News Channel 4

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio lawmakers are considering new requirements for schools, public libraries and state agencies that use online research databases, marking the latest in a series of proposals aimed at restricting material deemed inappropriate for minors. House Bill 583 would require any vendor providing an online database to Ohio institutions to block access [...]

PARMA, Ohio (WCMH) – Thirteen years ago, an Ohio woman was found dead with an “astronomical” blood alcohol content after expressing fear about testifying in court. Her death was ruled natural, but her parents believe foul play was involved and are pushing police to reopen the case. Dawn Pasela died of an alcohol overdose on [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State Wexner Medical Center nurses rallied Wednesday for stronger protections after one of their own was attacked on the job earlier this month.  "We've been saying for years that we need additional security support," Ohio Nurses Association president Rick Lucas said. "I've been fighting this fight with them for near a [...]

CRESTLINE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Two people are dead in Crawford County, and a man is in custody after fleeing the country on Wednesday. According to the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, the Crestline Police Department was sent to a home on the 700 block of North Henry Street in Crestline for a welfare check after a [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Wednesday evening, the Ohio House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 293, an election integrity bill that changes the rules on mail-in voting and voter registration. S.B. 293 was initially one of two election integrity bills proposed by Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) but in a rare move, Republican lawmakers decided this [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio State University football team will play its last home game of the season on Saturday against Rutgers, and while they may be rivals this weekend, sometimes the universities are on the same team. “We get to see each other's kind of traditions, understand the different kinds of miniature cultures [...]

MARION, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio families will receive November SNAP benefits this week, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, but even with the benefits back to 100%, Mid-Ohio Food Collective said demand for help is still high. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marion County is one of more than 600 [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Division of Police will now have a bird’s eye view over crime scenes with a new pilot program called RAVEN, or Rapid Aerial Visual Enforcement Network. Police believe drones will help with frontline operations. “We’re going to have four drones deployed throughout the city out of the back of [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus-based ice cream brand is voluntarily recalling one of its products due to an undeclared ingredient. Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams announced this week that it is recalling one batch of its Passion Fruit Dreamsicle Ice Cream Bars due to the possibility that they may contain undeclared wheat and soy. In [...]

ESPN and Major League Baseball appeared headed for an ugly separation after the network opted out of its rights deal in February. Nine months later, it appears to be the best thing to happen to both parties. ESPN has a reworked deal that includes out-of-market streaming rights while NBC and Netflix will air games as part of [...]

Many stores and restaurants in central Ohio are closed on Thanksgiving, while a few businesses are open with varying hours, including Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer, Whole Foods Market, Bass Pro Shops, Big Lots, Cabela's, CVS, Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Burger King, Dunkin', McDonald's, and Starbucks.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) — While the defense for the man accused in a mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse has withdrawn an appeal on a competency hearing, it maintains its intent to submit an insanity plea. According to the Licking County Prosecutor's Office, defense counsel for Bruce Foster III, the man accused of killing [...]

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Fast-casual salad chain Sweetgreen is set to open its second central Ohio restaurant this month, celebrating the launch with meet-and-greets featuring former Ohio State football players. The location at 36 N. High St. in Dublin will open on Nov. 25 and marks the Los Angeles-based brand's second in Ohio, following its [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Middle Eastern fast casual chain that serves customizable bowls and stuffed pitas is preparing to expand into central Ohio with multiple locations. Naf Naf Grill will bring four restaurants to the Columbus area, according to the company. The first eatery will launch at 5918 N. Hamilton Road in the Preserve [...]

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- To applause, Athens City Council on Monday unanimously approved allowing three temporary shelters for homeless residents. "It is a planned, supervised, humane alternative to people freezing behind dumpsters," councilmember Jessica Thomas said. "It is what common sense and compassion look like working together." Not all Athens residents agree, but the plan [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to give their closing statements on Wednesday in the murder trial of Connor Grubb, the Blendon Township police officer who fatally shot Ta’Kiya Young in 2023. Grubb, 31, is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and two counts of involuntary [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Wexner Medical Center nurses are set to protest leadership at the Ohio State University hospital on Wednesday night with a rally about workplace violence. The gathering by members and supporters of the Ohio State University Nurses Organization follows union outrage after a nurse was allegedly strangled by a visitor. After NBC4's [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A woman was struck by a pickup truck and dragged nearly 300 feet to her death Tuesday evening in northeast Columbus. According to a Columbus police incident report, a woman was crossing Cleveland Avenue in an east-to-west direction, near the Oakland Park Avenue intersection in North Linden. At the same time, [...]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Ohio bill introduced last month aims to increase transparency in ticket sales and curb deceptive practices by third-party resellers. House Bill 563, sponsored by Rep. Mark Hiner (R-Howard), would require ticket sellers and online marketplaces to disclose the total cost of tickets, including fees and surcharges. The legislation also prohibits [...]

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- A cow on the run that shut down Interstate 270 near Hilliard Monday night had just about everyone on social media talking. Police-worn body camera footage released Tuesday shows just how utterly chaotic it got.  "Just letting you guys know, hopefully we get it open up very soon, but I'll be [...]