Federal approval lands for Ohio's SNAP sugary drink ban, BrewDog shutters two Columbus taprooms amid global closures, and 100,000 descend on downtown for the Arnold this weekend.

Good morning, Columbus. It's 53° right now and climbing to 65° under heavy rain.

100% chance, so leave the umbrella by the door and grab it on your way out. The kind of day where you'll be glad you did.

📍 Ohio gets federal OK to ban sugary drinks from SNAP purchases

Starting October 1, Ohio SNAP recipients won't be able to buy soda, energy drinks, or anything with sugar as a primary ingredient. Ohio joins Missouri in testing the policy.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Ohio's request to prohibit the purchase of drinks with sugar, corn syrup, or high-fructose corn syrup listed as the first ingredient using benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The ban takes effect Oct. 1.

The restriction applies to soda, energy drinks, sweetened teas, and similar beverages.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Director Matt Damschroder called it "a meaningful step toward better health outcomes."

Anti-hunger advocates say the policy restricts choice without addressing food access issues in low-income neighborhoods, where grocery stores with fresh produce are often scarce. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities argues that restrictions on nutrition assistance don't change eating habits—they just make recipients feel stigmatized.

The policy also comes as federal work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program expanded Feb. 1. These requirements mandate that able-bodied adults without dependents work or participate in work programs for at least 20 hours per week to maintain benefits.

The expansion now includes veterans, adults ages 55-64, and parents with children over 13 who were previously exempt.

If you're on the program, nothing changes until October. After that, your EBT card will decline sugary drinks at checkout.

State officials haven't detailed how retailers will implement the restrictions at point of sale.

📍 BrewDog shuts two Columbus taprooms as company sold, hundreds lose jobs

The Scottish brewery's U.S. expansion unraveled fast. Two Columbus locations closed last month, now a sale and global closures. Canal Winchester HQ stays open, but the brand's local footprint just shrunk hard.

BrewDog abruptly closed its Short North and Franklinton taprooms last month without explanation. Now the company has been sold, though details on the buyer and terms weren't disclosed. Dozens of global locations are shuttering, and staff at closed locations lost their jobs.

BrewDog's U.S. headquarters remains in Canal Winchester, but the closure of two high-profile Columbus taprooms signals trouble for a brand that once positioned itself as punk rock craft beer. The company released a brief social media statement about making "tough choices."

The Canal Winchester brewery is still operational. For how long? Depends on the mystery buyer.

📍 Palm and Spice Mediterranean: The Cleveland Ave spot you need to know

Fresh lamb and beef over rice, kind staff, and somehow flying under the radar. Worth checking out if you're in the area.

A Cleveland Ave restaurant just south of 161, near the Kroger plaza, is earning praise on r/Columbus for its Mediterranean food. Palm and Spice serves lamb and beef plates with rice that locals describe as juicy, flavorful, and served hot.

One Redditor called it "so tasty and fresh" and promised to return for the chicken dinners. Another said they'd been sleeping on it and regretted waiting so long. Columbus has no shortage of Mediterranean spots, but this one's getting the kind of word-of-mouth that matters.

⚡ Quick Hits

• Youth gun violence town hall held last night at East High School brought students, city leaders, and police together. The meeting came three days after a Columbus City Schools student was shot earlier this week in the Martin Luther King library parking lot. Students told officials trusted adults make them feel safe, not metal detectors.

• The Arnold Sports Festival returns to the Greater Columbus Convention Center this weekend for its 38th year, bringing 100,000 people from 50 states and 80 countries. Experience Columbus projects $16.8 million in local spending.

  Downtown businesses like Novak's Tavern are preparing for the surge with extra inventory and staff.

• Medical teams prepped for Arnold emergencies by running drills on scenarios like transporting a 400-pound athlete, treating a bodybuilder cardiac event, and handling multi-victim incidents. Dr. Ben Bring's 170-person team practices unique injury scenarios every year.

• FBI assisting investigations into bomb threats called into multiple central Ohio schools, including Metro Early College, Columbus Alternative High School, Worthington Kilbourne, Thomas Worthington, schools in Bexley and Gahanna. All were deemed non-credible, but the disruption rattled students and staff across the region.

📜 On This Day

In 1940, Mary Rose Oakar was born in Cleveland. She became the first Democratic woman elected to Congress from Ohio and the first Arab American woman to serve in Congress. Two barriers at once.

Oakar represented Cleveland's west side for nearly two decades, championing women's rights, immigrant communities, and workers. She pushed through pay equity legislation and fought for family leave before it was mainstream. A trailblazer in a body that didn't make room for her easily, she carved the path anyway.

Heavy rain all day. Don't forget the umbrella. See you Friday.

Before coffee. Before the chaos.