,&quot; one of summer&#x27;s most addictive games" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/82-0-broke-nba-twitter-203607095.html" target="_blank">craze</a>, and copycat versions for nearly every sport followed — the popular NFL version was built for fun by a Hilliard software engineer.

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>.

Meet German Village's new gnomes

A Garten Club anniversary project brings 23 sculptures to the neighborhood.

If you&#x27;ve visited German Village lately, you may have noticed some whimsical new residents around the neighborhood.Carving the news: To celebrate its 60th year, the German Village Garten Club <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commissioned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.germanvillagegnomes.com/" data-vars-content-id="5b797b3d-5d09-4007-ab69-895ce6b1923e" data-vars-headline="Meet German Village&#x27;s new gnomes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.germanvillagegnomes.com/" target="_blank">commissioned</a> 23 elaborate gnome sculptures and cultivated a community <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="scavenger hunt" data-vars-click-url="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a17180c9f38a246fd6d53ff/6a7b8893409a1f0ace07e5d1_German%20Village%20Gnome%20Project%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20Map.pdf" data-vars-content-id="5b797b3d-5d09-4007-ab69-895ce6b1923e" data-vars-headline="Meet German Village&#x27;s new gnomes" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6a17180c9f38a246fd6d53ff/6a7b8893409a1f0ace07e5d1_German%20Village%20Gnome%20Project%20Scavenger%20Hunt%20Map.pdf" target="_blank">scavenger hunt</a>.

Anything Bagel keeps the classic Block's recipes alive

We tried the bagels Columbus has loved for decades.

Eighteen months after the beloved Block&#x27;s Bagels closed its doors, a second brand is taking its shot at reviving the Columbus shop&#x27;s recipes. Catch up quick: Block&#x27;s, which launched in 1967, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/10/blocks-bagels-of-columbus-closing-after-founders-death/78383298007/" data-vars-content-id="ebcb1b8d-4de0-448c-97c4-ba75977e7260" data-vars-headline="Anything Bagel keeps the classic Block&#x27;s recipes alive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/02/10/blocks-bagels-of-columbus-closing-after-founders-death/78383298007/" target="_blank">closed</a> in March 2025 after the death of founder Harold &quot;Hal&quot; Block.

Weekend picks: It's time for the Food Truck Festival

Plus: The Tomato Festival, Zac Brown Band and "Pippin."

Culture

Savor the final stretch of summer at a delectable weekend festival.🚚 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Columbus Food Truck Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.columbusfoodtruckfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="327a8f58-fc36-415d-919d-e3806832fe57" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: It&#x27;s time for the Food Truck Festival" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.columbusfoodtruckfest.com/" target="_blank">The Columbus Food Truck Festival</a>.

The Hilltop Dairy Twist is back

New ownership revived the nostalgic spot after years of uncertainty.

It&#x27;s been a summer full of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fancy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/18/graeters-summer-ice-cream-flavors-2026-review" data-vars-content-id="b3dc795f-ad2f-4129-900d-cdd1b3f823bd" data-vars-headline="The Hilltop Dairy Twist is back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/18/graeters-summer-ice-cream-flavors-2026-review" target="_self">fancy</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ice cream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/07/13/jenis-summer-ice-cream-flavors-smores-strawberry-chili" data-vars-content-id="b3dc795f-ad2f-4129-900d-cdd1b3f823bd" data-vars-headline="The Hilltop Dairy Twist is back" 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/jenis-summer-ice-cream-flavors-smores-strawberry-chili" target="_self">ice cream</a> at Axios Columbus, but here&#x27;s a nostalgic option that won&#x27;t break the bank.Why it matters: Longtime newsletter readers know I&#x27;ve long lamented Columbus&#x27; lack of mom-and-pop ice cream shops.

Visit Dublin's park posters feature local artists

Collect physical copies by visiting enough parks.

Dublin is proving that not everyone is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leaning on AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/07/ohio-state-fair-ai-poster-backlash" data-vars-content-id="7cece4cb-6a2d-49d7-9c07-97fb3156f2fb" data-vars-headline="Visit Dublin&#x27;s park posters feature local artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/08/07/ohio-state-fair-ai-poster-backlash" target="_self">leaning on AI</a> for cookie-cutter branding and soulless images.Designing the news: Visit Dublin, the city&#x27;s tourism organization, commemorated this summer&#x27;s relaunch of its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="free park pass" data-vars-click-url="https://www.visitdublinohio.com/things-to-do/experiences-passes-and-trails/parks-pass/" data-vars-content-id="7cece4cb-6a2d-49d7-9c07-97fb3156f2fb" data-vars-headline="Visit Dublin&#x27;s park posters feature local artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.visitdublinohio.com/things-to-do/experiences-passes-and-trails/parks-pass/" target="_blank">free park pass</a> with a collection of four locally designed posters.

Weekend picks: '90s music, Springsteen and cocktails

Plus: The last weekend of the state fair.

Travel back in time to the &#x27;90s with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohio State Fair&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/22/2026-ohio-state-fair-concerts-tickets-nelly-weird-al-styx" data-vars-content-id="045bf0a0-e7f9-4905-a4de-d2dba5515cdc" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: &#x27;90s music, Springsteen and cocktails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/06/22/2026-ohio-state-fair-concerts-tickets-nelly-weird-al-styx" target="_self">Ohio State Fair&#x27;s</a> big finale.🎶 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Blues Traveler" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiostatefair.com/p/entertainment/concerts1" data-vars-content-id="045bf0a0-e7f9-4905-a4de-d2dba5515cdc" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: &#x27;90s music, Springsteen and cocktails" 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">Blues Traveler</a> with Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors.

"The Odyssey" is hard to find at Columbus libraries

Getting a copy of the 2,700-year-old tale is proving to be quite the journey.

Getting a library copy of &quot;The Odyssey&quot; is proving to be <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quite the journey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/29/odyssey-christopher-nolan-free-library-borrow" data-vars-content-id="01717a0d-0420-4382-9101-8f0c2a2161f5" data-vars-headline="&quot;The Odyssey&quot; is hard to find at Columbus libraries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/07/29/odyssey-christopher-nolan-free-library-borrow" target="_self">quite the journey</a> these days.Why it matters: Interest in the 2,700-year-old tale is on the rise, causing library waitlists for the book to grow by the day.

Things to Do 🗓

Amara makes a splash on the downtown riverfront

A Hilliard man built "20-0," one of summer's most addictive games

Weekend picks: Take your dog to Bark Bash

Meet German Village's new gnomes

"Union County" brings rural Ohio to the big screen