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Longtime radio voice of the Blue Jackets has a new home

Bob McElligott is back with a new website and pair of podcasts.

News

The Blue Jackets are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/columbus-blue-jackets-team-season-preview-2026" data-vars-content-id="603c5871-23d3-482e-a7b0-73d947ef1ffa" data-vars-headline="Longtime radio voice of the Blue Jackets has a new home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/columbus-blue-jackets-team-season-preview-2026" target="_self">back</a>, but a voice many have come to associate with the team is now covering the team in his own new capacity. Driving the news: Former play-by-play broadcaster Bob McElligott recently launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Clear Breakaway" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/47787214.95/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbGVhcmJyZWFrYXdheS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/61143c39cd4dcd37e13a7294B32583e05" data-vars-content-id="603c5871-23d3-482e-a7b0-73d947ef1ffa" data-vars-headline="Longtime radio voice of the Blue Jackets has a new home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/47787214.95/aHR0cHM6Ly9jbGVhcmJyZWFrYXdheS5jb20vP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/61143c39cd4dcd37e13a7294B32583e05" target="_self">Clear Breakaway</a>, a website featuring pregame and postgame Q&amp;As, podcasts and other analysis.

Monday is Ohio's voter registration deadline

It's the deadline in order to vote in the 2026 general election on Nov. 3.

Monday is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.How to register: You can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="do so online" data-vars-click-url="https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/" data-vars-content-id="16d18e4d-6261-438f-917f-1b1c6ddf2877" data-vars-headline="Monday is Ohio&#x27;s voter registration deadline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://olvr.ohiosos.gov/" target="_blank">do so online</a> or at your <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="county board of elections office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ohiosos.gov/directories/county-boards-of-elections" data-vars-content-id="16d18e4d-6261-438f-917f-1b1c6ddf2877" data-vars-headline="Monday is Ohio&#x27;s voter registration deadline" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ohiosos.gov/directories/county-boards-of-elections" target="_blank">county board of elections office</a>.

Ohio gas prices fall as tax holiday takes effect

The tax break is helping, but bigger factors continue to move gas prices as well.

Money

Ohio drivers are already seeing results of the state&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gas tax holiday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/ohio-gas-tax-holiday-gallon-diesel-2026" data-vars-content-id="70f7c9db-af5f-40ee-8fbc-140d0fc03fd4" data-vars-headline="Ohio gas prices fall as tax holiday takes effect" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/10/01/ohio-gas-tax-holiday-gallon-diesel-2026" target="_self">gas tax holiday</a> — but there are bigger factors that affect the price at your gas pump.Why it matters: Prices may still fluctuate even with the tax break in place, gas price expert Patrick De Haan warns.

Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day

Even a short daily walk can do wonders for your health.

Health

Columbus residents and visitors walk about a half-mile per day on average, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new StreetLight report" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/measuring-walking-and-biking-miles-traveled-ebook" data-vars-content-id="9c6eeb37-f35b-4445-866a-8942276d8907" data-vars-headline="Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/measuring-walking-and-biking-miles-traveled-ebook" target="_blank">a new StreetLight report</a>.Why it matters: Even a short daily walk <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="can do wonders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/14/fast-walking-improve-longevity-prevent-death" data-vars-content-id="9c6eeb37-f35b-4445-866a-8942276d8907" data-vars-headline="Columbus residents and visitors walk half a mile a day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2025/08/14/fast-walking-improve-longevity-prevent-death" target="_self">can do wonders</a> for your health, and the data shows we could be lacing &#x27;em up a little more often.

Orchestra getting kids into classical music

A new kid-friendly website teaches about instruments, composers and concerts.

Music

Baby Mozart&#x27;s growing up, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra wants kids to be classical music fans for life.Strumming the news: The symphony recently launched <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a website" data-vars-click-url="https://csokids.org/" data-vars-content-id="cd7273ab-9854-4334-986c-abecb371c6b0" data-vars-headline="Orchestra getting kids into classical music" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://csokids.org/" target="_blank">a website</a> dedicated to making the music engaging for elementary-aged kids.

One of Columbus' best pumpkin displays is back

Franklin Park Conservatory embraces spooky season with Pumpkins Aglow.

Things to Do

Franklin Park Conservatory gets spooky starting Wednesday with the return of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pumpkins Aglow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/pumpkins-aglow/" data-vars-content-id="0d586e20-68e3-4b84-bad2-c7bab639215f" data-vars-headline="One of Columbus&#x27; best pumpkin displays is back" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fpconservatory.org/exhibitions/pumpkins-aglow/" target="_blank">Pumpkins Aglow</a>, its annual after-dark Halloween display. What&#x27;s inside: The conservatory reopens in the evenings to show off its grounds filled with &quot;pirates, spooky pumpkins, under-the-sea mermaids, and performing skeletons.&quot;

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Columbus

Meet fellow locals over dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Social Club" data-vars-click-url="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" data-vars-content-id="bad22329-c901-486b-b26c-835903dc0853" data-vars-headline="Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://axiossocialclub.dnnr.io/" target="_blank">Axios Social Club</a> is bringing readers together for dinner in Columbus&#x27; Short North Arts District on Tuesday, Oct. 6.Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven&#x27;t met yet. We&#x27;re making it easier to change that.

One of the world's largest horse events returns to Columbus

The All American Quarter Horse Congress is expected to draw 650,000 people to Columbus over the next month.

In the big picture of sports and hobbies, horse riding remains a relatively niche activity — but the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="All American Quarter Horse Congress" data-vars-click-url="https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/" data-vars-content-id="eeea771f-3e1f-4844-beed-f970ef24d924" data-vars-headline="One of the world&#x27;s largest horse events returns to Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.quarterhorsecongress.com/" target="_blank">All American Quarter Horse Congress</a> returns to Columbus this week to buck that perception.Why it matters: The event will draw hundreds of thousands of people to the Ohio Expo Center for what organizers call the world&#x27;s largest horse show.

Weekend picks: Theater, cheese and sports

Plus: A country superstar plays the Schott.

It&#x27;s officially fall — get into the spooky season spirit with a murderous classic.🎭 Our pick: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sweeney Todd" data-vars-click-url="https://www.shortnorthstage.org/sweeneytodd" data-vars-content-id="160441ec-5f89-456a-83c2-eaef561324e5" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: Theater, cheese and sports" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.shortnorthstage.org/sweeneytodd" target="_blank">Sweeney Todd</a>&quot; on the Short North Stage.

Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees

The organization grew and nurtured 3,000 trees — now it's sharing them.

Green Columbus is giving away thousands of young trees to Franklin County residents for free.What they&#x27;re doing: It&#x27;s the Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sustainability nonprofit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greencbus.org/" data-vars-content-id="96c28c82-9b16-401f-b9a0-545e82b862e7" data-vars-headline="Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greencbus.org/" target="_blank">sustainability nonprofit</a>&#x27;s annual Tree Giveaway, part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.greencbus.org/about-us#our-mission" data-vars-content-id="96c28c82-9b16-401f-b9a0-545e82b862e7" data-vars-headline="Green Columbus nonprofit is giving away free trees" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.greencbus.org/about-us#our-mission" target="_blank">mission</a> to increase the city&#x27;s canopy coverage.

Show us photos of your bookshelves

Ohioans love to read, so we'd love to see what their bookshelves look like.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ohioans love to read" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/18/ohio-leads-library-checkouts-books-ebooks" data-vars-content-id="5fc7f95c-cd1e-498e-b3cf-62f0fcc250cd" data-vars-headline="Show us photos of your bookshelves" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/09/18/ohio-leads-library-checkouts-books-ebooks" target="_self">Ohioans love to read</a>, so we&#x27;d love to see what their bookshelves look like!<ul><li>Organized, cluttered, doesn&#x27;t matter. Email us at columbus@axios.com your photos and we&#x27;ll share some in an upcoming Axios Columbus newsletter. </li></ul>

Weekend picks: Home tour, music and more Oktoberfests

Take the chance for an in-depth look at the Short North's most picturesque spots.

Everyone enjoys drinking and eating in the Short North — but when was the last time you appreciated the neighborhood&#x27;s awesome buildings?🏡 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Short North Tour of Homes &amp; Gardens" data-vars-click-url="https://shortnorthcivic.org/2026-tour-of-homes-gardens/" data-vars-content-id="4f7f7504-602c-4ce4-96aa-adae499df0b0" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: Home tour, music and more Oktoberfests" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://shortnorthcivic.org/2026-tour-of-homes-gardens/" target="_blank">The Short North Tour of Homes &amp; Gardens</a>.

Weekend picks: Oktoberfest and country stars

It might still be September, but the October vibes are here.

It&#x27;s still September and fall is another week away, but you can have October in your hearts this weekend.🍻 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Columbus Oktoberfest" data-vars-click-url="https://columbusoktoberfest.com/" data-vars-content-id="97eddc64-9859-4d8d-8b57-b2d4842dfa3f" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: Oktoberfest and country stars" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://columbusoktoberfest.com/" target="_blank">Columbus Oktoberfest</a>.

Solo dining recommendations in Columbus

Tables for one are trendy, for quiet time or a chance to meet new people.

Food and Drink

We recently told you that tables for one <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are trendy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/solo-dining-reservations-jump-opentable" data-vars-content-id="4bdf15e4-b3cd-46c0-bbf1-2369fc08a777" data-vars-headline="Solo dining recommendations in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/17/solo-dining-reservations-jump-opentable" target="_self">are trendy</a>. But what makes a restaurant solo-friendly depends on why you&#x27;re going in the first place.Dining the news: Eating alone is increasingly a choice, not a stigma to avoid, especially among <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="younger diners" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opentable.com/restaurant-solutions/resources/solo-dining-trends-and-tips/" data-vars-content-id="4bdf15e4-b3cd-46c0-bbf1-2369fc08a777" data-vars-headline="Solo dining recommendations in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opentable.com/restaurant-solutions/resources/solo-dining-trends-and-tips/" target="_blank">younger diners</a>.

Things to Do 🗓

Orchestra getting kids into classical music

One of Columbus' best pumpkin displays is back

Ohio fall events worth a road trip

What to expect when viral vegan chain Slutty Vegan comes to Ohio

Axios Social Club brings mystery dinners to Columbus