Local
A statewide study released today by the Ohio Northern University Institute for Civics and Public Policy (ICAPP), in partnership with SurveyUSA, indicates widespread public opposition to data center construction and public tax subsidies supporting data centers across Ohio.
The survey of 1,650 Ohio adults, which has a +/- 2.9 percent margin of error, was conducted between October 8, 2026 and October 14, 2026. The poll also highlights strong national pride coupled with significant frustration over the country’s current path.
Dr. Keith F. Durkin, ICAPP director and professor of sociology, notes: “Ohio is playing a defining role in shaping America's future - both economically through the AI and data center boom, and civically as we honor our nation's 250-year legacy. This poll bridges that gap, showing how regular Ohioans feel about where our country has been, where our state is headed, and what community progress should look like."
Broad opposition to data center construction and subsidies
A Black MAGA candidate is running against a state representative incumbent who was accused of not even living in Linden, that currently has a white realtor as its city councilmember, even though it is predominantly Black.
This is the current state of political leadership in Linden. And while this upcoming vote is crucial for Columbus it is equally important to Linden because there is an ongoing effort to rehabilitate and rebrand the area during a time when young people, mostly white, are seeking affordable housing there.
This raises a serious question about Linden’s future: Is this effort to revive Linden meant for longtime community members, or was it prompted by “development pressure” to support new residents as this The 614 for Linden white paper suggests? The 614 for Linden was a group of nonprofits and financial institutions backed in part by JPMorgan Chase and ended operations in 2022.
The Bronzeville Neighborhood Association hosted a community forum on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, to discuss Issues 8 and 9 and their potential impact on the city’s future. Held at the elegant Lincoln Theater a robust discussion was had between City Councilman Nicholas J. Bankston-District 5, Will Petrik of Our City Our Say (OCOS) and concerned residents. Unlike this writer who lives in Delaware County most everyone else resides in Franklin County. The meeting convened at 6:00 pm and ended at 8:00 pm.
The event did not attract the overflowing crowd that was expected, yet the evening proved informative and enlightening to all who attended. Dana Moessner, vice president of the Bronzeville Neighborhood Association got the meeting started with opening remarks. Those who may or may have been familiar with the work of the organization were made abreast of the group’s work and its latest attempt to drum up support for Issue 8.
Friday, October 23, 4pm
Outside the Ohio State University Ohio Union, west side facing College Road
1739 N High St, Columbus, OH 43210
An action protesting OSU Athletics' sponsorship with Anduril. We will be hosting a satirical street theater demonstraiton. We are making our voices heard! We cannot stand by as tech CEOs, corrupt government, and university administration profit off war and climate collapse.
We believe that OSU has no business collaborating with companies that are a part of the military industrial complex, and that contribute to the reckless development of AI.
While Earth’s average temperature is projected to surpass the 1.5C threshold, do you know what’s NOT getting hotter? Ohio State’s support for genocide, ecocide, and mass surveillance.
OHYCJ and its supporters will be protesting against Ohio State’s ongoing partnership with Anduril, the AI arms and technology manufacturer with a demonstration, march and chalking on campus.
Elizabeth "Libby" Gregory, 1970s and 80s Free Press Editor, is the inspiration for our annual award for Lifetime Achievement in Community Activism. Libby was foremost a feminist, but also an entrepreneur owning three businesses on OSU campus -- Tradewinds, King Avenue Coffee House, and Byzantium. As a journalist she primarily covered women's rights including a sexual assault column. Libby was a Columbus community activist who sadly left us in 1991 as a result of a plane crash.
Each year since 1998, the Free Press chooses a local activist to honor with the "Libby" award. This year, it is Michel Coconis.
Our awards event is Saturday, November 14 from 12:30-3:30pm at the Goodale Park Shelterhouse. Free and open to all, we will provide light refreshments.
How many more drownings is going to take before something of substance will be created to put an end these continued tragedies?
I have heard and read some of the reasons why various affected groups do not wish to implement preventable barriers to these drownings. And the reasons nearly always seem to boil down to money. Apparently, the loss of several children isn’t worth the cost of preventing more families from further suffering.
The Columbus Apartment Association has argued that wrapping these ponds in standard perimeter fencing restricts the movement of local wildlife, preventing water birds, amphibians, and other small animals from naturally accessing or exiting the water source.
To be clear, retention ponds are a city code requirement and they aren’t constructed by developers because they have an environmentalists’ heart felt need to create a body of water for birds, amphibians, or wildlife. To the contrary, developers in Columbus have no problem whatsoever when it comes to eliminating such habitat in order to construct housing to jack up their bank accounts.
There are 989 billionaires in the United States. John Rockefeller was the first in 1916.
What people fail to grasp is that being a billionaire means that you have at least 1000 million dollars. Most billionaires have more than that.
It’s impossible to grasp how that amount of money translates to power and influence. Unless you’re a billionaire you have no idea what it’s like.
Buying Elections.
Forget about the 14 million dollars Ginther spent on the previous election to beat Joe Motil; that’s pocket change to a billionaire. We don’t elect billionaires; they elect themselves. Money can buy elections in the United States, but there’s something more important than just buying an election: influence.
People Listen to Billionaires.
Thursday, October 22, 7pm
Out of the Closet, 1230 N High St, Columbus, OH
Out of the Closet Columbus is hosting its inaugural Fashion Show on October 22, showcasing custom looks from local designers, so come in your very own stylish fit.
Join us as fashion, community and a cause come together in Columbus.
Free admission
Vivek Ramaswamy's campaign has produced an advertisement featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother calling her daughter a liar. The circumstances behind that accusation are extraordinary. Acton has publicly alleged that she was sexually abused by her stepfather as a child, that her mother sided with the accused, and that they have had no meaningful relationship for nearly fifty years. Her brother has supported her account of their abusive childhood. Yet Ramaswamy's campaign has chosen to present the mother's accusation as evidence against Acton's credibility. The central question raised by this advertisement is not simply whether voters should believe the mother. It is what the decision to produce and promote such an advertisement reveals about the political judgment of the candidate responsible for it.
My neighbor and I were talking about how it took a diverse coalition of volunteers to collect thousands of signatures for Ballot Issue 8. It was a historic achievement; nobody is giving them any credit. It’s the first time in decades that we can make our politicians more accountable to the citizens of Columbus.
The neighbor joked that it was just as historic to see how quickly City Council drafted their own opposite ballot issue to maintain the absolute grip of the rich and powerful on city government (by adding 4 at-larger members). Since then, they have begun their campaign to discredit Issue 8 and deceive voters to buy their “Vote Yes on both Issues” propaganda.
Well, my neighbor and I figured out a solution to both Issues 8 and 9 that would make the rich and powerful rulers of Columbus happy.
Sell Seats on City Council.