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It's a hard time to be an Ohio craft brewer

Three recent Central Ohio closures highlight an increasingly difficult brewery landscape.

News

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oktoberfest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/09/10/weekend-picks-oktoberfest-film-festival" data-vars-content-id="0b9cd396-c8f0-43a4-88d6-9c2c3ae4ebb8" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s a hard time to be an Ohio craft brewer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/09/10/weekend-picks-oktoberfest-film-festival" target="_self">Oktoberfest</a> season, though Ohio brewers have reason for concern alongside celebration.Why it matters: Central Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive craft beer boom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2019/12/20/the-decade-in-review-how-the-columbus-craft-beer.html" data-vars-content-id="0b9cd396-c8f0-43a4-88d6-9c2c3ae4ebb8" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s a hard time to be an Ohio craft brewer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2019/12/20/the-decade-in-review-how-the-columbus-craft-beer.html" target="_blank">massive craft beer boom</a> in the 2010s became part of Columbus&#x27; image and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tourism industry" data-vars-click-url="https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/meetings-blog/post/ale-trail-launches-in-columbus/" data-vars-content-id="0b9cd396-c8f0-43a4-88d6-9c2c3ae4ebb8" data-vars-headline="It&#x27;s a hard time to be an Ohio craft brewer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.experiencecolumbus.com/meetings-blog/post/ale-trail-launches-in-columbus/" target="_blank">tourism industry</a>, but breweries are now struggling amid a post-pandemic decline in alcohol consumption.

Amy Acton incident spotlights threats public officials, candidates face

Hostility is changing how local leaders engage with civic life.

The recent confrontation involving an armed man and governor candidate <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Amy Acton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/07/amy-acton-ohio-governor-run-campaign" data-vars-content-id="3c2a1f63-d840-4cde-8532-5f40c9edc63c" data-vars-headline="Amy Acton incident spotlights threats public officials, candidates face" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/01/07/amy-acton-ohio-governor-run-campaign" target="_self">Amy Acton</a> at a campaign stop illustrates a broader climate of threats and harassment facing public officials nationwide.Why it matters: Physical violence is much less common, but research suggests concerns about hostility are having a chilling effect on how elected officials interact with the public.

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.

Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal

After a drop in year one, Veo and Spin ridership is stabilizing for scooters and bikes.

Usage of rentable scooters and bikes is stabilizing in Columbus, but the city and its partners are still trying to make their presence on streets and sidewalks less disruptive.Why it matters: Cities like Columbus encourage the alternatives to car travel, but are still grappling with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/e-scooters-injuries-kids" data-vars-content-id="383346cb-794d-46d5-9829-8e951e2c886b" data-vars-headline="Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/e-scooters-injuries-kids" target="_self">safety</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="logistics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/2026/08/02/which-columbus-area-cities-have-e-bike-scooter-restrictions/90973878007/" data-vars-content-id="383346cb-794d-46d5-9829-8e951e2c886b" data-vars-headline="Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/communities/2026/08/02/which-columbus-area-cities-have-e-bike-scooter-restrictions/90973878007/" target="_blank">logistics</a>.

Local bike infrastructure lacking, but progress underway

While some suburbs score well, Columbus lags behind most of Ohio in new study.

Columbus&#x27; biking infrastructure is average at best and below average in Ohio, per a bicycle advocacy group&#x27;s new study.Why it matters: The city and region are at a mobility inflection point — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spending tens of millions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/22/ohio-linkus-walkability-bikeability-proposal" data-vars-content-id="f2d9c777-0531-45af-9976-d0fe13e7ed3c" data-vars-headline="Local bike infrastructure lacking, but progress underway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/22/ohio-linkus-walkability-bikeability-proposal" target="_self">spending tens of millions</a> to improve and expand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="paths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/07/01/ohio-state-capital-budget-projects-statehouse" data-vars-content-id="f2d9c777-0531-45af-9976-d0fe13e7ed3c" data-vars-headline="Local bike infrastructure lacking, but progress underway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/07/01/ohio-state-capital-budget-projects-statehouse" target="_self">paths</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changing bike-share vendors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/19/veo-spin-ohio-report-bike-scooter" data-vars-content-id="f2d9c777-0531-45af-9976-d0fe13e7ed3c" data-vars-headline="Local bike infrastructure lacking, but progress underway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/19/veo-spin-ohio-report-bike-scooter" target="_self">changing bike-share vendors</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="trying to incentivize" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/14/ebike-rebate-program-subsidy-ohio-2024-bicycle" data-vars-content-id="f2d9c777-0531-45af-9976-d0fe13e7ed3c" data-vars-headline="Local bike infrastructure lacking, but progress underway" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/14/ebike-rebate-program-subsidy-ohio-2024-bicycle" target="_self">trying to incentivize</a> ridership.

Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians

Its fatality rate is nearly unchanged from a 2024 study.

Columbus <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="continues" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/12/street-safety-ohio-report-pedestrian" data-vars-content-id="2a71ec91-abdc-48f5-9aa6-cf54edcf55e2" data-vars-headline="Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/12/street-safety-ohio-report-pedestrian" target="_self">continues</a> to be one of the safer cities for pedestrians, though not as safe as its Ohio peers, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/12/pedestrian-safety-report-walkability-ohio" data-vars-content-id="2a71ec91-abdc-48f5-9aa6-cf54edcf55e2" data-vars-headline="Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/cleveland/2026/06/12/pedestrian-safety-report-walkability-ohio" target="_self">report</a> from Smart Growth America.Why it matters: Making our region more walkable has remained a top priority for local leaders, from improving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sidewalks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/22/ohio-linkus-walkability-bikeability-proposal" data-vars-content-id="2a71ec91-abdc-48f5-9aa6-cf54edcf55e2" data-vars-headline="Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/22/ohio-linkus-walkability-bikeability-proposal" target="_self">sidewalks</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="traffic signals" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/02/safer-left-turn-signals-pilot" data-vars-content-id="2a71ec91-abdc-48f5-9aa6-cf54edcf55e2" data-vars-headline="Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/05/02/safer-left-turn-signals-pilot" target="_self">traffic signals</a> to reducing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="speed limits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/19/columbus-ohio-speed-limits-pedestrian-safety" data-vars-content-id="2a71ec91-abdc-48f5-9aa6-cf54edcf55e2" data-vars-headline="Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2023/07/19/columbus-ohio-speed-limits-pedestrian-safety" target="_self">speed limits</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="redesigning roads" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/livingston-avenue-safety-improvements-speeding-concerns/530-9edb9657-88ee-4076-9022-a78a4a9b0d73" data-vars-content-id="2a71ec91-abdc-48f5-9aa6-cf54edcf55e2" data-vars-headline="Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/livingston-avenue-safety-improvements-speeding-concerns/530-9edb9657-88ee-4076-9022-a78a4a9b0d73" target="_blank">redesigning roads</a>.

What's next for Columbus' old Greyhound station

The wheels keep turning, but redevelopment is slow going.

This month marks four years since Columbus&#x27; old <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Greyhound" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/18/ohio-greyhound-bus-stop-controversy" data-vars-content-id="40fd3441-c0fe-4d64-92c2-3f88948b4bc5" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Columbus&#x27; old Greyhound station" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/12/18/ohio-greyhound-bus-stop-controversy" target="_self">Greyhound</a> bus station shut down, and the wheels keep turning behind the scenes on its potential redevelopment.Why it matters: The site sits on 2.6 acres of prime real estate in the heart of downtown, but it was plagued with crime and violence in its final years as a transit terminal.

After vendor shakeup, micromobility use dips

A report shows trips fell 19% as Columbus enforces parking and ADA rules for rented scooters and bikes.

A year after launching new bike and scooter share partnerships, Columbus is seeing a decrease in riders as the city continues to try to rid sidewalks of obstructive and annoying devices.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deals with Veo and Spin" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/27/veo-scooter-bike-vendor-rental-ohio" data-vars-content-id="7b16f20e-6f58-4460-99e8-f3d35d26dcd3" data-vars-headline="After vendor shakeup, micromobility use dips" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/27/veo-scooter-bike-vendor-rental-ohio" target="_self">Deals with Veo and Spin</a> shifted the city&#x27;s micromobility paradigm by limiting the number of companies operating scooters, bringing in revenue and formalizing standards and fines.

Ohio's funny highway signs aren't going anywhere

New federal rules urge simpler signs, but aren't a ban on humor.

Holiday travelers probably saw highway signs declaring &quot;Santa sees you when you&#x27;re speeding&quot; and &quot;only the menorah should be lit — drive sober.&quot;Why it matters: Two years ago, reports warned of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a federal &quot;ban&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/17/federal-highway-administration-ban-funny-electronic-signs/72253799007/" data-vars-content-id="f686986f-4f9d-47f5-bdc4-fa3d552e3391" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s funny highway signs aren&#x27;t going anywhere" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/17/federal-highway-administration-ban-funny-electronic-signs/72253799007/" target="_blank">a federal &quot;ban&quot;</a> on humorous digital highway signs taking effect this past weekend.<ul><li>But like a tire, it seems the warnings were a bit … inflated.</li></ul>

Why it's hard to get your joke on an Ohio highway sign

ODOT accepts sign ideas from the public, but few make the cut.

Coming up with those clever safety messages <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="you see on highways" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/20/ohio-funny-highway-signs-federal-guidelines" data-vars-content-id="87015fae-8d2f-4d6d-b3fc-bacabb6d049d" data-vars-headline="Why it&#x27;s hard to get your joke on an Ohio highway sign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/20/ohio-funny-highway-signs-federal-guidelines" target="_self">you see on highways</a> is a surprisingly thorough process, with a state transportation officials planning the schedule weeks in advance.The intrigue: Drivers can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="submit their own ideas" data-vars-click-url="https://zerodeaths.transportation.ohio.gov/create-your-message.aspx" data-vars-content-id="87015fae-8d2f-4d6d-b3fc-bacabb6d049d" data-vars-headline="Why it&#x27;s hard to get your joke on an Ohio highway sign" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zerodeaths.transportation.ohio.gov/create-your-message.aspx" target="_blank">submit their own ideas</a> — nearly 400 did last year, public records show.

Columbus gas prices hit 3-year low

Drivers are paying around $2.60 a gallon — 60 cents cheaper than last year.

Central Ohio gas prices kicked off 2026 at their lowest point in at least three years, per GasBuddy data.By the numbers: Local prices have been hovered around $2.60 per gallon over the past week — around 60 cents cheaper than this time last year.

How Columbus airfares compare to Cleveland and Cincinnati

CMH is Ohio's priciest major airport, despite its convenience.

If you&#x27;re planning to fly out of town in the new year, road-tripping to another major airport might save you some cash.By the numbers: Columbus&#x27; airport fares average about $404 in recent years, slightly higher than the nationwide average of about $392.

Snow it all: How to track Columbus plows in real time

Skip the group chat. These sites show plows and road priority.

There&#x27;s no need to pester your Facebook friends with &quot;How are the roads?&quot; posts the next time it snows.Be smart: Several communities offer interactive maps where residents can monitor road treatments in real time.

Transit 🚗

Ridership steadies as Columbus fine-tunes micromobility deal

Local bike infrastructure lacking, but progress underway

Columbus ranks among safer metros for pedestrians

What's next for Columbus' old Greyhound station

Ohio to add 64 EV charging stations