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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As expected, central Ohio gas prices are on the rise due to refinery issues in the Midwest and an unexpected spike in demand nationwide.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices have risen 9.6 cents from last week, averaging out at $3.03 per gallon. The current price is 18.8 cents per gallon higher than four weeks ago as well as 7.2 cents higher than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.67 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.39, a difference of 72 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also jumped by 12.2 cents to reach $3.03 per gallon.

Nationally, gas prices experienced a smaller increase of 4.8 cents per gallon to average out at $3.03, and the price of diesel followed suit, climbing by 6.5 cents, settling in at $3.73 per gallon.

What is price cycling?

Experts said last week that prices in the Midwest were expected to rise due to unforeseen refinery issues in the region, but the government shutdown also added to the demand across the country, with flight cancellations resulting in far more auto travelers.

“Refinery issues in the Great Lakes and West Coast have kept prices elevated, and gasoline inventory data from the government showed another large weekly drop in supplies, which has temporarily propped up prices, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “With thousands of flight cancellations reported due to potential FAA flight cuts, there could be slight shifts in gasoline demand, which may limit any near-term declines.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio spent nearly $1.1 billion on state voucher programs last year, with most support going to Christian schools.

According to newly released state data for the 2024-2025 school year, Ohio spent $1.095 billion on its scholarship programs last year, 71% of which was paid to EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp programs. See previous coverage of the programs in the video player above.

Total voucher participation increased by more than 15,000 students, most of whom were not registered as low-income by the state. Further, nearly all of the EdChoice schools with the most students or that received the most in-state funding were Christian schools.

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Ohio offers five state voucher programs, which provide scholarships to K-12 students to attend private and charter schools. The programs, particularly EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp, are divisive, with some saying they make learning more accessible to families and others arguing they take away money and resources from public schools. In all, Ohio offers five scholarships:

• Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship (JPSN), which provides scholarships for K-12 graders who have an individualized education program
• Autism Scholarship, which funds students with autism who want to attend a special education program other than the one offered at their public school district
• Cleveland Scholarship, which is for Cleveland Municipal School District students who have low-income status and want to attend private school
• Education Choice Scholarship (EdChoice), which gives low-income public school students the chance to attend private school
• Education Choice Expansion (EdChoice-Exp), which gives any student the chance to attend private school with at least part of their tuition covered by the state, regardless of income.

EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp are by far the most popular programs, although all five saw an increase in participation from fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025. Fiscal year 2025 refers to the 2024-2025 school year, with both starting in July 2024 and ending in June 2025.

The full scholarship for EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp is $6,166 for grades K-8 and $8,408 for high school. To qualify for the full amount, families' household income must be at or below 450% of the federal poverty level. For the 2025-26 school year, a family of four would need to make $144,675. Families with higher incomes receive smaller, prorated scholarships.

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Families at or below 200% of the federal poverty level -- $64,300 for a family of four -- do not have to pay any additional tuition beyond the scholarship. These families are considered low-income by the state. In the 2024-25 school year, only about 11% of EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp families were considered low-income.

School Choice Ohio President Eric "Yitz" Frank told NBC4 in March that many families choose not to declare their income status but still have need for the program, so low-income data might be skewed. NBC4 was not able to independently verify that claim, as it is not reported in state data.

For EdChoice-Exp, there were 89,226 participants who were not low income, more than all EdChoice-Exp participants in the 2023-2024 school year combined. It's evidence the program is still seeing significant growth; about 22% of all EdChoice participants and 25% of EdChoice-Exp participants were new to the program.

Some schools were more popular than others for voucher participation, and all of the schools with the highest participation were religious schools. NBC4 analyzed all EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp schools with more than 300 student participants and found none were secular.

The pattern continued with schools that received the most money from the voucher program. Of the 100 highest-paid EdChoice and EdChoice-Exp schools, there were 97 Christian schools, two Jewish schools and one Muslim school. The top 100 schools received a combined $248 million, and the top 34 highest paid schools were all Christian.

Payments to primarily religious schools are a common criticism of the voucher program. When asked, state representatives told NBC4 the payments do not violate the state's responsibility to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding religious programs. Instead, representatives said they give the scholarships directly to Ohioans, who in turn choose how to spend them.

In June, a Franklin County judge ruled that the voucher system is unconstitutional, agreeing with a coalition of dozens of public schools and the Coalition for Adequacy and Equity of School Funding. The "Vouchers Hurt Ohio" lawsuit had been underway for several years, alleging the state is unfairly allocating public funds to nonpublic schools.

The judge stayed her decision so the scholarships could continue until a higher court ruled. Shortly after, the state appealed her ruling, and the case will continue in court.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As temperatures drop, making sure your home heating system is running safely is about more than just comfort; it's about protecting your family. 

"You don't want to find out you have an issue with your furnace when it's 10 degrees outside and 3 in the morning," Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing technician David Gerogiorgis said. 

Gerogiorgis performed a routine inspection for homeowner Jason Willis in Dublin on Monday.

"Safety, especially when you have kids or pets and a family, you want to make sure that safety is of utmost importance, so definitely want to make sure your units are running up to code and making sure there's no fire hazards or any safety potential issues there," Willis said. 

Gerogiorgis said some big things to look out for are corrosion or water marks near your furnace. Those are signs your system may not be venting properly. 

"More modern units will have a digital readout and that will give you some kind of an inclination of what's going wrong," Gerogiorgis said.

Another big safety concern is carbon monoxide, which furnaces create as a byproduct of burning fuel. 

"Metal pipes will oftentimes, over their lifespan, corrode, potentially open up holes and cracks which lets carbon monoxide leak into the basement," Gerogiorgis said.

That's why he encourages all of his clients to put a detector near their heating system. 

"A lot of people will have carbon monoxide detectors up around the bedroom spaces in second floor homes," Gerogiorgis said. "The concern there is that by the time that detectors going off, the basement area or the first floor is already full."

Another thing to pay attention to is your air filter.

"By keeping your furnace filter clean, you're going to make sure that you're keeping particulate dust and matter out of your air supply and off of the motor components and electrical components within the furnace," Gerogiorgis said. "That's going to help extend the lifespan and, overall, make the system that more efficient."

According to Gerogiorgis, it doesn't require a professional to check the condition of your filter.

"Take the filter out of the furnace, hold it up to a light, and if the light comes through freely, you're in pretty good shape," Gerogiorgis said. "If you hold it up to the light and you see the outlines of dirt, debris where the light is coming through muted, or the filter looks furry and gray, it's time to replace it."

Ultimately, when it comes to your heating system, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way. 

"They're expensive pieces of equipment," Gerogiorgis said. "By investing a little bit every year, you make sure that the system runs well, that your family is safe and comfortable, and that you can push the lifespan of that furnace by an additional 80%."

While technicians help homeowners prevent costly and dangerous issues, other programs like the state's Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program) are helping families stay warm when the bills themselves become a burden. 

"If you're having a disconnect or about to be disconnected, but let me also add or you're running out of bulk fuel again, coal or wood, we're able to step and work with your vendor or utility company to help keep the lights on and the gas going," Breathing Association president Dr. Iyaad Hasan said. 

The program opened Nov. 1 and offers one-time assistance to income-eligible Ohioans facing utility shutoffs, low fuel supplies or service transfers. 

"This program is dire," Hasan said. "As an individual, everybody needs security, not just a home, but you need utilities within your home. You need to stay warm during the winters and cool during the summers."

To qualify, a household must be at or below 175% of the federal poverty line, which is around $56,000 for a family of four. Last year, more than 73,000 households in Ohio received help totaling more than $25 million in benefits. This year, experts expect demand to be even higher. 

"These times are trying for all of us, and especially as we move into the colder months," Hasan said. "But more and more individuals nowadays are calling than we ever have."

Franklin County alone averages 30,000 families relying on this help each winter.

Ohioans can start their application online but must schedule an appointment with their local energy assistance provider to complete the application. Depending on the agency, the appointment may be in person, on the phone, or remotely. The application and list of providers can be found online at energyhelp.ohio.gov.

Clients need to bring copies of their most recent energy bills, a list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member, proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members, and proof of disability, if applicable.

For more information about the Winter Crisis Program, visit this link. The program runs through March 31.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- People have been without their SNAP benefits for more than a week, making it harder for them to get basic food.

Because of the government shutdown, many families in central Ohio are trying to feed multiple people without the benefits they typically receive. For families with children, that burden may be even greater.

“Starting as a kid, it really affects your ability to grow and thrive,” Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts said. “How can you pay attention in the classroom if you're hungry and if your stomach is growling?”

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Roberts, the City of Columbus, and the Franklin County Public Health Department have teamed up for pop-up food distribution events for SNAP recipients. At Monday’s event in Linden, many parents and their children came through to pick up food.

“Food is fuel,” Roberts said. “It helps us. It nourishes our body. It nourishes our blood and things. All that good stuff that we need. It's the fuel we need to keep our bodies moving.”

SNAP recipients at the pop-up event took home enough non-perishable food items, produce and frozen meals for four people.

Events like these are helping single mom Briance McGee keep her five kids fed without her SNAP benefits.

“They didn’t ask to be in this world, but they’re here, so I got to provide for them,” McGee said.

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She said she has been making sure her kids get all the nutrients they need, even without SNAP assistance.

“We eat a lot of fruits and vegetables,” McGee said. “We’re not pork eaters, so we eat turkey and sometimes a little bit of chicken, but mostly fruits and vegetables.”

Roberts said these are exactly the foods children should be eating. That’s why people attending the food distributions are supplied with proteins, carbohydrates, fruits and veggies.

Roberts said the most important thing parents can do for their children is keep them hydrated.

“Well first of all, they want to make sure they're hydrated, and you can do that with water; you don't have to have juice,” Roberts said.

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Even though SNAP benefits are paused, WIC has not been affected by the government shutdown and is still accessible.

The City of Columbus and Franklin County Public Health had one more food distribution pop-up event scheduled, set for Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. at the Far East Recreation Center. It is open for SNAP recipients only.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- For young adults living with lifelong medical conditions, leaving the care of pediatric specialists can be both emotional and overwhelming. A new program at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is helping to make that transition easier.

The Complex Care Clinic is designed to help patients with chronic childhood-onset conditions -- such as spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and congenital heart disease -- move from pediatric to adult medical care while maintaining the coordinated, specialized support they’ve grown up with.

David Phillips, who was born with spina bifida, said the transition from pediatric to adult care was a challenge.

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“Up until middle school, I had 15 surgeries and then more past that,” Phillips said. “Now that I’m becoming an adult, you want to be heard and say, ‘I know my body - let’s work as a team to fix what’s wrong.’”

Dr. Katrina Johnson, an assistant professor at Ohio State and one of the clinic’s founders, said that many young adults lose access to cohesive care once they age out of children’s hospitals.

“Right now, it’s fragmented,” Johnson said. “Around age 18 to 26, they’re told they need to find an adult doctor. It can be scary, you don’t know where to go.”

Johnson’s inspiration for the clinic dates back to her teenage years, when she was an intern at a pediatric office and noticed the gap in care between pediatric and adult medicine.

“We’ve made it really simple,” Johnson said. “At Nationwide Children’s, we have one referral that’s placed directly to Ohio State. When their doctor decides it’s time to transfer, the referral goes to us automatically.”

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Each patient is paired with a case worker to help manage appointments, transportation, and communication needs before the first visit. The goal is to eliminate barriers and create a seamless transition for patients and families.

Phillips now serves as an ambassador for the clinic and encourages others not to lose hope.

“For people making the transition, I say don’t give up,” he said. “There’s always a solution, especially with help from people like Dr. Johnson.”

Johnson said that seeing patients gain independence while staying connected to the care they need has been deeply rewarding.

“It’s not perfect yet,” she said. “But being able to sit down with someone who has struggled or felt unheard and help them bridge that care, I often have to keep myself from tears of joy.”

For more information about the Complex Care Clinic, visit the Wexner Medical Center website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The back-and-forth on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for Ohio residents took another step Monday when the state announced partial payments will be distributed this week.

In a social media post, the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services announced that starting this week, families who receive SNAP benefits will receive no more than 65% of the usual benefits. The payment is based on federal guidelines from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services.

According to ODJFS, households that haven't received their November benefits yet will start seeing partial payments this week, as early as Wednesday, while those whose normal payment date hasn't happened yet will receive their payments on their regularly scheduled day. Some households, depending on income and eligibility, may not receive benefits, ODJFS added.

The announcement comes after a back-and-forth between court rulings and administration edicts starting at the beginning of the month and throwing SNAP recipients into a state of uncertainty. The Trump administration initially said it was halting SNAP payments until the government shutdown ended; a court ruled that the administration must fund the benefits.

Jockeying between the administration and the courts ended on Monday, when, after the United States Supreme Court granted the Trump administration's request to halt benefits, bumping the matter to a lower court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit rejected the administration's request, moving the plan for partial payments forward.

SNAP was paused due to the federal government shutdown; the U.S. Senate is currently in the process of ending the shutdown.

SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program, gives people in need a set amount of money every month to purchase groceries. In 2024, approximately 1 in 8 Americans -- 41.7 million people -- received some SNAP benefits. In Ohio, approximately 1.4 million of the state's 11.9 million people -- nearly 12% -- receive SNAP benefits.

PATASKALA, Ohio (WCMH) — The West Licking Fire District is without one of its fire engines after it was hit by a semi truck.

“Fortunately, we’re just speaking about a truck and not a person, and fortunately, the other vehicle didn't get struck either," West Licking Fire Department Lt. Nick Rhodes said. 

The crash happened Saturday night on I-70 East as the fire engine was responding to the scene of a car that had hit a deer, according to Rhodes. The fire truck was being set up at an angle to protect everyone at that initial scene. Rhodes said firefighters hadn't exited the truck when the semi sideswiped the fire engine. The semi then drove into the median, narrowly missing the initial car.

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“You can see his tracks, almost hit the car we were stopping for," said a member of fire department in video from the district taken at the scene that night.

There is damage along most of the driver's side of the fire engine. The grab bars, which help firefighters get in and out, were torn off, as were the mirrors. Part of the windshield was also broken and a front tire needed to be replaced. The truck was drained before it was taken to the shop to check on possible axle and frame damage.

“They were checking their mirrors and the unfortunate happened, but that is the side they would have been exiting the truck out of. So that's why I say we’re a couple seconds away from a significant tragedy," Rhodes said.

Rhodes said he and the rest of the West Licking Fire team are grateful no one was hurt and hopes this can be a reminder for other drivers.

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“We were seconds away from a significant tragedy that evening, not only for us, but also for civilians, so we just ask if you see flashing lights, whether it's fire department, law enforcement, road crews, please slow down, and pay attention," he said.

The department's backup engine is already being used, so the department is borrowing an engine from another department, according to Rhodes.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the driver of the semi truck has been cited for not allowing enough space between themselves and the vehicle in front of them.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Cyber fraud is costing local governments across Ohio hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Here in Columbus, a 2024 ransomware attack cost the city millions, and it's happening all across the state. 

The Ohio Auditor of State said there isn’t a week that goes by that his office doesn't receive an alert that a local government somewhere in Ohio has suffered a loss due to cyber fraud, and those losses are almost always more than $10,000 and usually closer to $100,000.

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Now, the state has a new law that aims to fight back against the cyber criminals. 

“The criminals needed to get a message that don't target Ohioans, don't target Ohio government,” Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber said. 

Any entity receiving government money has to adopt a cybersecurity program that falls in line with widely used cybersecurity standards. That plan will need to be in place by Jan. 1, or they’ll risk getting flagged in a state audit. 

“It actually requires governmental entities, when they're subject to a cyber fraud event, to report it immediately,” Faber said. “A lot of governmental entities wanted to bury their head in the sand and, you know, public officials don't like bad press. And so we said we don't care about the bad press, if we find out what's going on, we can alert other entities to avoid similar losses.”

The auditor’s special investigations unit tracks all types of fraud, from theft of public funds to conflicts of interest in choosing vendors, but there is an added focus on cyber threats. 

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“Almost everything has pivoted to computers and electronics, and that has really changed the dynamic of how we have to maintain security,” Faber said. 

There are still many investigations into other types of fraud and Faber is pointing out some of the red flags to be aware of, including abnormal purchases, missing documents and altered records. 

Faber said a lot of the investigations start with a tip from someone in the community. 

The special investigations unit is made up of forensic accounting experts, fraud detectives and attorneys with experience prosecuting white-collar crime.

The fraud can look like false billing, personal use of government resources, and theft of government property. 

Judge admits all comments made by defendant in Gaudreau trial as evidence

In 2023, one case that got a lot of attention involved a fiscal officer in Vinton Township who used township funds to buy a wildebeest and hot tubs for his roadside zoo.

“I always tell people, I said, you know the auditor's office, everybody thinks is this sleepy backwater state government office,” Faber said. “We do a lot of really cool stuff, whether it's performance audits of government to make government work better, faster, cheaper.”

Since 2019, the auditor’s investigation unit has recovered almost $30 million in fraud. 

“When individuals see something that doesn't look right in government, let us know, we will investigate 100% of them,” Faber said. 

Faber said that more than 80% of their criminal investigations come from a tip. If you see something you suspect to be government fraud, you can report it here. Red flags to look out for can be found here.

LEBANON, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus man is charged with shooting at a car while driving on Interstate 71 in Warren County Monday morning.

According to the Lebanon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a 911 call was placed to the OSHP at approximately 10:50 a.m., reporting that his vehicle had been shot while he was driving south on I-71.

Based on the description the alleged victim gave to police, officers found and stopped the suspect's car on I-71 near Kings Mills Road.

The driver, Faizon Quartez White, 22, allegedly shot at the victim's car while they were both driving on I-71 South, OSHP said. The victim's car was hit once and the driver was not injured.

White is charged with second-degree felonious assault and third-degree felony discharge of a firearm on a highway. He is being held in the Warren County Jail.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A New Jersey judge ruled Monday that roadside comments made by the man accused of fatally hitting the Gaudreau brothers can be admitted as evidence in court.

Attorneys for Sean Higgins, the man accused of striking and killing Columbus Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, argued the comments Higgins first made to officers should not be allowed as evidence because Higgins' Miranda rights were violated.

Judge Michael Silvanio returned a quick ruling in favor of the state, deciding that Higgins' roadside comments can be used as evidence. Silvanio also said all statements made after his arrest are admissible. See an earlier report on the deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau in the video player above.

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The statements in question happened down the road from where the Gaudreaus were killed, where Higgins spoke with police outside his car. In part, the statements Higgins' team hoped to suppress included him telling police that he had seen bikers, then felt an impact. Higgins also said he had been drinking previously.

Attorneys argued that Higgins' Miranda rights were violated because they were not read during an initial traffic stop. Although traffic stops do not typically require Miranda rights to be read, the defense said officers were already aware that there was an investigation about a fatal crash, so it was not a typical stop.

The state argued there was no undue pressure that Higgins couldn't leave or had to be questioned, saying Higgins was allowed to walk around freely and even smoke a cigarette. The state said the reading of Miranda rights applies only to situations where someone is being held in custody, which they said had not happened in Higgins' case.

Higgins' attorneys also argued that questioning continued after he had asked for a lawyer. They said any indication of a desire for a lawyer should trigger the right to counsel, and questioning has to stop.

The state argued Higgins had asked for a lawyer specifically because officers had asked to see his phone. Higgins had said he was uncomfortable about them seeing the phone, asking if he might need a lawyer for that. The state said officers stopped asking about the phone and later asked if Higgins was comfortable continuing without the phone. He said yes.

This is the second time Silvanio has ruled to include evidence challenged by Higgins' team. In August, he determined evidence from the search warrant of Higgins' vehicle was admissible in court. Silvanio also refused to dismiss any of the counts against Higgins in April.

Higgins was driving with a reported blood alcohol level of 0.087 when he allegedly struck and killed the Gaudreau brothers in August 2024. The brothers were in New Jersey for their sister's wedding and were buried on Sept. 9, when Johnny's wife, Meredith, shared that she was pregnant. Matthew's wife was also pregnant, and both women have since given birth.

Higgins worked at a drug and alcohol treatment center. He was indicted on Dec. 11, 2024, on two counts of reckless vehicular homicide, two counts of aggravated manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- A woman is dead and a man was injured Sunday in what police suspect was a domestic violence-related murder-suicide attempt.

According to Upper Arlington police, officers were sent about 2:30 p.m. to a house in the 1500 block of Fishinger Road after a reported 911 hang-up call. Inside, they found the body of a 64-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man who had been injured.

Police said it was being investigated as a stabbing. Medics took the man to a hospital, and he was expected to recover.

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A social media post from the city did not identify either person or their relationship. It did say that the case would be presented to grand jury and that charges were pending.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's going to take a little longer until we learn the final unannounced kickoff time of Ohio State's football season.

The Buckeyes said Monday morning that the Big Ten will use a six-day window to determine the starting time for their home game Nov. 22 against Rutgers. That means the kickoff will likely be set on Saturday night. The Big Ten did say that it wouldn't be a night game at Ohio Stadium, limiting the kickoff windows to noon, 3:30 or 4 p.m.

The last time the Buckeyes will play under the lights at home during the regular season will be this Saturday, when they take on UCLA at 7:30 p.m. in a game on NBC4.

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The Buckeyes are 9-0 and the top-ranked team in the country, with their last win 34-10 over Purdue on Saturday. The Bruins are 3-6, but 3-3 since they fired coach DeShaun Foster and replaced him on an interim basis with Tim Skipper. Last week, they lost 28-21 to Nebraska.

Coming up this week, coach Ryan Day will discuss the Buckeyes' progress during his weekly news conference, but he will start earlier, at 11 a.m. Tuesday instead of noon. That news conference will be livestreamed on nbc4i.com. Then on Tuesday night, the Buckeyes will learn whether they kept their position atop the College Football Playoff rankings. Those will be unveiled starting at 7 p.m.

The regular season will conclude Nov. 29 with a game whose kickoff time has long been known. Ohio State will play in Ann Arbor against Michigan starting at noon.

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The birth of a baby elephant in October at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium made history as the first time that two calves have been born at the zoo in one year.

Now, this new male calf needs a name and the zoo is asking the public for help. In a new release, the organization shared that it is currently requesting name suggestions through Nov. 16. Once submissions are in, the elephant care team will select their four favorites. Then, from Nov. 24 to noon on Dec. 1, people can vote for their preferred name. The baby's official name will be announced Dec. 2.

In an update, the zoo said that the newest member of the herd is “thriving and continuing to hit all of his early developmental milestones.” Born to 38-year-old Asian elephant Phoebe, he weighed 222 pounds at birth. Additionally, his mother is watching him closely and he is taking his place within the herd. He has been venturing outside in good weather and has made a few appearances, delighting visitors. See the video of his public debut in the player above.

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Previously, the zoo said staff members have been using various nicknames for him, like Nugget and Junior.

The zoo's other baby elephant was born in July to mother Sunny. In September, the female calf was given the moniker Rita Jean in honor of the late Rita Jean Wolfe, whose family was instrumental in establishing the zoo in the 1920s.

“Rita Jean Wolfe embodied the same qualities we see in our elephants — strength, resilience and boundless compassion,” the zoo wrote in a social media post.

According to the zoo, Asian elephants are endangered, with fewer than 50,000 in the wild.

“It’s always exciting when we have babies, especially two babies at the same time,” said elephant keeper Laura Garcia just after the latest birth. “It’s special because this is the first time the zoo has ever had two babies together and they’re almost exactly three months apart, so that’s very exciting to see that.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Veterans Day, a federal holiday honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces, occurs annually on Nov. 11.

In 2025, Veterans Day falls on Tuesday. Most stores in central Ohio will be open. Several local restaurants and retailers will offer discounts to those who have served or are currently serving in the military. However, various services could be affected, including mail and package delivery, trash collection, public transportation, library services, and government offices.

Find out what to expect on Veterans Day with the list below.

Will mail and packages be delivered on Veterans Day?

FedEx
FedEx will operate with modified service. FedEx Freight, FedEx Office, FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx Logistics will all be open on Veterans Day.

United States Postal Service
The USPS observes Veterans Day as a federal holiday and will be closed. There will be no mail delivery, caller service, or Post Office Box service available. All services will resume on Wednesday.

UPS
UPS pickup and delivery services are available. UPS Ground Saver  and UPS Mail Innovations deliveries will require one additional business day for transit due to the Federal (USPS) holiday. The UPS Store  locations are open.

Is the library open on Veterans Day?

Columbus Metropolitan Library branches
All locations across Columbus will be open on Tuesday, Nov. 11.

Does Columbus’s trash collection day change after Veterans Day?

There will be no trash collection for City of Columbus residents on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. For people assigned a collection color, pickup will rotate forward by one day the week of the holiday:

Tuesday, Nov. 11NO COLLECTIONWednesday, Nov. 12NavyThursday, Nov. 13PinkFriday, Nov. 14RubyMonday, Nov. 17GoldTuesday, Nov. 18Gray

The color-coded collection schedule will rotate forward again on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27.

For residents not assigned a collection color: If the collection day falls on or after the holiday, your trash pickup will be delayed by one day during the week of the holiday.

Recycling and yard waste collection:  The Veterans Day holiday will not change the schedule for weekly recycling and biweekly yard waste collection. Please set out recycling and yard waste for collection on Nov. 11, if it is scheduled for pickup that day.

Is COTA running on Veterans Day?

Central Ohio Transit Authority will operate its Sunday schedule on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in recognition of Veterans Day. To view Sunday schedules, visit https://ride.cota.com/#/route. Customers can plan their trip at COTA.com or use the Transit app.

COTA//Plus will only be available in the South Side zone. The Customer Experience Center will be closed and the Customer Care Center will have limited hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All self-identified Veterans and active-duty service members may ride on COTA vehicles at no cost on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. For customers to receive this benefit, they can provide military-issued identification to the transit operator when boarding, wear a veteran hat or article of clothing, or they can verbally identify as a veteran or member of the military.

Veterans are also eligible for a 50% discount on all fares every day. Veterans can apply for this benefit at the COTA Customer Experience Center, 33 North High Street, during business hours. The benefit can be added to their Transit app account, or they can be provided with a COTA Smartcard. Proof of veteran or active military status is required when applying for the benefit. For more information, visit cota.com/riding-cota/discount-fares/

COTA observes Sunday schedules on nine holidays, including New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Is parking free on Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is one of the city's 11 holidays with free parking. Parking at city kiosks and meters will not be enforced on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Parking restriction signage at some meters will be enforced, including but not limited to morning and evening rush hours and zones marked for valets, taxis, loading, handicapped-only and residential parking permit areas.

Will banks and government offices be closed on Veterans Day?

Because Veterans Day is a federal holiday, banks will be closed; however, ATMs and online services should still be accessible. The New York Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ will be paused.

Federal employees will have a paid day off on Nov. 11, per the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Federal, state, county and city offices, including courthouses, will be closed.

Will schools be open on Veterans Day?

Columbus City Schools will be open on Nov. 11. Parents should check with their local school district, as some may be closed on Veterans Day.

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DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- The developer behind Dublin's Bridge Park has started building a more than five-acre expansion that will include condominiums, offices and public green space.

Crawford Hoying, the owner and developer of Bridge Park, announced on Nov. 4 construction is underway on the expansion along Dale Drive and Bridge Park Avenue, a five-acre block formerly occupied by parking lots and a preschool. The development company received approval for the plan from Dublin zoning officials in July, and expects the addition to be completed by late 2027.

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Crawford Hoying's plan calls for the 5.37-acre site to include two phases of condos, the first of which is a five-story building called "The Ellis" featuring 89 units alongside a connected parking garage and resident amenities, including a pool deck and a fitness center. The second condo building will be built at a later date, the plan said, given COTA currently operates a "Park-and-Ride" lot on the site.

• A rendering of The Ellis condo building planned for Dublin's Bridge Park. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)
• A rendering of the interior of a condo planned for The Ellis at Dublin's Bridge Park. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)
• A rendering of The Ellis condo building planned for Dublin's Bridge Park. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)
• Crawford Hoying announced on Nov. 4 construction is underway on the expansion along Dale Drive and Bridge Park Avenue. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)

"The Ellis represents an exciting next chapter for Bridge Park," said Brent Crawford, founder and principal of Crawford Hoying, in the Nov. 4 announcement. "With its distinctive design, modern finishes and prime location, The Ellis complements the vibrant energy that defines Bridge Park."

The Ellis will feature of variety of finish styles with open layout floor plans. The condos "will showcase high-quality finishes including Rev wood flooring, quartz countertops, stainless appliances, and glass-enclosed showers with built-in benches -- all set in a prime location at Bridge Park Avenue and Dale Drive," the announcement said.

"We've intentionally designed The Ellis based on feedback from potential buyers, offering excellent floor plans with a variety of one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts and sizes," said Tom Goecke, principal broker for Address, a Crawford Hoying sales agency. "Parking on each level will be a significant advantage for buyers transitioning from larger homes, along with the numerous onsite amenities found in the building."

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Condos at The Ellis start around $400,000 and are available for reservation now.

In addition to condos, this new block of development at Bridge Park will include an outdoor green space, a public art piece, nature trails, and a four-story building with about 7,000 square feet of restaurant and retail space alongside more than 100,000 square feet of office space. Oil and gas producer Cenovus Energy will serve as the anchor tenant, occupying the third and fourth floors.

A rendering of the four-story office building planned for Dublin's Bridge Park. (Courtesy Photo/City of Dublin)

This block is one of several upcoming Bridge Park expansions, including Crawford Hoying's plan to build Cameron Mitchell's first boutique hotel. Renderings recently submitted to the city of Dublin shows that the hotel will be home to about 130 guestrooms within a seven-story tower. The complex will be located southeast of the State Route 161 roundabout at Riverside Drive and West Granville Road, and will also feature about 24 condos in an eight-story tower.

The development company is also working on a plan to build more townhomes in Bridge Park at the intersection of John Shields Parkway and Mooney Street.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio-based ramen chain recently opened its newest location in north Columbus. 

Kyushu Ramen began welcoming customers at 784 Bethel Road in the Olentangy Square retail center on Nov. 3, according to its social media. The new restaurant marks the chain’s third location. 

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The ramen concept debuted in Grandview Heights at 1280 W. Fifth Ave. in 2022, and opened a second restaurant in Lewis Center at 6418 Pullman Drive in 2023. 

Kyushu Ramen aims to provide the “most authentic and flavorful ramen noodle to central Ohio,” according to its website. The brand also states the noodles are prepared under a chef who was “specially trained” in Osaka, Japan. 

• (Courtesy Photo/Kyushu Ramen Bar)
• (Courtesy Photo/Kyushu Ramen Bar)
• (Courtesy Photo/Kyushu Ramen Bar)
• (Courtesy Photo/Kyushu Ramen Bar)

The chain offers a variety of ramen dishes, including the Kyushu Classic Tonkatsu with pork or chicken, soft-boiled egg, mushroom and bamboo shoot. A spicy miso ramen and vegetarian ramen are among the other options on the menu. 

In addition to ramen, the restaurant serves rice and stir-fried noodle bowls featuring a variety of meat and vegetable combinations, as well as sushi. Starters, like honey walnut shrimp, pan-fried gyoza and edamame, are also available. 

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Central Ohioans woke up Monday to snow-covered lawns and wet roads, marking the first snow of the season for 2025-26.

A few outlying counties from central Ohio had their first snow emergencies and issued school delays. Pike and Ross counties were among those at a Level 1 snow emergency during the morning, indicating that roads may be icy or hazardous because of blowing and drifting snow.

As for Nov. 10 being the first snow of the season, that's a little early compared with the past 10 years of data at John Glenn International Airport. That said, it's not uncommon for central Ohio to see snow before Thanksgiving, with meteorologist Bryan Still of Storm Team 4 reporting the average first date as Nov. 21.

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Here is when the first snows were recorded at the airport for every winter season since 2015-16, with how much snow was measured:

2015-2016Jan. 10 (2016) 1"2016-2017Dec. 9 (2016) 0.4"2017-2018Dec. 9 (2017) 1.5"2018-2019Nov. 15 (2018) 1.3"2019-2020Nov. 11 (2019) 2.1"2020-2021Nov. 30 (2020) 1.9"2021-2022Nov. 14 (2021) 0.4"2022-2023Nov. 12 (2022) 0.2"2023-2024Dec. 11 (2023) 0.1"2024-2025Nov. 29 (2024) Trace

Although snow accumulations will taper off Monday, Still said that the cold will stick around for another day or two. Temperatures on Monday night will drop in the 20s, with wind chills in the teens. Highs on Tuesday for Veterans Day are not expected to reach 40 degrees.