Statewide union membership grew last year compared to 2021, per new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why it matters: The increase is further evidence of a growing labor movement involving local workers at Ohio institutions and global companies alike.

State of play: The percentage of statewide workers represented by a union rose from 13% in 2021 to 14% last year.

• That might seem like a modest rise, but it amounts to 52,000 more Ohioans belonging to organizations designed to advance and protect their rights at work.

Zoom in: Columbus' labor movement is "having a moment," we reported in September.

• While union membership remains higher in government jobs than in the private sector, the region has seen recent organizing efforts at various nonprofits, museums and libraries.
• KIPP Columbus could become the first local charter school to unionize.

The big picture: This movement bucks a decades-long state and national trend of declining labor union representation, Axios' Nathan Bomey writes.

• And our membership still outpaces the national percentage of 10.1% of workers belonging to a union, the lowest figure since the government began tracking membership in the early 1980s.

Context: The U.S. actually added hundreds of thousands of new unionized jobs last year, but the percentage of union members in the overall workforce declined because of the greater number of non-union jobs created.

The intrigue: Despite record-low membership nationally, labor unions are experiencing a surge in popularity.

• 71% of Americans approved of them in 2022, per a Gallup poll — the highest since 1965.

See the interactive map of union membership

Amazon is considering a massive technology complex in New Albany near Intel's Ohio One project, the Dispatch reports.

What's happening: The company recently purchased nearly 400 acres for $117 million but hasn't commented yet on its intentions.

• But plans submitted by real estate developer New Albany Co. to the Ohio EPA show two data center complexes on both sides of Beech Road, with more than 30 buildings totaling over 12 million square feet.

What we're watching: While Intel would still be the heavyweight, this adjacent development would further expand New Albany's sprawling tech hub.

By the numbers: For comparison, Intel's mega-site spans 1,000 acres, potentially 1,500, and can accommodate eight computer chip factories. Phase one, the first two factories, is 2.5 million square feet of facility.

What's next: The Ohio EPA hears the Amazon proposal at a public hearing on Feb. 6.

👶 Columbus State Community College is adding a $3.5 million child care center to its downtown campus this fall, with capacity for about 100 children.(Columbus Business First)

👨‍🍳 Chapman's Eat Market chef BJ Lieberman is a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Award under the category of "Best Chef: Great Lakes." (James Beard Foundation)

🏛️ The Ohio House's infighting and disarray were on full display Tuesday after its controversial speaker election earlier this month. (Statehouse News Bureau)

🌮 Chili Verde Cafe on Sawmill Road will close on Saturday after more than 30 years in business, but the location near Polaris Fashion Place will remain open. (614 Magazine)

👋 Tyler here. Back when Bengals QB Joe Burrow was in high school, I heard a story that he battled in a marathon game of Risk that lasted nearly an entire day.

• When Burrow finally lost, so the apocryphal story goes, he immediately reset the board and demanded a rematch.

Flashback: I thankfully got to witness that competitiveness up close as a news reporter and sports broadcaster in his hometown while Burrow was the star of Athens High School.

State of play: Already a Buckeyes commit, Burrow received loads of attention during his magical senior season that ended with a heartbreaking loss in the state championship game.

• A crowded press box forced our broadcasting crew to call a few home games on the roof, including one in which he caught a TD pass from himself.

Between the yard lines: I'm not a Bengals fan, but I still root for Burrow to succeed because he never forgot where he came from.

• He memorably used his Heisman Trophy win to highlight the issue of rural poverty in Ohio and has since launched a foundation to help children dealing with mental illness and food insecurity.

What's next: A year out from losing the Super Bowl, Burrow is now a win away from reaching the big game twice in his three NFL seasons. He's also a finalist for AP's Most Valuable Player.

• Who's surprised? Whether in football or board games, the kid from Athens County is always eager for another chance at victory.

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🔥 Hot and fresh local job listings.

1. Product Marketing Director, GovCon ERP at Unanet.
2. Principal Product Strategist at WillowTree.
3. Religious Community Administrator at Dominican Sisters of Peace.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

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If jigsaw puzzles don't puzzle you, an upcoming competition in Whitehall might be for you.

Driving the news: The Whitehall Community Park YMCA is celebrating National Puzzle Day this Sunday with a jigsaw puzzle contest starting at 1pm.

• Teams of up to four puzzlers will race to finish a 500-piece board to win a grand prize.
• Registration: $7 per team.

Our thought bubble: The allotted time is three hours, which is barely enough time for Alissa and Tyler to finish a border — much less the whole dang puzzle. 😬

Did you know: Ohio University's basketball arena used to host the annual National Jigsaw Puzzle Championships, with thousands of dollars in prize money at stake.

• The winning team in 1986 finished a 1,000-piece puzzle in just over an hour.

📬 Whether it's jigsaw puzzles or tree hugging, Ohioans are always looking for a good competition. Know of another unusual contest? Reply and let us know.