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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- City leaders are sitting down to answer questions about an almost $2 billion ballot issue in November.

Columbus voters will be asked to vote on the largest bond package in city history. If passed, it will fund many projects across the city, including affordable housing, public safety and neighborhood development.

A bond package allows city leaders to use this money without raising taxes. The city borrows this money and repays it over time.

On Wednesday, Mayor Andrew Ginther and councilmember Nick Bankston spoke about this package to help voters further understand what is at stake.

"This is a critically important period in our city's history," Ginther said. "We know we're going to continue to grow. So we have this moment, we have this time. And even with all the chaos and craziness at the federal and state level, this is a chance for us to invest in ourselves, control our own destiny, create jobs, invest in infrastructure, without raising taxes."

Ginther said he knows it's a big sum of money but said he hopes to continue educating people that it won't raise their taxes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Division of Police is continuing a partnership with the National Insurance Crime Bureau to address fraud and other crimes related to insurance. 

“If you think about all of the things that insurance is involved with, it's a pretty wide span of investigations," Columbus Assistant Police Chief Greg Bodker said.

The NICB is donating as many as six vehicles to the department. The NICB has been helping the division in this way since 2015, according to Bodker. The vehicles won't become traditional police cruisers; they are regular cars that detectives could use to investigate any crimes connected to insurance. 

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“Could be our intelligence analysts have identified an area they believe there are going to be motor vehicle thefts, and they might utilize those cars to be in that area when those motor vehicle thefts are attempted," Bodker said.

Examples of crimes the cars can be used to help prevent or investigate include car break-ins, car thefts, and fraud, according to Bodker.

“We work together really to investigate fraud, sharing intelligence, investigation information, ultimately to protect our insurers and protect consumers to fight fraud," John Sokit, Nationwide's associate vice president of Recovery and Special Investigations, said.

The vehicles have been reclaimed by Nationwide Insurance, then donated to the police department through the NICB. Bodker said every vehicle can make a difference.

“Any one vehicle certainly helps us to further investigations and provides us the ability to really scale investigative units," he said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- For some people in Ohio, a gameday in Ohio Stadium is just a ritual event. 

For many others, it's a life goal.

Tickets are expensive. Parking is expensive. Even some of the most hardcore Buckeye fans have never set foot in Ohio Stadium for an actual game. 

"This experience will make you be a Buckeye forever,” said Nate Evans, a life-long Buckeye fan who saw his first game in the stadium in 2001. 

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Every gameday at Ohio Stadium is somebody's first game. For Ohio State's home game against Grambling State on Sept. 6, ticket prices were the cheapest listed prices for the entire season. Many season ticket holders were willing to part with their seats, and they found thousands of interested fans eager to take their place. 

Just outside the rotunda of the stadium, Kane McCarrick and his dad had just finished watching the Buckeye players walk into the stadium. Kane, a 13-year-old from St. Louis, adopted his Ohio State fandom from his dad.

"We got two tickets last minute, really good seats, too,” he said.

Kane, like many young people in the crowd, was eagerly anticipating his first-ever gameday.

"It's freaking huge as I see it up close. It's just kind of crazy to me,” he said. 

Mike Rusk and his son, Hudson, drove in from Belpre for Hudson's first-ever game. 

"I'm a pretty big fan. I've been a fan for as long as he's showed me,” Hudson Rusk said.

The Rusks watch every game together at home. 

"I can't wait to see him watch the band come in... Script Ohio,” Mike Rusk said. “I just kind of like getting him caught up on everything we've seen on TV together, but not in person.”

Also outside the rotunda was a woman named Rose Reinecke. She proudly wore her Ohio State t-shirt and a pink, flower-themed visor. Rose is a 73-year-old retired nurse from Norwalk. 

"I want to see a win, I want to see the band,” she said. 

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Reinecke has been a Buckeye fan most of her life, but had never stepped on OSU's campus until that day. Her neighbors brought her along so she could check an in-person game off of her to-do list. 

"It would be in comparison to when I went to New York City for the first time and saw the Statue of Liberty and just cried like a baby,” she said. "This is heritage. This is tradition. This is, you know, history in the making every week."

The McCarricks had seats in 18A, while the Evans family took the covered approach in 12B. Nate says he used the crowd and the pillars which can block the view in B-deck as teaching moments for his three sons, including 7-year-old Tuff Evans.

"There's always going to be somebody in front of you unless you're in the very front, so he's got to learn to bob and stand and weave,” Nate Evans said.

The Rusks posted up in 23A, with a clear view of Ohio State's offensive line warmups. Hudson plays offensive line at his school.

"They kind of impressed me because my coach always tells us how to do it and they did it perfectly,” Hudson Rusk said.

And in 23C, Reinecke got her wish: to see the Best Damn Band In The Land with her own eyes. 

"I could see perfectly,” she said. “I don't need binoculars or anything, and I thought about bringing them.”

Reinecke also took in the sheer size of the building, which holds more than 107,000 people. "The enormity of it... I didn't think it would go up that high. It's just so large.”

And as the Buckeye team took the field for the game, music screeched from the stadium speakers and pyrotechnics launched fire into the sky. It was a moment Mike Rusk said it was hard for his son to hide his joy.

"Lit up like the 4th of July. I'm just so excited for him to be here,” he said. 

Reinecke agreed.

"It's just a joy come true,” she said. “It's a dream come true."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A local economist predicts Ohio will see less of an impact than other states from the government shutdown. 

Ben Ayers, a senior economist with Nationwide, said the biggest impact will be on federal workers. He said there are around 83,000 federal workers in Ohio, about 15,000 in Columbus. 

“So you're talking about impacts on some of the areas that were tied to that work that the federal workers are doing now,” Ayers said. “Those workers are on leave, they're on furlough, and they're not going to be working. So some of those activities, projects might start to shut down, at least temporarily.”

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However, some local organizations are staying alert to help those in need. 

“We'll see how long the shutdown goes and what it means for Central Ohio families,” Mid-Ohio Food Collective Senior Vice President of Communications Mike Hochron said.

Hochron said the collective is already facing high demand, adding that the service numbers are currently 58 percent higher than during peak need in the pandemic. He said the collective expects that number to grow with the shutdown.

“When you look at the many thousands of families in central and eastern Ohio who are federal employees, work for federal contractors, those are folks who don't know yet whether they may have a disruption in their paychecks, and a lot of hardworking people are just one paycheck away from needing help to meet all their basic needs,” Hochron said.

He said they have a long-standing system in place to be able to provide in times like this, but the longer the shutdown, the more complicated it gets.

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“It's too early to speculate on what the future might hold,” Hochron said. “We're hopeful that, you know, it's not a long shutdown and, you know, there's minimal disruption in people's lives.”

Ayers believes the shutdown will be short-lived.

“It's a pretty small impact from a broad economic perspective, but each week this goes on, that impact builds and you're talking about pulling away growth, going-away activity impacting people's livelihoods,” Ayers said.

We’ve reached out to some of the federal workers in central Ohio.

A spokesperson for the federal courts said, “All judicial operations will continue through Friday, October 17, by using court fees and other available balances.

“Should fees and balances be exhausted before Congress enacts a continuing resolution or full-year funding, the judiciary would then operate under the terms of the Anti-Deficiency Act. Federal courts would continue operating but would be limited to activities needed to support the exercise of the judiciary’s constitutional functions and to address emergency circumstances.”

A spokesperson for the Defense Logistics Agency in Whitehall said 99 percent of employees are not affected by the shutdown. She said they are funded through the Defense Working Capital Fund. However, some smaller organizations and DSCC tenants funded through direct appropriations may have been impacted and would’ve received furlough notices.

Gahanna considers developer for Creekside project adding housing, restaurants

“We typically see is that activity picks back up later. So it's a very short-term temporary impact," Ayers said.

Hochron said the food collective does not rely too much on federal funding, but rather on community partners, so they aren’t too concerned about keeping up operations.

“No matter how long the shutdown lasts, we're going to be here for our local community. And we're going to rely on our community to help make sure that nobody goes hungry,” Hochron said.

He said donations are helpful in this time of high need. He said more information on how to donate is on their website.

GALENA, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Delaware County man is among the victims killed during a mass shooting at a North Carolina waterfront bar this past weekend.

According to a statement from the City of Southport, North Carolina, Michael Durbin, 56, of Galena, was one of three people killed in the Saturday night shooting at the American Fish Company.

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Southport police said one man on a boat opened fire into the bar, killing three and wounding five others. The man, later identified as 40-year-old Nigel Max Edge, then fled the scene in the boat; he was arrested a few miles south of the bar.

Edge has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted first-degree murder, and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, inflicting serious injuries.

In addition to Durbin, Solomon Banjo, 36, of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Joy Rogers, 64, of Southport, were killed in the shooting, which police have described as "highly premeditated" and "targeted."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Senate successfully voted to override one of Gov. Mike DeWine's line-item budget vetoes, eliminating some levy options for schools in hopes of providing property tax relief.

While signing Ohio's two-year budget this summer, DeWine vetoed 67 provisions, including new restrictions on property tax levies. The House reconvened over the summer and successfully voted to override the property tax levy restrictions, and on Wednesday afternoon, the Senate followed suit. With a 21-11 vote, Ohio will no longer allow schools to place some levies on the ballot. See previous coverage of the House vote in the video player above.

School districts and political subdivisions can no longer levy replacement levies, and schools can no longer levy fixed-sum emergency, substitute emergency and combined income tax and fixed-sum levies. All of these levies involve property taxes, and schools typically use them to fund day-to-day operations, like salaries or key services.

• Fixed-sum emergency levy: An emergency levy that generates a set amount of money every year, as some levies fluctuate.
• Substitute emergency levy: Substitutes an existing emergency levy, typically when new properties have been added to the tax base.
• Combined school district income tax and fixed-sum property tax levy: Allows districts to combine two levy types, an income tax levy and a levy that generates a set amount of money annually, as one issue.

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Replacement and emergency levies both came under fire for what some lawmakers believed to be confusing language. On Tuesday, Ohio's property tax reform group similarly recommended adjusting replacement and emergency levies out of similar concerns, although they had recommended allowing emergency levies during true fiscal concerns.

However, school districts and DeWine worried these levies are important revenue sources. Opponents also feared removing these levy types may not provide meaningful relief for taxpayers.

The move just barely passed the Senate, which needed 20 votes in favor to concur the House vote. The law involves all emergency and replacement levies introduced after Jan. 1, 2026, so replacement and emergency levies on the ballot in November will still be valid.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A judge tossed a class action lawsuit against the City of Columbus over a 2024 cyberattack, ruling that the city is not liable because it is a political subdivision protected under Ohio law.

NBC4 Investigates revealed that the private, sensitive information of half a million people was leaked on the dark web as a result of the attack, despite the mayor’s claim that the data lacked value.

The city argued that it was not at fault for the attack and asked for the suit to be dismissed. The plaintiffs argued the city owes a duty of care to protect personally identifiable information because it is collected and stored. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

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Judge Carl A. Aveni ruled that the plaintiffs showed evidence of injury and that the injuries are traceable to the city's actions. However, he agreed with the city's argument that its IT infrastructure falls under "governmental functions" and therefore the city is immune from liability under Ohio's Political Subdivision Tort Liability Act.

"The Court does not reach its conclusion in this matter lightly," Aveni wrote. "Plaintiffs have allegedly suffered meaningful harm, through no fault of their own. Were the Defendant a private actor, instead of a political subdivision, Plaintiffs' tort claims would almost certainly survive a motion to dismiss, allowing them to test their suit, shoulder their burden of proof, and seek whatever redress their evidence and the law might allow. All of that is thwarted here."

The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.

"We are pleased that Judge Aveni agrees with the city's position that in today's world, maintaining IT services is as fundamental a city service as shoveling snow or filling potholes," the city said in a statement. "We remain firm in our belief that the City of Columbus and its leaders have acted to protect Columbus residents and the city's technology systems, and that any harm resulting from this incident lies with the Rhysida threat actors who sought to profit from attacking our city and our residents."

A spokesperson for one of the plaintiffs said they plan to appeal the ruling.

NBC4 Investigates found confidential information about undercover officers and criminal cases on the dark web after the cyberattack.

"While we are disappointed with the ruling, we respect the judge and look forward to appeal process," said Brian Steel, president of the local lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – Gahanna has tapped a developer for a $100 million overhaul of its Creekside District that could add housing, restaurants, a hotel and more along Mill and North High streets.

During a Sept. 22 committee meeting, Gahanna City Council considered a development agreement with the Columbus-based companies Connect Real Estate and Benson Capital, a private investment firm.

The ordinance will have its first reading on Oct. 6 and be discussed further at another meeting on Oct. 13, a councilmember said at the Sept. 22 meeting. If approved, the partnership would pave the way for a two-phased redevelopment of nearby vacant properties. 

In the first phase, developers would buy 10 properties, located on both the west and east sides of Mill Street between Carpenter Road and Walnut Street, from the Gahanna Community Improvement Corporation, a nonprofit group that is also part of the agreement.

After demolishing these structures, developers would construct two seven-story buildings on either side of Mill Street that would collectively consist of 263 apartments, a 55- to 70-room hotel, two restaurants, including one on a rooftop and a parking garage. The two buildings would be connected by a pedestrian bridge, and the ground floors would offer retail and office space, according to city documents. 

• A conceptual, unofficial rending of the redevelopment of Gahanna's Creekside district. (Photo courtesy/City of Gahanna)
• A conceptual, unofficial rending of the redevelopment of Gahanna's Creekside district. (Photo courtesy/City of Gahanna)
• (Photo courtesy/City of Gahanna)

In phase two, developers would build 24 townhome units on three parcels, located north of Town Street and south of Walnut Street, that currently make up a city-owned parking lot. Each unit would have first-floor parking and a private patio. 

"This catalytic mixed-use concept will bring much-needed vibrancy to the area by redeveloping blighted and vacant properties, adding more residents, visitors, foot traffic and commercial spaces to financially support the businesses in Creekside," Gahanna Economic Development Director Jeff Gottke wrote in a letter to City Council.

Phase one of the project would be completed no later than three years after receiving the necessary governmental and financing approvals. The construction of phase two would begin after the first phase is finished. 

Under the agreement, Connect Real Estate would also construct a multipath extension to Carpenter Road and add a public art installation in Lintner Park. The company also agreed to financially support community organizations and create internships for local high school students, city documents say. 

The two-phase plan is a result of multiple years of work by the city and the CIC to redevelop the Creekside District. In 2022, the CIC began acquiring the properties with the intention of supporting a large mixed-use development. 

In a separate, parallel project, the city has been considering revitalizing its Creekside Plaza, located at 117 Mill St., by installing an amphitheater, splash pad and other amenities. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A new Mediterranean restaurant from a local chef is set to open in the Columbus riverfront space once home to Milestone 229, nearly a year after the long-standing eatery closed its doors.

Restauranteur Josh Dalton, known for concepts including Veritas, Speck Italian Eatery and 1808 American Bistro, is bringing a new dining experience to 229 S. Civic Center Drive in Bicentennial Park, next to the Scioto Mile Fountain. The yet-to-be-named restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026, ahead of the scheduled summer reopening of the fountain.

• The yet-to-be-named Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026. (Courtesy Photo/Sketch Blue)
• The yet-to-be-named Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026. (Courtesy Photo/Sketch Blue)
• The yet-to-be-named Mediterranean restaurant is expected to open in spring 2026. (Courtesy Photo/Sketch Blue)

The new concept will feature cuisine inspired by coastal regions from Barcelona to Lebanon. The menu will include small plates, dips and spreads, Mediterranean-style handhelds and reimagined entrees, along with desserts and a curated beverage menu, a press release said. Dalton also plants to offer drinks designed to be enjoyed within the City Center designated outdoor refreshment area.

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The restaurant's interior will seat nearly 100 guests, with additional lounge and patio seating available during warmer months.

Milestone 229, which operated in the same location for 14 years, closed at the end of 2024 after the restaurant and the city were unable to reach new lease terms. Known for its skyline views and American fare menu, Milestone was a popular spot for celebrations and casual dining along the Scioto Mile. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Milestone's closure in the video player above.

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)

Three games to watch in Week 6

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.