Local
Leslie Wexner made his fortune selling underwear. Something most of Central Ohio weirdly took pride in, but now it is unraveling, and it was the Free Press’s Bob Fitrakis who was first to question how an underwear salesman could become one of the world’s richest men.
Wexner and Epstein’s connection to “Spook Air” – a CIA-linked airline that had run cocaine from South America – may have played a pivotal role helping this dangerous duo acquire their billions. Put mildly, it may not have been just underwear this airline was flying in and out of Columbus.
What Fitrakis uncovered years ago was how Wexner, with Epstein playing a pivotal role, convinced a questionable airline – Southern Air Transport – to relocate from Miami to Columbus in 1995. Specifically, to Rickenbacker International Airport, south of town. The airport has become one of the planet’s largest trade hubs and was once home to a squadron of the Tuskegee Airmen.
On March 18, the House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 219, which purports to revise the law on oil and gas wells in Ohio. In reality, it’s 87 pages of favors for the oil and gas industry – starting with fracking of Ohio’s state parks and public lands.
If SB 219 passes, every stage of the process to frack public lands would drastically speed up – putting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on tight deadlines to act quickly on fracking nominations, bids, leases, and permits.
Following a series of historic actions on March 4th and 5th, a unified coalition from Washington County held a press conference and delivered a letter to Governor DeWine and the Ohio Legislature asking for a three year moratorium on Class I and Class II wastewater injection wells in the county. This movement has gained significant traction as local leaders and residents highlight the staggering volume of waste being pumped into the region and the risks to public health.
This unprecedented joint action represents an alignment of nine local authorities: the City of Marietta, the Village of Beverly, Muskingum and Waterford Townships, and the Warren, Putnam, Little Hocking, Highland Ridge, and Tri-County water boards. Together, these entities represent the water safety and infrastructure of over tens of thousands of residents who rely on local aquifers. They began the two day escalation by hosting a press conference at the Armory in Marietta on March 4th.
The Ohio Immigrant Alliance is launching the Brave Of Us Tattoo Design Contest, calling on all tattoo artists and apprentices to express what it looks like to be in solidarity with immigrants at this moment in history. The contest’s themes include Family & Love; Freedom & Safety; Bravery & Strength; Unity Across Differences; and Reclaiming Identity & Culture.
The MAGA Republican Attorney General Dave Yost is holding Duck Creek Energy accountable after they illegally abandoned their radioactive AquaSalina producing facility right on the Cuyahoga River. This left the property owner, Cleveland Cliffs, with a radioactive mess. Yost's complaint admits, "Elevated levels of radioactivity may create risks to both human health and the environment."
According to Duck Creek Energy, AquaSalina is derived from conventional oil and gas waste brine which proves exactly what Buckeye Environmental Network has been saying all along. Concentrations of conventional well waste will accumulate and be detrimental to human health and the environment.
Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Time: Check-in starts at 9am, with programming running through 2pm; some lobby visits may go as late as 5pm.
Location: The Ohio Statehouse & The Plaza Hotel on Capitol Square
We're excited to announce our 2026 Statehouse Day, happening all day on Wednesday, March 25 on Capitol Square in downtown Columbus.
Ohio Statehouse Republicans have clearly learned a few tricks from Donald Trump, including the value of creating chaos.
They’ve scheduled committee hearings on dozens of important bills in the same two-day span this week.
Several of the committees that are accepting public testimony have been scheduled for Tuesday, meaning testimony is due Monday.
Columbus City Council and your Mayor continue to work to maintain the 2026 title as most homeless deaths for any city in Ohio. Worse yet, the total number of Columbus homeless deaths is more than the number of homicides. Math is difficult.
January 2026 had 14 homeless deaths.
February 2026 had 13 homeless deaths.
- 9 white and 4 African American / Other.
- 11 male and 2 female.
- Oldest was 78 and the youngest was 30.
Four died of hypothermia or environmental cold exposure (including one by dog attack followed by exposure). Nine died of complications with chronic ethanol and/or drug use including fentanyl and cocaine.
The city that you live and work in was responsible for allowing four people to freeze to death during the month of February. Again, these were people that they just chose not to help.
The stinking hypocrisy of disgraced ex-Ohio State President Ted Carter is wafting across the Oval. It’s almost as bad as the hypocritical stench coming off Trump, MAGA and evangelical Christians, but not quite.
At least Carter came clean, admitting to the “inappropriate relationship” that forced his resignation. Nevertheless, losing Carter was welcome news for many students and alumni who, to put it mildly, have been grossed out by the university’s shift to the (white) right.
Carter deceived many, not just his wife. And did so with a straight face. Just ask the hundreds of graduating students and their families at OSU’s last commencement.
Back in December, just a few days before Christmas, Carter chose himself to deliver OSU’s 441st commencement. Certainly, his “inappropriate relationship” at this time was still ongoing. However, this is what he told the 3,500-plus students seated on the floor in front of him and their families, who occupied every single one of the 19,500 seats in the Schottenstein Center.
When you look at what Trump is doing, ARE YOU ANGRY? Please say yes. I know we’re tired, but our democracy depends on us caring enough to continue the fight. With your help, No Kings III on 3/28 will be the biggest protest America has ever seen. It’s our chance to FIGHT BACK against the brutality and stupidity of an illegal war, against the corruption, lies and indecency of Donald Trump and everyone around him.
Help us spread the word! Check out the graphics in this folder created by the amazing Mishka Griffin, and download and share them on social media. The folder includes graphics for each of the 22 events in central Ohio!