Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Students at South High School got a visit from two of Ohio's most iconic sports figures -- two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin and WNBA champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Smith.

The goal of the program, called "Dream Forward," was to inspire students to chase their dreams -- and introduce them to people who did so.

Griffin said his parents always wanted him to go to college, and football was how he made it happen.

"I wanted to play a sport every season," Griffin said. "Football was the best opportunity I had to get that grand, aid and scholarships."

After graduating from Eastmoor High School, Griffin went on to play for Ohio State and win two Heisman Trophies. He also played in the NFL for seven seasons.

Smith is currently assistant coach for the Ohio State Buckeye's women's basketball team. She won three Olympic Gold Medals when she played for Team USA.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Downtown Columbus Inc.'s safety initiative is expanding; called Safer Downtown, the initiative will take on the duties of smaller groups in special improvement districts to promote collaboration and keep the work under one roof.

The goal is to make the Downtown neighborhood as safe and clean as it can be. Organizers said the effort was preparation for growth as the city anticipates more than 40,000 people to move to the area and 120,000 people to return to work in the area by 2040.

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The transition will happen over the next month and will be led by new Executive Director Robin Davis. Davis used to work with the mayor's office, where she worked closely with many city stakeholders and the Columbus Division of Police on safety initiatives. 

Davis said she’s already taken time to talk to people in the area on how they want to improve.

“I've been talking with folks on my own, kind of anyone that I meet on the street or at events, talking to them about what's important and the most important things to them are safety, cleanliness and homelessness, outreach, all of which we're going to be able to provide and coordinate those efforts throughout the downtown area,” Davis said.

Earlier this year, Safer Downtown opened a command center that uses more than 100 cameras that are monitored 24/7. Davis said these are her goals in her new role.

“We are such a safe and clean downtown, very little violent crime down here,” she said. “We're one of the safest neighborhoods. Sometimes we take that for granted, and I don't want to do that as we grow as a downtown. We want to make sure that we maintain that and everyone feels like this is their neighborhood and they can come here and be safe.”

‘Castle of Tomorrow:’ White Castle prototype with AI drive-thru opens in Columbus

The group will also help fund special duty police officers and outreach to homeless people.

Davis said the budget will be about $4 million, with assessment dollars coming into the budget in 2027. She said that property owners and other city stakeholders are investing money to ensure they can accomplish their mission, and business owners have been very supportive of this transition.

LA RUE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man wanted in West Virginia for allegedly committing sexual assault against a child was arrested Thursday in Marion County.

According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Mark Jason Purtee, of Huntington, West Virginia, is charged with one count of first-degree sexual assault of a child under 12 years of age.

A deputy marshal from the U.S. Marshals Office requested assistance from the sheriff's office to arrest Purtee on the 8600 block of La Rue-Green Camp Road. When the sheriff's deputy arrived, they were told by the marshals that they didn't know if Purtee had fled the area.

Columbus police looking for suspect in connection with I-270 shooting

During a search of the area, investigators discovered Purtee was hiding in a home on Vest Vine Street. After several announcements and a brief "tactical advance" by law enforcement using a drone, Purtee came out of the home and was taken into custody without incident.

In addition to the U.S. Marshals and Marion County Sheriff's Office, personnel from the Marion Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and a Columbus police helicopter helped in the search.

Purtee is set to be extradited to Cabell County, but could face charges in Marion County. He is currently being held in Multi-County Correctional Center.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus police are looking for a suspect in connection with a highway shooting that took place Wednesday afternoon in north Columbus.

According to Columbus police, detectives are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect believed to be responsible for a shooting on Interstate 270 East, between Worthington-Galena Road and the Interstate 71 interchange.

Two hospitalized in separate east Columbus shootings

At approximately 1:06 p.m., officers were called to the area on reports of shots fired. Police learned that a person reportedly stopped on the interstate, opened the driver’s side doors and both passenger doors, and fired multiple shots at oncoming traffic heading eastbound.

• Columbus police are looking for a person believed to have been driving this vehicle during a shooting on I-270 East, Oct. 8, 2025. (Courtesy/Columbus Division of Police)
• Traffic is at a standstill on I-270 East after a reported shooting. (NBC4/Gregory O'Leary)
• Columbus police investigate reports of shots fired on I-270 East, near Galena Rd. (Courtesy/Ohio Department of Transportation)

Several vehicles were struck, as well as a building just beyond the freeway. Police said the incident resulted in 13 total victims, though no injuries were reported.

Traffic camera video obtained through a public records request shows the sedan stop in the middle of the highway and open the doors. After several minutes, the doors close and the car drives away.

The shooting resulted in the closure of the highway and exit ramps from State Route 315 eastbound through the I-71 exit. It reopened nearly three hours later at 4:45 p.m. For an earlier report on this story view the video player above.

CPD is looking for a person believed to be driving a dark colored sedan and asks that anyone with video footage or additional information about the shooting to call 614-645-4740. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A new professional football team has officially landed in Columbus.

The Columbus Aviators will be introduced to the United Football League at a press conference at Historic Crew Stadium, Thursday at 1 p.m. Watch the unveiling of the Aviators in the video player above.

Leading the festivities at One Black and Gold Boulevard will be UFL co-owner Mike Repole, UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther, and President of Business Operations of the Columbus Crew Josh Glessing.

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The UFL announced the Aviators as one of three new teams joining the 2026 spring season, which includes eight total teams. Louisville and Orlando will also kick off their inaugural seasons with Columbus, along with mainstays Birmingham, Dallas, D.C., Houston, and St. Louis.

The new Columbus team will play its home games at Historic Crew Stadium, which hosted Crew games from 1999 to 2021 before the MLS club moved to Lower.com Field in the Arena District.

Columbus previously played host to an indoor football team, the Columbus Destroyers, who played at Nationwide Arena from 2004 to 2008 and again in 2019.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- White Castle launched its updated restaurant prototype in Columbus this week, embracing automation and comfort.

White Castle unveiled its "Castle of Tomorrow" prototype at its grand re-opening of the 1025 Alum Creek Drive location on Tuesday. The futuristic take on White Castle includes an updated kitchen design, double drive-thru, and even a "one-of-a-kind" sign that transforms when the sun goes down.

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At 2,555 square feet, the revived Alum Creek location offers a new dining room and mobile pickup area. The dining room has high ceilings and is purposefully colorful. The pickup area means mobile orders will now have a dedicated spot to pick up meals. The mobile pickup area is labeled with neon signs, offering a black exterior rather than the classic blue and white that still extends around most of the building.

The location also features a double drive-thru, with one lane for AI-powered ordering and a second for traditional human-to-human interactions. Although it is initially open from 6 a.m. to midnight, the drive-thru will eventually transition to offer 24-hour service.

White Castle said the new kitchen design focuses on employee comfort. It includes an updated version of "Flippy on the Fryer," an autonomous grilling and frying kitchen assistant.

• Courtesy photo/White Castle
• Courtesy photo/White Castle
• Courtesy photo/White Castle
• Courtesy photo/White Castle

White Castle first partnered with Miso Robotics to introduce Flippy to stores in 2020, but the Castle of Tomorrow offers an upgraded version. According to Miso, the new Flippy is faster, 75% quicker to install, half its former size and twice as fast.

Perhaps the most fun adjustment is the new custom building sign. When the sun sets, the sign transitions to "Night Castle."

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The reopening coincided with the location's 40th anniversary, originally opening in 1985. The Alum Creek Castle of Tomorrow is one of about 340 restaurants nationwide.

The Columbus-based restaurant company is considered America's first fast-food hamburger chain. Founder Billy Ingram, the "Original Craver," launched White Castle in 1921 as a family business. It is still owned by the Ingram family today; CEO Lisa Ingram joined other White Castle third- and fourth-generation family members at the Castle of Tomorrow relaunch.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Meet Vanya! She is available for adoption or foster to adopt through the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.

Vanya is an 11-month-old pit bull mix who is currently with a foster. When she was taken in as a medical foster, she was described as very timid and did not socialize with people. Now, she has grown in her foster home, learning new tricks including "sit" and "lay down."

Vanya (Courtesy: Franklin County Dog Shelter)

Vanya is also said to be good on leash for her walks and is crate trained as well. The shelter says Vanya would do best in a home with older children or teens, where she can relax in a quiet home. She also loves playing with other dogs and would love to have another friend to run around with.

If you are looking for a sweet pup who is very active and occasionally has the "zoomies," Vanya would be the perfect fit for you. If you are interested in meeting with Vanya, contact the Franklin County Dog Shelter at foster@franklincountyohio.gov.

For a list of other adoptable dogs, visit the shelter's website.

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new owner plans to take over the former Pixelle Specialty Solutions paper mill in Chillicothe, a source told NBC4.

U.S. Medical Glove has purchased the mill, according to the source. The company's website says it's a medical device production company.

The source tells NBC4 that approximately 200 people will be initially hired, which may include some former Pixelle workers. More people are expected to be hired if the machinery and production go as planned.

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A formal announcement is expected on Friday.

Unlike Pixelle, U.S. Medical Glove is non-union.

Sen. Bernie Moreno has been fighting to keep the plant open. A news release from Moreno's office says the senator will be making an announcement on Friday in Chillicothe.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A milestone season awaits the Blue Jackets with expectations higher than ever after an emotional 2024-25 campaign ended just shy of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Last year, the Jackets took the ice after the death of their star forward, Johnny Gaudreau, and his brother Matthew, who were killed by an alleged drunk driver. And though the team still carries their memories into this upcoming season, the Blue Jackets say there's unfinished business as they open the season Thursday night at the Nashville Predators.

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"Stanley Cup is our expectation. That's what we want, right? We have to make steps in order to get there and that first step is obviously to make the playoffs," second-year coach Dean Evason said. "We want to see the guys compete every night, and we'll see where we sit. Our guys have done a good job of staying focused in that regard."

Here are three things to know.

Playoffs-or-bust mentality

The Blue Jackets made a memorable run to make the postseason, staying in contention until the penultimate game, when Montreal snagged the final wild card spot, extending a playoff drought that's lasted half a decade now.

But the players took the summer seriously.

"It's a good thing to have expectations, and it's a good thing to think we're a playoff team because I do believe that we are. But it is a long season. So if something happens early on and it doesn't go your way at the start, you still have 80-something games or 75 games," Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. "It's kind of the same rhetoric every year. This year, genuinely I feel like, if we're not a playoff team, it's a failure for this group. And I think everyone believes that in our locker room, so I'm excited to get to work."

Excitement and questions in net

Jet Greaves turned a lot of heads toward the end of last season with his performance in net. After getting called up from the Cleveland Monsters, the rookie was nearly unstoppable. During a three-game stretch, he stopped 90 of 93 stops. And in his final five starts, he only allowed four goals, shutting out opponents twice.

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"If you watch his game, he's a very controlled goalie," general manager Don Waddell said. "His rebound control is outstanding. He catches everything. He's going to be given every opportunity here."

In the preseason, Greaves led all Jackets goaltenders with a 1-1-0 record and a .917 save percentage in three games. But the question is whether that performance is enough to dethrone the incumbent, Elvis Merzlikins, who registered 26 wins in the 53 games played and managed a .892 save percentage.

"We're excited about our goaltending, obviously," Evason said. "You saw what Jet did at the end of the year. We're extremely happy with the way Elvis is competing and battling. The way he's conducted himself as a teammate."

Approaching milestones

The 25th season of Blue Jackets hockey could start with captain Boone Jenner achieving his own milestone. The center is just one goal shy of 200 career goals and looks to become just the third player in the franchise's history to reach the mark.

Meanwhile, Werenski is slowly approaching his own milestones. He just needs 18 points to tie Cam Atkinson for second in most points by a Blue Jacket. And he's 33 game appearances away from joining the 600 club, which only has three members: Jenner, Atkinson and Rick Nash.

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Werenski is coming off an eventful offseason that included his wedding and helping the U.S. win its first men's world championship since 1933. And with hopes of playing in next February's Winter Olympics fueling him, he's confident he can bring that international success to his NHL club.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm going to be thinking about it every day all year," Werenski said. "It's one of those things where if I am thinking about it and I'm playing well enough to make that team, ultimately I'm helping the team here in Columbus. And that's my goal."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Midfall festivals and Halloween-themed events take over central Ohio this weekend, bringing days filled with family fun.

Those looking for seasonal entertainment will find plenty of spooky season activities. Families can visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for Boo at the Zoo, take part in Kelton House Museum’s Victorian Mourning Tours, or stop by a Halloween celebration at Thurber House for crafts and pumpkin painting. Pets can even get in on the fun at Mutts & Co.’s Monster Mash in Columbus.

Fall festivals take center stage this weekend, too. Groveport’s 52nd Annual Apple Butter Day, Slate Run Metro Park’s Fall Fest, and the American Primate Educational Sanctuary’s Swinging Fall Festival in Blacklick all offer a full day of outdoor activities, food, and family fun. Those looking to celebrate with a drink in hand can head to Land-Grant Brewing Company’s Oktoberfest or sample food and wine pairings at Saucebox: A Midwestern Affair on Gay Street.

Cultural and community events round out the weekend lineup. The Columbus Italian Festival returns to Italian Village with food, music, and entertainment, while Genoa Park hosts the 2nd Annual P.A.I.L. Remembrance & Awareness Walk. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s at The Lawn at CAS also invites participants to join the fight against the disease and honor loved ones.

For those seeking live entertainment, Opera Columbus brings “The Old Man and the Sea” to the Mershon Auditorium and Mumford & Sons take the stage at Nationwide Arena.

Victorian Mourning Tours

Kelton House Museum & Garden, Thursdays through Sundays at noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., until Nov. 2
• Throughout October, guests are invited to take part in Kelton House's Victorian Mourning tours. The tours feature authentic Victorian mourning décor, allowing visitors to learn about the traditions practiced during that era, the history of the home and the untimely death of Fernando, the family patriarch. Admission prices are $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (55 and older) and military personnel, and $5 for students.

Boo at the Zoo

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Oct. 26
• Visitors are invited to join their favorite Boo at the Zoo Character Ambassadors for a merry-not-scary, frightfully delightful event filled with spirited fun for the whole family. Guests are encouraged to get their favorite costumes ready and plan a visit to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for this spooktacular Halloween celebration. Admission is included with the purchase of a zoo ticket.

• Fridays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Columbus Italian Festival

St. John the Baptist Italian Church in Italian Village, Friday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 12
• The Italian Festival is one of Columbus's premier events, with thousands of visitors expected. A three-day celebration of the finest in food, entertainment and Italian culture. Admission is $10.

• Friday, Oct. 10, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 11, noon to 11 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 12, noon to 7 p.m.

The Old Man and the Sea

Mershon Auditorium, Friday, Oct. 10, at 7:30 and Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m.
• An innovative reimagining of Hemingway's beloved classic into a contemporary operatic masterpiece, complete with water on stage. Presented by the Wexner Center, Opera Columbus, and Ohio State’s Office of Academic Affairs, and produced by Beth Morrison Projects. Tickets range from $22 to $115.

The 2nd Annual P.A.I.L. Remembrance & Awareness Walk

Genoa Park, Saturday, Oct. 11, check-in opens at 9 a.m.
• Hosted by Alive In My Heart, Miles’ Mission, Columbus Public Health, and Nationwide Children's Hospital at Genoa Park in Columbus, the event will bring awareness and support around the experience of Pregnancy and Infant Loss (“P.A.I.L.”) and honor and remember babies who are loved beyond measure. The walk will bring together the community to support parents grieving the loss of a baby. Check-in will open at 9 a.m. and a brief presentation will begin at 10 a.m., including Keynote Speaker Seneca Bing of Aliyah's Light and music by Heather Evans. The untimed one-mile walk will follow the presentation, at roughly 10:30 a.m. The event will also include light snacks, water, resources for grieving parents, activities for children, and Dos Hermanos Food Truck and Kingdom Coffee Truck available for purchase. The course is stroller-friendly, but pets other than service animals are not permitted.

City of Groveport's 52nd Annual Apple Butter Day

Heritage Park, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The City of Groveport is celebrating 52 years of tradition with a day full of family fun. Attendees can enjoy homemade apple butter, live entertainment, food vendors, hayrides, pony rides, handmade crafts, pioneer demonstrations, cane pole fishing, and much more. There will also be free activities available for kids. Additionally, a Spelling Bee contest will be open to students in grades 4 and 5, with a limit of 12 entrants. The winner will receive a $50 prize. A shuttle service will operate from the Groveport Recreation Center to Heritage Park from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fall Fest

Slate Run Metro Park, Buzzard's Roost Picnic Area, Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The annual Fall Fest at Slate Run Metro Park offers a variety of free, family-friendly activities. Attendees can look forward to hayrides, a corn maze, face painting, fall crafts, as well as archery provided by Outdoor Adventure. Visitors can explore the Slate Run Living Historical Farm, browse local vendors and enjoy food trucks. The event takes place at the Buzzards Roost Picnic Area, welcoming guests anytime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Halloween at Thurber House

Thurber Center, Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Join the Thurber House for a free family-friendly Halloween celebration. Guests can enjoy mini pumpkin and gourd painting, with a sneak peek performance of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 3:15 p.m., followed by sweet treats and more. Guests can stop by any time between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., but must RSVP online. This event is best suited for ages 6 years and older; adults must accompany minors. Costumes are welcome.

Mutts' Monster Mash 2025

Mutts & Co., 186 Graceland Boulevard, Columbus, Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• The 3rd Annual Mutts' Monster Mash is a spooktacular event featuring a pet costume contest, games and activities for both furry friends and their owners, as well as raffle baskets and more. Vendors will be on-site showcasing a range of products. Admission is free.

Land-Grant Brewing Company Oktoberfest

Land-Grant Brewing Company, Saturday, Oct. 11, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Land-Grant Brewing Company will host its inaugural Oktoberfest at Gravity Park. Attendees can look forward to a day filled with live traditional polka music, authentic German cuisine, and a Stein Holding Showdown. With 32 beers available for sampling from 16 local craft breweries, guests will enjoy a diverse range of flavors. Ticket holders will receive beer samples along with a branded tasting glass to take home. The event will occur rain or shine, with all sales final. Admission prices range from $11 to $33.

A Swinging Fall Festival

American Primate Educational Sanctuary, 8380 Kennedy Rd., Blacklick, Sunday, Oct. 12, noon to 4 p.m.
• The American Primate Educational Sanctuary (A.P.E.S.) is a nonprofit organization in Blacklick that provides care for eight white-handed gibbons, an endangered species. These primates are either rescues that were previously kept as household pets or were born at the sanctuary. Attendees can meet the gibbons and participate in various fall activities, including a costume contest, hayrides, face painting, bobbing for apples and more. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. Food is available for an additional $7. A.P.E.S. accepts cash, Venmo, and PayPal. All proceeds directly support the care of the primates.

Saucebox: A Midwestern Affair with Wine and Food

Gay Street, between High and Front Streets, Sunday, Oct. 12, noon to 5 p.m.
• Saucebox, a celebration of Columbus's culinary scene, showcases the city’s talented chefs and artisans through a pairing of their best dishes with unique wines from around the world. Formerly known as the Columbus Natural Wine Festival, Saucebox will offer attendees an expanded selection of food, wine and exploration. Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Prices range from $55 to $75, with add-on drink tickets available.

2025 Walk to End Alzheimer's

The Lawn at CAS, 2540 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus, Sunday, Oct. 12, doors open at noon, opening ceremony at 2 p.m.
• Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease. While there is no fee to register for Walk, all participants are encouraged to raise critical funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support and advance research toward methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure.

Mumford & Sons

Nationwide Arena, Sunday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
• Part of Mumford & Sons' North American tour after the release of the band's fifth album, “Rushmere.” Mumford & Sons are Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane. Stephen Sanchez and The Barr Brothers will support.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio lawmaker wants to prohibit artificial intelligence systems from being recognized as people and make it illegal for residents to marry one. 

Rep. Thaddeus Claggett, a Licking County Republican and chair of the House Technology and Innovation Committee, introduced House Bill 469 in late September. The legislation would declare AI systems “nonsentient entities” and ban them from gaining legal personhood. 

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“As the computer systems improve in their capacity to act more like humans, we want to be sure we have prohibitions in our law that prohibit those systems from ever being human in their agency,” he said in an interview with NBC4. 

The proposal seeks to bar the technology from entering a marriage with a human or another AI system. Claggett said this will help prevent AI from taking on roles commonly held by spouses, such as holding power of attorney, or making financial or medical decisions on another’s behalf.

“People need to understand, we're not talking about marching down the aisle to some tune and having a ceremony with the robot that'll be on our streets here in a year or two,” Claggett said. “That could happen, but that's not really what we're saying.” 

In a survey of 1,000 AI users by the Florida-based marketing company Fractl, 22% of respondents said they have “formed an emotional connection” with a chatbot, and 3% said they considered one a romantic partner. Additionally, 16% said they have wondered whether AI was sentient after an extended conversation. 

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Under the legislation, AI could not own or control real estate, intellectual property or financial accounts. It also bans the technology from serving in management, director or officer roles in companies, and specifies any harm caused by an AI system is the responsibility of its human owners or developers. 

Claggett said AI systems are “broadly more intelligent than a single human being” and “better at certain tasks,” which gives the technology a widespread appeal to take on roles that have been traditionally reserved for humans. The lawmaker stated he wants to stop that from happening. 

“The public needs to understand the extreme risk,” Claggett said. “Because of the way this stuff is moving so rapidly, in Ohio, we have a number of bills before our technology committee that [are] attempting to put some guardrails in place so that we always have a human in charge of the technology, not the other way around.”

He said a law passed by Utah’s legislature in 2024 that prohibits AI from being granted legal personhood influenced HB 469, along with a similar bill introduced in Missouri earlier this year. 

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Claggett’s proposal comes as AI’s reach is rapidly expanding in Ohio and beyond. Schools in the state are now required to implement policies on how students and educators should use AI, and a New Albany data center that is underway is expected to power AI infrastructure. 

AI systems can generate text, photos and videos, as well as execute tasks resembling human capabilities, such as analyzing data and creating art. The technology is expanding in a variety of industries, including healthcare and finance. 

HB 469 awaits its first hearing. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Two people have been hospitalized in separate overnight shootings on the eastside of Columbus.

According to Columbus Police, one person is in stable condition after a shooting at the BP gas station on East Main Street, near James Road, in the Eastmoor neighborhood. Police said a man was shot in his right leg, though did not have any information on a suspect or what led to the shooting.

The East Main St. shooting occurred at 1:46 a.m., nearly three hours before a second shooting occurred in the city's northeast neighborhood of North Linden at 4:29 a.m. There, police say a man suffered serious injuries after being shot at a home near the intersection of East Weber Road and Cleveland Avenue.

Officers arrived at a residence near the 1700 block of East Weber Road, where two people were reportedly fighting before one person shot the other in the stomach.

The victim was taken to an area hospital in serious but stable condition, while police detained a suspect who was unharmed during the incident. Police said two guns were recovered at the scene.

CPD asks that anyone with information regarding either incident to contact the Columbus Police Felony Assault Unit at (614) 645-4141 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new bill at the Ohio Statehouse would give employers a state income tax credit for offering bonuses to employees who have a child or adopt.

House Bill 340, titled the Baby Bonus Act, would allow businesses to claim a nonrefundable tax credit of up to $50,000 annually if they implement a policy granting at least $1,000 to employees after the birth or adoption of a child. Employers would need to maintain documentation for five years and meet other eligibility criteria to qualify for the credit.

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The bill's sponsor, Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania), said the legislation is designed to address Ohio's declining birth rate and future workforce challenges, while also promoting stable family structures.

"We know that we are not producing offspring in a number that can allow for us to replenish our society," Williams said in a NBC4 interview. "That is going to directly drive the workforce shortages in the future, making it where employers may not be attracted to the state of Ohio."

The Baby Bonus Act is part of what Williams calls the "Family First Agenda," a suite of bills aimed at promoting marriage, childbirth and traditional family structures in Ohio. Other legislation in the agenda includes the Invest in Marriage Act, which proposes similar tax incentives for employers who offers marriage bonuses, and a bill to designate the weeks between Mother's Day and Father's Day as "Natural Family Month."

"We want Ohio to be a place where people want to … get married, plant their roots right here in Ohio, and raise a family with a good career where they can earn an honest living and chase the American dream like I had the opportunity to do so," Williams said.

The representative has framed the effort as both economic and cultural, arguing that previous government programs have disincentivized marriage and family formation by encouraging reliance on public assistance. The tax credits, he said, are aimed at reversing those trends by engaging private employers in promoting family life.

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"We're trying to reverse that trend here in the state of Ohio," Williams said. "This is getting employers engaged in the idea of incentivizing the creation of family units."

While H.B. 340 has yet to receive a committee hearing, related legislation from the Family First Agenda has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates and some Democrats, who argue that such bills prioritize one model of family while excluding others.

In particular, H.B. 262, the Natural Family Month bill, has been described by opponents as promoting "strategic erasure" of LGBTQ+ and single-parent families. In response, Williams has maintained that his intent is not to exclude any group.

"Just because we include one group, doesn't mean we exclude the other groups," he said. "When we celebrate Mother's Day, we don't discriminate against fathers. When we celebrate Father's Day, we don't discriminate against mothers."

Still, Williams said he believes the traditional two-parent, married household provides the most stable environment for raising children.

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"That is the best family structure, and we've seen the studies that show it," he said. "I just want to set kids up for the best path forward, so they have the opportunity to chase the American dream like I had."

View H.B. 340 below.

Ohio House Bill 340Download

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - The Ohio State University Buckeyes and the University of Illinois Fighting Illini take the field Saturday in a battle for a wooden turtle, 100 years after the tradition began. One of the oldest traveling trophies in the Big Ten Conference, Illibuck, will be up for grabs.

NBC4's Kyle Beachy set out on a mission to find out more about this elusive wooden turtle. The Ohio State University Archives on Kenny Road was a great place to start. 

The Illibuck trophy began in 1925 when a 'Bucket and Dipper', one of the Junior Honorary Societies at Ohio State, agreed with Sachem Junior Honorary Society to a rivalry trophy to be passed between their organizations to the school that was victorious on the football field.

"It started as a live turtle, and now it's a wooden turtle with the date and the score of the game engraved on the back. It's presented the following year to the honorary of the team who won the previous year. So when my class went to Illinois for the game that year, we received the Illibuck because we had won the year before. I knew that it was the only football trophy that we had with another Big Ten school. And so that it was important to keep that tradition alive and to have, as many people involved in the tradition as possible," Elizabeth Watters, president of Bucket and Dipper Honorary 1985, said.

Watters was found after uncovering photos from the 1985 matchup between the Illini and Buckeyes in Champaign showed Watters standing on the field holding Illibuck up high for the crowd to cheer.

"There was a little peace pipe that we exchanged back and forth and then, they handed me the book, and I raised it up for everyone in the crowd to see, and then passed it to the other members of the honorary for from Bucket Dipper, who were there, who also raised it up to the crowd so that everyone, who was there could cheer for Ohio State, having won it," Watters said. "That was such a wonderful experience. Certainly receiving the Illibuck on the field and having everyone in the crowd be supportive, whether they were from Illinois or Ohio State and being able to show it to the crowd and, you know, show that Ohio State was a great rival and a good competitor and then to pass it on to friends, from the organization, that was definitely the highlight."

Watters has fond memories of that five-plus-hours drive to Champaign.

"It was so much fun, just going over," she said. "They were wonderful hosts. We had a great time. We tailgated together. We had a dinner. It was an overnight experience. They were, as, involved in the whole process as we were. And it was really an honor to accept that on behalf of Ohio State, knowing that we had won that the year before. And I think we won it that year, too. We won that game. So, it was, it was wonderful to be a part of that. They were as nice and supportive as they possibly could be, and we had a great time with them. At the end, you're cheering for your team, but that doesn't mean that you can't, be good rivals."

After the game, Watters got to keep Illibuck for the entire year.

"He stayed in my dorm room. He was a doorstop. He's very heavy for solid wood and so he was in my dorm room," she said.

"It defines your experience as a student. It makes you a part of everything that's going on. The football team was very supportive of this tradition. And the athletic department always allows the honorary to go down on the football field to do the exchange. You know, it's about being a part of that experience," she added.

The archives show Watters was right. Illibuck started as a real, live turtle. Legend of archived stories show Illibuck to be a 50-year-old snapping turtle found living in the basement of a fish market. When the two junior honoraries at OSU and U of I were brainstorming a trophy, they settled on a turtle after considering a plaque, cup, elephant, and snake.

The Illini won the first two matchups while Illibuck I was still alive. The turtle traveled to Champaign, where telegram correspondence showed the Sachem Junior Honorary at Illinois was having trouble caring for the turtle.

One telegram read: "What do you feed a turtle? Illibuck refuses to eat."

Another read: "Where shall we keep the turtle, the university refuses to keep him. We have him in the bathtub at the home of our only town member and his mother objects. What shall we do?"

Still, another telegram later read: "We suggest the losing society keep the turtle."

The society then suggested making "turtle soup" each year after the game, but Bucket and Dipper "ignored" all telegrams and that request.

Archived records show that "sometime during the 1926 school year the noble reptile expired."

Thus, Illibuck I was replaced with Illibuck II, a wooden carving of a turtle. Since that time there have been at least ten Illibuck trophies. Illibuck IX is housed at the Ohio Union on the second floor next to the Archie Griffin Ballroom.

The final score of each game is carved into the wooden turtle's back. Ohio State leads the all-time series of games when Illibuck is at stake with 60 wins, 23 losses, and two ties.

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Grove City police officer was injured and a suspect is dead after both were shot during a chase Wednesday evening.

According to a Grove City Police Lt. Jason Stern, the incident started at approximately 5:15 p.m. on the 3800 block of Louise Court when officers responded to a burglary in progress call. Stern said that the homeowner did not recognize the suspect; the homeowner then ran from the home and called the police, stating the suspect had a gun.

At the scene, officers saw the suspect inside the home. The suspect then barricaded himself inside the home, prompting the Grove City Strategic Response Team to respond.

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At approximately 8:37 p.m., the suspect fled the home, prompting a foot chase that lasted about one block. According to police, the suspect shot at the officers, with the officers shooting back. Both were taken to a local hospital, with the suspect being pronounced dead. The officer is in a stable condition.

Police did not release the suspect's identity.

"I am beyond thankful that no one in our community was injured or hurt," Stern said. "I'm very blessed that the officer involved is stable. These things happen so fast, it could have been, it could have been a lot worse."

The attorney general's bureau of criminal investigation will be investigating the officer-involved shooting, Stern said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and new data is shedding light on a disturbing trend relating to domestic violence homicides.

According to the Ohio Domestic Violence Network, 2025 is already the deadliest year for domestic violence homicides in nearly a decade. With those numbers in mind, a local organization wants residents to know it is here to help, while it is also looking for help of its own.

The Center for Family Safety and Healing is a comprehensive approach to serving children and families who are experiencing family violence. Nestled in an unassuming building on the city’s east side is a center that provides hope.

“The founders of the center were really forward thinking and really understood that you couldn’t just address domestic violence happening in adult relationships, that these are deeply connected issues,” Center for Family Safety and Healing President Melissa Graves said.

Graves said the center, which was founded in 2012, has impacted the lives of more than 12,000 people in 73 of Ohio’s 88 counties, offering a unique response to domestic violence for witnesses and victims of all ages.

“Often, children who experience abuse, they are much more likely to repeat cycles of violence and perpetuate that cycle either as victims or abusers when they are adults,” Graves said.

It’s a cycle that is rearing its head in the Buckeye State. According to recent data from the ODVN, the number of domestic violence fatalities rose 37 percent over the previous year – from 114 fatalities in 2023/2024 to 157 in 2024/2025.

Graves said some changes to federal funding have impacted the center’s bottom line.

“Now more than ever, we do look at reductions and losses in federal funding, that community support is more important than ever,” she said.

As the month of October continues, the message from the folks at this center – one that offers family, adult, child, and home-based support for those who have been exposed to sexual or physical abuse – is that it takes a village to support these members of the community.

“When I hear parents or parents who have had this awful thing happen to their child, when we hear them say, ‘I just feel so relieved, I just feel like it’s going to be OK, and we’re going to be OK and there’s joy in our future,’ and there’s that relief and the letdown of the stress and the panic and the fear, that’s why we do it,” Graves said.

On Oct. 17, a gala is being held with proceeds of tickets sales and raffle items going to support the work being done in central Ohio at the Center For Family Safety and Healing. 

Tickets are on sale now for the event, which takes place at Lower.com Field. For more information, click here.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A group of Westerville residents has been pushing for safety improvements on one of its roads.

The Annehurst Village Residents Association and other resident volunteers conducted a traffic study in the area of Annehurst Elementary to see how dangerous the area is.

“It's getting worse, and the children are precious to us, as they should be, and we need to do everything we can to make sure that they survive and are not traumatized,” Annehurst Village Residents Association member Linda Stutz said.

The study looked at several areas, including the intersection of West Main Street and Granby Place. At the corner sits a memorial for Kathy Watson, who was killed in 1997 after being hit by a car at the crosswalk. Twenty-eight years later and residents report that it’s a persisting problem.

“Something needs to be done to better protect kids,” Westerville resident Michael Batchelder said. “We've done enough, like lip service to it over the years. Everybody talks about it. We need to get something done.”

He came to the neighborhood group as a concerned parent with the idea of doing this study.

For several days in August and September, volunteers tracked traffic activity at the intersection. On average, they found that 83 walkers and 39 cyclists crossed the intersection during school dismissal and drop-off times. In the same timeframe, an average of 340 vehicles cross through, with many failing to make complete stops.

“I saw 27 cars or trucks or, in one case, a school bus even, running the red light,” Stutz said.

They also found that many drivers don’t adhere to the speed limit.

“We probably need more enforcement during school hours as one thing,” Annehurst Village Residents Association Tim Goggin said.

Residents are pushing for solutions like additional school zone signage and raised crosswalks.

“There's tons of kids crossing by themselves, there's no stop signs for cars,” Batchelder said.

A spokesperson for the City of Westerville said there are plans to deploy technology to gather information and encourage safer behavior, including updated school zone flashing lights, in 2026. They will provide speed feedback to drivers as they approach the school zone. Westerville City Councilmember Aaron Glasgow also said these concerns will remain a topic of discussion at meetings.

“I grew up in this neighborhood,” Glasgow said. “I have a soft spot for the neighborhood and it's concerning to see and I think we're it's great to see that we're going to address this.”

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Ohio University professor was taken into custody by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Wednesday after the flotilla he was a part of was intercepted en route to Gaza.

According to pro-Palestine group the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Thomas Hayes, a Columbus resident and film professor at Ohio University, was sailing on The Conscious toward Gaza when Israeli forces intercepted the boat early Wednesday. Hayes, 69, was listed among the passengers and featured in a video of eight American passengers released after the boat's interception.

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According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which tracks and organizes humanitarian ship efforts headed for Gaza, The Conscious was boarded by the IDF. It was the largest vessel of a nine-boat flotilla trying to break Israel's naval blockade on Gaza. In all, 145 people were taken into custody, including Hayes, journalists and at least one member of European Parliament.

Thomas Hayes (front left, holding up peace sign) and other Conscience passengers (Courtesy photo/Freedom Flotilla Coalition)

The Coalition said all volunteers, including Hayes, were taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod "against their will." The Israeli Foreign Ministry said all of the detainees were in good health and would be processed in Israel, then deported.

A photo posted by the Global Sumud Flotilla group shows Hayes photographed showing his American passport, seemingly after entering Israeli custody.

According to the U.N., the Conscience was boarded in international waters, which a U.N. representative said was done contrary to international law. A tracker on the boat shows it is now docked in Ashdod.

Hayes is the faculty adviser for Students for Justice in Palestine at Ohio University and is a member of Jewish Voice for Peace. He has been involved with the "Palestine solidarity movement" since the 1980s. Hayes has filmed three documentaries on the conflict between Palestine and Israel, the most recent of which was released in 2015 and detailed Israeli perspectives.

On Wednesday, Students for Justice in Palestine at OU urged students to call representatives to help Hayes and express concerns. It was not immediately clear if Hayes had been deported or remains in custody.

"The university is aware of the rumors that have been recently circulating, and we are looking further into the matter," a university spokesperson said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One of the United Football League's newest teams, the Columbus Aviators, will take the field at Historic Crew Stadium next year. 

This is not the first time the city has added a pro-football team, which has some asking what will be different this time.

“I think everybody's anxious to see how the kickoff goes,” former Ohio Dominican University head football coach and Ohio State assistant coach Bill Conley said.  “Columbus, Ohio, is going to be a natural for the UFL.”

Conley not only coached college football, but he was also the head coach of the Ohio Force, the Canton-based Major League Football team.

“We tried to get a league off the ground, didn't quite, you know, pan out, but to me, it was fun. There's a lot of good players out there, good coaches out there,” he said.

Columbus has also dabbled with other pro football leagues. 

From 2004 to 2008, the city had the Columbus Destroyers as a part of the Arena Football League. They tried to make a comeback in 2019, but did not succeed.

Conley believes this time could be a different experience.

“Well, I think this league, first of all, the UFL, is they've proven they can be successful,” he said. “They get good coverage on television and things like that and I think, obviously, the big thing, there's plenty of money behind it.”

He also said there is an appetite for sports in this city.

“You need TV coverage, and you need crowds, and Columbus, Ohio, Franklin County and really, it's the whole state, is a great football state, and I think they'll put people in the stands if they promote it right and everything and you know, you never get tired of football from Ohio," Conley said.

The Greater Columbus Sports Commission said the UFL will breathe life into this football town in the off-season.

“I think having spring football gives you, you're not competing with any other football league, whether that's on television or attendance, and I'm going to bet that there's going to be a lot of Ohio State connections on the coaching staff and on the field for the Aviators,” Jesse Ghiorzi with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission said.

Ghiorzi said the Columbus Fury, the pro women's volleyball team in Columbus, is getting ready for its third season and has been successful thus far.

Sports leaders also believe the Aviators will be a pathway for Buckeyes

“The thing about the spring leagues and the UFL is a combination of guys who weren't quite good enough to get drafted but still have potential, and the guys that have tried didn't quite make it, maybe some veterans even at the end up getting cut,” Conley said. “There's their chance to get back in the league.”

Conley said the sceptics should give the team a shot. He said he has no doubt they will put on a great show for the fans.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As some airports across the country deal with delays as the government shutdown continues, experts are sharing advice with those flying during this time.

“Knowledge is power, so you just need to stay on top of what's going on," said Lori Weaver Hawkins, a manager of Public and Government Affairs with AAA.

Air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers are working without pay because of the government shutdown. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said there's been an increase in air traffic controller sick calls at some airports. There have been delays because of staffing shortages at airports Boston, Chicago, Newark, Nashville, and some other bigger airports, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“I feel bad for people that it is affecting," said Sherri Green, a traveler at John Glenn International on Wednesday. 

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NBC4 reached out to the FAA and TSA to see if John Glenn International Airport has been affected by the situation. An email from the FAA said that due to a lapse in funding, it is not responding to routine media inquiries. A TSA spokesperson sent the following statement:

“Approximately 61,000 of the agency’s 64,000 employees are considered excepted or exempt, and TSA will continue operations to keep the traveling public safe. While TSA is prepared to continue screening about 2.5M passengers a day, an extended shutdown could mean longer wait times at airports. We kindly ask for our passengers’ patience during this time. Despite this challenge, we will remain vigilant and focused on performing our vital security mission on behalf of the American people.”

Weaver Hawkins said while travelers might not see as many issues in Columbus, it does not mean travelers won't run into them somewhere else.

“You may be fine flying out of Columbus, your local airport, but you may be catching a connecting flight in some of these larger hubs that may be experiencing a lot more issues with trying to get the flights out on time," she said.