Belinda M. Paschal Covers Features and Entertainment for The Dispatch

The veteran reporter shares a glimpse into her diverse beat covering arts, culture, and more in Columbus.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 9:35am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Belinda M. Paschal, a features reporter for The Columbus Dispatch, gives an update on her beat covering arts, entertainment, and things to do in Columbus and central Ohio. She discusses the variety of stories she gets to tell, from profiling famous people with Columbus ties to reporting on trending topics like the reality show "Love is Blind." Paschal also shares some of her upcoming projects, including tracking the transformation of a historic downtown church into a new music venue and contributing to the Dispatch's Astronaut 250 project.

Why it matters

As a veteran journalist, Paschal's insights provide a behind-the-scenes look at the evolving nature of local journalism and the creative ways reporters are working to keep readers informed, engaged, and entertained. Her diverse beat reflects the vibrant arts and culture scene in Columbus, a growing city that is often overshadowed by larger Midwest metros.

The details

Paschal covers a wide range of topics on her beat, from theater and music to museums and comedy. She maintains close relationships with sources in the local arts community as well as national entities like record labels and concert promoters. In addition to long-form stories, she writes breaking news and trending pieces that cater to reader interests online. Paschal has also taken on new initiatives, such as a monthly "fun facts" feature profiling famous people with Columbus ties and a streamlined weekly "things to do" list to free up time for more in-depth reporting.

  • Paschal has been with The Columbus Dispatch for almost 4 years.
  • In January 2026, the Dispatch launched the new "fun facts" feature that Paschal contributes to.
  • Paschal will be tracking the transformation of a historic downtown church into a new music venue throughout 2026, with the venue projected to open in 2027.
  • In September 2026, Paschal will contribute to the Dispatch's Astronaut 250 project spotlighting 25 astronauts from Ohio.

The players

Belinda M. Paschal

A veteran features reporter for The Columbus Dispatch, covering arts, entertainment, and things to do in Columbus and central Ohio.

Emily Rohozen

The dedicated features editor at The Columbus Dispatch who works closely with Paschal.

Twenty One Pilots

A popular band from Columbus that Paschal has covered extensively, dubbing herself the "Official Twenty One Pilots Correspondent."

Chris Fusco

A cast member from the reality show "Love is Blind" that Paschal recently reported on in a trending story.

Cybershock

A Queer DJ collective in Columbus that Paschal profiled in one of her favorite stories of 2026 so far.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Even after 35 years in this business, I still have room to learn, grow and improve. I always will, even when I'm a retired stay-at-home mom of 19 cats.”

— Belinda M. Paschal, Features Reporter (The Columbus Dispatch)

“Your job must be really fun!”

— Unidentified source (The Columbus Dispatch)

“One of the greatest compliments I can receive is not just for writing pretty words, but for accurate reporting.”

— Belinda M. Paschal, Features Reporter (The Columbus Dispatch)

What’s next

Paschal will be tracking the transformation of the historic Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Columbus into a new music venue throughout 2026, with the venue projected to open in 2027. She will also contribute to the Dispatch's Astronaut 250 project in September 2026, spotlighting 25 astronauts from Ohio.

The takeaway

Paschal's diverse beat and creative approaches to storytelling reflect the evolving nature of local journalism and the need to keep readers informed, engaged, and entertained across a wide range of arts, culture, and entertainment topics. Her insights provide a unique window into the life of a veteran features reporter working to cover the vibrant and ever-changing landscape of a growing city like Columbus.