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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.

Weekend picks: Smell the tulips — or take some home

Timbuk Farms in Granville has 500,000 ready to pick.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s shaping up to be a picture-perfect weekend, with warm temperatures and spring flowers in full bloom.🌷 Our pick: Stroll through them — or take some home.

A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting

Today is National Zoo Lovers Day and we've got recs.

This month marks a decade of me covering the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium — the good, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bad" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/12/zoo-moving-forward-theft-scandal" data-vars-content-id="ef6d566c-d2d3-4b04-a7c2-f14ecb40254c" data-vars-headline="A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/12/zoo-moving-forward-theft-scandal" target="_self">bad</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="utterly adorable" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/12/05/columbus-zoo-baby-orangutan-birth" data-vars-content-id="ef6d566c-d2d3-4b04-a7c2-f14ecb40254c" data-vars-headline="A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/12/05/columbus-zoo-baby-orangutan-birth" target="_self">utterly adorable</a>.

Natalie's Grandview is our readers' favorite small music venue

The final round of Axios Columbus' Music Madness bracket wasn't much of a contest.

Music

Give a round of applause to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview" data-vars-click-url="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" data-vars-content-id="5e2caca5-0890-4ac7-ad83-0eb4e26198cc" data-vars-headline="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview is our readers&#x27; favorite small music venue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" target="_blank">Natalie&#x27;s Grandview</a>, the undisputed champion of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our Music Madness venue bracket" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/01/music-venues-bracket-ohio-final-round" data-vars-content-id="5e2caca5-0890-4ac7-ad83-0eb4e26198cc" data-vars-headline="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview is our readers&#x27; favorite small music venue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/01/music-venues-bracket-ohio-final-round" target="_self">our Music Madness venue bracket</a>.Reality check: The final matchup against The Bluestone wasn&#x27;t even a contest, with the crowd favorite claiming 84% of votes.

Weekend picks: Sports, sports and more sports

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

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.

Do it yourself with these Central Ohio resources

From woodworking to crafts, local spaces offer tools and training.

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National DIY Day" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-diy-day-april-2" data-vars-content-id="f9ecbc14-ce23-4c02-adca-58a36863b84c" data-vars-headline="Do it yourself with these Central Ohio resources" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-diy-day-april-2" target="_blank">National DIY Day</a> — a good time to consider resources available to Central Ohioans who want to get their hands dirty.Why it matters: Costs are increasing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/26/central-ohio-home-sales-shift-suburbs-2026" data-vars-content-id="f9ecbc14-ce23-4c02-adca-58a36863b84c" data-vars-headline="Do it yourself with these Central Ohio resources" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/26/central-ohio-home-sales-shift-suburbs-2026" target="_self">housing</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="goods" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-fed" data-vars-content-id="f9ecbc14-ce23-4c02-adca-58a36863b84c" data-vars-headline="Do it yourself with these Central Ohio resources" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/03/trump-tariffs-supreme-court-fed" target="_self">goods</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="services" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/realestate/why-are-we-spending-so-much-money-on-home-renovations.html" data-vars-content-id="f9ecbc14-ce23-4c02-adca-58a36863b84c" data-vars-headline="Do it yourself with these Central Ohio resources" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/realestate/why-are-we-spending-so-much-money-on-home-renovations.html" target="_blank">services</a>. Doing some projects yourself could save you some significant cash.

Vote for Central Ohio's best music venues: Final Round

Natalie's and The Bluestone face off in the last round of our March Madness bracket.

After three rounds of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="voting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/music-venues-bracket-ohio-round-3" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Final Round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/music-venues-bracket-ohio-round-3" target="_self">voting</a>, it&#x27;s time for the big finale.State of play: Just two venues remain in our Music Madness bracket — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Natalie&#x27;s Grandview" data-vars-click-url="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Final Round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nataliesgrandview.com/" target="_blank">Natalie&#x27;s Grandview</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Bluestone" data-vars-click-url="https://liveatthebluestone.com/" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" data-vars-headline="Vote for Central Ohio&#x27;s best music venues: Final Round" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://liveatthebluestone.com/" target="_blank">The Bluestone</a>.<ul><li>These two have drawn some of the most votes all tournament long, and now they face off in a winner-take-all final.</li></ul>What&#x27;s next: Cast a vote for your favorite here before noon Friday. Check back Monday to see which venue won it all!<div><iframe name="opinionstage-widget" alt="Opinion Stage Embed" src="https://www.opinionstage.com/api/v2/widgets/4209c882-b0b6-48c8-9fc5-c5a8cdd0f65e/iframe" data-opinionstage-iframe="4209c882-b0b6-48c8-9fc5-c5a8cdd0f65e" data-vars-category="embed" data-vars-sub-category="embed-poll" data-vars-asset-id="4209c882-b0b6-48c8-9fc5-c5a8cdd0f65e" data-vars-content-id="9b2dae82-aad2-4a52-a2fe-7d812c72df41" width="100%" height="800" allow="fullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" class="gtmView" referrerPolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe><div style="display:none"></div></div>

Get your short film on one of Columbus' most unique screens

Submissions (with no entry fee) are open through May 15.

Culture

It may not be the big screen, but a new contest is bringing local films to a recognizable big screen in Columbus.Driving the news: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="UnConventional Film Contest" data-vars-click-url="https://unconventionalfilmcontest.com/" data-vars-content-id="a06a20b4-25b8-4f09-ac1a-04bd593a1335" data-vars-headline="Get your short film on one of Columbus&#x27; most unique screens" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://unconventionalfilmcontest.com/" target="_blank">UnConventional Film Contest</a>, presented by the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, is calling for artists to submit short films highlighting &quot;creativity, community and the spirit of Columbus and Central Ohio.&quot;

Outdoor recreation made Ohio $20 billion in 2024

The industry supports 150,000 jobs statewide.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outdoor recreation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/07/12/ohio-state-parks-hocking-hills-free-summer" data-vars-content-id="fe16962b-307d-404b-bf83-8ce326cb9902" data-vars-headline="Outdoor recreation made Ohio $20 billion in 2024" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/07/12/ohio-state-parks-hocking-hills-free-summer" target="_self">Outdoor recreation</a> in parks, on waterways and elsewhere made Ohio $20 billion in 2024, and represents an increasingly large percentage of our state GDP.Why it matters: In addition to state revenue, the industry supports tens of thousands of Ohio jobs and billions in wages in fields ranging from boating and fishing to equestrian and snow sports.

Things to Do 🗓

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

Weekend picks: Smell the tulips — or take some home

A decade of Columbus Zoo stories worth revisiting

Pro football returns to Columbus for Aviators home debut

Natalie's Grandview is our readers' favorite small music venue