With spring upon us in the capital city, we’re all about change. There’s a vibrancy in the air and that’s apparent in our latest roundup of the biggest stories on Columbus Underground. Co-founder and editor Walker Evans sat down to discuss everything from Liz Lessner’s influential legacy to the latest murmurs about when we’ll get passenger rail. There are plenty of renderings to peruse, too.
Read More
There is often a complex interplay between preservation and progress. A year into his exploration, Columbus Underground reporter Jesse Bethea continues to sift through the story of how the removal of remains from what was once the North Market parking lot unfolded. From the contentious removal of centuries-old graves to the forensic analysis of unearthed remains, today’s episode navigates the ethical, legal, and emotional complexities surrounding the issue. In the quest to honor the past while embracing the future, we examine what lies beneath the surface of urban development and confront the ghosts of history that still shape our city today.
Read More
The capital city’s food scene is often heralded. However, its taco truck scene has been often overlooked. Elwood Ellis, a freelance writer for Columbus Underground and self-proclaimed Taco Connoisseur, is trying to change that. Listen in as Elwood shares his journey and criteria for evaluating the diverse and authentic taco scene, emphasizing the importance of not ranking trucks but appreciating their unique offerings. He also discusses adventurous and vegetarian options available at taco trucks, the significance of quality ingredients, and the need for authenticity in dishes like Al Pastor tacos.
Read More
This podcast was not generated by AI. But it may have been influenced by it. As all industries consider how to use artificial intelligence in their work, Walker Evans, Susan Post, and I discuss it relates to journalism, disclosure, and transparency. We cover Columbus Underground’s updated policy on the matter, how content generation should and should not be used in a newsroom, what AI thinks about the Columbus food scene, and a lively debate on the ethical challenges of how this new tool will affect our lives.
Read More
Columbus Underground co-founder and editor Walker Evans discusses a myriad of stories, including the latest in transportation, climate change, local politics, and a dash of comedy here in the capital city.
Read More
As 2023 draws to a close and we stand on the brink of a new year filled with its own stories and surprises, it’s a time for reflection. In our latest podcast episode, we delve into a retrospective journey, revisiting the moments that defined the year for us. Join Walker Evans, Susan Post, and myself as we engage in a lively discussion about the most impactful, intriguing, and talked-about local stories that have unfolded over the past 365 days.
Read More
There’s a balance to be struck between storytelling and getting to the heart of what matters in writing. That’s especially true when writing about the arts.
Since 2015, Grant Walters has been writing about comedy and music for Columbus Underground, and he has stories behind the stories.
Read More
Can a city that doesn’t know it’s history properly tell its own story? This week, I sat down with Columbus Underground staffers Walker Evans and Susan Post to discuss what’s been going on in the capital city. We talked about the upcoming election, new and upcoming restaurants, the relevance of history in reporting, and the city’s changing retail landscape.
Read More
In anticipation of this fall’s election, the Confluence Cast is endeavoring to introduce Columbus voters to the twelve council and two mayoral candidates, in their own words. As an introduction, I sat down with Columbus Underground Co-Founder Walker Evans to discuss the interviews, what listeners can expect, and offer a preview of the throughlines for how candidates think about the future of Columbus.
Read More
Journalism is a balancing act. Today, a conversation about the challenges facing journalism. This episode was recorded at the Gateway Film Center as part of their series Broadcast News: Journalism on Film. The discussion features Columbus Underground’s own Walker Evans, Susan Tebben from Ohio Capital Journal, and Michael Ouimette from the American Journalism Project. They discuss the challenges facing journalism today, including the rapid changes in media outlets, the impact of the culture wars, and threats to journalists’ personal lives.
Read More
In the land surrounding the North Market, there are bodies. “Any time you stick a shovel in the ground out there, you’re gonna find somebody,” says one expert. As developers prepare to erect the 31-story Merchant Building, Columbus Underground reporter Jesse Bethea has been covering the removal of remains from what was once the North Graveyard, a site that pre-dates Columbus. Today, we discuss what is happening at the site, the work that should have been done 150 years ago, and the opportunity that Columbus has to look back at its history.
Read More
At the risk of sounding like a broken record that you’ve heard before: Voting is important. On the occasion of next week’s midterm election, David DeWitt, the editor-in-chief of the Ohio Capital Journal sat down with the Confluence Cast this week to discuss how the political landscape has changed in the last two years, the Ohio Supreme Court races and the issues that will be decided as a result of them, the Ohio governor’s race, of course, the US senate race, and why it is so important to vote.
Read More