Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Meet Gri! She is up for adoption at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.

Gri is 8 years old and has been with the shelter for a couple of months. Staff say she is your typical senior dog who will have some spurts of energy to play, but loves to relax and snuggle up.

Staff say Gri recently went on a couple of sleepovers and was described as a "cuddle bug." She is looking for a family where she can go on walks with you and be adventurous, but will be a couch potato at the end of the day.

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Shelter staff say she can be a little selective with her dog friends, so a meet and greet with your residential dog is recommended before moving forward in adopting her. Staff say she would do well with adults or even families with older children.

Gri's adoption fee is waived and is available for $18. If you are interested in Gri, you can meet with her at the shelter, located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. in Columbus. For a full list of other adoptable dogs, visit the shelter's website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — With the Buckeyes off this weekend, it is the perfect chance for people to hit the road and explore central Ohio’s festivals and outdoor fun.

The Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival in Laurelville features thousands of hand-blown pumpkins and live glassblowing, while the Mohican Bigfoot Festival in Loudonville offers everything from river trips to Bigfoot speakers and photo ops. Runners and hikers can head to Hocking Hills State Park for the 47th annual Trail Run through caves, waterfalls, and scenic gorges.

For sports fans staying in town, the Columbus Clippers wrap up a series against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park, and the Columbus Crew takes on Toronto FC at Lower.com Field.

Live entertainment lovers can catch MadLab’s surreal play “Clowntime is Over,” or laugh along at Comedy Night at Nostalgia Brewing in Gahanna. Meanwhile, music fans have two chances to see Cody Johnson at Nationwide Arena.

Rounding out the weekend are events for every interest, from the North Market Wine Fest at Bridge Park to the Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens and DogFest North Central, a family- and dog-friendly fundraiser featuring service dog demonstrations. Additionally, the citywide Cartoon Crossroads Columbus festival showcases comics and animation through films and discussions. Families can enjoy free activities and entertainment at the Maloney Park Cap City Festival.

Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) 2025

Various locations around Columbus, through Sept. 22
• Cartoon Crossroads Columbus (CXC) is an annual comics art and animation festival across the city of Columbus. The event brings internationally renowned cartoonists and animators to give talks, presentations and sell their work. This year's show features Jhonen Vasquez, John Musker, Charles Burns and more, as well as a new international manga programming track.

Columbus Clippers vs. Omaha Storm Chasers

Huntington Park, through Sept. 22
• Columbus Clippers, Triple-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, will play the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park. Admission is $6 to $21.
• Game Times:
September 18: 6:15 p.m.
September 19: 7:05 p.m.
September 20: 7:05 p.m.
September 21: 1:05 p.m.

NBC4 File photo Comedy Night at Nostalgia Brewing

Nostalgia Brewing Co., 81 Mill St., Gahanna, Friday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m.
• Next Stop Comedy is back with a night of high-energy performances featuring new comedians and nonstop good vibes. Each show has a new lineup with no drink minimum. Performances may contain adult content. Refunds are available until showtime. Admission is $25.

Cody Johnson

Nationwide Arena, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20, 7:30 p.m.
• Cody Johnson will perform his Leather Deluxe Tour at Nationwide Arena. Friday special guests Clint Black and Drew Baldridge. Saturday special guests Ian Munsick and Walker Montgomery. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $80 and up.

Cody Johnson performs "Til You Can't" during the 56th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) MadLab 'Clowntime is Over'

MadLab, 227 N. 3rd. St., Columbus, Thursday, Sept. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 4
• A surreal comedy suffused with dread, “Clowntime” is one of MadLab’s best-received shows. “Clowntime” tells the tale of Max P. Twinkle, a television clown who lives to entertain — because he is too exhausted by life to do anything else. Today, however, is different, as he finds himself trapped in a room with a bitter llama, a loveless bunny rabbit and a fitfully hungry serpent that may destroy them all. All shows start at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 to $20.

Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival

Laurelville, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19 to 21
• This nationally ranked festival showcases thousands of hand-blown glass pumpkins, live glassblowing, regional artists, food trucks, music, and family-friendly activities. Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Festivalgoers are encouraged to carpool and reserve VIP Advance Discount Parking for $5 at GlassPumpkinFestival.com. Guests who reserve parking receive a $5 coupon towards their Jack Pine pumpkin purchase. Plenty of day-of parking is available for $10 per car. Admission is free.

Photo Courtesy/ Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival Maloney Park Cap City Festival

Maloney Park, 1701 Joyce Ave, Columbus, Friday, Sept. 19, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• An afternoon of free fun and entertainment for the whole family. With activities, resources and food in a safe and enjoyable environment. Admission is free.

North Market Wine Fest at Bridge Park

North Market Bridge Park, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 19 and 20
• The wine festival will take place at North Market Bridge Park in Dublin, Ohio. This two-day event brings distributors and wineries from around the world. Hours are Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $60 to $85, which includes taste tickets and food vouchers.

Mohican Bigfoot Festival

Lost Horizons Campground Friday, Sept. 19 & Downtown Loudonville, Saturday, Sept. 20
• Friday's activities feature a river trip, thermal drone demo, community campfire, Bigfoot shows, and activities for kids. On Saturday, there will be downtown sidewalk sales, food and merchandise vendors, speakers at the Ohio Theatre, photo ops with a nine-foot Bigfoot, a Walk Like a Bigfoot contest, a Bigfoot sighting board, and DJ Wolf Rock Radio, Brian Wolf.

• Speakers at the Ohio Theatre include Larry Sidwell of BFRO West Virginia, Rod Rodabaugh an Ohio Bigfoot investigator, Bea Mills of the Hocking Hills Bigfoot Festival, Shane Grove, “From the Shadows” podcaster and keynote speaker, Matt Pruitt, author of “The Phenomenal Sasquatch” and producer and editor of “Bigfoot and Beyond Podcast with Cliff and Bobo.”

A dark, scary concept of a mysterious Bigfoot figure walking through a forest, silhouetted against trees. Adobe Stock. Hocking Hills Trail Run

Hocking Hills State Park, Saturday, Sept. 20
• The 47th annual trail run offers distances from 5K to 60K on scenic courses winding past waterfalls, caves, and gorges. All runners will be equipped with chip timing devices. Races meet and finish at the Hocking Hills State Park Naturalist Cabin, 19852 S.R. 664 S in Hocking County.  Refreshments will be available for runners after their races. All races must start before 11 a.m. and end by 3 p.m. to be considered for timing and awards. The event also welcomes walkers and leashed pets. Each participant receives a medallion handcrafted by local high school art students and a t-shirt. Cost is $25 for the 5K run, $35 for the 10K, and $45 for 20K, 40K and 60K routes, with day-of signup offered for an additional $10.

Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC

Lower.com Field, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.
• Columbus Crew is set to host Toronto FC. Tickets are $41 and up

Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens

Short North, Sunday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• From Queen Anne mansion to fashionable farmhouse, this year’s tour showcases the unique, eclectic character that is the Short North. A self-guided exploration through the Short North’s Victorian Village and Italian Village neighborhoods, highlighting exceptional restoration, innovative renovation and use of outdoor spaces. The tour starts at the Goodale Park Gazebo, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus. There are free shuttles to all nine tour stops. Tickets are $25 each.

• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens
• Photo Courtesy/ Short North Tour of Homes & Gardens

DogFest

Canine Companions North Central Training Center, Sunday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• DogFest North Central is a community festival benefiting Canine Companions, the nation’s leading nonprofit provider of expertly trained service dogs. DogFest is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event featuring amazing service dog skill demonstrations, music, local vendors, food trucks, activities for kids and the ribbon cutting of Canine Companions North Central’s new, fully accessible playground. Every dollar raised helps provide service dogs — free of charge — to adults, children and veterans with disabilities. NBC4 anchor Andrea Robinson as she emcees the event.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As Columbus City Schools works to cut $50 million annually from its budget, the district is weighing major transportation changes.

“I think we would all agree that the state’s not coming to save us,” Treasurer Ryan Cook said. “And now the feds aren’t helping. I think we have to begin to attack it with urgency."

At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Cook offered an updated financial forecast, which now projects positive cash balances into fiscal year 2030, one year later than previously projected. However, Cook said the district still needs to cut $50 million annually from the budget, and should brace for additional cuts in the future.

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Although Superintendent Angela Chapman won't present her recommendations until November, the district is already considering major changes to transportation. On Sept. 11, the district mulled giving all high school students Central Ohio Transit Authority passes or doing away with high school transportation entirely. The state only requires public districts to transport students through eighth grade.

Giving COTA passes to high schoolers would allow them to take public transportation instead of relying on school busing. The district said it would save an estimated $4.7 million annually and remove the need for 50 buses. Cutting high school transportation entirely would save the district $7.2 million annually but would place the burden of transportation onto families.

The district said either option would also help Columbus City Schools save money in noncompliance fines. Ohio public schools are required to provide transportation for students who live within district boundaries and go to charter schools. Rodney Stufflebean, executive director of transportation, explained to school board members in August that the state fines public districts that receive transportation complaints from nonpublic schools.

After a fifth complaint from nonpublic schools, CCS must pay $161,000 per day for violations. However, there is no timeline for when nonpublic schools have to file complaints. Stufflebean said in April, nonpublic schools filed numerous complaints from the previous August, so CCS was unable to address the issues and avoid the fines.

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Stufflebean said the district spends $77 million each year on transportation, but noncompliance fines raise costs over $100 million. He said the district had successfully reduced its fees from $22 million to $1.4 million before it was hit with new fines in April, driving the fees back up to $15 million.

Shufflebean said although the district gets a reimbursement for all nonpublic students it transports, the cost to transport nonpublic students exceeds state funding allotments. Chapman said many Ohio districts have shifted to the state minimum of who they need to transport, something she said CCS has not done. She said after the pandemic, CCS continued to operate transportation as it had before COVID-19, despite having 200 fewer bus drivers.

Cook said providing COTA transportation to high schoolers would reduce the chance for fines, and removing high school transportation would eliminate 9-12 noncompliance fines entirely. Cook said the district does not budget for fines, so they always represent a direct revenue loss.

Although removing transportation would save the most money, board members recognized the responsibility that placed on families. As part of the Tuesday meeting the board discussed their recent state report card and areas for improvement. The report card placed the district's chronic absentee rate at 52.6%, which is unlikely to be bettered by placing the responsibility of getting to school on families.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Some Ohio residents are pushing the state to remove its motto, “With God, all things are possible,” over concerns that it promotes a specific religion. 

Tyquawn Darrisaw, 21, of Cleveland, started an online petition on Sept. 8 to urge the state’s legislature to get rid of Ohio’s motto, which is a direct quote from the Bible, specifically Matthew 19:26. Darrisaw said that the state’s use of a religious motto “conflicts with the principle of government neutrality” and raises concerns regarding the separation of church and state.

“We should have a state motto that represents all residents equally, regardless of their religious beliefs,” Darrisaw said. “The current motto may alienate non-religious citizens and those of different faiths, potentially conveying state endorsement of a particular religious belief.”

The petition has a goal of 1,000 signatures and had just under 600 as of Wednesday. Darrisaw said he has used the social media platform Reddit to help the effort gain momentum and plans to print flyers. If the petition does not reach its goal, Darrisaw said he intends to continue his effort, but “not necessarily in a public way.”

“If we hit 1,000, the next step would be to go out in public, talk to people, gather written signatures and put up posters,” Darrisaw said. “I don’t think 1,000 signatures alone will create change; we’d need a lot more support to truly make a difference.”

A handful of states have mottos with generic references to God, but Ohio is the only state with a motto that contains a direct quote from the Bible. 

Ohio has a history of controversial mottos. In 1866, the legislature approved the motto “Imperium in Imperio” – a Latin phrase meaning “An Empire Within an Empire” – but it faced public backlash over its “pretentious feudal meaning,” according to the Ohio Historical Society. Therefore, the legislation was repealed a year later. 

After about 92 years without a state motto, Ohio adopted “With God, all things are possible” in 1959. The change came after 12-year-old Cincinnati resident James Mastronardo collected signatures and testified before the legislature in support of the motto, which was one of his mother’s favorite phrases, according to the state website. 

That motto has also faced opposition, and not just in the form of Darrisaw’s petition. In 1997, the American Civil Liberties Union sued Ohio, alleging the motto improperly intertwines government and religion. A three-judge panel for the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals initially sided with the ACLU, ruling the motto is a government endorsement of the Christian faith. However, upon a review by the full court, the decision was reversed, with judges concluding the motto was a “generic” reference to God and did not mention any one religion. 

Ohio’s state website also claims the motto is “not intended to endorse a specific deity, but instead stands as a generic expression of optimism.” 

Federal courts have long held that generic references to God are permitted under the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment – which prohibits the government from establishing a religion – including phrases like “In God We Trust” on currency and “one Nation under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance. 

But Darrisaw argued Ohio’s motto, which originates from the Christian faith, potentially conveys a state endorsement of a particular religious belief. He said this could lead people of other faiths to feel the state does not represent them equally. 

He also argued having the motto on items everyone uses, such as a driver’s license, is unfair because it could put nonbelievers in an uncomfortable position, forcing them to carry a message they may not agree with. 

“This isn’t about attacking anyone’s beliefs,” Darrisaw said. “I respect everyone’s beliefs, even if they don’t always respect mine. It’s about making Ohio a place that’s fair and welcoming for everyone, without putting labels on people.”

The state’s motto can be seen in a variety of places, including on the letterheads of some state and county agencies, the Franklin County flag, an engraving near the Ohio Statehouse and driver’s licenses. 

NBC4 asked the Ohio Council of Churches — a partnership of 17 Christian denominations encompassing 4,000 congregations — for its stance on the effort. Executive Director Rev. Jack Sullivan, Jr. sent the following statement:

“Rather than serving as a motto of a religiously diverse state, a better use of scripture is to inspire adherents to model their faith through loving their neighbors, working for justice, and teaching nonviolence and peacemaking. Such compelling, scripture-based Christian faith actions have greater potential to influence the public than any motto.”

Spokespeople for Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Ohio Statehouse did not respond to requests for comment.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's governor-appointed work group has less than two weeks to complete its property tax relief solutions.

The Property Tax Reform Work Group has until Sept. 30 to issue a report with concrete proposals to address Ohio's high property taxes. The 11-person group of politicians, auditors and superintendents must find a way to reduce Ohioans' property tax burdens without bankrupting local schools or public services, which rely on property tax revenue. See previous coverage of the group in the video player above.

Former state Representative Bill Seitz co-chairs the work group and said he and his fellow co-chair, President and CEO of the Ohio Business Round Table Pat Tiberi, will present their recommendations to the rest of the group at a meeting Thursday afternoon. Seitz said the group will flesh out the co-chairs' suggestions and he hopes to come out of the meeting with a consensus of what they will recommend at the end of the month.

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Seitz said many of the ideas they've considered are good ones but would likely be too expensive. He said the Ohio Legislature has indicated they will not spend large amounts of money offsetting tax relief plans that require new revenue sources for schools or resources.

Seitz said one idea they are strongly considering is an amended version of House Bill 186, which would limit school districts from increasing property taxes higher than the rate of inflation. The proposal adjusts a complicated property tax law known as the 20-mill floor.

The 20-mill floor ensures school districts receive at least 2% of the total property value within district boundaries. For example, if all of the homes and buildings within a district's boundaries have a total value of $1 billion, then the 20-mill floor ensures that district gets at least $20 million -- 2% -- in property tax revenue.

Although the 20-mill floor protects school funding, it can spike taxes for community members when property values rise quickly. H.B. 186 suggests limiting how much tax revenue schools at the 20-mill floor can take in, ensuring it is at or lower than the rate of inflation. This would prevent dramatic property tax increases, but could lead to schools collecting less revenue.

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H.B. 186 recommends using tax credits, calculated every three years for each individual property, to prevent schools from collecting too much money. Ohio school districts are funded by both local property taxes and state funding. Under current law, state funding calculations would not automatically offset funding losses from a tax credit program.

The bill combats that by adjusting how the state calculates financing. It redirects the state formula to reflect when a district runs into the new tax credit cap. This would trigger changes in the state's funding formula to indicate the district needs more state support.

Seitz said the group will also hear suggestions that may provide smaller relief. For example, he said they would discuss giving school districts a bigger say when cities decide to offer developments property tax breaks. Local governments do not always consult school districts when offering tax breaks, costing schools.

"It's easy to give away other people's money," Seitz said.

Seitz said he is "very optimistic" the group will present feasible property tax solutions by their deadline. He said they hope to reach a consensus Thursday so they can use the remaining time to iron out their plan's details and write their report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- People around central Ohio may have noticed their noses are runny, their eyes are itchy, and they are sneezing quite a bit because ragweed pollen is increasing, triggering fall allergies.

Local allergists said these symptoms probably aren’t going away any time soon. In fact, Dr. Rekha Raveendran, the Director of Allergy and Immunology at OSU’s Wexner Medical Center, said it may get worse before it gets better.

“Now it’s moderate. It's heading toward high. So in the next couple of weeks, it's going to start peaking. And so you're going to see worse and worse allergies. More stuffy noses, more itchy, watery eyes. That's all kind of coming forward for us,” said Dr. Raveendran.

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Local allergists said they are seeing an influx of people suffering from allergies.

However, fall allergies can be a bit harder to diagnose because more illnesses occur in the fall.

Dr. Farah Khan, an allergist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said it’s especially hard to recognize in kids.

“The one thing that I always tell parents is if it's become like a pattern year in and year out and you're like, the itchy eyes only get better with some oral antihistamines, and this goes on for several weeks, I would say come see an allergist,” said Dr. Khan.

It can take years for children to even be diagnosed with allergies.

“It’s the chronicity of symptoms. And if you start to notice a pattern like my kid is five and every year for the last few years when we are cooling back down, he is sneezy and itchy, then yeah, it might be time for an allergist,” said Dr. Khan.

No matter the age, allergy symptoms are pretty much the same: runny nose, congestion, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, and maybe even some coughing.

Treatment is the same, too, and allergists recommend oral antihistamines, nasal sprays, and eye drops.

Dr. Raveendran said people will likely be dealing with fall allergies for weeks or months.

“They’re generally getting worse every year. And I think it's because the seasons are sort of melding together,” said Dr. Raveendran. “Our frosts are kind of getting a little bit later. So the weeds are staying out a lot longer. So you tend to have symptoms a lot longer.”

Besides medication, people can also make some changes at home that could help relieve symptoms, including immediately showering and changing clothes after being outdoors.

It’s all about keeping the pollen away from you.

“Keeping windows closed at home or in the car, even if it's a beautiful day, because otherwise all that pollen is rushing into your face if you're driving around the car or settling on the furniture. And then there's no difference with being inside versus outside,” said Dr. Khan.

People will feel some relief as the weather gets colder, but they won’t be free from those fall allergies until the first frost kills the weeds. That could happen anytime between mid-October and early December.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 9-month-old child is in critical condition after police were alerted to injuries possibly pointing to foul play.

Columbus Fire medics were called to the 900 block of North Fourth Street just after 5 p.m. on reports of an unresponsive 9-month-old male.

Columbus police say they were alerted by Nationwide Children's Hospital around 6:30 p.m. that the 9-month-old child had sustained injuries believed to be caused by foul play. A spokesperson for CPD says they arrived at the house and detained all adults present in the home.

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Police say the 9-month-old boy is in extremely critical condition, and they are unsure if he will survive his injuries. Another toddler was present at the home when police arrived, but they were unharmed.

None of the adults detained have been formally charged, as the investigation is ongoing. Details on the injuries of the 9-month-old were not available at this time.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As Columbus Public Health (CPH) works to get students the vaccines they need to be in school, its commissioner also has her eye on vaccines at the national level.

CPH's immunization clinic is usually busy around this time of year as families get their kids the vaccines they're required to have to be in school.

“Usually, this time of year it’s exploding with parents and kids who are trying to get vaccinated," said Dr. Mysheika Roberts, Health Commissioner of CPH.

This is the week Columbus City Schools will let families know if children won't be allowed at school because they were not up to date on vaccines, according to Roberts.

“I think this exclusion week we’ve seen less people coming in the building, but I really think that is due to the efforts we made back in August to get those families vaccinated early, get those kids vaccinated early so they were never excluded from school in the first place," Roberts said.

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This year, CPH had events on two Saturdays in August where almost 400 kids were vaccinated. CPH also shared the number of vaccines given through their immunization clinic over the entirety of recent years. They administered 19,439 in 2022, not including COVID-19 vaccines, 25,654 in 2023, and 32,355 in 2024.

“The individuals who come into our clinic to get vaccinated, I would say yes, our numbers are back to the pre-pandemic levels, particularly for this time of year, for back to school," Roberts said.

Roberts is also paying attention to a national meeting this week related to vaccines. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets on Thursday and Friday.

"They have a pretty full agenda where they’re going to be looking at some vaccines that have been around for a long time, and have been proven to be safe and effective, so all are waiting to figure out what they’re going to say and what decisions they might make," Roberts said.

Roberts was appointed to the committee, but found out she was no longer wanted on it before her tenure started. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced the panel with new members, including several with histories of being anti-vaccine.

“I’m anxious, but if I had to be honest with you, I'm curious to see what they’re going to do, but it's very unlikely that their decisions will change my perspective on vaccines and who should get which vaccines and at which intervals," Roberts said.

Votes related to the Hepatitis B, MMRV, and COVID-19 vaccines are all on ACIP's agenda.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Community members protested at the statehouse today for “Fair Maps Day” as advocates were calling on lawmakers to draw a fair congressional map.  

Hundreds of people gathered at the statehouse today, voicing their desire for a transparent process as lawmakers are set to redraw those maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.   

“We oppose gerrymandering when it's done by republicans and democrats,” said Jen Miller, executive director, League of Women Voters of Ohio. “We're asking every Ohioan to recognize that the gerrymandering in this state is severe and it's harming every single one of us. And we're asking everyone to join this movement for fair maps, for fair districts, which ultimately means fair elections.” 

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Ohio lawmakers are constitutionally required to redraw congressional maps this year, determining who will represent Ohioans in Washington, D.C. One of three major deadlines is approaching to pass a new map at the end of the month. Mia Lewis, associate director of Common Cause Ohio, shared what fair maps would look like to her.   

“You have more competitive districts, and you have a split between the two major parties that more and more closely represent how people vote in statewide elections,” Lewis said. “So, we're, you know, roughly 45, 55% democrat, republican. So that's how the seats in Congress should be distributed.” 

In a statement to NBC4 regarding today's demonstration, the director of communications for the Ohio Senate majority, John Fortney, said in part, "They’re simply political operatives whose only interest in fairness is for their friends and fundraisers on the progressive left.” 

Organizers say they will continue fighting for their voices to be heard and are still hopeful as they try to get more voters to engage in this process.   

“Democracy is a participatory sport,” Miller said. “We all need to lean in; this should be for and by the people. And so that's why this is a time when all of us should set aside political divides, come together and make sure that government is working for us.” 

The current deadline for the Ohio legislature to pass a new congressional map is September 30th.  

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University President Ted Carter delivered his State of the University address on Wednesday, announcing several major investments in staffing and research initiatives.

Carter said the university will grow its research enterprise with a new goal of $2 billion. He said OSU will add 100 faculty members to support its artificial intelligence fluency program and he announced a $100 million commitment toward hiring and retaining elite facility members.

He said with federal cuts to higher education and research programs, OSU aims to remain a leader.

"Most schools right now, and we are not immune to this, are playing defense," Carter said. "How do they sustain themselves? How do they maintain themselves in this different environment? We haven't been immune to it. We've had some research grants shut down, in the tens of millions of dollars. But yet, we have been able to sustain ourselves."

NBC4 also sat down for a one-on-one interview with Carter. Watch a portion of that interview below.

Carter said OSU is also making a new commitment toward recruiting veterans to the university, and announced tuition-free options for Ohioans.

LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- Two rounds of flash flooding from back-to-back days of heavy rainfall in south-central Ohio in July caused widespread damage and forced evacuations. Now, as communities work to rebuild, relief is on the way for those impacted. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low interest federal disaster loans for Ohio businesses, private nonprofits, and residents affected by the flooding. 

"It comes down to you need an influx of money in order to recover and SBA has decades long of history of helping communities get their feet back on the ground after disasters strikes," SBA public affair specialist DJ Jakala said. 

The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from Gov. Mike DeWine last week.

Individuals living in Fairfield, Franklin, Hocking, Licking, Perry, and Pickaway counties are eligible for services.

Businesses and private nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical damage loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

"It is just an overwhelming process to have suffered a loss," Jakala said. "In some cases, it's their business and their home."

It's also an expensive process. This is why Heath and Libby Wills were the first through the doors Wednesday morning to apply for relief.

"We lost every single thing," FIDO owner Heath Wills said. "Our kids' bedrooms, clothes, toys, Legos, meat in the freezer. Everything was flipped over, tossed."

The couple owns FIDO, a dog boarding and daycare business. They said they're eager to rebuild after losing their home and livelihood in the span of less than 24 hours.

"During the rescue process, we were throwing dogs out the window, trying to help, and the entire building lifted," Heath Wills said. "The slab did."

If there's one takeaway from this tragedy, the Willses urge individuals to read up on their insurance policies. Out of the five policies they had, they said only one covered flooding. 

"As a consumer and as a business owner, sitting down with an attorney is a really smart idea to understand what your policies do cover because you think you're covered and then you're not in a moment of need," Libby Wills said. 

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

"We're blessed that this level of help has shown up," Libby Wills said. 

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster.

"That can keep people employed," Jakala said. "It can keep their inventory stocked, literally the lights on in the business while the area is going through the recovery process."

Walk-ins are accepted, but people can schedule an in-person appointment at this link. The Disaster Loan Outreach Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It will permanently close on Oct. 1. 

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 12, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 12, 2026. To apply online, visit this link.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The annual Wright Brothers Classic was in full effect at the Ohio Statehouse today.

The Wright Brothers Classic, an annual event that raises money for charitable organizations, was open to everyone. Participants make their own paper airplanes, and some color or even name them.

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Once decorated and ready for take off, the planes are thrown from the catwalk in the Statehouse Atrium to see which creation will go the farthest. Participants could make an optional five-dollar donation, where all proceeds go back into the community through the State of Ohio's combined charitable campaign.

"The overall goal is just to bring in money for the combined charitable campaign, and since we are kind of the statehouse museum, education department, our educational spin is the Wright Brothers," says Emily Volkmann with Capitol Square Review.

Congratulations to Kris, who had the winning flight at 81 feet! They received a gift certificate and a goody bag for being the day's big winner.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An investigation inside a Central Ohio Corrections Center has revealed a secret relationship between an inmate and an employee. 

Documents NBC4 Investigates obtained detail dozens of forbidden calls and messages, and an attempt to cover them up. 

The documents show a Franklin County corrections employee working at Jackson Pike crossed the line with an inmate repeatedly. Allegations go back to before she was hired, and when the investigation was complete, she wasn’t fired.  

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NBC4 Investigates obtained more than a hundred pages of documents from the internal affairs investigation into a Franklin County corrections services coordinator (CSC), someone who oversees the laundry facility in the jail.

We are not naming the CSC because she has not been charged with a crime, but the documents show she repeatedly broke the rules.

The investigation uncovered that the CSC sent suggestive photos to one inmate facing a weapons charge. They talked on the phone 185 times and sent 70 texts in a two-month period this summer.

Texts show the romantic nature of their relationship, such as:  “babe I need a favor” and “call me later babe.”

This violates multiple FCSO rules, including neglect or inattention to duty, maintaining a personal and concealed relationship with a known inmate and violating policy meant to prevent risk of compromised security. 

She also deposited money into his jail account, which can be used to make calls and for entertainment. 

In an interview as part of the internal affairs investigation, she admitted using her adult daughter's name, and not always her own, when making those deposits and in phone records, saying: “I didn't want my name on anything” and” I knew that it was not gonna…be appropriate to have conversation, so I used her name.”

Documents we obtained show this same woman apparently sent inappropriate photos to another inmate before she was hired, and jail officials learned of it after she became a CSC. 2023 documents show deputies discussing the CSC as a new hire, saying: “I remembered that name from the past for sending inappropriate photos showing nudity several times while processing mail at Jackson Pike.”

Internal Affairs says the CSC “violated the standards of conduct required of her position. Her actions undermined the integrity of the correctional facility and posed a threat to the safety and order of the institution."

The report recommended suspension or dismissal. However, a signed document and an email dated Aug. 11 show that the CSC was allowed to resign voluntarily. 

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office said they could not speak about this case because this person no longer works there. NBC4 reached out to the union representing jail employees, but have not heard back.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) — DogFest, one of Canine Companions largest fundraising events, is happening this weekend, bringing hundreds to the organization’s campus in New Albany.

For Jackie and Libby Trucco and Ashley Ballard, raising money for DogFest is just one of several ways they honor their loved one, Alissa Trucco, who died nearly nine years ago. Trucco had a strong passion for charity work and a love for dogs, especially her own dog who she affectionately called “Lady G.”

“My little sister, the two things that were really important to her were helping people and dogs. She absolutely loved animals from the day she was born,” said Jackie Trucco.

Jackie and her stepmother, Libby, started raising puppies for Canine Companions in 2017, about a year after Alissa's death. It didn’t take long for Ballard, Alissa's cousin, to jump on the opportunity, too.

Since then, the three have raised eight puppies, with four currently working as professional service dogs. Some of the dogs have been named as a way to remember Alissa, including Ballard’s first puppy, Sly, named after Alissa's horse.

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He was turned in for professional training with Canine Companions in May. Ballard is now raising Biscuit, a 16-week-old black lab, named after Alissa's first dog.

Another way they keep Alissa's memory alive is through fundraising. Thanks to social media, homemade dog biscuit sales and Ballard’s work with The Lions Club, they have raised more than $100,000 for Canine Companions, ensuring people with disabilities across the country can be paired with a service dog, for free.

“It’s afforded Alissa’s friends and other family members who loved her just as much as we did, to kind of make donations and make and impact,” said Jackie Trucco. “With DogFest, that’s just been a great opportunity to make even more of an impact and raise more funds than we can do on our own.”

Ballard knows how important that impact is and encourages everyone to donate.

“We figure that each dog has about a $50,000 investment in them by the time they are matched with a client,” she said. “Anything that we can do to bring in more funds certainly helps.”

DogFest is this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North Central Training Facility on 7480 New Albany-Condit Road. There will be vendors, food trucks, campus tours and a ribbon cutting for the campus’ fully accessible playground.

According to Emily Bell, Canine Companions’ North Central Executive Director, DogFest is a day to have fun with the whole family.

“You’ll be greeted by pet dogs, service dogs and training graduate dogs and you’ll see a lot of activity for children,” she said. “We only ask that you make sure that you are a responsible dog owner, keeping your dog on leash and only bringing those dogs who are going to interact well with other pet dogs and with our service dogs and service dogs in training. Those dogs are welcome to say hello to each other as long as it’s okay with the volunteer puppy raiser or the individual who has a service dog helping them navigate the world.”

Registration for DogFest is encouraged but not required. You can fill out the form and find more information about the event on canine.org.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Muskingum County sheriff K-9 died earlier this month after he was left in an unmarked patrol vehicle, according to the sheriff's office.

The K-9, Cooper, was in a detective's unmarked patrol vehicle outside of the Drug Unit's office on Sept. 5 when he died, deputies said.

The sheriff's office said it's not unusual for K-9s to be left in their handler's vehicles for long periods of time with the vehicles running. The marked patrol vehicles have safety devices and alarms in case the temperatures get too hot. However, since the vehicle was unmarked, it did not have safety features.

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Cooper began working with the detective in May 2022.

The sheriff's office is conducting an internal investigation surrounding the death.

No other details were immediately available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The City of Columbus received a lofty settlement payment from a large American company it sued over chemical contamination.

3M Corporation is set to pay the city $4 million as an initial settlement payment after a 2023 lawsuit alleged the company produced forever chemicals "knowing the dangers and failed to warn consumers and the public about the risks associated," per a statement from city attorney Zach Klein's office.

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DuPont was also named in the lawsuit as Columbus and other cities said that these forever chemicals found in everyday products can cause health issues, and contaminate soil, air, and water.

The lawsuit said that corporations should bear the brunt of costs to potential technological installations to infrastructure maintain EPA standard chemical levels.

Columbus Water and Power said the city's water supply meets or exceeds drinking standards but that future technology may be required and money from 3M's settlement may be used for those upgrades.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 25-year-old man who was arrested in Massachusetts in late August and charged in the 2020 death of a Columbus 2-year-old has now been indicted.

Court documents in Franklin County Common Pleas Court said that Dioblis Williams has been indicted on charges of murder and endangering children. On March 25, 2020, Jamir Jones, the son of Williams' girlfriend at the time, died after suffering blunt force trauma.

Williams was reportedly babysitting and called police, who found Jones unresponsive at an apartment on Holt Avenue in North Central Columbus. Jones was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Police said that he told officers that while he was babysitting, the boy “pooped” in his pull up and that he placed the child in the bathtub unsupervised. Several minutes later, the boy was found unconscious.

A criminal complaint noted that during an autopsy it was determined that Jones did not drown, but that he sustained injuries to his abdomen and multiple internal injuries, as well as bruising around his head and neck.

A warrant for Williams' arrest was issued last month and he was arrested one week later in Framingham, Massachusetts. Williams is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday afternoon.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University President Ted Carter announced new programs guaranteeing free tuition for Ohioans on Wednesday.

In the first State of the University Address from Carter in 17 months, he offered clarity into his Education for Citizenship 2035 plan. He said the plan focuses on academic excellence, world-class clinical care and student success, and unveiled new programs to support those goals. See previous coverage of Ohio State initiatives to reduce costs for in-state students in the video player above.

Carter said 57% of OSU students graduate debt-free, but he wants to increase that number. He announced any student in the state of Ohio who receives a perfect SAT or ACT score will not only be accepted to OSU, the university will cover all costs of attendance, including tuition, housing and dining. Those students would also receive a $5,000 research stipend.

Carter also said any Ohioan who chooses to go to a regional campus and has an annual family income under $100,000 will have tuition covered. After their first year, in-state students in good academic standing can transfer to the main campus and finish their degrees tuition-free.

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Carter announced several other changes, including guaranteed spots at Ohio State Wexner Medical Center for all nursing students and a new centralized office to help students get internships. He also said the university will permanently install winter recess for all academic staff, ensuring faculty get a break around the winter holidays.

The incentives seek to address concerns that college has become too expensive, and to help keep students in Ohio after graduation. Carter said he is lucky to be able to announce the changes, especially during a difficult time for many universities.

“Higher education is going through a transformation right now, and some of it is pretty tough,” Carter said.

He said many of his presidential peers at other institutions are shrinking programs, implementing hiring freezes and considering athletic cuts. Carter said although Ohio State is not immune to federal pressures, the school is fortunate to be financially sound. Despite canceled grants, he said Ohio State has been able to maintain all of its 14,000 researchers.

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- AEP Ohio said it would take years to build the infrastructure needed to power central Ohio's many new data centers, but some New Albany projects are taking matters into their own hands.

At least two tech companies planning data center campuses in New Albany have plans to build their own power generation facilities rather than relying on local infrastructure. Meta and EdgeConneX are moving toward state approval for on-site, privately owned power generation projects.

In August, an AEP Ohio spokesperson told NBC4 the company cannot keep up with data centers' electricity demands. A single data center can require as much electricity as thousands of homes, and Ohio law does not permit AEP to build new power plants in the state, limiting how much power it can provide.

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The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved a new AEP data center rate structure in July. The state upheld the ruling this month, allowing AEP to require data centers to pay for 85% of their energy needs every month. The new rate hopes to alleviate burdens on local customers, who have seen rates spike due to data centers' electricity use. See previous coverage of spiking costs in the video player above.

Meta and EdgeConneX are both working on large data center campuses in New Albany, and plan to avoid the AEP rate entirely by generating their own electricity.

EdgeConneX, a data center company planning to develop more than 1.2 million square feet of commercial space into a series of data centers in New Albany, is moving toward approval for its second power generation project. EdgeConneX already received approval for its first facility, PowerConneX I, which it hopes to have up and running by the end of this year.

In late August, EdgeConneX moved forward with PowerConneX II. PowerConneX II, like the first project, will be powered by natural gas. Located on 49 acres in New Albany, PowerConneX II will help power data centers on the same site.

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PowerConneX II will have a public hearing on Oct. 29 and an evidentiary hearing on Nov. 6. The hearings are the last step before the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) will rule on the application.

In June, OPSB authorized a 200 megawatt natural gas-powered project by Sidecat LLC, a subsidiary of Meta. Meta broke ground on its first data center project in 2017 and announced this summer that it is working toward the first one-gigawatt AI supercluster, dubbed Prometheus.

Prometheus will cover as much space as most of Manhattan and is expected to go online in 2026. A Meta spokesperson confirmed Prometheus will be in New Albany.

Sidecar's Socrates South Power Generation Project will power an adjacent data center and take up about 20 acres of Sidecat’s 740-acre campus. According to state permit filings, the Socrates South project hopes to be completed by November 2026.

Sidecar LLC anticipates transporting six "superloads" between January and April of 2026, an extremely large transportation project that requires state approval and coordination. EdgeConneX said in state filings that it anticipates transporting two superloads.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A longtime central Ohio LGBTQ+ youth organization is closing its housing program that has served more than 50 young people since 2019 after losing state funding.

The Columbus-based organization, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, announced the closure on Tuesday, citing the Ohio Department of Health's decision in 2024 to pull more than $500,000 from the program's funding. In August, the department told the center it would cease all funding for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

"Like almost every other LGBTQIA+ organization across the country, and non-profits here at home, we have been hit hard as a result of the current socio-political climate," the center said in a statement. "This grant has been a significant source of funding for our housing program since 2021."

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Connected to KYC's drop-in center at 603 E. Town St., the program was created to aide young adults age 18 to 24 prevent or exit homelessness and find stable housing. At least 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+ and they are 120% more likely to experiences homelessness, the center said, with a majority forced out of their homes due to family rejection or abuse.  

KYC's Columbus drop-in center at 603 E. Town St. (Courtesy Photo/Kaleidoscope Youth Center)

While the program is shuttering, the timeline is still in question. The participants were informed of the closure on Sept. 8, and the center's goal is to maintain housing services through July 2026 when its final lease ends. Although KYC does not have a current date by which they will need to move, the soonest would be early to mid-November.

"This would provide the resources and time to safely and humanely transition the 10 current participants while decreasing the threat of returning to homelessness," KYC's statement said. "Requests have been made to the Franklin County Commissioners, Columbus City Council, and many advocates and donors, and we are currently awaiting their response."

Before the Ohio Department of Health's decision to halt 2025-26 funding, Kaleidoscope said it received a letter from the department regarding House Bill 96, legislation outlining Ohio's 2026-27 budget that previously included a provision the prohibits funding "to youth shelters that promote social gender transition."

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The department's letter asked Kaleidoscope to indicate whether it "qualifies for funding under this requirement." The center said it explained in its response that its services don't fall under the designation of a "youth shelter."

Ultimately, Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed H.B. 96's youth shelter provision, arguing "no Ohio youth should be denied shelter from a facility that receives state funds."

The housing program's closure comes after a myriad of changes at Kaleidoscope. The center announced in August that executive director Erin Upchurch will step down at the end of this year after nearly eight years of leadership. Amanda Erickson and Jennifer Kuhn, senior associate directors at KYC, will serve as interim co-directors in 2026 when the search for a permanent executive director begins.

"While we're sad to see Erin go, we respect and appreciate her leadership," said KYC board chair Lee Tepper. "She joined the organization in early 2018, in the midst of a tumultuous time in the community following Pride in 2017. Her ability to strategically navigate community discord, care for staff, connect with youth, and pursue the possibility of a kinder, safer, and more affirming
world is a gift that will be missed."

Kaleidoscope also celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2024 and is now embarking on an expansion that it would see it replicate the inclusive space it has cultivated at its Columbus drop-in center in the northwest region of the state. This expansion follows the sunset of Spectrum, a Findlay LGBTQ+ organization that collaborated closely with KYC to ensure a smooth transition.

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"One of the things that we've always had in our long-term strategic plan is more rural outreach outside of central Ohio," Kuhn said in an August interview with NBC4. "Particularly, when you're thinking about safer and affirming spaces, there aren't always as many of those outside of the cities."

The center noted that its 2025-26 grant request to the Ohio Department of Health for the housing program was $241,500. KYC is urging those who can to donate at KYCOhio.org/Donate, or consider sponsoring a young person for up to six months, at about $1,000 a month, to support moving costs and furnishings.

"Our youth are scared, and so are we. It is not okay that they are facing the threat of returning to homelessness," the center's statement said. "And it is not okay that they are having to independently raise money to meet their basic needs."