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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Cooper began working with the detective in May 2022.

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

No other details were immediately available.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio has again ranked among the unhappiest states in the country, according to a recent WalletHub study. 

The personal finance company examined all 50 states across 30 key metrics to determine which states have the happiest and unhappiest residents. Metrics included depression, suicide and unemployment rates, along with the percentage of residents who reported career satisfaction, good physical health and social well-being. 

The study, which was released last week, sourced data from a variety of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions and private companies. 

The report ranked Ohio as the 13th unhappiest state in the country, due to its struggle with high rates of inadequate sleep and depression, along with financial and job-related pressures, WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said. 

"Ohio continues to rank among the unhappiest states largely because of its weak performance in both emotional and physical well-being, in addition to its work environment,” Lupo told NBC4. 

However, in the most recent ranking residents reported increased happiness compared with WalletHub’s 2024 study, when Ohio placed as the 11th unhappiest state in the country. 

“The improvement stems from gains in its community and environment ranking, where Ohio jumped from 36th to 22nd,” Lupo said. “This suggests that stronger community ties, more supportive relationships or modest improvements in leisure and safety offsets some of the state’s economic and emotional challenges.”

West Virginia ranked as the least happy state in the country, with the study finding residents struggle with high rates of depression and inadequate sleep. The Mountain State was followed by Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama and Alaska. 

Source: WalletHub

Hawaii ranked as the happiest state in the nation, with residents reporting the highest levels of life satisfaction and the state boasting the second-lowest depression rate. The Aloha State was followed by Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Connecticut. 

WalletHub’s full study can be found here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — While not as attention-grabbing as the September $1.8 billion Powerball winnings, two Ohio players are leaving millions of dollars unclaimed with Powerball tickets bought during the recent jackpot frenzy.

According to the Ohio Lottery, two Powerball prizes won in Ohio, worth $1 million and $2 million, are available to be claimed, but the winners have a limited time to come forward. After 180 days from the dates of the drawings, the tickets will expire.

The first ticket, a $2 million prize, was drawn on Wednesday, Aug. 27. It was purchased at the Circle K at 3520 S. Arlington Road in Akron.

The $2 ticket was chosen with the auto-pick method. The lucky player matched five numbers to win $1 million. A decision to add the $1 Power Play number bumped their winnings to $2 million.

The numbers were 9-12-22-41-61, with the Power Play number being 4. The player did not select the Powerball number, which was 25, which allowed the jackpot to increase to $1 billion for the Aug. 30 drawing.

The lottery told NBC4 that the ticket expires on Feb. 2.

A second ticket, bought in the village of Woodstock, Ohio, about 45 minutes northwest of Columbus in Champaign County, is worth $1 million.

Sold at the Poor Boys Kwik Stock, a grocery store, the player matched the first five numbers of the Sept. 6 Powerball drawing. The winning digits were 11-23-44-61-62. The Powerball was 17.

If unclaimed, this ticket will expire on March 5.

The Sept. 6 drawing also ended the three-month streak that allowed the jackpot to become the second-largest U.S. lottery jackpot in history. Players in Missouri and Texas split the nearly $2 billion prize.

Last year in Ohio, a winning Powerball ticket holder let a $1.38 Powerball jackpot go unclaimed. The winning ticket was purchased at a Walmart on Brandt Pike in Huber Heights. It expired on Dec. 30, 2024.

The Ohio Lottery website notes that jackpot winners of the Mega Millions, Powerball and Classic Lotto games should call their nearest Ohio Lottery regional office to make an appointment to submit the claim. Ohio allows winners to remain anonymous if they claim their prize through a blind trust.

The next Powerball drawing is Wednesday; the current jackpot is at $81 million.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State will spend the week resting and recovering before kicking off conference play next week. But as it rests, many other playoff contenders will play in season-defining games.

Week 4 will have three games between ranked teams, one of which is in the Big Ten and will be broadcast on NBC4. Each of these games will turn dark horses into serious playoff contenders. Here is a look at the major changes in the 12-team playoff projections and the key games to watch that could affect the playoff.

The roulette of top teams won't stop soon

The Associated Press poll voters shifted a whole bunch of the top 10 after a wild Week 3. NBC4 looks at the AP rankings until the initial official playoff rankings begin in November for playoff projections.

The only new team in this week's top 12 is Texas A&M, whose 41-40 win over Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, has it ranked No. 10 and fighting for a playoff spot.

Although Ohio State, Penn State and LSU have solidified the top three, for now, ACC leader Miami became the new No. 4 seed with a 49-12 win over South Florida. This puts three projected conference winners as bye teams in the current bracket.

Miami's move up to the quarterfinal spot pushed Oregon down into the first round, where it is projected to play Iowa State. The Ducks, who entered Week 3 ranked No. 4, also fell below Georgia, which moved up to No. 5 and in this projection would play USF.

These little ranking changes will have bigger implications when we get the official bracket chosen in December. A dominant win over a contender vs. a close win over an inferior opponent could be the difference between earning a bye or playing in the first round.

Diving into projected conference winners

Five conference champions will be guaranteed spots and in our current projection, two of them sit outside the top 12.

Big 12 leader Iowa State seems destined to keep its stranglehold over the conference for a bit as its next tough test is Oct. 25 against BYU.

USF was taken out of the rankings despite ranked wins over Boise State and Florida. The Bulls will enter American Athletic Conference play soon but won't play its biggest foe in the conference, Tulane, which is at No. 13 Mississippi this week.

No. 1 Ohio State has a bit of time until it faces a ranked opponent Oct. 11 at Illinois. No. 3 LSU will take it easy Saturday, hosting Southeastern Louisiana before a game at Ole Miss. No. 4 Miami has No. 7 Florida State hot on its tail, and the two will meet on Oct. 4 in Tallahassee.

Three games to watch in Week 4

No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 16 Utah (Saturday, noon): Saturday's spotlight game at noon will determine which Big 12 team sits second only to Iowa State. The Red Raiders and Utes could set off fireworks, with oddsmakers predicting over 58 points in the game.

No. 22 Auburn at No. 11 Oklahoma (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.): The winner of this SEC contest in Norman will be 4-0 and put itself in the mix to win the conference. Storylines abound as Auburn's starting quarterback, Jackson Arnold, who transferred from Oklahoma, faces his former team.

No. 9 Illinois at No. 19 Indiana (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on NBC4): Big Ten Saturday Night will be in Bloomington as the Illini and Hoosiers clash on NBC4. Can Illinois cement itself as a likely playoff team out of the Big Ten, or will Indiana have some magic left from last season to pull off the home win?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Council has taken the next steps to establish a Short North visitor fee the could generate up to $2 million annually to fund safety, cleanliness, and beautification efforts.

Councilmembers approved on Sept. 8 the boundaries for the Short North New Community Authority, a group that will charge visitors when shopping, dining and staying at hotels. The authority will oversee the fee appearing on receipts at participating businesses primarily along High Street, between King Avenue and Convention Center Drive. Watch a previous NBC4 report on the Short North's NCA in the video player above.

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The fee will likely be 1% and applied to purchases at restaurants, retailers, hotels, and parking facilities within the district. An additional 1% surcharge may be added to transactions occurring between midnight and 3 a.m., during peak business hours. The revenue generated by the fee will be allocated to several key priorities for the Short North.

Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance, which proposed the NCA, said during an August council meeting that the bulk of the funds, about 50%, will go toward public safety. Cleanliness efforts will receive 25%, while 15% will fund landscaping projects. The remaining 10% will be earmarked for cultural programming and other community initiatives.

In turn, the NCA will yield "a better overall experience for everyone who visits, lives, or works in the Short North," Pandora said in a previous statement to NBC4.

"The primary driver is growth," she said. "With more than 10 million visitors last year, the district is evolving, and it needs a forward-looking strategy to match. This community-led initiative uses a tool commonly implemented across central Ohio to invest in the neighborhood's long-term vitality."

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While participation in the NCA is voluntary, more than 110 property owners have already signed on to support the initiative, Pandora said. With the boundaries in place, Short North Alliance is aiming to implement the visitor fee in the coming months, which could yield as much as $2 million per year.

The Short North's NCA mimics several other central Ohio authorities that also charge visitors a small fee, like at Bridge Park in Dublin, which charges 0.5% on gross receipts at restaurants and retail businesses and 1% on hotels. Often, the fee is identified on receipts as "NCA CHARGE."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Dave Portnoy, who founded Barstool Sports and is also known for his pizza reviews, recently visited nine Columbus-area pizzerias and rated them.

Portnoy hosts the internet show One Bite Pizza Reviews, which he started in 2013. In the series, he reviews pizza from restaurants around the world, giving each a rating on a scale of 0 (worst) to 10 (best).  

Since the concept began, Portnoy’s pizza reviews have gained widespread popularity, with The New York Times calling him "one of the most influential people in the world of food social media" who has the ability to "change the fate of a pizzeria with a single utterance" in a 2023 article.

Portnoy was recently in Columbus for the Aug. 30 Ohio State vs. Texas game, and it appears he had a busy trip. From Aug. 28 to Sept. 15, he posted nine ratings for central Ohio pizza shops. The list of those nine pizzerias and the rating Portnoy gave them can be found below. 

Harvest Pizzeria

Harvest Pizzeria, located at 45 N. High St. in Dublin, earned a 6.8. Portnoy said a 6.8 is his standard rating for Neapolitan-style pizzas, as they are not his favorite. But he did say the eatery has “very cool vibes” and “great people” working there. 

Grandad’s Pizza and Pub

Portnoy rated Grandad’s Pizza and Pub, located at 5241 Bethel Center in The Gables, a 7.1. He implied the pizza was too oily for his liking and noted that the style of pizza the establishment serves, tavern, is not his favorite, but he said he did “like” the pizza. 

Plank’s Cafe and Pizzeria

Located at 743 Parsons Ave. in Schumacher Place, Plank’s Cafe and Pizzeria earned a 7.1. Portnoy was seemingly caught off guard by the pizza’s sweet crust, calling it “very unique” and an "acquired taste.” However, he said the pizzeria’s workers were “super nice” and the atmosphere made the business one of his favorite places he has visited in Columbus. 

Aracari Pizzeria

Aracari Pizzeria, located at 51 E. Gay St. in the Uptown District, was given a 7.2. Portnoy said the pizza has a “good” crust but could use “maybe a little more sauce.” 

JT’s Pizza and Pub

Portnoy rated JT’s Pizza and Pub, located at 845 Goodale Blvd. in Grandview Heights, a 7.3. He said the restaurant has “good quality” pizza but again noted tavern-style is not his favorite. He also called the restaurant a “great place to watch a game.” 

The Pizza House

Portnoy gave The Pizza House, located at 747 E. Lincoln Ave. in Salem Village, a rating of 7.4. He called the pizza “fluffy” with “good sauce” but noted the bottom of the pizza was “not really cooked.” 

Bobby Jo’s Pizza

Bobby Jo’s Pizza, located at 5225 N. High St. in Sharon Heights, earned a rating of 7.5. Portnoy complimented the pizza’s tangy sauce and said the pie had a “great taste” but took off points due to it being “a little floppy.”

Iacono’s Pizza and Restaurant 

Portnoy rated Iacono’s Pizza and Restaurant, located at 9303 Dublin Road in Shawnee Hills, a 7.9. He said the pizza was as good as possible for a Tavern-style pie, calling it “light” and “crispy.”

Artisan Pizza Cafe

Located at 91 E. Fifth Ave. in Italian Village, Artisan Pizza Cafe was given an 8.1. Portnoy said he loved the pizza and could tell the ingredients were “super fresh.” His one critique was that the pie was “a little burnt,” which he mostly blamed on how he ordered the pie. Owner Jasmin Ahmed told NBC4 that she has been selling out regularly ever since her shop got Portnoy's highest rating from his Columbus visit.

The only place Portnoy has ever given a rating of 10 to is Monte’s Restaurant in Lynn, Massachusetts, according to the One Bite Pizza Reviews website. 

Portnoy’s full reviews of the nine Columbus pizzerias can be found on One Bite Pizza Reviews’ website and YouTube channel. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Lori Alhadeff, CEO of Make Our Schools Safe, said it is "frustrating" to see delays in school safety legislature.

Alhadeff knows the importance of bettering school security firsthand; her 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, was killed on Feb. 14, 2018, in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Alhadeff and her husband founded Make Our Schools Safe in Alyssa's honor and have been collaborating with Ohio legislators to pass Alyssa's Law.

Alyssa's Law, enacted in 10 states, has teachers and staff wear silent panic buttons that alert emergency services in case of a threat or medical emergency. Sen. Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) introduced Alyssa’s Law in September 2024 alongside Alhadeff and reintroduced it this year. She said she plans to prioritize the bill as legislators return to session. See previous coverage of Alyssa's Law in the video player above.

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“It's extremely important that we get these panic buttons in our schools as quickly as possible," Alhadeff said. "Unfortunately, school shootings continue to happen, so we need to find ways to mitigate risk and loss, and by having these wearable panic buttons, it's an amazing layer of school safety protection.”

In February, Reps. Angela King (R-Celina) and Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) introduced House Bill 106 to create a pilot program for panic alert systems. Unlike Reynolds’ bill, this would not require all schools to implement them but instead allocates $25 million for a trial.

Both bills were referred to committee in February but have received little action since then. Reynolds said the bills went to Finance Committee, which was preoccupied with the biennial state budget. The budget had a hard deadline in June and legislators have been on recess since, but she's hopeful the bill will pass before the end of the year.

According to the Gun Violence Archive, 170 kids under 11 have been killed by gun violence, and 357 have been injured this year alone. For teens ages 12 through 17, 720 have been killed and 2,042 have been injured. 

Gun Violence Archive tracks any documented gun-related incident that occurs on school property when students, staff or faculty are present. For instance, the data includes the arrest of a Pickerington student who brought a gun to school in his car, although it was not fired.

Alhadeff said she believes her daughter's life, and the lives of 16 other students killed in Parkland, could have been saved if the school had panic buttons. She said once the button is pushed, it sends out a mass notification to law enforcement, medics and the rest of the school. This allows emergency services to get on the scene without delay and ensures the rest of the school can begin safety protocols.

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At the Apalachee High School shooting in September 2024, which killed four and injured nine, officials said 26 teachers pressed their panic buttons. The first report of a threat came at 10:20 a.m., and the suspect was in custody by 10:30 a.m.

"Help was able to get there faster, not only to take down the shooter, but to help those nine people that were shot, and those people did live. So this does work," Alhadeff said.

She said the buttons can also be lifesaving in medical emergencies. She said in Broward County Public Schools in Florida, the sixth-largest district in the country, used the panic button over 1,000 times in the first month for medical emergencies. 

According to a state fiscal analysis of Alyssa's Law from 2024, implementing panic buttons in all Ohio schools would cost between $60.1 million and $83.5 million in the first year, largely due to one-time expenses. For buttons at all of Ohio's traditional, community and vocational districts, it would cost between $26.7 million and $33.4 million annually.

Reynolds' bill includes a state funding mandate, as she said not all districts will have the resources to implement security systems. Reynolds said she plans to push the bill to pass this year, and is hopeful it will have bipartisan support.

"It's not a gun suppression bill, but it is something that allows us to respond because we know seconds matter," Reynolds said. "I think this is something that we can get done in a bipartisan fashion to help us be more safe in our schools."

Alhadeff hopes this legislation will become the standard nationwide, like fire alarms. She said Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) plans to file a federal bill in the coming weeks to implement Alyssa's Law.