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Les Wexner's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained

Wexner is set to testify as pressure mounts over the Epstein files.

Politics & Policy

Embattled billionaire Les Wexner is scheduled to testify Wednesday about his association with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/epstein-files" target="_self">Jeffrey Epstein</a> as public pressure mounts on the L Brands founder and his many Columbus connections.Why it matters: Wexner permanently shaped Central Ohio. He&#x27;s Ohio&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="richest" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" data-vars-content-id="e56841ff-1263-428f-853c-f33094fc48c6" data-vars-headline="Les Wexner&#x27;s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, explained" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/05/03/les-wexner-richest-ohio-billionaire-forbes-list" target="_self">richest</a> person and an international business titan whose influence extends well beyond our state.

Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty

Some Columbus fans say rising costs are changing how often they can attend matches.

News

Since moving to a new Arena District home in 2021, the Crew has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="built momentum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" data-vars-content-id="299f6024-2780-40b8-802b-421bd9e73bd0" data-vars-headline="Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2025/10/23/columbus-crew-2025-attendance.html?csrc=6398&amp;taid=68fc55d456d86e0001708546&amp;utm_campaign=trueAnthemTrendingContent&amp;utm_medium=trueAnthem&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank">built momentum</a> on packed crowds and good atmosphere — but is it waning?Why it matters: Some fans say they&#x27;re being priced out, while others worry costs are stalling that momentum.

Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep

Zach Werenski and Laila Edwards delivered key assists.

Both U.S. hockey teams brought home the gold from Milan with dramatic 2-1 overtime wins over Canada — and that&#x27;s thanks to some big assists <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="from Ohio" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" data-vars-content-id="3397ff2b-510e-4654-92fb-618d7976bf44" data-vars-headline="Ohio stars lift U.S. hockey to gold sweep" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/06/ohio-winter-olympics-representation-milan-2026" target="_self">from Ohio</a>.Why it matters: The men&#x27;s victory ended a 46-year drought, their first gold since the 1980 &quot;Miracle on Ice.&quot;

Poll: Should Les Wexner's name stay on buildings?

Scrutiny is growing over the donor's Jeffrey Epstein ties.

Ohio State&#x27;s new University Hospital welcomed its first patients over the weekend as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over 100 protesters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/02/22/ohio-state-remove-les-wexners-name-jeffrey-epstein-ties/88811310007/?tbref=hp&amp;utm_source=dispatch-extra-credit-strada&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=baseline_greeting&amp;utm_term=newsletter-greeting&amp;utm_content=ncod-columbus-nletter38" target="_blank">over 100 protesters</a> demanded that Les Wexner&#x27;s name be removed from it.State of play: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="debate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.10tv.com/article/news/local/oust-wexner-banner-ohio-state-connection-to-jeffrey-epstein-investigation/530-57218834-3b7a-4af3-b120-a23c4ff8a7af" target="_blank">debate</a> over the billionaire donor&#x27;s naming rights likely isn&#x27;t going anywhere, amid renewed scrutiny over his <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ties to Jeffrey Epstein" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" data-vars-content-id="f8c0237d-c20c-4d3e-a37b-f2ea01981431" data-vars-headline="Poll: Should Les Wexner&#x27;s name stay on buildings?" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/02/18/les-wexner-jeffrey-epstein-ties-testimony" target="_self">ties to Jeffrey Epstein</a>.

Columbus airports set new passenger record in 2025

New flights are coming in 2026, plus a new terminal in 2029.

While 2026 air travel is off to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rough start" data-vars-click-url="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/snow-storm-cancels-200-flights-to-and-out-of-columbus-travelers-stuck-overnight" data-vars-content-id="da0a4ea5-42c4-4a8f-92d2-ca70816a7843" data-vars-headline="Columbus airports set new passenger record in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/snow-storm-cancels-200-flights-to-and-out-of-columbus-travelers-stuck-overnight" target="_blank">rough start</a> due to this weekend&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/26/winter-storm-fern-snow-record" data-vars-content-id="da0a4ea5-42c4-4a8f-92d2-ca70816a7843" data-vars-headline="Columbus airports set new passenger record in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/01/26/winter-storm-fern-snow-record" target="_self">winter storm</a>, based on recent trends, it shouldn&#x27;t take too long to rebound.By the numbers: The nearly 9.4 million passengers served at Columbus airports last year set another annual record, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority recently <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="announced" data-vars-click-url="https://flycolumbus.com/clear-skies-and-record-climbs-passenger-growth-gains-momentum/" data-vars-content-id="da0a4ea5-42c4-4a8f-92d2-ca70816a7843" data-vars-headline="Columbus airports set new passenger record in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://flycolumbus.com/clear-skies-and-record-climbs-passenger-growth-gains-momentum/" target="_blank">announced</a>.

What to see in Indy for the Big Ten title game

Our Axios Indianapolis team shares where to stay, eat and visit.

Travel

Headed to Indianapolis for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Big Ten title game" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/30/ohio-state-michigan-buckeyes-rivalry-game-2025" data-vars-content-id="7d2ae55c-1b33-4fb0-8abe-7a21b1bbf0cb" data-vars-headline="What to see in Indy for the Big Ten title game" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/30/ohio-state-michigan-buckeyes-rivalry-game-2025" target="_self">Big Ten title game</a>? Our colleagues at Axios Indy have some hidden gem recs for you while you&#x27;re in town.

How two friends finished a "drunk marathon" around Columbus

Their walk went viral on Reddit and left them extremely sore.

OSU senior Ryan Polter and his roommate, Tyler Brown, were home after a Saturday night out when a challenge arose: Who could walk the farthest?Why it matters: We&#x27;ve written of other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unusual endurance tests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/02/07/columbus-chipotle-challenge-winner" data-vars-content-id="6669ef7e-6089-4642-9195-5718d93e6085" data-vars-headline="How two friends finished a &quot;drunk marathon&quot; around Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/02/07/columbus-chipotle-challenge-winner" target="_self">unusual endurance tests</a>, but this one caught our attention — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="and Reddit&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.reddit.com/r/walking/comments/1ot3k8p/accidentally_walked_a_marathon_at_130_am_after/" data-vars-content-id="6669ef7e-6089-4642-9195-5718d93e6085" data-vars-headline="How two friends finished a &quot;drunk marathon&quot; around Columbus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/walking/comments/1ot3k8p/accidentally_walked_a_marathon_at_130_am_after/" target="_blank">and Reddit&#x27;s</a>.

A first-timer's guide to Ohio's only via ferrata climb

Climbing Quarry Trails was harder — and more rewarding — than I expected.

Environment

I&#x27;ve never been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rock climbing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/01/indoor-climbing-central-ohio-quarry-trails-park" data-vars-content-id="bfd55fd1-ee71-453d-a81e-0e73b1671716" data-vars-headline="A first-timer&#x27;s guide to Ohio&#x27;s only via ferrata climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/08/01/indoor-climbing-central-ohio-quarry-trails-park" target="_self">rock climbing</a>, but with Ohio&#x27;s only via ferrata essentially in my backyard, I had to try it for another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;never have I ever&quot; experience" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/03/01/columbus-symphony-orchestra-dress-rehearsal" data-vars-content-id="bfd55fd1-ee71-453d-a81e-0e73b1671716" data-vars-headline="A first-timer&#x27;s guide to Ohio&#x27;s only via ferrata climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2024/03/01/columbus-symphony-orchestra-dress-rehearsal" target="_self">&quot;never have I ever&quot; experience</a>.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Quarry Trails Metro Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/" data-vars-content-id="bfd55fd1-ee71-453d-a81e-0e73b1671716" data-vars-headline="A first-timer&#x27;s guide to Ohio&#x27;s only via ferrata climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/" target="_blank">Quarry Trails Metro Park</a> route is also the only urban via ferrata in the country, and two years since its opening, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hype" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/where-to-climb-via-ferratas-in-the-us" data-vars-content-id="bfd55fd1-ee71-453d-a81e-0e73b1671716" data-vars-headline="A first-timer&#x27;s guide to Ohio&#x27;s only via ferrata climb" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/where-to-climb-via-ferratas-in-the-us" target="_blank">hype</a> hasn&#x27;t died down.

Geocaching celebrates 25 years of treasure hunting

There are hundreds of caches across the Central Ohio region.

Brian Klinger has dug under bushes, climbed up trees and waded through swamps to find hidden treasure.The reward? Usually just the chance to sign his name in a logbook.

How to start geocaching: Tips from an expert with 10,000+ finds

A Columbus teacher with over 10,000 finds shares advice on how to get started.

Columbus teacher Brian Klinger has logged well over 10,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="geocaches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/11/geocaching-cache-25th-anniversary-ohio-group-find" data-vars-content-id="ff4e549d-9ee8-4e19-9392-fefa23d765fa" data-vars-headline="How to start geocaching: Tips from an expert with 10,000+ finds" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/07/11/geocaching-cache-25th-anniversary-ohio-group-find" target="_self">geocaches</a> since 2008. <ul><li>We asked him for advice on how to get started:</li></ul>

Stay sharp at this Ohio pencil sharpener museum

This odd little museum in Logan is free and right off a highway exit.

Things to Do

👋 Tyler here, channeling his inner Clark Griswold to suggest you visit the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.explorehockinghills.com/things-to-do/paul-a-johnson-pencil-sharpener-museum/" data-vars-content-id="0668176b-c8de-4ac4-8a53-4744e3ac5ba2" data-vars-headline="Stay sharp at this Ohio pencil sharpener museum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.explorehockinghills.com/things-to-do/paul-a-johnson-pencil-sharpener-museum/" target="_blank">Paul A. Johnson Pencil Sharpener Museum</a> the next time you&#x27;re down near Hocking Hills. Flashback: Johnson spent his retirement years collecting thousands of sharpeners in his shed.

Cedar Point and Kings Island feature new coasters in '25

Siren's Curse in Sandusky and the dueling RiverRacers in Mason are set to open.

Cedar Point and Kings Island amusement parks are set to debut new coasters this summer, and one of them looks absolutely terrifying.Why it matters: This is the first full season after the parks&#x27; parent company, Cedar Fair, completed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="its merger" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/02/six-flags-cedar-fair-merger-cedar-point" data-vars-content-id="abdc99f2-c289-4838-9ae3-100c987ca414" data-vars-headline="Cedar Point and Kings Island feature new coasters in &#x27;25" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/02/six-flags-cedar-fair-merger-cedar-point" target="_self">its merger</a> with rival Six Flags last July.

Ohio's hottest Airbnb rental

A picturesque cabin in the Hocking Hills.

The most wishlisted Airbnb in Ohio last year was a picturesque cabin in Hocking Hills.The intrigue: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dunlap Hollow A-Frame" data-vars-click-url="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48509375?source_impression_id=p3_1741704131_P3IwqaIZAOukl2UM" data-vars-content-id="0927d2a4-bccc-4ab5-84e7-f1d72592ea32" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s hottest Airbnb rental" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/48509375?source_impression_id=p3_1741704131_P3IwqaIZAOukl2UM" target="_blank">Dunlap Hollow A-Frame</a> is found amid the hills in Rockbridge, about 35 miles southeast of Columbus.

Time is running out for Ohioans to upgrade to a Real ID

U.S. air travel will require Real IDs after a May 7 deadline.

If you have summer air travel plans, you have two months to be sure your ID won&#x27;t get you stuck at home.Why it matters: Starting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="May 7" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/02/06/tsa-reminds-public-real-id-enforcement-deadline-may-7-2025" data-vars-content-id="07d31e01-918e-46d2-a2b3-dee856992fc6" data-vars-headline="Time is running out for Ohioans to upgrade to a Real ID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tsa.gov/news/press/releases/2025/02/06/tsa-reminds-public-real-id-enforcement-deadline-may-7-2025" target="_blank">May 7</a>, a Real ID card — or another acceptable document like a passport — is needed to board a commercial aircraft in the U.S.