Siena Kessler

Journalism student at The Ohio State University

Editor of Arts & Life at The Lantern

The Lantern •

The Lox Bagel Shop blends New York and Montreal influences in Columbus’ growing bagel scene

In New York and New Jersey, bagel shops are as common as coffee shops. Kevin Crowley said he wants Columbus to be part of that culture.

Crowley, the owner of The Lox Bagel Shop, opened the restaurant in 2018 at 772 N. High St. after seeing an opportunity to bring the bagel culture he knew from the East Coast to central Ohio. As The Lox prepares to open its second location at Polaris later this fall, Crowley said he hopes the expansion will contribute to Columbus’ bagel scene.

“I don’t look at...
The Lantern •

What’s Up: The happiest happy hours around Columbus

Whether you’re looking for sushi, tacos, cocktails or a quick bite after class, Columbus has plenty of happy hour deals throughout the city.

Read on to discover a few spots around the city to check out when the clock strikes happy hour.

698

Located at 698 N. High St., 698 offers happy hour specials Monday through Friday featuring discounted sushi, appetizers and drinks.

General manager Tyler Wright said the restaurant’s happy hour is designed to offer customers a variety of options at a lowe...
The Lantern •

POWR-ZONE grand opening brings sustainable fitness to Columbus community Thursday

POWR-ZONE Columbus, a new fitness and wellness destination, will open its doors Thursday, Sept. 10, with a grand opening that will give attendees a firsthand look at the facility’s fitness equipment, coach-led workouts and sustainable technology.

From 9 a.m. to noon, guests can tour the facility, located at 1020 Dennison Ave., see SportsArt’s equipment and learn about POWR-ZONE’s small-group training programs. Craig Lerner, founder of Involve, said guests can expect to learn how the space combi...
The Lantern •

Episode Review: “Love Island USA” Season 8 reunion revisits drama, relationships and fan-favorite moments

The reunion for the eighth season of “Love Island USA” brought the cast back together to confront unresolved drama, revisit old conflicts and reveal which couples survived outside Fiji and which didn’t.

The reunion, hosted by Ariana Madix, an Emmy-nominated “Love Island” host, and Bravo television personality Andy Cohen, premiered Aug. 31 on Peacock, nearly seven weeks after the season concluded with Trinity Tatum and Bryce Alakai crowned winners. Recorded in front of a live audience in Los Ang...
City Lifestyle •

Living Hollywould Style | Eastern Morris City Lifestyle

Step inside Hollywould Studios and it’s immediately clear — this isn’t a space that holds back. Different colors, fabrics, and textures fill the place, leaving no corner untouched. Located along Main Street in Boonton, this vibrant studio is part gallery, part workspace, reflecting the brilliant mind behind it all: artist and owner Holly Suzanne Rader.

This year marks a major milestone for the studio. “I started in 2016, so now it’s my tenth anniversary,” she said.

Rader's path into art began...
The Lantern •

What’s Up: Activities in and around campus to continue throughout Welcome Week

Ohio State and the Columbus community host a variety of festivities and events throughout Welcome Week, from right on campus to the Short North Arts District, to commemorate the arrival of thousands of new Buckeyes on campus.

Welcome Week for the 2026-27 academic year takes place from Friday, Aug. 21 through Monday, Aug. 31. Read on to learn more about the experiences and events that are available to attend.

Wednesday, August 26th:

This student-focused festival will take place from 6 to 8 p.m...
The Lantern •

A guide to romanticizing the fall semester at Ohio State

The fall semester has officially arrived on Ohio State’s campus, and so has the unofficial season of oversized sweaters, pumpkin-flavored drinks and watching “Gilmore Girls” until way too late into the night.

Read on for plenty of ways to make an everyday routine feel a bit more like a fall movie as classes pick up and the weather cools down.

When walking to class and seeing the trees changing color, it is essential to have the perfect soundtrack to accompany it. To commemorate the season, put...
The Lantern •

The best late-night bites near Ohio State for every craving

While students balance hours-long study sessions, evening classes and weekend outings on their plates, late-night food options have become a staple for every Buckeye.

Many restaurants and eateries in and around the University District offer a range of dining options students can rely on past midnight. Read on to get to know the best places to grab your late-night bite of choice.

Buckeye Donuts

With a longtime presence near Ohio State’s campus since its founding in 1969, Buckeye Donuts remains...
The Lantern •

Hidden gems near Ohio State offer new places to sip, shop and socialize

As students return to campus, many are trading in crowded chains and fast-fashion retailers for spaces that feel more personal to them.

Around Ohio State’s campus, a handful of coffee shops and boutiques are blending aesthetics, affordability and individuality — offering students new places to socialize.

Read on to discover more unique places to find your place in Columbus.

Bada Bean Bada Booze

Located at 231 E. 1st Ave., Bada Bean Bada Booze offers a twist on the traditional campus coffee s...
The Lantern •

As influencers build brands, experts question long-term staying power

Influencers are no longer just promoting products — they’re becoming the brands themselves, turning personal identity into businesses across industries.

The latest example comes from TikTok star Alix Earle, whose recently launched skincare brand, Reale Actives, joins a growing list of influencer-founded companies entering a crowded market. While these brands often launch with instant visibility, marketing experts said their long-term success depends on more than popularity.

“It’s because of th...
The Lantern •

Scarlette Magazine to debut ‘Muse’ issue with launch party at Ohio Union

Scarlette Magazine, a student-led fashion publication at Ohio State, draws inspiration from a wide range of artistic influences, and its upcoming “Muse” issue aims to bring that creativity to life.

The magazine will celebrate the release of its latest edition Friday at the Ohio Union’s Great Hall Meeting Room, with a launch party themed “Fashion Is Art.” The event will feature a thrift pop-up, party favors from Valentino Beauty and Good Molecules — a skincare brand — giveaways and interactive e...
The Lantern •

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ enters new era of fashion and media

Nearly 20 years after “The Devil Wears Prada” became a defining film in fashion and pop culture, its long-awaited sequel is set to release May 1, bringing audiences back into a world very different from the one they saw in 2006.

The sequel will bring back iconic characters such as Andy Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, Miranda Priestly, played by Meryl Streep, Emily Charlton, played by Emily Blunt and Nigel, played by Stanley Tucci, while also introducing new faces. But beyond the cast, experts s...
The Lantern •

Coffee + Cone blends coffee and ice cream in Upper Arlington

A new Upper Arlington shop is drawing in Ohio State students and local families alike by combining two everyday staples — coffee and ice cream — under one roof.

Coffee + Cone at the Mallway, just three miles from campus, opened in January and was created by owner Alyssa Litzinger after she said she saw a gap in her neighborhood.

“My family and I live in the neighborhood, and we have five kids that go to the local schools,” Litzinger said. “We just saw a need for something not only for the kids...
The Lantern •

Is ‘The Pitt’ the most accurate medical drama? Ohio State experts weigh in

After winning five Emmy Awards in 2025, the hit medical drama “The Pitt” is drawing attention not just from viewers, but from the people it portrays: emergency physicians.

Two Ohio State emergency medicine doctors say the series is one of the most accurate depictions of hospital life on television, capturing the pressures and unpredictability of emergency care more realistically than other medical shows.

Dr. Mark Conroy, medical director and associate professor of emergency medicine and sports...
The Lantern •

‘Jury Duty’ season 2 puts reality TV ethics on trial

When the reality show “Jury Duty” premiered, audiences praised its unsuspecting lead for his kindness while questioning the show’s unusual premise: one man believes he is serving on a real jury while everyone around him is an actor.

With a second season that premiered Friday, titled “Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat,” the show’s return has reignited debates about whether its elaborate deception is harmless or unethical. The new season follows a different unsuspecting participant, Anthony, wh...
The Lantern •

How movie theaters are winning back Gen Z

For decades, going to the movies was a college weekend staple, but streaming platforms have changed viewing habits, making the couch  a tough competitor.

A local theater manager and media expert says Gen Z isn’t abandoning moviegoing altogether. Instead, they’re becoming more selective, choosing screenings that feel culturally relevant or communal.

At Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse, assistant manager Tyler Campbell said he has noticed a shift in who has been showing up to screenings in recent y...
The Lantern •

Sweet treats, rooftop views and more: Valentine’s Day spots for Ohio State students

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to mean expensive prix-fixe menus or fancy dinner reservations.

For Ohio State students looking to celebrate, several coffee shops, bakeries and restaurants around campus are offering affordable, festive specials that cater to everyone.

The Guild House

Just south of campus in the Short North, The Guild House is offering Galentine’s Day specials Thursday and Friday leading up to the holiday, along with Valentine’s Day brunch.

According to Rachael Erb, general mana...
The Lantern •

Inside the Columbus Museum of Art’s push to make Art more accessible

For Ohio State students looking to get involved in the art community in an affordable way, the Columbus Museum of Art offers various free and low-cost options designed to make visiting the museum less intimidating.

Lydia Simon, director of marketing and communications at CMA, said the museum is working to disband the perception that art museums are only for certain audiences and out of reach for college students.

“Our mission is to provide transformative experiences through art,” Simon said.....
The Lantern •

Ohio State professors examine podcasts’ growing role in media and education

Podcasts have become a constant presence for many Ohio State students, filling morning commutes across campus and helping them power through workouts.

Once considered niche or informal, podcasts now sit alongside film and music as a major form of entertainment, a shift highlighted by the Golden Globes award show introducing a Best Podcast category for the first time in 2026, which went to Amy Poehler for “Good Hang.”

That shift mirrors how deeply podcasts have become part of pop and campus cul...
The Lantern •

Columbus Coffee Crawl: The Best Places to Curl Up This Winter

Columbus is home to many niche coffee spots, each offering its own ambience, seasonal drinks and form of community gathering.

As the temperature drops, these cafes become fitting stops for a cozy winter coffee crawl to warm up, get comfortable and find out what each spot does best.

Ravellos Coffee

Right in the center of the city at 883 1/2 N. 4th St., Ravellos brings an upscale warmth to  Columbus’ coffee scene; With a spacious interior, the shop welcomes everyone with open arms, according to...
The Lantern •

Ohio State Community Discusses How Fans and Social Media Are Changing Book-to-Film Adaptations

From “The Hunger Games” to “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” popular stories that once lived quietly on the page are now commanding massive amounts of attention on-screen and online.

Fan communities now have the ability to make or break a movie before it even hits theaters. Shaped by passionate readers and social media algorithms, book-to-film adaptations have become much more than entertainment.

With upcoming releases like “People We Meet on Vacation,” “The Housemaid” and “Wuthering Heights,” fil...
The Lantern •

Movie Review: “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie” is cringey, chaotic and kind of charming

Sitting at a brief 80 minutes, the Jonas Brothers’ new film, “A Very Jonas Christmas Movie,” knows exactly what it is and wastes no time pretending otherwise.

It’s an explosive swirl of holiday magic mixed with millennial cringe. The musical-movie is chaotically packed with humor and nostalgia, aimed at true fans of the brothers.

The movie follows the Jonas Brothers as they get stuck in Europe after a spell is cast on them by Santa, preventing them from returning home for Christmas until they...
The Lantern •

Ohio State Students Weigh In on Producer Jack Antonoff’s Lasting Impact on Modern Music

When Ohio State students talk about the modern pop sound, one name comes up most often — Jack Antonoff. From Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” to Lorde’s “Melodrama” and Kendrick Lamar’s “GNX,” Antonoff’s signature style has shaped a generation of artists and listeners.

His influence is a large point of discussion for students studying the business and production side of the music industry. Aanika Bhatia, a fourth-year in international business and president of the Music Industry Club, said Antonoff’...
The Lantern •

The evolution of game day fashion at Ohio State

At Ohio State, football may dominate Saturdays, but fashion has quickly become an integral part of the tradition. Vintage tops and cowboy boots have turned Buckeye gear into curated, trend-driven looks that set the tone for these spirited days.

Averie Ison, a fourth-year in strategic communications and editor-in-chief of Scarlette Magazine, Ohio State’s student-run fashion publication, said students have been crafting more unique looks in recent years.

“Students don’t just throw on a jersey an...
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