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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.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After Nationwide Children's Hospital's decision to cease providing gender-affirming care for transgender patients, local legal and advocacy groups say they will continue challenging Ohio's ban on such treatment for youth.

Nationwide Children's confirmed this month that it will no longer prescribe gender-affirming medications beginning Sept. 26. Although the hospital said it's "currently in compliance with state and federal regulations," the decision is "in order to proactively plan and support our providers and patients in a rapidly changing regulatory environment." Watch a previous NBC4 report on Nationwide Children's announcement in the video player above.

Freda Levenson, ACLU of Ohio legal director, reiterated the organization's commitment to challenging House Bill 68, the state's contested law banning youth from receiving such treatment, in the Ohio Supreme Court.

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"We are actively fighting Ohio's ban on gender affirming care for trans youth in the Ohio Supreme Court," Levenson said in a statement. "A briefing schedule has been set, and we expect oral argument to be ordered. Even though the ban remains in effect while our lawsuit continues, the ACLU of Ohio will do everything we can to ensure trans youth receive lifesaving medical care moving forward."

H.B. 68 was approved in early 2024, prohibiting minors from accessing gender-affirming counseling and medications like puberty blockers. The law also restricts trans girls' participation in women's sports. Despite the Ohio Supreme Court agreeing to hear the case, H.B. 68 remains in effect as litigation continues.

Dara Adkison, TransOhio executive director, criticized Nationwide Children's decision, expressing frustration that the hospital had chosen to act in anticipation of potential legal consequences.

"We are not surprised, but are furious at Nationwide choosing this nonlegally mandated discrimination. ... To everyone being affected by Nationwide's closure of youth gender-affirming medical care, just know that there are support networks for you and your families locally and across the state," Adkison said, citing local groups such as the Campaign for Southern Equality's Trans Youth Emergency Project, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, and Colors+ Counseling.

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Nationwide Children's move to discontinue these treatments marks the first of its kind in the state. The hospital emphasized its continued commitment to providing other forms of care for trans patients, including behavioral health services. 

"I want to commend Nationwide Children's Hospital for going above and beyond the requirements in a manner safe for their patients," said Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), H.B. 68's primary sponsor, on social media. "Despite some vigorous debates on this specific topic, Nationwide has a great reputation."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Board of Education had a meeting Tuesday night that was jam-packed with different important topics, including millions of dollars worth of budget cuts, potential busing changes, and the district’s scores on the state report card.

Board members and district leaders have a lot of decisions to make in the near future, and all could have consequences for students and staff.

Board President Michael Cole said it all comes down to improving student outcomes.

“We’re all committed to problem-solving. And we all have incredible faith that this is going to work out best for our students, maybe not in the ways that we've wanted optimally, but certainly in a way that we're driven to ensure student outcomes that are positive,” said Cole.

Board members discussed the possibility of changing the transportation policy that says the district must bus high school students. That means 9th through 12th graders may not have buses picking them up in the near future, or they could be given COTA bus passes instead.

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“Ensuring access to transportation for kids is important. So we don't want to take off the table the opportunity to ensure kids have a bus ride to school. It just may look different,” said Cole.

The district treasurer also reiterated the need for $50 million in cuts. But even with the cuts, the treasurer said deficit spending has not stopped, just slowed down. That means more cuts will likely be needed down the road.

Dr. Angela Chapman, superintendent of CCS, and other leaders are currently working on recommendations for the budget cuts.

“The superintendent and the administration are working hard to ensure that we understand what that is and ideally what the impacts are and where we need to shift things back to the classroom, back to student achievement and success,” said Cole.

With the state report card that just came out, Cole said CCS saw improvements in graduation rates, early literacy, and math scores.

But decisions on transportation and budget cuts could have negative consequences.

Cole said it’s a difficult path forward, and the board welcomes suggestions from the community.

“Give us feedback. We are wide open with arms and heart and mindset to accept whatever folks are trying to tell us that are problem-solving oriented,” said Cole.

Dr. Chapman and district leaders will present their recommendations for budget cuts to the school board in November.

Cole encouraged parents and community members to come to board meetings or district events if they have any suggestions or questions ahead of the presentation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Students at East High School on Tuesday learned about the importance of driver safety -- in a fun way.

ThinkFast Interactive lets students split into teams and win points in a game show-style format. The event was in partnership with Safe Communities at Columbus Public Health.

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East High School is one of three schools participating in the effort.

Sam Heldt, the host of the event, said it's important to offer engaging ways for kids to learn about underage drinking and distracted driving in a way that keeps their attention.

"Sometimes even about drug safety or bullying prevention of any kind, depending on what the school wants, we change up the program based on that, and we've put into the form of entertaining pop culture game show where it sprinkles in those questions to have an easy way for kids into learning something important," Heldt said.

The winning team received a $100 Amazon gift card.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The spotted lanternfly is back in central Ohio, and the invasive insect is hard to miss.

The pests are currently in their fully grown and most visible stage, and they're spreading rapidly.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture said this time of year, they typically see a peak in people reporting them.

The spotted lanternfly's black spots and vibrant red underwings might be beautiful, but don't be fooled. They pose a significant threat to agriculture and local ecosystems, feeding on over 100 plant species.

At least 18 Ohio counties, including Franklin, are under a quarantine, which means plants and trees should be inspected before being shipped out of the area.

Meantime, people are encouraged to remain vigilant and kill them on sight.

"We'd encourage folks to check their vehicles before they leave an area where they've seen a lot of spotted lanternflies because they are very good at hitchhiking," said Jonathan Shields with the Ohio Department of Agriculture. "A recent article has shown that they can hold on to vehicles in wind speeds of up to 60 mph."

Experts said the spotted lanternfly will likely be around through late November, or until the area gets its first hard frost.

People are encouraged to take pictures and report sightings to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission held a discussion Tuesday about the future of passenger rail in central Ohio.

The executive director of MORPC, William Murdock, called this a transformative project that could not only bring Ohio to the forefront of rail transportation but also bring about significant economic impact.   

“We're talking about lines that will connect us to Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland and the business community met today to rally around this project because we know it's important for people's daily lives,” Murdock said. “It's also important for economic development.” 

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The round table discussion highlighted how Central Ohio could usher in a new form of transportation for the state through passenger rail. Columbus is the largest Midwest city without a major rail system. Former U.S. Secretary of transportation, Ray LaHood noted it will take both federal funding and private-sector partnerships to make this project achievable. But long-term, Ohioans could benefit from more jobs.   

“Look at the interstate system, look at all of the businesses that are all along, not just gas stations, that are all along the interstate system all over America,” LaHood said. “Those are jobs, they're good paying jobs, they're jobs that people want. That's what the rail system in central Ohio will bring.” 

Leaders say central Ohio is currently in the federal pipeline for this process, and the next step is the service development plan. It's a phase that will determine routes, station planning, and how fast the train will go.   

“We know people are excited about this. We did a regional survey last year. 90% of central Ohioans, rural, urban, suburban, they said they wanted this.” 

Murdock also explained they are conducting studies over the next two years that will answer the question on whether the project can move forward. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A unique fundraiser has taken place in central Ohio for decades, and it continues with a renewed mission.

ReSlice Columbus raises money for research at Nationwide Children's Hospital. The fundraiser is taking place at a time those funds are needed more than ever.

"This is a pizza event that is made by pizza lovers for pizza lovers," said Joe D'Andrea, this year's ReSlice chair.

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What looks like a simple co-working space in Polaris will play host on Thursday to one of central Ohio's most unique events.

"This event from the beginning when it started more than 40 years ago has always supported Nationwide Children's Hospital and all the things we do, all the money raised from this event goes to that," D'Andrea said.

The event is called ReSlice and it's organized by Nationwide Children's Hospital's development board. The board is made up of local professionals looking to fundraise for the hospital. Among them is D'Andrea.

"We loke to have fun with it," D'Andrea said. "We like to celebrate pizza and have fun with the event, but the real reason for it is to raise money for children, which is what we did in our mission from day one."

"I think about the ability to help with pediatric research, now we are making sure that anything that is underfunded, that needs a push to get along the finish line, so we help what we call, unrestricted funds so it's our ability to help with some of those major research projects," Maggie Fernece said.

Fernece, the development board president, said this year with changes to how some research is structured, the need is pressing. She said a ticket to the event is one way to help. The ticket grants access to more than a dozen local pizzerias, all setting up shop at the Polaris COhatch.

People will be able to try all of the shops and vote on their favorite.

Proceeds from the event stay in central Ohio and help those working to help the youngest of patients.

"You don't know how special it is until you need it," Fernece said. "It's something you never want to take for granted that we have this incredible, nationally recognized facility in our own backyard."

ReSlice runs Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at COhatch Polaris. Tickets can be purchased here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Social media comments have resulted in several people being terminated from their jobs after Charlie Kirk was assassinated last week. Now, the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is investigating a social media post from an employee after the post was reported.

OSUWMC said in a statement, "We are aware of this matter and are following our established review process. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center strongly condemns all forms of violence and remains committed to providing world-class care to every person, every time."

Elsewhere around the country, an administrator for Middle Tennessee State University was fired after remarks online about Kirk. A Washington Post employee also claims she was fired for posts about political violence and Kirk. These examples bring questions of the First Amendment and how it protects free speech.

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"Generally, the court has said that even hateful speech is protected. Speech that says callous things, cruel things, insensitive things, whether it's about Charlie Kirk or whether it's about Melissa Hortman, the Democratic Senator that was assassinated, those kinds of words are protected by the First Amendment," explained Capital University Professor of Constitutional Law Dan Kobil.

Kobil teaches law students about the United States Constitution and rulings that apply to the Bill of Rights. Kobil said social media posts fall under the freedom of speech and are protected. However, there are cases where those protections apply to prosecution and not necessarily from a person's employer.

"If they post things on their social media pages that would interfere with their ability to do their job or have the public believe that they can do their job fairly, that could be something that could be grounds for termination," Kobil said.

Darcy Jalandoni, a partner at Porter Wright law firm in Columbus, has been working in employment law for 15 years. She said the law is applied differently for private sector and public employees, like Ohio State University employees.

"So, the First Amendment does not provide protection to private sector employees. Most employers today consider their employees to continue being representatives of the employer, even when they're not at work," Jalandoni said.

"Most employment in the United States is at-will, which means that you can be terminated or you can quit for any reason at all, so long as that reason isn't discriminatory or in violation of public policy. Many employers today also have social media policies that may govern what an employee can and cannot be saying on social media. So it's important that employees are aware of those as well," she added.

Kobil said there is an instance where even a private sector employer could be constrained from terminating an employee for a First Amendment issue.

"If [Vice President] JD Vance is urging a particular employer to terminate someone and they feel compelled to do it in order to curry favor with the current administration, then that could be subject to First Amendment constraints," he said. 

Vance appeared on a podcast calling for citizens to report social media posts to employers.

Jalandoni said it's important for people to keep their private social media and public persona separate.

"Think closely before you post about any kind of a sensitive or controversial topic," she said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's Fashion Week in Columbus. From fashion shows to programs, emerging talent in central Ohio will be on display all week long.

Fashion Week Columbus, the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, was founded by Thomas McClure in 2010. Since its debut, hundreds of emerging fashion designers have participated, thousands of models have been given exposure to big name agencies, and $70,000 has been awarded to fashion design students.

"The Fashion Week Columbus platform itself, since 2010 has been developing the fashion ecosystem that we have in central Ohio," McClure said. "And I'm incorporating not just designers, but the models, the photographers, the videographers, the hairstylist, the wardrobe stylists, the makeup artists."

Over the years Columbus has quietly built a national reputation for fashion as it's home to major retailers like the L Brands and Abercrombie, making the city a fashion hub that continues to grow and drive central Ohio's economy.

"Fashion inspires," McClure said. "Fashion is not just some luxury thing that we can just ignore. It really does impact people."

In fact, Columbus ranks third in the nation in its number of resident fashion designers, trailing only New York and Los Angeles.

McClure said events like Fashion Week help designers and other fashion related brands gain visibility and become sustainable businesses in central Ohio. 

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"Since 2010, we have awarded $70,000 to fashion design students," McClure said. "And we are a nonprofit organization. So that's one part of our mission. And the students that we have in central Ohio come from CCAD, one of the top twenty fashion design programs in the nation."

Prestigious design programs at the Columbus College of Art and Design and at the Ohio State University help to feed the fashion ecosystem with skilled, emerging talent.

"When we think about the workforce in the fashion industry, I know a lot of people are thinking about designers and models," McClure said. "There's so much that happens backstage."

From photographers to hairstylists, makeup artists, and wardrobe stylists, all help further fuel Columbus' creative and economic expansion. "You may in turn be inspired either to purchase from one of the designers or to get your makeup done by one of the makeup artists or your hair," McClure said. 

More than 132,000 people work in the creative economy in Columbus. Just in the past few years, Franklin County has invested more $5 million in the fashion industry.

"A lot of these designers either have e-commerce stores, or they have brick and mortar," McClure said. "A lot of these designers also hire models. They pay their models to model for them and the makeup artists and the photographers. So, this whole ecosystem we have gives back to the fashion economy here in central Ohio."

McClure said he hopes this week shines a spotlight on the fashion industry and it's already inspiring the next generation of designers. He heard from the general manager of one of the area's major department stores recently about how Fashion Week has inspired future designers.

"He literally said, my daughter is going to fashion school because she was inspired by Fashion Week Columbus," McClure said. "And that to me, it hits my heart, because that's what we're here for."

According to McClure, five major fashion organizations in central Ohio plan to host a fashion and retail conference next August. The goal is to attract people from across the country, which will help further stimulate the fashion economy here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A juvenile was hospitalized following a shooting on Columbus' southwest side Tuesday afternoon.

According to a Sergeant from the Franklintownship Police Department, an altercation started between twenty to thirty teenagers near Lindbergh Park this afternoon. Police say shots were fired, and part of the group ran through the park right between Lindbergh Elementary and Briggs High School.

Due to the proximity of the shooting, a spokesperson for Columbus City Schools says three schools were placed under a level 2 lockdown for student safety. The spokesperson said a Level 2 lockdown means that teaching and learning can continue, but students should minimize their time out of class and in the hallways.

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The three schools affected by the lockdown order were Briggs High School, Binns Elementary School, and Lindbergh Elementary School. All schools were given the all clear, and students were released to go home.

Sgt. David Pollock with the Franklin Township police says a 14-year-old boy was shot in the arm. The juvenile was transported to a local hospital and is described to be in stable condition. Pollock says this shooting is especially concerning given that it happened in this neighborhood near schools.

"It's definitely concerning, you've got the Briggs High School and Lindbergh Elementary School, it happened in a residential neighborhood, so definitely could have been a lot worse with any stray shots," Pollock said.

Sgt. Pollock says that a person of interest is in custody, and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office will be handling the investigation.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- NBC4 Investigates is taking a deeper dive into the state’s school rating system.

On Monday, the state Department of Education and Workforce released grades for each Ohio school district, and some historically high-performing districts saw their ratings drop.

We’re seeing early literacy scores take a hit in many districts. 

The state sets the standards as schools submit their data and receive the grades. This system is supposed to show the community information about school performance, but we found, sometimes it doesn't paint the full picture.

Dublin, Upper Arlington, Hilliard and Worthington school districts are ones we’re used to hearing are high performers, but on this year’s state report card, they all lost some ground.

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Dublin School District dropped from the highest overall rating, five stars, down to four-and-a- half. Part of the reason was the early literacy component. That measures reading improvement and proficiency for students in kindergarten through third grade.

It takes into account three measures: how many third grade students score proficient or higher on the state reading segment, how many students moved into fourth grade, and how well schools are providing support to struggling readers.

Dublin’s early literacy score dropped by seven points from four to three stars, which the district said it expected due to a shift in assessment tools last year.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Dublin schools said: “This year’s report shows a dip in Early Literacy, moving from 4 stars to 3 stars. This decline was anticipated due to a planned shift in assessment tools. Last year, the district transitioned from reporting the MAP Growth to mCLASS DIBELS 8, which better aligns with Ohio’s K-3 Early Foundational Skills standards. Because the State Report Card measures multiple years of data, this change temporarily lowered the rating. However, moving forward, DIBELS 8 will provide more accurate, actionable insights into student reading growth. This shift supports the district’s Journey 2030 Early Literacy Goal and will strengthen instructional decisions in the years ahead. At the same time, Dublin City Schools is in the midst of implementing Savvas myView Literacy as the district’s core K-5 English Language Arts resource. Grounded in the Science of Reading and Writing, myView Literacy is a structured, interactive program designed to inspire readers and writers through research-based practices and authentic literature, including mentor texts. This school year marks the first full year of implementation across all elementary schools. As our student population continues to grow and diversify, our focus is on differentiating instruction to meet the needs of every learner — including English Learners, gifted students, students receiving special education services, and more. Every student’s literacy journey is unique, and while data provides valuable insights, it does not always tell the whole story. Our commitment is to ensure that instruction reflects the strengths and needs of each child, steering away from a one-size-fits-all approach and embracing the diversity that makes Dublin City Schools strong."

Other typically high-performing districts saw decreases in the early literacy category as well, including Upper Arlington down by nearly 10 points, Hilliard by 1.3 and Worthington by three points.

Overall ratings for each of these districts, except for UA, dropped by half a star. We reached out to UA, Hilliard and Worthington School Districts but have not heard back. If we do hear back, we will update their full statements in this story.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A man who allegedly helped himself to a shower in someone else’s home in north Columbus has been arrested on a burglary charge.

According to a police criminal complaint, officers responded to the 1700 block of Summit Street in the city's University District on a burglary call. One of the resident’s occupants told Columbus PD that he had heard someone in the shower and assumed it was one of his roommates.

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The resident noted that he did not recognize the person walking out of the bathroom and into another roommate’s bedroom. The resident called his other roommates to see if they had given anyone else permission to be in the home and verified that no one should be in the home.

All of the roommates reported back to the home and confronted the man, asking him to leave. The suspect, who was wearing one of the roommates’ clothing left the home before police had arrived.

A short time later, officers arrested 26-year-old Issa Diane, who was also found in possession of some cash he had reportedly taken off a dresser.

Diane was charged with one count of burglary and is scheduled to appear before a Franklin County Municipal Court judge Wednesday morning for an arraignment hearing.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A pair of central Ohio cabins dating to the 1830s underwent extensive renovations to become a wine bar and bourbon lounge.

The neighboring properties at 30 S. High St. in Dublin are now home to "Apothecary Cigar and Bourbon Lounge" and "Uncorked Wine Tastings," after hosting a grand opening in early September. The two homes sit in historic Dublin, across the Scioto River from Bridge Park and near Dublin Village Tavern, Winans and Mezzo.

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The cigar and bourbon lounge includes a backyard deck and large green space for seating in the summer, and an outdoor smoking pavilion for guests purchasing a cigar. Next door, the wine bar features self-dispensing wine machines with more than 48 bottles of wine, and a selection of small snacks and charcuterie.

• The neighboring Dublin properties are now home to Apothecary Cigar and Bourbon Lounge and Uncorked Wine Tastings. (Courtesy Photo/Apothecary Cigar and Bourbon Lounge, Uncorked Wine Tastings)
• The neighboring Dublin properties are now home to Apothecary Cigar and Bourbon Lounge and Uncorked Wine Tastings. (Courtesy Photo/Apothecary Cigar and Bourbon Lounge, Uncorked Wine Tastings)
• The neighboring properties at 30 S. High St. in Dublin pictured before their extensive renovations. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
• The neighboring properties at 30 S. High St. in Dublin pictured before their extensive renovations. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

Husband-and-wife duo Todd Corwin and Jennifer Kuo, alongside Corwin's brother Mark, purchased the two cabins in 2021. The family shared on social media a number of historic items they discovered while renovating the homes, like a red wallet full of family pictures and an old bedframe used to support part of the home's foundation.

Uncorked Wine Tastings is open noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Apothecary is open noon to midnight Sunday through Thursday, noon to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

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The two cottages are among several historic properties that recently underwent change in Dublin, along with a more than 100-year-old building now home to a full-service restaurant run by Coast Wine House, a central Ohio bar and bottle shop inspired by coastal California. Named "Gene's," the restaurant opened last year at 91 S. High St.

Co-working business COhatch is also taking part by redeveloping several historic homes and constructing a 15,000-square-foot building along North Riverview Street. The development will include the company’s new headquarters and feature bars and restaurants, indoor and outdoor event spaces, and more for year-round use and entertainment.

WORTHINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) — A lawsuit has been filed against a Worthington man accused of defrauding customers through his construction and roofing company in Muskingum County.

According to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, a lawsuit was filed against a contractor who allegedly violated the Customer Sales Practices Act by defrauding customers of approximately $31,000.

The lawsuit, filed out of Muskingum County Court of Common Pleas, alleges that Daniel Sechriest, of Worthington, provided “incomplete, shoddy, and substandard” services through his company, Ryan Construction and Roofing.

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The suit also accuses Sechriest entered into contracts stating that the final prices is the agreed upon price between the consumer’s insurance company and the supplier. The consumer, therefore, was supposed to pay the insurance deductible.

The Attorney General’s Office states, however, that Sechriest would add supplemental work to the contract for which the insurance company and consumer did not agree to prior to the supplemental work being completed. Sechriest would then reportedly put a lien on the consumers’ home for charges above and beyond what the insurance company agreed to pay.

It is not the first time Sechriest has been involved in litigation with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. In 2007 he was found to have violated consumer protection laws through his remodeling company, Mastergard Inc. and in 2013 he was found to have engaged in “shoddy and unworkmanlike” services while with the U.S. Restoration and Remodeling Inc.

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In addition to reimbursement, plus a civil penalty of up to $25,000 for each alleged violation, the Ohio Attorney General’s Office is seeking a permanent injunction enjoining the defendants from engaging in business as a supplier in any home improvement goods and services consumer transaction in the state of Ohio.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office also used a Defiance County company, Building with Faith Construction LLC, seeking over $130,000 in damages for incomplete or poor contracting and remodeling services. This occurred just one month after being sentenced to four days in jail, five years of community control and being ordered to pay nearly $155,000 in restitution to his former consumers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After three weeks, Ohio State remains undefeated and ranked as the top team in the country. But that doesn't mean the Buckeyes are satisfied.

Coach Ryan Day and coordinators Brian Hartline and Matt Patricia will address the media at noon Tuesday from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. You can watch their comments live in the video player above.

After a thrilling 14-7 win over then-No. 1 Texas, OSU dominated Grambling State and then pulled away from Ohio to complete its nonconference schedule. Now the Buckeyes head into a bye week before beginning Big Ten play on Sept. 27 at Washington. The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

Day seeks improvement in all three phases of the game, especially from the offense after sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin struggled to produce a touchdown on the opening three drives of Saturday's contest against the Bobcats, despite several red zone opportunities.

OSU owns the nation's leading winning streak at seven games dating to last season's playoff victory over Tennessee.