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Columbus weather

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Mostly sunny with a light southwest wind. Partly cloudy tonight.

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      Loading the latest from the National Weather Service

      Friday in Columbus

      69°Sunny with a light northeast wind. Mostly clear tonight.

      This edition was for Friday, October 23, 2026. Times, prices and plans applied to that day only.

      Columbus City Schools weighs ending yellow buses for high schoolers

      A district workgroup gave the school board three options that would end yellow-bus service for most of about 9,000 high school students, with COTA passes for some or none of them. The district must cut $50 million, and the change would save an estimated $4 million to $7 million.

      Families of neighborhood high schoolers may have to plan for public transit; students in special education, job training programs and lottery schools would keep yellow buses, and the board votes in December.

      ABC6 · Thu 6:50 PM

      News

      1. Council sets emergency retention pond rules for a Nov. 2 vote

        After two toddler drownings this year, the proposal would require apartment complexes to post standalone pond danger notices and leave a 15-foot unmowed buffer at the water's edge. It would take effect immediately if passed. NBC4

      2. Sunbury votes Nov. 3 on limiting large data centers

        A yes vote would ban data centers that draw more than 25 megawatts; a no vote keeps current rules. Opponents have put up about 800 yard signs as Amazon defends a proposed $2 billion project. 10TV

      3. YMCA will stop running the Van Buren shelter

        The Community Shelter Board will seek new operators in November and name them in February, with the handoff done by June 30, 2027. The YMCA plans to keep case management there. NBC4

      4. Justice Department says Ohio State's medical school discriminated in admissions

        The department found the college favored Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian ones for its 2023 to 2025 classes. It will seek a settlement and could sue or pull federal funding. 10TV

      5. Sewage failure moves some juvenile court hearings to High Street

        Three magistrates' courtrooms and the youth diversion programs moved from 399 S. Front St. to the courthouse at 373 S. High St. through Friday. Ask the first-floor navigators there for the new room. 10TV

      6. Two polls show Brown and Acton ahead

        Fox News has Sherrod Brown up 52 to 47 over Jon Husted and Amy Acton up 50 to 48 over Vivek Ramaswamy among likely voters; Cook Political Report has both Democrats ahead by more. Both polls ended before the Ramaswamy ad about Acton's mother aired. NBC4

      U-pick apples and pumpkins at Lynd's

      10 AM–6 PM · Lynd Fruit Farm, Pataskala

      It is sunny and 69, picking runs until 6, and the corn maze stays open until 10 if you want to stay past dark.

      U-pick prices not stated · 15 mi northeast of downtown

      DirectionsCalendar

      Red-seated balcony and ornate ceiling of the Ohio Theatre from the stage

      Photo: CAPA: Mysteries, Anthems & Victories

      Columbus Symphony: Mysteries, Anthems & Victories

      7:30 PM · Ohio Theatre, Downtown

      A world premiere for the symphony's 75th season, with Davóne Tines singing his own concerto, downtown at 7:30.

      Ticket prices not stated · Downtown

      DirectionsCalendar

      Openings

      1. Closed · Closed recently

        Rally's, Mound Street

        Franklinton · 1340 Mound St, Columbus, OH

        The chain's third central Ohio closure since summer, after Grove City in August and East Broad Street in September.

        614NOW

      2. Coming soon · Coming to the former Rally's; no date given

        Victor's Taco Shop, Mound Street

        Franklinton · 1340 Mound St, Columbus, OH

        The Delaware-based chain, known for carne asada and quesabirria tacos, takes over the Rally's building.

        614NOW

      3. Milestone · Ground lease signed Monday; no opening date

        Dutch Bros Coffee, Reynoldsburg

        Reynoldsburg · 1933 Baltimore Reynoldsburg Rd, Reynoldsburg, OH

        The drive-thru chain's fourth planned central Ohio shop, after New Albany, near Westerville and the West Side, which are due by the end of 2026.

        614NOW

      4. Closed · Ended after its 10th festival in July

        Picktown Palooza

        Pickerington

        Panger Productions has ended the summer music festival after its 10th year. It started in 2017 and raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity.

        ABC6

      Plans

      Things to do

      Friday

      1. The food hall is open 9 to 7 on Fridays. Merchants validate parking in the Vine Street Garage, where the first two hours cost $2.

        Crates of oranges, lemons and limes at a market produce stand

        Photo: North Market: Locations and hours

        North Market Downtown, 59 Spruce St, Columbus · Downtown

        Free entry; prices vary by merchant

        DirectionsCalendarNorth Market: Locations and hours

      2. The galleries are open until 7 on Fridays and admission is free. You will be asked to check backpacks and large bags.

        Visitors gather in a gallery, looking intently at artwork

        Photo: Wexner Center for the Arts: Your Visit

        Wexner Center for the Arts, 1871 N High St, Columbus · 3 mi north of downtown

        Free gallery admission

        DirectionsCalendarWexner Center for the Arts: Your Visit

      3. Watch a working rehearsal of this weekend's program, with the Spears world premiere, Davóne Tines's ANTHEM and Tchaikovsky's Fifth. Doors open at 9, and coffee and donuts are included while they last.

        Red-seated balcony and ornate ceiling of the Ohio Theatre from the stage

        Photo: CAPA: Friday Coffee Dress: Mysteries, Anthems & Victories

        Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, Columbus · Downtown

        Ticket prices not stated

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      4. Friday brings the Pet Parade at 3:30 and the Fraternal and Civic Organizations parade at 8, with music on the Savings Bank Stage from 10. The show ends Saturday.

        Three pumpkin show queens in tiaras and sashes hold silver trays

        Photo: Circleville Pumpkin Show: Schedule of Events

        Downtown Circleville, Court St and Main St, Circleville · 25 mi south of downtown

        Free admission; ride wristbands $35 per person, valid 10 AM to 4 PMGood for kids

        DirectionsCalendarCircleville Pumpkin Show: Schedule of Events

      5. On Friday, U-pick Goldrush apples are at 9199 Morse Rd, east of the market, and pumpkins are at the maze entrance, 9851 Morse Rd. The last bucket sells at 5:45, and the corn maze is open until 10.

        Lynd Fruit Farm, 9199 Morse Rd SW, Pataskala · 15 mi northeast of downtown

        U-pick prices not statedGood for kids

        DirectionsCalendarLynd Fruit Farm

      6. A live film, performance and lecture by Mila Turajlić built from forgotten Yugoslav newsreels about the Cold War's Non-Aligned Movement, part of the Unorthodocs festival. It is free, but you need a ticket.

        Performer at a laptop beside a screen showing film reels

        Photo: Wexner Center: Non-Aligned Newsreels: Fragments from the Debris

        Wexner Center Film/Video Theater, 1871 N High St, Columbus · 3 mi north of downtown

        Free with a ticket

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      Tonight

      1. Lit pumpkin scenes, a straw bale maze and a sway pole witch and spider stilt walker at the Pergola from 6 to 8. Fridays run until 10; reserve ahead.

        Two children in costumes walk under string lights and green-lit trees

        Photo: Franklin Park Conservatory: Pumpkins Aglow

        Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E Broad St, Columbus · 2 mi east of downtown

        $28.35 ages 13 to 59, $24.15 seniors, $17.33 ages 3 to 12, including culture feeGood for kids

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      2. Actors tell the stories of people entombed at the Abbey, including circus manager Lewis Sells and McKinley's tailor Samuel S. Jackson. New this year: a tent, a tarot reader, a bonfire and s'mores; tickets are limited.

        The Abbey Mausoleum & Gardens, 700 Greenlawn Ave, Columbus · 2 mi southwest of downtown

        $25 per person; tintype photos, cider, chili and bakery items cost extra

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      3. Gahanna's Halloween evening has hayrides, live entertainment, storytelling, s'mores and trick-or-treating for the whole family.

        Green arch over a tree-lined Gahanna street at dusk

        Photo: City of Gahanna: The Great Gahanna Goblin Fest

        Academy Park, 1201 Cherry Bottom Rd, Gahanna · 9 mi northeast of downtown

        Admission not statedGood for kids

        DirectionsCalendarCity of Gahanna: The Great Gahanna Goblin Fest

      4. The top-ranked Buckeyes (7-1-0) open a six-game homestand against No. 8 Colgate, which is 6-0-0. The teams play again Saturday at 3.

        Ohio State hockey players raise sticks and arms on the ice

        Photo: Ohio State: No. 1 Buckeyes Host No. 8 Colgate This Weekend

        OSU Ice Rink, 390 Woody Hayes Dr, Columbus · 3 mi northwest of downtown

        Ticket prices not stated

        DirectionsCalendarOhio State: No. 1 Buckeyes Host No. 8 Colgate This Weekend

      5. Worthington's largest community event of the year fills all four quadrants of the Village Green with trick-or-treating, games, crafts and live entertainment. Costumes are encouraged.

        Worthington Village Green, High St and SR 161, Worthington · 9 mi north of downtown

        FreeGood for kids

        DirectionsCalendarCity of Worthington: Halloween on the Green

      6. The Buckeyes (10-8, 3-5 Big Ten) host Indiana, the first of two home matches against top-20 teams this weekend.

        Volleyball team huddles before a crowd with glowing lights in the arena

        Photo: Ohio State: 2026 Women's Volleyball Schedule

        Covelli Center, Covelli Center, Ohio State campus, Columbus · 3 mi northwest of downtown

        Ticket prices not stated

        DirectionsCalendarOhio State: 2026 Women's Volleyball Schedule

      7. The Columbus band headlines The Bluestone. Doors open at 7, and the show is all ages.

        Six band members stand in front of a building, black and white

        Photo: PromoWest: Doc Robinson, October 23, 2026

        The Bluestone, 583 E Broad St, Columbus · Downtown

        Ticket prices not stated

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      8. A full-length ballet about Marilyn Monroe, about 1 hour 45 minutes with a 20-minute intermission. Two performances remain, tonight and Saturday.

        Two dancers in an embrace, one in a blue polka dot dress

        Photo: BalletMet: Marilyn

        Davidson Theatre, Riffe Center, 77 S High St, Columbus · Downtown

        Ticket prices not stated

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      9. Rossen Milanov conducts the world premiere of Gregory Spears's The Mysteries, and bass-baritone Davóne Tines sings his Concerto No. 2: ANTHEM. CAPA warns of heavy downtown traffic this weekend, so leave extra time.

        Red-seated balcony and ornate ceiling of the Ohio Theatre from the stage

        Photo: CAPA: Mysteries, Anthems & Victories

        Ohio Theatre, 39 E State St, Columbus · Downtown

        Ticket prices not stated

        DirectionsCalendarTickets

      10. More than 70 lantern sets, new dinosaur lanterns this year, and dragon dances at 7:45 and 8:30. The festival ends Sunday.

        Glowing sea turtle lantern among green seaweed lanterns at night

        Photo: Columbus Zoo: Lantern Festival

        Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 W Powell Rd, Powell · 15 mi northwest of downtown

        Ticket prices not stated; festival-only tickets or a discounted zoo add-onGood for kids

        DirectionsCalendarTickets