Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Thursday, May 15, 2025.

We start today with breaking news from the south side. Last night, a man was critically injured in a shooting near Lockbourne and Smith Roads. Columbus police responded quickly and the investigation is ongoing, but so far no arrests have been announced. This comes as city leaders continue their efforts to address public safety concerns, with a recent focus on Sullivan Avenue. The city’s Clean and Safe Corridor Initiative has led to dozens of arrests for drug offenses and prostitution, aiming to make one of our busiest corridors safer for everyone.

Turning to city hall, school funding is front and center again. Lawmakers are debating a new budget that could cut $400 million from public schools over the next two years, shifting more funds to charter and special needs programs. The plan would tie school district funding to enrollment numbers instead of fixed formulas, making it harder for districts like Westerville to plan ahead. School leaders warn this could mean major cuts to staff and programs if the proposal passes.

Weatherwise, we stepped out to a mild morning with temperatures around 65 degrees. Expect a warm day ahead with highs reaching the mid 80s. Skies should stay mostly clear, so it’s a perfect opportunity for outdoor plans. Looking into tomorrow and the weekend, similar warm weather is on tap, but don’t forget your sunscreen if you’re heading out.

In real estate and jobs, the Columbus job market remains competitive with lots of hiring in healthcare, tech, and logistics. Home sales cooled a bit this spring but prices are still up about five percent from last year’s average, especially in neighborhoods like Clintonville and German Village, where demand is strong for both rentals and homes for sale.

We have some exciting business updates too. The city has welcomed a few new local restaurants downtown, while longtime favorite Steiner’s Bakery announced it will close its doors on Parsons Avenue after nearly fifty years. And on the innovation front, Central Ohio’s roadways are now a testing ground for autonomous vehicle technology, thanks to new research efforts in the city.

Culturally, all eyes this week are on the Columbus College of Art and Design’s big fashion show, where student designers will present their bold new collections. In music, the Short North is buzzing with live performances at several local venues, and the Columbus Zoo wraps up its spring festival this weekend.

For sports fans, congratulations to the Northland High School baseball team on their recent playoff win, and good luck to the Columbus Crew in their big match on Saturday.

Before we go, a quick feel-good story: Nationwide Children’s Hospital is expanding its outreach in local suburbs, ensuring more families get specialized care close to home.

That’s all for Columbus Local Pulse this morning. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.