A new service launching in Columbus wants to get you to destinations such as Pittsburgh and New York City at a fraction of the cost of traveling by air.

FlixBus will begin offering a route connecting Columbus and New York City, with stops in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia, on March 5. The cost to travel from Columbus to NYC will be around $29.99, and just $9.99 will get you to Pittsburgh.

Aside from its low prices, FlixBus sets itself apart with amenities such as free on-board wifi, power outlets at every seat, free on-board entertainment through an app, and free carry-on and checked luggage.

For information on FlixBus' rates, routes and more, check out their website.

In a groundbreaking scientific breakthrough, two cheetah cubs have been born through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer into a surrogate mother at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

While the cubs’ biological mother is Kibibi, the cubs—one male, one female—were delivered on Wednesday, February 19 by Isabelle (Izzy).

Izzy, a first-time mom, has been providing great care to her cubs at this time, reported the Columbus Zoo in a release.

“These two cubs may be tiny but they represent a huge accomplishment, with expert biologists and zoologists working together to create this scientific marvel,” said Dr. Randy Junge, the Columbus Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Health. “This achievement expands scientific knowledge of cheetah reproduction, and may become an important part of the species’ population management in the future.”

According to the release, attempts to artificially inseminate cheetahs often have not been successful, with the last one occurring in 2003. The achievement at the Columbus Zoo brings the potential to help ensure the survival of cheetahs in their native range.

“I am very proud of the team for this accomplishment,” said Jason Ahistus, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Carnivore Curator. “It gives the cheetah conservation community another tool to use in cheetah management, both in situ and ex situ. It really opens the door to many new opportunities that can help the global cheetah population. This is a big win for the cheetah.”

Started as a small improv group around the fall of 2012, Hashtag Comedy Co. has since grown into a full-fledged improv comedy company offering shows, classes, and training to comedy fans in Central Ohio. 

Now, Hashtag has announced a new downtown headquarters to help keep the laughs coming. Opening Summer 2020 at 346 E Long St. at the corner of Long and Grant in downtown Columbus, the venue will focus on improv comedy but also provide audiences with standup, sketch, and variety shows.

“Opening a space for people to be creative and showcase their comedy has been a dream of ours for nearly our entire time together,” Sarah J Storer, founding member, co-owner and Artistic Director at The Hashtag Comedy Company says on their website. “When this opportunity came to us to open a venue in the heart of the city we love, we knew it was the right time and place to make it happen.”

The venue will hold 45-55 patrons on most nights, but can open to accommodate up to 90 for specialty shows and engagements. Stocked with a bar in the theater space and right next door to gourmet to-go kitchen Cluster Truck, patrons will be able to enjoy a great meal and a drink while taking in a show. Classes and corporate workshops will occupy the space during weekends and non-show nights as well as working hours during the day. 

To learn more about how you can get involved with The Hashtag Comedy Company, visit hashtagcomedy.com