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LEWIS CENTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- After passing a bond issue on Election Day, Olentangy Local Schools will soon build two new schools.

The district said these are needed to keep up with increasing enrollment.

Some parents said they are relieved the bond issue passed because their children are already experiencing overcrowding in Olentangy schools.

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“This is just in time,” parent Joe Meisner said.

Olentangy’s fifth high school will be built on 139 acres of land the district already owns off of Bunty Station Road and the 18th elementary school will be built nearby Bean Oller Road in Delaware.

The bond issue won’t raise taxes, and it gives the district $235 million to construct the buildings, which will break ground in 2026.

Meisner already has two students in high school at Olentangy Berlin and a third who will start ninth grade right as the new buildings open.

“The school’s built for 1,800; there’s over 2,000 kids there,” Meisner said. “I think when they walk through the hall, I think it's like just a madhouse.”

Ramaswamy offers GOP advice after getting ‘a—- handed to us’ on Election Day

Parent Lindsay Lee moved to the district a few years ago, mostly because of the schools. She said her young children will benefit from the extra space.

“You can see both in the parking lots or school activities, there's just more children here,” Lee said. “We can definitely see the overcrowding in the schools now, so we could easily forecast that happening in the future. It definitely caused concern for us.”

Olentangy’s enrollment is growing by about 400 students each year. Lee said classroom size has a direct impact on students.

“There are multiple studies out there that show a manageable class size helps influence the quality of education and the attention that the kids get,” Lee said.

Meisner’s children currently attending high school don’t have lockers because of overcrowding.

Study: Ohio among states most affected by lottery and sweepstakes scams

“There’s only so many classrooms, so many teachers,” Meisner said. “You can put them in trailers, but who wants to volunteer for their kid to be in a trailer outside the school?”

Construction at both sites will begin in 2026. The district said the elementary school should open around 2027 and the high school should be complete around 2028.

Some people said they voted no on the bond because of worries about a future tax increase, but Olentangy Schools maintains it didn’t matter if the issue passed or failed -- an operating levy is still needed in the next few years.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As the government shutdown and lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue, local food pantries continue to serve more people.

"There’s a lot of uncertainty in our community among the people that shop with us,” Worthington Resource Pantry Executive Director Nick Linkenhoker said. “Our neighbors here at the pantry aren’t quite sure what their SNAP benefits are going to look like this month; they’re not quite sure when those SNAP benefits are going to arrive.”

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He said the organization is serving the most people it has since the pandemic. One of the people who visited the pantry on Wednesday was Mari D'Andrea. 

“I’m here early, I'd only come at the end of the month if I needed help, but I’m here now because I got no help for myself, I have no SNAP," she said. 

D’Andrea is raising two of her grandchildren and relies on SNAP to feed them. This visit to the pantry occurred just five days into the month because she hadn't received her benefits.

“I wish we’d get them sooner rather than later, but thank God we've got food pantries we can turn to," she said.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) said it's following federal guidance on partial payments for November, but it's still unclear when they will go out.

Ramaswamy offers GOP advice after getting ‘a—- handed to us’ on Election Day

“That level of anxiety is heightening something that's already stressful for folks," Linkenhoker said.

Linkenhoker said the pantry usually serves about 220 families a day but is serving approximately 270 a day right now. He said this has included some federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees who are working without pay as well as families waiting on SNAP.

“Folks in our line generally are pretty, it's a pretty happy experience for folks; the last couple of weeks, there’s been a lot more tears,” Linkenhoker said. “There’s been a lot more folks who are just, they’re just scared and they don’t know what they’re going to do.”

D'Andrea said there's never a good time for a situation like this, but said this is especially challenging given the holidays are around the corner.

“It puts more emphasis on reaching out to other resources, not knowing whether you’ll have money to buy Thanksgiving dinner, it’s stressful," she said.

Full results: Columbus and central Ohio general election for November 2025

Linkenhoker said he's been hearing the words, "I never thought I'd be here," from a lot more clients recently. The pantry has doubled the number of new families they're serving over the last couple weeks, according to Linkenhoker. 

"We had a family that shopped with us over the weekend, who came in, was really emotional, let us know they had donated to us in the past and never imagined they would need to shop at a food pantry," he said. "We’re going to be here, we’re going to be part of that solution and we’re going to continue to operate what we know how to do, which is run a food pantry."

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – There will be a new face representing Columbus City Council District 7.

Tiara Ross, an attorney for the city, beat immigration lawyer Jesse Vogel. Unofficial results show Ross winning by less than 1,600 votes, 54,433 to 52,847.

Voting results show which areas of the city voted for which candidate and how, despite voting for a district councilmember, the whole city gets a say.

Ramaswamy offers GOP advice after getting ‘a—- handed to us’ on Election Day

"Most cities either have at-large elections that are at-large, or they have district elections where people only in the district vote, and so, you know, what we have is kind of a halfway compromise that was designed to create the illusion of districts without having to actually have district elections," OSU Political Science Professor Vladimir Kogan said.

Columbus has a hybrid at-large system. Each city councilmember must live in the district they represent, but every Columbus voter, regardless of where they live, votes for each council member.

"Historically, under certain conditions, district elections tend to produce greater minority representation, so elect candidates of choice of minorities and minorities themselves,” Kogan said. “That doesn't seem to be the case in Columbus because voting in Columbus is not polarized along racial lines.”

Voter data shows Vogel won district seven by about 4,500 votes, but because the whole city had its say, and Ross did better in other districts, she won the seat. The Columbus voter data map shows results by precincts and wards. NBC4 analyzed the ward voting data alongside the city's district map to estimate how much Vogel carried the district.

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Republican strategist Bob Clegg said the hybrid district system keeps those not backed by current city leaders out.

"They wanted to keep out at that time when they first did it, which was about five years ago, they wanted to keep out Republicans and Independents,” Clegg said. “Well, now it's expanded. They want to keep out Republicans, Independents, and, it looks like, progressive Democrats. So you have now a situation in where a candidate, Jesse Vogel, ends up winning the district that he's from but loses because it went citywide.”

The city said this change in the system, which was approved by voters in 2018, means every part of Columbus receives better representation on issues impacting neighbors. The maps were drawn in 2021.

“Columbus is essentially an at-large system with a veneer of districts that make it look like we have districts, but as a way to essentially, I think, address some of the political demands for districts without actually having to fully move to that system and give up some of the benefits of at-large representation," Kogan said.

Zora’s House to close Purple Door Cafe, reduce staff amid funding challenges

The results show Ross carried the east side of the city, while Vogel won in the center.

The next step is for the Franklin County Board of Elections to certify the votes and declare the results official, which must happen within the next 21 days.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy offered advice to his fellow Republicans after Democrats had sweeping victories in elections nationwide on Tuesday.

Ramaswamy, who has been endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party, said his party needs to focus on affordability after Democrats won gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey and elected self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City. Watch related coverage in the player above.

"We got our a---- handed to us in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City," Ramaswamy said in a social media video, saying Republicans need to focus on two things.

Full results: Columbus and central Ohio general election for November 2025

"Make the American dream affordable," Ramaswamy said. "Bring down costs. Electric costs, grocery costs, health care costs and housing costs, and lay out how we're going to do it."

Ramaswamy also told Republicans to "cut out the identity politics."

"That's the woke left's game, not ours," he said. "We don't care about the color of your skin or your religion. We care about the content of your character. That's who we are."

Amy Acton, who is running as a Democrat to be Ohio's next governor, responded to Ramaswamy's video in a post on X.

"It appears that Vivek has realized that his agenda favoring billionaires, special interests, and lobbyists that makes life more expensive for Ohioans might not be the blueprint he thought it was," she wrote.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio is among the states most affected by lottery and sweepstakes scams, according to a recent study.

Vegas Insider, a sports betting information website, compiled lottery and sweepstakes fraud data from the Federal Trade Commission spanning from January 2020 through June 2025. To determine the worst states for the scams, the platform analyzed the total money lost and the number of scam reports per one million residents in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Ohio ranked as the fourth-most impacted state by lottery and sweepstakes, registering $34.6 million in losses and 2,152 reports per one million residents over the five-year period. 

“The state’s active sweepstakes scene gives scammers easy cover to pose as ‘second-chance drawings,’ charging bogus processing or tax fees,” the report said. “Officials say embarrassment and silence keep the real numbers higher than reported.”

Florida was the state hit hardest by the scams, with victims losing $66.3 million and the state logging 2,070 reports per one million residents, according to the study.

The top 10 states can be found below.

1. Florida
2. North Carolina
3. California
4. Ohio
5. West Virginia
6. Arizona
7. Oregon
8. Tennessee
9. Missouri
10. Alabama

The state least affected by lottery and sweepstakes scams was Maine, the report found. The Pine Tree State saw a total loss of about $2.8 million over the five-year period, and 920 reports per one million residents. 

Maine was followed by Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska, Washington, D.C., Vermont, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Connecticut. 

Americans lost more than $660 million to sweepstakes and lottery scams nationwide from January 2020 through June 2025, according to the website. The scams involve criminals deceiving victims into believing they have won a prize in a fake lottery or sweepstakes, with the goal of tricking the victim into sending money for “fees” or revealing personal information. 

Vegas Insider said all prizes should be confirmed through an organization’s official website or customer service channel, rather than a link or phone number provided in a notification message. 

The website noted multiple red flags for lottery and sweepstakes scams, including people being notified they won money in relation to something they did not enter, asked to pay a fee to claim a prize, notified they won through social media, and pressured to act quickly. 

Vegas Insider’s full study is available on its website. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A vacant Franklinton home will soon undergo a dramatic transformation to become a Japanese restaurant with a black-and-red aesthetic.

The East Franklinton Review Board approved plans on Oct. 22 for Columbus developer Blake Compton to repurpose a two-story home at 494 W. Walnut St. into a "Japanese-focused, small plates" restaurant and whiskey bar. Renderings show the eatery is utilizing a black, red and white color palette, leaning into "a grungy, street-style Japanese" aesthetic, Compton said.

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"I personally like it being weird and different, I don't want it to necessarily be the same cookie-cutter colors all the way across," Compton told the board. While the Japanese eatery has signed a letter of intent to be the building's tenant, the developer said they're not ready to officially announce the restaurant.

The East Franklinton Review Board approved plans on Oct. 22 for Columbus developer Blake Compton to repurpose a two-story home at 494 W. Walnut St. (Courtesy Photos/Franklin County auditor's office; city of Columbus)

The project, which is part of Compton's larger effort to redevelop single-family homes along Walnut Street, was originally reviewed by the board in 2023 and included plans to paint the house green, with a ground-floor restaurant and a second-floor apartment. However, Compton said the project pivoted after the 2023 version "no longer became economically feasible."

While the review board unanimously approved Compton's Japanese restaurant plan, some members were reluctant to speak in favor of the proposed color palette.

"Within the context of the neighborhood, black and red sticks out like a sore thumb," said board member Maggie Schmidt. "I also hear you that, that's the aesthetic of the intended use, so it gives me a little bit of pause when I see that compared to the rest of the houses along Walnut Street and the other commercial buildings along there."

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Compton emphasized that the coloring was the request of the incoming tenant but said he would repaint the building if another business eventually moved in. The developer also said that the building is also likely to receive a mural in the future.

"[We're] willing to work with tenants to allow their aesthetic to speak onto the building, I think that's something that the partners that we have here, the tenants that we're working with, really appreciate being involved on the front end and making the thing theirs," he said.

Board member Kim Way spoke in approval of the building's aesthetic, arguing the project aligns with the guidelines of the Franklinton Arts District.

"The intent of the Franklinton Creative Arts District is that it's funky," Way said. "If it all looked alike, if people kept coming with grey buildings, I'd scream. So, this is actually fresh. And I get the Japanese part to it, that's a color palette that I would associate to it."

Court has taken a recess and will resume around 1:15 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Attorneys gave their opening statements on Wednesday in the murder trial for Blendon Township Police Officer Connor Grubb, who fatally shot Ta'Kiya Young outside of a Kroger in August 2023.

Grubb, 31, is charged with four counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault and two counts of involuntary manslaughter in relation to the deaths of Young, 21, and her unborn daughter. NBC4 will livestream court proceedings in the video player above, with viewer discretion advised. Written live updates can be found below.

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Twelve jurors and four alternates will hear the case, with jurors consisting of four men and eight women, including one person of color. The four alternates are all women, including one person of color. Jury selection took place on Monday through Wednesday morning, when a jury was seated.

If convicted of murder, Grubb could face a maximum sentence of life in prison. The trial is expected to last about two to three weeks. 

Attorneys Mark Collins and Kaitlyn Stephens are defending Grubb, while Montgomery County prosecutors Erin Claypoole, Daniel Brandt and Richard Glennon are tasked with convincing the jury Grubb’s use of force was unreasonable. Judge David Young, who is not related to Ta’Kiya Young, is presiding over the case.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Zora's House, a Columbus nonprofit group dedicated to furthering community resources for women of color, announced Tuesday it's closing its cafe and reducing staff amid shifting funding priorities and a changing political climate.

Purple Door Cafe, located at the organization's headquarters at 1393 N. Fourth St. in Weinland Park, will welcome customers for the last time on Friday, Zora's House shared on social media. The post said the closure decision, which came "after deep financial reflection and a lot of heart work," is coupled with the nonprofit's first staff reduction in its history. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Zora's House in the video player above.

"Like so many nonprofits, we're feeling the squeeze -- rising costs, shrinking dollars, and shifting funding priorities. For organizations like ours, led by women of color doing unapologetic equity work, that squeeze comes with even greater pressure," the post said. "The political climate has changed. In a short time, commitments to racial equity have moved from being celebrated as signs of community progress to being viewed by some funders and partners as a risky investment."

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"But let us be clear: this is not a retreat. This is a recalibration," the post continued. "When we opened our new home, we imagined a building filled with connection -- and a team growing and thriving within it. That vision hasn't changed. We're simply shifting our shape to protect the work we love."

The organization, boasted as "a space and movement where women of color can gather, dream, and lead," opened the current Purple Door Cafe in 2023, when the nonprofit relocated from a 2,000-square-foot base on Summit Street to the 10,000-square-foot headquarters it built on North Fourth Street. In addition to the cafe, the building is home to co-working spaces, offices, conference rooms, a library and bedroom suites for overnight stays.

LC Johnson, CEO of Zora's House, founded the organization in 2018 after she moved to Columbus and struggled to find a community of other Black women in central Ohio. Previously working at a co-working space in North Carolina inspired her to bring the concept to Columbus. The nonprofit was named after Zora Neale Hurston, an author, activist, and Howard University graduate whose work centered on the complexity of Black culture. 

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"It's always been really important to me to have other Black women and women of color in my life," Johnson told NBC4 in 2023. "I was really looking for a space where I could get an opportunity to connect with other women of color who would understand certain aspects of my journey and identity." 

Until Friday's closure, the Purple Door Cafe is open 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. In the social media post, Zora's House urged its "community to stand with us by: renewing our deepening your financial support; using your influence to advocate for equity-centered work; speaking confidence and encouragement into our leadership."

"Zora's House is part of a long lineage of women of color who bend, adapt, and reimagine the work to meet the moment," the post said. "The form may shift, but the mission never stops."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One of central Ohio's best-known brands is locked in the middle of three federal lawsuits over its social media posts.

According to court records, the legal issues began in May for Ohio-based DSW and its parent company, Designer Brands Inc., when Warner Music Group filed a complaint against the footwear retailer. The document accused DSW and its affiliated social media influencers of using popular WMG songs in TikTok and Instagram videos to sell products without proper licenses.

People who use TikTok and other social media platforms might notice that they can share certain songs in their posts. This is possible because of special agreements between the platforms and music labels. However, WMG asserts that DSW needed special permission and should have paid licensing fees for using the tunes for alleged commercial purposes.

“Even though DSW is a sophisticated party that has extensive experience with music licensing, DSW and its influencer partners have failed to seek permission or pay for the use of the sound recordings and musical compositions that are featured in the DSW Videos,” the complaint states.

WMG cited the songs “Up” by Cardi B, “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac, “About Damn Time” by Lizzo, “Hung Up” by Madonna and “Work it” by Missy Elliott, along with a list of more than 200 songs DSW allegedly used on TikTok and Instagram without permission. The label is seeking statutory damages of up to $150,000 per work infringed, which could amount to more than $30 million.

Then in July, DSW filed its own lawsuit against Sony, Universal, and BMG, arguing it had not infringed copyright law. The company asked an Ohio judge to clarify what rules apply to social media marketing, contending the case is about what it calls the “greed” of the music owners.

“The Labels, however, now seek to pull the rug out from under DSW’s business operations,” the complaint argues. “In an about-face, the Labels have recently claimed that the very conduct that they previously encouraged and supported — i.e., incorporating samples of music into social media posts — constitutes copyright infringement when done by DSW.”

The latest lawsuit arrived in August, with Sony filing against DSW in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Although the separate WMG and DSW cases are both being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Sony has accused DSW of forum shopping, claiming that DSW is using the Buckeye State's jurisdiction to gain a legal advantage.

Sony is requesting dismissal of the DSW case. Like WMG, Sony points to the terms of use of social media platforms as proof that DSW is restricted from using music in its posts.

The WMG lawsuit quoted both the Instagram policy that states “Use of music for commercial or non-personal purposes in particular is prohibited unless you have obtained appropriate licenses,” and the TikTok terms of service, which issue, “No rights are licensed with respect to sound recordings and the musical works embodied therein that are made available from or through the service.”

The litigation is ongoing in all three cases.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- If you're not sure what to do with your yard signs, Franklin County Board of Elections has a solution for you.

Franklin County Board of Elections is partnering with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio for its yard sign recycling program.

Paper or plastic yard signs, as well as the accompanying metal stands, can be recycled.

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Beginning Wednesday, there will be a yard sign recycling container on the southeast corner of the Board of Elections parking lot at 1700 Morse Road. The container is available to the general public and campaign organizations through the end of the month.

"It's a small but meaningful step in keeping our community clean after election season," said Antone White, director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

According to SWACO's website, yard signs can also be dropped off at the Recycling Convenience Center at 2566 Jackson Pike in Columbus between 10:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When defense systems manufacturer Anduril opens its Ohio plant next year, Pickaway County could supply weaponry across the globe.

Anduril hopes to begin manufacturing autonomous drones and aerial weapons at Arsenal-1, its Pickaway County plant, by July 2026. Anduril said its goal for the Ohio plant is to "rebuild the arsenal" and equip the U.S. with improved defense weaponry. Although Anduril primarily contracts with the U.S., spokespersons said Arsenal-1 will support allied nations' defense systems too.

"Anduril's work supports the United States Department of Defense and its allies and partners around the world," an Anduril spokesperson said. "We coordinate with the U.S. government and comply with U.S. policy to ensure that we only sell to countries the United States deems appropriate."

Anduril is headquartered in the U.S., but has offices in the U.K., Australia, South Korea and Taiwan. In June, Anduril Senior Vice President of Strategy Zachary Mears told NBC4's Colleen Marshall that the defense company ascribes to the view that it is "providing capabilities to defend the West."

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Anduril appears to be interested in defending "the West" conceptually, not just geographically, as evidenced by increased operations in the east Pacific. In August, Anduril announced expanded partnerships with Taiwan and South Korea. Anduril also has contracts with Singapore's defense agency and Japan's maritime defense force.

Anduril said it is "deepening its commitment" to Taiwan to defend the island against growing threats. According to the Defense Department, China has been encroaching on Taiwan in recent years. Anduril's increased presence includes a new, permanent office in Taiwan and the delivery of munitions.

Anduril also strengthened ties with South Korea in August, opening a new office in Seoul and expanding its operations. The company said it will double its headcount in South Korea by August 2026. Anduril also signed a manufacturing contract with Korean Air to co-develop unmanned aerial systems.

Also in the Pacific, Anduril announced an enormous contract with the Royal Australian Navy earlier this year. Anduril will provide a fleet of Ghost Shark submarines through the $1.12 billion contract, equipping Australia with extra-large autonomous submarines. However, at least some of the defense systems will be made at a new plant in Australia, which opened Oct. 31.

Anduril has been operating in the U.K. since 2019, just two years after it was founded. The company has rapidly expanded its work with the U.K., and has been reportedly lobbying to collaborate further. According to Bloomberg, Anduril has also been considering opening a new factory in the U.K.

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Australia, South Korea and the U.K. are all formal allies of the U.S. The U.S. does not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country, but rather part of China. However, the U.S. State Department is directed to treat Taiwan as an ally despite no formal declaration, and maintains unofficial relations with the island.

Anduril has also supplied advanced attack drones to Ukraine for some time. Anduril founder and CEO Palmer Luckey said Anduril had hardware and people in Ukraine two weeks into Russia's invasion. See previous coverage of Anduril's supply in Ukraine and its connection to Ohio in the video player above.

Anduril also contracts with foreign defense companies, which in turn help defend foreign countries. In June, Anduril announced it would supply rocket motors and bombs to Saab, a Swedish aerospace and defense company. Anduril has also partnered with a German-based company to present at a trade show in Paris. Generally speaking, the company hopes to offer defenses to many European countries.

Construction on Arsenal-1 is already underway, and Anduril hopes to begin manufacturing by next July.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the third time since the inception of the College Football Playoff, the Ohio State Buckeyes open the playoff rankings as the No. 1 team.

Ohio State (8-0, 5-0) was placed by the CFP selection committee as the top-ranked side in its initial playoff rankings, which will be released every Tuesday for the remainder of the season leading to the Dec. 7 selection show.

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The Scarlet & Gray has been the top team in the first playoff poll in the 2025, 2023, and 2019 seasons but in the 2023 and 2019 seasons, Ohio State did not win the national championship. Teams in bold are currently sitting in the 12-team playoff bracket.

2025 College Football Playoff rankings (Nov. 4, 2025) 1Ohio State2Indiana3Texas A&M4Alabama5Georgia6Ole Miss7BYU8Texas Tech9Oregon10Notre Dame11Texas12Oklahoma13Utah14Virginia15Louisville16Vanderbilt17Georgia Tech18Miami19USC20Iowa21Michigan22Missouri23Washington24Pittsburgh25Tennessee

This is the first CFP rankings revealed using the new seeding method for the 12-team format as conference winners are no longer guaranteed byes into the quarterfinals.

The top-four teams, Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, and Alabama, currently sit as the four teams earning byes. The five-best conference champions will still make the playoffs.

Using Tuesday's rankings, Ohio State sits as the No. 1 seed and would play the winner of a first-round game between No. 8 Texas Tech and No. 9 Oregon. The Buckeyes' likely bowl destination in this scenario would be the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State has been placed in the first projected playoff bracket using the initial CFP rankings six times. Since the CFP's inception, nearly 58% of teams placed in the initial bracket ended up making the actual playoff field.

Current CFP bracket

Despite missing out on the CFP rankings, Memphis has come in as an AAC representative.

The current bracket, using Tuesday's rankings, is below.

Initial CFP projections

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Ohio State will look to stay undefeated on Nov. 8 when it takes on Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana. Kick-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Franklin County residents heading to the polls on Tuesday voted on Issue 2, a renewal of a tax levy that has supported animal care and day-to-day operations at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for the past 10 years.

If passed, Issue 2 would maintain the 0.75 mill Columbus Zoo levy for another 10-year period. The levy, which the zoo said Franklin County has been supporting since 1985, was most recently renewed in 2015 and would not increase taxes, continuing to cost residents about $11 a year per $100,000 of their assessed property value.

Tom Schmid, CEO of the Columbus Zoo, previously told NBC4 that the levy's passage is imperative to keep ticket prices fair and ensure the zoo's animals are properly cared for. Watch live election night coverage from NBC4 in the video player above.

Live results: November 2025 general election

"[The levy] allows us to keep the ticket pricing relatively modest as well as membership pricing. It allows us to do a lot of community accessibility programming," Schmid said. "It helps support our education programming. I think those are all things that are important for people that live in Franklin County, live in the city of Columbus."

This year, the levy is expected to generate about $20.5 million in Columbus Zoo funding. The largest portion of the levy, about 48%, is for animal care, according to the zoo's website. Nearly 30% goes toward maintaining the zoo's facilities and grounds. Another 10% supports animal nutrition. Eight percent supports education programs. The remaining 5% is dedicated to animal health.

These levy dollars represent more than a quarter of the zoo's annual $68.6 million operating costs. The zoo's website says the rest of its budget comes from admissions, parking fees, memberships, in-park food and retail sales, corporate sponsorships, donations, education programming and rounds played at Safari Golf Club.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Just three of the six candidates hoping to serve on the Columbus City Schools Board of Education will join, and voters made their selections Tuesday.

All three Columbus City Schools board members whose terms expire this year are not seeking reelection, so former board president Christina Vera, current board president Michael Cole and board member Ramona Reyes will all leave the board after this year.

All six candidates have discussed the importance of improving the board's relationships with community groups, especially parents. New board members will sign on to a big undertaking and will have to deal with the fallout of $50 million budget cuts, set to be approved in December. Watch live election night coverage from NBC4 in the video player above.

Live results: November 2025 general election

In 2024, the board received significant community backlash as it considered shuttering 10 district buildings. Eventually, the board decided to close five schools. As budget cuts loom, more closures are under consideration.

Also in 2024, CCS faced a lawsuit from the state over the decision to no longer bus some private school students who live within district boundaries. To save money, the district is now considering stopping or changing busing for CCS students as well.

The board will also likely have to deal with future budget concerns, especially as the district treasurer and superintendent anticipate possible future concerns at the state and federal level. The district received less state funding than it had hoped for in the state budget that covers through July 2027, and CCS leadership said it is concerned about the possibility of federal funding cuts to schools.

Ohio state legislators generally agree property tax reform is necessary, but there are concerns among public schools that reform could come at the cost of important school revenue sources. School districts rely heavily on property taxes, and there are concerns that some property tax relief would harm school funding.

Here are the candidates who hoped to join the board, with those anticipated to win in bold. Three of the candidates are running jointly under the Columbus Education PAC:

• Patrick Katzenmeyer,* senior project manager at Pizzuti Companies real estate firm
• Jermaine Kennedy,* chief program officer at the Boys & Girls Club
• Janeece Keyes, director of provider experience at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation
• Mounir Lynch, public health educator
• Kimberly Mason, higher education partnership manager with the Ohio Bankers League
• Antionette Miranda,* OSU professor and school psychologist

*Indicates they are a member of the Columbus Education PAC.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus voters returned to the polls on Tuesday to decide who will represent District 7 on Columbus City Council: attorney Jesse Vogel or assistant city attorney Tiara Ross.

The two candidates advanced from a three-person field in the May 6 primary, defeating nonprofit director Kate Curry-Da-Souza. The winner will fill the seat vacated by Shayla Favor, who was elected Franklin County prosecutor. While District 7 is made up of Downtown and most of the city's central neighborhoods, all Columbus residents were eligible to vote in the race.

Tiara Ross, left, and Jesse Vogel, right. (Courtesy Photo/Tiara Ross, Jesse Vogel)

Vogel, 33, is an attorney with Community Refugee and Immigration Services, where he represents low-income residents. A Columbus native, he holds a bachelor's degree in politics from Oberlin College and a Juris Doctorate from Ohio State University. He has made affordability a central issue in his campaign, especially housing and transportation. Watch live election night coverage from NBC4 in the video player above.

Live results: November 2025 general election

"I've been an attorney representing renters struggling to stay housed, and I think our city needs a stronger strategy to make sure that our public dollars being invested to build housing that people can actually afford," Vogel previously told NBC4. He has also expressed interest in a property tax relief program for low-income seniors and in making COTA buses free to use.

Ross, 38, has served as an assistant city attorney for the past seven years. She previously worked in financial crimes compliance at JPMorgan and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and strategic communication, along with a Juris Doctorate, both from Ohio State. A lifelong Columbus resident, Ross has also prioritized housing and public safety in her campaign.

"As we are thinking about development looks like, making sure we are prioritizing affordable housing for people, making sure that when we are looking to develop, we are planful about the areas in which development occurs to maker sure that there is appropriate infrastructure that walks alongside development," she told NBC4.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Several public school districts in central Ohio sought bond issue or levy approval from voters on Election Day.

Live results: November 2025 general election

Levies and bonds typically express cost in millage, the rate property is taxed in Ohio. Mills are applied to a property's assessed value to calculate tax revenue, then typically expressed as how much money someone will owe per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value. Watch live election night coverage from NBC4 in the video player above.

Olentangy Schools

Olentangy Schools said its $235 million bond issue will not raise the tax rate, but will cover costs to build two new schools. The district said it expects to enroll 2,000 more students by 2028, and hopes to combat overcrowding by building a fifth high school and an 18th elementary.

Westerville City Schools

Westerville hopes its proposed 0.75% income tax will raise money to keep operations afloat. The district has already cut costs and eliminated 33 staff positions, and warned another failed ballot measure would lead to cutting at least 129 teachers, some bus routes, and increasing pay-to-play fees. The income tax would cost residents 75 cents per every $100 they make on wages, salaries or net self-employment income, not retirement or social security.

Southwest Licking Schools

If approved, Southwest Licking said its 3.48-mills bond issue would fund a new fifth- and sixth-grade building, and add a new wing and parking to Watkins Memorial High School. The district said its current facilities are reaching capacity, as they were built in partnership with the state and had to abide by state specifications that did not fully address enrollment concerns. Unlike Southwest Licking's similar bond issue that failed in May, the issue on the November ballot does not include funding for a new athletic center. If approved, it would cost taxpayers $121.92 per $100,000 of their home's appraisal value.

Jonathan Alder Local Schools

Jonathan Alder is hoping to pass a 5.12-mills bond issue to fund a new 6-12 grade campus. The issue, which failed by just 0.5% in May, would generate $70.6 million for a new junior high school to be attached to the high school. The high school and Canaan Middle School would also get classroom additions to address increasing enrollment. If approved, the district would reorganize grade levels and facilities. The bond issue would cost taxpayers $179 per $100,000 of their appraised property value, except for residents on land that qualifies for current agricultural use valuation, who will owe $5.22 per acre.

Delaware City Schools

Delaware hopes to pass a 2.85-mill permanent improvement levy to keep up with building maintenance and update aging curriculum materials and buses. The district said the levy will generate about $4.5 million annually, which could only be used for facility and material updates. Delaware said it is operating on the same permanent improvement funds as it was in 1989, and costs have risen significantly. If approved, the levy would cost taxpayers about $100 per $100,000 of their home's value annually.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As crews continue the cleanup at the historic Kelton House Museum and Garden, the organization that operates the history-filled property is trying to figure out what comes next.

"It’s hard, when we talk about a building that’s been around since 1852 and you have something this devastating, it's just, you don't think about it happening," said Kristina Ellis, president of the Junior League of Columbus. "We’re definitely processing it and we’re seeing next steps and hoping for the best."

Ellis said there will be several meetings to determine the organization's future plans for the building.  A gas leak, explosion, and fire on Monday caused severe damage to the house. Crews spent all day Tuesday moving artifacts, memorabilia and furniture out. Ellis said they will then determine what can be saved.

Upper Arlington parents seek to close gap in Ohio law, get answers in son’s suicide

"Part of what we do here is we get to show the artifacts from the 1800s, and some things were here before the house was built, and so I think we're in that phase right now of just trying to figure out what we need to do for next steps," she said.

The house was part of the Underground Railroad. Throughout Tuesday, community members were stopping by to check in, many having toured the house before.

"Fire is devastating no matter what, but this was a special place, so it's devastating for everybody," Julia Hessler, who toured the house with her daughter, said.

About 3,000 students tour the Kelton House each year, according to staff.

"Heartbreaking. I remember going there as a little kid, visiting there, I remember my daughter going there in grade school," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said. "Such incredible history with the Underground Railroad and for a city that's relatively new in the American landscape, to have such a historic place in the heart of our city be damaged is heartbreaking."

Columbia Gas shared the following statement with NBC4 on Tuesday:

"Yesterday afternoon, Columbia Gas crews arrived on site at East Town Street in Columbus in response to an emergency call. Crews remain on site today to assist authorities with the investigation.

The Columbia team is grateful that no injuries have been reported as a result of this incident. Our thoughts are with the central Ohio community and Kelton House following the loss of this historically and culturally significant site."

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a deadly shooting at a karaoke bar in Buckeye Lake.

Richard Lindgren, 59, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a firearm specification. Judge David Branstool sentenced him to life in prison, and Lindgren will be eligible for parole after 21 years, according to the Licking County Prosecutor's Office.

Lindgren fatally shot Benjamin Hawk, 42, on July 11 at Buckeye Lake’s Louie’s Corner House. Court documents stated Hawk was with Lindgren’s ex-wife on the outdoor patio and the bar’s owners said when it was his turn to sing, Lindgren followed him to the stage and shot him.

Newborn found buried in Columbus: Juvenile parents are arrested

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tyler McCoy spoke with the victim's family, who wanted Lindgren to plead guilty to aggravated murder and agreed with the sentence. Multiple family members and members of the karaoke community spoke in court about the impact of Hawk's death.

Lindgren was found in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and was arrested by sheriff’s deputies. Lindgren was extradited back to Licking County four days later. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

Content note: The following article discusses topics of bullying and suicide. If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 for help.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- The parents of a 14-year-old who died by suicide are seeking answers and to change how Ohio schools handle bullying.

"The bullying statute only mandates the schools internally report pursuant to their bullying policies," Brad Koffel, attorney for the Edell family, said. "What we need is, if you see something, say something."

Carter Edell, 14, died by suicide on Sept. 23, and Koffel said his death shook the Upper Arlington community. Carter's parents have reason to believe that bullying may have contributed to his death and have asked Koffel to independently investigate in hopes of getting answers. Steve and Melissa Edell want to make sure other parents don't go unaware of potential bullying and want to change state law to close the gap between schools and parents.

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Koffel said Ohio has laws about mandatory reporting, where teachers and coaches must report things like suspected child abuse or neglect. Ohio's bullying statute requires bullying to be reported internally at schools, but does not require schools to make anyone else aware. Kofell and the Edells want to change state law to require educators to contact parents about suspected bullying.

“Our son was kind, talented and deeply loved,” the Edells said in a statement. “We are devastated, but we owe it to Carter — and to every family who entrusts their child to a school each day — to determine if our son was a victim of bullying, who knew about it, and if any of them were mandated reporters under Ohio law and failed to let us know -- and to ensure it never happens again.”

Koffel said it is difficult to get information from schools due to privacy laws, but he plans to review communications, school records and digital information to investigate if Carter experienced bullying. Koffel said he will also look into how school officials responded to any prior reports of harassment or student safety.

The family said the investigation was by no means an act of retribution, but rather an attempt to raise awareness. They said they want to find the truth and help bring attention to the dangerous effects of bullying.

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Upper Arlington Superintendent Robert Hunt said the district will work with the Edell family in "any way possible" to help them get more information.

"We are supportive of the Edell family and their efforts to understand any and all events that may have impacted their son," Hunt said. "The safety and well-being of our students in the Upper Arlington School District is our top priority. We take any reports of bullying and harassment very seriously and investigate in accordance with Board of Education policy, working closely with the families of students involved."

The Edells also want to create a statewide toolkit with tips for parents about talking to their kids about bullying. All schools are required by law to have a bullying policy, which staff must be trained on. Although they hope it will be a statewide mandate, Koffel encouraged districts not to wait for the law to change.

"Please don't wait for Ohio law to change," Koffel said. "Don't wait for another young person, to lose the will to live because of bullying and they just don't have the cognitive ability to withstand that. And, we'd ask you to act immediately."

Nationwide Children's Hospital offers resources for parents about possible bullying. The hospital recommends asking open-ended questions and emphasizing that they should always report bullying. Nationwide Children's said parents should be supportive and praise their child if they open up. If parents notice a major change in their student's behavior, the hospital recommends considering therapy or external support. The full list of recommendations can be found here.

"You have to be careful about what you say," Koffel said. "You just don't know what the other person is going through."

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Georgia man was arrested Tuesday in connection with an October homicide in Bexley.

Jimmy Wilson Jr., 22, of Norcross, Georgia, was arrested in Gwinnett, Georgia, according to police.

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Wilson was wanted in connection with an Oct. 20 homicide in the 500 block of North Cassady Avenue in Bexley. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

A person flagged down officers after discovering a body at around 5 p.m. The body was later identified as Demetrese Norvett, 18, in the bushes. Norvette had multiple gunshot wounds, according to police.

Wilson is being held in Gwinnett County awaiting a court appearance and extradition back to Ohio.