Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio State University is investing $14 million into expanding one of its programs.

The university plans to nearly double undergraduate enrollment within the College of Nursing amid a nationwide nursing shortage.

“We need to answer that call, answer the calling to care and help people in the healthcare community,” said Dr. Wendy Bowles, Associate Dean for Baccalaureate Programs at Ohio State’s College of Nursing.

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The university plans to increase the number of traditional undergraduate students from 176 to 320. Dr. Bowles said part of this investment needs to go towards hiring to accommodate more students.

“There are so many things that go into educating nursing students, and the faculty ratios we have an eight-to-one ratio when we send them to the hospital,” she said.

The program recently adopted virtual reality training to supplement clinical experience.

“They can experiment and learn how to actually engage with patients through this virtual kind of experience,” Dr. Bowles said.

The university plans to add another lab, including a simulation of the ICU.

“We put on the goggles and we enter a simulation where we can interact, the patients, various situations could be applied to this VR situation. It's actually been so incredible actually. I bought my own VR Oculus headsets,” said Christian Ruvalcaba, a senior at Ohio State’s College of Nursing.

Just in time for this expansion, OSU’s Wexner Medical Center is opening up a new medical tower next year with plans to hire more than a thousand people.

“We're very close partners with the Wexner Medical Center, and part of that expansion is also helping our students create a pathway for our students to have jobs in the future,” Dr. Bowles said.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Two people were injured following a multi-car accident Friday evening.

Blendon Township police say two people were injured after a vehicle accident on E Dublin Granville Rd. and Buenos Aires Blvd. Officers were called to the scene of the crash around 7:19 p.m. Friday.

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Police say multiple cars were involved in the collision, and one person was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Another victim was transported from the scene but was described as stable.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — The Hilliard Division of Police (HPD) is now offering Ohio's Blue Envelope Program, a program aimed at making traffic stops and emergency situations less stressful.

"It’s just another tool in our tool belt and a way to improve communication," said HPD Detective Brandon Long.

The envelopes are meant for individuals living with disabilities or conditions that might affect how they communicate. Things like traffic stops and crashes can be stressful for anyone, especially for those who may have challenges communicating. 

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“If this is something where somebody is nonverbal, somebody gets anxiety just at the idea of a traffic stop, if they can hand us this and reduce their anxiety and we figure out what's going on a minute or two sooner, then everybody gets to the same place less stressed and probably happier," Long said. 

The envelopes are at the Hilliard Division of Police and the Norwich Township Safety Services building. Folks can stop by to pick them up, fill out some information on the front, then put a copy of their license, registration, insurance, and other medical information inside. Then, if there's a situation involving first responders, it's all in one place to give to them.

"We want people we’re dealing with to have less anxiety about that traffic stop, about dealing with a firefighter, a police officer, whatever the case may be, so if we can lower those levels of anxiety and get more people understanding each other in the midst of crisis, that's a huge win," Long said.

Aidan White lives in Hilliard, recently got his license, and has autism. He said he's glad this program is now available.

“It’s something that's easy to let the police know this is what I have, and I don't have to sit there for five minutes explaining what I have to him before," White said. "It’ll help a lot of disabled people that either cannot speak or have certain disabilities or just not want to communicate about their disabilities kind of express it in a different way."

The envelopes are free, and people do not need to be from Hilliard to pick one up.

“It’s a bridge. It’s a bridge to help communicate what is important without having to put it into words and feeling embarrassed about it," said Katja White, Aidan's mother.

Blue stickers also come in the envelope, which can be put on cars as another sign for officers.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The FBI announced the results of a three-month-long operation in Southern and Central Ohio.

Operation Summer Heat is a nationwide effort to crush violent crime, dismantle gangs, and rescue child victims. Adam Lawson, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Cincinnati Field Office, said all 55 field offices participated in this operation. 

“The point of it was to really surge as many resources as we could without taking away from other FBI investigations and try to have some significant impact with our partners on the violent crime program that we've seen across the U.S,” Lawson said.

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From June 24 through September 20, in southern and central Ohio, their agents made 309 arrests, recovered 212 weapons, 57 drug seizures, and located 8 child exploitation victims.

“You can imagine the larger offices in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus had more operations just because we, as a field office, have more agents there and our federal partners, and then you've got larger police departments. So we were able to kind of surge more effectively there,” Lawson said.

The FBI said a notable investigation during this operation involves the indictments of two people from Dayton, along with several Chinese companies, on drug trafficking and money laundering charges, which we first reported on in early September.

Lawson said the new FBI director's number one goal is crushing violent crime, and they have certainly been doing that in Ohio. 

“We've been able to add additional agents to this problem set. I've been able to embed agents out with some of our state and local partners to bring some of our resource forces to help some of our, you know, more technical resources are some areas of expertise that the FBI has, but others may not have," Lawson said.

Nationally, summer heat led to 8,629 arrests. The FBI said that half of those fall under its violent crime and gang program. 

Agents and intelligence programs investigating violent crimes against children located more than 1,000 child victims. This operation also led to the seizure of more than 44,000 kilograms of cocaine, 421 kilograms of fentanyl, and 2,281 weapons seized. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Homeowners in one Central Ohio community are finally receiving the financial break they expected years ago, in an update to an NBC4 investigation we first reported in August.

Dozens of families relocated to a development in southeast Columbus that advertised a 15-year tax break, but it never materialized. So they reached out to NBC4 Investigates for help.

Following our investigation, people in this southeast Columbus housing development are finally being approved for the tax abatement and receiving refunds of thousands of dollars.

"A refund always kind of puts a little cherry on the top," Maronda Homes resident Shana Cone said. 

Fox in the Snow to open Westerville café this weekend

Shana Cone moved to the Maronda Homes Meadows at Shannon Lake development in 2022; a driving factor was the 15-year tax break that came with this area, but three years later, she and many others were still paying full taxes. She first spoke with NBC4 in August. 

"Things happen, but at least communicate about what's happening and what's going on. Three years, I think, is just unacceptable," Cone told NBC4 in August. 

One way Columbus is addressing the affordable housing crisis is through tax breaks called abatements. If developers designate a certain number of homes as affordable, then the property owners get a tax abatement, but city documents showed that the developer in this case expressed confusion about the process and submitted some properties in the Meadows at Shannon Lakes development, but not all, with no explanation why.

When I spoke with neighbors in August, they were frustrated, but now they’re in a much different place.  

"Super excited, not just for me, but also for others that may not have been aware of the tax abatement, but just definitely relief," Cone said. 

Documents obtained by NBC4 Investigates show the abatements have been approved, with a backdate of 2023 and going until 2037.

"I'm really grateful and excited about it and just thankful," Cone said. 

That backdate means many are getting refunds in the thousands of dollars. Some are in the works, other checks have already arrived, ending a year-long battle for something this community didn’t expect to have to fight for.

"Don't be afraid to speak up. And that it's not just about you is bigger than you. And when you do choose to speak up, you help a lot of people that may not have been willing to speak up," Cone said. 

NBC4 reached out to the developer again for this story for comment, but did not hear back. You can read the full investigation here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A new exhibit is coming to COSI this weekend called The Science Behind Pixar, which will showcase how your favorite animated movies are made. 

This exhibit merges the science and artistry of what makes a Pixar film, and visitors will be able to explore the entire process from start to finish.   

“It really dives into the science behind all the beloved Pixar animation, all the Pixar films that we love,” said Kelli Kinzig, senior project manager at COSI. "It really goes to show the Pixar production pipeline. So, there's eight different steps, and the exhibit is broken down into eight different sections.”

This new exhibit is filled with over 50 interactive elements and life-size creations of famous Pixar characters. Guests can walk through the eight-step production pipeline learning about how to create renderings, animations, and lighting designs and even test it out.

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“We love to have hands-on experiences here at COSI, and The Science Behind Pixar is absolutely one of those,’ Kinzig said. “As you move throughout this exhibit, there are so many parts and pieces where you get to become the creator. You get to take a dive into that process.” 

The exhibit also dives into career exploration highlighting the steam concepts used to make these films, and the hope is to inspire a new generation of creators.   

“Hopefully all the guests that come through so young and old and hopefully can inspire them to want to also try their hand at science, technology, engineering, because it is behind everything that we do and it is behind these the magic that is made in the Pixar movies.” 

The exhibit opens October 11th and runs until May 25th, 2026. If you would like to buy tickets, click here. COSI Tickets.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine has issued reprieves for two death row inmates who were scheduled to be executed early next year.

The governor has ordered that Antonio Franklin and James Trimble's execution dates will each be pushed back three years. Franklin's date of execution is now set for Feb. 15, 2029, from Feb. 11, 2026, and Trimble's new date of execution is now March 14, 2029, from March 12, 2026.

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This is the second time DeWine has given a reprieve for Franklin, who was sentenced to death in Montgomery County in 1998 on aggravated murder. Trimble was admitted into the Ross County Correctional Institution in 2005 and sentenced to death for three counts of aggravated murder, according to Ohio's Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (DRC).

As of August 2025, there were 113 death row inmates in the state, according to the DRC. No executions have taken place in this calendar year.

Elected officials in the Ohio Statehouse made renewed calls to abolish the death penalty in January. A previous report on that can be seen in the video player above.

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) will be in Chillicothe Friday afternoon and is expected to announce new owners for the city's paper mill.

A source told NBC4 on Thursday that U.S. Medical Glove, a medical device production company, is set to buy the mill that has been facing mass layoffs and even closure over the past six months.

Moreno will be joined by local officials and community members to make the announcement at 4:30 p.m. You can watch the full news conference live in the video player above.

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Pixelle Specialty Solutions announced in April its intentions to shut down the paper mill and layoff over 800 workers. One day after Moreno sent a scathing letter to the CEOs of Pixelle Specialty Solutions, a subsidiary of HIG Capital, the closure of the mill was paused until the end of 2025.

U.S. Medical Glove is reportedly going to hire approximately 200 people initially, which may include some former Pixelle workers. More people are expected to be hired if the machinery and production go as planned.

Paper mills have been a part of Chillicothe since at least the 19th century, with some locals having ties to the mill for generations. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The drive for perfection continues for several central Ohio programs as the high school football season enters week 8.

Undefeated Olentangy Orange travels to face a determined Upper Arlington squad that is looking to bounce back from its first loss of the year last week at Liberty. Meanwhile, Jonathan Alder and London meet in a matchup of 7-0 teams, and West Jefferson puts its undefeated record on the line against Mechanicsburg.

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

Week 8 Schedule

• Orange (7-0) at Upper Arlington (6-1) - Game of the Week
• East (6-1) at Centennial (3-4)
• Jonathan Alder (7-0) at London (7-0)
• Mechanicsburg (6-1) at West Jefferson (7-0)
• DeSales (5-2) at St. Charles (3-4)
• Grove City (4-3) at Pickerington North (6-1)
• Grove City Christian (6-1) at Grandview Heights (5-2)
• Liberty (4-3) at Bradley (4-3)
• Columbus Academy (5-2) at Buckeye Valley (6-1)
• Jerome (4-3) at Berlin (2-5)
• Licking Valley (7-0) at Granville (5-2)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A woman is dead and a man is in custody after a shooting Friday afternoon in the Hilltop neighborhood in southwest Columbus.

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A police dispatcher said reports came in at 1:25 p.m. of a shooting at the 800 block of West Stephen Drive in the Southwest Hilltop. Officers arrived and found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.

She was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 1 p.m. A male suspect was taken into custody. A police dispatcher said the shooting was part of a domestic incident.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 800-799-7233 or you can text anytime to ‘88788.’

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Court documents in Franklin County reveal that three companies have sued Gov. Mike DeWine just days after he signed an executive order to remove intoxicating hemp products from stores.

Fumee Smoke and Vape, Invicta Nutraceuticals, and Titan Logistics Group have filed a civil suit against DeWine and the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

DeWine ordered Ohio stores to remove these products from their shelves by Tuesday. The order is in effect for 90 days, at which point the General Assembly can decide whether or not to extend it. The order does not apply to non-intoxicating hemp products or marijuana.

All three companies sell vapor products, many of which are made from hemp and claim that once the ban enacts on Oct. 14, it will hurt its sales and force their businesses to close.

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They claim in the lawsuit that DeWine's conduct is "unlawful" and state that there is "no evidence hemp products pose an imminent threat to public health." The suit says a temporary restraining order was requested to prohibit the executive order from going into effect.

Lawmakers have considered changes to intoxicating hemp for some time, but efforts have repeatedly stalled. The governor said the marijuana law passed by voters set up a highly regulated market with rigorous testing and packaging that doesn’t target children, which does not apply to intoxicating hemp.

Intoxicating hemp can be sold to any age and the products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Fox in the Snow, a Columbus bakery and coffee shop, is opening its fifth central Ohio location this Saturday in Westerville.

Located at 79 S. State St., the new café will begin serving customers at 8 a.m. on Saturday, taking over a space formerly occupied by fast-casual sushi chain Fusian. The opening comes amid steady growth for the brand, which debuted in Italian Village in 2014 and has since expanded to German Village, New Albany and Dublin.

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The Westerville shop will offer the full Fox in the Snow menu, including the cafe's signature souffle egg sandwich -- made with candied bacon, arugula, Swiss cheese and Dijon sauce -- which has been recognized by Food & Wine magazine as one of the nation's top breakfasts. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Fox in the Snow in the video player above.

• At 79 S. State St., Fox's new café will begin serving customers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo/Fox in the Snow)
• At 79 S. State St., Fox's new café will begin serving customers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo/Fox in the Snow)
• At 79 S. State St., Fox's new café will begin serving customers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo/Fox in the Snow)
• At 79 S. State St., Fox's new café will begin serving customers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo/Fox in the Snow)
• At 79 S. State St., Fox's new café will begin serving customers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo/Fox in the Snow)
• At 79 S. State St., Fox's new café will begin serving customers on Saturday. (Courtesy Photo/Fox in the Snow)

Other offerings include a range of coffee beverages and fresh-baked pastries like blueberry galettes, cinnamon rolls and seasonal items, all made from scratch with whole ingredients.

Co-founders Jeff Excell and Lauren Culley said they're excited to join the Westerville community after more than a decade of growth in Columbus.

"We started with a simple goal: to make great pastries and coffee that bring people together," Culley said in a news release. "Opening our fifth shop is both humbling and exciting -- and we're thrilled to now be a part of the Westerville community."

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The new café features indoor and outdoor seating for about 90 guests, making it the largest Fox in the Snow location to date in terms of capacity. The first 200 customers on opening day will receive a limited-edition Westerville café T-shirt.

Fox in the Snow's Westerville location will follow the same hours as its other shops: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – A central Ohio restaurant known for its slow-smoked meats and Southern-style barbecue is preparing to open a location in Hilliard. 

Smoked Lick BBQ is coming to Hilliard’s TruePointe development, which is under construction on Trueman Boulevard off Interstate 270. 

The new Hilliard barbecue joint will mark the concept’s third location. The restaurant debuted at 4333 Cosgray Road in Hilliard in January, before opening inside the Columbus bar Fifteen32 Social in June. 

While Smoked Lick BBQ’s original location offers limited seating and primarily serves customers through catering and delivery, its new TruePointe restaurant will include a dining room. It will also feature a bar, carryout and catering services. 

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“We’ve been humbled by the support at our first two locations and knew it was time to share Smoked Lick BBQ with even more people,” said Mariah Hasson, executive director of Smoked Lick BBQ. “TruePointe is the perfect home for our next chapter because it’s built around community, which aligns perfectly with what we’ve always been about.”

Guests at the newest Smoked Lick BBQ restaurant can expect the same menu items served at its existing locations. The eatery offers brisket, ribs, smoked wings, mac and cheese, burgers, tacos, chili and sandwiches featuring a variety of meats. Appetizers include deviled eggs, nachos, a smoked gouda dip and “Texas twinkies,” which are jalapeños wrapped in bacon and stuffed with brisket, cream cheese and smoked gouda.

TruePointe is a $250 million mixed-use hub from the Hilliard-based developer Equity Commercial Real Estate Solutions. The 27-acre development will feature apartments, a hotel, retail stores, office space and restaurants, including an unnamed concept by a former Cameron Mitchell chef and a Dayton-based pizzeria.

Equity expects some of TruePointe's tenants to begin welcoming customers in late summer of 2026. An opening date for Smoked Lick BBQ has not yet been announced. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One person is dead after being struck by a vehicle in the northeast side of the city.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the area of Agler Road and Stelzer Road in Mifflin Township, just west of Gahanna. There, a man was found after being struck by a Chevrolet Blazer just after 5:30 a.m. Friday morning.

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A grey 2000 Blazer was traveling westbound on Agler Road, approaching the Stelzer Road intersection when it hit the man in the roadway. The fatal crash injury report did not indicate the circumstances on what caused the man to be in the roadway.

The driver of the Blazer was unharmed and stayed at the scene, while deputies from the Gahanna Police Department and EMS/Fire crews from the Columbus Division of Fire assisted deputies in responding to the incident.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced dead at 6:08 a.m.

The FCSO is continuing to investigate the crash and asks that anyone with additional information to contact the Crash Investigation Unit at 614-525-6113.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- No. 1 Ohio State hits the road for the second time this season, visiting No. 17 Illinois in its second meeting with a Top 25 team. Kickoff is set for noon Saturday in Champaign, Illinois.

OSU defeated then-No. 1 Texas in its only other matchup against a ranked team. Now, the Buckeyes put a nine-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini. A victory would give coach Ryan Day his fourth win streak of 10-or-more games since taking over the program.

"We've got a really good opponent that we're playing this week that knows how to win," Day said. "To me, this is a top-10 opponent on the road."

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Getting off to a fast start

After the last two games in the Big Ten, the Buckeyes are prioritizing the importance of a fast start.

Against Washington on the road, the Buckeyes had opportunities early on but did not score for the first time until the final 90 seconds of the first half. Then last weekend against Minnesota at home, OSU missed a 53-yard field goal before quarterback Julian Sayin came up with a 47-yard pass that flipped the field. C.J. Donaldson scored a touchdown two plays later, and the Buckeyes turned a 7-3 first-quarter lead into a 42-3 victory.

"I think just giving them a clean plan and, you know, really emphasizing efficiency. And finishing the drives, I think that's important," Day said. "I think we can start better. And when you're on the road, an environment like this, you definitely want a fast start."

Stopping Luke Altmyer

The Ohio State defense has looked unstoppable lately. Through five games, the Buckeyes have yet to allow an opponent to score in double figures and kept teams out of the end zone so far in Big Ten play.

Washington entered its matchup with Ohio State averaging over 55 points but only managed to put up six. Similarly, Minnesota averaged 33 points, only to put up three.

The Fighting Illini average 37 points and are led by quarterback Luke Altmyer.

"I think he's a great quarterback in the scheme. He's a great quarterback," linebacker Arvell Reese said. "He fits in well. He can run, too."

Day knows the challenge that Altmyer brings to the field. The senior has thrown for 1,573 yards and 12 touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception this year.

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"He's won some big games before and he's a really good quarterback. So another really good challenge for us," Day said. "You know, we've gone against good quarterbacks already this year, but he presents some different challenges and so we need to finish off the week in our preparation."

Connecting on deep passes

Ohio State scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions against the Golden Gophers in the first half. And each one of those drives saw a play that measured at least 40 yards.

Carnell Tate was involved in all three, leading to a career day for the receiver, with nine receptions for 183 yards. With the Buckeyes' success in taking shots and connecting, it's the work that the receivers are putting in practice that makes it happen.

"Those are long routes down the field that you can only have so many of those within a week. Otherwise, you know, you just blow your doors off your wideouts. So it has to be efficient," Day said. "There's a lot that goes with throwing the ball down the field: the footwork, the timing, you know, all those things. And we work hard. We work hard at it, but ultimately the player is going to make the plays."

DAYTON, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio property filled with architectural character and connections to famous Buckeyes, along with a backstory that might unsettle the superstitious, has recently hit the market and caught the attention of social media real estate watcher Zillow Gone Wild.

Located at 609 W. Riverview Ave. in Dayton and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the former O.P. Boyer’s and Sons Funeral Home, originally known as Boyer Mortuary, is renowned for hosting the funerals of notable Ohioans. Additionally, it is credited with being designed specifically as a funeral home, which marked a break with the tradition of at-home wakes and funerals, according to records filed with the National Register.

“How about the former 'O.P. Boyer’s and Sons funeral home' in Dayton, OH, with ties to 'Orville & Wilbur Wright, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Governor James Cox, Charles Kettering and Chiko Barnum & Bailey 'Gorilla' and more,” reads the caption of Zillow Gone Wild's Instagram post. “Currently listed for only $250,000. The home needs a little TLC, but it does come with architectural drawings to meet city building and zoning permits that were once approved.”

• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group
• Photo Courtesy/ Melissa Cleary with Glasshouse Realty Group

The property's listing agent, Melissa Cleary, with Glasshouse Realty Group, shared with NBC4 that the 1925 building still has its original windows and doors, high ceilings and terrazzo floors. It faces the Miami River with “incredible views.”

At 6,076 square feet, it is categorized as “mixed use, multifamily, retail.” In the listing information, Cleary offered that possible first-floor uses include lofts, offices, a retail space, or a studio. The second floor could be converted into a two-bedroom apartment. For the structure's back area, an artist loft, delivery, warehouse and storage are all suggested as potential functions. The parcel includes a retail parking lot.

The new owner would have access to tax benefits and programs such as the 20% Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives, which provide a tax credit for rehabilitating historic, income-producing buildings. They would also be eligible for up to 20% Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits and a 15-year city tax abatement.

“The seller is including a complete set of architectural drawings designed to meet city building and zoning codes,” the listing flyer notes. “These white-boxed plans were previously permit-approved, and while the permits have since expired, you'll only need to reapply — saving you significant time and expense.”

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As for the property's background in the burial of some of Ohio's most renowned citizens, Boyer family member Chip Boyer penned more than one narrative about its famous funerals. He wrote the work, “The Door: A Narrative and Commentary Concerning the Funerals of the Wright Brothers and of Other Wright Family Members, 1912-1948,” in collaboration with Wright State University in 2002.

In 2003, Chip authored an article called “Boyer’s Circus and Other Reminiscences,” which is available on Dayton History Books Online. In this article, Chip delves into the services of Dayton poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, industrialist John H. Patterson, former Secretary of the Air Force Harold E. Talbott and Chiko, the so-called “gorilla” from the Barnum and Bailey Circus. Chip wrote about his attempt to uncover whether Chiko was actually an ape, a gorilla, a baboon, or an orangutan. In the end, Chip said his research led him to believe that Chiko was, in fact, a chimpanzee.

“As I write this, a world and generation apart from my predecessors and the Boyer's funeral business, I get a great sense of pride in the heritage my forebearers have left,” Chip said in the reminiscence. “Even though their world and the funeral business are now long gone, and though none of the present-day Boyers is in any way involved in the funeral business, the heritage lives on as a part of me and my family.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A bipartisan bill introduced in the Ohio House aims to reimburse state employees and elected officials for out-of-pocket costs related to GLP-1 drugs used for chronic weight management.

House Bill 388, sponsored by Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) and Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), would allow eligible individuals to apply for monthly reimbursements if they purchase FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs through a manufacturer's direct-to-consumer program or participating pharmacy. Williams said the proposal comes amid concern that the Ohio Department of Administrative Services may limit or eliminate GLP-1 coverage under the state employee health plan.

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"You may not be able to tell from my current physical appearance, but I used to be 458 pounds. I had weight loss surgery in 2013. I lost 200 pounds and then I regained the weight back," Williams said in a NBC4 interview. "I was trying to use different medications through my primary care physician and eventually we settled on GLP-1s and I was successful, losing over 100 pounds."

Under the bill, eligible employees or officials whose body mass index is 30 or higher at the start of treatment could apply for monthly reimbursements of up to $500 during the first year, and up to $250 or 50% of the cost in the second year. Reimbursements would be available for a period of up to 24 months, with the possibility of reapplying after six months if certain weight regain criteria are met.

The bill prohibits reimbursement for compounded versions of the drugs and requires proof of purchase and physician-verified BMI documentation.

Williams said the bill was inspired in part by recent federal efforts to lower prescription drug costs by bypassing traditional pharmacy benefit managers and encouraging direct-to-consumer models.

"We listened to President Trump, who's been promoting getting the PBMs, the middleman, out of the way, and being able to get to the true cost of what prescription drugs are and we designed a program that would do that," Williams said.

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According to Williams, DAS has since announced a competing program with stricter BMI requirements and reimbursement limits.

"It's a first-come, first-served basis, so individuals like myself who have actually dropped the weight wouldn't be eligible because I wouldn’t meet the BMI index," he said. "They will want me to gain my weight back in order to become eligible. I think that's a bad way of looking at health care coverage here in the state of Ohio."

Williams, who is not seeking re-election, said he would not personally benefit from the bill's passage.

"I currently have enough medication to carry myself through the middle of next year, so I won’t benefit from the passage of this bill personally," he said. "But I think it's good policy, and we need to do it more often with other prescriptions."

H.B. 388 has not yet received a committee hearing.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While the social media platform Bluesky has enacted age verification measures in Ohio in response to a new state law that aims to protect children from “obscene” content, a variety of pornography websites have not. 

A new Ohio law went into effect on Sept. 30, requiring pornography websites and any online platform that hosts a “significant” amount of content that is “obscene or harmful to juveniles” to verify their visitors are adults.

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The statute mandates such websites confirm users’ ages by obtaining a copy of their government-issued photo ID or other age-verifying documents, such as proof of a mortgage or employment. To ensure Ohio users’ ages are verified, platforms are responsible for using technology to monitor the location of their visitors. 

On Wednesday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost – who holds authority to enforce the law – announced his office reviewed 20 “top pornography websites” and found that only one is complying with the statute. The office said Yost is sending letters to the noncompliant sites, warning them of lawsuits if they fail to enact age-verification measures within 45 days. 

“This duly enacted law protects young, impressionable children from the harms of adult-only material found online,” Yost said in a news release. “It’s time for these companies to explain why they think they’re above the law.”

Meanwhile, Bluesky, a competitor to X and Threads, announced on Sept. 28 that it would implement age verification measures in Ohio in light of the law. While Bluesky is not strictly a pornography platform, it does allow adult content. 

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Bluesky has enabled age-verification software called Kids Web Services, which allows users to choose from multiple methods, including scanning an ID or payment card. The social media site uses the software in other states with similar laws, such as South Dakota and Wyoming. 

“In this rapidly evolving regulatory environment, our goal is to respect the law while balancing safety, free expression, and user privacy to serve the greater good of our community,” the company wrote in a blog addressing its age verification measures. “Responding to new laws and regulations will require pragmatism and flexibility.”

Before the law took effect, the Free Speech Coalition, a nonprofit trade association for the adult entertainment industry, warned residents that the measure could expand its reach to social media. Director of Public Policy Mike Stabile previously told NBC4 Ohio’s law is particularly vague compared with other states and therefore may result in a variety of platforms choosing to enact age verification measures to prevent legal issues. 

“It affects not just porn sites, but any site that might have material that is defined as harmful to juveniles,” Stabile said before the law’s implementation. “Under the law, I think that sites like X and Reddit and Bluesky may have to begin age verifying. … As we’ve seen in other places, services like Spotify may decide to do it as well to avoid potentially triggering the law.”

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Reddit and X also allow pornography on their platforms, but neither has implemented age verification measures. NBC4 reached out to both to ask if they plan to begin verifying users’ ages. A spokesperson with Reddit said the site does not have an official statement, but pointed to a comment made by Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township), a supporter of the measure, who claimed the law won’t impact social media sites. X did not respond. 

NBC4 also asked the Ohio Attorney General’s Office how it plans to address the new law and if it is considering enforcing it against social media companies. The agency has yet to answer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A unanimous vote Thursday is paving the way for a major redevelopment on Columbus' Near East side.

The Near East Area Commission voted 7-0 in favor of a plan to transform the site of the former Latitude Five25 apartment complex, which has sat vacant since 2022 due to unsafe living conditions.

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"Earlier on, there was community opposition to a project this massive, but that seems to have kind of died down as an issue," Near East Area Commission Zoning Chairperson Roy Lowenstein said. "If the community isn't strongly fighting the project, then who are we to do that?" 

Nuveen Real Estate is the group behind the proposed $147 million project, which would include close to 400 units of long-term affordable housing. 

"It removes the negative of the towers and all that pain that that caused," Bronzeville Neighborhood Association President Willis Brown said. "But this is an experienced group who has done a lot to outreach to us."

Commissioners voted in favor of four requested variances, including cutting parking spaces from 570 to 275. This is something commissioners questioned, but the group said it reflects real usage, especially among seniors.

"We still have concerns that the parking might be inadequate, but they're doing what they can; it appears to make it possible for more people to live there without cars," Lowenstein said. 

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The developer addressed this at Thursday's meeting and said it has refined its vision for the site based on the feedback it has received. 

"We think that it's critical to augment the parking for people who utilize cars with opportunities for people to tap into other modes of transportation," Max Zarin, director of development for Paths Development, said. "So be that bus and conversations we've had with COTA about increasing bus service or the Veo scooter program."

Brown said the project is about restoring vitality to the area and ensuring sustainability.

"If we don't have the people, how can we get the grocery store," Brown said. "How can we get those amenities? How can we get the things that we want that other neighbors have?"

Despite concerns over parking and other issues, commissioners agreed the developer has been willing to listen and engage with the community. 

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"You need people in a dense environment to make it successful," Brown said. "And then it becomes like an incubator. People come into the apartments, but they move up and into the neighborhood and not up and out."

The group will now head to the Board of Zoning Adjustment for approval. The city has already committed funding for the project, and a decision on additional funding is expected next week. 

"The fact that they've entrusted us with this really important piece of the community fabric tonight is really humbling," Zarin said. 

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- Powell got its first tornado sirens to help when severe weather hits.

Residents previously had to rely on hearing other cities' sirens. Two have been installed at Seldom Seen Park and Arbor Ridge Park. They're currently being linked to Delaware County EMA's system.

Another siren will be installed on Home Road and the city engineer said they should be operational in the next month.

"It's been something that I know has been a goal of the community for quite some time, but there has been a lot of positive feedback," Powell city engineer Aaron Stanford said. "Obviously, providing that early notification for an emergency is very important to our community."

The city wants to remind residents that while these sirens are important, rely on other methods too, such as local news and alerts on their phones.