Ohio News

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- NBC4's Anna Hoffman ties the knot with husband Jack Staples.

Anna Hoffman and Jack Staples married on Friday in Grove City. Ohio University alum, the two met during their last semesters in Athens before Anna moved to Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2020 for her first job in TV news.

After a couple of years of long distance, Anna and Jack reunited in Columbus in 2022 when Anna accepted her reporter position here at NBC4. Two years later, in 2024, Jack and Anna were on vacation in the Florida Panhandle when Jack got down on one knee and proposed to Anna on the same beach where they first fell in love.

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"Since then, they have been building a home and life together like they dreamed of for so long," their wedding website states.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 22-year-old has been charged in connection with a deadly April shooting in south Columbus, police said.

Authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Ethan Hooks on a murder charge after Demonte Giles, 21, was killed April 18 during an attempted robbery, according to the Columbus Division of Police.

The shooting happened in the 1200 block of Linwood Avenue, where Hooks and Giles reportedly shot each other, police said. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

‘Third World Mob’ gang member guilty of trafficking over 2K pounds of marijuana in central Ohio sentenced

Hooks has also been indicted in another unspecified incident, police said. He is awaiting extradition in another jail.

No other details were immediately available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Saturday's game between the Ohio State University Buckeyes and Ohio University Bobcats is putting some fans in a position they are not used to.

With the schools being just an hour and a half drive apart, many have connections to both and have to decide who they'll root for.

“I just want a good game but you know like I said I’m a Bobeye all day. I'm a Buckcat," said Dr. Jason Rawls, an assistant professor of Hip Hop at OSU.

In his office he has OU pens, an OU notepad, and OSU banners on the wall. He grew up in Columbus and is a lifelong fan of the Buckeyes. But he got his doctorate at OU and all of his kids have gone there.

"Can I stay neutral?" Rawls said as he laughed. "I’ll be enjoying the game, can I put it that way? It’s hard to say.”

Emily Caldwell, an assistant director of research communications at OSU, also has strong ties to both universities.

"It's complicated for me," she said.

She graduated from OU, worked there, and got married in Athens. But she also grew up in Columbus, has been an OSU fan her entire life, and has worked for OSU for almost 30 years.

“I go into every Ohio State football game thinking we’re going to win. I’m more of an optimist than a pessimist and if I'm disappointed, I'll be really happy for Ohio University Bobcats if they win, so, is that fair?" she said. "I definitely have friends who are all in for Ohio University to beat Ohio State Saturday. I have a harder time wishing for that outcome."

When the two football teams play on Saturday, it'll be their first matchup in 15 years. 

"Everybody kind of understands they get that it's O-U Oh yea, and its Go Bucks. But it's all OH-IO," Rawls said. "When you come from both teams, when you’re a part of both teams and when you root for both teams each week and then they pit them against each other they make it tough on you but we can manage."

There is an aspect of the game people are not having a hard time making a decision on. They're all looking forward to seeing the bands from the two schools perform together.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State Football Head Coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes have been busy gearing up for their matchup against Ohio University on Saturday, but on Friday morning, he and his wife, Nina Day, took a break from game planning to highlight the importance of children’s mental health.

“We have an obligation to the state of Ohio to use this platform to help people and make an impact. And hopefully, you know, there's people here today that were listening,” Ryan Day said.

Students at Arts IMPACT Middle School were decked out in their scarlet and gray as they listened to the Days talk about all things mental health. The couple has seen the impact that sports can put on mental health. They have also experienced the long-term effects of losing a family member to suicide. Now, they’re on a mission to show children that they don’t have to suffer in silence.

“This is a group here that goes through a range of emotions and needs to be aware of what’s going on there,” he said.

They introduced students to their Day Time Break program in collaboration with the Kids Mental Health Foundation and dropped off some of the kits. It’s a curriculum for middle school students to equip teachers with lesson plans to boost mental health. After reaching more than 200,000 students, the kits have also expanded to high school.

“I think most kids this age know how to take care of themselves physically, hydrating, getting rest, working out. But a lot of them don't know how to take care of their mental health,” Nina Day said.

According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds and the second among 10-14 year olds.

“Kids are not born with these tools. So we have to teach them, we have to normalize it. And we have to be there. We have to be their support system,” said Dr. Ariana Hoet, executive clinical director at the Kids Mental Health Foundation.

The kits are also available online here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Entering week four of the high school football season in central Ohio, undefeated teams have a big target on their backs while several 2-1 teams try to maintain a winning record.

Watterson, Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights and Olentangy Orange are among the undefeated schools. Dublin Jerome and Dublin Scioto are also undefeated as both programs take on Westerville schools. Meanwhile, Football Friday Nite's "Game of the Week" matchup features Worthington Kilbourne and Westland, both 2-1.

Below is a list of games that will be featured on Football Friday Nite at 11:15 p.m. A complete list of games in the state is at the bottom. Check back all evening for updated scores and highlights.

Week 4 Schedule

• Westland (2-1) at Kilbourne (2-1) - Game of the Week
• Bexley (2-1) at Grandview Heights (3-0)
• Scioto (3-0) at Westerville South (2-1)
• Jerome (3-0) at Westerville Central (1-2)
• Briggs (2-1) at Africentric (2-1)
• Upper Arlington (3-0) at New Albany (1-2)
• Gahanna (2-1) at Orange (3-0)
• Big Walnut (2-1) at Hayes (2-1)
• Bradley (2-1) at Marysville (2-1)
• Pickerington North (2-1) at Coffman (1-2)
• Westerville North (1-2) at St. Xavier (3-0)
• Darby (2-1) at Davidson (2-1)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A member of a violent organized criminal drug organization who was convicted by a federal jury over one year ago received his sentenced this week.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Ohio, 36-year-old Klegewerges Abate, of Columbus, was convicted of conspiring to traffic over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, firearms offense, and wire fraud related to illegally obtaining COVID-19 pandemic relief funds.

A jury deliberated for less than six hours in Aug. 2024 before handing over a guilty verdict and on Friday, a federal judge sentenced Abate to serve 25 years and 10 months in prison.

Abate, also knowns as “Bells”, “Robell” and “Sosa”, was a member of the Third World Mob criminal organization, according to court documents, whose members associated with the gang brought hundreds of pounds of marijuana from across the country to sell in central Ohio.

Conspirators reportedly used U-Haul trucks and rental cars to move drugs and used stash or trap houses, owned or leased in other individuals’ names to facilitate drug trafficking and cash storage.

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Authorities state that in Aug. 2019 Abate and others possessed a suitcase with approximately $940,000 in cash at a house on Phlox Avenue in Blacklick. During a 2022 search of another Blacklick home, on Chapel Stone Road, officials found two co-conspirators and seized more than 700 kilograms of marijuana and three firearms.

Surveillance video shown at Abate’s trial showed him shooting a man at a restaurant in Columbus and the jury heard testimony of other examples of violence, including shootings and pistol-whipping. Third World Mob leaders and members also allegedly used violence and the threat of violence to maintain authority over their drug trafficking.

In total, the United States Attorney’s Office states that seven members of the Third World Mob have been charged federally since 2021.

Co-defendant Abubakarr Savage, 36, was also convicted at trial with Abate. He was sentenced July 2025 to more than 15 years in prison. Fellow Third World Mob member Menelik Solomon pleaded guilty in November 2023 and was also sentenced to more than 15 years in prison. Teddy Asefa pleaded guilty to similar charges that Abate faced.

While Ohio legalized recreational cannabis in 2023 and recently launched sales, there remains a prohibition at the federal level, where the pair were prosecuted. The amount investigators found them holding also vastly exceeds the legal possession limit set in state law.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A challenge to an Ohio law impacting what voters see on the ballot when it comes to some of the state's judicial candidates is moving forward.

The law, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine more than four years ago, requires party affiliations to be listed on general election ballots for candidates running for the Ohio Supreme Court and appellate court districts. Since that time, the balance of the state's highest court has tipped Republican, with a 6-1 majority.

In 2023, the sole Democrat on the Ohio Supreme Court, Justice Jennifer Brunner, filed a lawsuit alleging her First Amendment rights were violated by the 2021 ballot rule. The complaint names Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Board of Professional Conduct and Ohio Attorney General David Yost as plaintiffs.

In the document, Brunner's 2022 run for the office of chief justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio is cited as the origin of the legal action. In the November general election that year, Brunner lost the race to the current chief justice, Sharon Kennedy. The suit states that this “was the first time S.B. 80 was administered in a judicial election, requiring political party affiliation to appear on the ballot next to the names of candidates for justice, chief justice and judge of the court of appeals.”

The complaint cites Rule 4.5 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires a judge to resign from judicial office when they become a candidate in a primary or general election for a nonjudicial elective office. It explains that campaigning for nonjudicial elective public office includes “making pledges, promises, or commitments,” which is “inconsistent with the role of a judge, who must remain fair and impartial to all who come before him or her.”

The lawsuits' most recent hurdle was cleared in August, when U.S. District Judge Benita Y. Pearson ruled that it can proceed. Pearson denied a motion for judgment on the pleadings by defendants Joe Caligiuri, Rick Dove, and Judge John Willamowski.

“We are pleased with the court's decision, and are hopeful that we will prevail as the case is finally determined,” said Patrick Quinn, Brunner's counsel in the lawsuit, in a statement to NBC4.

However, as the legal action progresses, Brunner’s current term is set to end on Jan. 1, 2027. At this time, there is no clear Republican challenger for the seat.

11.07.23_brunner-sb80-suitDownload

WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) -- Whitehall could create a government office dedicated to improving its 14 neighborhoods, but not all residents agree with the mayor's proposal.

“We need to get to the people where they live and where they where they sleep, and that department of neighborhoods is going to be the driver for that,” Mayor Michael Bivens said.

Bivens brought the idea before city council in August, asking members to approve two new city positions: director of neighborhoods, and events and advancement coordinator. His vision is a department to address the distinct needs of each of the city's neighborhoods. Bivens believes the department would help alleviate poverty and better residents' lives, but some councilmembers and residents are concerned about the costs and limited information.

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“A Department of Neighborhoods is redundant," resident Jacquelyn Thompson said. "It's not needed and we can't afford it.”

This fall is budget season for city leadership, and Bivens said he needs to get projections from the city auditor before proposing costs or salaries. He provided titles and sample job descriptions for councilmembers for their consideration. Although Bivens said this level of detail has been used in proposing past positions, Councilmember Jerry Dixon voiced concerns about approving new roles without further information.

Bivens said he does not want to spend time and money to flesh out the roles if council is not amenable to the idea. He said approving the positions does not mean paying for them, as council would still need to approve their salaries in the budget. If council approves the roles but does not budget for them, they would join Whitehall's other unfunded positions.

Bivens idea pulls from Columbus' Department of Neighborhoods, which helps with community programming, planning and addresses neighborhood concerns. He said Whitehall's version would differ in structure, as the city's much smaller size and closer density require different strategic planning.

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"Whitehall has the ability, based upon our size, to actually get to every single resident in our city, to provide resident engagement, strategic integration, collaboration, but also the big one is breaking down silos to bring all types of social service organizations, workforce organizations, nonprofit organizations to the residents of the city," Bivens said.

Some residents feel the department is unnecessary. Whitehall resident Jeff Thoburn said tax incentives to housing developments are costing the city money, and he does not believe the government should be spending more tax dollars on this initiative without more funding. He said a department of neighborhoods would increase bureaucracy rather than helping people.

Thompson agreed and sent a message to city leaders on Thursday condemning the idea, which she also shared with NBC4. She encouraged council members to vote against the idea if there are not detailed descriptions of what the jobs would entail.

Thoburn and Bivens raised concerns about Whitehall's poverty, although they differed in suggested solutions. Whitehall has one of the highest poverty rates in central Ohio, with 17.3% of residents living below the poverty level in the 2020 census.

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Thoburn said Whitehall needs to do more to attract long-term jobs and protect the residents who are already in the city. He believes adding a department is unnecessary and is not a viable solution. Thompson agreed and alleged voting on the positions without more information is an attempt to force approval.

"I'm sure you've heard the saying, 'Once the train has left the station, there will be no going back,'" Thompson said. "The mayor knows this, and he's counting on it."

Bivens believes dedicating resources to individual neighborhoods, which differ in socioeconomic status and needs, can help alleviate poverty in the city. Bivens also said he is looking ahead, as Whitehall stands to gain 16,000 residents by 2050. He said he wants to take care of future residents, too.

“If I'm fortunate enough to get council to approve the positions, and then fortunate enough to get the funding for it, that not only are we going to lead our residents to better trajectories in their life, we're going to definitely see a reduction of poverty and an increase of livelihood for all of the residents that live in the city of Whitehall,” Bivens said.

Whitehall City Council will hold a second reading of the legislation creating the roles on Tuesday. The meeting will be streamed online, or residents can attend in person at 7 p.m. in City Hall's Council Chambers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After a 70-0 victory over Grambling State, the challenge gets a little tougher Saturday for Ohio State as it plays Ohio under the lights of Ohio Stadium.

The game is the first between the programs since 2010 and seventh overall. The Buckeyes own a 6-0 record over the Bobcats.

"I think it's great for the state of Ohio. I know OU has a very proud tradition," coach Ryan Day said. "When you're from the state of Ohio, having the memory of playing in the Horseshoe during your college career is significant and we know these guys are going to be playing with their hair on fire."

Kickoff is at 7 p.m., and you can stream the game on Peacock. Here are things to know.

Bobcats offense led by Parker Navarro

Ohio enters the Horseshoe with some confidence after taking down West Virginia 17-10. In a defensive game, the Bobcats relied on fifth-year quarterback Parker Navarro to do just enough in their first win.

The Tempe, Arizona, native made 22 completions for 247 yards and a touchdown, despite throwing three interceptions. Chase Hendricks led the receivers with eight catches for 121 yards and a score, which was a 31-yard catch in the second quarter that ended up being the difference-maker.

Buckeyes look to extend historic in-state win streak

Day knows that to dominate, the defense will have to limit Navarro.

"You watch what he's done against two Power Five opponents, one Big Ten opponent [Rutgers]. He's done some really good things," Day said. "He's spread the ball around. He can make plays off schedule. He's got good quickness, competitive player. But ultimately to me, he's a winner."

Will Kacmarek faces former team

Senior tight end Will Kacmarek will see his former team for the first time since transferring to the Buckeyes two seasons ago.

Over three years with the Bobcats, Kacmarek caught 42 passes for 507 yards and two touchdowns in 29 appearances.

With Ohio State, the St. Louis native has become a big part of the tight end room that has been stepping up for the offense this season. Kacmarek has started twice in the 14 games he's played, catching his first touchdown pass in an OSU uniform last week against Grambling State.

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Day recalls seeing his potential as a Buckeye before he entered the transfer portal. And upon meeting him, he realized that Kacmarek was the type of player Ohio State could use.

"Will is a guy who hadn't played a ton of football going into college. What we were able to watch on film, in particular the game against Iowa State, we just recognized the fact that he was a good blocker," Day said. "He's hard working, he's a good teammate. He's smart. And I think he's getting better every day."

Punt returns need to improve

It's easy to overlook the mistakes that need to be corrected after a 70-0 win, but Day saw at least one red flag from watching Saturday's film: punt returns.

"That's an area coming out of the game that we need to improve on for sure," Day said. "I think we lost 47 hidden yards with the ball bouncing around the ground. A couple of them were very difficult because they were very well kicked. But other ones I think we could've fielded."

Day still has faith in Brandon Inniss returning kickoffs and punts.

"We also have Jeremiah [Smith] that we can put back there. Carnell [Tate], Caleb [Downs] if we need to," Day said. "We gotta get better. There's no question."

NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) -- At least six Intel Ohio One leaders have left the company in the past month.

LinkedIn posts show multiple departures, with three in the last week alone, and two other Intel Ohio leaders left their positions in July. The changes come amid companywide layoffs and slowed construction at the plant, although at least one departed employee confirmed they were not fired. See previous coverage of Ohio One in the video player above.

Ohio One employed 163 employees as of December, 156 of whom live in Ohio. These numbers were before Intel implemented mass layoffs, which CEO Lip-Bu Tan said largely took place over the summer. The data was also from before Intel delayed the Ohio One opening into 2032 and before it announced the company would "further slow construction." Despite delays, Intel said the Ohio project is ongoing.

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Each of the identified Ohio One leaders who have left since July had been with Ohio One from nearly the beginning. All eight began working at the site the same year it was announced, 2022.

Three weeks ago, Joy John, senior project engineer, announced his departure after 10 years with Intel. In a LinkedIn post, John addressed Intel colleagues and said he was here for them “during this challenging time.” One commenter said they were sorry to see he was laid off, but John corrected the comment and said he left on his own. 

Community Affairs Manager Toby Starr, Ohio One site construction manager Sanjay Patel, and Emily Smith, director of site development and community affairs, all left about a week ago. Smith and Patel posted kindly about their experience with Intel Ohio One and spoke about cheering on the company when the "ribbon is cut."

Senior Program Manager Tom Marshall left Intel and his Ohio placement in August. Two weeks ago, Kevin Hoggatt, director of state government affairs in Ohio, announced his departure. According to a LinkedIn post, Starr, Smith and Hoggatt all served on the same team.

Abrar Mohammed, civil/structural engineering discipline lead, and Tom Ebner, basebuild construction manager, announced they were leaving in July.

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According to CHIPS Communities United, a coalition of advocates across states that are home to projects that received federal semiconductor grants, Intel has laid off 7,601 workers since March 2024. According to CHIPS Communities United's data, those layoffs do not include departures from Ohio, as there is no available data.

CHIPS Communities United National Campaign Coordinator Brenda Rodriguez said her organization has been compiling stories from employees who were laid off from Intel. She said more than half of the responses collected so far are from workers who were with Intel for more than 10 years, who were left "shocked and devastated."

"For many, the impact goes far beyond a paycheck; this is taking a toll on their mental health, confidence and household finances," Rodriguez said.

Intel did not respond to NBC4's request for comment, so it is unclear if these positions will be replaced, if they are related to one another, or if they are due to layoffs. However, Intel has not posted any new job openings in Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Clocks are turning back slightly earlier this fall for the end of daylight saving time.

Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on Nov. 2, closing the annual period when U.S. clocks "spring forward" in March and then "fall back" in November. Yes, this means we get an extra hour of sleep when the clock remains in the secondhand position for another hour.

This year's time change is one day earlier than last year's, and is the second-earliest possible date for the end of daylight saving. The annual period always concludes on the first Sunday of November, with the earliest possible date being Nov. 1.

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The U.S. is once again turning clocks back while lawmakers and President Donald Trump have revived calls to "lock the clock" and observe daylight saving time permanently. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) gathered the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in April for a hearing to examine whether the U.S. should abandon the biannual tradition.

"This hearing is an excellent opportunity to examine a thoughtful and rational approach to how we manage time," Cruz said during his opening remarks. "Whether we lock the clock on standard time year-round or daylight saving time, let's put our health, the economy, and well-being first and embrace a sensible approach to time management."

The effort garnered the attention of Trump, who took to social media the day after the hearing to express his support for ending the biannual tradition. The president's comment came after he called it "a 50/50 issue" in March, saying "it's hard to get excited about it."

"The House and Senate should push hard for more daylight at the end of a day," Trump wrote on Truth Social in April. "Very popular and, most importantly, no more changing of the clocks, a big inconvenience and, for our government, a very costly event."

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Cruz's hearing came after Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to keep time permanently "forward," meaning clocks would not be set back in November. Named the "Sunshine Protection Act," the bill's passage would mean later sunsets in the winter but also later sunrises.

For example, the sun rises around 7:15 a.m. and sets around 4:30 p.m. on the first day of winter in New York. The act would change sunrise to 8:15 a.m. and sunset to 5:30 p.m.

While Ohio is among more than two dozen states that have previously pushed to observe daylight saving permanently, the state's effort is curtailed until federal law changes. Under the Uniform Time Act of 1966, states can change to standard time but not daylight saving, which requires a change to federal law to transition to perpetual daylight saving.

Ohio's House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill in December 2023 to urge the U.S. Congress to pass a previous version of the Sunshine Protection Act. The measure was under consideration in Ohio's Senate, but only received one hearing last June and never passed out of the General Government Committee.

State Sen. Kyle Koehler (R-Springfield) reintroduced a similar concurrent resolution earlier this year that also urges the U.S. Congress to make daylight saving time permanent. The resolution has been assigned to the Ohio Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, where it could receive hearings open for public testimony.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The U.S. has at least 411,500 teaching positions that are vacant or filled by people who are not properly certified, and Ohio is no exception.

"That critical mass of people leaving the profession much sooner than expected, fewer people entering the traditional pathways of university preparation have just led us to this true national teacher shortage," Teachers of Tomorrow CEO Heath Morrison said. "I don't use the word crisis much, but I do think it is a crisis.”

Morrison, a former superintendent, created teacher licensure education program Teachers of Tomorrow to combat the educator workforce shortage he was witnessing firsthand. He said lower retirement ages, economic uncertainty, the pandemic and declining university enrollment are all driving the national teacher shortage, and states need to be proactive. See previous coverage of the shortage in the video player above.

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Morrison said with changes to retirement and incoming student class size, education experts predicted there would be about 350,000 to 375,000 teacher vacancies by 2035. What was unexpected, he said, was how quickly the U.S. got there; in 2025, there were more than 360,000 vacancies nationwide.

According to the Department of Education, Ohio is facing shortages from pre-K to 12th grade across subject areas. In the 2024-2025 school year, Ohio lacked enough art, special education, career and technical education and computer science teachers. The state also needed many support staff positions filled, needing more counselors, nurses and social workers.

There are 388 vacant positions between Ohio's five largest districts alone. However, it is hard to quantify the shortage in Ohio because the state has not required schools to report relevant data. This changed over the summer, so Ohio's teacher shortage will be more easily tracked in the coming years. Starting Sept. 30, the Department of Education and Workforce will collect employment, retention and vacancy staff data.

Attracting more teachers can't be done overnight, as Ohio educators must get a bachelor's degree from one of 79 approved institutions to be licensed. Teachers must also pass background checks, exams and be approved by the state.

Educators who did not attend one of the handful of approved programs may qualify for an alternative licensure pathway. These teachers can only be in designated subject areas, and it requires an evaluation, exams and the completion of an Alternative Licensure Institute at one of six institutions, including Teachers of Tomorrow.

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Morrison said his organization specifically targets people who are interested in a career change, allowing them to build upon the skills they’ve already used in the workforce to be a more effective teacher. The program takes about a year on average and takes place largely online so people can work while earning their license.

“The best thing we can do that drives academic outcomes, that closes achievement gap, is to put a quality teacher in front of every student that we can,” Morrison said.

To try to fill vacancies, Ohio and other states have offered some wiggle room for certification. Morrison said this leads to uncertified teachers, whose students perform worse and who are more likely to leave the profession after a few years. From the 2019-2020 school year to the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio's district teacher certification rates dropped from 95.4% properly credentialed to 93.3%.

“Those uncertified teachers, more often are likely to be in front of poor students, minority students, special ed students, and so the students who come to school already, in some cases, challenged, don't get the best prepared, experienced teacher,” Morrison said.

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In Ohio, the most common courses taught by teachers who are not properly certified are theatre arts, career technical education anatomy and physiology, and middle school intervention English. Middle school reading, high school geography and computer literacy are among the 25 subjects with the highest rates of uncertified teachers in Ohio.

Morrison said increased pathways to licensure are one part of the fight, so long as all of the pathways produce quality, informed teachers. Morrison said the U.S. also needs a culture shift in how states view teachers. He said the field is often disrespected and underpaid, contributing to teachers leaving the field.

Student enrollment is also declining, but Morrison said teaching numbers are declining much more quickly than students. He said lower student enrollment somewhat masks the lack of teachers, making it seem like less of a concern than it is.

“The best thing we can do that drives academic outcomes, that closes achievement gaps, is to put a quality teacher in front of every student that we can,” Morrison said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new Ohio bill encourages utility companies to launch programs to remotely adjust participating customers’ thermostat settings and other energy use during times of peak demand.

House Bill 427, introduced by Rep. Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) in late August, would establish a framework for voluntary demand response programs, which incentivize customers to reduce demand on the power grid by offering them reduced rates.

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“This legislation is a crucial step in our state's comprehensive plan to ensure all Ohioans have access to reliable, affordable and readily available energy,” Klopfenstein said in a news release. 

Customers who opt into a program would grant a utility company access to temporarily lessen their energy use by adjusting thermostat and water heater temperatures, along with intermittently cycling other appliances, according to the bill.

The companies would pay participants a fee on an annual or per-event basis, as approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. 

The bill would require PUCO to give each program the green light by considering whether it is “cost-effective” for customers, its long-term savings to the energy grid and other factors it deems appropriate. 

Customers could override power reductions at any time, but doing so could limit future participation in the program depending on the company’s rules, the legislation states. 

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AEP Ohio already offers a demand response program where residential customers can receive rebates if they purchase a smart thermostat and allow the company to adjust it during times of peak energy use.

Demand response programs are also currently widely available to large commercial entities in the state such as factories. The bill specifically addresses expanding these programs to residential customers and small businesses.

“Demand response programs have proven to be a vital tool for our large commercial users, and it's important that similar programs are made available to residential and small commercial users,” Klopfenstein said. “These programs will ease the strain on our energy grid and save money for all Ohioans.”

If the bill were to pass, PUCO would be required to evaluate the success of the programs within three years and make recommendations to the legislature. 

The proposal comes at a time when Ohioans’ electricity bills are climbing as the rise in data centers in the state places an increased demand on the electric grid.  From April to July, residents have seen their monthly bills rise by up to 44%, according to Consumer Energy Solutions. 

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Several states currently utilize residential voluntary demand response programs. In Arizona, power companies pay households to enroll in thermostat-control programs during heat waves to help utility companies avoid blackouts. Another program in California notifies customers when demand is high and then gives them a dollar per kilowatt-hour of power they save. 

HB 427 awaits a committee assignment and its first hearing. According to the Ohio Legislature’s website, the bill has yet to garner co-sponsors. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It may still be pretty warm in central Ohio, but cold temperatures are on the way and flu season typically comes right along with them.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, said the state is not seeing many active flu, RSV or COVID cases right now, but he said it’s just a matter of time before flu season ramps up.

“It’s guaranteed that in the coming weeks, we are going to see these three viruses become more prominent because that happens every single year,” Vanderhoff said.

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He said Ohioans should start thinking about and preparing for flu season, especially parents. Dr. Jason Newland, a pediatric disease doctor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said RSV and the flu can be extremely harmful to kids.

“RSV will show up in kind of the middle of October, early November,” Newland said. “I think both RSV and influenza are scary. Influenza scares me as a pediatric infectious diseases doctor, and I can't tell you exactly when it's going to come.”

Both doctors said vaccines and immunizations are the best way to prevent the flu and RSV.

“That has been shown to be very protective, especially in ending up in the ICU and in the hospital, and frankly, all of us in the hospital would rather you not have to come,” Newland said.

“We’re very confident in the safety of those vaccines,” Vanderhoff said. “They have long track records.”

The doctors recommend that anyone six months and older get a flu shot in the coming weeks and months.

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With RSV, Newland said babies are the most vulnerable. Pregnant moms can get a maternal RSV vaccine to protect their babies, or infants can get an immunization against the virus in their first few months.

“The maternal vaccine is safe,” Newland said. “We haven't seen any safety things that made us pull back. We get more people, we are going to hopefully get rid of RSV as being one of our major wintertime viruses that really harms a lot of children.”

Besides getting the recommended shots, both doctors said proper hand washing and cough etiquette are great ways to prevent the flu, RSV and COVID.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's a streak for the history books: Ohio State hasn't lost to another football team from Ohio in more than a century. 

The last team to pull out a win over the Buckeyes was the Oberlin College Yeomen in 1921. The Buckeyes, who made the Rose Bowl the previous year, lost 7-6 to a school with, at the time, an enrollment four times smaller. The game was played in front of 10,000 people at Ohio Field. With Ohio Stadium under construction beginning that August, it was the team's last season playing there. 

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Since then though, Ohio State has a 53-game unbeaten streak against in-state schools. 

"It's just crazy,” Buckeye fan Marco Parisi said. “I think the dominant aspects of this team throughout all the years is crazy, especially recently with wide receivers. I mean, nine national championships just says it for itself."

And Buckeye Nation is hoping to keep the streak alive Saturday as they host the Ohio University Bobcats. 

"I don't think anyone's questioning what's going to happen," Buckeye fan Spencer Bihn said. "I've got friends at OU and they kind of know the outcome already."

Buckeye fans have two words for the Bobcats - good luck. They say this history gives them plenty of confidence heading into Saturday.

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"It just shows how great the football program here is and just like the lineage and the type of players and coaches we have here, it's on another level for sure," Buckeye fan Mark Robertson said.

This means if you're under the age of 104 years old, you've never seen an in-state opponent beat the scarlet and gray. 

"There's definitely a legacy and there's definitely a blueprint that's being followed and that's been followed for a very long time, and it definitely shows," Robertson said. 

When Ohio State lost to Oberlin College, it made headlines everywhere. The Buckeyes were the clear favorite heading in. Since then, the team has been untouchable in the state of Ohio. 

"It's consistently, over the years, been a dominant program for sure, from coaches to players," Parisi said.

The Buckeyes have proven to be a legend in college football, amassing nine national championships since their establishment in 1890. 

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"There's so many changes that have happened over the decades, so it's good to know that we always win," Buckeye fan Mimi Ghosh said. "We're winners."

For fans, this is more than an impressive streak; it's a reflection of Ohio State's dominance in football. 

"They do call Ohio State ‘Wide Receiver University,’ so year in and year out, they've got a great group of guys and I don't see it stopping any time soon," Buckeye fan Brandon Shafer said.

To put it all into perspective, the Ohio State Buckeyes have never lost to another Ohio school inside the ‘Shoe because the team didn't start playing there until 1922. They plan to keep it that way Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Years of complaints, dozens of crashes, and neighbors constantly on edge are now reaching a boiling point.

The growth in Central Ohio has led to an increase in traffic and NBC4 Investigates has heard fear and frustration from those living around one intersection.

Over the past nine years, there have been dozens of crashes at an intersection on the border of Delaware and Morrow counties.

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Most recently, a crash led to a young adult being taken by helicopter to Grant Medical Center. 

NBC4 Investigates dug through crash reports, 911 calls, heard from neighbors and took what we found to county leaders. 

“The traffic is terrible,” Donna Mitchell, who lives by the intersection said. “They just fly by here.”

“Oftentimes we'll hear the screech and then the crash,” Sue Orme, who lives by the intersection said.

“You start to get used to that screech and that I mean, the bang of two cars colliding, is a sound that you don't really forget,” said Lindsey Frim, who lives by the intersection.

Two weeks ago Frim and Orme heard a crash and ran out to help.  

“I just immediately took off and I always have my phone with me. So I literally was running and calling 911 at the same time,” Frim said. 

The intersection, County Road 24 and County Road 228, has been the site of more than 30 crashes in the last five years.

“You can hear the crash, even with the windows and doors shut,” Mitchell said. 

Crash reports show that more than half the time, someone got hurt. 

“I'm always sitting here on the weekend and it seems to happen on the weekends that I'm waiting for a phone call to come in or someone to knock my door or even the screech of the car tires and the crashing. It's anxiety-provoking,” Orme said. 

The road wasn’t always this busy. Donna Mitchell has lived along it her entire life, but now she says she can’t walk down the street. 

“My kids used to play out in the road, and I have trouble walking to my mailbox and back,” Mitchell said. 

These are county roads, so any change needs to come from Morrow County. The most recent change was a flashing stop sign along CR-228 a couple of years ago.

“If you hesitate at all for even a split second, there could be a car coming. And if someone's going faster than they're supposed to, which happens a lot, right? Then it seems like they're up on you all of a sudden,” Frim said. 

NBC4 Investigates spoke with Morrow County Engineer Bart Dennison. He agrees the flashing stop sign isn’t enough. He blames people running the stop signs and said that more should be done.

“There's a lot of problems going on here. Can we work together? What can we do? What can you do? What can you do to help to make some change and to make this a safer place?” Frim said. 

The Peru Township trustees are holding a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday about this intersection. The Morrow County engineer tells NBC4 he will be there to hear concerns and present what he calls a last-resort option.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- A car crashed into a CVS store in Upper Arlington on Thursday afternoon.

The crash happened at about noon at the CVS located at 1885 West Henderson Road, according to Upper Arlington police.

No one was injured in the crash. Police said the cause of the crash was operator error.

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The building remained closed for a safety inspection by an engineer. It's unclear if the store has reopened.

No other details were immediately available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Saturday's Ohio State football game against Ohio University marks the third year running the Buckeyes will play exclusively on a streaming service.

The 7 p.m. game at Ohio Stadium will be broadcast on Peacock, a streaming platform owned by NBC and not NBC4's parent company Nexstar. The move is part of a Big Ten media rights deal signed in 2022 with NBC, Fox and CBS.

How can you watch the game? Here is what you need to know:

How do I watch Ohio State-Ohio

To start, follow this link and you will be taken to the homepage where you will need to select a plan to purchase an account. There are two plans that include live sports to purchase, and two options to pay for each.

Premium ($10.99/Month or $109.99/Year): A Premium plan with Peacock does give you access to watch live sports, including the Ohio State game.

Premium Plus ($16.99/Month or $169.99/Year): A Premium Plus plan gives you everything that is included in the premium plan with the option to watch NBC4 newscasts and programming in addition to no ads for select shows and the ability to download and watch offline.

There are partnership subscriptions through DIRECTV and Xfinity. For more information, follow this link. A college student discount offer is also available for the Premium tier. The offer is currently $2.99 a month for one year but is only valid for students. Follow this link to learn more.

Once you’ve made an account, the top bar on the homepage will have categories. Select the sports category.

On the sports homepage, there will be a running list of live events as well as sports categories. You can either click in the “Live & Upcoming” section or the Big Ten logo in the “Latest Events, Highlights & News” section to find the game. After selecting the Big Ten logo, you will find the Ohio State-Ohio stream.

If you purchase Peacock on the day of the game, you will be charged for whichever plan you pick. If you cancel after the game, you will continue to have Peacock for the next month without an additional charge.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A national coffee chain opened its second walk-thru cafe this week on Ohio State's campus.

According to a news release, 7 Brew cut the ribbon on its second-ever walk-thru location at 2118 N. High St. on Wednesday. The Arkansas-based coffee shop began with seven original coffees and now boasts more than 20,000 different drink combinations.

Students lined up on noon Wednesday for the ribbon cutting. Inside, patrons are greeted by groovy decorations, blue neon lights and art that reads "cultivate kindness."

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7 Brew typically operates drive-thru coffee shops, but Ohio State's café is for pedestrians. The chain started in 2017 but spread quickly, and now has more than 300 locations nationwide. There are 23 locations in Ohio alone, including spots in Worthington and Hilliard.

The shop is hosting Community Hours from through Thursday of this week. Between 8 and 9 a.m., noon and 1 p.m., or 5 and 6 p.m., Ohio State students and staff can get a free small drink. 7 Brew is also holding a "Swag Day" on Friday from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. where customers can get a free 7 Brew T-shirt with the purchase of a large drink.

Also at Wednesday's event, 7 Brew Ohio State donated $2,000 to Nationwide Children's Hospital. 7 Brew said the donation was in line with the company's partnership with Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, an effort to give back.

7 Brew's new walk-thru coffee shop is open from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. every day.

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

Nala is a 1-year-old pit bull mix who has been with the shelter since July. Nala is described as a sweet pup who is eager to please and absolutely loves playing with toys. The shelter says she would do well in a home that will keep her active.

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Along with her playtime zoomies, Nala will cuddle up next to you, asking for all the belly rubs she can get. As of now, Nala knows "sit" and is eager to learn more. She is also very treat motivated and will sit for a toy.

She recently went on a sleepover and the shelter says it went well. The family she stayed with says their favorite thing about her is that will occasionally snort like a pig. The shelter says Nala would do best in a cat-free home. She is also selective with her dog friends, so its recommended you bring your resident dog to the shelter to meet with Nala before any adoptions.

If you are interested in this sweet and silly pup, you can meet with Nala at the shelter, located at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. in Columbus. For a list of other adoptable dogs, visit the shelter's website.