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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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Columbus Zoo evacuates again amid nationwide trend of hoax threats

Zoos across Ohio and the country have evacuated over false threats of bombs and shooters.

News

Columbus Zoo visitors have had their trips interrupted twice in the last four days amid a national wave of violent threats.Catch up quick: The zoo closed for the day on May 2 when it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="received false threats" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/05/02/columbus-zoo-evacuated-closed-as-sheriff-investigates-swatting-call/89910347007/" data-vars-content-id="4d3c2e89-ba10-47bd-9411-89ef597e4469" data-vars-headline="Columbus Zoo evacuates again amid nationwide trend of hoax threats" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/05/02/columbus-zoo-evacuated-closed-as-sheriff-investigates-swatting-call/89910347007/" target="_blank">received false threats</a> of a bomb and an active shooter.

Why Columbus is a top food test market

Fast food chains like Burger King often try new items here first.

If Burger King sliders never go nationwide, you can blame — or thank — Columbus.Why it matters: Columbus&#x27; perceived <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="identity crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/05/yes-columbus-ad-campaign-tourism-ohio" data-vars-content-id="cd75de18-4c94-4f41-a913-91773369eba9" data-vars-headline="Why Columbus is a top food test market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/08/05/yes-columbus-ad-campaign-tourism-ohio" target="_self">identity crisis</a> is well documented. But as our city evolves, one bragging point has endured: It&#x27;s still a top test market, especially for food.

Ohio farmers face '80s-style price squeeze

Agriculture drives $124 billion of Ohio's economy and supports 1 in 8 jobs — so strain on farms can ripple into food prices and local economies.

Business

Rising costs are squeezing Ohio&#x27;s largest industry, putting new and rising pressures on farmers statewide.Why it matters: Agriculture drives <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="$124 billion of Ohio&#x27;s economy and supports one in eight jobs" data-vars-click-url="https://agri.ohio.gov/home/news-and-events/all-news/oda-invites-ohioans-celebrate-national-agriculture-month-2025" data-vars-content-id="1300e94d-bdd2-43d0-a3ee-8b1ea71a0c0c" data-vars-headline="Ohio farmers face &#x27;80s-style price squeeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://agri.ohio.gov/home/news-and-events/all-news/oda-invites-ohioans-celebrate-national-agriculture-month-2025" target="_blank">$124 billion of Ohio&#x27;s economy and supports one in eight jobs</a> — so strain on farms can ripple into food prices and local economies.

We tried the new Burger King sliders tested in Columbus

The King Size Sliders bring bold toppings but a higher price tag.

Columbus has a reputation for being a big <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fast food test market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/05/04/fast-food-test-market" data-vars-content-id="21afa146-407b-45fe-a441-f571a347215d" data-vars-headline="We tried the new Burger King sliders tested in Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/05/04/fast-food-test-market" target="_self">fast food test market</a>.Dining the news: I recently tried Burger King&#x27;s latest innovation tested locally and unfortunately walked away a little confused.

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.

Columbus schools cut $50 million — but not high school busing

Ohio's charter school busing rules are fueling debates.

Education

Columbus City Schools will slash $50 million to balance next year&#x27;s budget, but board members <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="once again" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/education/2021/08/02/columbus-high-schools-wont-use-cota-amid-bus-driver-shortage/5456351001/" data-vars-content-id="80bb7a00-762b-4e9a-aceb-772b98c17d43" data-vars-headline="Columbus schools cut $50 million — but not high school busing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/education/2021/08/02/columbus-high-schools-wont-use-cota-amid-bus-driver-shortage/5456351001/" target="_blank">once again</a> pumped the brakes on eliminating high school busing.Why it matters: Busing is expensive, but changing it has proved disruptive and divisive.

Why we're always stuck in traffic

Columbus drivers wasted a record 59 million hours in traffic last year.

No, you&#x27;re not imagining it — Columbus traffic is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="getting worse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" data-vars-content-id="908700b1-a03d-4a49-9409-3f610f38db8f" data-vars-headline="Why we&#x27;re always stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/traffic-congestion-getting-worse" target="_self">getting worse</a>, and a little weird.Why it matters: A surge of remote work during the pandemic made it seem like we might have left rush hour behind. But instead, it&#x27;s back, longer and less predictable.

Federal EV tax credits expire, but Ohio offers no relief

Ohio drivers face EV fees with fewer incentives.

Federal tax credits for electric vehicle purchases <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are dead" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/trump-biden-ev-tax-credits-states" data-vars-content-id="b9d99513-0cec-4f31-b6b8-63440cbc01fa" data-vars-headline="Federal EV tax credits expire, but Ohio offers no relief" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/08/trump-biden-ev-tax-credits-states" target="_self">are dead</a>, and there&#x27;s no state tax break to speak of in Ohio.Why it matters: The rewards and penalties on EVs reflect an industry in flux, as policymakers try to balance environmental goals with the need to pay for roads and other critical infrastructure.

Transit 🚗

What's next for Columbus' old Greyhound station

Ohio to add 64 EV charging stations

After vendor shakeup, micromobility use dips

Ohio's funny highway signs aren't going anywhere

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