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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio-based corporation known for its peanut butter and jelly sandwiches has filed a lawsuit against Trader Joe’s, accusing the grocery chain of launching an “obvious copycat” of Uncrustables. 

On Oct. 13, The J.M. Smucker Company – which produces Jif peanut butter, Smucker’s jam and Uncrustables – filed a federal lawsuit against Trader Joe’s in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

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The company alleges that a crustless peanut butter and jelly product created by Trader Joe’s infringes on Smucker’s trademarks for a “round pie-like shape with distinct peripheral undulated crimping” and imagery of the sandwich “with a bite taken out of it showing filling on the inside.” 

“Smucker does not take issue with others in the marketplace selling prepackaged, frozen, thaw-and-eat crustless sandwiches,” the filing says. “But it cannot allow others to use Smucker’s valuable intellectual property to make such sales.”

• Trader Joe's crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
• A box of Smucker's Uncrustables sandwiches are seen in a freezer of a supermarket in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison)

Trader Joe’s did not respond to NBC4’s request for comment. The grocery chain released its crustless sandwiches in August. Its website states, “while a ready-to-eat sandwich sans crust is not a new culinary invention,” Trader Joe’s version serves as an alternative to those that contain “less than desirable ingredients and artificial preservatives.” 

In the suit, Smucker called the product “an obvious attempt to trade off of the fame and recognition” of Uncrustables. The company also claimed the similar visuals have already led consumers to falsely believe the product is in some way affiliated with Smucker. The filing cites a social media comment from a person claiming Trader Joe’s is contracting with Smucker to make the sandwiches under its private label.

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Smucker, headquartered in Orrville in northeastern Ohio, launched Uncrustables in grocery stores in 2000. The company produces about 1.5 billion Uncrustables each year, and the products are “fast on their way to being a $1 billion brand,” according to the filing. 

The lawsuit seeks to stop Trader Joe’s from using branding that is “confusingly similar” to Uncrustables. It asks a judge to require Trader Joe’s to deliver all crustless sandwiches and related materials to Smucker for destruction. Smucker also wants Trader Joe’s to pay for its attorney fees and hand over profits it made off the similar product. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The senator behind a bill to name the buckeye Ohio's official candy hopes it passes before Ohio State's football season ends, "that way we can celebrate making the buckeye our official state candy and then give That Team Up North their just desserts," he said.

Sen. Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) introduced Senate Bill 247 in August to officially designate the buckeye confection as Ohio's state candy. During the bill's first hearing on Oct. 22 in the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, DeMora said the peanut butter and chocolate treat "has become a long-lasting beloved tradition for generations of families all over Ohio."

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"Go anywhere and you’ll find them in bakeries, grocery stores, candy shops, and even kitchens made from scratch. Families pass down their favorite recipes. Parents teach their kids how to roll the peanut butter balls right before dipping in chocolate," DeMora said during the hearing. "And of course, no Ohio State tailgate is complete without a plate of buckeyes on the table. It's something we all share, from Cincinnati to Columbus to Cleveland, and everywhere in between."

(Adobe Stock)

"As someone who represents the Ohio State University, I'd sure love to see this bill pass before the end of football season," the senator continued.

Ohio State is undefeated and the top-ranked team in the country this season. It ends the regular season with its traditional game against Michigan on Nov. 29.

When S.B. 247 was introduced this summer, DeMora argued that the candy's enduring popularity and cultural relevance make it a fitting addition to Ohio's collection of state symbols, which includes the Ohio buckeye tree, the cardinal, and the scarlet carnation. While Ohio also lacks an official fish, lawmakers have put forward a bill to name the walleye the state fish.

DeMora's bill came shortly after state Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) also put forward House Bill 418 to correct a long-standing error in the official record concerning the buckeye tree's scientific name. Since 1953, Ohio law has listed the Latin name as Aesculus globra, a misspelling of the correct term, Aesculus glabra.

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"As a proud Buckeye, I believe our state's official symbols deserve to be represented with accuracy and respect," Brennan said in a press release. "This isn't just a matter of spelling -- it's about honoring the natural heritage of Ohio and ensuring the revised code reflects the same excellence we expect in every part of state government."

H.B. 418, assigned to the Ohio House General Government Committee where it has yet to receive a hearing, makes no substantive change to the tree's designation, the legislator noted. Instead, it aims to reflect attention to detail and pride in Ohio's identity, he said.

"Whether you’re a botanist, a student, or just a proud Ohioan, you deserve a state law that gets the buckeye right," Brennan added.

S.B. 247 may receive additional Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee hearing open for public testimony.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Schools hosted the first of three town halls Monday night, asking residents for feedback on where to cut $50 million from the budget for next school year.

The school board will vote this December on what cuts will be made.

Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman and board members have been calling for feedback from parents and community members for months. Monday at South High School, people got that opportunity.

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“We do have to cut $50 million from the general fund for next school year, and so we can't say we have to protect everything and nothing is on the table,” Chapman said. “We have to make a decision.”

District leaders have discussed cuts to high school transportation and more school closures. Parents and students said they are most concerned about busing.

“I’ve been really agitated, especially about the transportation, because not many people are going to want their kids on a bus, especially around this area,” Columbus parent Melissa Ritz said.

“My grandmother just told me while she was riding the bus that there was a fight that happened,” South High School student Kyleana Howard said. “You don’t want your child to see that, be around that.”

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The town hall also provided clarification for people overwhelmed by the size of the budget cut.

“It was definitely helpful,” Howard said. “It gave me more to think about.”

“I’m glad I came because like I said, I was really more upset with the district itself as far as the schools, but now that I'm here and I got to see, you know, what they're trying to accomplish, I feel bad for them,” Ritz said.

Chapman and Columbus City School Board President Michael Cole said big decisions are coming. Not everyone will be happy with the outcome, but everyone will have a voice in the process.

“We believe that by giving our community some choices to consider, it's not all or nothing; they have choices and so we welcome their feedback,” Chapman said.

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A special board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 13, where cuts to staff and programs will be discussed. It’s set to be one of the final public conversations before the board votes on where to make the $50 million in cuts.

“As of December, it's about making the best decision that we have been equipped to make for the children of Columbus City Schools,” Cole said.

Two more town halls are scheduled for this week. People can attend events at West High School on Tuesday at 6 p.m. or at Mifflin High School on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Anyone can view the town hall materials or share feedback with the district on its website by clicking here.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hilliard City Council and residents are opposing an energy project linked to the Amazon data center. The company plans to install over 200 fuel cells at its facility off Scioto Darby Creek Road. 

"I think if people sit back and don't say anything, that's not going to change anything," resident Chris Ighnat said. "So, we're looking to change what's happening over there."

Chris Ighnat is behind a petition that's already received over 600 signatures urging council to appoint special counsel and file an appeal to stop construction.

At Monday night's city council meeting they approved a motion to hire an outside law firm that specializes in environmental impact issues. They have until Nov. 8 to file their appeal. 

"We were pleased with the level of support from city council today but it's a big fight," resident Ted Cannelongo said.

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The city of Hilliard originally opposed the natural gas fuel cell power plant that Amazon Web Services and AEP Ohio plan to use to power multiple data centers in Hilliard near homes and schools but the state ultimately has the final say and approved it anyway. 

"The way that this got approved, the approvals did not follow suit, the notifications, the communication, and overall, the transparency was not there," Ighnat said. 

Several residents spoke during public comment Monday night. They raised concerns surrounding long-term health impacts because the fuel cells will be powered by a large gas pipelines. Residents say there are too many unanswered questions about how this project could affect families living nearby.

"The CO2 is probably the biggest one," Ighnat said. "Fire safety. Right. Norwich Township has not received any plan from AEP or Amazon about how they're going to handle whatever may happen over there. There's health and respiratory concerns, diminishing home values."

In a statement, AEP Ohio said:

"AEP Ohio appreciates the relationship we have with the Hilliard community. We remain committed to maintaining those relationships as we deliver innovative solutions for our customers that are safe and comply with all laws and regulations applicable to their operation — in this case, an onsite fuel cell system at a customer’s site. Fuel cells have proven to be a safe, clean solution for customers' energy needs. Per regulatory approvals for this project, AEP Ohio will ensure that local first responders are trained on potential fuel cell emergencies. Fuel cells have low emissions characteristics, since they do not provide energy through combustion, and any emissions will be within the limits set by the Ohio EPA."

In a statement, Amazon said:

“We work with local utilities to access the energy needed to meet the needs of our customers. This includes collaborating with a diverse set of stakeholders to deliver highly reliable electricity from local power grids along with enabling new carbon-free generation sources like solar and wind. In some instances, such as in Franklin County, the local utility will deploy fuel cells as an interim solution to power a small portion of our overall data center operations while we await completion of larger scale transmission and distribution upgrades in Ohio.”

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"While this technology is touted as a green technology, it hasn't really been deployed at this scale in North America and there also really aren't requirements in place right now to perform the kind of impact studies, run the dispersion modeling, to understand exactly what the health impacts are," Cannelongo said. 

Those same fears were shared by councilmembers who said they felt blindsided by the state's decision to move the project forward without local approval.

"We all understand the need for energy in the United States and across the world, actually," Hilliard City Councilmember Les Carrier said. "But you can't just be throwing up 1.5 million pounds of CO2 a day into the air next to a neighborhood to school without some kind of measurement of what that means."

AEP Ohio and AWS plan to begin construction on the fuel cell system in January, to be completed around September 2027. The project is slated to be temporary until AEP Ohio can catch up with demands on the grid.

"This fight's just warming up," Carrier said. "We need to reach out, get to other communities and make sure that there's some balance in this approach."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The death of a former member of the Ohio State University football team and the New York Jets is sending shock waves around the nation.

Nick Mangold, a two-time all-pro center, died at the age of 41 from complications of kidney disease. His death is a reminder of the seriousness of a disease affecting more than 35 million Americans.

Mangold, with his height, skill and, of course, long blonde hair, made him recognizable as he sported scarlet and gray while a member of the national championship football team.

The Centerville native was a first-round draft pick in 2006 by the New York Jets, the same year he was diagnosed with a genetic defect that led to his chronic kidney disease. 

“You know, people understand heart disease, cancer, words like that, but when they hear about kidney disease, it takes them a while to really get to understand what does it mean to me,” Ohio State Wexner Medical Center transplant doctor Dr. Uday Nori.

Nori, a transplant nephrologist specializing in kidney and pancreas transplantation, said he knows the seriousness of the disease and to hear the news of Mangold was heartbreaking.

“Yeah, you know, I was saddened to hear the news of his passing, and the first thought that entered my mind was, immediate thought was, ‘He was so young,’" Nori said.

Nori said that while he couldn’t speak to Mangold’s specific case, the disease Mangold had occurs when the kidneys stop filtering waste from the blood, which can impact the body’s other organs, anything from a person’s bone health to their heart.

Nori said that while the disease is complex and can have long-term health implications for those in the later stages, actually diagnosing the disease is easy.

“The thing that I would like your listeners and viewers to know is diagnosing kidney disease is very simple,” he said. “It takes a blood test, a urine test, when they go to their primary care doctors. And people who have risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes should be especially alert to the idea that they may already have an underlying kidney disease.

“This is just such a tragedy that a young man, also a well-known person who is in the public view all the time, had to have such a sad outcome,” Nori added.

Mangold, who just two weeks ago asked the public to consider donating a kidney, leaves behind a wife and four young children.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- More than 1.5 million Ohioans risk losing access to vital food assistance dollars on Saturday.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has said that those relying on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP benefits, may not get their November benefits if the federal shutdown continues.

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In Franklin County, nearly 175,000 people rely on SNAP benefits, so the Columbus City Council is trying to help and issuing a call to action.

"We find it unacceptable for this federal government not to do its job. The city of Columbus will try to step in and we know it's only $25,000, so it's not to solve the issue, but hopefully to be a catalyst to see what churches can do this weekend, what individual folks can do this weekend," Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said. 

Columbus City Council passed $25,000 in emergency funding to support the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. MOFC is bracing for more people in need as many risk losing access to SNAP benefits this Saturday if the federal government does not reopen.

"We know that the work that we do in the charitable food system is dwarfed by how much support comes out of federal programs, and we can't possibly replace that. So we are expecting more families. We'll have to figure out how to make the resources work," MOFC Senior Vice President of Communications Mike Hochron said. 

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"Last night, this morning, every story was about how folks were preparing to not have food next Monday. And you can't just keep watching that and just think about the fear that these families are going to have who are dependent on SNAP benefits. Some things are just about providing hope," Hardin said. 

Council hopes the action will encourage others around the community to get involved and give back.

"We're reaching a point where every little bit of help is going to make a difference," Hochron said. 

If you or a loved one is in need of food assistance or if you are looking to help out, you can find resources here. 

DELAWARE, Ohio (WCMH) — A Delaware County organization dedicated to making sure everyone has the food they need is hoping their new billboard at a notorious location can help make a difference. 

As drivers approach the West Central Avenue Railway overpass in the city of Delaware, they pass multiple signs telling them what the clearance is. There was also a high-tech warning system that went up in 2018. But still, the bridge gets hit.

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“Everybody knows it as the can opener," said Brandon Feller, President of United Way of Delaware County (UWDC).

The bridge got its nickname because trucks that are too tall have tried to drive underneath and their tops have been damaged or peeled off. The bridge was hit 60 times from 2014-2024, according to the city of Delaware.

“We all knew the moment we got the billboard, we have to make a reference to the can opener," said Cheyenne Fletcher, Data and Marketing Manager for UWDC.

The billboard is right next to the bridge. The county health district is letting the Delaware County Hunger Alliance, which UWDC helps operate, use the space. Part of the design includes the words, "Donate to our local food pantries," surrounding a can being opened.

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"We know it's something the community is aware of, and so when we had that opportunity to do that, we thought, 'Let's feature a can, we’re talking about the can opener, right next to the can opener, let's feature a can,' Feller said. "How can people donate food and be aware of the need for food in our community?"

Feller said there are 20,000 people in the county affected by food insecurity. He hopes the billboard will help get the word out about the need for donations. He said they're especially important as pantries are seeing an increased need.

“Take this opportunity as a reminder, when you see that billboard or when you see that post, take it as a reminder that our pantries rely on the public," Feller said. 

CINCINNATI (WCMH) -- The first "Hell is Real" playoff series in two years is starting Monday as the Columbus Crew take on FC Cincinnati in the first round of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Monday night is game one of the best-of-three series from TQL Stadium in Cincinnati before game two on Sunday in Columbus. If the teams finish Monday night's game tied after regulation, it will go straight to penalty kicks.

The seven-seeded Crew will be looking to continue its dominance in the rivalry but enter after just winning two of its last 10 MLS games. FC Cincinnati is in its fourth straight playoffs and look for revenge after losing the 2023 Eastern Conference final to Columbus in the Queen City.

Follow below for live updates throughout the match

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police said a 7-year-old boy died after accidentally shooting himself Sunday night when he got hold of an unsecured, unattended gun. 

Police said this sort of accident -- the second such shooting in less than a week -- needs to stop and people need to lock up their guns to keep them safe and away from children.

“We have tragically seen this before in our city. We need this to stop,” Columbus Police Sgt. Joe Albert said.

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Police were investigating inside the home where this happened on Grandview Avenue until about 2:30 Monday afternoon.

“First calls came in just with a lot of commotion in the background,” Albert said.

Neighbors we spoke with off camera said they were shocked at the incident. They and police said the shooting happened at a rental property, so neighbors said they didn't know the family staying there.

Police officials said no charges have been filed at this time, but they will present the case to the prosecutor's office. 

“We say it all the time. You have to lock up your guns. As soon as you get home, you have to lock up your gun. Children are curious. Children want to know what it is," Albert said.

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Last week, a nine-year-old was accidentally shot in East Columbus. He did survive. Police charged a 27-year-old man with negligent assault after he told police he tripped and the gun went off. In September, a three-year-old died after accidentally shooting himself in South Columbus. The boy's mother was charged with involuntary manslaughter. 

In Sunday night’s incident, police have not yet said whose gun it was or who could be responsible. 

“At this time, it appears to be a horrific accident where the child accidentally shot themselves with an unattended firearm. Very tragic,” Albert said. “We need to not have another child lose their life because of a firearm that's unattended.”

There are several places around the city that give out free gun locks or safes, including Columbus Public Health and the Columbus Fire Department.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Testimony got underway Monday in a case that calls into question the ethics of two leaders of the state teachers’ pension fund.

The chairman of the State Teachers Retirement System board, Rudy Fichtenbaum, and former board member Wade Steen are accused of teaming up to improperly move control of most of the fund to a private investment firm known as QED.

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As was clear from the opening statements, the state is accusing Fichtenbaum and Steen of failing to act in the best interest of Ohio’s 500,000 active and retired teachers, but the defense’s case relies on questioning whether the STRS staff itself is properly handling the $90 billion pension fund.

Testimony got underway in Franklin Common Pleas Court in a case that could bring to light investment strategies for the embattled state teachers’ pension fund. In opening statements, Fichtenbaum and Steen were accused by the prosecution of backing a risky investment scheme in what is alleged to be a “backroom deal.”

Both men claimed to be looking out for Ohio’s teachers.

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Steen was the first witness called to the stand by the state.

Attorneys are asking the court for an injunction that would remove Fichtenbaum from the board and prevent both men from ever serving again on the STRS board.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Robert “Bobby” George, the owner of Townhall and Mandrake in the Short North, is now facing an attempted strangulation charge, which his attorney said is part of an agreement.

On Monday, George, 44, was charged with attempted strangulation in a bill of information, according to Cuyahoga County court records. A bill of information is formal criminal charge filed by a prosecutor, rather than a grand jury.

George initially faced nine felony counts, including attempted murder, rape and kidnapping. George's attorney, Kevin Spellacy, told NBC4's sister station WJW that George is now only facing the single strangulation charge.

“The City of Cleveland had originally charged him with kidnapping, rape, attempted murder, and after 14 months, he now faces a single count of a felony of the fifth degree," Spellacy said. "We reached an agreement on one felony of the fifth degree after he was grossly overcharged by the City of Cleveland."

A fifth-degree felony, the lowest level felony in Ohio, has a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

George was arrested in August 2024, for crimes allegedly committed between November 2023 and July 2024. A woman accused George of domestic violence, including instances where the victim said he would pull her hair and kick her to stop her from leaving. At one point, the woman said she was hospitalized after George assaulted her. 

Additionally, the victim accused George of holding a firearm to her stomach, telling her it was loaded and forcing her back into an apartment. She alleged he also put tracking devices on her phone and car.

He pleaded not guilty to those charges on Aug. 13, 2024, and posted a $200,000 bond a short time later. 

George’s arraignment, or court appearance during which he will be formally informed of the new charge against him and required to enter a plea, is set for Friday at 8:30 a.m., court records say. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State's penultimate road game of the 2025 regular season now has a start time.

The No. 1 Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0) will take on Purdue (2-6, 0-5) on Nov. 8 at Ross-Ade Stadium and the game will kickoff at 1 p.m. ET. This will be the first time in 20 years Ohio State has a regular season game that kicks off at 1 p.m. ET when the Buckeyes played at Michigan on Nov. 19, 2005.

Nov. 8 will mark the 60th official meeting between Ohio State and the Boilermakers. This game will also be the first to be played after the initial College Football Playoff rankings are revealed on Nov. 4.

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But before this contest, each team will play on Saturday in Week 10 as Ohio State hosts Penn State in Columbus at noon and Purdue looks for its first Big Ten win at No. 21 Michigan in Ann Arbor at 7 p.m.

Ohio State has won three straight against Purdue dating back to 2021. The last time the Boilermakers beat the Buckeyes was at home in 2018 with their famous 49-20 upset win. In fact, this is one of the few Big Ten matchups where Ohio State has not utterly dominated this century with Purdue having five wins since 2000.

Remaining 2025 Ohio State football schedule

• Nov. 1: Penn State, noon
• Nov. 8: at Purdue, 1 p.m.
• Nov. 15: UCLA
• Nov. 22: Rutgers
• Nov. 29: at Michigan, noon

This season's game may not produce an upset as Purdue is struggling through Big Ten play and have lost six straight games. After nonconference wins over Ball State and Southern Illinois to begin the year, the Boilermakers have lost to USC, Notre Dame, Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, and Rutgers.

Barring a four-game winning streak to end the year with miraculous wins over No. 21 Michigan, No. 1 Ohio State, Washington, and No. 2 Indiana, Purdue is destined to not play a bowl game for a third successive season.

NBC4's coverage of college football will continue for Week 10 in Lincoln, Nebraska as the Cornhuskers host USC at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. NBC4 will also show a noon Big Ten game on Saturday from Champaign, Illinois as the Fighting Illini host Rutgers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – More Ohioans admit they would watch sports while driving than residents of any other state in America, according to a recent report. 

Hard Rock Bet, a sports betting app by the global hospitality brand Hard Rock, conducted a survey of 2,000 NFL fans across the country in August. The participants were asked where they would watch a live game if they did not go to the stadium, with “Whilst driving” being one of the options. 

The company found that Ohio ranked as the most reckless state for watching sports while driving, with 20% of respondents saying they would do so. 

“With an estimated 180K car accidents in Ohio in the last 12 months, the findings highlight that Ohio drivers are still easily distracted on the road, despite the 2023 law banning the use of handheld electronic wireless communication devices while driving,” Hard Rock Bet wrote. See NBC4's previous coverage in the video player above.

California was the second-most reckless state, with 19% of respondents admitting they would watch sports behind the wheel. The state registered over 588,000 car accidents in the past year, the second highest number behind Texas (622,000). 

The Golden State was followed by Nevada and Washington, tied at 18% of respondents who said they would watch sports while driving. North Carolina came next, at 17%. 

The number of residents surveyed in each state was based on the percentage of the U.S. population the state made up, meaning larger states had more residents surveyed. The study included 243 respondents from Ohio out of the 2,000 surveyed in total. 

Each year, an estimated 5.9 million car crashes occur in the U.S., and smartphones are involved in over 27% of them, according to the National Safety Council.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — A trial for the man accused in a mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse in February still does not have a start date.

A court hearing took place Monday to appeal the ruling of competency to stand trial for Bruce Foster III, who was indicted in May on 19 total charges related to the deaths of two people in a shooting at the KDC/One warehouse.

Foster III was ruled competent to stand trial on Oct. 2 but a defense appeal led to Monday's hearing, where Licking County Judge David Branstool ordered another competency test. The doctor that will rule on Foster III's competency to stand trial will be provided by the defense.

He was found not competent to stand trial twice before being treated. He has since been released from Central Ohio Behavior Healthcare and was returned to Licking County jail.

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"The doctor had a limited amount of time to do an evaluation. And in that limited amount of time, he's shown great improvement, but that he may still not be at the point that's he's ready to participate in the court process," said Foster's defense attorney Brandon Shroy.

The prosecution argued on Monday Foster is competent to stand trial because he answered questions on the definition of a guilty plea and the difference between a judge and prosecutor.

Foster was an employee at the KDC/One warehouse and had been working for several hours before opening fire and then leaving in a rideshare vehicle, authorities said. Witnesses reported Foster firing a handgun at people along a production line, including one victim who was shot at close range in the head. One of the shooting victims was able to get the handgun away from Foster, prompting Foster to then flee the building.

Police said there was reportedly no altercation prior to the incident and witnesses reported that Foster arrived at work intoxicated and smelling of marijuana.

He is charged with four counts of murder, four counts of aggravated burglary, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and six counts of inducing panic, along with a firearm specification.

The next court date has not been scheduled at this time.

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- An independent bookstore years in the making, and delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, has found a home in Powell, welcoming readers with its grand opening earlier this month.

Escape Into Fiction, located at 50 S. Liberty St. in downtown Powell, celebrated its launch on Oct. 18. The shop is owned by April Rock, who said the business fulfils a longtime dream that began several years ago and spun out of her love for books. When the pandemic hindered her original store plans, Rock began building a customer base online.

"In 2019, we lived in West Chester, Ohio, just down by Cincinnati, and we wanted to have a brick and mortar there," Rock said in a NBC4 interview. "We went to get ready to sign a lease, and the pandemic hit, everything closed, so we decided to segue and do at home deliveries during the pandemic, which was wonderful. That was a good way to get started for us."

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A couple years later, a job opportunity for Rock's husband took them to Massachusetts, where she spent three years operating her first bookstore in the suburb of Franklin. The couple returned to Ohio following another job change and the arrival of their first grandchild. The move also meant Rock could again pursue opening a Buckeye State storefront.

• Escape Into Fiction, located at 50 S. Liberty St. in Powell. (Courtesy Photo/April Rock)
• Escape Into Fiction, located at 50 S. Liberty St. in Powell. (Courtesy Photo/April Rock)
• Escape Into Fiction, located at 50 S. Liberty St. in Powell. (Courtesy Photo/April Rock)
• Escape Into Fiction, located at 50 S. Liberty St. in Powell. (Courtesy Photo/April Rock)
• Escape Into Fiction, located at 50 S. Liberty St. in Powell. (Courtesy Photo/April Rock)

Rock and her husband settled in Powell for about a year before they were able to secure the South Liberty Street location, she said. A lifelong reader, opening Escape Into Fiction has been a full circle moment for Rock, who also previously worked in the children's department of the MidPointe Library System in West Chester.

"I was helping take care of an elderly grandfather at the time, and so I was not able to work a full time job like I had been," she said. "We were like, 'Okay, what can we do that would still enhance my love of books, but give me something to do?' … The bookstore was a good way to be able to stay in the realm of the books, but still give me time to be flexible with my schedule."

Now, Escape Into Fiction in Powell features a wide selection for all readers. As the name suggests, the shop's shelves are stocked with fiction books, from mystery and romance to fantasy and science fiction. While the storefront doesn't carry other genres, Rock said she's able to order almost any book that customers request.

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"It's all ages. We call it 'birth to death,' so you can come in and get anything you need. I always tease because people are like, 'Oh, but you're only fiction.' I'm like, 'Yes, but I can order anything, and I'm willing to order even nonfiction,'" she said. "I'm willing to order anything that somebody wants to read. It's just that we don't carry it on hand."

Rock envisions Escape Into Fiction as more than just a bookstore -- she hopes it becomes a true community gathering space, hosting book clubs, partnering with other local businesses and restaurants, and holding charity events.

"We try and make our store very comfortable, light and bright," she said. "We want to be a community based store so that we can host events. We do a lot of partnering with other businesses, like restaurants. We do book clubs. … One of the things we want to do is provide books for the NICU unit in Columbus."

Escape Into Fiction is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Asian-inspired fast-casual chain that allows customers to build their own stir-fry bowls has launched its first central Ohio restaurant near Gahanna. 

Honeygrow began welcoming customers at 4782 Morse Road, in the Trouville neighborhood just north of Gahanna, on Friday. The restaurant took over the building that formerly housed Mod Pizza, which closed last year amid financial troubles for the chain. 

General Manager Erika Leiter, District Manager Sean Anderson, Regional Director Lu Story and Brad Fisher, Executive Director of Gahanna Area Chamber of Commerce, join the team at Honeygrow to celebrate the opening of the Morse Road location.

“Columbus has an incredible food culture, and we see real opportunity to bring something new to the market,” said Justin Rosenberg, CEO of Honeygrow. “At Honeygrow, every dish is cooked to order and made with care. Gahanna represents another step toward our vision of making better-for-you dining exciting, unique and full of flavor.”

Honeygrow debuted in Ohio in 2024, with a restaurant in Strongsville. The brand has since spread across the northeast portion of the state, adding eateries in Canton, Akron, Mentor and Avon. The Morse Road opening brings the brand’s Ohio footprint to six locations. 

The chain allows guests to customize stir-fry bowls with egg white noodles, whole wheat noodles, gluten-free rice noodles, brown rice or greens as a base. Customers can then choose from protein options, such as steak, chicken, tofu and egg, along with toppings including vegetables, fruit, cheese and roasted garlic. The chain also offers pre-made dishes, like its sriracha tahini and red coconut curry stir-fries. 

Desserts on the menu include fruit cups with sweet toppings called “honeybars” and brownies. Honeygrow offers dine-in and take-out at its restaurants, along with catering services. 

Founded in 2012, the Pennsylvania-based chain has more than 67 locations across eight U.S. states, according to the company.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Crew is back in the MLS Cup playoffs and will face its in-state rival in the opening round.

FC Cincinnati stands in the Crew's way of making the Eastern Conference semifinals and will look for revenge in the second "Hell is Real" playoff matchup. The series begins Monday at 6:45 p.m. with Game 1 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati before the teams come to Lower.com Field for Game 2 on Sunday.

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Although FCC is raring to avenge a 2023 playoff loss to Columbus, the Crew is limping into the postseason. Here is everything to know ahead of this "Hell is Real" playoff series.

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The Crew finished the regular season with 54 points (14 wins, 12 draws and 8 losses) for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, good enough to avoid the wild card round.

The 2023 MLS Cup champion had its worst season under coach Wilfried Nancy but were held back all season because of injuries. The team won just two of its last 10 MLS games as its top attackers Diego Rossi and Wessam Abou Ali missed a chunk of those games. Mo Farsi, Rudy Camacho, Sean Zawadzki, and Patrick Schulte also missed games during the season.

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For Monday, Crew fans will hope Rossi, the top scorer this season, returns as he was listed as questionable for the regular season finale against the New York Red Bulls because of a thigh injury. Abou Ali (ankle) and Farsi (pelvis) look likely to be out again but could be back for Game 2.

Although most of the defense and midfield is in tip top shape, the key for the Crew is to have Rossi and Abou Ali back in some capacity so the team can have a stronger attacking presence.

FC Cincinnati now a model of consistency

FC Cincinnati started its MLS journey in the dregs of the league, but coach Pat Noonan has lifted it from the cellar into an annual contender. This is the fourth consecutive season Cincinnati is in the playoffs after finishing second in the Eastern Conference with 65 points (20 wins, 9 draws and 5 losses).

Cincy's success was due in no small part to its defense, which ranked second in the East with just 40 goals allowed. Keeper Roman Celentano and defensive leaders Miles Robinson and Nick Hagglund will be the ones to watch in the back.

The danger man in the attack is Evander, who had 18 goals and 15 assists in his first season with the team. Brenner will be in the striker spot, and former Crew player Kei Kamara could pose a threat.

'Hell is Real' derby history

One of the best-named rivalries in sports earned the moniker in 2017 with fans taking the words from a highway sign on Interstate 71 between the cities. That year was the first and only time the clubs met while FCC was part of the United Soccer League. The Crew lost the inaugural meeting 1-0.

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Since Cincinnati joined MLS in 2019, the Ohio rivals have met 17 times, with the Crew winning on eight occasions. One of those wins was in the 2023 Eastern Conference final, when Columbus came back from down 2-0 to win Cincinnati 3-2 in extra time at TQL Stadium, eventually leading to the Crew's title.

The Crew has been the better team in the rivalry this season, with a 1-1 draw at home on May 17 and a 4-2 win on the road on July 12. If Cincinnati wants to beat Columbus in the playoffs for the first time, it will have to win at least twice in two weeks. FCC has just four wins against the Crew over eight years.

How the MLS Cup Playoffs work

This is the third season that the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs is a best-of-three series. Eight teams from each conference have made this stage with matchups seeded based on the conference standings.

The Crew sits as the second-lowest seed in the East and will need to win at least one game in Cincinnati to book a conference semifinal spot. In the first round, games that end in a draw in regulation go straight to penalty kicks to determine a winner.

If the Crew and FCC split the first two matches on Monday and Sunday, a deciding game three would be played on Nov. 7 at TQL Stadium. After the first round, the remaining playoff rounds are single-elimination, with the higher-seeded team hosting.

The winner of the "Hell is Real" playoff series will meet Inter Miami or Nashville SC in the conference semifinal on Nov. 22 or 23. Miami beat Nashville 3-1 in Game 1 of its series behind two goals from MLS Golden Boot winner Lionel Messi.

Miami is favored by oddsmakers to win its first MLS Cup title with the Philadelphia Union, Vancouver Whitecaps, and San Diego FC trailing behind. Despite being one of the lowest seeds in the bracket, the Crew have better odds than seven other teams to win MLS Cup.

Last season's No. 7 seed in the East, the New York Red Bulls, won the conference and became the lowest-seeded team to make an MLS Cup final. Can that spot give the Crew good luck?

WAYNESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — A stunning estate in Warren County is now part of the growing list of Buckeye homes showcased on social media's viral real estate account, Zillow Gone Wild.

The Instagram post, which shared around two dozen photos of the unique house, received more than 4,000 likes and hundreds of comments.

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“The next stop on our #zgwmansionmondays tour today is known as SAGUARO RANCH, has over 189 acres of land and is currently at auction,” the ZGW post caption reads. “The log cabin home has over 7k sq ft and over a mile of 'little Miami river frontage.' Are we moving to Waynesville now?? Hello???”

The home, according to listing agent Alexis Galligan of Sotheby's, is crafted from authentic British Columbia timber and Wyoming stone, shipped directly to Ohio from the sources. Originally priced at $6.9 million, the property was offered by Concierge Auctions, with bidding closing on Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. Although the final sale price has not yet been recorded, bids reached at least $3.6 million before the auction ended.

About an hour and ten minutes from Columbus, along U.S. 42 northeast of Waynesville, the 189 acres boasts several living spaces and outbuildings. A private entry leads to a two-bedroom guest suite with its own bathroom and kitchenette. There is a separate 1,890 square foot “ranch manager” house, which includes five bedrooms and two bathrooms. Also, a “traditional bunkhouse” provides additional accommodations.

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One of the most intriguing aspects of the main house is the 33 hand-carved bears by Wyoming artist Jonathan LaBenne that adorn both the structure and furnishings. The dwelling has numerous custom features in its four bedrooms, three full bathrooms and two half bathrooms. There are five Snake River rock fireplaces, floors crafted from Douglas fir, custom ironwork lighting fixtures by Kevin Johnson and hand-milled interior doors with custom handles. The new owner will also receive much of the western-themed furniture to keep the ranch looking on point.

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The kitchen offers a La Cornue Château 147 range series crafted in France, a Sub-Zero refrigerator and double-stack freezer, two Sub-Zero beverage refrigerators and a new copper dishwasher installed in 2025.

The home's outside incorporates a temperature-controlled five-car garage, an in-ground
swimming pool with fiber optic lighting surrounded by a stamped concrete courtyard, a covered front porch, custom Snake River rock outdoor fireplaces and copper gutters with decorative chain downspouts.

Interestingly, the massive compound operated as a working horse farm with 50 or more horses for more than two decades. The equestrian facilities are made up of more than 30 stalls and multiple paddocks and pastures. There is a large riding arena and pin-ring, a 6,748 square foot hay barn, two climate-controlled offices with a bathroom and shower, and several tack rooms and storage areas.

Galligan said the original owners began building the house with North American Log Crafters around 2000. The construction was completed in 2003. The name Saguaro Ranch comes from their love of the Southwest. This is the first time the property has been offered for sale.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University consultant and former president Gordan Gee championed intellectual diversity and spoke out against pro-Palestine student groups in an op-ed for Fox News.

Gee, 81, was rehired by Ohio State to serve in an advisory role for the 2025-2026 school year. Writing for Fox News, Gee said college campuses need to be better at combating antisemitism and to embrace intellectual diversity. A university spokesperson said Gee's column was not done on behalf of the university. See previous coverage of Gee's role with OSU in the video player above.

"It does not take a former university president, who just concluded 45 years of service, to realize that these actions reflect a very serious problem in the way universities conduct their affairs," Gee wrote.

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Gee criticized college campuses like George Washington University for allowing pro-Palestine or anti-Israel protests, particularly after President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire in Gaza. Gee also called Students for Justice in Palestine -- a national coalition of more than 350 university chapters -- "pro-Hamas."

Ohio State is home to a Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, which NBC4 was unable to reach for comment before publication. In April 2024, more than 30 students were arrested during pro-Palestine protests on campus.

OSU's faculty advocacy group has called the arrests a "dark mark on OSU's recent history," alleging it suppressed free speech. In contrast, Gee said universities are not doing enough to "restore order" on campuses in the wake of pro-Palestine protests.

"This continuing, intolerable situation, explains why [President Donald] Trump made our universities one of his administration’s top priorities," Gee said.

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Gee referenced other universities that have been called out by the Trump administration for antisemitism but did not acknowledge the administration's condemnation of Ohio State. In March, Ohio State was one of 60 universities formally warned by the Department of Education that it could lose funding for not properly protecting students from antisemitism.

Gee also pushed for intellectual diversity and civic education, echoing talking points common among typically conservative politicians and advocates. Like Gee, proponents of increased civic education often advocate for it in ways that reflect American history positively.

"American universities were created to train and challenge young Americans to be proud, committed, informed and industrious citizens of this great nation," Gee said.

Gee said studies show diversity is important, and universities must remember diversifying includes differences in intellectual viewpoints. He said universities must "wean itself, urgently, off its addiction" to partisanship and certain ideologies.

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"All university employees have free speech rights and can submit letters to the editor and guest columns without university input or review, as long as they are not speaking on behalf of the university," a university spokesperson said about Gee's column.

Although Gee did not write on behalf of Ohio State, portions of his column did mirror some comments made by university leadership. Gee advocated for history and civic education, and Ohio State has emphasized the same priorities in its new civic center. OSU President Ted Carter also spoke of civil discourse and intellectual diversity during his state of the university address.

The spokesperson did not address questions as to if Gee's opinion was similar to the advice he was giving in his role as university consultant. Faculty told NBC4 they were glad to see the university's response to Gee's statement and expect the same free speech protections for any other staff who might write their own op-eds or make personal statements.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus residents will be able to save some money on gas for Halloween week as the average price has hit under $3 per gallon.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices fell nearly seven cents in the last week to average out at $2.94 per gallon. The current price is 4.1 cents per gallon higher than four weeks ago but 1.1 cents higher than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.57 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.19. In Ohio, the average price of gas went down 2.2 cents from $2.93 per gallon to $2.91 per gallon.

The national average did rise slightly, hitting exactly $3 per gallon for a 2.5 cents drop from last week's price.

GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan said a refinery fire in the Midwest was a factor in last week's higher prices and that trade deals between the U.S.-China could keeps things steadily under the $3 per gallon average.

“While the spike in prices in affected areas was significant, relief is likely in the weeks ahead as the situation stabilizes," said De Haan. "For now, the possibility of a U.S.-China trade deal could lift oil prices on optimism that it would increase trade and reduce tariffs—potentially keeping the national average slightly above the $3-per-gallon mark for a couple more weeks before slipping back below $3 ahead of Thanksgiving.”