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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Democrat Rep. Allison Russo announced on Thursday she is mounting a bid to be Ohio's next secretary of state.

Russo's announcement comes after she stepped down in June from a three-year stint as the Ohio House minority leader. In an interview with NBC4, Russo said she's running to restore faith at the ballot box, citing Republican attacks against the integrity of elections and President Donald Trump's recent plan to eliminate mail-in voting. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Russo in the video player above.

"We certainly, here in the state of Ohio, have seen an attack on people's right to vote. An attack on the transparency of what is appearing before them in the ballot box," said Russo. "The intent is to discourage voting. ...I firmly believe that voting is a right, its not a privilege, and that we need to do all that we can to ensure that people who are eligible to vote have full access to the ballot."

‘Go woke, you go broke:’ Ohio faith leaders urge Kroger to abandon LGBTQ+ policies

In 2026, Russo will face off against Cincinnati doctor Bryan Hambley, who launched his campaign in January, for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state. On the Republican side, Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague is running after he launched a gubernatorial bid, but later dropped out to endorse billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy.

Current Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican who unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate in 2024, is term limited and is now running for state auditor.

Russo was first elected to the Ohio House in 2018 when she flipped a Republican Upper Arlington district. While she previously ran for U.S. Congress against Republican Rep. Mike Carey, this campaign marks the Democrat's first bid for a statewide office. As the former House minority leader, Russo noted she's worked for candidates in nearly all 88 Ohio counties.

"Number one, I'm pro voter and number two, I'm going to take partisanship out of the secretary of state's office," said Russo. "Voters want to trust that their vote matters and that their voice matters and, unfortunately, what we've seen in the last eight years even more is that this office has not inspired that and it can be done better, and I'm committed to making that better."

Russo's bid follows fellow Democrat Sherrod Brown's announcement that he will run for the U.S. Senate in 2026 against Republican Sen. Jon Husted. Brown was also said to be considering a run for governor. His decision clears the way for other Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls, including former department of health director Amy Acton and possibly former U.S. congressman Tim Ryan.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a man wanted in connection with the death of a two-year-old boy in 2020.

According to court documents, 25-year-old Dioblis Williams has been charged with murder, five years after he was reportedly babysitting for his girlfriend’s son, Jamir Jones, who died on March 25, 2020.

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Williams reportedly called police, who found Jones unresponsive at an apartment on Holt Avenue in North Central Columbus. Jonas was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Police said that he told officers that while he was babysitting, the boy “pooped” in his pull up and that he placed the child in the bathtub unsupervised. Several minutes later, the boy was found unconscious.

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A criminal complaint notes that during an autopsy it was determined that Jones did not drown, but that he sustained blunt force trauma to his abdomen and multiple internal injuries, as well as bruising around his head and neck.

A warrant was issued on Tuesday and Williams remains wanted by the police. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — This weekend in central Ohio offers the community a massive lineup packed with more than a dozen events, headlined by the Columbus Air Show.

In addition, Columbus Navy Week features activities that recognize the U.S. Navy's 250th birthday. Events range from educational programs and fitness competitions to special activities at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. The week will culminate at Rickenbacker International Airport with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels showcasing their precision flight demonstrations at the air show.

Plus, sports fans can catch the Columbus Clippers or cheer on the Crew, while comedy lovers can catch Nate Bargatze's Big Dumb Eyes World Tour at the Schottenstein Center or see the Ladies & Tangents Podcast live show at Lincoln Theatre.

Families can enjoy outdoor movie nights, cultural festivals, or a day at Bark Bash with their four-legged companions. Whether people are interested in live music, community runs, or international food and art, this weekend offers multiple ways to get out and enjoy the weekend.

Columbus Navy Week

Various locations, through Aug. 24
• The U.S. Navy is bringing Navy Week to Columbus through Sunday, Aug. 24. As part of an outreach effort, the event will connect Sailors with the community through performances, educational events, and service projects. The events will lead into the Columbus Air Show Aug. 22-24 at Rickenbacker International Airport, featuring the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. This year’s Navy Week coincides with the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday.
• Join Sailors at one of the many Navy Week events:
Aug. 21-23, 12 p.m.: Age-Group CrossFit Games at Greater Columbus Convention Center
Aug. 22-24, 8 a.m.: Columbus Air Show featuring the Blue Angels
Aug. 22, 6 p.m.: An Evening with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Aug. 23, 12 p.m.: Columbus ArborFest
Aug. 23, 4 p.m.: CAP City Festivals
Aug. 23, 7 p.m.: Columbus Crew MLS Game

Columbus Clippers vs. Omaha Storm Chasers

Huntington Park, through Aug. 24
• The Columbus Clippers will play the Omaha Storm Chasers at Huntington Park. Admission
is $6 to $21.
• Game Times:
Aug. 21, 12:05 p.m.
Aug. 22, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 23, 7:05 p.m.
Aug. 24, 1:05 p.m.

Huntington Park, Adobe Stock Wonderlick, featuring Tim and Jay from Too Much Joy

Natalie's Grandview, Aug. 21, doors open at 5 p.m.
• An intimate acoustic performance featuring songs, stories, and a Q&A. A free Thursday Happening Hour show, reservations are strongly encouraged. 

Columbus Air Show

Rickenbacker International Airport, Aug. 22 through Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The 2025 Columbus Air Show promises a weekend filled with thrilling aerial performances and family-friendly activities. Attendees will have the opportunity to get an up-close look at both the aircraft and the pilots. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline an impressive lineup featuring military jet demonstrations, vintage military aircraft, and stunning civilian performances. Adult tickets start at $65 and children 15 and under can enjoy free general admission when accompanied by an adult with a GA ticket.

U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Photo Courtesy/Columbus Air Show Summer Movie Nights at Topiary Park: 'The Goonies'

Topiary Park, Aug. 22, Food truck opens at 7:30 p.m. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. 
• The 1985 adventure comedy classic “The Goonies” will be shown under the stars Friday night at the Topiary Park, located at 480 E. Town St. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket to enjoy the film, along with food trucks and various activities. This event series is free to the public.

Ladies and Tangents

Lincoln Theatre, Aug. 22, 8 p.m.
• The Ladies & Tangents Podcast brings the nostalgia of a '90s sleepover to a place serving alcohol. Hosts Jeri and Ciara bring their live tour to central Ohio. Admission is $40 to $96.

Brave Stories: LGBTQ+ and BIPOC Short Play Fest

Boxland, 6155 Huntley Rd # J, Aug. 22 and Aug. 23, 8 to 9:30 p.m.
• Brave Stories is a short play festival consisting of four plays that celebrate LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters who exemplify bravery by overcoming adversity, speaking their truth, or standing firm in their belief. A talkback with playwright Jeff Perlman will be held after the Aug. 22 show. Tickets are $15.

‘Walk With Me Sugar’ 5K Run/Walk Against Diabetes

Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., Aug. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m.
• The Eta Nu Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., invites the central Ohio community to take meaningful steps toward better health at the inaugural Walk With Me Sugar: 5K Run/Walk Against Diabetes presented by Four Star Freightliner.

Bark Bash

Prairie Oaks Metro Park, Aug. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Bark Bash is the dog event of the summer for humans and their furry friends. Attendees and their pups can paddleboard or kayak courtesy of Metro Parks Outdoor Adventure, tie-dye bandanas with Friends of Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, or cool off in one of the ice castles.

Adobe Stock 8th Annual Columbus Women & Girls’ Fest

MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave., Aug. 23, from noon to 6:00 p.m.
• A free, family-friendly event celebrates the creativity and leadership of women and girls and their importance to the community through music, art, education, and engagement. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy entertainment from local artists and headline performer, Rapper and Netflix star Detroit Diamond. Dance, food trucks, performances, a bouncy house, raffles and live art.

Nafzger Park Cap City Festival

Nafzger Park, 2845 Noe-Bixby Rd., Aug. 23, 4 to 8 p.m.
• Cap City Festivals are fun for the whole family. Scale the climbing wall, bounce in inflatables, and zoom down the zip line. Admission is free.

Nate Bargatze

The Schottenstein Center, Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, 7 p.m.
• Comedian Nate Bargatze brings his Big Dumb Eyes World Tour to central Ohio. Tickets are $50 and up.

FILE - Nate Bargatze appears at the 57th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn., on Nov. 8, 2023. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution

Lower.com Field, Aug. 23, 7:30 p.m.
• Columbus Crew is set to host New England Revolution. Tickets are $41 and up.

Fans watch the second half of an MLS match between the New England Revolution and the Columbus Crew in Columbus, Ohio, Saturday, July 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) Columbus International Festa-val

Franklin County Fairgrounds, Aug. 24, 3 to 7 p.m.
• Celebrate central Ohio's diverse community with neighbors from around the world. This free festival-style event features international performances, music, a cultural fashion show, food, art, and family-friendly activities.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Ohio lawmaker is pushing new legislation that would require amusement parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island to provide real-time public updates on ride availability.

The Real-Time Ride Status Notification Act, introduced this month by state Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan (D-Parma), would mandate that Ohio's major amusement parks post live updates on ride availability via their mobile apps, websites and digital signage inside the parks. The goal is to keep parkgoers informed and avoid the frustration of trekking across the park only to find rides unexpectedly down.

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"Families spend hundreds of dollars and travel across the state to visit these parks," Brennan said in a release. "They deserve accurate, real-time information so they can plan their day and avoid the frustration of walking across the park to find a ride shut down."

The bill coincidentally came after a visible cable snapped on the "Power Tower" ride at Cedar Point on Aug. 10, prompting an emergency shutdown. No injuries were reported, but the incident spread across social media, sparking renewed debate over park safety and communication. The ride remains closed with no official timeline for reopening.

Under Brennan's bill, parks would be required to update ride statuses within five minutes of any closure or reopening. The Ohio Department of Agriculture, which already oversees ride safety inspections under Tyler's Law, would enforce the rule, with the power to levy civil fines for noncompliance.

The legislation doesn't require new systems, Brennan emphasized, but simply makes existing internal data public and consistent across platforms.

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"This is a commonsense consumer protection measure," Brennan said. "Just like we expect real-time updates from public transportation or airports, parkgoers should be able to know which rides are operating before getting in line -- or before leaving home."

The bill is expected to receive an Ohio House committee assignment in the coming weeks. If passed, it would take effect one year after enactment, giving parks time to implement the necessary updates.

Brennan is also the Ohio lawmaker behind an effort to name the walleye as the state's official fish.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- Dublin resident Amy Swank said she knew very little about the impact data centers can have until she realized one may be coming to her neighborhood. Now, she's sounding the alarm.

"I don't think people really understand that they are footing the bill for these data centers," Swank said. "And that's just one concern in an ocean of concerns that I have about what this could look like."

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The city of Dublin is considering rezoning 370 acres from rural to industrial land near Swank’s home. She believes at least some of this land is intended for a data center, a conclusion she drew with other Dublin residents after poring through public records.

City council postponed the rezoning and is considering not allowing data centers to build on the land, but no decisions are final. Swank is worried by the water, electric, and land data centers require, and that data centers' utility costs are often footed by local communities.

“Central Ohio, being the leader that it is, I just don't know that we have as much to gain as they have to gain from us," Swank said. "I think it's a little bit of an imbalance there in terms of what we're offering these data centers to come into our community, and what we're giving in exchange.”

Data centers are large facilities that store computers and computing equipment. Every text sent, show streamed or AI prompted relies on data centers. The government found the U.S. lacks enough data centers to support the digital infrastructure it's building, especially AI. It comes with a cost; one data center can require as much electricity and water as thousands of homes combined, spiking local utility rates.

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Central Ohio is home to 120 of Ohio's 188 data centers. In the fight to prevent data center spread in Dublin, Swank connected with Elena Schlossberg, executive director of the Coalition to Protect Prince William County.

Entirely volunteer-based, Schlossberg and her coalition have been pushing back against data centers since 2014, when Amazon Web Services moved into her backyard. Schlossberg's northern Virginia home is the data center capital of the world, supporting more than 600 data centers. Living with a glimpse of Dublin's future, she encouraged Ohioans to start organizing and asking questions now.

"What happens when you industrialize an entire state and then you start propagating that same model to other states?" Schlossberg said. "We are literally sacrificing our real world for a digital world. It's not just a figurative, it's a literal."

Schlossberg said state and county officials often sign non-disclosure agreements, making it difficult to prove just one customer is responsible for major upticks in electric, water and infrastructure costs. She said this secrecy further threatens local resources and forces residents to cover costs for big companies.

"It's almost like rewarding your abusive husband, like you are the recipient of the abuse, and you have to reward that person for what they are doing to you," Schlossberg said.

'Go woke, you go broke:' Ohio faith leaders urge Kroger to abandon LGBTQ+ policies

As data centers swarmed, Schlossberg said she spoke with Prince William’s energy supplier, PJM, and was told they would pull from other states on the grid to power northern Virginia's data centers. PJM Interconnection is the largest electric grid operator in the U.S., and services 13 states, including Ohio.

“I said, 'Well, Steve, what happens when Ohio starts experiencing this kind of data center development?' Because it was clear that Virginia was already experiencing a grid problem," Schlossberg said. "And he says, 'Well, we hadn't thought about that.'”

Now data centers from Ohio and other states also weigh on the grid. PJM's 2025 forecast report said the company expects to see a significant increase in electricity demand over the next 15 years. PJM directly attributes this to data centers and worries it could see a capacity shortage as soon as the second half of 2026.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ordered AEP Ohio to create new rate structures for data centers to protect customers from footing the bill. Both AEP and PJM are implementing requirements for data centers to cover their own electric costs, but it's slow-moving and residents are still seeing bills spike.

Schlossberg said data centers can afford to cover costs as they save millions in tax incentives. Ohio offers a sales tax exemption, and data centers are often approved for local property tax exemptions, too.

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Swank said she thinks data centers may be the "asbestos of this generation," meaning the dangers of widespread use may not yet be known, but will be difficult to undo. Schlossberg agreed and asked legislators to consider asking more of data center companies, not more of residents.

“We should be demanding that they use less electricity, less water, less land," Schlossberg said. "Where are we going to grow our food, if our farmers sell out to the data centers themselves? What's the vision of your future?”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A group of 80 Ohio faith leaders is urging Kroger to retreat from what they call "the culture war promoting radical LGBT policies," as businesses nationwide roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

In an Aug. 6 letter to Kroger CEO Ronald Sargent, the faith leaders accuse Kroger of aligning with "shameful and diabolical LGBT policy," like promoting gender-affirming care for transgender youth. The letter argues Kroger is erroneously prioritizing Pride Month celebrations instead of supporting conservative culture efforts, like a bill at the Ohio Statehouse to designate a month celebrating "natural families."

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"As you may not be aware, these radical 'woke' positions are divisive and contrary to orthodox biblical teaching," the letter, signed by three rabbis and dozens of Christian pastors, said. "A cultural shift is taking place in our country and your company, which is headquartered in Ohio, is 'late to the dinner table.' As the saying goes: When you go woke, you go broke."

Kroger didn't respond to NBC4's request for comment. Based in Cincinnati, the supermarket chain is the largest in the U.S., operating about 2,750 stores across 35 states and employing more than 400,000.

The letter comes as numerous major companies have withdrawn DEI programs following the 2024 U.S. election and shifting political landscape, including Amazon, Meta, McDonald's, Walmart, Ford, Lowe's, Harley-Davidson, Brown-Forman, John Deere, Tractor Supply and more.

While many of those corporations also deserted their financial backing of Pride events in June, Kroger again sponsored the Cincinnati Pride Festival. The chain received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 Corporate Equality Index, examining the inclusivity of workplace practices for LGBTQ+ employees. The index cited Kroger's non-discrimination policies, healthcare coverage for trans employees, and LGBTQ+ internal training elements.

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The equality index argues that LGBTQ-inclusive policies like Kroger's "drives productivity, fosters retention and attracts top talent," and that "philanthropic initiatives that support LGBTQ+ organizations help raise awareness and visibility of issues that the LGBTQ+ community faces uniquely." Further, 75% of LGBTQ+ adults and 51% of non-LGBTQ+ adults report feeling more positively about brands that support LGBTQ+ equality year-round, an HRC survey found.

In the letter, the Ohio faith leaders said Kroger should follow in the footsteps of Target, which scaled back its Pride Month products in 2024 and has ended some of its DEI programs while no longer participating in HRC's Corporate Equality Index. However, Target CEO Brian Cornell announced on Wednesday he is stepping down amid weak sales and an ongoing customer boycott over its scaled-back inclusion initiatives.

Still, the faith leaders warn Sargent could face a similar fate for opposite reasons, citing Kroger's recent announcement that it will close 60 U.S. stores over the next 18 months to "improve profitability."

"Please consider directing your company to not pick sides and to exit the culture war," the letter said. "As 80 lead clergy, we are looking after our congregants which happen to be your potential customer base. We are also hopeful Kroger's as an employer can prosper; However, with the current radical 'woke' policies in place, Kroger will not succeed."

Read the full letter below.

Ohio-faith-leaders-letter-to-KrogerDownload

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Students are set to return to Columbus City Schools classrooms in just a matter of days, with some schools getting a facelift over the summer while others are in the process of closing.

Devonshire Elementary School received a total renovation. When students walk in on Monday, they’ll see new additions to the gym, fresh paint on all the walls, new floors and updated technology.

Devonshire principal Dr. Anthony Peddle believe the upgrades will make students more invested in learning.

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“When kids want to come to school, we do better, all of us, and I'm happy to be here, so I can only imagine that they're going to be super excited, too,” Peddle said.

Devonshire and Arts IMPACT Middle School, or AIMS, were both redone over the summer. That’s on top of 113 other renovation projects at buildings across the district.

“This is how we can see our tax dollars at work, we are making those investments,” Columbus City Schools Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman said.

As Devonshire and AIMS students get updated buildings, students at Moler and Broadleigh elementaries will walk into their last year at those buildings: both will close in the spring.

“We know that this will be a sensitive season and a sensitive time for those families as they're thinking about this will be their last year in those two respective buildings,” Chapman said.

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Chapman said the decision to close schools and move students around to different buildings was a challenging one. The district had experts come in to see which buildings couldn’t be helped, like Moler and Broadleigh. Chapman said the consultants also determined which ones could be redone and kept open, like Devonshire.

“This was a perfect site for modernization and the perfect site where the actual cost to renovate this building was only a third of what it would cost to build a new building,” Chapman said.

But as Columbus City Schools looks to cut $50 million from the budget over the next year, Chapman said there could be more school closures.

“I would say that all options are on the table,” she said. “We will absolutely explore how we can save and find additional resources on the operations side to support our number one goal in our mission, which is educating students.”

Chapman said the district wants Broadleigh and Moler families to be a part of the boundary process so they can have a say on where their child goes next year. Families will be invited to community conversations in the fall.

A 20-year-old Florida man at the center of a prolific cybercrime group known as “Scattered Spider” was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today, and ordered to pay roughly $13 million in restitution to victims.

Noah Michael Urban of Palm Coast, Fla. pleaded guilty in April 2025 to charges of wire fraud and conspiracy. Florida prosecutors alleged Urban conspired with others to steal at least $800,000 from five victims via SIM-swapping attacks that diverted their mobile phone calls and text messages to devices controlled by Urban and his co-conspirators.

A booking photo of Noah Michael Urban released by the Volusia County Sheriff.

Although prosecutors had asked for Urban to serve eight years, Jacksonville news outlet News4Jax.com reports the federal judge in the case today opted to sentence Urban to 120 months in federal prison, ordering him to pay $13 million in restitution and undergo three years of supervised release after his sentence is completed.

In November 2024 Urban was charged by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles as one of five members of Scattered Spider (a.k.a. “Oktapus,” “Scatter Swine” and “UNC3944”), which specialized in SMS and voice phishing attacks that tricked employees at victim companies into entering their credentials and one-time passcodes at phishing websites. Urban pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in the California case, and the $13 million in restitution is intended to cover victims from both cases.

The targeted SMS scams spanned several months during the summer of 2022, asking employees to click a link and log in at a website that mimicked their employer’s Okta authentication page. Some SMS phishing messages told employees their VPN credentials were expiring and needed to be changed; other missives advised employees about changes to their upcoming work schedule.

That phishing spree netted Urban and others access to more than 130 companies, including Twilio, LastPass, DoorDash, MailChimp, and Plex. The government says the group used that access to steal proprietary company data and customer information, and that members also phished people to steal millions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency.

For many years, Urban’s online hacker aliases “King Bob” and “Sosa” were fixtures of the Com, a mostly Telegram and Discord-based community of English-speaking cybercriminals wherein hackers boast loudly about high-profile exploits and hacks that almost invariably begin with social engineering. King Bob constantly bragged on the Com about stealing unreleased rap music recordings from popular artists, presumably through SIM-swapping attacks. Many of those purloined tracks or “grails” he later sold or gave away on forums.

Noah “King Bob” Urban, posting to Twitter/X around the time of his sentencing today.

Sosa also was active in a particularly destructive group of accomplished criminal SIM-swappers known as “Star Fraud.” Cyberscoop’s AJ Vicens reported in 2023 that individuals within Star Fraud were likely involved in the high-profile Caesars Entertainment and MGM Resorts extortion attacks that same year.

The Star Fraud SIM-swapping group gained the ability to temporarily move targeted mobile numbers to devices they controlled by constantly phishing employees of the major mobile providers. In February 2023, KrebsOnSecurity published data taken from the Telegram channels for Star Fraud and two other SIM-swapping groups showing these crooks focused on SIM-swapping T-Mobile customers, and that they collectively claimed internal access to T-Mobile on 100 separate occasions over a 7-month period in 2022.

Reached via one of his King Bob accounts on Twitter/X, Urban called the sentence unjust, and said the judge in his case discounted his age as a factor.

“The judge purposefully ignored my age as a factor because of the fact another Scattered Spider member hacked him personally during the course of my case,” Urban said in reply to questions, noting that he was sending the messages from a Florida county jail. “He should have been removed as a judge much earlier on. But staying in county jail is torture.”

A court transcript (PDF) from a status hearing in February 2025 shows Urban was telling the truth about the hacking incident that happened while he was in federal custody. It involved an intrusion into a magistrate judge’s email account, where a copy of Urban’s sealed indictment was stolen. The judge told attorneys for both sides that a co-defendant in the California case was trying to find out about Mr. Urban’s activity in the Florida case.

“What it ultimately turned into a was a big faux pas,” Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger said. “The Court’s password…business is handled by an outside contractor. And somebody called the outside contractor representing Judge Toomey saying, ‘I need a password change.’ And they gave out the password change. That’s how whoever was making the phone call got into the court.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Trying to plan what do to this weekend? NBC4's newest streaming show "4 Your Weekend" gives you a look at some of the top events happening in and around Columbus and central Ohio.

Each week, Digital Anchor Rachel Ramsey will talk to community organizers about some of the fun events and festivals you can check out. This week, Herb Gillen, director of the Columbus Air Show, talks about the upcoming event that kicks off Friday through Sunday. Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased at the Columbus Air Show's website.

How to download NBC4 streaming app

If you like yoga and puppies, Alex Parthum with CHA Animal Shelter talks about the organization's monthly session that's set for Saturday. For more on Puppies and Yoga, you can go the the CHA Animal Shelter's website. The yoga session starts at 10 a.m.

Chief Meteorologist Dave Mazza also gives you a look at your weekend forecast to help you plan ahead.

Watch the full program of 4 Your Weekend in the video player above. You can find this and future episodes on NBC4i.com and the “NBC4 Columbus” streaming channel on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The cheers echoed around the Huntington Field Club inside of Lower.com Field.

Bright, neon green graphics with a player sporting a cheeky smile surrounded the room, and in the middle, walking among fans swathed in black and gold was Wessam Abou Ali: the new striker for the Columbus Crew.

"Life is good if you have a good mind,” Wessam said earlier in the day during a sit-down interview with NBC4.

Life is very good for the 26-year-old. In just two years, he’s been the leading scorer first in the Swedish soccer league, and then in the Egyptian Premier League. Now he aims to do the same in MLS with the Crew.

Deep down, though, his goal isn’t just scoring goals. It’s simpler than soccer.

"I can help my family,” Wessam said. “I'm making my family proud, which is every step I take. When I walk every day, I think about my family."

Wessam’s parents are Palestinian, but both were born in Lebanon.

“My dad, when he was 17 or 18, he moved to Denmark by himself because of the war, losing his brothers and creating a life,” Wessam said. “Things was difficult. Lost a lot of uncles, and that I've never met. Grandparents never met.”

Wessam and his two sisters were born in Denmark; still, he never lost touch with his Palestinian roots and now, in international soccer, plays for the Palestinian national team.

“I'm just doing what I love for myself and my family,” he said. “To have this bonus of making this whole nation proud, for me to see videos from people in tents celebrating my goals, you cannot ask for more."

In just a year and a half, Wessam has become one of the most famous Palestinians in the world; he said the choice to come to the United States was actually an easy one. In fact, his parents, who have never been to Columbus, were the ones who pushed him to take the leap.

"Out of all the offers I had, they chose the one that was farthest away,” Wessam said. “It's an opportunity. It's a bold move, but I don't really think no one is going to think about it, because in the end, we're all humans."

Humans have lots of emotions, especially when it comes to the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. Columbus Crew’s fan group, The Nordecke, wanted to make sure Wessam knew he was supported not just as a player but, first, as a person.

"For us, it's big to support the players, their heritage and their values,” Nordecke Director of Communications Collin Hill said. "We just offer outpouring support through that, and the best way we can is by letting him know that we are literally in his corner with the flag that represents his heritage."

The group had done gestures like this before. In June 2023, when Ukrainian Yevhen Cheberko joined the club, the Nordecke put up a Ukrainian flag to show support. But after the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, Major League Soccer put out a temporary rule that fans could not bring signs, banners or flags that reference the Middle East conflict. That turned into a moratorium that all national flags had to be approved going forward.

So the Nordecke, with assistance from the Crew, went to work immediately after Wessam’s signing. The club sent a request to MLS on behalf of the Nordecke for an exemption to display a flag for the national team or the country of origin for each player on the Crew. That means, if approved, a Palestinian flag would be among the other national flags flown at Lower.com Field.

The week of Wessam’s official introduction, MLS approved the exemption.

"I'm getting goosebumps, I didn't know that. I'm not normally speechless, but this is actually...” Wessam trailed off, trying to find the words. “You see, that's what you live for. I have a bonus that I can make people happy. I cannot stop a war, but I can make people happy and that's the least thing I can, I can do for myself as well.”

At the time of writing, the Crew and Nordecke still had details to iron out with regard to the flag display, but the hope is to have everything sorted out and ready for the next home match on Saturday; it marks Wessam’s first home match as part of the club.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University researchers believe they have found a way to slow down the aging of the heart, and it starts with brown fat. 

Most times when people think of fat, they think of something bad, but researchers have found there's a type of fat in your body that actually protects your heart and may hold the key to preserving heart health. 

Humans have two types of fat - white and brown fat. Brown fat is often called "good fat" because it burns energy and produces heat. 

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"We know that as people age, the risks of cardiovascular disease increase," Kristin Stanford, PhD, professor at Ohio State University College of Medicine, said. "We know there are certain effects just of aging on the heart."

This is why researchers were interested in looking at brown fat as a way to fight this. Stanford said past studies have shown that people with more brown fat tend to have less cardiovascular disease. 

"And so, we were interested to see why and if age was a factor in any of these things," Stanford said. 

Researchers focused on a molecule released by brown fat and found its levels drop in both humans and mice as they get older. To test this, they used a new non-viral gene therapy on older mice. 

"And when we did this, we saw that these mice, mice who were even two years old, had improved cardiovascular function and essentially negated the effects of aging on their heart," Stanford said.

Columbus to change half of city’s trash pickup routes starting Sept. 2

This was all done within six weeks. Researchers said it was encouraging for them to see such a dramatic effect on the heart even within that short span. 

"We were so excited about some of these data because we're seeing something that is decreased in humans correlating to this impairment in cardiac function, and we were able to restore it in mice," Stanford said.

Stanford said older adults are the fastest-growing demographic in the world. In fact, more than 20% of the U.S. is expected to be over 65 in the next five years. 

"Over 65 is in itself a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease," Stanford said. "So, developing new techniques and new technologies that can help patients who might be otherwise healthy to combat these age-related diseases is really, essentially important."

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Stanford said the next step is expanding the research with the hope it could someday translate into treatments for people. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A West Jefferson man is dead after a crash involving 12 other central Ohioans in northern Kansas on Wednesday.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Isaiah Adkins, 23, was one of two men ejected from a 2022 Ford Transit when it overturned after an apparent tire blowout on Interstate 70 East in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, at approximately 8:22 a.m.

The highway patrol said the vehicle sustained a blowout of its rear right tire, lost control and drove into the grass median of the highway. It then flipped several times, causing two of the passengers to be thrown from the vehicle.

The men in the vehicle were all from Columbus and other central Ohio cities and ranged in age from 20-43. Seven of the vehicle’s occupants suffered suspected serious injuries, according to police; the other passengers either suffered minor injuries or were uninjured.

This is part of NBC4's ongoing series about the America 250 Ohio celebration, highlighting Ohio's contributions to the nation ahead of America's 250th anniversary celebration in 2026.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Water is fundamental to human life, and for a mostly land-locked state like Ohio you might be surprised to learn how water has shaped the founding (and future) of the state. 

"Ohio has its shape because of the Ohio River on the south, and Lake Erie on the north. And what people don't really realize is how much the water shaped not only the state but the nation." said Chris Hubertise, a spokesperson for America 250 Ohio. 

In Millersport, the canal that runs through downtown is a popular spot for boaters and connectivity to Buckeye Lake. But 200 years ago, the Millersport Canal and the hundreds like it across the state provided the most reliable path for transit.

It was known as the Ohio River Lake Erie Canal Trail. "The canals connected the lake and the river to each other so that goods could move, ideas could move, people could move. And it really brought Ohio together." Hubertise said. 

As part of the America 250 Ohio celebration, the state has put together a Lake Erie to Ohio River Driving Trail, featuring more than 150 stops showcasing Ohio's most important waterways and sites that best display the importance of water in the Buckeye state. In central Ohio, the canals and Buckeye Lake stand atop that list. 

The Millersport canal specifically saw about 3,000 boats annually at the peak of its traffic. Those boats moved food, building materials and travelers. The canals were even used to assist escaped slaves in moving north to Canada. 

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How the Ohio River and Lake Erie Canal Trail worked is only a part of the story. What's even more remarkable is how it was physically built. Buckeye Lake may serve as the biggest example of that construction. More than 3,000 acres of lake was created not only by nature, but by hand. 

"It seems impossible that this this lake was hand dug. tens of probably thousands of people here hand digging to make the lake what it is today just to feed the Ohio Erie Canal with enough water to move their goods." said Mark Hoffhines, the park manager at Buckeye Lake State Park.

Buckeye Lake is the oldest state park in Ohio, established in 1949. It's now home to thousands of residents and daily users for its water sports and nature trails. 

Ohio is home to nearly 30,000 miles of rivers, in addition to the thousands of miles of canals and lakes. They're Ohio's original roots, but also guided by modern engineering. 

"Recently we saw the flooding in Texas, and our waterways in Ohio help us control flooding. Many of those  lakes, dams and rivers help us control our flooding. So they're really important to the safety of Ohioans." said Alyssa Yaple of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 

"To know that there's so many amazing locks and parks where you could go and see canal history... that history is alive and you can reach it within a couple of hours wherever you are in Ohio." Hubertise said. 

To learn more about the Lake Erie to Ohio River driving trail, visit Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail - America 250 - Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Half of Columbus will now have a new day to drag those green trash cans down to the curb for pickup.

Starting the first week of September, weekly garbage collection for approximately half of the city will be given a new day for pickup as well as a new route color starting Sept. 2.

According to the city, the “rebalancing” of the Division of Refuse Collection’s routes will “enhance customer service and create greater efficiencies.”

While the city didn’t specify what routes would be changing, residents can check their new pickup date through these four methods:

• Download the free PickUp CBUS smartphone app on the App Store or Google Play now to get your trash collection day and color, recycling, and yard waste collection schedules and convenient reminder notifications.
• Visit the Refuse Collection website at https://www.columbus.gov/trash to enter your address and sign up for reminders using the Collection Day Lookup tool. Starting Sept. 1, you will be able to check this website tool to see if you have a new collection day and color.
• Use the website’s Rotating Color Calendar tool to download and print the annual trash collection schedule for your address’s color. Nearly all households have a color designated with the collection day — Gold, Gray, Navy, Pink or Ruby. To find your color, enter your address using the PickUp CBUS app or the Collection Day Lookup tools.
• Residents may also call their color to get automated information about your pickup day. For example, if your collection day color is Gold, call 614-645-GOLD (4653).

 The changes only apply to trash pickup; with the exception of Labor Day week, recycling pickup routes will remain the same. During Labor Day week, all pickups will be pushed one day – for example, Monday pickups will be done on Tuesday, Tuesday pickups will be done on Wednesday, etc.; Friday pickups will be done on Saturday, with regular schedules resuming the morning of Monday, Sept. 8.

There will be no trash or recycling pickup on Labor Day, Sept. 1.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The family of a woman who was fatally shot by a Blendon Township police officer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit nearly two years to the day she was killed.

Ta’Kiya Young's family will be holding a news conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday to announce the lawsuit against Blendon Township police officer Connor Grubb. You can watch the news conference live in the video player above.

Young, 21, was shot and killed by Grubb on Aug. 24, 2023 in the Kroger parking lot on South Sunbury Road after Young, who was pregnant, was suspected of shoplifting. Grubb and another officer approached her vehicle. Grubb stood in front of the car and shot Young as the car moved forward.

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Grubb has been charged with killing Young and her unborn child and was indicted in August of 2024. He is currently out on bond and has had his first trial date postponed multiple times. He was placed on paid administrative leave last September.

The family's lawsuit alleges "wrongful death, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress," per the counsel representing the family. The complaint also said that the family is suing Kroger and an unnamed employee.

Since Young's death family and friends have shown up at that Kroger on the 24th of each month, wearing shirts with her face on them. Her family said they can feel her spirit when they are there. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The names and details of the 19th-century people found buried beneath the former North Market parking lot might be lost to history forever, but a new plan to remember and honor them is emerging.

A section of Green Lawn Cemetery has recently been identified as the possible future resting place for those left behind in the old North Graveyard, according to Randy Rogers, the executive director of the Green Lawn Cemetery Association. Rogers told NBC4 that the proposed design, still in the early stages, will include corner markers and a central monument. Inside the roughly 40-by-40-foot area, about 40 to 60 spaces will be reserved for the remains, which range from “complete sets” to single bones.

Rogers explained that during the 1800s, the North Graveyard was closed for redevelopment. Families began relocating their loved ones to Green Lawn Cemetery in southwest Columbus. However, not everyone had the means to reinter their ancestors. The unclaimed remains of those with no funds or no descendants to move them were simply forgotten.

• Area reserved for North Graveyard removals. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• North Graveyard monument in Section R, Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• North Graveyard monument in Section R plaque. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• Proposed New Lot and Memorialization for North Graveyard. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• Proposed New Lot and Memorialization for North Graveyard. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• Proposed New Lot and Memorialization for North Graveyard. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• Proposed New Lot and Memorialization for North Graveyard. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• Proposed New Lot and Memorialization for North Graveyard. Photo Courtesy/ Green Lawn Cemetery
• Columbus leaders are investing $4.2 million to improve the streets around the North Market and its 32-story tower under construction at 59 Spruce St. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees)
• Columbus leaders are investing $4.2 million to improve the streets around the North Market and its 32-story tower under construction at 59 Spruce St. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees)
• Columbus leaders are investing $4.2 million to improve the streets around the North Market and its 32-story tower under construction at 59 Spruce St. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees)

Then, starting in the early 2000s, bodies began to reemerge. A 2001 project improving Columbus’s sanitation system uncovered 43 grave shafts, according to a report from archaeological firm Weller and Associates, which oversaw the excavation. The contents, varying from entire skeletons to partial remains, were reburied in Section R of Green Lawn Cemetery, said Krista Horrocks, an archaeologist with the Ohio History Connection’s State Historic Preservation Office, who spoke to NBC4 for a 2023 report.

Green Lawn's Section R was the same location where North Graveyard bodies were first moved more than 100 years ago. Rogers said the section had no official monument acknowledging its link to the North Graveyard until recent years. This motivated the creation of a new section with a clear memorial for the remaining dead found under the North Market's parking lot during its 2022 expansion project.

Once the North Market's Merchant Tower project is complete, along with the surrounding area, and all remains are recovered, Rogers hopes to give the neglected city settlers a burial that honors their memory and legacy in Columbus's history.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State President Ted Carter received a merit raise at the Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday morning.

Trustees said the 4.5% raise -- an additional $51,233 annually -- is for Carter's continued service and excellence. The board also approved a $398,475 performance bonus for last year, equal to 35% of his current salary.

The awards raise Carter's annual salary to $1,189,233, and mean he will be paid more than $1.5 million for his work in the 2024-2025 school year. The raise makes Carter one of the highest-paid university presidents in the Big Ten.

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"The board is deeply appreciative of your steady leadership over the past year," Trustee Chair John Zeiger and Talent, Compensation and Governance Committee Chair Jeff M.S. Kaplan wrote in a letter detailing Carter's raise. "You are an exceptional ambassador for the university's land-grant mission."

According to a letter from the trustees outlining Carter's raise, Ohio State made progress in all five of it's goals for last year, which ranged from academic priorities to employment goals. The board also outlined six goals for Carter and Ohio State to focus on improving this year:

• Academic excellence
• Enterprise artificial intelligence
• Transformative research and innovation
• Operations, like sustainable revenue
• Healthcare safety and patient experience
• Talent and culture as a workplace

Artificial intelligence stands out among the six new priorities. Its inclusion reflects OSU's new "AI Fluency" initiative, which promises all students graduating after 2029 will be equipped with the tools to use AI in their fields. Students will begin their AI educations as OSU returns for fall semester next week.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) – A man who was hospitalized after a shootout with Newark police has been charged in Licking County Court of Common Pleas.

According to court records, officers with the Newark Police Department responded to a call regarding a suspicious 2007 red Saturn Aura near the YMCA parking lot located on West Church Street the morning of Aug. 15. The license plate of the vehicle matched that of one that fled from law enforcement days earlier.

Columbus homicide suspect reportedly told police, ‘I shot him until the gun ran out of bullets’

Police said the driver of the vehicle, Dylan Goodin, repeatedly pointed a black handgun out of the front driver’s window and toward the back window as officers were standing behind the vehicle.

Goodin did not reportedly respond to commands to drop the weapon and display his hands, and his refusal to do so allegedly threatened and impeded officer’s ability to identify him.

One officer fired a shot, according to court records, injuring Goodin. He was taken to an area hospital and treated for a gunshot wound. A Ruger Security 9mm handgun was found on the floor of the Saturn.

(NBC4/Gracie Collins)

The shooting was confirmed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, which was called to the scene about 8:20 a.m. The BCI typically investigates shootings involving police agencies.

On Wednesday morning, Goodin was charged with one count of obstructing official business. An arraignment hearing has yet to be scheduled, according to court records.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – An Ohio advisory board has set a new standard for law enforcement agencies regarding missing persons cases.

Last week, the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board announced that it had unanimously voted to adopt new guidelines suggested by Gov. Mike DeWine’s missing persons working group in May.

The advisory board, a 12-person panel of law enforcement experts and community leaders, is responsible for setting expectations for Ohio law enforcement. While agencies are not legally required to follow the board’s rules, those that choose to comply can gain accreditation and are recognized for following best practices. 

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The new standard requires law enforcement agencies to create written policies for investigating missing persons cases, including how they will enter and remove information in criminal justice databases, notify the public about missing people and follow up on cases. 

Law enforcement agencies’ policies would additionally have to address how to handle the missing persons cases of adults suffering from mental health issues, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. 

While departments’ policies must hit these certain points, they have discretion when it comes to what their protocol will be, a spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Public Safety said. 

The missing persons working group that helped influence this change held its first of six meetings in January. It consisted of 22 people, including law enforcement professionals, family members of missing people and others involved with the criminal justice system or Ohio youth. It was created to “examine the efficiency of missing persons investigations in Ohio,” according to the advisory board. 

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The working group issued a total of 18 recommendations in May. DeWine has instructed state agencies to adopt several of their other suggestions so far, including ordering the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, along with a handful of other government entities, to develop a pilot program to support at-risk youth who regularly run away from home.

The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was formed in 2015 to create uniform minimum standards for Ohio’s law enforcement agencies, covering expectations from use of force to hiring and recruitment. The group created an accreditation program in 2024, which 10 agencies had completed as of February.