Welcome to The Columbus Dispatch! We're glad you visited us, whether you're from our @ColumbusDispatch Instagram or TikTok account.
If you're looking for essential local news, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and business storiesfrom around Columbus, you're in the right place.
Check out the latest stories from our team below.
If a story has ađź”’icon next to it, it's only available to subscribers. But we have deals if you want to subscribe. Tap here to see them.
Going to the 2022 Franklin County Fair? Here's ticket info, parking, what's new and more
The Franklin County Fair returned Monday and runs through July 24.
What's your pizza style? New York or Columbus? Customers can choose at Black Dog Pizzeria
Black Dog Pizzeria has opened in the old Carlucci's Pizzeria space at 5923 Karric Square Drive off Frantz Road.
It's Necessary: Yost puts his foot in mouth by doubting case of 10-year-old rape victim
Attorney General Dave Yost questioned the validity of a story about a 10-year-old girl who was raped and had to travel to Indiana for an abortion.
New Mercadito Cositas Lindas market highlights 'Latine' cullture
Little market. Pretty things.
That is the perfect description — and the English translation — for Mercadito Cositas Lindas, a small-but-growing pop-up marketthat will host its third event on Sunday.
During a sweltering Sunday in late June, eight vendors set up shop outside Stewart Alternative Elementary School in German Village.
Customers trickled in, shopping for flowers, artwork, jewelry and clothing as Latin music and conversations in Spanish filled the air.
Founder Annette Vasquez said she started Mercadito Cositas Lindas to cater to Latino business owners andhighlight their culture. (She prefers to use the gender-neutral term “Latine” to describe the market.)
She said her experience at other markets around town inspired her to create her own.
After nearly 50 years, Dungeons & Dragons is on roll with new, renewed fans
"Everyone’s been playing Dungeons & Dragons without you,"theNew York Times boldly proclaimedin an article in May about the nearly 50-year-old game.
The numbers certainly make it seem that way.
More than 50 million people have played Dungeons & Dragonssince it launched in 1974 –according to Wizards of the Coast,the Seattle-based company owned by Hasbro that makes D&D.
Wizards of the Coast reporteda 33% spike in D&D sales in 2020,fueled in part by the the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paying with cash? Ohio lawmaker wants to make businesses take your dollars
Cashless payments, like telecommuting, took major steps forward during the pandemic.
But it also represented a step back for the one in 20 Ohioans who don't have a bank account. A population that'sdisproportionately low-income, Black and Hispanic.
"Privacy concerns arehuge, and I think it’s a growing, untalked-about issue," Sen. Bill Blessing, R-Colerain Township, said. "Do wereally want to live in a world where purchases are tracked and can be used against you?"
Blessing does not, so he introduced Senate Bill 242to require Ohioretail merchants accept cash with certain exceptions forcar rental services, stadiums and other specific businesses. Federal law doesn't require cash to be accepted as legal tender, but states and cities can.
Arrest made in rape of Ohio girl that led to Indiana abortion drawing international attention
A Columbus man has been charged with impregnating a 10-year-old Ohio girl,whose travel to Indiana to seek an abortionled to international attentionfollowing the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v Wadeandactivation of Ohio's abortion law.
đź”’Black women share experiences, express concern about impact of abortion ban
Abortion-rights advocates say the new restrictions will disproportionately impact Black women, who are most likely to seek an abortion. In Ohio, more than halfof the women who had abortions in 2020 were nonwhite, and 43.2% of them were Black,according to the state health department.
Hollywood Casino set to open Columbus' first Wahlburgers this month
The Columbus-area's first Wahlburgers restaurant will open this monthin Hollywood Casino.
The burger chain founded by actor Mark Wahlberg and brothers Donnie and chef Paul is scheduled towill open July 18 in the casino, with a menu featuring gourmet burgers, sandwiches, salads and"adult-friendly" shakes.
Goodguys 24th Summit Racing Nationals return to Columbus
TheOhio Expo Centerwill be a busy place this weekend with theGoodguys 24th Summit Racing Nationalscoming to town.
Barley grown for Miller Lite beer made with dirt from Columbus Crew field
Columbus Crew fans can now boast of having a hand in the production of one of America's top-selling beers.
'Discouraged' Eastland Mall businesses hope the struggling Columbus mall can survive
In September2021, Ta'Sonda Black-Paschaljoined a growing number of small business owners at Eastland Mall.
Though the indoor mall, likemanyothers,is long past its peak as a top shopping destination, it still seemed like a great opportunity to open her business, the apparel and personal care retailer Seriously Blended. Plus, a friend had recently opened a storefront there.
Paschal, who started Seriously Blended in 2020 with her children,was getting a steady stream of trafficat her new storefront for a while. But lately, she said, fewer and fewer people have been coming to the mall.
Going to the Westerville Music & Arts Festival? Here's ticket info, parking and more
The Westerville Music & Arts Festival is back in full swing this weekend. We've got information on performers, schedule, tickets, parking and more.
22-year-old leases homes to Columbus nonprofit to help expand housing for LGBTQ+ youth
Rocky Manrique, 22, recently bought two homes that they are now leasing to Kaleidoscope Youth Center, which will allow the organization to expand its housing program for LGBTQ+ youth.
With Roe v. Wade overturned, Ohio clinics sue to restore access to abortions
Five days after theU.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Ohio's abortion clinics are suing to restore access to abortions in the state.
Read the full story
New owners say refreshed Dante's Pizza will remain a Clintonville classic
BuyingDante’s Pizzain Clintonville in October was a real game-changer for Christina Taylor.
It finally squelched questions from concerned family members and well-wishers about when Taylor was going to get a real job, something the college-educated Taylor didn’t quite appreciate.
The next item, which was far more disquieting, is when the change of ownership required an inspection from the city of Columbus.
Bad news: The restaurant had to be brought up to current city code, which was going to be an expensive fix for the 44-seat restaurant at3586 Indianola Ave.
đź”’ Read the full story
Carlos Roa's artistry runs from tattoos to painting, including a new Merion Village mural
Look up at the busy intersection of Parsons and Stewart avenues on the South Side and you'll see something that wasn't there a few months ago.
A mural: a face dominated by magenta bisected by a black and gold Merion Village logo.
More art on the South Side, courtesy of Carlos Roa, whose artworktranscends genres. He's a tattoo artist with his own South Side shop who also creates murals that expresshis love for indigenous cultures —he was born in Colombia and has been influenced by those roots —and his creativity.
đź”’ Read the full story
Brent Fabian, host of Boscoe's Untwisted Tuesdays, taking step back
Brent Fabian has been a part of the drag scene for 25 years. He recently announced on his Facebook that he will be taking a step back in 2023.
Read the full story
'We bonded over being afraid:' 3 Olentangy grads push for mandatory HS self-defense classes
The young women say the class would help all students feel more confident and safe in different situations.
Read the full story
New Albany City Council approves 30-year, 100% tax abatement for Intel plant
Intel Corp.'s planned semiconductor complex in New Albany promises big economic returns for central Ohio and the entire state, New Albany City Council was told June 21, when it voted 5-0 to approve two resolutions related to the planned project.
Read the full story
Ohio State University secures trademark for use of the word 'THE' on clothing
After nearly three years, Ohio State has finally registered a trademark for the word "THE" on their clothing.
Read the full story
Columbus teachers union rallies outside board meeting over homeless student program staff
The Columbus Education Association rallied outside Tuesday night's Columbus City School's Board of Education meeting.
Read the full story
Variety the name of the game at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse
Johnny's Italian Steakhouse is offering a a more affordable, laidback experience than many modern chop houses.
Read the full story
City clears out homeless camp on Far South Side as activists protest sweep
Columbus cleared out a Far South Side homeless camp on Monday morning as activists protested among a large police presence.
Read the full story
Get more from The Dispatch
What you get when you subscribe to The Dispatch
Here's how to download our app
Sign up for breaking news alerts and email newsletters
Other ways to connect with The Dispatch
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Stories for @columbusdispatch followers
