Columbus Can't Afford to Shoo Its Rats

Problem: Columbus has lots of rats. Bigger problem: Columbus doesn't have money to deal with its rats. Very unsatisfying solution for residents: The Ohio capital city is posting fliers in hard-hit areas and trying to educate people about the ways of rats instead of, say, actually removing the rats, reports the Columbus Dispatch. The city dealt with a similar problem successfully about seven years ago, but the current public health budget has no funds for rat control. Lawmakers will get a chance to amend the spending plan early next year. One woman quoted has trapped 22 in her yard so far. (More Columbus stories.)