Columbus News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Central Ohio braces for a soaking weekend as showers and thunderstorms roll in Friday through Sunday, with heavy downpours risking flash floods—especially south of Columbus. A Flood Watch is in effect through Saturday night, urging residents near rivers or in low-lying areas to stay alert. While Columbus itself won’t see widespread severe weather, scattered storms and warm temps (around 87°F) are...

Ohio just cracked down hard on catalytic converter theft with a new felony law—making it a serious crime to buy or sell stolen converters, forcing scrap yards to verify sellers and keep tighter records, all aimed at shutting down the underground market and giving law enforcement real teeth to stop this costly crime that’s left drivers frustrated and wallets bleeding. Listen in comfort: Get a disco...

Seventy-seven-year-old Donna Granados was found dead in the Hocking River after being reported missing earlier this week; divers located her body near Goodwin Avenue, and authorities are now investigating the circumstances of her death while urging the public for patience and cooperation. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: adve...

Ohio’s governor’s race has flipped to a dead heat as Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton battle it out in a high-stakes, money-fueled showdown. Once seen as leaning Republican, the state now shows equal footing, with both candidates hammering each other on policy and identity—Ramaswamy attacking Acton’s pandemic leadership, Acton countering by calling him out of touch. Ramaswamy’s deep pockets are on fu...

Jeff’s Donuts just made its grand debut in Columbus, Ohio — their first location outside Kentucky and Indiana — with a booming opening day, a city proclamation declaring July 8 “Jeff’s Donuts Day,” and plans to expand further across central Ohio. Run by local Columbus entrepreneurs Jeff and Shelia Runkle, the 24/7 donut shop is already drawing crowds and creating new jobs, with company president W...

Dublin’s riverfront is about to get a major makeover with the greenlight of the Bridge North project — five new buildings, including a 150-room hotel, offices, 296 apartments, and a five-story garage, all centered around a lively public plaza, turning the Scioto River Neighborhood into a vibrant, walkable hub for living, working, and shopping, with construction set to begin this year. Listen in co...

Sixteen children rescued from horrific, squalid conditions in a Vinton County, Ohio home are now at the center of a shocking case of prolonged family neglect — not trafficking — as four Siders family members face felony charges. The children, crammed into a 12x12 foot room amid feces and bacterial contamination, were reportedly hidden from authorities and denied basic needs like schooling and medi...

Major multi-vehicle crash blocks I-270 South near Easton Way this morning—traffic gridlocked, one injured, rain suspected as factor, crews still investigating Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to feedback@thednn.ai. View...

Ohio’s facing a major cyclosporiasis outbreak with 364 confirmed cases and 46 hospitalized — now second worst in the U.S. behind Michigan. Cases have surged more than double in just one week, fueled by contaminated food or water, likely produce. Symptoms include explosive diarrhea, cramps, and dehydration — treatable with antibiotics and fluids. Health officials urge thorough handwashing and produ...

Summer storms aren’t all the same—meteorologists classify them into single-cell, multicell, and the dangerous supercell, which can spawn tornadoes. Single-cell storms are short-lived popcorn bursts, multicell clusters bring heavy rain and damaging winds, while mesoscale convective systems pack widespread havoc. The real threat? Supercells, with their rotating updrafts, capable of producing tornado...

Eight men face federal charges for allegedly plotting a deadly attack on a UFC event at the White House, using explosive drones and snipers to target high-profile figures like Trump, Musk, and Netanyahu—thanks to a tip from one suspect’s mom. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: advertise@thednn.ai This is an automated, high-leve...

A deadly head-on crash on Bremen Road in Fairfield County, Ohio, claimed the lives of a 25-year-old driver and her three-year-old passenger, while an eight-month-old sibling escaped with minor injuries. The Kia Forte, carrying the children, crossed into oncoming traffic just after 7:30 PM, colliding with a GMC Acadia. Neither driver was wearing a seatbelt. The Acadia’s driver, also unbuckled, suff...

A 62-year-old man, Randy McAllister, has been indicted for murder in a 1985 killing that baffled investigators for decades — until new forensic testing in 2019 finally linked him and a now-deceased accomplice to the crime. John Christopher Warren was found dead in his Ohio hotel room with his car and belongings stolen; evidence later discovered in Georgia and Florida cracked the case. McAllister,...

Get ready to dive into literature at the Columbus Book Festival—free, epic, and packed with over 200 authors, live music, food, and workshops. Big names like Kimberlé Crenshaw, TJ Klune, and Laura Dave headline, while indie authors, local bookstores, and artisans celebrate the joy of reading. Two days, two stages, endless genres—plus reserved events. July 11-12 at Main Library & Topiary Park. Book...

Columbus just revealed that data centers guzzled 3% of the city’s water supply—1.26 billion gallons over a year, enough to serve 21,000 households. As debates rage over whether to allow more tech hubs, the number fuels both sides: proponents see it as manageable with newer, water-efficient tech, while critics argue it’s water better used for people. Complicating matters, outdated laws once hid eco...

This weekend’s Westerville Music & Arts Festival is a must-see local celebration packed with over 150 exhibits, live music, art, food trucks, and family fun — all at Heritage Park. Though the historic Everal Barn is temporarily closed, the event still boasts 125+ artists, two main stages, a songwriter’s tent, and a bustling KidsZone with games and instrument petting zoo. Enjoy performances, histor...

After 32 years behind the bar, Pat Leonard is handing over Coaches Bar and Grill to new owner Don Perkins — but don’t worry, the beloved Bethel Road staple is staying exactly the same. Leonard built it as a neighborhood “Cheers”-style hub, where loyal regulars, long-time staff, and word-of-mouth reviews (4.5 stars from 350+ Google reviews) kept the doors open through everything, including a legend...

Vivek Ramaswamy’s campaign finance report sparked scrutiny after listing $500K in payments as vague “credit card payments,” violating state law requiring detailed expense breakdowns for amounts over $25. Though a state senator filed an ethics complaint, the Secretary of State’s office had already flagged the issue — and Ramaswamy corrected it before the complaint. The updated report now includes s...

A deadly crash on I-71 in Madison County has thrust a 42-year-old semi-truck driver, Bekhzod Asrarov, into the spotlight—released without bond despite allegations he struck and killed 21-year-old college soccer player Tobias Forsythe, who was crossing into oncoming traffic. Asrarov, legally in the U.S. with no prior record, allegedly removed his truck’s dash cam before authorities arrived, raising...

Sixteen kids rescued from horrific conditions in a Hamden, Ohio home—where adults face child endangerment charges—have sparked wild online rumors, including fake images of cages and taped mouths. Officials say misinformation is tarnishing victims’ lives and blocking justice; no photos were released due to privacy laws. The home was dilapidated, and seven kids needed hospital care, two airlifted. A...

Taco Bell locations are pulling lettuce and guac amid a growing Cyclospora outbreak—Ohio now leads with over 350 cases, nearly doubling in a week. The parasite causes cramping, bloating, and explosive diarrhea, with 140+ infections tied to contaminated produce. Health officials scramble to find the source while urging everyone to wash veggies and handle food safely. Michigan tops Ohio in cases, bu...

Country star Chase Rice is bringing his signature vibe to Columbus this August with the opening of Welcome to the Farm — a new country bar taking over the former Good Night John Boy spot. Backed by Rice and owned by the same team behind the original, this isn’t a debut: the concept already thrived in Cleveland and Florida. Expect live acts, top-tier bourbon, and DJ energy — plus, Rice himself is s...

Gail Daughtry’s wild LA quest to confront Jon Hamm as her fiancé’s celebrity sex pass explodes into laughs and cameos, while The Invite dives into marital cracks with Wilde and Rogen, Evil Dead Burn delivers grim horror from Vanicek, Disney’s Moana remake feels oddly redundant despite Dwayne Johnson’s return, and Mockbuster follows a filmmaker embracing the chaotic, low-budget world of Hollywood’s...

Revive Environmental just wowed top EPA and Senate officials with its groundbreaking PFAS Annihilator tech—real, proven destruction of “forever chemicals” that’ve plagued our environment for decades. With EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Senator Jon Husted in attendance, the Columbus facility tour showcased water samples being transformed, proving this isn’t just containment—it’s actual eliminatio...

Ohio’s cyclosporiasis outbreak is exploding, with 364 cases and 46 hospitalizations as of July 9 — more than double in just one week. Lucas County leads with 86 cases, followed by Wood County with 49, while Michigan reports over 1,250 cases. Caused by a parasite from contaminated food or water, the illness triggers explosive diarrhea but is usually treatable with antibiotics. Health officials are...