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Columbus Underground

@colsunderground.bsky.social

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News, reviews and events! Columbus Underground is THE independent voice for those who live in, work in, and love Columbus.

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David Staley @davidstaley8.bsky.social · 28m

My latest "Next" column, titled "Cities want to be free." Despite producing most GDP, U.S. cities lack legal autonomy, constrained by state and federal laws. In the future, more American cities will pursue political autonomy. @colsunderground.bsky.social

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NEXT: Cities Want to be Free - Columbus Underground

The Pact of Free Cities, is "a global network of Mayors determined to stand up for progressive values and fight against nationalistic populism." I suspect in the near future, we will see many more Ame...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 5m

“International students have faced challenges under Trump. Many international students across the US had their visas revoked for a period of time earlier this year, but then the Trump administration ultimately restored the visas at the end of April.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/ohios-colleg...

Ohio's Colleges Seeing Higher Enrollment, But Fewer International Students - Columbus Underground

While many Ohio public universities saw an increase in total enrollment this fall semester, international student enrollment is down, according to university enrollment data.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 1h

“Despite passage of Issue 1, which guarantees Ohio officials can’t “burden, penalize, prohibit, interfere with, or discriminate” against an individual making their own reproductive decisions, abortion access remains a live issue.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/abortions-do...

Abortions Down in Ohio Last Year, But Out-of-State Clients on the Rise - Columbus Underground

In the first full year following Ohio’s passage of the reproductive rights amendment, Issue 1, the number of abortion procedures performed in the state declined. The year-to-year decrease was small bu...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 3h

“Ohio’s law previously only required those age 17 and younger to go through driver’s training — meaning those 18 and older were previously able to skip the training and simply apply for a driver’s license.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/drivers-ed-n...

Driver's Ed Now Mandatory in Ohio For Anyone Under 21 - Columbus Underground

A new law took effect in Ohio this week that requires everyone under 21 to complete driver’s education training before getting their license.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 13h

“At a time when they are already dealing with high construction costs and interest rates, some local developers tell Columbus Underground that the new tariffs will raise prices further and make it harder to meet the growing demand for housing.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/new-trump-ta...

New Trump Tariffs Have Local Housing Developers Concerned - Columbus Underground

The Trump administration announced another round of tariffs last week that could contribute to higher rents and more stalled development projects in Columbus. At a time when they are already dealing w...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 16h

Planned Parenthood calls the “Baby Olivia” video “inaccurate, misleading, and manipulative.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/ohio-gop-wan...

Ohio GOP Wants Mandatory Pro-Life Propaganda in Public School Curriculum - Columbus Underground

A Republican lawmaker introduced a bill this week that would require Ohio public schools to show a video about fetal development to students starting in the third grade.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 18h

“This bill, which bans diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education sends a chilling message to students, faculty, and businesses that Ohio is not committed to fostering academic and institutional freedom.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/ohio-economi...

Ohio Economists Can't Agree on Impact of SB1 Thus Far - Columbus Underground

When Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in March signed Ohio Senate Bill 1, some students and faculty members predicted the state’s colleges and universities would lose enrollment and prestige.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 20h

“The Rail Commission submitted the first step for their two routes over the summer and the next step is when detailed planning and design happens. Amtrak also submitted the first step for the Cardinal route.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/ohios-passen...

Ohio's Passenger Rail Projects Continue to Make Slow Progress - Columbus Underground

The Ohio Rail Development Commission recently approved millions in grant assistance for five freight projects as passenger rail proposals undergo federal studies.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 22h

“Hopefully this bill will, if nothing else, we can all agree on one thing — to get the bad stuff out of the hands of kids and stop the marketing toward kids,” he said.

MORE: columbusunderground.com/new-state-la...

New State Law Could Ban All Hemp Products For Anyone Under 21 - Columbus Underground

Ohio state Sen. Bill DeMora recently introduced a bill that would ban the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people under 21. Unlike some others that have been introduced, this bill would focus sol...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 1d

Nationally, expiration of the subsidies will result in 7.3 million fewer people insured on the marketplace and 4.8 million more uninsured Americans.

In Ohio, that will mean 0.4% less health spending on the non-elderly, or $363 million less a year.

MORE: columbusunderground.com/report-affor...

Report: Affordable Care Act Tax Credit Expiration Will Harm Ohioans - Columbus Underground

A tax credit to help people pay for coverage on government-run insurance exchanges is set to expire. If that’s allowed to happen, Ohio will see $363 million less spent on health next year and it will ...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 1d

“If passed, it would change two portions of current law: changing some restrictions around classroom material on human sex and sexuality and adding an abuse exemption for reporting changes in a student’s gender identity or presentation to their parent.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/ohio-gops-ne...

Ohio GOP's New Education Bill Includes Anti-LGBTQ+ Provisions - Columbus Underground

Two Republican lawmakers have proposed a catch-all education bill that would make dozens of changes to current Ohio education law, creating an exemption for reporting LGBTQ+ students to their parents ...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 1d

Desserts, deliveries, pop-ups and more: columbusunderground.com/bites-sips-s...

Bites & Sips: Spooky Pop-Ups, Business Closures, Extended Hours and Anniversaries - Columbus Underground

Check out some of the latest happenings in the Columbus food and drink scene, like Halloween pop-ups, dinner service, business expansions and closures.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 2d

“The overall goal is to cooperate, not compete, with other affordable housing developers in the region.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/new-housing-...

New Housing Organization Focused on Bridging Gaps - Columbus Underground

Two locals with years of experience in the housing and development world have started a new nonprofit organization. Brian and Sarah Higgins hope that the newly-formed Columbus Redevelopment Corporatio...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 2d

“Menchaca will begin the new role with GCAC on December 3rd.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/mitch-mencha...

Mitch Menchaca Named Next GCAC President - Columbus Underground

Last Wednesday, the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) board officially announced it's new president and CEO — Mitch Menchaca. Menchaca arrives in Columbus after serving in a similar role in Phoenix...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 3d

“Columbus’s very own “Cannes of horror,” as iHorror has dubbed it, casts its shadow across Gateway Film Center for the 10th time, Thursday, October 16 through Sunday, October 19.”

Learn more: columbusunderground.com/gfc-celebrat...

GFC Celebrates 10 Years of Nightmares - Columbus Underground

It’s been a full decade since Jason Tostevin and Chris Hamel decided to put on a real horror show. Their Nightmares Film Festival returns to Gateway Film Center for the 10th time Thursday, October 16.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 3d

“The time is 4:30 pm. The place is Antioch College. The date is October 2, 2025—66 years to the day when The Twilight Zone first premiered on television.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/a-stop-at-ye...

A Stop At Yellow Springs: Celebrating Rod Serling In Ohio - Columbus Underground

Imagine, if you will, a small college town with a reputation for quirky and artistic residents—a magnet, of sorts, for creative types from all over the country. This is a place we’ll call “Yellow Spri...

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Columbus Coffee Festival @columbuscoffee.bsky.social · 4d

Hey friends! If you’re coming to Day 2 of the Columbus Coffee Festival, be sure to grab your tickets in advance! We’re sold out on morning sessions but we’ve got quite a few 3pm tix available! See you soon!

TIX: columbusunderground.ticketspice.com/2025-columbu...

Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 4d

“The house is packed these days. There could be no more enthusiastic welcome for the joint, and there’s something heartwarming about this particular welcome party.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/restaurant-r...

Restaurant Review: Hunan Lion's Roaring Return - Columbus Underground

When Hunan Lion’s kitchen caught fire in October of 2023, the original plan was to reopen in time for the holidays that year.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 4d

“Plans for the new space include a greenhouse, office space, pop-up retail bays, a photography studio, an enclosed patio and more.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/good-land-ge...

Good Land Gets Ready to Open Walnut Street Space - Columbus Underground

Nearly a year after it was first announced, construction is nearing completion for the new and improved Good Land retail shop, which closed last year at Chromedge Studios in Franklinton to relocate se...

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Reposted by Columbus Underground

Columbus Coffee Festival @columbuscoffee.bsky.social · 5d

We’re super excited to be kicking off day one of the 10th annual Columbus Coffee Festival! The weather is looking great, we have some tickets still available for our afternoon sessions (3pm-6pm), and we’re thrilled to see you all soon!

Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 5d

“Fronted by the captivating Shirley Manson, the four-piece are celebrating over three decades as a band with their final US headlining tour and a live experience we’ll be sad to see go away.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/photos-garba...

Photos: Garbage at KEMBA Live! - Columbus Underground

Alt-rock legends, Garbage brought their Happy Endings tour to Columbus on Wednesday evening with a captivating performance at KEMBA Live!

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 5d

“The club’s Delaware concept, Leisure Club Lounge, will remain open.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/leisure-club...

Leisure Club Clubhouse to Close in November - Columbus Underground

Leisure Club is closing its flagship location next month.

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 6d

Spooky Szn! Anemone, Bone Lake, Good Boy, The Ice Tower: letterboxd.com/ColsUndergro...

Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 6d

“WorldFire Services, an LLC affiliated with WorldFire Church, and Drever Partners, a company with experience converting hotels into apartments, are the two entities heading up the effort.”

MORE: columbusunderground.com/group-seeks-...

Group Seeks Investors for Fort Rapids Redevelopment Plan - Columbus Underground

A local church and a California-based developer have put together a plan to redevelop the abandoned Fort Rapids hotel and indoor water park. The group put out a press release detailing their plan and ...

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Columbus Underground @colsunderground.bsky.social · 6d

7 new movie reviews this week! What are you watching? columbusunderground.com/spooky-seaso...

Spooky Season on the Big Screen - Columbus Underground

It must be October because we have a combination of spooky season stuff and awards contenders to look into.

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