Marloes Gordon

Marloes Gordon founded Columbus Frontline to provide independent reporting across Central Ohio. She oversees business operations and long-term strategy, with a focus on transparency and sustainable local journalism.

Ohio Senator Proposes Consensus Voting to Replace Current Primary System, Months After State Banned Ranked Choice

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Ohio Senator Proposes Consensus Voting to Replace Current Primary System, Months After State Banned Ranked Choice

An Ohio state senator has introduced legislation at the Statehouse in Columbus that would fundamentally restructure how Ohioans elect their representatives — replacing the current partisan primary system with a top-three open primary and a head-to-head “consensus voting” general election. The bill arrives roughly one month after Governor Mike DeWine signed into law a measure … Read more

Smokey Bones in Grove City and Reynoldsburg Permanently Closed After Parent Company Files Bankruptcy and Shuts All Locations Nationwide

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A "Permanently Closed" sign on the front door of a Smokey Bones restaurant.

COLUMBUS: Both Smokey Bones locations in the Columbus area are permanently closed. The barbecue chain shut down every one of its restaurants across the country on April 28 without warning to customers or, in many cases, to employees after its parent company’s bankruptcy filing collapsed. A letter posted on the door of the Grove City … Read more

Columbus Crew Top LA Galaxy 2–1 in Stormy Wednesday Night Home Win

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Columbus Crew Top LA Galaxy 2–1 in Stormy Wednesday Night Home Win

Key Highlights: A steady downpour over Franklinton did not deter several thousand Crew supporters who packed Lower.com Field on Wednesday evening as Columbus defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1 in Major League Soccer regular season play. Diego Rossi and Daniel Gazdag each contributed to the Crew’s two-goal burst before the second half began. The result … Read more

Ohio State Investigation Finds Former President Ted Carter Repeatedly Misused His Position

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The 47-page internal investigation report from The Ohio State University regarding Walter Ted Carter Jr.

The Ohio State University released a 47-page internal investigation report on Tuesday detailing how former President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. spent nearly two years leveraging his office to benefit a personal associate at the expense of the university’s mission and institutional partners. Carter resigned on March 7 after disclosing to the Board of Trustees that … Read more

Columbus City Schools, City Council Form Joint Committee Amid $100M Budget Crisis

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Leaders from Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools holding a press conference at Northland High School.

Columbus City Schools and Columbus City Council announced a joint leadership committee Tuesday morning at a news conference held at Northland High School on the city’s North Side, formalizing a partnership between the CCS Board of Education and City Council as Ohio’s largest school district confronts a two-year budget shortfall that district officials have pegged … Read more

Columbus NWSL Franchise Confirmed for Arena District, Debuting in 2028

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Pro Women's Soccer is Coming to the Arena District: NWSL Awards Columbus 18th Franchise for 2028 Debut

Columbus secured its first professional women’s soccer franchise on Tuesday afternoon when NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman took the stage at Scotts Miracle-Gro Field in the Arena District to confirm Columbus as the league’s 18th club. The ownership group Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide, and the Edwards family was formally awarded the franchise, with the club expected … Read more

Winter Storm, Frost Advisory in Effect for Columbus Until 10 a.m. Tuesday, 75 Degrees This Afternoon

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Frost on spring flowers in Columbus Ohio with a weather forecast background.

COLUMBUS: The National Weather Service has issued a Frost Advisory for Franklin County until 10 a.m. Tuesday morning. Cover sensitive plants and bring in anything that cannot handle a freeze, temperatures at John Glenn Columbus International Airport dropped to 39 degrees early this morning with calm winds. Once the frost clears, Tuesday turns into a … Read more

A Cigarette, a Gas Theft, and Singed Eyebrows: Former Employee Charged with Felony Arson on Walcutt Road

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He Went Back to Steal Gas From His Old Job. Then He Lit a Cigarette. Now William Bush Faces Felony Arson Charges.

COLUMBUS: The plan was simple enough. Drive to the old workplace in the dark, slip through the gate, fill up some containers with fuel, and disappear before anyone noticed. It did not go that way for William Bush. Bush, 31, now faces a felony arson charge after surveillance cameras captured what investigators say was a … Read more

John Glenn International Airport to Permanently Close Walking Lot in Early May as $2B Expansion Begins

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Travel Alert: CMH to Permanently Close Popular ‘Walking Lot’ This May for $2B Terminal Expansion

COLUMBUS Travelers who frequently fly out of John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) are about to lose a favorite parking option. The Columbus Regional Airport Authority has officially confirmed that the popular Walking Lot will close its gates for good on May 4, 2026. This move marks one of the first major physical changes on … Read more

Judge Temporarily Blocks Ohio Hemp Law for Two Businesses While Franklin County Court Allows Enforcement to Continue

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Hemp Law Limbo: Franklin County Retailers Face Stricter Rules as Ohio Court Rulings Split on SB 56

COLUMBUS, Ohio An Ohio judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of the state’s new marijuana and hemp law for two businesses, while a separate ruling in Franklin County allows the law to remain in effect — creating a split legal landscape for Columbus-area retailers. A Sandusky County Common Pleas Court judge issued a temporary restraining order … Read more