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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Beechcroft High School is honoring a graduate who was killed in June just weeks after getting his diploma.

This school year, his alma mater is making sure his legacy lives on.

Jusiah ‘Juice’ Mason, 18, made a real impact on his peers and on the staff at Beechcroft High. The news of his death was devastating to many, and Dr. Samuel Johnson Jr., principal at Beechcroft, said he knew they had to keep Juice’s memory alive.

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“He’s responsible for our theme this year -- ‘Elevate every soul to transform tomorrow’ -- because Juice embodied the growth mindset,” Johnson said.

The principal said that at the beginning of his high school career, Juice wasn’t living up to his full potential, but staff took him under their wing and Juice was able to graduate on time.

“That’s the legacy that I want people to remember about Juice. He believed in himself,” Johnson said.

Beechcroft Security Specialist Calvin Kelly actually handed Juice his diploma at graduation in the spring.

“For him to ask me, you know, it really means something special because Juice was probably one of the first kids that I interacted with,” Kelly said.

Students and staff alike said Juice was one of a kind and is dearly missed.

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“He was a good person, you know, everybody loved him,” senior Kennyana Windham said. “Very positive, bubbly, always had a smile on his face.”

His English teacher Antonia Mulvihill said Juice was one of her favorites. She said, “He had a million-dollar smile and he would light up a room.”

Beechcroft senior Lahkaii Tarver said she was there the night Juice was murdered. She called him a big brother.

“Basically everything I do is dedicated to Juice,” Tarver said.

She said Juice would have loved to see how his school was honoring him this year.

“A lot of people that really actually loved him and looked up to him after he died, but he didn't really always feel like that, so he would have loved it for sure,” Tarver said.

Besides the theme, students all wore green to a football game to pay tribute to Juice.

“We have his name on our fence to the football field,” Windham said.

“I’m really glad that people are doing things like that to remember him because I feel like it was important the way he impacted us,” senior Fuad Bangura said.

Johnson said he sees his staff and students honor Juice each day.

“When we check on one another, we think about Juice,” Johnson said. “When we use the growth mindset, which is a best practice, we think about Jusiah ‘Juice’ Mason. And that’s the legacy he left for us.”

Peers said graduating from Beechcroft on time meant everything to Juice. Some words used to describe him: charismatic, a comedian, a leader and legendary.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A local business is trying to get its product on the shelves at Walmart stores.

Central Ohio-based coffee chain Crimson Cup pitched its coffee at a Walmart store on Bethel Road Thursday in hopes of getting a spot in the retail giant’s open call event, where entrepreneurs make their case to buyers.

But Crimson Cup representatives were met with a surprise mid-presentation when Walmart representatives told them they had already planned to invite Crimson Cup to the open call event, telling them the news in person.

“We had no idea,” Crimson Cup Business Development Executive for Grocery Michelle Plumby said. “Truly, we had no idea that that was coming. We were relieved that we did enough before to make them excited about Crimson Cup and even more excited to see the confetti and everything like that.”

Walmart’s open call event is scheduled for October in Arkansas.

Crimson Cup, which opened in 1991, offers coffee and tea products as well as a “how to” program it said has helped open more than 300 coffee shops across the country; Crimson Cup itself has six stores – one each in the Akron and Cincinnati areas and four in and around Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio has been ranked as one of the worst states for foreclosures in the country. Now some local experts are weighing in, sharing that economic strain is at the heart of this issue.  

Ohio is fourth among states across the country for foreclosures, according to a report from the New Jersey Real Estate Network. There are almost 1,900 homes in the process, which is about 5% of all homes for sale in the state. 

“I'm hearing more and more folks say something like date the rate buy the home. That's a really dangerous sign,” said Carlie Boos, executive director of The Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. “That's one of those warnings to look out for because if you can't afford the mortgage as it is for the long term, you should not be taking it out.” 

The national foreclosure rate sits just above 2%. Marcus Roth with the Coalition On Homelessness and Housing in Ohio pointed to a myriad of reasons as to why Ohio is facing this foreclosure problem. He noted it's getting harder for working families to keep up with rising costs and housing affordability.    

“It's just unsustainable for people,” Roth said. “You know, when you're spending so much more on housing, it leaves very little left over for the other necessities of life. Things like food, clothing, transportation, education, health care.” 

Data from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency found that more than a million Ohioans are currently living in households that spend over half their entire income on housing costs. And over 300,000 people spend more than half their income on their mortgage. 

“We see longtime homeowners are increasingly burdened by the rising costs of insurance, certainly by huge spikes we've seen in property taxes,” Roth said. “And then utility bills are increasing and the cost of just to maintain and repair your house has gone up a lot. So all of these things we're hearing from folks are really putting them on the edge.” 

But experts say there are ways for the city and the state to provide assistance and relief to those impacted in our community.

"The state of Ohio is considering what we can do to address rising property taxes; we know the circuit breaker policy is the gold standard when it comes to being able to help families make sure that their income matches those tax increases,” Boos said. “We love that that's on the table and we're optimistic that there's going to be some good solutions coming out of that as well.”  

For those who need any information about foreclosure relief options, visit bloom614.org.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new series on Peacock is putting local journalism in the spotlight.

“The Paper,” a spinoff of the long-running hit “The Office,” follows a small-town newspaper in Toledo, Ohio, that’s fighting to stay alive. The show’s format follows the same mockumentary style of the original series, focusing on a quirky crew at a struggling newspaper trying to save local journalism.

The star of the show is Domhnall Gleeson, known for his roles in the “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” series. He turned to Ohio State professors to learn what it really takes to run a newsroom.

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"I received a fairly random email last summer that said that there was a TV show that was being developed and there was an actor who was interested in learning about journalism," Ohio State Professor of Journalism Practice Nicole Kraft said.

To truly step into character as editor-in-chief, Gleeson traveled to central Ohio. He met with Kraft and Spencer Hunt, director of student media at The Lantern.

"Fundamentally, we talked about the scaffolded nature of journalism and how skills build on top of each other," Kraft said.

Hunt and Kraft spent hours walking the actor through the basics of student journalism and the challenges of running a newsroom. 

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"He asked very specific questions about, ‘Well, what's it like to be a student journalist, studying journalism, doing these kinds of things?’" Hunt said. "We walked him through all the kinds of things we expect of students in our class and within The Lantern. And so we're really proud of our program and what we're doing."

Antonia Campbell, The Lantern's editor, even hopped on a phone interview with Gleeson to see how his visit at Ohio State prepared him for his role and changed his views on journalism.

"Especially with such a pessimistic view on journalism and the media that we have right now, he said he was really inspired and hopeful that people are still doing it," Campbell said.

Both professors said the series is more than comedy -- it's a chance to highlight why local journalism matters.

"Thomas Jefferson, of course, famously said if you had government without journalism or journalism without government, he would pick the latter," Kraft said. "And the importance of journalism has never been more significant in the time that we exist presently.”

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All ten episodes were released simultaneously on Peacock Thursday. “The Paper” has already been renewed for a second season, so Ohio State journalists could continue shaping how local news is portrayed on TV.

"No one does what we do at Ohio State," Kraft said. "We have so many opportunities. This is such an extraordinary gift to have so many experts here, so many resources, incredible students and people who work so hard, especially in this journalism program, to make sure that journalism has a path forward for the people that are called to do it."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Two handlers and two dogs from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s Crisis Response K9 Unit are back home after being deployed to Minnesota.

Authorities there requested our local team to go help people impacted by the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Two children were killed and 19 others were hurt.

Titus and Scooby are one-year-old labradoodles. They were both deployed shortly after the mass shooting. Sgt. Darrah Metz, who started the crisis response K9 unit, said she didn’t want to go into specifics about what they saw as the emotions are too raw.

She said Scooby and Titus both did amazing work, being a moment of peace for people who had just experienced an absolute tragedy. 

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“We really saw a need and we were able to go out and help their community. And that's what our jobs are. Our jobs are to help in any way we can. Luckily, we have wonderful leadership here at the sheriff's office who allow us to do these things to help others,” Metz said.

Metz said it's hard to talk about the specifics of what they experienced because emotions are still raw, but said both dogs were very well received. “I'm getting choked up just thinking about it. But any moment that we can reduce stress and allow people to take a deep breath and feel some sort of peace is worth it. So that's what they did. They did it beautifully,” Metz said.

Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said he wants to make sure the handlers work doesn’t go unnoticed because it’s not an easy job. Metz said law enforcement departments in Minnesota want to create their own unit after seeing the FCSO's one. She said this is the biggest complement she could receive.

Metz said since starting the program in 2017, they have now grown to be the largest crisis response K9 unit in the country with six dogs.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- More and more people are dying from overdoses of a drug that’s legal in Ohio: kratom.

However, a distinction between natural vs. synthetic kratom is complicating the debate.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wants it banned, but a meeting on the topic was abruptly cancelled so the governor could hear the perspective of the U.S. Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who supports the use of natural forms of kratom.

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Now, Ohio leaders are talking with federal leaders about what should happen next with kratom. 

Natural kratom is the ground-up plant. Synthetic kratom is 7-OH, which experts say is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine. 

Everyone NBC4 spoke with supports more regulations, even a ban, for synthetic kratom; for natural kratom, opinions are mixed. 

“I was in such a state of ennui or apathy I just never had experienced before,” one former Kratom user, now in recovery, told NBC4 Investigates. 

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He said kratom took him to a dark place. He started by using natural kratom, then progressed to using synthetic. 

Natural kratom is something that some people use to treat pain, and Jack Smith, who owns three local shops that sell kratom, said it changed his life; natural kratom helped stop his addiction to opioids after a racecar accident. 

“It helps with pain, but it helps people get off pharmaceutical drugs,” Smith, CEO of Life of Kratom, said. “I help professional football players, UFC fighters, a couple of movie stars; like, it's incredible.

Synthetic kratom is something he’s strongly against. 

“The plant itself has 7-OH, but it's like 0.0001 of a percent,” Smith said. “All the synthetic stuff that you get is 13% and higher. Like you can buy packs of four, they could have over 100 milligrams and that is crazy. It is stronger than morphine by a lot. The synthetic stuff has just caused such a big problem for us. I mean, it's hurt our powder business.”

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Over the last five years, overdoses where the drug kratom was listed as a cause of death have tripled in Ohio.

“It was just an illuminated neon sign in a gas station by my house,” the man who was addicted to Kratom said. “Actually, that's the first time I saw it. And then it came up in conversation online, where people talked about it as this sort of legal opiate high.”

Recovery centers are seeing the effects of this drug, especially when it’s mixed with others.

“They kind of come down hard from it because of it has an opiate-type effect and it just makes you feel miserable afterwards,” Maryhaven VP of Stabilization Services Adam Jurich said. “You feel like you're dying, but you're not actually dying.”

Maryhaven also wants more regulation.

“As something new comes out, you have to be more aggressive with it,” Jurich said. “Fentanyl has been around for ages. Opium has been around for ages. Morphine has been around for ages. That's not a new thing. Kratom is a new thing. We haven't studied it enough to know what the effects of it are.” 

A fear is that younger children will get their hands on it. 

“The biggest fear, I would say, that I fear about with kratom, is actually adolescence, so kids that are in school, kids that are wanting to be the best that they can be, kids that are looking for an escape, stressors of life,” Jurich said.

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DeWine called for a total ban of both forms of kratom. An Ohio Pharmacy Board meeting to discuss that was canceled after a conversation between DeWine and Kennedy.

Smith says any ban should focus on synthetic kratom. 

“I just don't even know how it's marketed as kratom is because they synthetically make the 7-OH,” Smith said. 

There is a pushback on a total ban and not just from Smith. The American Kratom Association advocates for the use of natural, age-restricted kratom products but does want Ohio to take action against chemically modified kratom products. 

In a statement, AKA wrote:

“The American Kratom Association (AKA) strongly advocates for the more than 300,000 Ohio kratom consumers to have access to safely formulated, properly labeled, and age-restricted kratom products. The AKA encourages the Ohio Board of Pharmacy to respect the current science on kratom in making any evaluation on whether kratom should be classified as a Schedule I substance, and follow the lead of the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services to limit any scheduling to chemically modified and highly synthesized 7-OH products. These adulterated products do pose an imminent threat to the public because of their addiction liability. 

As FDA Commissioner Makary stated at the July 29, 2025 press conference on recommending 7-OH for scheduling at the federal level, the focus is not on natural leaf kratom. It should not be in Ohio either because the current safety evidence and data for natural leaf products does not justify any such action.

The AKA strongly encourages the Board of Pharmacy and Governor DeWine to align with the federal policy on chemically manipulated 7-OH products that do pose a safety threat to Ohio’s citizens.”

“No matter how hard it gets, no matter how much you want to forget, no matter how much you want to, you know, get a better version of yourself, it is better to talk to somebody. There's no shame in that. Go ask for help. Call someone,” Jurich said. 

The FDA has recommended action against 7-OH, synthetic kratom. 

A spokesperson for DeWine said the governor still plans to pursue a ban, but right now, conversations are happening at the federal level to learn more about the situation. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, resources can be found below:

• Maryhaven Resources
• ADAMH Resources

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — It has been nearly a month since NBC4’s Puppy with a Purpose, Paris, entered professional training with Canine Companions, and over the last few weeks he’s made quite the impact on campus.

“I have been nothing but impressed with him,” said Amy Kinsella, a Senior Instructor with Canine Companions. “He’s transitioned really well into professional training. He’s made a lot of friends, and he really enjoys the training environment.”

Paris is on his way to becoming a full-service assistance dog where he will help a child, adult or veteran with disabilities. He could also be placed as a facility dog, where he will work with a trained professional, helping people in different settings such as healthcare.

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Kinsella works with Paris every day on skills many viewers saw during the Friday morning “Furcasts” on NBC4. He is also learning more advanced skills. 

Last week, Kinsella and Paris went on a field trip to a shopping center, where Paris practiced using stairs with a handler and riding on an elevator. Kinsella said Paris was easy to manage, confident in a variety of environments and around different distractions which, she said, is a nice quality to see.

Paris, NBC4's Puppy with a Purpose. (Courtesy/Canine Companions)

Some of the other new skills Paris is working on includes using his nose to close doors and drawers and utilizing push plates to open automatic doors. Paris will also learn how to pick up and retrieve dropped items, and in about two months, Canine Companions will start thinking about placement options for Paris.

“We really want to place him in a role that will play to his strengths, so if he really loves kids or he really likes working, we want to find his skill set and match that with what a client is looking for,” said Kinsella.

On Wednesday, NBC4 spent time with Paris and Kinsella after they accepted a proclamation on behalf of Canine Companions, designating September as National Service Dog Month in the City of New Albany.

According to Kinsella, this type of recognition brings awareness to the life-changing impact that service dogs have on people with disabilities.

“We feel very lucky here to live in a city and a community that really respects service dogs and recognizes that so that our graduates can live a more independent life and can navigate the world fluidly with their service dogs by their side,” she said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police have identified the suspect in a 1997 rape case, connecting the man to other sexual assault cases across the country.

California native Sean McNulty, who died in 1997, has been identified as the suspect in the Columbus case from nearly 30 years ago. DNA collected at the crime scene was analyzed in 2005 but yielded no leads. McNulty's DNA, though, was positively identified from other cases across the country and matched the DNA collected in Columbus.

Sean Patrick McNulty in a mugshot from 1978. Sean Patrick McNulty in a mugshot from 1979.

“I am grateful that our Division’s hard work and tenacity over the years has brought closure to the victim in this violent case," Columbus Chief of Police Elaine Bryant said.

Columbus World War II veteran Moses Eldridge dies at 108

DNA profiles from five rape cold cases all matched McNulty, with two taking place in California in the 1980s and two happening in Michigan in the 1990s. He was also accused in a rape case in Bloomington, Indiana, in 1993.

Authorities across the country were able to contact some of McNulty's victims, including the woman in the Columbus case, who told police it felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Columbus police at 614-645-4036.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Moses Eldridge, a World War II veteran who resided in Columbus has died, according to his family. He was 108.

Eldridge was born on April 17, 1917, and after attending North Carolina A&T State University, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, where he worked as a water purifier — work that earned him a medal.

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Eldridge was scheduled to receive an award Thursday at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum from NBC4 anchor Kerry Charles.

• Moses Eldridge/ Photo Courtesy Moses Eldridge & Family
• Moses Eldridge/ Photo Courtesy Moses Eldridge & Family
• Moses Eldridge/ Photo Courtesy Moses Eldridge & Family
• Kerry Charles and Moses Eldridge

He was believed to be the oldest living veteran of World War II in Ohio at the time of his death. He served on the Sea Snipe cargo ship that eventually transformed into a troop carrier.

In an interview with NBC4 in 2019, Eldridge, who was 102 at the time, recalled an incident he is still extremely proud of, one that earned him a medal.

“It stormed a lot over there and we had a hospital there that was almost ready to be washed away,” Eldridge said. “Our company got a medal for that because we turned the river, we turned the path of the whole river from going into this hospital.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- There are few soccer personalities who can wax lyrical on American soccer like Roger Bennett, the CEO and founder of Men in Blazers Media Network, who will bring his poetic and imaginative style to Columbus, the "magical kingdom" of American soccer.

Bennett will be one of many traveling to Ohio's capital for Tuesday's Team USA men's match against Japan at Lower.com Field. The 7:30 p.m. kickoff will mark the third time the USMNT plays at the Columbus Crew's new stadium and the 15th time ever since 1999.

Born in Liverpool, Bennett became a United States citizen in 2018 and has been a fixture of American soccer coverage for well over a decade through television, podcasts, and books.

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As a founder of the "Men in Blazers" media network, he has been part of NBC's coverage of the English Premier League.

"I know I sound English, but I love America like Kenny Powers loves America," Bennett said. You can watch the full interview with Bennett in the video player above.

Before fans pack the Arena District to see the U.S. face one of Asia's best teams, Bennett will be bringing fans together Monday night for a celebration of American soccer at Kemba Live. The special guests will include Crew legend and "landlocked surfer" Frankie Hejduk, U.S. soccer hall of famer Clint Dempsey, and Crew manager Wilfried Nancy.

"Columbus is a magical kingdom that is really the lungs and the soul of football on the men's side in the United States," Bennett said. "To have any opportunity to come into Columbus, which is one of the great, great American cities. One of the great football fanbases. A fanbase who have seen it all."

Tuesday's game will be one of many throughout the next couple of months that the United States will use to prepare for next summer's World Cup. Fresh off a Gold Cup final loss in July, Bennett said this is a fitting time for the USMNT to come back to a city they have only lost in once.

"This is a team that want to reconnect with the fanbase. They want to prove themselves," Bennett said.

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All of this preparation and celebration will culminate next summer for the first 48-team World Cup that will be hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Bennett's sales pitch to anyone looking to get into it was, as expected, creative.

"The World Cup is an eclipse that strikes the entire planet for 39 days at the same time," he said. "To host it here on American turf is a once-in-a-generational experience. I'm only sorry that there won't be a game in Columbus."

The U.S. men will open the World Cup on June 12 in Los Angeles. It will discover its group stage opponents on Dec. 5 after the draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) – Canal Winchester’s city council recently approved a proposal to build a new Kroger Marketplace and gas station.

On Aug. 18, the council unanimously approved Kroger’s plan to build a grocery store on an undeveloped 17.9-acre lot on the east side of Diley Road and north of Dove Parkway, just west of the Canal Winchester Redwood Apartments. 

At the meeting, Canal Winchester Development Director Lucas Haire said Kroger is eager to get started on the project and would like to close on the property in September, and “then immediately start construction this fall.” 

Kroger plans to purchase 14.2 acres of the site, while the nearly four remaining acres will remain open to other opportunities for development. The commercial center will be branded as “GreenGate Plaza” with signage placed along Diley Road. 

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The retailer is preparing to construct a 122,910-square-foot store with a drive-thru pharmacy and grocery pick-up area. The project also includes a fuel center with seven pumps and a canopy.

The new Kroger will join an existing store in Canal Winchester, which is located at 6095 Gender Road. It will also sit about half a mile north of a Meijer. 

Kroger is an American grocery retailer that was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati. The chain has since spread to more than 1,200 locations across 16 states, including about 200 stores in Ohio. The Kroger Company also owns multiple other brands, including Dillons, Ralphs and Gerbes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio rejected a bid from Amazon, Google and others to overturn AEP's new tariff, or rate structure, specifically for data centers.

Amazon and Google were among the groups looking to overturn the new rate structure, which aims to protect residential customers from absorbing costs of large data centers. The group argued that there were errors in the decision.

"The Commission finds that several arguments are nearly identical to those raised in post-hearing briefing and that the applications for rehearing do not identify any error demonstrating that our prior consideration of this matter was inadequate, against the manifest weight of the evidence, or otherwise unlawful and unreasonable," PUCO wrote in Wednesday's ruling.

The decision upholds a settlement that was agreed to between AEP Ohio, PUCO, the Ohio Consumers’ Council and others aims to protect non-data center customers from the risks of underused investments. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

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The agreement, which was filed in October and was awaiting approval from PUCO, requires large data center customers to pay for 85% of their stated energy needs each month, even if they use less. That would allow them to cover the costs of the necessary infrastructure while protecting other customers. It also includes an exit fee for any project that is canceled or does not meet the obligations of the electric service agreement.

"OCC applauds the PUCO for standing up for AEP's consumers instead of giving into the demands of power hungry data centers," Maureen Willis, agency director of the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, said in a statement.

Electricity costs for Ohioans have been increasing and correlates with the rise in data centers.

The Washington Post found Columbus’ typical monthly home electric bill jumped $27 this summer alone, and tied the price increases to the development of new data centers. State data corroborates the report; the average residential Columbus electricity bill rose $25.64 between April and July 2025. An AEP Ohio spokesperson said increased energy demands are raising prices.

Demand increase correlates with a rapid rise in data centers in central Ohio. According to Data Center Map, which tracks data center locations, 120 of Ohio’s 188 data centers are in the Columbus area. Data centers require massive amounts of energy to operate, and just one data center can require the same electricity use as thousands of homes.

In Ohio, where generation is limited and companies like AEP Ohio are not allowed to build power plants, increased demand hikes up generation prices. Columbus saw double-digit cost increases around the same time data centers began really honing in on central Ohio in 2022 and 2023.

This story includes reporting by Katie Millard.

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

Charity is a 5-year-old pit bull mix who is described as a sweet dog with a loving heart, according to the shelter. Charity has been with the shelter since October 2023, but is currently with a foster home until she finds the perfect family.

• Charity (Franklin County Dog Shelter)
• Charity (Franklin County Dog Shelter)
• Charity (Franklin County Dog Shelter)
• Charity (Franklin County Dog Shelter)

Along with her loving personality, Charity is also called the "cuddle queen." She loves to snuggle up and get all of the attention and pets. No matter where you want to go, she would be a good sidekick for all of your adventures.

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The shelter says Charity does great on walks and is also housebroken. Charity would be happiest in a home where she is the only pet. She also does well with older kids and teens or would be good with an adult looking for a friend.

If you are wanting to adopt a dog who is always happy and would cuddle any time of day, Charity would be a perfect fit for you. If you are interested in adopting Charity, you can email foster@franklincountyohio.gov to set up a meet and greet with her.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio is buzzing with entertainment this weekend, offering something for sports fans, music lovers, comedy seekers and festival-goers alike.

Ohio Stadium will come alive when the Buckeyes face Grambling State on Saturday afternoon, plus baseball returns to Huntington Park as the Clippers play the Indianapolis Indians in a four-game series.

Festival season is also in full swing. The Lithopolis Honeyfest highlights the importance of bees with educational exhibits and unique attractions, while Columbus Oktoberfest fills the Ohio Expo Center with German food, beer, and entertainment. Home and design enthusiasts can browse the revamped Central Ohio Home & Design Show. Those looking for a laugh can dive into the Columbus Comedy Festival, featuring more than 100 performers across multiple venues.

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For music fans, Eric Clapton takes the stage at Mershon Auditorium, and theatergoers can experience the energy of Green Day’s “American Idiot” rock musical at Short North Stage.

The HBCU Alumni Weekend is a three-day celebration designed to bring together graduates, students, professionals and community members, displaying the energy, culture, and excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Families can enjoy free outdoor fun watching “Moana 2” on the big screen under the stars at Columbus Commons or celebrate Johnson’s Real Ice Cream’s 75th anniversary in Bexley with games, contests, and live music.

Adventure seekers can try a one-of-a-kind experience with Cave Yoga, 75 feet underground at Olentangy Caverns.

Columbus Clippers vs. Indianapolis Indians

Huntington Park, Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 4 to 7

• The Columbus Clippers play the Indianapolis Indians at Huntington Park. Ticket prices from
$6 to $21.

Game Times:
Sept. 4: 6:35 p.m.
Sept. 5: 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 6: 7:05 p.m.
Sept. 7: 1:05 p.m.

Columbus Comedy Festival

Various venues around Columbus, Thursday through Friday, Sept. 4 to 7

• The second annual Columbus Comedy Festival features over 100 performers, including national, regional and local comedians. Headliners include The Second City, ALOK, Jeremiah Watkins, Sam Tallent, Maddie Wiener, Geoffrey Asmus, James Adomian, Kasaun Wilson, Ric Diez, Aiko Tanaka, Chad the Bird, Henry Allen and many more. Dozens of stand-up, sketch, improv, and variety shows in various venues throughout the duration of the festival. Attendees can choose which shows to attend each day, providing something for everyone. The shows start Thursday at 7 p.m. and end Sunday at 9 p.m. Tickets range from free to $52.

Photo Courtesy/Columbus Comedy Festival 'Green Day's American Idiot'

Short North Stage on the Garden Theatre main stage, weekly on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 4 to 28, performance times vary

• Green Day's rock musical, based on the 2004 album “American Idiot,” follows three disillusioned friends, Johnny, Tunny, and Will, as they navigate post-9/11 America, each searching for meaning in a world gone mad. Experience explosive songs like “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “21 Guns.” The show runs two hours. Ticket prices range from $44 and up.

2025 Central Ohio Home & Design Show

Ohio Expo Center, Bricker Building at the Ohio State Fair Grounds, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5 to 7

• Discover style at the newly revamped Central Ohio Home & Design Show. Explore over 150 exhibitors featuring home, design, and lifestyle products, and attend informative seminars and demonstrations. The event will take place on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is available for $7 at 717 E. 17th Ave., with access via 17th Avenue only. Complimentary shuttles will operate to and from the entrance during show hours.

HBCU Alumni Weekend

Various locations around Columbus, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5 to 7

A celebration of culture, excellence, and legacy, the weekend brings together alumni from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Ohio State University for a powerful fusion of tradition, connection, and community pride. Events include a job and career fair and a “Welcome to Columbus” reception on Friday, an HBCU and OSU alumni tailgate and after party on Saturday and a HBCU Ball and Parlay Brunch on Sunday. Many events are free, but registration is required.

Lithopolis Honeyfest

Village of Lithopolis, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 and 6

• The Lithopolis Honeyfest is a nonprofit event that focuses on raising awareness about the role of honey bees in crop pollination, promoting honey consumption, and educating attendees on beekeeping.  Enjoy two days of unique attractions, including honey bee beards, various honey flavors, and hive products. Watch honey extraction and observe a hive inspection. Attend educational presentations and meet the American Honey Princess and local beekeepers. Get a close-up view of a queen bee and her colony through a glass observation hive. The event runs from Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Adobe Stock Columbus Oktoberfest

Ohio Expo Center at the Ohio State Fair Grounds, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 5, 6 and 7

• Columbus’s German heritage is on display at this fun annual celebration with live entertainment, food, beer and games. The festival runs Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is available for $15 per car. All food and Beverage will be credit card only. 

An Evening with Eric Clapton

Mershon Auditorium, Friday, Sept. 5, doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m.

Eric Clapton, renowned for his work with legendary bands like the Yardbirds, Blind Faith, and Cream, has an unparalleled solo career. He has received countless awards and accolades and is recognized as one of the most important musicians of our time. Clapton continues to attract audiences worldwide, selling out shows everywhere he performs. Tickets range from $297 and up.

Eric Clapton performs during the Crossroads Guitar Festival Saturday, June 26, 2010 in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) Family Movie Nights 'Moana 2'

Columbus Commons, Friday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m.

A free family movie under the stars and city skyline at the Columbus Commons. Free popcorn while supplies last.

Johnson's Real Ice Cream 75th Anniversary Celebration

 Johnson's Real Ice Cream, Main Street, Bexley, Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Johnson’s Real Ice Cream is celebrating 75 years in Bexley with a block-party-style celebration at its original shop, located at 2728 East Main St. in Bexley. The event will feature a 22-foot slide, carnival-style games, a giant inflatable kiddie play yard, plus face painting and balloon twisting, a dunk tank with local personalities, and more. Ice cream eating contests with a $5 suggested donation will benefit A Kid Again of Central Ohio. Live music by The Shazzbots starts at 5 p.m. on the patio. Admission is free.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Grambling State Tigers

Ohio Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 6, 3:30 p.m.

• Ohio State plays Grambling State on Saturday at Ohio Stadium. Check Ticketmaster for prices.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - AUGUST 30: Quarterback Julian Sayin #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) Cave Yoga at Olentangy Caverns

Olentangy Caverns, Saturday, Sept. 6, classes at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• A multisensory yoga experience in an improvised studio 75 feet underground, only accessible by 58 stairs. Participants can relax their body and mind, connecting to nature inside the cave. All levels are welcome, including beginners aged 12 and older. Attendees should bring a yoga mat and old towel to protect it from the cave floor, wear sturdy footwear for the descent, and dress for the consistent 55-degree cave temperature. The cost is $29.50 per person.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An iconic country superstar will headline the Buckeye Country Superfest in the summer of 2026.

Tyler Childers will headline the ninth summer mega-event at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, June 13. The concert will include rising country stars The Red Clay Strays, Lord Huron, Sierra Ferrell, Flatland Cavalry and Kaitlin Butts.

These central Ohio sites were once an Arthur Treacher’s fish and chips

Childers, known for his unique style and mix of traditional country, folk, honky-tonk and bluegrass, was nominated for several music awards in 2024, including Best Country Song, Best Music Video and Best Country Solo Performance for “In Your Love”, which is featured in his nominated Best Country Album, Rustin’ in the Rain.

His latest project, Snipe Hunter, was released this summer, a blend of Appalachian music, experimental rock, psychedelia, and gospel music.

Courtesy/Columbus Arena Sports & Entertainment

Childers is joined by The Red Clay Strays, who was named the 2024 Americana Music Honors & Awards Emerging Artist of the Year and the 2025 Academy of Country Music Awards New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year.

Tickets to see the half-dozen performers at the Buckeye Country Superfest 2026 will go on sale to the general public on sale Friday, Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. Fans can register for presale access at www.BuckeyeCountrySuperfest.com.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- While Arthur Treacher's is staging an Ohio comeback, scattered across Columbus are the shells of more than a dozen former locations that once fried up cod and hush puppies.

Launched in 1969, the central Ohio chain was named after British actor Arthur Treacher, who appeared in numerous 1930s films and in Disney's "Mary Poppins." Its British-inspired menu helped fuel rapid expansion and, by the end of the 1970s, there were more than 800 Arthur Treacher's locations nationwide.

After shooting, Ohio lawmaker pushes to require bypass lanes at drive-thrus

Financial trouble hit early in the next decade. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1982, just months after being acquired by Lumara Foods of America. After years of ownership changes, Chapter 11 proceedings and declining sales, the chain's footprint shrank drastically. Today, just three restaurants remain open, all in northeast Ohio.

(Courtesy Photo/Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips)

The chain made headlines this summer when a deal to revive one of its former locations fell through. Marino's Seafood Fish & Chips at 1216 W. Fifth Ave. in Grandview Heights was once an Arthur Treacher's in the 1980s. The restaurant's owners had planned to retire and transfer operations to the chain, but the agreement collapsed and Marino's reopened in August. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Marino's and Arthur Treacher's in the video player above.

The following list of former Arthur Treacher's locations was compiled by ColumbusRestaurantHistory.com, a site that since 1997 has documented central Ohio restaurants.

Former central Ohio Arthur Treacher's locations

261 Lincoln Circle in Gahanna.

• This property was among Arthur Treacher's first locations that opened in 1969 and is now home to a longtime Massey's Pizza.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

355 Granville St. in Gahanna.

• This Gahanna site has seen several tenants over the years, including Swan Cleaners and most recently Buckeye Candy Company.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office) New York-based hamburger joint to open in former Melt at Easton on Wednesday

561 S. Hamilton Road in Whitehall.

• An Arthur Treacher's location until 1980, this Whitehall property was the home of Indochine Café before closing in 2022.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

808 S. High St. in German Village.

• Another original Arthur Treacher's that operated from 1969 until the mid 1970s, this German Village property has been owned by Taco Bell since the 1980s.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

1216 W. Fifth Ave. in Grandview Heights.

• Once an Arthur Treacher's in the 1980s, this Grandview Heights location has operated under the Marino's brand since 1992.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

1765 Brice Road in Reynoldsburg.

• This Reynoldsburg site is the longtime home of creole restaurant Cajun Island.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

2110 Cleveland Ave. in Columbus.

• Another Arthur Treacher's from 1969 until the mid 1970s, this Columbus property recently featured a beauty salon, but has since been boarded up.

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2127 E. Livingston Ave. in Columbus.

• This Columbus property was among Arthur Treacher's later locations, open from the 1990s until 2005.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

2183 N. High St. in Columbus.

• Near Ohio State University, this site was an Arthur Treacher's beginning in 1969 and now includes a Domino's location.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

2245 Morse Road in Columbus.

• Listed as Arthur Treacher's original central Ohio location, this Columbus property is now a E-Z Cash Pawn Shop.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

3871 E. Livingston Ave. in Columbus.

• This Columbus site has served as an auto sales business since the 1980s.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

5328 N. High St. in Columbus.

• Previously known as Acropolis Gyro Palace, this Greek Express location has operated on this Columbus site since 2001.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

209 E. Broad St. in Columbus.

• Once a shopping center, this property is now features a towering apartment complex that started construction after the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Franklin County Auditor's Office)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As defense contractor Anduril prepares for Ohio's largest single-creation job investment to date, other groups are looking to increase transportation options to the future manufacturing site.

Anduril announced in January that it will build drones and other aerial weapons near Rickenbacker Airport at its new facility, Arsenal-1. With close proximity to the airport, the project is prepared to produce large quantities of defense technology and transportation. State records show plans for air and rail expansions near the site that could help Arsenal-1 operate. See previous coverage in the video player above.

According to state permit applications, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority is working on an "Arsenal-1 Airside project." The project said it is for a manufacturing facility construction project, although it noted the "exact site plan is unknown at this point." Few other details are known about what this project will entail, but the name almost guarantees association with Anduril's facility.

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According to state documents filed with the EPA, the Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation also wants to build an expanded railway near the site. The application did not list Arsenal-1 by name but said the project will benefit the local community and larger region economically and will generate a lot of tax revenue for the state.

Maps filed with the state place the railroad expansion just south of Rickenbacker at the railway near State Route 762 and Duvall Road.

This railway construction would involve a $22 million investment and create "a significant number" of temporary construction jobs for eight months to a year of building. The proposed project would expand an existing facility with new process tracks, parking, storage tracks, internal roadways and infrastructure.

The project did not appear to file any applications with Ohio agencies until February 2025, although one associated document is dated January 2024, predating public plans for Arsenal-1 and Ohio's involvement. Initially, the rail project targeted completion by the end of 2025.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A state senator and the family of a woman who was killed at an Ohio Taco Bell are pushing for a proposed law that would mandate bypass lanes at new drive-thrus. 

On Aug. 14, Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson) announced he has drafted a bill titled Megan’s Way Out, which would require businesses constructing new drive-thrus or undergoing significant renovations to install a bypass lane that is at least 10 feet wide to allow vehicles to exit easily and to provide an access point for first responders. Weinstein plans to file the bill next week, according to his office. 

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The legislation was announced exactly one year after Megan Keleman, 25, was fatally shot at a single-lane Taco Bell drive-thru in the Summit County city of Stow. Jason Williams, 53, ran into Keleman’s car from behind before shooting her to death and then taking his own life. 

Sitting between two cars and left without an exit, Keleman was unable to escape, and first responders struggled to reach her after the shooting. Police have said the pair did not know each other, and Williams’ motive is unknown. 

“The tragic loss of Megan Keleman highlighted a glaring safety risk in many drive-thru lanes across the state,” Weinstein said. “This bill ensures that no Ohioan will ever again be trapped in a drive-thru without a way out or without access to help when it’s needed most.”

Both Keleman’s family and the mayor of Stow, John Pribonic, joined Weinstein at the announcement and expressed support for the bill. 

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“All businesses must provide a safe environment, inside and out,” Keleman’s father, Nick Keleman, said. “A one-lane drive-thru that traps people without a way to escape is simply not safe.”

The legislation provides exceptions for businesses located on properties without sufficient space for a bypass lane. Weinstein said this helps ensure the bill is fair for small or “space-constrained” establishments. 

The City of Stow is not waiting for a state law to pass before acting to prevent a similar tragedy. In early August, Stow City Council introduced its own ordinance called Megan’s Way Out, which would also require bypass lanes at new drive-thrus. It is expected to receive a vote this month.

Some Ohio cities – including Gahanna, Dayton and Cleveland – already have zoning codes that require bypass lanes at drive-thrus.