Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A Columbus man will spend a minimum of nearly four decades in prison after being found guilty in a 2023 fatal shooting.

According to court documents, a jury found 45-year-old Ron Robinson guilty in the murder of Justin Douglas and the attempted murder of woman at a west Columbus apartment complex on Jan. 6, 2023. Douglas, 33, was shot in the back of the head in a vehicle he was riding in, along with Robinson, who was sitting in the back seat.

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Prosecuting attorneys said that Douglas and a woman picked up Robinson before Robinson told them to drive to the apartment complex parking lot on West Horizons Drive in the Brookhollow neighborhood, near Wilson Road. That’s where Robinson shot Douglas with a semi-automatic pistol and attempted to shoot the woman.

The gun reportedly jammed, and the woman escaped unharmed before Robinson fired a shot at her. He then fled the area in the woman’s vehicle, a Jeep Wagoneer.

Police found Douglas and the woman at the scene, and she was able to identify Robinson out of a photo array.  Approximately one month after the shooting, police identified Robinson as the suspect in the shooting and a warrant was issued for his arrest, which occurred on Feb. 23, 2023.

Robinson was indicted on the following charges: aggravated murder, murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, and having weapons under disability. At the time of his arrest, he was out on bail in Athens County, where he faces multiple drug charges.

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A jury found Robinson guilty on Sept. 15 and on Tuesday he was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 38-43 years. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

Additional convictions for Robinson include robbery (1997), attempting to traffic in drugs (2004), having weapons under disability (2008 and 2009), possession of heroin, cocaine, and intent to distribute (2014).

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) -- Construction is progressing on COhatch's new coworking and event space in downtown Powell, as public infrastructure improvements take shape along East Olentangy Street.

Crews are installing a sidewalk in front of the future COhatch site, along with on-street public parking. The upgrades are part of a public-private investment aimed at enhancing walkability and accessibility in Powell's downtown district. Utility upgrades are also underway and the sidewalk is expected to reopen in the coming weeks, the city said.

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The 13,900-square-foot COhatch facility, located at 50 and 60 E. Olentangy St., broke ground in late 2024 and is designed to offer a blend of flexible workspace and lifestyle amenities. The development is expected to create nearly 200 jobs and generate about $1.5 million annually in payroll, city officials said at the time of the groundbreaking. Watch a previous NBC4 report on COhatch Powell in the video player above.

• The Powell COhatch facility at 50 E. Olentangy St. broke ground in late 2024. (Courtesy Photo/City of Powell)
• The development is expected to create nearly 200 jobs and generate about $1.5 million annually in payroll. (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)
• The Powell site will include coworking spaces, private offices, meetings rooms and event venues. (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)
• The Powell site will include coworking spaces, private offices, meetings rooms and event venues. (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)

"We're excited to continue to find new ways to serve the Powell community," said Matt Davis, CEO and co-founder of COhatch. "These unique venues set our Powell location apart as a true destination for professional growth, community engagement and memorable moments."

The Powell site will include coworking spaces, private offices, meetings rooms, event venues and a restored historic home dubbed the "60 East Member House." The location will also feature the Lani Rooftop Longer, a Hawaiian-inspired indoor and outdoor bar concept that will be open to the public and available for private bookings. COhatch members will receive exclusive access and perks, including bartending classes and priority reservations.

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• COhatch Powell will feature the Lani Rooftop Longer, a Hawaiian-inspired indoor and outdoor bar concept. (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)
• COhatch Powell will feature the Lani Rooftop Longer, a Hawaiian-inspired indoor and outdoor bar concept. (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)

The new Powell location marks a continued expansion for COhatch, which was selected in 2024 as one of several developers involved in a larger plan to revitalize Powell's downtown. The city has credited partnerships like the one with COhatch for helping bring long-term improvements to the area.

"Projects such as this allow the city to use development to foster community growth by leveraging investments and programs to create opportunities for our residents and businesses," Powell city manager Andrew White said. "This is the kind of transformative development we want in downtown Powell."

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• The Powell site will include a restored historic home dubbed the "60 East Member House." (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)
• The Powell site will include a restored historic home dubbed the "60 East Member House." (Courtesy Photo/COhatch)

Like its other locations across the country, COhatch Powell will offer scholarship programs for nonprofits and startups. More than 1,000 nonprofits and 500 startups current participate in the program nationwide, according to the company.

COhatch was founded in 2016 and operates locations in cities including Columbus, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Short North sushi and hibachi eatery owned by a Columbus restaurateur that closed earlier this year after more than six years of business has reopened.

1126 Restaurant, located at 1126 North High Street, began welcoming patrons again this month, the eatery confirmed. The announcement comes after the restaurant shuttered in May without providing a reason but expressed gratitude for support on social media and thanked customers "for being part of our story."

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Home to a variety of Japanese entrees and hibachi, the spot is one of several sushi eateries owned by Columbus restaurateur Daniel Chen, who operates another Short North restaurant, 698 Asian Kitchen. Chen's portfolio also includes Song Lan in Dublin's Bridge Park and The Blue near Polaris Fashion Place.

1126 Restaurant at 1126 N. High St. in the Short North. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

1126's May closure came nearly seven years after the restaurant launched in 2018, when the eatery took over the space that was previously home to a cocktail bar named the Parlor Room that shuttered after a year of business.

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Along with soups, salads, and appetizers, 1126's menu includes a hibachi selection, udon noodles, sashimi a la carte, sushi bar specialty entrees, hand roll sushi, and chef specialty sushi rolls.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Even though Ohio State's 24-6 win over Washington didn't knock the country's socks off, other teams' losses in a wild Week 5 have its projected playoff position safely secure -- for now.

Four top-10 teams lost Saturday to change the makeup of the projected playoff bracket, bringing in new faces and turning former power conference upstarts into favorites.

Here is a look at the changes to the projected 12-team playoff field in the past week, plus what to watch for this weekend.

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NBC4 looks at the AP rankings for playoff projections until the initial official playoff rankings begin in November. With more upsets seemingly every week, the projected bracket sees more and more shuffling.

Ohio State's spot is solidly at No. 1, but a Big Ten opponent is trying to catch up. Oregon moved up to No. 2 after a 30-24 double overtime win at Penn State. The SEC has a new top team, and it is not any of its powerhouses from the past 10-15 years.

It is the Runnin' Rebels of Mississippi, which defeated former No. 4 LSU and stole its ranking as the conference's top team.

The upsets also allowed Oklahoma and Texas A&M to move up near the top, and a familiar Big Ten team is back in the top 10. Indiana, which was the No. 10 seed in last year's playoff, is now ranked eighth with an undefeated start and projected to host a game.

But the Hoosiers are like many other teams in this bracket that still have to face tough opposition that will define their chances into making the 12-team field come December.

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Week 5 saw multiple contenders (Penn State, LSU, Georgia and Florida State) lose, though only one lost to a nonplayoff contender (Florida State, to Virginia).

The other losses did not knock any of the other three teams out of the picture entirely, but it is worth keeping in mind the toughest games ahead for said teams, which may become must-wins to secure a postseason spot.

Here is a quick look at each projected team's two toughest games remaining and its strength-of-schedule rating for its remaining games. The lower the number, the harder the schedule.

• No. 1 Ohio State (SOS: 36) - Penn State (Nov. 1), at Michigan (Nov. 29)
• No. 2 Oregon (21) - Indiana (Oct. 11), USC (Nov. 22)
• No. 3 Miami (64) - at Florida State (Oct. 4), at SMU (Nov. 1)
• No. 4 Mississippi (30) - at Georgia (Oct. 18), at Oklahoma (Oct. 25)
• No. 5 Oklahoma (3) - Texas (Oct. 11), at Alabama (Nov. 15)
• No. 6 Texas A&M (22) - at LSU (Oct. 25), at Texas (Nov. 28)
• No. 7 Penn State (25) - at Ohio State (Nov. 1), Indiana (Nov. 8)
• No. 8 Indiana (27) - at Oregon (Oct. 11), at Penn State (Nov. 8)
• No. 9 Texas (14) - Oklahoma (Oct. 11), at Georgia (Nov. 15)
• No. 10 Alabama (13) - LSU (Nov. 8), Oklahoma (Nov. 15)
• No. 11 Texas Tech (57) - at Arizona State (Oct. 18), BYU (Nov. 8)
• No. 12 USF (76) - at North Texas (Oct. 10), at Memphis (Oct. 25)

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No. 16 Vanderbilt at No. 10 Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.): The Crimson Tide's playoff chances blew up in their faces after a shocking loss last season in Nashville, prompting Vandy students to chuck a goal post into the Cumberland River. Alabama will be zeroed in on revenge, and Vanderbilt can become legit with a win in Tuscaloosa.

No. 11 Texas Tech at Houston (Saturday, 7 p.m.): It's probably difficult to find folks who predicted that this game between the Cougars and Red Raiders would be between undefeated teams. Texas Tech aims to widen the gap over Iowa State, and Houston can make some noise with an upset.

No. 3 Miami at No. 18 Florida State (Saturday, 7:30 p.m.): Virginia's win over the Seminoles certainly takes out some aura for this rivalry game. But that should not detract from this being the key game of the ACC season. If Miami wins, its path is clear to win the ACC. If Florida State pulls out an upset, the Seminoles put themselves and Georgia Tech in contention.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — A Westerville man is facing rape charges after fleeing to Indiana before returning to central Ohio, resulting in his arrest, authorities said.

According to court documents, Mark Lerner, 44, is accused of raping a girl from the ages of 13 through 17 years old. The incidents allegedly occurred at two residences in Westerville, a criminal complaint stated.

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The victim told police she reportedly told a friend of the abuse in 2018 and that they bought a pregnancy test, but charges weren’t filed until this week. Upon learning of an investigation, police say Lerner fled central Ohio and did not answer his phone for 48 hours while in Indiana.

Lerner returned to Franklin County on Sept. 26, but declined an interview with detectives. He was arrested Monday and charged with four counts of rape. On Tuesday a Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued him a $700,000 bond.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Bier Stube is moving closer to reopening in a new location, and Columbus voters have a small say in its path forward.

Residents of Columbus first ward A division will see a familiar name on the ballot this November. The Bier Stube has applied for its Sunday Sales liquor license at its planned new location, 234 King Ave. See previous coverage of the Bier Stube's closure in the video player above.

Ward A covers the area between Bruick Street and South 18th Street between Hanford Street and East Welch Avenue. Bier Stube owner Craig Kempton teased the ballot issue in July, asking people on Facebook to offer signatures "for something very important." One month later, Kempton announced the new location.

According to state permit filings, the Bier Stube has five liquor licenses pending for the King Avenue location and one permit "on hold." Although Kempton said the purchase was completed in July, talks appear to have been in the works for longer; the permits were filed in February.

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The "on hold" liquor license is a D-6 license, which authorizes liquor sales on Sundays. Ohio law requires voter approval for Sunday sales, hence the November ballot issue. The other pending permits allow for beer, wine and liquor sales through 2:30 a.m.

The Bier Stube was widely mourned when it shut down in September 2024. After nearly 60 years at 1479 N. High St., the land hosting the Stube was bought and approved for a 13-story apartment building. The former Bier Stube building was demolished on Sept. 10.

"The old building which was home to the Bier Stube from 1966-2024 is now rubble," Kempton said on social media. "Let us all remember the memories we made. Cherish them, and bring them with you when we open the doors to our new home!"

Although there is no announced opening date, Kempton told the Bier Stube's loyal following that he would see them in a few months.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A grant is helping to preserve decades of LGBTQ+ audiovisual history in Ohio, including rare footage from one of the state's earliest public-access television programs centered on queer life.

In August, Ohio History Connection received $21,524 through the Recordings at Risk program, a national regranting initiative administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources. The grant is funding the digitization and preservation of vulnerable LGBTQ+ audiovisual materials, many of which were recorded on analog formats and are at risk of deterioration.

The project, titled "Sights and Sounds of LGBTQ+ Ohio: Preserving the Gay Ohio History Initiative's Audiovisual Collections," is focusing on materials from seven separate collections. The largest of these consists of nearly 90 U-Matic master tapes donated by Stonewall Columbus, a central Ohio LGBTQ+ advocacy organization currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Stonewall Columbus in the video player above.

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The archival footage is primarily from Stonewall's former television program, titled the "L/G/B Report" and previously known as the "Gay Pride Report." The broadcasts span from the 1990s through the early 2000s and will be sent to a Kentucky-based vendor, Scene Savers, for professional digitization in early October. The files will then be uploaded to Ohio History Connection's digital catalog and made accessible to researchers and the public.

Alexandria Ingley, department manager of community engagement at Ohio History Connection, said the work reflects the organization's broader mission to protect at-risk historical materials and ensure they remain publicly accessible.

"When you're thinking about the preservation of history, there are some components or aspects of history that are just more vulnerable to being lost or not being able to be ultimately preserved," Ingley said. "Being able to showcase ... how there is ongoing work within our communities to help preserve history in ways that help maintain [it] for generations to come is critical."

Although Stonewall provided the largest set of materials, the grant project also includes audiovisual content from other organizations and individual donors, Ingley said.

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The project aligns with a significant moment for Stonewall, which is set to receive an Ohio historical marker on Friday, commemorating its 45 years of advocacy. The sign is only the fourth LGBTQ+ historical marker recognized by the state. Densil Porteous, executive director of Stonewall, said the digitization serves as an important step toward ensuring the longevity and accessibility of Ohio's LGBTQ+ history.

"Our history is part of Columbus history," Porteous said. "It's part of Ohio's history. It's part of American history, and it's important for us to document those things, to be able to save them."

Porteous emphasized that the archived media, which also includes lectures, talks and other community programming, has otherwise been preserved in formats such as VHS and DVD, making digitization essential.

"This partnership and this engagement with Ohio History Connection will ... allow people to access [this footage] from wherever they are, however they need to, whenever they need to," he said. "We're sort of democratizing who owns information and ensuring that everyone who needs it can access it."

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The project also takes on new significance amid rising concerns about the erasure of LGBTQ+ narratives from public history. Earlier this year, federal officials rescinded nearly $250,000 originally designated for 10 additional LGBTQ+ historical markers across Ohio. Although Stonewall's marker was not affected, Porteous described the loss as a "setback in our collective progress."

"This is actually a similar thing that's happening across the county with a lot of other LGBTQ+ organizations," Porteous said. "They're thinking about, what does history documentation look like? How do we ensure our community that we are documenting, saving and archiving our history?"

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio lawmakers have introduced a bill that would mandate hospitals offer genetic testing to confirm the paternity of babies who are born to unmarried couples. 

Reps. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) introduced House Bill 435, named the “Right to Know Act,” on Sept. 9. 

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Under the legislation, when a baby is born at or en route to a medical facility, the institution would have to offer to complete genetic testing before the mother and alleged father sign an acknowledgment of paternity affidavit: a voluntary document for unmarried individuals confirming that both agree the man is the biological father and wish to name him as the legal father.

If a couple declines the genetic testing, they would be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that it was offered to them. 

Miller, who is the director of a pregnancy care center, said the bill would help more children know who their father is, leading to more fathers being involved in their children's lives.

“It pretty much prioritizes the well-being of children by empowering their parents from the very beginning,” Miller said in an interview with NBC4. “This really tugs on my heartstrings because I do see the value and the change in somebody's life when they have a father involved and every single child deserves to know who their parents are.”

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Miller pointed to a statistic from a 2020 report by the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood, which found that the state’s rate for fatherless homes is 28%, which is 21% higher than the national average of 23%. She also said research shows children raised without a father face higher risk of poverty, crime and poor academic outcomes.

“Strong families are built on trust, transparency and truth,” Williams said in a statement. “The Right to Know Act gives parents the opportunity to make informed decisions from day one, reducing future conflict and helping lay a stronger foundation for the children at the heart of these families.”

The act’s sponsors will request an analysis from the Legislative Service Commission, a nonpartisan branch of the Ohio General Assembly, to find out what the bill’s cost impact may be, Miller said. 

Currently, hospitals typically do not offer paternity testing for unmarried couples when a baby is born. If a baby’s mother and alleged father decide not to sign the paternity affidavit, the pair may request genetic testing through a county child support enforcement agency, with the testing often provided for free. If the results show paternity, the agency will legally declare the father as the child’s parent. 

Parents can also choose to sign an acknowledgment of paternity waiver at their local health department or child support agency after leaving the hospital. Paternity can be established until an individual is 23 years old. 

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When a father’s paternity is not established, the mother is the sole legal guardian of the child. By establishing paternity, a father gains the right to seek custody, visitation and other legal privileges. 

HB 435 was referred to the Judiciary Committee where it awaits its first hearing. Three Republican lawmakers are cosponsoring the bill. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University announced its 2025 enrollment numbers, and new first-year international enrollment is down more than 35%.

Ohio State has planned to enroll a smaller first-year class for months. However, new international student enrollment declined disproportionately compared to other first-year groups. The decline follows immigration and student visa crackdowns nationwide. See previous coverage of international student difficulties at Ohio State in the video player above.

Ohio State’s total enrollment grew 0.5%, enrolling 67,255 total students and retaining its status as one of the largest universities in the nation. Ohio State planned for a 5%-7% decrease in enrollment after graduating one of its largest classes in May and reducing its first-year students to address capacity concerns following last year’s record-breaking enrollment.

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International enrollment declined about 5%, in line with the expected decrease. However, new first-year international enrollment was down 35.8%, among the smallest of the past 10 years. With 553 new students, international first-year enrollment was second only to fall 2020 during the pandemic.

"Although down from last year’s unusually high enrollment, international enrollment is up from Autumn 2023 and aligns more closely with historical levels," Ohio State spokesperson Chris Booker said. "Also, continuing international students increased this year across undergraduate, graduate and professional students compared to the previous year."

Although the 2025 enrollment numbers align with the past few years, none are similar to pre-pandemic levels. International enrollment in fall of 2024 was the closest OSU has gotten to its previous enrollment levels.

Ohio State’s continuing international student population grew by 4.8% overall, meaning the university saw a nearly 5% increase in how many international students continue to attend Ohio State. However, OSU saw a 20.9% increase in new first-year international students in 2024, so it was predictable that the continuing undergraduate numbers would rise. 

Ohio State spokespeople did not address whether the university thought the decline was related to university, state and federal changes to immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. However, professors predicted policy changes would lead to a decline in international students.

Ohio's Senate Bill 1 became law in late June and bans DEI programs on college campuses. OSU complied before S.B. 1 was signed into law, adhering to federal mandates and sunsetting its diversity offices in late February. Other universities largely did not adhere to the same mandate.

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For years, more than half of Ohio State's international students were from China, and the university has strong recruitment programs there. Senate Bill 1 includes provisions limiting academic partnerships with China, and in June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested revoking Chinese student visas.

"Chinese families and students will most likely consider other countries such as Australia, Canada and U.K. as their study abroad destinations," OSU instructor of Chinese linguistics Zhiguo Xie said in June of Rubio's plan.

Although neither has stopped Chinese students from attending Ohio universities, Ohio State did see a 8.6% drop in Chinese student enrollment. In fall 2025, 337 Chinese students enrolled at OSU. That marks 323 fewer Chinese first year students than in 2025, a nearly 50% decrease.

Ohio State's international students have also faced immigration crackdowns. At least 12 Ohio State students had their visa status revoked in April and were told to leave the country immediately with little explanation. All students' visa status were reinstated. Ohio State said the government does not inform them of visa changes.

Across the university, 68% of OSU's 8,210 new first-year students hail from Ohio. Graduate school enrollment also reached a "record high" of 11,463 students. With a record-high number of applicants, the enrollment numbers reflect an overall planned reduction of class sizes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Step In The Right Direction, a local nonprofit, is starting a new program for families who are pregnant or have a baby at home.

Some families in central Ohio are struggling to care for their babies because of financial, health and emotional constraints. The new program, called Strong Start Support Services, will help break down barriers and support the whole family.

Kayla Davis, executive director of A Step In The Right Direction, said that starting Oct. 7, there will be weekly educational workshops and free hygiene and baby products for participants.

“When you talk about, you know, having healthy babies and having a safe place for them, there's certain things that some people just don't have, which is diapers, wipes, right? Laundry soap to clean the baby's clothes or cleaning supplies to keep the house clean,” Davis said.

Every Tuesday, there will be a workshop at Glenwood United Methodist Church on the west side of Columbus. They’ll focus on multiple topics pertinent to babies and parents, including stress management, eviction prevention, and safe sleep.

“Sharing information and being patient with the families, I think that is the best thing that we can offer them,” workshop instructor and certified community health worker LaQuisa Richardson said. “Support, empowerment, education and a safe spot for baby to sleep.”

Besides hygiene and baby necessities, parents will either get a free car seat or a pack-n-play.

Anyone at least 32 weeks pregnant or with a baby 12 months and under can participate in the program. There are no other stipulations.

“We need this to be open to all zip codes here in Columbus. That way, there's no barrier,” Davis said. “You come and see us, and we'll get you connected.”

Davis and Richardson said the first phase of the program will last through December. But after this west side session, the goal is to move it to other neighborhoods in central Ohio so more people can participate.

“We know that this is a community concern. It's a community crisis," Richardson said. "It has impacted most people or someone they know. We definitely want to keep this program rolling and be able to support families."

The workshops will take place on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., starting on Oct. 7 and running through Dec. 23 at Glenwood United Methodist Church.

There is an online registration for the program, which can be reached by clicking here, but participants can just show up for the workshops. There is no identification required to attend.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's new driver's education law officially went into effect on Tuesday.

Anyone under the age of 21 has to complete a full training program before they can get their license. But the launch of a new state-supported app aims to make part of that process easier, especially for families trying to track those required practice hours. 

The app is called RoadReady Ohio and it's designed to help drivers with learner's permits log the required 50 hours of supervised driving time needed before taking the final driver's license test. 

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"With this app you can track all of those practice hours in the app," Ohio Traffic Safety Office Public Information Officer Judy Converses said. "Keep track of your nighttime versus your daytime driving hours, because with the 50 hours, you have to do 40 daytime and 10 at night. You can get feedback."

Using your phone's sensors, the app tracks key safety behaviors like braking, turning and speeding. It provides a score and suggestions after the drive. Until now, drivers relied on the honor system to track their practice hours. 

"A lot of people, I think, lied about their hours," driving student Jack Beale said. "And so, this can just help people just know how many they have exactly."

Like thousands of teens across Ohio, Beale, 17, is working toward his driver's license. He just downloaded the app to make the process easier. 

"I think it is going to benefit me like knowing what I'm doing wrong or what I'm doing right and like just keeping me consistent with driving," Beale said. "And I think it also can benefit parents."

The app is part of Ohio's newest push to reduce crashes among young drivers. In 2024, drivers under the age of 24 accounted for more than 7,000 crashes in Franklin County. That's the second highest in the state. 

"We know that when young drivers complete driver training, their crash risk is significantly lower," Converse said. "Driver training is beneficial for everybody."

The new law now applies to first-time drivers up to the age of 20. Until now, drivers 18 and older didn't have to take any training before testing for a license. 

According to David Berk, owner of Faith Driving School in Hilliard, the app doesn't replace in-person instruction, but it could be a useful co-pilot. 

"Anything that makes it more comfortable for the parents to get in the car and teach with their kids, that's really important," Berk said. 

The RoadReady Ohio app is available in other states, but Ohio is the first state to incorporate telematics features that analyze drivers' actions and provide feedback and driving tips. 

Once all 50 mandated practice hours are complete, the app can also sync with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles database to generate the required affidavit and driving log attesting that the practice took place.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Mark “The Hammer” Coleman is nothing short of a pioneer when it comes to mixed martial arts in the United States.

The Ohio native set himself apart from others in multiple organizations, including PRIDE and UFC, with strong wrestling and aggressive ground-and-pound attacks.

Before entering the fight game, Coleman made a name for himself in Columbus, wrestling at Ohio State University.

Coleman's time in the ring is a key part of a new sports bio-drama called "The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne Johnson as mixed martial artist Mark Kerr, who is from Toledo and is a friend and workout partner of Coleman’s. Both men were there as the red carpet was rolled out for the Hollywood premiere.

It's the second time in six months that part of Coleman’s life is unfolding in a film.

Coleman is spending time this week with the rich and famous as his life as an MMA fighter hits the big screen.

“Man, it was so emotional for me to watch,” Coleman said. “I cried a bunch of times. I was so impressed with the Rock, he had to play my good friend Mark Kerr.”

In “The Smashing Machine,” Coleman is played by MMA fighter Ryan Bader.

“He looks a little bit like me, I guess,” Coleman said. “Not quite as ripped... I'm just kidding.”

Just months ago, Coleman shared a different story on screen: his account of surviving years of sexual assault by former Ohio State University doctor Richard Strauss is part of the HBO MAX documentary "Surviving Ohio State."

Coleman and teammate Mike DeSabato were the first to go public with the story that touched off a massive investigation and an eight-year legal battle.  At first, no one believed this MMA champion could be a victim..

“Well, it was it was worse than that, because we got laughed at, me and Mike, laughed and we got called liars, money hungry,” Coleman said.

The sexual abuse at Ohio State is likely one reason Coleman shares another piece of history with Kerr – both battled MMA greats inside the ring and drugs and alcohol outside.

“You know, I got four and a half years sober,” Coleman said. “I found peace and God guides me. I just go with it. I accept things. It's, you know, I love Ohio State, but I'm very disappointed by the way they handled this whole situation. It's, to me, it's kind of embarrassing and I feel like they should be ashamed of themselves the way they've handled this whole thing. It's disappointing.”

“The Smashing Machine” premiered in Hollywood, but debuted at the Toronto Film Festival. “Surviving Ohio State” premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York before premiering on HBO.

When asked if he was proud how where he is now in his life, Coleman said, “Yes, I'm very proud, and I'm also proud that I had courage to come out and start this whole thing. It took a lot of courage for me to do it. I'm glad I did now, because I get pleasure and knowing that I'm helping a lot of people, while I'm not ashamed of nothing.”

After his interview, in a message, Coleman said he is disappointed that Ohio State chose to bring back former president Gordon Gee, given he was in charge when, in Coleman’s words, “The university covered up the crimes of this evil doctor, and to add insult to injury,” he said “Gee and current president Ted Carter have said publicly they have not watched ‘Surviving Ohio State,’” which Coleman said is “embarrassing.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Leaders of Equality Ohio, a nonprofit created in the aftermath of Ohio's 2004 same-sex marriage ban, joined NBC4's LGBTQ+ show "Out in Ohio" to mark the organization's 20th anniversary and explain why its work may be more urgent than ever.

Digital Reporter David Rees, host of "Out in Ohio," spoke with Equality Ohio executive director Dwayne Steward, director of development Kieran Robertson and founding organizer Tom Grote. The three shared reflections on the organization's mission, what it's accomplished over the last two decades and what lies ahead, especially as national conversations reemerge about the future of marriage equality.

Steward, who joined Equality Ohio in 2023, said the organization was created out of "a very difficult moment" after the 2004 vote to ban same-sex marriage in the state.

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"A lot of people were terrified or upset after that," Steward said. "Equality Ohio was formed to kind of fight back."

Originally focused on marriage rights, the group's mission has expanded to include legal advocacy, lobbying against "anti-LGBTQ+" legislation at the Statehouse and helping pass nondiscrimination ordinances at the local level. Steward said one of the organization's biggest milestones in recent years it is statewide legal clinic, which as served more than 1,000 LGBTQ+ families.

"We've launched a legal to make sure they have protections on an individual level," he said. "We're also at the Statehouse, working with legislators to try to keep anti-LGBTQ+ laws from being passed."

Steward added that while the group was once able to hold the line against "anti-LGBTQ+" bills in Ohio, recent years have brought a shift, including laws restricting gender transition treatment for youth and renewed speculation about the future of marriage equality at the federal level.

"We have to continue to fight," he said. "Our role at Equality Ohio is really to organize and make sure that people remain protected, that we are continuing to make sure that no matter what happens at the federal level, the people of Ohio still are able to move forward and still have the protections for their families and for their unions."

Looking ahead, Steward teased a forthcoming strategic plan set to launch in 2026: a "roadmap back to equality," he said, centered around local, state and legal advocacy.

"I think we have more opportunities than we think," he said. "I really hope that we're at a place where we flip this state back to equality, and that Ohio becomes a place where everyone belongs."

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Equality Ohio's 20th anniversary will be marked with an event on Oct. 17 in Columbus: the group's annual "Advocates and Allies" celebration. This year, the theme is "Celebrating Our Past, Reclaiming Our Future."

Director of development Kieran Robertson said the event is a chance to reflect on two decades of advocacy and to rally supporters for the next chapter. The event will also feature an afterparty hosted by Columbus performer Anisa Love, complete with a birthday cake. But, Robertson emphasized that the event is more than just a celebration.

"The narrative of hopelessness and fear is a dangerous one," they said. "By celebrating organizations like ours, we see that we have a proactive path forward. We're doing something, we have power together."

Robertson added that the dual purpose of the event, celebration and resistance, reflects a long tradition in LGBTQ+ movements.

"I've been thinking a lot about a quote from the times of the AIDS crisis, about 'Burying your friends in the morning, protesting in the afternoon and dancing all night,'" they said. "The point of the dancing was to remember what you're fighting for."

Robertson encourages Ohioans to get involved, not just by attending the celebration, but by organizing locally, calling lawmakers and joining Equality Ohio's monthly donor network, Defenders of Equality.

"It's time to dig in," they said. "We have proactive plans moving forward, but this isn't going to be something that we completely conquer in our 20th anniversary year."

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Found organizer Tom Grote said Equality Ohio was born out of frustration, but also hope.

"Many of us got together in the basement of the King Avenue United Methodist church here in Columbus," he said. "We were trying to figure out what to do. That's where Equality Ohio was born."

A decade later, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of marriage equality in Obergefell v. Hodges, a victory Grote said felt unimaginable back in 2005.

"We were dreaming about what could be," he said. "But, we would have never dreamt that only 10 years later, we'd have marriage equality in the state."

Now, 10 years after that ruling, Grote said he's troubled by signals that the Supreme Court may revisit marriage equality.

"It's hard to believe ... that marriage could be up for debate again," he said. "But we have to remember that our lives matters and we deserve those rights, and we can't just rest on our laurels here, we have to stand up, we have to come together."

Grote, who is married with two daughters, said his family, and many others in Ohio, depend on the legal protections that come with marriage.

"When Obergefell became the law of the land, we went straight to the courthouse," he said. "My husband and I, we co-adopted our children. That's what it did for us. It made us. It made the ability for us to have healthcare benefits and secure our children's lives. That ain't going away, folks."

Looking to the next five years, Grote said he hopes Equality Ohio continues to fight for marriage equality, but that he's "most concerned about our trans community."

"We need to be great allies to our trans community," he said. "What I'd like to see in five years is our trans folk, the trans Ohioans, feel safe in Ohio and be able to get the services and support that they deserve."

NBC4's "Out in Ohio" amplifies the voices, stories, and work of Ohio's LGBTQ+ community. Watch this and future episodes on NBC4i.com and the "NBC4 Columbus" streaming app on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Hundreds of people from across central Ohio gathered for the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission's annual summit on sustainability.

This year's theme is "Local Roots, Lasting Impact." Leaders said they want to highlight how planting seeds can lead to long-term change.

Attendees had the chance to attend more than a dozen breakout sessions. Topics included trail design, air, energy and housing.

Leaders said the big focus though at this year's summit is water.

"I think everybody knows the region's growing," Executive Director William Murdock said. "As we grow bigger, we want to grow better. And water is an important part. Today we're focused on making sure we're not taking that for granted."

"We want to hear from a wide variety of voices, have everyone around the table as we are looking to these exciting times of growth and opportunity here in central Ohio," Chief Regional Planning Officer Jessica Kuenzli said.

The summit featured organizations from all across central Ohio. Leaders said they hope people leave feeling inspired to create change in their community.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite a constitutionally set deadline, the Ohio General Assembly has not adopted a plan for a new congressional map.

A Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting held its second of two public hearings on Tuesday. It lasted about three hours, and lawmakers are no closer to a new congressional map than they were after the first hearing.

“It’s hard to play any kind of a game of cards with someone,” Senate minority leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said. “At some point, you have to show your cards. We have not seen theirs yet.”

All about new laws taking effect today in Ohio

Democrats have shared a proposal that would create eight Republican-leaning districts and seven Democratic-leaning districts. Currently, 10 of Ohio's seats in the House of Representatives are Republican, five Democrat. State Republicans have not shared a proposal for a new congressional map.

“There’s not a map that I know of,” Ohio Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) said. “We’re conducting hearings as we’re required to do and that’s where we’re at right now.”

Tuesday was the deadline set by the state constitution for the general assembly to adopt a plan for a map. Republicans on the joint committee said there is still time for a bipartisan agreement. 

“It’s still early,” Bird said. “We’ve got time, and it's still early. I know everybody wanted something done by today, but we’ve still got a couple of months and we’ve still got time to keep talking and listening.”

Antonio questioned if, given there is not a Republican map proposal yet, if they're taking the process seriously.

After long approval process, Sheetz launches first location in Gahanna

“Today is the deadline to have a bipartisan agreement, so that tells us if they don't have a map, they never intended to follow through on the direction of the people through the constitution to have a map today or before today that we could agree on," Antonio said.

Creating a new congressional map is now in the hands of the Ohio Redistricting Commission. It has until Oct. 31 to adopt a plan for a map with a bipartisan vote. If that does not happen, the task goes back to the general assembly, where, at that point, only a simple majority would be needed to adopt the district map.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus firefighters turned a tough moment for an elementary school student into a heartwarming one.

Hawthorne Elementary student Mohamed Ali broke his arm while playing at recess.

During the ride to the hospital, firefighter Tony Cupe told him he would get a cool cast, but Ali said he didn't have anyone who could sign it.

That's when Cupe and his crew members at Station 6 surprised the boy at recess -- all of them signing his cast.

Ali was happy -- but matter of fact -- when he spoke to NBC4.

Ali said he was shy about asking classmates to sign his cast because he's a new student at the school.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Council is renewing a contract with researchers aimed at reducing group violence and increasing trust in the police.

That contract with the National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College will cost the city about $105,000.

Council leaders said the money will go toward strategic advising, site visits to Columbus, collaborative learning opportunities, and more. They said the goal is to keep growing the city’s data-driven approach that seems to be working in fighting crime. 

Columbus has been working with the researchers at the National Network for Safe Communities since 2020 and believe it has helped.

“These people eat, breathe and sleep this type of work, and so they are the experts, and so I want to make sure that we're dealing with the very best in the business in order to employ those strategies here in Columbus,” Columbus City Councilmember Emmanuel Remy said. “Our residents deserve that and that's exactly the reason we're supporting this.”

The network's mission is to create safer communities by providing evidence-based violence reduction strategies. According to its website, the network has also worked with cities like Chicago, Detroit and New Orleans. 

Researchers will meet with city stakeholders, including council, the mayor, the city’s office of violence prevention, police leaders, and community partners to create strategies unique to Columbus. 

“We've seen a significant drop in this type of violence and so we're excited, excited that the work has been effective,” Remy said. "But obviously, there's more work to do. So any amount of crime that involves group violence, in this particular case, is too many, is too much and so we're just looking forward to new strategies and new ideas and ways that we can continue to combat any type of group violence with this ordinance.”

Remy is interested to hear what those strategies are, where the city is experiencing gaps, and the resources needed to fill those gaps.

According to Columbus police data, the city’s homicide rate is the lowest it's been in more than a decade.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One of two identified suspects from a 2023 north Columbus homicide has been arrested.

According to a criminal complaint, 21-year-old Dontae Conley Jr. was arrested Monday, nearly three years after a man was killed at an apartment in the Riverview neighborhood near Olentangy River Road.

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On Jan. 9, 2023, Columbus police were called to the 500 block of Riverview Dr. and found 40-year-old Juan Pablo Aleman shot dead at around 10:15 a.m. At the time police did not have any leads into the case or suspect information.

An investigation revealed that video shows four female individuals running from the apartment building two days prior, at around 7:34 p.m. Two of women have been identified and charged with murder, though police have not released the names of the suspects.

One of the suspects identified Conley Jr. as the person who provided the gun and assisted them in allegedly robbing Aleman. Police said Conley's cell phone places him near the scene at the time of the shooting. For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

Conley is facing one count of murder and was issued a $2 million bond in Franklin County Municipal Court Tuesday morning. He is next scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 9.

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – After a “long” and “contentious” road filled with multiple rejections from Gahanna’s planning commission and pushback from residents, Sheetz has officially opened in the city. 

The convenience store and gas station began welcoming customers at 495 Crescent Place, in southern Gahanna off Tech Center Drive, on Tuesday at 9 a.m. The new Sheetz location brings the brand to nearly 30 stores in the Columbus area, according to a news release. 

In July 2024, Gahanna’s planning commission gave the green light to a proposal by Skilken Gold, a Columbus-based real estate company, to build the Sheetz on an undeveloped 2.9-acre property. The approval came after the commission shut down two of the company’s previous attempts to bring a Sheetz to the city, including rejecting plans for a store between Johnstown Road and Morse Road in March 2023 and another at 230 Granville St. in April 2024. See NBC4's previous coverage in the video player above.

The first two proposals received immense criticism from residents on social media, who pointed to FBI statistics demonstrating how gas stations are high on the list of likely locations for violent crime and cited concerns about increased traffic. The Granville Street plan also specifically faced criticism about its proximity to Shull Park.

“Shull Park bustles with children coming to and leaving athletic games,” former Gahanna mayor Jim McGregor wrote on Facebook last year. “Bicycles, foot traffic and cars hurry about the grounds. Present adjacent business activities are busy at lunch and after work, but generally quiescent at other times. A fuel station draws a constant turbulence of traffic. This is incompatible with the safety of the children.”

However, there was little pushback online about the third proposal, which ultimately came to fruition, commission member Michael Tamarkin said after the panel approved the project. During the July 2024 meeting, Chairman James Mako thanked Sheetz for working through a “long” and “contentious” road to find a location for the gas station. 

To celebrate the grand opening in Gahanna, Sheetz is offering free self-serve coffee and soda all day Tuesday. The company also announced it will donate $2,500 to Gahanna Residents in Need, a food bank for the Gahanna-Jefferson School District, as well as $2,500 to Special Olympics of Ohio, according to a news release.

The new Sheetz in Gahanna offers a drive-thru for picking up its made-to-order food and drinks, as well as six fuel pumps covered by a canopy.  

Established in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in 1952, Sheetz operates over 800 locations throughout Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina. All Sheetz stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- No. 1 Ohio State has won each of its last three games by multiple touchdowns, but its next opponent likes to pile up the points for itself.

The Buckeyes (4-0) play unranked Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The game from Ohio Stadium will air on NBC4, and coach Ryan Day will address it at noon on Tuesday. You can watch Day live in the video player above.

The Golden Gophers (3-1) average 33.5 points on offense, enough to rank in the top 50 nationally. But that total is below than the Buckeyes' opponent from last week, Washington, which averages 43.2, and the Ohio State rolled to a 24-6 win on the road in the that game.

CJ Donaldson had touchdowns rushing and receiving against the Huskies, and Jeremiah Smith caught eight passes for 81 yards. Julian Sayin was 22-of-28 passing for 208 yards.

After playing Minnesota, Ohio State's next game is at No. 22 Illinois.