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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- President Donald Trump is considering deploying the National Guard to more locations, but Columbus' crime rates make it less likely to be chosen than other Ohio cities.

Ohio was allegedly named as a possible state for deployment in reports that surfaced in August. Trump has not announced plans to deploy troops to any Ohio city; however, if he were to send National Guard members to Ohio, it is unlikely it would begin in Columbus.

The deployments target violent crime, and Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Youngstown all have higher homicide rates than Columbus. Those four cities also have higher rates than Chicago, where Trump has teased sending troops next.

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Trump already deployed troops to Washington, D.C., and has also proposed deployments in Baltimore and New Orleans. Trump cites crime as the reason for federal interference, a rare move that typically requires a governor's approval. See previous coverage of D.C. deployment in the video player above.

Columbus has a homicide rate of 12.54 per 100,000 residents. NBC4 compared FBI homicide data from 2024 and calculated homicide rates based on population size. Data shows at least 15 cities with higher crime rates than Chicago, and two Ohio cities with higher rates than D.C.

Columbus' homicide rate is much lower than other Ohio cities, offering it a buffer from possible deployment. It appears Cincinnati and Cleveland would be more likely sites for possible deployment, especially after comments from Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Moreno and Ramaswamy are both endorsed by Trump.

Moreno and Ramaswamy recommended Cleveland and Cincinnati for possible deployment while praising the president's efforts in D.C. On Aug. 24, Moreno posted about the D.C. deployment and tagged Cleveland and Cincinnati's mayors on social media, writing, "Let's take back our great Ohio cities!"

Ramaswamy similarly called out Cleveland and Cincinnati while discussing crime. He condemned Illinois' response to possible deployment in Chicago, saying, "We'll get it right in Ohio's cities." Speaking on Fox News in late August, Ramaswamy supported taking "D.C.'s plan national," and he retweeted a post on X seemingly in favor of deployment to Cincinnati.

Although Cincinnati's homicide rate is lower than Cleveland's or Dayton's, violent crime in Cincinnati gained a national spotlight in July when videos of residents being beaten in a brawl circulated on social media. On Tuesday, DeWine announced the Ohio State Highway Patrol will partner with Cincinnati police to reduce violent crimes in the city.

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DeWine said the initiative was entirely separate from Trump's National Guard deployment, and Cincinnati residents are unlikely to notice a large difference in daily life.

"From the city's perspective, there is absolutely no reason to even consider sending in the National Guard to Cincinnati," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, a Democrat. "Not only would it be a massive waste of resources, but it would ultimately make our city less safe. I'm proud to partner with our governor to actually make the city safe."

The state law enforcement support in Cincinnati mirrors similar programs in Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, Youngstown and Cleveland. DeWine said local police will maintain control, but the changes will allow gun crimes to be prosecuted federally and help relieve burdens on local enforcement.

DeWine sent 150 Ohio National Guard troops to Washington in August upon Trump's request. DeWine visited with deployed Ohio troops last week. He said the mission was set for 30 days, but the Sept. 15 end date could be extended.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Traffic in Columbus and Cleveland ranks among the least congested in the country, according to a recent analysis. 

To determine which cities have the worst traffic, ConsumerAffairs, a platform for consumer reviews and news, reviewed three data points for the 50 most populous cities in the United States, including the average travel time to work, the average amount of time roads are congested on weekdays and the number of car crash fatalities per 100,000 people.

The platform used the most recent information available from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Data included in the study spans from 2023 to early 2025. 

Columbus ranked as the city with the seventh lowest level of traffic congestion, with an average commute time of 24.9 minutes, an average weekday congestion time of one hour and 39 minutes, and a fatality rate of 9.67 per 100,000 people.

Cleveland placed even higher on the list of cities with the least traffic congestion, ranking at No. 3. The city’s average commute time is 24.7 minutes, average weekday congestion time is one hour and 23 minutes, and fatality rate is 7.6 per 100,000 people, according to the study. 

The city with the most free-flowing traffic was Rochester, New York, with an average commute time of 21.2 minutes, an average weekday congestion time of two hours, and 41 minutes and a fatality rate of 8.69 per 100,000 people. 

Rochester was followed by Salt Lake City (No. 2), Hartford, Connecticut (No. 4), St. Louis (No. 5), Milwaukee (No. 6), Fresno, California (No. 8), Kansas City, Missouri (No. 9) and Buffalo, New York (No. 10). 

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Conversely, Washington, D.C. was the city that saw the worst traffic with an average commute time of 33.4 minutes, an average weekday congestion time of six hours and 35 minutes, and a fatality rate of 5.95 per 100,000 people.

The nation’s capital was followed by Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York City, Houston, Seattle, Baltimore and San Jose, California. 

ConsumerAffairs’ full study can be found here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio State's standing as the No. 1 team in college football may not be under threat Saturday in a game against Ohio University. But outside of Columbus, the playoff picture is continuing to change as games between ranked teams become more frequent.

Week 3 has several such games that will shape the Southeastern Conference tier list and could see the team the Buckeyes beat for the title last season knocked out entirely. Here is a look at the major changes in the 12-team playoff projections and a few key games to watch that could affect the playoff.

Ohio State's potential opponent shuffles

Although Ohio State's No. 1 spot is likely safe through September, its potential opponent in the projections will change week to week. This week's projections offer the possibility of a great Midwestern matchup.

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The new Associated Press rankings -- which NBC4 looks at until the initial official playoff rankings begin in November -- have the Buckeyes playing the winner of a first-round game between Notre Dame and Illinois, likely at the Rose Bowl. The prospect of a potential national title game rematch is fun to think about or a Rose Bowl showdown between two classic Big Ten teams.

This projected first round also has three teams from Florida qualifying (Miami, Florida State and South Florida). In last season's playoff, Indiana was the only state represented by more than one school (Notre Dame and Indiana). USF has a stranglehold of the Group of Five conference champion spot after upsets of Boise State and Florida.

Illinois, Florida State, Iowa State join party

The latest projections welcome three new teams into the 12-team field, including Illinois from the Big Ten. The Illini's 45-19 win at Duke pushed their ranking up to No. 9, making them the true Big Ten dark horse. Their first game against a currently ranked opponent is Sept. 20 at Indiana.

Last season, Florida State started the season ranked No. 10 and was projected to make the playoffs. After two losses to start the season, the Seminoles were quickly taken out. One year later, the opposite has happened after a Week 1 upset of Alabama and a 77-point outing against East Texas A&M. Its next test? Playing Miami on Oct. 4.

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In the Big 12, Iowa State is the new king of the hill after defending conference champion Arizona State fell to Mississippi State. Despite a 3-0 start, the Cyclones sit outside the top 12 but make the projected field as the fourth-best conference winner. Arizona State's fall out of the rankings means Iowa State does not face a currently ranked team the rest of the regular season.

• Illinois Justin Bowick (0) carries the ball as Duke's Landan Callahan (21) pursues during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
• Wearing wristbands with the number 35 to honor their teammate Ethan Pritchard, who was shot last weekend but is recovering, Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) and wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (15) celebrate with running back Gavin Sawchuk (27) after Sawchuck scored a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against East Texas A&M, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Colin Hackley)
• Iowa State players celebrate with the Cy-Hawk trophy after an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Three games to watch in Week 3

No. 6 Georgia at No. 15 Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.): Southeastern Conference action is shifting to a higher gear with a midafternoon clash in Knoxville. The Bulldogs have fallen in the rankings after two easy wins and look to win a ninth straight against the Volunteers. A Tennessee upset puts last year's No. 9 seed in contention.

No. 18 USF at No. 5 Miami (Saturday, 4:30 p.m.): The early Cinderella of college football resides in Tampa, Florida, as USF tries to complete something historic. The Bulls have already taken down two ranked nonconference opponents, but a win in Miami over the Hurricanes most likely puts USF straight into the top-ten.

No. 16 Texas A&M at No. 8 Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on NBC4): The Fighting Irish find themselves in the same position as last season, as they are desperate to run the table toward a playoff spot after an early loss. The Aggies look for revenge after falling to Notre Dame last season at home.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A northeastern Ohio county voted this week to become the state's first to outlaw anti-LGBTQ+ practices known as conversion therapy.

Cuyahoga County's council approved the ordinance on Tuesday, prohibiting healthcare professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with minors and some adults deemed "vulnerable." Condemned by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, conversion therapy uses talk therapy and occasionally more invasive methods to convince a person to "reverse" their sexual orientation or gender identity, like reducing or eliminating same-sex attraction.

"Cuyahoga County is proud to celebrate its diversity and is committed to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community," the ordinance states. "The county has a compelling interest in protecting the physical and psychological well-being of minors and vulnerable adults, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, and in protecting its residents against exposure to the serious harms caused by conversion therapy."

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The ordinance was led by Brandon West, a young Ohioan who spearheaded an effort in his home city of Lorain to ban conversion therapy in 2024 and then began calling for Cuyahoga to follow suit. West's advocacy inspired community members and allies in Westerville to also ban the practices in March. The 23-year-old then rallied the mayors of Ohio cities that have outlawed conversion therapy to sign onto a joint letter urging more municipalities to do the same.

In his planned remarks for Tuesday's meeting, shared in advance with NBC4, West said he "grew up thinking [he'd] never be more than a dream" as a closeted member of the LGBTQ+ community. Before the vote, he asked Cuyahoga's 11-member council "to protect the ones who still wake up thinking they are nothing more than a dream."

"This is not just about banning a harmful practice, it's about building a world where a child never wonders if they deserve to be themselves," West said. "Never in a million years did I think I'd be here, but here I am. And if you vote yes, the next kid will be here, too." Watch a previous episode of NBC4's LGBTQ+ show "Out in Ohio" featuring West in the video player above.

Cuyahoga's ordinance cites a 2019 UCLA's Williams Institute study that found LGBTQ+ youth who have undergone conversion therapy were nearly twice as likely to consider and attempt suicide. Conversion therapy practitioners "operate under the erroneous assumption that non-heterosexual, non-cisgender identities are mental disorders, and that sexual orientation and gender identity can and should be changed," the ordinance states.

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County Councilman Robert Schleper, the sponsor of Cuyahoga's ordinance, said during a previous interview on NBC4's "Out in Ohio" that the measure is long overdue and is "a no-brainer" given it would support and protect LGBTQ+ youth. While the most recent attempt to pass a statewide ban failed to gain Republican support, he emphasized that the issue shouldn't be political or partisan.

"If there's any practice that's going on in Cuyahoga County or anywhere that causes adolescents and young people, LGBTQ+ students to either attempt to take their life or feel that they should take their life, I think that that practice should be illegal," Schleper said. "As a councilman here in Cuyahoga County, part of my job is to do what I can to protect people and lift people up."

Violators of Cuyahoga's ordinance could face a series of civil penalties, and the relevant licensing board, commission or entity tasked with review of professional conduct would be notified of the breach by the county director of Health and Human Services.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — Much has been said and written about the “Hell is Real” sign on Interstate 71 between Columbus and Cincinnati, but another sign between Zanesville and Dresden has drawn the ire of an NBC4 viewer due to its unintentional connection to the underworld.

Lifelong Zanesville resident Paula Sowers wrote to NBC4 recommending that State Route 666's name be changed. Sowers became particularly irritated with the sign when construction made it a detour number on State Route 60.

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“Why, oh, why isn't my hometown, Zanesville, Ohio, renaming [State Route] 666?” wrote Sowers. “They advertise it as a detour on [State Route] 60. It needs to be renamed or assigned different numbers.”

Often considered an “evil” number, due to its reference as the “mark of the beast” in the Bible's Book of Revelation, 666 has become a symbol of the Antichrist. According to Bible.com, Revelation 13:18 states, “Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”

“All of these comments are my opinions,” Sowers said. “I don't know what the intentions of the state of Ohio are. I only know that these signs are posted with these numbers, and these numbers make me uncomfortable.”

• Photo Courtesy/Paula Sowers
• Photo Courtesy/Paula Sowers
• Photo Courtesy/Paula Sowers
• Photo Courtesy/Paula Sowers
• Photo Courtesy/Paula Sowers

Chas Cosgrave, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 5, looked into the matter and explained why modifying a road's assigned number is difficult, if not impossible.

“Short answer, yes, a state route number can be changed, but it’s rare and only done when there’s a clear transportation need,” Cosgrave said. “Regarding SR 666 near Zanesville, currently, we do not have a logistical reason to change the route designation. State route numbers are established and maintained for consistency, wayfinding, and historical reference. While we understand the concerns raised, simply reassigning a number without a practical transportation need is not something we typically pursue.”

However, there is a precedent for renumbering a road named 666. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration website reveals that in 2003, after years of public outcry and concerns from residents, lawmakers and travelers, New Mexico, working with Colorado and Utah, petitioned to change U.S. Route 666.

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Since the number was widely associated with Satan, some people avoided the highway entirely, which fueled the stigma that hurt the local economy. Safety concerns and the road’s reputation as “cursed” added further urgency. With approval from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the route was ultimately redesignated as U.S. 491 on May 31, 2003.

To rename a road in Ohio, Cosgrave detailed the four steps of the process, beginning with identifying a transportation need, such as a new roadway alignment, safety or operational issues, or a jurisdictional change.

Next, ODOT staff must conduct an engineering and wayfinding review to evaluate numbering consistency, signing, emergency response, and impacts to property addresses and mapping. This step also accounts for the cost of replacing all roadway signs that display the previous numbering.

If a renumbering is justified, ODOT formalizes it through a Director’s Journal Entry and coordinates the signage and mapping changes. Finally, the implementation phase updates guide and route marker signs, traveler information systems and mapping partners to ensure what drivers see in the field is consistent and accurate statewide.

“I understand … the difficulty that might occur to have it switched out, but I think it's an important thing to do, even if it takes some time,” Sowers said.

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Unfortunately, persistent roadwork on State Route 666 is the source of the constant detour signs Sowers sees so often in Zanesville.

“I'm still wondering also why the triple 6 route is always under construction or maintenance, which then warrants detour signs to be permanently placed on Maple Avenue,” Sowers said.

The answer to this question turns out to be that “SR 666 itself poses unique challenges.” Cosgrave noted that the area alongside the Muskingum River traverses several dense woodlands. This means its location necessitates maintenance operations, like embankment repairs and tree trimming, to ensure the roadway's longevity and traveler safety.

See Ohio's formal process for roadway renaming below:

odotDownload

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A former police officer has filed a federal lawsuit against the Columbus Division of Police, alleging the department discriminated against him based on his race. 

Helal Daoud, a Middle Eastern man, alleges the Columbus police department discriminated against him by filing disciplinary charges that ultimately led to his termination in 2022. Daoud has since filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, in which he claims the division has retained white officers accused of similar conduct.

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The legal action, filed in April, states the department’s decision to terminate Daoud stemmed from a Dec. 15, 2021, incident in which he was dispatched in response to a 911 call reporting a man scrapping metal from a vacant house in south Columbus. 

When Daoud arrived, he drove around the house, but no one in the immediate vicinity matched the 911 caller’s description of the suspect. Upon driving back to the front of the house, he witnessed the door slam shut, according to the lawsuit.

Daoud believed that a trespassing suspect was inside the vacant home, so he called for backup, drew his weapon and kicked the door in. Inside the house, he discovered five people, the suit says.

The legal document does not provide further specification on what happened inside the home or who was there, but does say Daoud did not make any arrests or file a police report or any other documentation. 

After the incident, a Columbus police sergeant interviewed Daoud regarding the “forced entry” into the home, and Daoud answered the questions truthfully, according to the lawsuit. 

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The sergeant then provided an investigative report to a lieutenant, who later questioned Daoud again, this time more than a month after the incident. Due to the passage of time, the lawsuit states Daoud had a “less-than-ideal recollection” of the incident in that second interview but answered in “good faith” to the “best of his memory.”

After the investigation, the lieutenant recommended disciplinary charges against Daoud for warrantless forced entry and for allegedly "being untruthful" about his recollection of events. 

In March 2022, the department reassigned Daoud from patrol duties to administrative work and the next month, it notified him that the charges had been filed, according to the lawsuit. Despite challenging the charges in a hearing before Chief Elaine Bryant, Daoud was ultimately terminated in December 2022 at Bryant’s recommendation, after about six and a half years on the force. 

The legal filing claims several white or non-Middle Eastern officers have committed comparably serious -- or worse -- offenses, including untruthfulness, but were not disciplined or terminated. 

The lawsuit gives multiple examples, including one where an officer was not terminated despite allegedly failing to complete a proper investigation into a domestic violence incident and adding false information to the related police report the day before the same victim was killed by her abuser. 

The complaint states the division violated the federal Reconstruction Era Civil Rights Act and Ohio’s anti-discrimination laws. A spokesperson with the Columbus police department said it does not comment on pending litigation. 

LifeWise to be in nearly all Franklin County districts by end of year

As a result of the "discriminatory" termination, Daoud has suffered economic loss, emotional distress, frustration, humiliation, financial debt and a decline in overall well-being, the suit claims. 

Daoud is demanding a jury trial and seeks to be rehired by the division. He is also asking for the removal of the investigation that led to his termination from his work file, as well as wages and other compensation lost in an amount exceeding $75,000. 

Although not mentioned in the lawsuit, Daoud previously made headlines when he was placed on leave in November 2018 for offering a woman he connected with on social media money in exchange for sex. Although Daoud admitted to the conduct, he said he intended it as a joke and he was intoxicated when he sent the messages.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Religious release time program LifeWise may be in nearly every Franklin County public school district by the end of this year.

Hilliard-based LifeWise is one of the nation's most prolific Released Time for Religious Instruction programs. The biblical education group provides off-campus religious instruction to public school students during the school day, with parental permission.

LifeWise began in just a handful of Ohio schools but has expanded to 34 states and 100,000 students. A LifeWise spokesperson attributed the growth to the benefits of Bible-based education and said 613 schools across 304 districts will have LifeWise this year, nearly half of Ohio's 611 districts.

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During the 2024-2025 school year, several central Ohio school districts barred LifeWise from their districts, arguing the program was distracting or disruptive. Ohio law now requires all districts to allow students to leave for RTRI, a change implemented last April. This legislative change leaves few school districts that do not participate in LifeWise, and nearly all Franklin County districts said they could have students participating by the end of the year.

There are seven Franklin County school districts that already had LifeWise programs at the end of last school year: Columbus City, Dublin, Hilliard, New Albany, Olentangy, Upper Arlington and Whitehall schools. See previous coverage of LifeWise in the video player above.

Westerville and Worthington had LifeWise programs but rescinded their RTRI policies last school year. Per Ohio law, those policies are now back in place, with Westerville revisiting its RTRI policy on Monday. LifeWise returned to Worthington last spring, and Westerville is welcoming students back this week.

The law has also paved the way for LifeWise to begin services at districts it had not previously been a part of. Not all public schools had RTRI policies, limiting how many districts LifeWise could serve. Gahanna, Pickerington, Reynoldsburg, Grandview Heights and Groveport Madison are all launching for the first time this fall, according to their respective Facebook pages.

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Although LifeWise is launching in Grandview Heights on Sept. 25, community members have already pushed back against the program. The Grandview Ohio Athletic Boosters offer a fundraiser every year, and this year LifeWise was a sponsor. However, community backlash caused the Boosters to return the $1,500 sponsorship to LifeWise. 

The Boosters said LifeWise’s involvement had become an “unfortunate distraction,” prompting the return. The group said it does not believe it has accepted religious or political sponsorships in the past, and will consider updating their bylaws to prevent similar situations in the future. Community activists who disagreed with the sponsorship have been collecting new donations to offset the $1,500 loss.

Four Franklin County districts do not appear to have a LifeWise program that is active or incoming, although district representatives said the program may be coming soon. Bexley, Canal Winchester, South Western City and Hamilton Local schools all do not have a LifeWise Facebook page, although LifeWise is hiring positions on its website near each of those districts.

A Canal Winchester spokesperson said LifeWise has indicated it intends to open a program at one district school in mid-October. At Bexley, a spokesperson said administrators are scheduled to speak with LifeWise officials "in the near future."

Similarly, at South Western City Schools, a spokesperson said renewed efforts may lead to students participating later this fall. A Hamilton Local spokesperson said they were not aware of any communications between LifeWise and the district.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new program called OhioSEE from the Ohio Department of Health is making sure children who need vision care receive it.

The state allocated $10 million of the state budget to OhioSEE and it will operate in 15 high-priority counties around the state, including Franklin County.

Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Venderhoff said Ohio has a gap in vision care for children.

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“Only a small percentage of kids who are identified on a screening exam as being someone who needs a more complete eye exam, and potentially eyeglasses, goes on to get that more complete exam; it's less than a quarter,” Vanderhoff said.

OhioSEE will fund mobile vision vans and temporary in-school vision clinics, bringing eye exams directly to schools and students.

Vanderhoff said the program will serve children from kindergarten through third grade who have failed a vision screening.

“What we’ll be doing in those counties is bringing follow up exams to any student who needs that follow up exam after having failed a vision screen at school,” Vanderhoff said. “If they need a pair of glasses, they'll get them.”

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Dr. David Rogers, chief of the Department of Ophthalmology at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said he frequently sees the gaps in care.

“Kids may be screened in school, but then they are lost,” Rogers said. “They are referred for an eye exam, but they never get to the eye exam.”

Rogers said he believes the OhioSEE program will provide solutions to the barriers many parents face.

“They don't have access, they don't have insurance,” Rogers said. “You know, parents aren't available to do it during certain specific business hours that most ophthalmologists and optometrists keep.”

Rogers said about one-third of children need glasses, and without access to vision care, they could fall behind in school.

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“You need to be able to see to read and write,” he said. “Our whole system is based on being able to see and read. I think the governor has done a good job identifying the problem. So they've identified the gap and they've proposed a solution.”

Vanderhoff said that once the program is fully implemented, OhioSEE could serve around 14,000 children a year.

ODH will start rolling it out in early 2026.

Is the U.S. on the verge of legalizing "hack back" missions, turning private companies into sanctioned cyber warriors? Steve and Leo unpack Google's plan for a cyber disruption unit and why the lines between defense and digital retaliation are suddenly blurring.

• My experience with 'X' vs email.
• Google TIG blackmailed to fire two security researchers.
• 1.1.1.1 DNS TLS certificate mis-issued.
• Artists blackmailed with threats of training AI on their art.
• Firefox extended end-of-life for Windows 7 to next March.
• Is the renewal of cybersecurity info sharing coming soon.
• Should security analysis be censored due to vibe-coding.
• UK versus Apple may not be settled after all.
• Another very serious supply chain attack.
• Can the software supply-chain ever be trustworthy.
• Why did BYTE Magazine die.
• What happens if Google and others go on the attack

Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1042-Notes.pdf

Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte

Download or subscribe to Security Now at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now.

You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page.

For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The United States men's soccer team has got its groove back after a victory over Japan in a Tuesday night exhibition at Lower.com Field in downtown Columbus. And yes, it was by the famous 2-0 scoreline.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino employed a 3-4-2-1 formation and it worked well against the Samurai Blue with one goal in each half. The victory breaks a lengthy streak without a win against a top-25 FIFA ranked team.

In 15 Columbus games, the USMNT has only lost once and is now 3-0 at Lower.com Field. Tuesday was the sixth time the men won in Columbus 2-0.

Crew defender Max Arfsten got the start in front of his home fans, making him the first Crew player since Frankie Hejduk in 2009 to start for the USA in Columbus. Meanwhile, Japan started all of its second team players in a full lineup shift from its friendly against Mexico in Oakland.

Both teams were scrappy through the first 15 minutes as Japan found space to make a few dangerous crosses while the United States' attacks were sullied by heavy through balls.

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Despite little chances, the United States took the lead in the 30th minute as Arfsten sent a cross into the box, which found the left foot of Alex Zendejas, who executed a beautiful turn shot into the side netting. This was Zendejas' second goal for the USMNT.

The teams combined for 12 shots in the first half as the United States went into the break with momentum.

The Stars & Stripes doubled its lead with a goal from Folarin Balogun in the 64th minute. The Monaco striker was fed a beautiful through ball from Christian Pulisic and slotted his shot into the far side net.

• United States' Max Arfsten controls the ball during the first half of a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
• United States' Alejandro Zendejas (17) reacts after scoring during the first half of a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
• United States' Christian Pulisic (10) controls the ball during the first half of a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
• United States' Alejandro Zendejas (17) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first half of a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
• United States' Folarin Balogun (20) controls the ball during the first half of a friendly soccer match against Japan, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Lower.com Field was packed with 20,192 fans from both countries. Japan fans traveled from near and far to see its team play in central Ohio.

The United States' next match won't be until Oct. 10 when it plays Ecuador in another friendly at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. It will then play on Oct. 14 near Denver against Australia.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio Democrats are reaching across the aisle for support for a newly introduced Congressional map.

In accordance with a state constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2018, lawmakers are only allowed to pass redistricting maps this time of year with bipartisan support.

“That’s what the people of Ohio voted for, that’s what they expected to happen,” Ohio Senate Minority Leader Sen. Nicki Antonio (D-Lakewood) said.

Lawmakers are legally required to pass a redistricting plan this year. On Tuesday, Democrats introduced what they’re calling the fairest congressional map that’s been proposed.

Lawmakers said the plan is based on statewide voter preference from the last 10 years, leaving seven seats that lean left and eight seats leaning right. Democrats also claim their redistricting plan would minimize county splits and make district more competitive.

They are seeking a floor vote by the end of the month.

"Ohioans deserve both parties to urgently work together to do our job and get this done before the end of the month,” Antonio said.

House Republican leadership said it would not be commenting on any redistricting maps this early in the process.

Last year, a proposed constitutional amendment that would have created an independent redistricting commission made up of Ohio citizens with varying political beliefs failed.

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new development proposed in Grove City has some residents worried about the impact of more people sharing the infrastructure in an area they said can’t handle the increase.

Paul Pope is the vice president of the homeowner's association for the Holt Park development. He understands Columbus is a growing city with a need for more housing, but noted the development could cause unnecessary problems for the neighborhood.

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“It's like it's falling on deaf ears and there are hundreds and hundreds, maybe thousands, of people that are objecting to this,” Pope said.  

He, along with other residents in the area, are voicing concerns over a proposed development by Fairway Companies. It calls for more than 300 units in 16 buildings on 20 acres near Holt and Alkire roads. 

“I have a sense that some people in the community may be moving out because of that,” Pope said.  

The proposal calls for the area to be rezoned to a limited apartment residential district. The proposal was rejected by the Westland Area Commission in July. It’s now set to go before the Columbus Development Commission in the coming days.

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For Pope, the main concern is increased traffic.   

“The infrastructure is not ready for this,” Pope said. “The traffic is absolutely horrible right now. I mean, we can't turn in and out of our development. During school hours, we have four schools right down the street. They're adding one development already proposed that is being built right now. Then there is one, another one right on this same street.”

He also talked about the schools possibly being overcrowded, and the fact the Holt Road has a single lane in each direction. He explained that with more cars added to the community, it could be a nightmare.  

“I'm not against improvement or adding homes and such to the community and especially to Columbus because we need them,” Pope said. “It's absolutely needed, but that's almost close to, I would say, 800 to 1,000 cars additionally coming in and out of Holt Road. When are they going to expand Holt Road?”

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Pope said residents will continue to write letters and send emails to officials urging them to pause this development. 

NBC4 has reached out to Fairway Companies for comment, but has not heard back.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Years after originally expected, ground has been broken on what will be the home of the new Columbus Division of Police (CPD) substation in the city's Hilltop neighborhood.

“The Hilltop deserves this. This is a commitment to community safety, trust and engagement," Mayor Andrew Ginther said.

A ceremonial groundbreaking took place Tuesday morning. It was the first visible sign of work on the project which residents saw. 

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“I think a lot of us it's the anticipation of this being a long time coming," said James White, chair of the Greater Hilltop Area Commission. "I don't think there's any resident who hasn't moved to the Hilltop or who’s been living here that hasn't drove past the current police substation and thought wow that thing might be older than me and question its longevity and usefulness for the community.”

The current substation is just down the street on Sullivant Avenue. It was built in the 1960s and has needed major repairs, according to CPD. It's about 2,000 square feet. The new one will be almost seven times the size with dedicated interview rooms for detectives, and a meeting space for community members.

“Having a community area that will belong to our neighbors as much as it belongs to our officers will foster connection and shared responsibility," said Chief Elaine Bryant.

Design funding for the project had been approved in 2023 and a city fact sheet called for construction to start in January. Ginther said getting the land from the state was a complicated process and he understands residents' frustrations.

“Sure, I'm a mayor. I have zero patience. I want everything done yesterday. But we’re going to get it done and we’re excited about the future and appreciate their patience and we’re going to continue to invest in the Envision Hilltop plan," he said.

The total cost of the new substation is expected to be about $14 million. It's set to be completed in November 2026.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Football fans at Ohio Stadium this Saturday will see a halftime show unlike any other when the Ohio State University Marching Band teams up with Ohio University's Marching 110, and at the center of it all is a local high school band director whose journey connects both schools.

"Ohio is a great football state," Olentangy Orange High School Director of Bands Joshua Boyer said. "And as such, our band programs in Ohio, by and large, are very, very good." 

Boyer knows what it takes to perform on big stages. He spent five years playing trombone for Ohio University's Marching 110 and later returned as assistant band director. Even today, his ties to OU run deep. 

"Since probably about 2011,’12, I've been the primary drill writer for Ohio University," Boyer said. "I write most of the drill formations that the band does at Ohio University."

Now, as Olentangy Orange High School's band director, Boyer is bringing that experience back to central Ohio. He's helping the two powerhouse bands perform alongside each other inside Ohio Stadium. This is only the third time that The Best Damn Band In The Land will team up with another school. 

"Ohio State University is very known for their unique marching style as far as their formations, animations and all those kind of things," Boyer said. "Very traditional kind of marching style. Ohio University is known for its squad-based drill. It's kind of more a four-man person kind of stuff."

The bands will perform four songs at halftime, showcasing a dynamic blend of both schools' signature styles. 

"You'll see a little bit of everything during the show," Boyer said. "You'll see some animation stuff and then you'll see some more Ohio University style drills as well, and then maybe some other surprises as well."

Boyer is choreographing the dancing number, a staple of OU's Marching 110 tradition. And it's a big undertaking. The two bands will rehearse together for the first time on Friday, just one day before performing for fans at the big game. 

"I hope that they come out thinking that was a really, really cool show," Boyer said. "The show is called 'What Is Hip'. So, it's all kind of horn band music from the 70’s, a lot of great music. A lot of challenging music."

Boyer's Olentangy Orange High School band students aren't just watching the collaboration; they're a part of it. 

"We've had some really cool experiences here at Orange High School and it's a testament to what we do here at Orange, the opportunities, our band students how hard they work, how well they're instructed from middle school and our middle school band directors all the way up to high school level and how prepared they get," Boyer said. 

The high school band will perform at Ohio State’s Skull Session before kickoff and will host OU's band during the Friday night football game, experiencing college-level music and teamwork firsthand. 

"We have a lot of connections with Ohio State just as much as we do Ohio University," Boyer said. "Our band is patterned a little after Ohio University, but also we have a few things that are also kind of Ohio State like as well. A lot of our students are obviously huge Ohio State fans, and we have a good number of students going to march at Ohio State and Ohio University."

To top it all off, Boyer's assistant band director is a graduate of the Ohio State University Marching Band. Together, their goal is to inspire students to pursue music at the next level. 

"I hope is just the start of more projects, maybe someday down the road for sure," Boyer said. "But I think that this weekend is going to be definitely a key moment, you know, a core memory for me, being able to be there on the field as the two bands perform and experience that just right up close and personal."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Politicians in Washington have released a trove of documents tied to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, including one note from central Ohio billionaire Lex Wexner.

According to the released documents, Wexner penned a letter to Epstein for his birthday, writing, “I wanted to get you what you wanted so here it is,” followed by a drawing of a woman’s breasts. On the next page of the purported “birthday book” was a photo of Epstein and Wexner.

A spokesperson for Wexner declined to comment.

The book, part of several documents Democrats in the House of Representatives received through a subpoena of Epstein's estate, includes notes to Epstein that appear to be from several other high-profile people, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton.

Epstein had a financial relationship with L Brands founder Wexner from the mid-1980s up until 2007, when court documents show Wexner severed ties with Epstein.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Columbus Division of Police said there have been 54 homicides in the city so far this year, the lowest year-to-date number since 2013.

Community and city leaders said it's a combination of things, from collaboration to accountability to community outlook. Although this is a positive thing, leaders said there are still four months left in the year, so they are cautiously optimistic.

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“It means our children's lives were not lost to violence in vain,” Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children founder Malissa Thomas-St.Clair said.

MOMCC has made its mission getting the city’s homicide rate under triple digits. It is a data-driven mission where they use the data to figure out where they are needed most.

“For everyone who is putting their best foot forward, mostly the community making the decisions not to kill anyone, that allows us to see the community wants differently,” Thomas-St.Clair said.

This week's data also shows no change from last week, meaning there were no homicides in the last seven days.

“Awareness is a big piece in allowing our community to know what is available specific to their needs,” Thomas-St. Clair said.

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Columbus Division of Police Assistant Chief Greg Bodker is crediting the division's homicide solve rate, which the department said stands at 80%, in addition to 26 cases from 2024 that have been solved.

“When you have such a high solve rate, you're identifying people that are responsible for killing other people,” Bodker said.

Bodker said felonious assaults are also down, specifically non-fatal shootings. However, he said the department responded to five non-fatal shootings over the weekend.

“Four of those we've identified, certainly victims and suspects, and the detectives are working through appropriate charges, and some of those folks have already been charged” he said. “In two of those instances, the shooters were juveniles, so they were under 18 years of age. Two of the five, our nonfatal shoot team responded to.”

CPDs non-fatal shoot team concentrates on solving those cases; the team currently works in only one of the city’s zones, but there are plans for that to expand.

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“It ripples out and it’s answers for the victims' families, it’s answers for suspects’ families, and it changes people's lives," Bodker said.

Both Bodker and Thomas-St. Clair said the work doesn’t end here, because there were still 54 lives lost.

“It means that the legacy we're trying to leave when it's time for our life on earth to be over, that there will be a pathway for others to walk in peace,” Thomas-St.Clair said.

MOMCC will hold its family fun festival this weekend to promote its message. The event is set for Saturday starting at 3 p.m. at 284 North 22nd Street.