Emma G. Wozniak

Columbus-based journalist with a firm belief we all have a story to tell — and a passion for being the mouthpiece through which those stories can be shared with the world.

The Columbus Dispatch •

How do Columbus locals feel about America? The short answer is, 'It's complicated'

Once a year, Americans from all walks of life flock to local parks, spread blankets, unfold lawn chairs and settle in for what an outsider might see as an oddly childish fascination with blowing things up in the sky.

Fireworks.

For some, the Fourth of July is nothing more than this — an excuse to gather with loved ones and revel in the sights, sounds and smells of a fireworks show that entrances young and old alike. For others, this tradition runs deeper.Though the Fourth of July has historically...
The Columbus Dispatch •

What you need to know about lightning safety amid severe thunderstorms in Columbus

For years, various sayings and myths have downplayed the threat of lightning.

But after two females were struck near a north Columbus high school soccer field June 29, leaving one critically injured, it's important to remember how real that danger can be.

The incident, which took place outside Northland High School, is a reminder that lightning strikes do happen — and knowing how to stay safe is essential.According to a CDC report from April 2024, the chances of being struck by lightning in a give...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Columbus airport CEO to retire amid progress on new $2B John Glenn airport terminal

The head of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority is retiring after securing the final approval for a $2 billion terminal project launched under his leadership.

Joseph Nardone, president and CEO of CRAA, announced June 26 that his eight-year tenure would be coming to a close, according to a press release from the airport authority. The CRAA Board of Directors will launch a national search to identify who will step into the lead role next, with Nardone keeping the position until the leadership...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Former Ohio leaders say they will sue over Browns stadium plan using unclaimed funds

Former Democratic state leaders will sue Ohio Republican lawmakers if they go ahead with their plan to use $600 million of Ohioans' unclaimed funds to pay for a new Cleveland Browns stadium.

In what plaintiffs call an unconstitutional and illegal funding scheme, the Legislature's proposed final budget allows the state to use $600 million in unclaimed funds for a new Browns stadium in Brook Park.

Former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann and former state Rep. Jeff Crossman announced June 25 they w...
The Columbus Dispatch •

AEP Ohio calls for emergency energy-saving during heat wave to prevent rolling blackouts

AEP Ohio issued an emergency request for energy conservation to prevent the need for rolling outages amid extreme heat.

In an X post, the power company said the heatwave is placing "significant burden" on the electric grid that provides electricity to Ohio and 12 other states. The emergency request asks customers to limit their energy use during peak hours of 3-7 p.m. by turning off or unplugging unused devices and lights, turning up their thermostats and avoiding the use of large appliances like...
The Columbus Dispatch •

AEP Ohio says no blackouts expected despite heat wave; here's how to help prevent them

As central Ohio sweats its way through June, only one thing could make this oppressive heat worse: a power outage.

Thankfully, AEP Ohio isn't expecting one.Director of operations Matt Bennett said there's been no indication from PJM Interconnection, the organization that manages the electricity grid for Ohio and 12 other states, that an electrical outage is anticipated in the coming weeks.That's not to say that an "emergency load reduction," commonly known as a blackout, isn't possible. Bennett s...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Check out footage of tanker truck crash and fire that closed I-270 for several hours

Following a fiery collision between a black pickup and a fuel tanker truck, both directions of Interstate 270 were shut down the afternoon of June 22 for several hours.

Video footage obtained by The Dispatch shows the tanker truck overturned and engulfed in flames after the crash, with thick, black smoke billowing for miles. A Columbus Division of Fire dispatcher said the fire was contained shortly after firefighters arrived at the scene.After losing control on the ramp from southbound Interstate...
The Columbus Dispatch •

America's second Independence Day: Here are Juneteenth events happening in central Ohio

June 19, or Juneteenth, is almost here.

Marking the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, when the final remaining slaves were freed in Galveston, Texas, Juneteenth is the longest-running African American holiday.

Recognized federally as a holiday in 2021, Juneteenth will be celebrated across central Ohio.

Here are the events happening locally to celebrate America's second Independence Day.

June 14: Hosted by the City of Reynoldsburg and its At Large Council Representative Mi...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Treating pets like people - new ER at Easton lets cat and dog parents stay overnight

For the second time in central Ohio, a veterinary emergency hospital that allows pet owners to stay with their animals overnight and through surgery has opened its doors.

VEG ER for Pets, which was founded in 2014 and now operates 108 hospitals nationwide, launched a new location at 4056 Morse Road in Easton May 29. The company first expanded into Ohio in 2023 with its Dublin location, followed by a Cincinnati site a year later.Like its more than 100 counterparts, VEG Easton is open 24 hours a da...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Columbus Museum of Art succeeds in getting millions from state, city, county for new roof

After campaigning for financial support, the Columbus Museum of Art received $3.75 million in government funding to pay for a new roof atop one of its buildings.

The total grant was a combination of $1.5 million from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, $1.25 million from the state of Ohio and $1 million from the city of Columbus, according to a June 3 press release from CMA. The money will be used to replace the Elizabeth M. and Richard M. Ross Building’s current aluminum roof — which w...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Columbus and Franklin County partner on program to equip residents with free digital skills

A program sponsored by the city of Columbus and Franklin County that offers free digital skills courses for residents has officially launched, hoping to reach 10,000 people by 2027.

The ConnectUS: Digital Skills Hub offers free classes for Franklin County residents who want to learn about a variety of technology-related topics, including email security, social media, basic computer skills and more.For participants with an income 200% below the federal poverty level ($15,650 annually for an indivi...
The Columbus Dispatch •

New Trump travel ban impacts nearly 20 countries. What to know about the policy

President Donald Trump signed a long-anticipated travel ban June 4, meaning nationals from nearly 20 countries will be partially restricted or completely banned from entering the United States.

Central Ohio is home to a large population of people from two banned countries, Somalia and Haiti. The 60,000 to 70,000 Somalis who live here are believed to represent the second-largest Somali population in the country. Meanwhile, an estimated 30,000 Haitians live in the region.The ban, which will go into...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Columbus brand SneakERASERS touts Walmart access as key to company's success

It was 2016 when Kevin Consolo and Chris Pavlica first founded SneakERASERS, a Columbus-based business that sells instant sneaker-cleaning sponges.

That year, after the pair made their first 10,000 sponges by hand, they took one of the finished products to Walmart, hung it on a peg hook in the store and imagined what might someday be.“Are people ever going to know this brand?” Consolo wondered in that moment. “And what do we do from here?”Fast forward 10 years later and SneakERASERS products are...
The Columbus Dispatch •

May 2025 sure felt cold and wet, but did Columbus break any records? The NWS fills us in

Contrary to how you might have felt during last month's brisk mornings and rainy afternoons, the National Weather Service in Wilmington says May 2025 was neither Columbus' coldest nor wettest May on record — and when it comes to temperature, it was "nowhere close."

Andy Hatzos, an NWS meteorologist, said May 2025 was the 12th-wettest May in Columbus' recorded weather history dating back to 1879, with a total of 6.47 inches of rain. The city's record-wettest May was 9.9 inches in 1882.When it come...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Columbus air quality levels worsen amid Canadian wildfires. Here's what you need to know

Air quality in some states across America is worsening as wildfires rage across Canada — and central Ohio is may begin to see the effects.

On the morning of June 2, AirNow.gov reported "moderate" air quality in Columbus, with an air quality index — or AQI — of 67 for ozone and 57 for particulate pollution around 11:30 a.m. A "good" AQI is 50 or under, which AirNow predicts will be achieved by the end of the week.These moderate AQIs arrive in light of blazing wildfires throughout Canadian province...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Baby Bennett Scheffler left his own mark on the Memorial; here's how fans reacted

As Scottie Scheffler celebrated his Memorial Tournament win, his 1-year-old son Bennett quietly reminded everyone that not all victories smell sweet.

Minutes after sealing the deal with a clutch putt June 1, Scheffler celebrated at the 18th with his wife Meredith. It wasn't until the champion joyfully hoisted his son that spectators discovered little Bennett had left his own mark on the tournament.To put it bluntly, the baby appeared to have a large poop stain on the back of his onesie. And while...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Booked for the summer: Explore all Columbus Metropolitan Library has to offer this season

When most people think of libraries, they likely envision books, public computers and the occasional “shh!”

But at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, there’s a lot more going on behind the shelves.

From meals for students to local museum and cultural tickets to English language courses, CML provides its cardholders with ample events, programs, and activities to engage the community. And the best part? So long as you’ve got a CML library card, they’re all free.Here’s a look at what CML offers beyon...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Longtime Arena District restaurant Nada permanently closes

A Mexican restaurant in the Arena District has permanently closed its doors after 10 years in business.

Nada, located at 220 W. Nationwide Blvd., was Cincinnati-based chef and restaurateur David Falk’s first Columbus restaurant. The Arena District Nada — which opened in 2014 — was the modern Mexican restaurant’s second location, with the first still located in Cincinnati. An employee confirmed to the Dispatch on May 30 that the restaurant had officially closed after service the day prior, and sig...
The Columbus Dispatch •

From caddy to college: Columbus high school students share how golf changed their lives

When Cristo Rey Columbus High School student Chris Pacheco Posadas first stepped on a golf course, he was taking his first swing at a game he barely understood.

“I knew nothing about golf,” Posadas said. “Never golfed in my life, never paid attention to golf; I knew absolutely zero about golf.”Now, just a few years later, Posadas is set to attend the University of Notre Dame on a full-ride scholarship — something that might never have happened if he hadn’t taken the job that brought him to the go...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Forbes debuts 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List, announces fall Columbus summit

Forbes has revealed its first-ever 30 Under 30 Local Columbus List, recognizing 30 young business owners, athletes and creators making an impact in the city.

In addition to unveiling who Forbes identified as the best and brightest of Columbus' up-and-comers, the business magazine announced at a press event on May 29 that its 2025 Forbes Under 30 Summit, in partnership with JobsOhio, will take place in Columbus this fall.The summit will take place Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 and feature speakers including...
The Columbus Dispatch •

First solar project by Columbus Region Green Initiative to save senior living facility $2M

The city of Columbus recently installed its first solar panel project under the Columbus Region Green Fund.

The project at Corban Commons Senior Living Facility involved the activation of more than 400 kilowatts of solar panels, according to a news release from the city. As a result, the city estimates that Corban Commons — a community intended to serve low-income seniors — will save more than $2 million in energy costs.At a May 22 press conference with city leaders, Franklin County Commissioner...
The Columbus Dispatch •

OSU researchers create nasal spray that could stop the flu; blocks infection in mice

An antibody that could revolutionize the prevention of influenza, other viruses and even non-viral diseases like cancer was recently engineered by Ohio State scientists.

In a study published April 29, this new molecule was successful in protecting a majority of the tested mice from lethal flu doses, even preventing some from experiencing any symptoms at all, according to a May 8 Ohio State News article. Head researcher and the study’s co-lead author Dr. Kai Xu said the engineered molecule — trans...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Pelotonia's impact: How the annual bike ride is funding cancer research breakthroughs

At a panel discussion centered on Pelotonia, the local nonprofit behind an annual central Ohio bike ride to raise funds for cancer research, all five speakers had one thing uniting them.

As panelist Cathy Norton described it, they were “a family most people don’t ever want to be a part of.”

In other words, they had all battled cancer themselves — four being survivors, and one still in the fight. The panel was hosted May 22 in collaboration with Pelotonia sponsor and supporter JPMorgan Chase and The...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Kroger celebrates Memorial Day with discount for active and veteran service members

In honor of Memorial Day, Kroger’s Columbus Division is offering a discount to military members.

All active and former service members and their dependents are eligible for a 10% discount when they present a valid military ID and Kroger Loyalty Card at checkout on May 26, according to a Kroger press release. Kroger associates who are active duty or veterans are eligible to receive this Memorial Day discount on top of their regular 10% “Our Brands” discount, allowing them to save a total of 20%...
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