Feed aggregator

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.

A magnet for data centers, central Ohio attracts debate over investments

“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. 

Residents call for change after dozens of crashes at central Ohio intersection

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. 

New Capital University program addresses national social worker shortage

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.

Buckeyes look to extend historic in-state win streak

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.

Residents call for change after dozens of crashes at central Ohio intersection

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. 

15 years later: The true story of Rufus Bobcat vs. Brutus Buckeye

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.

Three bands coming together for Saturday’s Ohio State halftime show

"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. 

Ohio State football on Peacock: How to watch Buckeyes play Ohio Bobcats

"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.

A magnet for data centers, central Ohio attracts debate over investments

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.

Movies, TV shows given $46 million in tax credits to film in Ohio after ‘Superman’ success

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.

In May 2025, the European Union levied financial sanctions on the owners of Stark Industries Solutions Ltd., a bulletproof hosting provider that materialized two weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine and quickly became a top source of Kremlin-linked cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns. But new findings show those sanctions have done little to stop Stark from simply rebranding and transferring their assets to other corporate entities controlled by its original hosting providers.

Image: Shutterstock.

Materializing just two weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Stark Industries Solutions became a frequent source of massive DDoS attacks, Russian-language proxy and VPN services, malware tied to Russia-backed hacking groups, and fake news. ISPs like Stark are called “bulletproof” providers when they cultivate a reputation for ignoring any abuse complaints or police inquiries about activity on their networks.

In May 2025, the European Union sanctioned one of Stark’s two main conduits to the larger Internet — Moldova-based PQ Hosting — as well as the company’s Moldovan owners Yuri and Ivan Neculiti. The EU Commission said the Neculiti brothers and PQ Hosting were linked to Russia’s hybrid warfare efforts.

But a new report from Recorded Future finds that just prior to the sanctions being announced, Stark rebranded to the[.]hosting, under control of the Dutch entity WorkTitans BV (AS209847) on June 24, 2025. The Neculiti brothers reportedly got a heads up roughly 12 days before the sanctions were announced, when Moldovan and EU media reported on the forthcoming inclusion of the Neculiti brothers in the sanctions package.

In response, the Neculiti brothers moved much of Stark’s considerable address space and other resources over to a new company in Moldova called PQ Hosting Plus S.R.L., an entity reportedly connected to the Neculiti brothers thanks to the re-use of a phone number from the original PQ Hosting.

“Although the majority of associated infrastructure remains attributable to Stark Industries, these changes likely reflect an attempt to obfuscate ownership and sustain hosting services under new legal and network entities,” Recorded Future observed.

Neither the Recorded Future report nor the May 2025 sanctions from the EU mentioned a second critical pillar of Stark’s network that KrebsOnSecurity identified in a May 2024 profile on the notorious bulletproof hoster: The Netherlands-based hosting provider MIRhosting.

MIRhosting is operated by 38-year old Andrey Nesterenko, whose personal website says he is an accomplished concert pianist who began performing publicly at a young age. DomainTools says mirhosting[.]com is registered to Mr. Nesterenko and to Innovation IT Solutions Corp, which lists addresses in London and in Nesterenko’s stated hometown of Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Image credit: correctiv.org.

According to the book Inside Cyber Warfare by Jeffrey Carr, Innovation IT Solutions Corp. was responsible for hosting StopGeorgia[.]ru, a hacktivist website for organizing cyberattacks against Georgia that appeared at the same time Russian forces invaded the former Soviet nation in 2008. That conflict was thought to be the first war ever fought in which a notable cyberattack and an actual military engagement happened simultaneously.

Mr. Nesterenko did not respond to requests for comment. In May 2024, Mr. Nesterenko said he couldn’t verify whether StopGeorgia was ever a customer because they didn’t keep records going back that far. But he maintained that Stark Industries Solutions Inc. was merely one client of many, and claimed MIRhosting had not received any actionable complaints about abuse on Stark.

However, it appears that MIRhosting is once again the new home of Stark Industries, and that MIRhosting employees are managing both the[.]hosting and WorkTitans — the primary beneficiaries of Stark’s assets.

A copy of the incorporation documents for WorkTitans BV obtained from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce shows WorkTitans also does business under the names Misfits Media and and WT Hosting (considering Stark’s historical connection to Russian disinformation websites, “Misfits Media” is a bit on the nose).

An incorporation document for WorkTitans B.V. from the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce.

The incorporation document says the company was formed in 2019 by a y.zinad@worktitans.nl. That email address corresponds to a LinkedIn account for a Youssef Zinad, who says their personal websites are worktitans[.]nl and custom-solution[.]nl. The profile also links to a website (etripleasims dot nl) that LinkedIn currently blocks as malicious. All of these websites are or were hosted at MIRhosting.

Although Mr. Zinad’s LinkedIn profile does not mention any employment at MIRhosting, virtually all of his LinkedIn posts over the past year have been reposts of advertisements for MIRhosting’s services.

Mr. Zinad’s LinkedIn profile is full of posts for MIRhosting’s services.

A Google search for Youssef Zinad reveals multiple startup-tracking websites that list him as the founder of the[.]hosting, which censys.io finds is hosted by PQ Hosting Plus S.R.L.

The Dutch Chamber of Commerce document says WorkTitans’ sole shareholder is a company in Almere, Netherlands called Fezzy B.V. Who runs Fezzy? The phone number listed in a Google search for Fezzy B.V. — 31651079755 — also was used to register a Facebook profile for a Youssef Zinad from the same town, according to the breach tracking service Constella Intelligence.

In a series of email exchanges leading up to KrebsOnSecurity’s May 2024 deep dive on Stark, Mr. Nesterenko included Mr. Zinad in the message thread (youssef@mirhosting.com), referring to him as part of the company’s legal team. The Dutch website stagemarkt[.]nl lists Youssef Zinad as an official contact for MIRhosting’s offices in Almere. Mr. Zinad did not respond to requests for comment.

Given the above, it is difficult to argue with the Recorded Future report on Stark’s rebranding, which concluded that “the EU’s sanctioning of Stark Industries was largely ineffective, as affiliated infrastructure remained operational and services were rapidly re-established under new branding, with no significant or lasting disruption.”

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."

15 years later: The story of Rufus Bobcat vs. Brutus Buckeye

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.

Three bands coming together for Saturday’s Ohio State halftime show

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.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio offers a wide mix of entertainment for this mid-September weekend.

Music fans can enjoy the Olde Towne East Jazz Festival, the Blues and Brews Festival in Reynoldsburg, a free Columbus Jazz Orchestra concert downtown, “Hokus Pokus Live!” on stage and a big-name show from Eric Church at Nationwide Arena.

Families can head to Hilliard’s Fall Fest, attend the See Brilliance STEAM Festival, or Olentangy Caverns for crafts, puppets, and live youth performances. Movie lovers can catch the classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the big screen in Marysville.

Food, sports, and fashion also take the spotlight with Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus Columbus, the Ohio State Buckeyes game against Ohio University, and the start of Fashion Week Columbus.

3rd Annual Olde Towne East Jazz Festival

Blackburn Recreation Center, 263 Carpenter Street, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12 to 14

• Three days of free family fun. This year's theme: Bringin It Back Home, honoring the historic Mt. Vernon Comin Home Festival with original organizers and the iconic electric slide. Great music, food vendors and resources onsite. Saturday Headliner Four80East and Sunday headliner Lin Rountree. Live music at 8 p.m. each night. Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. More info and registration: otejazz.com

Oktoberfest Grandview!

Hofbrauhaus Columbus, recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 28

• Celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic bier, traditional German dishes, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Festivities include stein-raising singalongs, balloon artists, and plenty of food and drink. Kick off Friday at 7 p.m. for the ceremonial keg tapping with Dave Man from QFM96.

Adobe Stock Blues and Brews Festival

Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr., Reynoldsburg, Friday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Blues and Brews Fest is a celebration of live blues music, craft beer, great food, and fun family activities. Food trucks and live music with Austin and the Syd Experience and Bobby Floyd and Sean Carney.

Hokus Pokus Live!

KEMBA LIVE! Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

• Hokus Pokus Live conjures up a wickedly spooky fully-scripted theatrical experience starring Ginger Minj, Jujubee, and Sapphira Cristál as the legendary Sisters and featuring Landon Cider as Billy. With hauntingly hilarious comedy, powerhouse vocals, and a dash of magic, this live spectacle brings the cult classic to the stage like never before. Ages 13 and up recommended for language.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

The Avalon Theatre, 121 S. Main St., Marysville Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

• A delicious family classic. Join Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) in a splendiferous movie that brings the endlessly appetizing delights of Roald Dahl’s classic book. On a whirlwind tour of Willy’s incredible, edible realm of chocolate waterfalls, elfish Oompa-Loompas and industrial-sized confections, a boy named Charlie (Peter Ostrum) will discover the sweetest secret of all, a generous, loving heart. First Friday Film, pay-what-you-can, $4 minimum.

Actors Gene Wilder (1933 - 2016) as Willy Wonka in the film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory', 1971. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Columbus Jazz Orchestra at Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park Downtown, Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.

• Free outdoor concert featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Byron Stripling and Sydney McSweeney on vocals. Local band Starlit Ways opens at 5:30 p.m., CJO begins at 7 p.m. Food trucks onsite. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free.

See Brilliance STEAM Festival

MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave., Saturday, Sept. 13, noon to 5 p.m.

• The See Brilliance STEAM Festival is a family-friendly celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and confidence in youth across Columbus. Now in its third year, the festival brings together over 300 students, families, educators, and community partners for a day filled with hands-on activities, live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, music, food, and more.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Ohio Bobcats

Ohio Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

• The Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Ohio Bobcats at 7 p.m. in Columbus.

NBC4 File Eric Church: Free the Machine Tour

Nationwide Arena, Saturday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.

• Making the most of the long-awaited opportunity to “gather again,” for the first time in his career, Eric Church will play in-the-round.

FILE - In this April 29, 2016 file photo, Eric Church performs at the 2016 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Church is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File) Hilliard Fall Fest

Hilliard Municipal Park, Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Celebrate the beginning of fall at an event hosted by the City of Hilliard. Enjoy hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, inflatables and games, face painting, balloon artists, live dog shows, and more. Plus, live music from Simba Jordan!

Kids craft market, Mr. Puppet puppet show and local teen rock band 'Short Fuse'

Olentangy Caverns, 1779 Home Road, Delaware, Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Young entrepreneurs are invited to set up and sell their wares at the Made By Me Market, more details and to register, click here: olentangycaverns.com/made-by-me-market. At 2 p.m. enjoy a free kid-friendly puppet show featuring Mr. Puppet at the outdoor shelter house stage. Local teen rock band “Short Fuse” performs at 3:30 p.m.

Fashion Week Columbus

Various locations around Columbus, Sept. 14 to 20

• Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, which produces a full week of fashion shows and fashion-related programs showcasing emerging fashion designers to media, buyers, and the incredible fashion community in Central Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After the success of "Superman," awarded $11 million in tax credits for filming in Ohio, the state is awarding $46 million in tax credits to another round of movies, TV series and stage shows being produced in the state.

Through the state's Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, Ohio's Department of Development is giving out the tax credits to 11 movies, four TV mini series, five full TV series, four theatrical productions, two documentaries and one digital media. These projects are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs, contribute more than $150 million in eligible production spending, and drive $196 million in production-related expenses, the department said.

More concerts planned for Athenaeum Theatre pivot to other Columbus venues

"When productions choose Ohio, they put our communities on the global stage," Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, said. "Through the Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, we're telling Ohio's story to the world while creating new jobs and growing local economies."

The state is continuing its Motion Picture Tax Credit Program after garnering nationwide acclaim as one of the main filming locations for "Superman." Originally listed under the code name "Genesis," the James Gunn-directed movie earned $11,091,686 in tax credits and hired more than 3,000 Ohio residents.

DC's Ohio-related expenses were projected to exceed $36 million, which made up about 10% of the movie's total budget of more than $363 million. The film's Motion Picture Tax Credit application said its Ohio production included 133 days for preparation, 37 for shooting and 31 for wrap. That means around a quarter of Gunn's movie was produced in Ohio.

"Superman" was released in theaters on July 11 and has since grossed more than $614 million at the worldwide box office.

Films awarded in this round includes more than $10 million in tax credits for a movie under the code name "Spain Thief" being produced in Cleveland; $8.4 million for "Sunny" in Canton; $3.6 million for "10 Center" in North Canton; $2.8 million for "The Chaperones" in Cincinnati; and $1.5 million for "Love is Not the Answer" also in Cincinnati.

TV series include $2.1 million for All Elite Wrestling's 2025-26 productions in Cleveland; $2 million for "Gabriel and the Guardians" in Columbus; $1 million for WWE's 2025-26 productions in Cleveland; and $3 million for "The Guest List" in Lorain.

Theatrical productions awarded include $1.3 million for the national tour of Broadway's "Hell's Kitchen" in Cleveland; $1 million for a tour of "Spamalot" in Cleveland; $613,000 for "The Notebook" in Cleveland; and $463,877 for "Elf the Musical" in Springfield.

Ohio resident makes case for renaming State Route 666

Motion Picture Tax Credit applications are reviewed and awarded in two rounds each year. Projects are awarded first to TV series, then to all other based on the extent of positive economic impact in Ohio and the effect on developing a permanent workforce in motion picture of theatrical productions in the state, the Department of Development said.

Earlier this year, the department gave out $44 million in tax credits for 23 productions in Ohio. Last fall, 17 projects were chosen to receive $36 million in tax credits.

While Ohio is angling to be a movie-making destination, the state was passed up in February to be the next home of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Cincinnati was among three finalist cities last year that could begin hosting the Sundance starting in 2027. However, the festival's parent organization, the Sundance Institute, opted for a move to Boulder, Colorado.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Capital University has introduced a program in response to a nationwide shortage of social workers, as government and education institutions across the country work to address the issue.

The Bexley college launched a Master of Social Work degree, which offers a one-year track for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a two-year track for students with any other undergraduate degree. The first students in the program began classes in August. 

Capital said the degree is one of the few in Ohio that allows graduates to practice in any field of social work. The program was designed for students seeking “flexible” education, offering evening and Saturday classes, according to a news release.

A magnet for data centers, central Ohio attracts debate over investments

The school stated the degree was designed in response to a demand for social workers across the country, which has only intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“With everything going on in the world today, the need for compassionate, highly trained social workers has never been greater, and it’s not a career AI will ever replace,” said Dr. Katie Gorman-Ezell, MSW Program Director. 

Social workers help people of all ages cope with problems in their lives by providing counseling and advocacy, as well as connecting them with resources such as housing. The trained professionals often work with children, along with those facing mental health issues or homelessness. To become a social worker in Ohio, students must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree, while a master’s degree may be required for advanced roles. 

In 2024, 41 out of 44 responding states reported a social worker shortage in a survey released by the behavioral health nonprofit NRI, Inc. The shortage is fueled primarily by burnout, partly due to the emotionally challenging nature of the job, and employees switching career fields, Colorado State University reported. 

The COVID-19 pandemic enhanced the challenges social workers experience. Psychological and financial disruptions brought on by the pandemic led to an increased need for social work services, as professionals reported stress from the difficulty of serving clients in crisis while dealing with the effects of the pandemic in their personal lives. This led to an increase in social workers leaving the field in 2020 through 2023, according to a study published in Oxford University Press. 

Polaris residents push for change on busy roadway

State mental health agencies across the country are attempting to combat the shortage with a variety of initiatives such as tuition reimbursement, salary increases and recruitment efforts. Several states have also partnered with local high schools and colleges, as they assist with curriculum development, informational sessions about workforce opportunities and more, according to NRI, Inc. 

In July, Ohio launched a statewide initiative to combat shortages in the behavioral health workforce, which includes social workers. The program offered financial support to students in behavioral health fields and supplied grants to multiple programs focused on the recruitment and retention of related professionals. 

Capital’s program provides students with up to 25 hours per week of real-world experience at institutions such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital and OhioHealth Riverside, along with policy-focused organizations like the National Association of Social Workers.

The university also launched a redesigned Master of Business Administration program this school year for individuals of all undergraduate majors, which allows students to complete the program in as little as one year. The new MBA also offers a hybrid structure that blends in-person classes with online coursework. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Data centers are the center of debates across central Ohio as cities and townships weigh resource strains with financial benefits.

Central Ohio is home to 120 of Ohio's 188 data centers and attracting more, with another data center opening in New Albany on Wednesday. State and local governments have offered tax incentives in hopes of attracting the jobs and tax revenue data centers can bring. However, some residents are pushing back over environmental and nuisance concerns.

Data centers are large facilities that store computing equipment and power AI, phones and data processing. The federal government said the U.S. needs to build more data centers to support its digital infrastructure. One center can require as much electricity and water as thousands of homes combined, and data centers are also linked to spikes in local utility rates.

15 years later: The story of Rufus Bobcat vs. Brutus Buckeye

Last week, debates about data centers led Jerome Township to approve a moratorium pausing data centers for nine months. Trustee Wezlynn Davis recommended the pause, citing resident feedback and strains on local utilities and public safety departments. She said data centers bring sound and light pollution and may not be worth the money.

“We need to really look at what the return on investment is for our township,” Davis said. “I don’t find data centers to be the best and highest use.”

Trustee Barry Adler cautioned his fellow trustees against sending a message that data centers are unwelcome. He said the tax revenue and job creation should not be ignored. He said the township needs to figure out how to balance limited resources with the growing demand for data centers.

“We just need to work with the data centers on the details of being good neighbors to surrounding communities, and we also need to work with the economic development director to figure out what the best economic returns can be for our township,” Adler said. 

This Ohio county is the first to ban conversion therapy

Dublin resident Amy Swank connected with an anti-data center coalition in Virginia, the data center capital of the world, when she learned a data center could be moving into her neighborhood. With rapid innovation, Swank believes large, utility-heavy data centers may become obsolete quickly.

Central Ohio's newest data center is trying to adapt. Edged Data Centers opened a data center on Wednesday that uses waterless cooling. Edged said the facility is built for AI workloads and will save more than 92 million gallons of water each year compared to a traditional data center. Instead, Edged relies on rooftop air cool chillers, evaporators and non-toxic glycol refrigerant.

Edged's new facility spans 14 acres and can accommodate up to 24 megawatts. The company said its Columbus facility uses 72% less overhead energy than the industry average and said its power systems "virtually eliminate direct air emissions."

“I do think that central Ohio is probably inundated with data centers right now, and I'm not sure that the infrastructure can support any more,” Swank said. “That said, I also recognize that we do as a nation, have a need for data centers, and so we need to look at where we can put these, how we can mitigate some of the bad things about them.”