Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Thursday, July 24, 2025.
We wake up today under a heat advisory for Franklin County, and in response, the Central Ohio Transit Authority is waiving all fares on buses and transit for the entire day. This is part of an effort to help everyone stay cool and safe. If you need relief, remember that cooling centers, libraries, and rec centers throughout the city are open and available. COTA Customer Care is ready to help at 614-228-1776. Now for the forecast: we’re looking at a high of around 92 degrees and a sweltering night with temperatures staying in the mid-70s. The heat wave isn’t letting up, so stay hydrated and limit outdoor activities when possible.
Today marks the official opening of the 170th Ohio State Fair up at the Expo Center, and despite some ongoing renovations, the full fair experience is in full swing. Gates open early for livestock competitions in the Voinovich Livestock Center, and later today there’s plenty to enjoy, from paint competitions in the Cox Fine Arts Center to magic shows, and live music, including KIDZ BOP LIVE in the Celeste Center tonight. The Natural Resources Park is packed with outdoor fun, and new accessibility features this year include sensory-friendly mornings and charging stations for mobility devices. The fair runs through August 3, so make your plans, but don’t forget it’ll be hot on the fairgrounds too.
Big moves in Columbus business news, CVS Health just opened its Workforce Innovation and Talent Center at the Rosewind Community Center. This new facility offers free training in pharmacy, customer service, and retail—all designed to open career paths for local residents. Partnerships with groups like Eckerd Connects and Columbus State mean more opportunities for job seekers to build skills, with participants even guaranteed job interviews with CVS. The center is open to everyone and includes access to public health services at Aetna’s new Community Resource Center.
In real estate, Polaris Fashion Place has a new owner after challenges faced by its previous management, which could bring new energy and changes to the area. Over in New Albany, the housing market keeps expanding as a new community two years in the making opens reservations, and the downtown commission is considering plans for a new apartment complex called Opportunity Pointe in partnership with Columbus State Community College. There’s also development interest in a large agricultural property for a potential data center.
From city hall, city leaders are reviewing a proposed income tax increase in Obetz for public safety services. Meanwhile, in education, Westerville Schools have voted to put an income tax levy on November’s ballot, keeping public funding in the headlines as back-to-school season approaches.
Quickly turning to local sports, Ohio State football is launching pre-season camp with strong hopes to shape a new legacy, and community sports fields are buzzing with youth tournaments all week long.
Now a sensitive note on crime: Columbus police are investigating a pair of high-profile incidents from the past 24 hours, including a fatal overnight crash near Dublin-Granville Road and a string of car break-ins reported around the Short North. Public safety officials urge all of us to lock vehicles and report suspicious activity promptly.
And for a feel-good story, let’s tip our hats to Triunity Darden, a Columbus local who found a new path with workforce training, became a certified pharmacy technician at CVS, and inspired her little sister to pursue the same career.
For events this weekend, the State Fair remains the headline, but check out neighborhood farmers markets at both Clintonville and North Market, and live jazz at Goodale Park Friday night.
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