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Feminism has a crucial role to play in modern life, but I sometimes wish it would leave our fairy tales alone. The results of its revisionist meddling are too often unconvincing and unsatisfying.
Remember last year’s Maleficent? It turned an age-old story on its head by revealing that the fairy (Angelina Jolie) who turned a princess into a “Sleeping Beauty” was not evil at all. No, she was merely wronged and misunderstood. Worst of all, we learned that the somnambulant princess could not be awakened by a kiss from the handsome prince, but only by a motherly peck from that same fairy.
How heartwarming. And how utterly unromantic.
Thank goodness Disney’s new live-action version of Cinderella doesn’t wear its feminism on its sleeve. It has nods to modern sensibilities, to be sure, but they’re handled with a lighter touch.
The evidence that Columbus powerbrokers, developers and sold-out office holders such as Mayor Ginther are determined to force Columbus young adults into tiny, overpriced apartments so to maximize profits has been supported and corroborated once again.
According to RentCafe, Columbus is the “only Midwestern metro where Millennial renters are still the majority. Every other large Midwest city including Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Milwaukee has already crossed over to a homeowner majority.”
RentCafe is an online platform that streamlines the entire rental process.
“Across the U.S., Millennials have gone from renters to owners at a remarkable pace – only 5 metros had a Millennial homeowner majority in 2018; by 2023, that number had climbed to 82. Columbus isn’t one of them,” stated a RentCafe press release.
The Free Press believes Columbus’s ultra-rich and the local developer class and their bought-off politicians are deliberately and callously pigeonholing young people into renting their housing far too long than what is normal or expected.
A recent experience at a medical facility in downtown Columbus, Ohio, raised troubling questions about patient privacy, religious accommodation, and professional communication. In fairness to the facility-and in the interest of allowing it an opportunity to respond-I am withholding its name pending a response to the concerns outlined below.
On July 15, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., I accompanied my wife to the facility for a routine blood draw. My wife is a Muslim woman who wears a hijab and values privacy during medical care in accordance with her religious beliefs.
After we entered the blood draw room, I closed the door to provide her with additional privacy. The phlebotomist immediately objected, stating that she did not want the door closed. I explained that I had closed it to protect my wife's privacy.
Rather than explaining that the facility had a policy requiring the door to remain open, the phlebotomist responded by saying that she would be "scared." When I asked what she meant, she did not provide a clear explanation.
The Supreme Court made another truly inexplicable, inhumane, and undemocratic decision, ruling against Haitians and Syrians in their quest to remain in the United States. OhioIsHome
Everyone deserves to live in a safe community. That’s why people born in Haiti and other countries made the difficult decision to move here. They’re taking care of their families and that’s something to be proud of. Many Ohioans welcomed Haitian-Ohioans with open arms, but the federal government and Supreme Court is putting their futures in limbo.
Sunday, July 26, 6pm
Corner of Wihttier and Parsons, Columbus
Justice for Corey Ruiz! Jail all killer cops!
Cops in Madison, WI murdered Corey. Cops in Austin, TX murdered a 17y/o Black kid. And here in Ohio, we know police terror too well: from Donovan Lewis, to Ta’Kiya Young, to Ma’Khia Bryant, and too many more.
Enough is enough! We need to jail ALL killer cops and END the war on Black America. Join us on the corner of Parsons Ave and Whittier St tomorrow at 6PM to demand justice.
Satuday, July 25, 3-9pm
Public Square, Mt. Vernon, Ohio
Sometimes you have to think outside the County. Flip the 12th Music Festival is a collaboration with several counties in OH 12, and the main goals are to register voters, boost morale, connect individuals with progressive groups and candidates, and to elect our first democratic representative in over 40 years!
A full day filled with music, food trucks, community, fun, and, of course, the candidates and their representatives! Join with District 12 constituents, music and democracy lovers, and the Common Good Coalition to gain momentum for flipping OH 12 blue in 2026. This is a family friendly event.
Main Stage
Cedars Brothers • Imber Solis • Jeff Tobin and the 1099s • Low T •Sarah Cowan • Takes A Village • The Fronks • Victorious KayBirds
Acoustic Stage
Acoustic Power Venture • Andrew Lee • Ashley Gulla • Billy Bones & The Overtones • David Eidelberg • Echo • Grace Oddo • Haley Blasing • Lisa Gain • Matthew Morgan • Rob Mosbacher • Vernon Schubel
Twenty-four people provided testimony on draft data center policy proposed by Columbus City Council’s Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee Wednesday night. The community overwhelmingly called for a moratorium and stronger protections, with residents, engineers, and representatives of environmental groups urging City Council to stop the rapid expansion of data centers until stronger safeguards are in place.
Columbus residents and activists gathered at City Hall on July 22nd to voice their concerns about data centers in central Ohio. The Public Utilities & Sustainability Committee presented a proposed data center policy package with drafts on water, sewer, and decommissioning codes. Speaker after speaker called for a moratorium until comprehensive studies are completed and protective measures enacted, for stronger environmental protections, and greater transparency on any new data centers.
Thursday, July 23, 2026 - 5:45pm
Whetstone Public Library, 3909 North High Street
Simply Living will present the award-winning documentary film FIX IT: Healthcare at the Tipping Point on Thursday, July 23rd at 5:45 pm at the Columbus Public Library’s Whetstone Branch, 3909 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214. A discussion about the film and about health care issues generally will follow the showing! There is no admission fee, but registration is requested. Please REGISTER SOON!
FIX IT: Healthcare at the Tipping Point is a powerful documentary that takes an in-depth look into how our dysfunctional health care system is damaging our economy, suffocating our businesses, discouraging physicians, and negatively impacting on the nation’s health, while remaining un-affordable for a third of our citizens.
Columbus activists gathered by Columbus City Hall on Saturday, July 18 to participate in a National Day of Action to demand justice for victims of ICE and to advocate for the abolition of the agency.
The protest was in response to the recent ICE killings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston and Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero in Maine. ICE admitted neither man was the actual target of their attacks.
Protestors held signs and banners and marched up Broad Street.
ICE continues to operate in central Ohio. See ICEWatch for updated information.
Wednesday, July 22, 2026 - 5:30pm
Columbus City Hall, 90 W. Broad St.
Columbus City Council’s Public Utilities and Sustainability Committee will be holding a public hearing on July 22 at 5:30 pm at Columbus City Hall, where the community will have the opportunity to weigh in on proposed data center policy. The policy has not yet been shared with the public, but Councilmember Wyche’s office has assured us it will be available for review in advance of the hearing and that additional opportunities for public input will be forthcoming.