There’s been no shortage of news this week across our nation and here in Columbus.
Today, Dispatch.com features full coverage of the 2025 Stonewall Columbus Pride Festival and March held June 14. Look for stories, photos and videos.
We also have coverage of the military parade held in Washington, D.C., and “No Kings” protests across Ohio.
At the Statehouse, the two-year state budget has passed the Senate and now heads to a conference committee to resolve many differences from the House-approved plan. Gov. DeWine must sign a budget by June 30.
This massive bill has many implications for all of our lives, as Reporter Haley BeMiller reports.
Inside today’s cover story
You might be surprised to learn how many people die without any loved ones prepared to handle their final arrangements.
Under state law, the city of Columbus had to pay for burial or cremation for more than 500 people last year. That number includes families who want to do the right thing but can’t afford proper funeral or burial costs.
In today’s cover story, reporter Danae King tells the story of how one funeral home is going beyond what’s required to make sure these people are properly cared for in death.
King also reports the number of people in need of indigent burials is increasing as homeless counts grow and more people become aware of the efforts of Day Funeral Services.
I’ll save more details for King’s story, which you can find inside this section. You’ll also find some beautiful photography from our Courtney Hergesheimer, who visited a Delaware County property used to spread ashes.
We believe this is an important story to raise awareness of a growing need in our community and to share what compassionate people are doing to bring comfort to those coping with grief.
Top stories
Below you will find links to some of our top stories from the past week.
We appreciate our subscribers and their support for local journalism.
Michael Shearer is the executive editor of The Columbus Dispatch and Dispatch.com. He can be reached at mshearer@dispatch.com, 614-245-0358 or on BlueSky at @michaeljshearer.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Full coverage of a busy Saturday, state budget and more
Reporting by Michael Shearer, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
