"Education Ruling, Heat Waves, and Community Events in Columbus"

Good morning, this is Columbus Local Pulse for Thursday, June 26, 2025.

We start today with a major decision that could shape education in our city for years. Just yesterday, a Franklin County judge ruled Ohio’s EdChoice private school voucher program unconstitutional, saying it violates the state’s requirement for a single system of common schools. The decision is drawing cheers from public school advocates and concern from private education supporters. State officials are already moving to appeal, but for now, families using the vouchers can continue as the legal process unfolds. This is a huge conversation for every parent and educator across Columbus and really, all of Ohio, so we’ll be keeping a close eye on what comes next.

It has been a steamy stretch in Columbus, and today doesn’t look much cooler. We’re waking up to another humid morning, with temperatures quickly rising into the 90s. Heat advisories remain in place, so we all need to keep hydrated and take breaks if we’re outside. There’s a chance of showers and storms moving in by late afternoon—these could give us some brief relief, but any storms that pop up may bring heavy rain or gusty winds. We’ll see a slight dip in temperatures tomorrow morning, before the heat cranks back up by Friday.

City Hall has been buzzing too. The Funding Review Advisory Committee met last week at City Hall on West Broad Street. Leaders are reviewing how the city funds public services, everything from cultural arts to human services, and considering new ways to support programs that matter most to Columbus families. These discussions may soon lead to changes in how taxes and city funds are distributed, so we’re watching for updates that could affect our daily lives.

Now to safety: overnight, Columbus police responded to several calls, including a DWI arrest on North Marr Road just after midnight. Officers continue to stress safe driving, especially as summer festivities pick up. Meanwhile, in east Columbus, neighbors in some apartment complexes are voicing concerns about recent crime and are calling for more visible patrols. City officials assure us they’re listening and reviewing increased security.

In real estate news, Columbus markets have stayed active despite the heat, with over 200 homes listed this week and median prices hovering near 310,000 dollars. For job seekers, the buzz around tech and healthcare jobs continues, and with the state investing in future fields like quantum computing, we could see thousands of new high-skill jobs in central Ohio over the coming decade.

On a brighter note, community events light up the next few days. The Columbus Arts Festival on the riverfront is in full swing, promising music, food, and family-friendly fun through Sunday. Also, summer camps across the city are adapting to the heat with plenty of indoor activities, making sure our kids stay safe and cool.

One uplifting story for you: two former legal adversaries—Jim Obergefell and Rick Hodges—who were at the center of the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage case, are now friends and have been seen around the Buckeye State, including here in Columbus, speaking together about unity even across deep divides. Their story is a reminder that friendship and understanding can bloom in the unlikeliest places.

This has been Columbus Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.