Labor Day gas prices are forecast to average a record $4.03 per gallon nationwide in 2026. GasBuddy says geopolitical uncertainty continues to affect fuel markets, while Columbus and central Ohio prices remain well above year-ago levels. Labor Day gas prices are forecast to reach their highest level on record for the holiday, with GasBuddy projecting a national average of about $4.03 per gallon during the 2026 Labor Day weekend. GasBuddy said on Tuesday, S

Ohio power outages can create added problems for NRIs, international students and temporary visa holders who rent homes, rely on immigration documents or face food losses. This guide explains insurance, utility claims, SNAP limits and document protection after severe storms. Ohio outages create added concerns for NRI households Severe storms on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, caused widespread power failures across centra

Ohio power outage claims are drawing attention after severe storms cut electricity to more than 130,000 AEP Ohio customers. Utility liability is limited for natural events, but insurance, SNAP replacement benefits and PUCO complaints may provide other recovery options. Ohio storm outages leave customers counting losses Severe storms on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, knocked out electricity to more than 130,000 AEP Ohio c

A 26-year-old Andhra engineer dies in Ohio after a head-on crash on Interstate 480 in Macedonia. Dileep Kumar Bungatavula, a Kent State graduate from Kadapa, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Indian Consulate is assisting his family as police continue investigating the crash. Ohio crash on Interstate 480 Dileep Kumar Bungatavula, a 26-year-old software engineer from Andhra Pradesh, died in

Indian-origin Ohio State student Sarosh Sheth, 21, was killed near the Columbus campus after a Mustang allegedly ran a red light and struck pedestrians. The driver faces an OVI charge while police await toxicology results.   Crash near Ohio State campus COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University neuroscience student Sarosh Sheth, 21, was killed after a Ford Mustang

The Columbus bed bug ranking remained No. 8 on Orkin’s 2026 list, while Cleveland placed fourth. Six Ohio cities reached the top 50, leading all states in representation in a ranking based on residential and commercial treatments from May 2025 through May 2026. Columbus and Cleveland remain in the top 10 Columbus remained No. 8 on Orkin’s 2026 ranking of U.S. cities with the most bed bug tr

An Ohio motel fire killed three members of an Indian family from Gujarat after flames broke out at the Econo Lodge in Wooster, Ohio, officials said. The fire was reported at about 1:30 a.m. local time on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the motel, located about 60 miles south of Cleveland. Ohio Motel Fire Kills Gujarat Family in Wooster The victims were identified as Hiteshbhai Suthar, his wife Hinaben Suthar, and their 20-year-old daughter Ishani S

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign for Ohio governor has reported $509,473 in credit card payments, drawing scrutiny over how the expenses were disclosed in state campaign-finance filings. The Republican nominee’s campaign charged $280,892 to an American Express card since April, according to an Ohio Capital Journal review of campaign reports published Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Ramaswamy campaign spending draws disclosure questions

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio governor campaign finance reports show Democrat Amy Acton raised roughly $11.5 million from donors in 2026, compared with about $9.6 million for Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, according to a Signal Ohio review of state filings. Ramaswamy nevertheless held a much larger cash reserve, reporting about $26.8 million on hand compared with Acton’s $8.1 million. His advantage was driven largely by a $25 million personal loan to his campaign. Ohio g

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed the Ohio absentee ballot ID bill and a separate electric submetering measure on Wednesday night, June 24, 2026, blocking changes that would have affected mail voters and renters across the state. The Republican governor announced the vetoes in Columbus after the Ohio General Assembly ended its latest work period. No additional legislative sessions were scheduled until after the November election. Why DeWine vetoed the Ohio absentee bal

Mount Carmel’s Franklinton ER closure is scheduled for Aug. 22, followed by the opening of a walk-in primary and preventive care hub in Columbus on Aug. 24. The health system said the shift is intended to improve access to routine care while reducing avoidable emergency department visits. What the Franklinton ER closure means for patients The emergency room at the former Mount Carmel West campus will stop operating on Aug. 22. The nearest emergency dep

The Columbus gas prices summer outlook is improving as pump prices retreat from recent highs. Still, analysts say drivers may wait several months before prices return to levels seen before March. Columbus gas prices summer outlook points to gradual declines Gas prices in Columbus, Ohio, have fallen at several stations, giving motorists some relief after a sharp increase. Drivers said prices approached $5 per gallon during the surge. Zac Bruney

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio, has welcomed a rare echidna baby, known as a puggle, after a three-year breeding effort by its animal care team. The zoo said the baby echidna was born in December and is being monitored closely as it continues to grow. The puggle joins its mother, Edna, and adds to a small North American population of echidnas living in professional care. Rare Puggle at Columbus Zoo Draws Attention Senior Speciali

Ohio Medicaid family caregiver payments will continue under revised legislation after state lawmakers removed a proposal that would have barred some relatives from being paid for caring for loved ones with developmental disabilities. The proposal drew strong opposition from caregivers, families, and disability rights advocates, who argued that family caregiving often involves intensive daily support, not simple companionship. SHIELD Act Provision Removed After Car

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio property tax repeal campaign will not move forward for the November 2026 ballot, shifting instead toward a possible Ohio property tax ballot 2027 fight over homeowner costs and local government funding. Following an update reported on Friday, June 5, 2026, organizers with AxOHTax, also known as the Committee to Abolish Ohio Property Taxes, said they will continue collecting signatures rather than submit petitions for the 2026 ballot. Oh

Central Ohio population growth is moving fastest outside Franklin County, according to U.S. Census estimates covering communities in Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Pickaway, Fairfield, Union and Madison counties. The estimates show the Columbus region continued to expand from 2020 to 2025, but the strongest percentage gains were concentrated in nearby suburban and exurban areas rather than in Columbus’ home county. Central Ohio Population Growth Moves Beyond Frank

Bexley High gown rentals helped reduce graduation costs and clothing waste during the school’s 2026 commencement in Bexley, Ohio, on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The student-led effort gave seniors an option to rent gowns instead of buying apparel used for one ceremony. The initiative was led by senior Prudence Kiener, who connected the project to both affordability and sustainability. Kiener said the goal was to help every senior fully participate in commencement withou

Ohio residents have until Monday, May 25, 2026, to submit Ohio Revolutionary War graves data before the state closes its public collection portal. The Grave Marker and Cemetery Collection Portal will close to public submissions at the end of that day, allowing officials to review, verify and finalize records before the project’s public release on Saturday, July 4, 2026, according to America 250-Ohio reporting and project details.

Whitehall, Ohio, will hold a recall election on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, giving voters a chance to decide whether Mayor Michael Bivens and two city councilmembers should remain in office. Whitehall City Council approved the special election date on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, after petition efforts moved the recall process forward. The vote will include Bivens and councilmembers Lori Elmore and Amy Harcar. Who

Columbus City Council changed part of a soccer facility land deal by removing 10 acres on Greenlawn Avenue from the agreement tied to the city’s push for a women’s professional soccer team. The change came after questions from residents and city leaders about how the land would be used, especially because the Greenlawn Avenue parcel had been connected to earlier expectations for a therapeutic center. The revised deal separates that parcel from the broader soccer facility plan.