Columbus

blue

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Columbus. Written by Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Columbus Partners

Columbus Alerts

Alert

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Columbus with Alissa Widman Neese and Andrew King.

Axios Columbus

Standard

Columbus Members

Membership

Fat Arnie's a worthy competitor for Columbus' sandwich crown

A former Chapman's chef brings gourmet pedigree to pub sandwiches

Food and Drink

Columbus loves a good sandwich, and a relatively new contender is coming for the crown.Dig in: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fat Arnie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fatarnies.com/" data-vars-content-id="a20333cb-2af7-4fd8-925b-c2471bf8fcd5" data-vars-headline="Fat Arnie&#x27;s a worthy competitor for Columbus&#x27; sandwich crown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fatarnies.com/" target="_blank">Fat Arnie&#x27;s</a> opened <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late last year" data-vars-click-url="https://614now.com/2025/food-drink/former-chapmans-eat-market-employee-launching-new-clintonville-sandwich-this-month" data-vars-content-id="a20333cb-2af7-4fd8-925b-c2471bf8fcd5" data-vars-headline="Fat Arnie&#x27;s a worthy competitor for Columbus&#x27; sandwich crown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://614now.com/2025/food-drink/former-chapmans-eat-market-employee-launching-new-clintonville-sandwich-this-month" target="_blank">late last year</a> in a humble window inside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rafter&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/raftersbeerpub/" data-vars-content-id="a20333cb-2af7-4fd8-925b-c2471bf8fcd5" data-vars-headline="Fat Arnie&#x27;s a worthy competitor for Columbus&#x27; sandwich crown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/raftersbeerpub/" target="_blank">Rafter&#x27;s</a> pub in Clintonville, but the kitchen has some pedigree.<ul><li>One of its founders, Christopher Beardman, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="was a chef" data-vars-click-url="https://columbusunderground.com/restaurant-review-sandwiches-and-more-at-fat-arnies-ma1/" data-vars-content-id="a20333cb-2af7-4fd8-925b-c2471bf8fcd5" data-vars-headline="Fat Arnie&#x27;s a worthy competitor for Columbus&#x27; sandwich crown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://columbusunderground.com/restaurant-review-sandwiches-and-more-at-fat-arnies-ma1/" target="_blank">was a chef</a> at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dearly departed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/06/chapmans-metsis-bj-lieberman-restaurant-ohio" data-vars-content-id="a20333cb-2af7-4fd8-925b-c2471bf8fcd5" data-vars-headline="Fat Arnie&#x27;s a worthy competitor for Columbus&#x27; sandwich crown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/10/06/chapmans-metsis-bj-lieberman-restaurant-ohio" target="_self">dearly departed</a> Chapman&#x27;s Eat Market.</li></ul>

Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State's campus

Thompson Library, Mirror Lake top readers' list of favorites.

Things to Do

👋 Hello from the top of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Thompson Library" data-vars-click-url="https://library.osu.edu/locations/thompson" data-vars-content-id="2f004d12-8b7a-4462-b3f2-54d5df2a3272" data-vars-headline="Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State&#x27;s campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://library.osu.edu/locations/thompson" target="_blank">Thompson Library</a> — one of several scenic spots readers recently suggested we explore.Behind the scenes: Like the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Museum of Biological Diversity" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/ohio-state-museum-of-biological-diversity" data-vars-content-id="2f004d12-8b7a-4462-b3f2-54d5df2a3272" data-vars-headline="Explore these hidden gems on Ohio State&#x27;s campus" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/03/27/ohio-state-museum-of-biological-diversity" target="_self">Museum of Biological Diversity</a> we recently toured, a lot happens on Ohio State University&#x27;s campus beyond classroom lectures.

Central Ohio home sales shift to the suburbs

Sales dropped in Franklin County last month while surrounding areas saw steady growth.

News

The Central Ohio <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/19/why-more-central-ohio-home-sales-are-falling-apart" data-vars-content-id="870e4a6b-0949-4994-82a7-27f8e4e462bc" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio home sales shift to the suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/11/19/why-more-central-ohio-home-sales-are-falling-apart" target="_self">housing market</a> is shifting away from the city, with sales moving to the suburbs as prices continue to increase.Why it matters: After a harsh winter, the spring housing market is heating up.<ul><li>The market&#x27;s adjusting to pent-up demand and the reality of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high interest rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/fed-powell-interest-rate" data-vars-content-id="870e4a6b-0949-4994-82a7-27f8e4e462bc" data-vars-headline="Central Ohio home sales shift to the suburbs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/fed-powell-interest-rate" target="_self">high interest rates</a> and low inventory.</li></ul>

Ohio's new women's monument takes shape

Take a behind-the-scenes look at the new Statehouse statues.

Decades before women won the right to vote, Ohio was a hub for progressive conventions where they pressed for equal rights.Why it matters: That <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="history" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/13/ohio-statehouse-ladies-gallery-women-legislators" data-vars-content-id="af6b4be5-6df7-4882-9d66-ed86139aafd1" data-vars-headline="Ohio&#x27;s new women&#x27;s monument takes shape" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/03/13/ohio-statehouse-ladies-gallery-women-legislators" target="_self">history</a> of activism isn&#x27;t reflected on Capitol Square, where monuments and portraits mostly honor men. But soon, that will change.

Weekend picks: Help pack Nationwide Arena

Plus: Cherry blossoms, K-pop and heavy metal

It&#x27;s been six years since there was playoff hockey in Columbus — do your part to bring it back.🥅 Our pick: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Back-to-back Jackets games" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/tickets/single-game-tickets?partnerId=cbj-web-ext-DMG-tix-Search&amp;&amp;utm_source=localiq&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=regularseason&amp;utm_content=upcominggames&amp;scid=3998867&amp;kw=2623902&amp;pub_cr_id=511622589993&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;targetid=kwd-133953292&amp;loc_interest_ms=&amp;loc_physical_ms=9014901&amp;tc=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB&amp;rl_key=269f652bb32583d53264a559fc772e4f&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB" data-vars-content-id="a8458df7-d5d0-46a3-82f7-d8c442fdb915" data-vars-headline="Weekend picks: Help pack Nationwide Arena" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/tickets/single-game-tickets?partnerId=cbj-web-ext-DMG-tix-Search&amp;&amp;utm_source=localiq&amp;utm_medium=ppc&amp;utm_campaign=regularseason&amp;utm_content=upcominggames&amp;scid=3998867&amp;kw=2623902&amp;pub_cr_id=511622589993&amp;device=c&amp;network=g&amp;targetid=kwd-133953292&amp;loc_interest_ms=&amp;loc_physical_ms=9014901&amp;tc=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB&amp;rl_key=269f652bb32583d53264a559fc772e4f&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwiqWHBhD2ARIsAPCDzalcg9CGmw1iA4VkQpmOzgik_MC_f9BaGdqbzcBvP6jTDMJ9Y49JQPoaAs5fEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Back-to-back Jackets games</a>.

OSU men surge into March Madness as women eye deep run

Both teams enter the tournament with momentum and high expectations.

It&#x27;s tournament time, and Ohio State is sending both its men&#x27;s and women&#x27;s teams to March Madness.Why it matters: Whether you&#x27;re building brackets or just cheering for the home team, here&#x27;s a quick guide as the Buckeyes&#x27; postseason runs begin.

Columbus builds "women's sports capital" momentum

An NWSL bid and major events spotlight the city's ambitions.

Momentum appears to be building toward Mayor Andrew Ginther&#x27;s ambition of making Columbus the nation&#x27;s capital for women&#x27;s sports.Why it matters: Women&#x27;s sports are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="exploding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/08/22/womens-pro-sports-leagues-growing" data-vars-content-id="b9109615-06fa-4342-b06d-334cdfa893cf" data-vars-headline="Columbus builds &quot;women&#x27;s sports capital&quot; momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/08/22/womens-pro-sports-leagues-growing" target="_self">exploding</a> in popularity — and in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="revenue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44402483/2025-women-sports-revenue-projected-hit-235b" data-vars-content-id="b9109615-06fa-4342-b06d-334cdfa893cf" data-vars-headline="Columbus builds &quot;women&#x27;s sports capital&quot; momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/44402483/2025-women-sports-revenue-projected-hit-235b" target="_blank">revenue</a> — as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cities across the country" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/07/competition-womens-sports-capital" data-vars-content-id="b9109615-06fa-4342-b06d-334cdfa893cf" data-vars-headline="Columbus builds &quot;women&#x27;s sports capital&quot; momentum" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/indianapolis/2025/08/07/competition-womens-sports-capital" target="_self">cities across the country</a> vie for expansion franchises and the &quot;capital&quot; moniker.

Ranking the new Crew concessions options

Columbus' team has added sandwiches, desserts, drinks and more.

👋 Andrew here. Saturday marks the Crew home opener, and the 2026 team is debuting a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="renamed stadium" data-vars-click-url="https://www.columbuscrew.com/news/columbus-crew-and-scottsmiracle-gro-expand-long-standing-partnership-highlighted-by-stadium-naming-rights" data-vars-content-id="7e7ac50d-01ff-4322-ba55-212b49ed7773" data-vars-headline="Ranking the new Crew concessions options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.columbuscrew.com/news/columbus-crew-and-scottsmiracle-gro-expand-long-standing-partnership-highlighted-by-stadium-naming-rights" target="_blank">renamed stadium</a>, a refreshed roster and a handful of new concessions options.Driving the news: At a preseason media event, the team showed off a dozen new food items and a pair of new signature drinks.<ul><li>I ranked the food I tried:</li></ul>

Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals

Currently most states allow teen NIL deals, but that may change.

Ohio high school athletes have been legally able to strike <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="name, image and likeness" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/high-school-athletes-nil-deals" data-vars-content-id="b421c559-109c-4d2f-83e1-69fdde964704" data-vars-headline="Ohio lawmakers may ban high school NIL deals" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/05/26/high-school-athletes-nil-deals" target="_self">name, image and likeness</a> deals for a few months, but a proposed law could make the practice short-lived.

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;

The Crew is back in a World Cup year

Here's a 2026 season preview for the Columbus Crew and its new faces.

Major League Soccer returns this week, with the Crew aiming for a bounce-back season.Why it matters: Soccer is in the spotlight with America hosting the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/11/world-cup-tickets-available-for-capital-one-venture-x-visa-cardholders" data-vars-content-id="aad2cef1-36e1-48cc-9f1e-a3b07bd6833e" data-vars-headline="The Crew is back in a World Cup year" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/02/11/world-cup-tickets-available-for-capital-one-venture-x-visa-cardholders" target="_self">World Cup</a> this year, and Columbus has established itself as a perennial MLS contender.

Crew ticket prices test fan loyalty

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

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.

Olympic spotlight lifts Ohio's niche winter sports

From curling to snowboarding, it's the Winter Games' time to shine.

The Winter Olympics in Milan are halfway across the globe, but Central Ohio enthusiasts expect an uptick in interest in their sports this month as people watch the Games.Why it matters: The Olympics don&#x27;t just boost the economy of host cities — they can be a crucial window during which niche and seasonal sports find new lifelong participants.

Ohio's Winter Olympics representation in Milan

From Buckeye natives to collegiate and professional stars.

Sports

Ohio will be well represented at this year&#x27;s Olympics, with athletes ranging from native Buckeyes to those who made their names here.

Sports 🏅

Weekend picks: Help pack Nationwide Arena

Happy Opening Day, Ohio baseball fans

Guardians are back — if you can stay awake

Ohio emerges as hotspot for girls' flag football boom

OSU men surge into March Madness as women eye deep run