Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Halfway through the fall semester, local school districts report positive effects of new phone bans.

By Jan. 1, all 611 of Ohio's public school districts are required to implement phone bans throughout the school day, including during lunch and between classes. As districts enter the second nine-week block of the fall semester, local administrators report increased student interaction and positive reactions to the bans. See previous coverage of the cellphone ban in the video player above.

Districts were already required to have some form of policy on the books, and many schools opted to update their policies at the start of the year to be fully compliant with state law, rather than waiting until January. Among districts with previous partial bans, administrators said compliance may be easier without opportunities for use at lunch.

Judge allows Ohio high school athletes to sign NIL deals

Full compliance includes total bans throughout the school day, with many districts directing students to power off their phones and place them in a locker or backpack. Most of these policies offer exceptions for students with medical or disability plans that require cellphone use or monitoring, and during emergencies.

New Albany-Plain administrators said students are interacting with one another more at lunch without phones, a positive effect reported across districts. Franklin Heights High School Principal Tim Donahue said the energy at his South Western City Schools building is palpable with the ban.

"There is generally a more positive vibe in the classrooms, halls and cafeterias as a result of the change," Donahue said. "Last year when we implemented the policies just for the classroom, grades went up across the board."

Donahue said Franklin Heights, within the South Western City School District, has also seen a direct correlation between phone bans and better student behavior. He said there are fewer disruptions, and fewer issues that begin on phones or social media and seep into day-to-day learning.

Districts are also seeing unexpected positive changes. Westerville City Schools said the biggest change has happened within district media centers and libraries. A district spokesperson said more books were checked out of high school libraries in the first quarter than all of last year combined

Ohio poll: Races tight for governor and senator; Trump’s support is slipping

To help students adjust to no phones during lunch, districts are adding new opportunities to connect during free periods. In the South Western district, Westland High School students are enjoying LEGO science and math building projects after they finish lunch.

At South Western's Norton Middle School, educators implemented the Final15 program. If students efficiently get through lunch lines, eat and clean up, they enjoy a 15-minute social on the school's track.

Whitehall-Yearling Principal Maria Boyarko opened up the gym at lunch so students can play sports and stay entertained screen-free. Whitehall, like many districts, had phone bans in place previously, but extended them to be fully compliant with the law this year. Boyarko estimates 98% of students are in compliance with the ban this year, up from last school year.

Whitehall's Rosemore Middle School has also seen high compliance, and teachers report increased engagement in class. Rosemore Principal Jason Mumaw said the school's focus on culture helped decrease phone violations, as did the new state law.

“We are changing the culture here, and it’s made everything easier,” Mumaw said.

Brewery defends its child-free policy after backlash

The bans aren't without growing pains, but district leaders remained optimistic. Districts said students were more likely to violate policies in the first few weeks, but are adjusting quickly. Corey Grubbs, chief transformation and leadership officer at Columbus City Schools, said students and families are working to adjust, but are already responding positively.

"We are confident that this will lead to fewer distractions in classrooms and an increased focus on instruction and peer interaction," Grubbs said. "While any new policy takes time to fully implement, our schools remain committed to helping students adapt successfully.”

Donahue said he has also seen violations, especially during the first few weeks, but implementing new policies is "worth the extra effort for our students." He said both parents and students are on board with the changes.

"Parents and students recognize how overly reliant our youth have become with regard to being connected at all times and have welcomed the efforts to help our youth become more 'present' in school and in the classroom," Donahue said.

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) -- Bexley police are investigating after a body was found in some bushes near an apartment complex Monday afternoon.

According to Bexley Police Chief Gary Lewis, an officer was flagged down by a resident just after 5 p.m. on Cassady Avenue, which is when the body was discovered.

Lewis said the body, which appears to be a man between 18 and 20 years old, had gunshot wounds.

There are no suspects at this time, and homicide detectives are investigating.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bexley police at 614-559-4444.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is in critical condition after a report of a shooting near a bar Monday night.

According to a Columbus police dispatcher, the shooting was reported at approximately 9:26 p.m. on the 1800 block of North 4th Street near the Fourth Street Taproom. There is no information on if the shooting took place in or near the establishment.

• 
• 
• 
• 

One victim was taken to an area hospital in critical condition.

There is no word on any suspects or what led to the shooting at this time.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's been five years since 29-year-old James Johnson was shot and killed on the west side of Columbus. His family held a vigil Monday night as they continue searching for answers into his unsolved homicide.

"I don't know why somebody would take him," Johnson's mother Brenda said. "I don't know. I just wish they'd come forward and help us get some kind of healing."

‘Should not have happened’: Reynoldsburg police file charges against wrong Danielle Taylor

Every year on the anniversary of his death, Johnson's loved ones gather at the Sunoco gas station on Sullivant Avenue, the same spot where he was shot in 2020. 

"It's kind of like the more time goes by, the harder it kind of gets because then you're reminded they're really not coming back," Brenda Johnson said. "I'll never get to hug my son again, tell him I love him."

Loved ones held candles, prayed, and shared memories Monday to honor Johnson's life.

"We don't know who," Brenda Johnson said. "We don't know why. But we need those answers."

Brenda Johnson said she's not giving up until she gets those answers. 

Central Ohio brewery defends child-free policy after 7 p.m. after customer backlash

"I didn't lose a child," Brenda Johnson said. "He was taken in the worst possible way. Like he was hunted down. He didn't have a gun. He was running from gunshots coming towards him. He wasn't no gang member."

Columbus police have followed several leads over the years, noting two men fled the scene in a red and gold Pontiac Montana driven by a woman. Johnson then reportedly drove to the United Dairy Farmers on Hague Avenue where police found him inside his car with gunshot wounds. His killer or killers remain on the loose.

"Right now, I don't know, I could be next to them at the grocery store," Brenda Johnson said. "That's hard. And I could become a hard, bitter woman, but I'm not."

Brenda is now helping other families living the same nightmare. She recently started a nonprofit called What About Us? which is focused on trauma care for children of homicide victims. She's also a member of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children and she helps Columbus police in their homicide unit. Her message for whoever is responsible is simple. 

"I know it's hard but do the right thing," Brenda Johnson said. "Help ease our pain a little bit. You've gotten to walk the streets for five years hugging your mom and your own kids. But we haven't got that."

Columbus City Council OKs $1M settlement for wronfully removing child from home

Johnson leaves behind six children. According to his loved ones, he was known for his jokes and generosity.

"He gave to the homeless," Brenda Johnson said. "He judged nobody. If you didn't have a shower, you could go to his house and shower. He'd feed you."

While the pain doesn't fade, Brenda said her fight for justice is what keeps her going. She said she'll continue coming back year after year until someone speaks up. 

Anyone with information on Johnson's murder is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Council on Monday night approved a $1 million settlement for a father and his son after a 2023 incident in which the father said two city police officers took his 7-year-old son and gave him to the mother, who did not have custody.

The father's lawyer told NBC4 that the mother had a criminal history and had not been sending the child to school. She took the child and went on the run.

The U.S. Marshals Service tracked her down seven months later, finding the child alive the next day.

The city agreed to settle with the father for $1 million.

"To the family, it means accountability," said Bart Keyes, a lawyer with Cooper Elliott. "It means that somebody finally listened and said, yes, this should not have happened. This was a very traumatizing situation for Lonnie and for his son and part of the reason for that was that seven months went by where it felt like nobody was listening and nobody was doing enough to try to find the mother and where she had taken the son."

"This was a horrible, unintentional mistake by two of our officers," the director of public safety said in a statement. "These officers incorrectly interpreted legal documents from the court, mistaking a court-stamped court motion for a court order."

The director also said the Office of the Inspector General investigation resulted in a "sustained" finding against the officers, both of which were re-trained and received corrective counseling.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus Public Health is continuing its work of trying to reduce the amount of domestic violence taking place in the city.

“Domestic violence is here, and it’s been a long battle with domestic violence," Columbus Public Health Family Engagement Team supervisor Callie Smith said.

There have been 15 domestic violence related homicides in Columbus so far this year, according to the latest available numbers from the Columbus Division of Police. Those numbers showed there were 23 in 2024 and 25 in 2023. For Smith, the issue is personal. In addition to leading CPH's Family Engagement Team, she's a survivor of domestic violence.

Ohio poll: Races tight for governor and senator; Trump’s support is slipping

“It’s a lot being a victim of domestic violence, it's a lot coming out here to tell your story it's a lot that people don't know about you and why you won't tell your story but one thing is for sure, advocating for someone that doesn't have a voice is better than nothing at all," she said.

This month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CPH has been holding panels and discussions about the issue. Smith helped lead a Q&A at one on Monday.

“My main purpose in this world is advocating for others that don't advocate for themselves or don't have the voice to advocate," she said.

Smith said people looking for resources can reach out to CPH at 614-645-6807. Her situation was about 13 years ago, when she was physically abused and had to go to the hospital multiple times. Smith said there is more help available now, included planned monthly support groups by CPH.

Ohio high school athletes can temporarily sign NIL deals after court ruling

“Please get out. Please get help. Please reach out. Please know you are not alone. Please know there are resources out here for you to get help. Please know one step is better than no step. Walk away, get the help, I know it's hard, but you've got people out here rooting for you and we care about you," Smith said.

CPH is having a domestic violence resource fair on Oct. 30 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 240 Parsons Avenue.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A woman said she spent 12 hours in jail and was wrongfully charged for a crime she didn’t commit.

Turns out, Reynoldsburg Police filed charges against the wrong Danielle Taylor. The case is now dismissed, and the right person has been charged.

“They just had it all wrong from the very start,” Taylor said.

Meteor shower, pair of comets, visible this week

Taylor said she was shocked when she found an ad in the mail from an attorney asking to represent her sent to her mom's house.

“We ran the case number with Franklin County and it came up with a warrant for telecommunications harassment. No idea why,” Taylor said.

Taylor lives out of state. Last Monday when she was in Ohio, she went to one of the Franklin County jails since the court was closed for a holiday to sort it out. She said they showed her the arrest complaint.

“It had on it that I had been texting my child's father over 13 times. I have no children. And then it had on there that I had threatened to bring my fiancée there to come beat him up. I don't have a fiancée,” Taylor said. “And that's when I realized they had the wrong Danielle Taylor.” 

Ohio high school athletes can temporarily sign NIL deals after court ruling

Taylor said she spent 12 hours in jail before going before a judge Tuesday morning.

“My first feeling was, oh, my gosh, I'm trapped,” Taylor said.

She said she explained what was going on to the public defender who stated the situation to the judge. She said the court realized something was off and the judge dismissed the charges later that day.

On Wednesday, NBC4 called Reynoldsburg City Attorney Chris Shook. He said after NBC4 alerted him of the situation, they went back and took a look at how this could have happened.

“We went back and took a look at how this could have happened because obviously it should not have happened,” Shook said.

Shook said the officer who originally filed the charges back in July realized it was the wrong person three days later. The said Taylor’s information must’ve already been in the system for some reason. He said that the officer no longer works for Reynoldsburg police for unrelated reasons.

Ohio poll: Races tight for governor and senator; Trump’s support is slipping

“The officer threw happenstance, was able to identify that error three days later and that officer then came down to court to have the case be dismissed back to the officer, acted diligently, acted promptly, and went directly to the clerk's office, grabbed the file, brought it to me," Shook said. "I signed off on a dismissal, and then the officer took it back to the clerk’s office where the officer and we believe that the case would have been dismissed."

We asked him why it wasn’t and he said they think it was some kind of human error.

“We need to make sure that in the future, you know, we are being careful about how we fill out our reports and our complaints and ensuring that the correct identifying information is getting in there,” Shook said.

NBC4 went to Franklin County Municipal Court to figure out what went wrong. Officials say the form Shook is referring to was filed correctly by the clerk.

However, they say it was a plea offer, and Reynoldsburg also had to file a motion to dismiss which the court says they never did. Municipal court officials say the plea offer is typically reviewed by a judge -- whether duty or assigned -- at the next hearing. Since this case was an order-in, it would be when the defendant was either arrested or turned themselves in.

We asked the court for the proper dismissal form. They said they do not have one and the prosecutors normally draft their own motion to dismiss/entry. 

Shook said the warrant was dismissed through Reynoldsburg's system but remained active in the county. NBC4 asked if changes will be made due to this incident.

“When something like this happens, the message is loud and clear because no one wants something like this to happen. And I can tell you, we've already had conversations with our chief of police and our deputy chief of police, and they have looked closely into this and are going through and doing everything that they can to make sure word gets out to rank and file, to be careful about things like this,” Shook said.

Taylor said she is glad this is being sorted out, but she is worried it will impact her in the future. 

“I just wanted to get word out because this could have happened to anybody. This could happen to anybody for any charge. It could be way more serious,” Taylor said.

NBC4 asked court officials if they could tell us if this is rare or happens often and they did not have an answer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Skywatchers have a treat coming early this week, starting with a meteor shower late Monday night, and a couple of comets that are now coming into view, but will require a small telescope to see.

Orionid meteor shower

The Orionid meteor shower peaks Monday night and early Tuesday (Oct. 20-21), when as many as 10-15 meteors per hour could be visible under mostly clear skies away from city lights. An added bonus is that there will be a new moon, so the sky will be darker and provide a better view than usual.

The Orionids will originate in the eastern sky, best seen after midnight. The annual meteor shower derives its name from the constellation Orion, the point (radiant) from where meteors appear to originate, a little north of the reddish star Betelgeuse.

The meteors travel at about 41 miles per second. When the tiny particles estimated to be the size of a grain of sand enter our atmosphere and burn up around 60 miles high in the atmosphere, we observe fleeting streaks of light. The Orionids are associated with debris leftover from Halley's Comet, which comes around every 75-76 years (the next visit is in 2061).

Viewing the comets

This week will bring a rare opportunity to see not one but two comets: C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) and C/2025 R2 (SWAN). Both were discovered earlier this year: one from the Mount Lemmon Observatory in Arizona, and the other through Solar and Heliospheric spacecraft images.

A comet is distinguishable from a meteor because it tends to appear more fixed, moving slowly with the rotating Earth and sky with a fuzzy appearance.

The origin of comets dates back to the beginning of our solar system, and they are composed of ice, and rock debris. The sun causes the ice to turn into gas that carries dust, producing the familiar tail.

Don Stevens, director of Perkins Observatory at Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, said that the comets will be challenging to observe. "You will need binoculars to view them and finder charts," Stevens said, or even better, a telescope.

"C/2025 A6 (Lemmon) is just below naked eye visibility in dark rural skies. It is going to be low over the northern horizon, which will make it very difficult to observe unless at a very rural location with no terrain in the way. It will be located below the Big Dipper," he said, about an hour after sunset in the northwest.

C/2025 R2 (SWAN) will be even lower and very difficult to see even with a telescope. "It will be low in the southwestern skies in (the constellation) Libra," Stevens said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Democrat Sherrod Brown is slightly ahead of Republican Sen. Jon Husted in the 2026 Senate race, marking a competitive run in the recently right-leaning state.

New polling found Husted and Brown in a near deadlock, with Republican Vivek Ramaswamy holding a small lead in the 2026 governor's race. The data comes from a new Bowling Green State University Democracy and Public Policy Research Network poll of 800 registered Ohio voters across demographics released on Monday.

The poll was conducted Oct. 2-14 and had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5%. See reports on previous polling in the video player above.

Competitive 2026 governor, senate races

Brown, who lost his Senate seat in 2024 to Bernie Moreno, is "in an essential dead heat" against Husted. It will be a special election for Ohioans, as Husted was appointed by Gov. Mike DeWine to serve in J.D. Vance's seat after Vance became vice president. BGSU found Brown barely leads the race over Husted, at 49%-48%. This marks a change from August, when Emerson College Polling had Husted with a six-point lead.

Can Ohioans grow intoxicating hemp under governor's ban?

For governor, Ramaswamy holds a three-point lead, 50%-47%, over Democrat Amy Acton. Former congressman Tim Ryan is also reflected in the poll, although he has not yet announced whether he will run. Ramaswamy leads Ryan by two points in a statewide matchup, at 49%-47%. However, Acton has a 50%-41% lead on Ryan in a hypothetical Democratic primary.

“Democrats are likely to be encouraged by these numbers," Robert Alexander, professor of political science at BGSU, said. "We are likely to see a great deal of attention in the coming year to see if a state that has become reliably red still has a shade of purple left in it. With that said, the state remains a heavy lift for Democrats given recent election outcomes.”

Trump favorability

BGSU found President Donald Trump's approval rating has steadily fallen among Ohio voters, and now stands at a -10 favorability rating. This is a decline from his +6 favorable rating among Ohioans in February and -1 favorable rating in April.

Brewery defends child-free policy after backlash

According to the poll, 60% of Ohioans oppose Trump's tariffs, 69% oppose changing the Department of Defense's name to the Department of War and 63% think governors should have the ability to decide if the National Guard is deployed in their state. Nearly three-fourths of Ohioans believe tariffs will benefit the wealthy.

As the government shutdown enters its fourth week, 46% of Ohioans said they blamed Trump "a great deal" for the shutdown. He received the most blame for the shutdown, with 41% of Ohioans placing blame on congressional Republicans, and 34% saying the same about congressional Democrats.

Prevailing political issues

Ohioans have grown less satisfied with democracy and the country's trajectory since polling in April. Although feelings about the state of Ohio stayed consistent, 53% of Ohioans believe the U.S. is on the wrong track, up from 50% in April. Only 24% are satisfied with the state of democracy, a notable drop from 30% in April.

Only 33% of Ohioans feel federal checks and balances are effective, down 9% from April. Most Ohioans think civil liberties are at risk, with 64% reporting they believe freedom of speech is being threatened. Democrats are much more likely to believe civil liberties are threatened, with 89% of Democrats and 44% of Republican feeling the freedom of speech is being threatened.

Big Lots offering deals after reopening Ohio stores

Economic opinions have improved somewhat since April, with 25% reporting their personal economic situation had improved, up from 16% in April. Fewer Ohioans believe the national economy has worsened, with 56% believing it has worsened, down from 61%.

Judge allows Ohio high school athletes to sign NIL deals Specific concerns: ICE, Epstein and violence

Most Ohioans, 51%, oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, 52% oppose ICE's use of unmarked cars and 54% oppose ICE officers wearing masks while working. However, ICE favorability is strongly divided among party lines. Regarding ICE raids, 95% of Democrats oppose them and 92% of Republicans favor them.

Ohioans also had strong feelings about the Jeffery Epstein case. More than 80% of Ohioans are familiar with Epstein, and 85% believe it is important to hold others accountable in the Epstein case. Almost 90% of Ohioans think there is "probably" or "definitely" a cover-up to protect powerful people, and respondents largely disapproved of Congress and Trump's handling of the investigation.

Nearly all Ohioans believed political violence is a problem, with 92% of respondents reporting political violence is an issue. Eighty-six percent said violence is never justified to achieve political goals, and 84% said Charlie Kirk's death reflects a larger national issue. Ohioans believe comments from political leaders (29%), social media (24%), individual mental health issues (23%) and news media (16%) contribute to violence.

Across the country, people were fired for posting favorably about Kirk's assassination. Ohioans largely believe it is "never acceptable" to publicly express contentedness when a public figure they disagree with is hurt (58%). Fewer Ohioans felt it was appropriate to fire an employee for comments on personal social media accounts, however.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio high school athletes will be permitted to earn money off their name, image and likeness, at least temporarily, after a Columbus judge's ruling Monday.

Franklin County Judge Jaiza Page granted a temporary restraining order against eligibility rules that prohibit high school athletes from signing endorsement deals and keeping their amateur status.

The order was granted after the family of Dayton-area receiver Jamier Brown, who has committed to play for Ohio State University starting in 2027, sued the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The OHSAA voted in 2022 against allowing NIL 538-254. See an earlier report on the case in the video player above.

Kickoff time announced for Ohio State-Penn State game on Nov. 1

The lawsuit said Brown received offers for endorsement deals worth over $100,000.

The temporary restraining order will last more than one month until another hearing is scheduled on a potential preliminary injunction. In the time between those hearings, the OHSAA cannot enforce its NIL rule on high school athletes.

NBC4 reached out to the OHSAA for comment, with a spokesperson saying they have received the judge's ruling and are "finalizing communication to our member schools and the public/media."

Ohio high school athletes that have signed endorsement deals over the past three years have had to forfeit their amateur status. One example is New Albany golfer Mia Hammond, who signed a deal with Sterling Sports Management in 2024 and became ineligible to play for the New Albany High School team.

Among the claims listed in the lawsuit on why NIL should be allowed in Ohio include the right to free speech, the current NIL rule being against the state’s antitrust law and equal protection.

Brown, who plays at Huber Heights Wayne, is rated as the 12th-best recruit in the country in the 2027 class, according to 247Sports. The four-star recruit is the second-best receiver in the entire class and the top-rated recruit in Ohio.

Over 40 states and Washington, D.C., have rules allowing high school athletes to sign NIL deals while keeping their amateur athletic status.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- What was supposed to be one of Ohio State's most difficult games of the season now has a kickoff time.

The Buckeyes' Nov. 1 home game against unranked Penn State, who will enter with an 0-4 record in Big Ten play, will begin at noon from Ohio Stadium.

Michigan bar gets free legal help in Ohio State challenge over ‘Buckeye Tears’ beer

Both teams will not play in Week 9 after the Buckeyes shutout Wisconsin 34-0 in Madison and the Nittany Lions fell at Iowa 25-24. Penn State has not beaten Ohio State since 2016, losing the last eight meetings to the Buckeyes.

The Nov. 1 contest also marks the end of an era as Ohio State-Penn State is no longer a protected rivalry in the expanded Big Ten. The two won't meet again until 2028 at Beaver Stadium after playing each other in the last 33 regular seasons.

Remaining 2025 Ohio State football schedule

• Nov. 1: Penn State, noon
• Nov. 8: at Purdue
• Nov. 15: UCLA
• Nov. 22: Rutgers
• Nov. 29: at Michigan, noon

The Nittany Lions began the season as the No. 2 team in the preseason Associated Press poll with national championship expectations. After a smooth nonconference schedule, where Penn State beat Nevada, FIU, and Villanova, the season all came crashing down after a narrow 30-24 double overtime loss to Oregon at home.

Former head coach James Franklin and his team would follow the loss to the Ducks with shock defeats to UCLA and Northwestern, leading to Franklin's firing. Interim Terry Smith leads the team the rest of the way as the search for Franklin's successor continues.

NBC4's coverage of college football will continue for Week 9 with a rivalry game in East Lansing between Michigan and Michigan State. Coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman while posing as a maintenance worker after he was released on bond for a similar offense. 

On Oct. 17, Philip Daniels, 35, was indicted on charges of rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary after he reportedly sexually assaulted a woman in Downtown Columbus. 

On Oct. 2, a man who police later identified as Daniels forced his way into a woman’s apartment after claiming he was there to fix a water leak, according to legal documents. Court records allege he hit and strangled the woman, and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands. 

Federal judge dismisses Ohio teacher’s lawsuit over LGBTQ+ classroom books

A few days later, on Oct. 8, the woman reportedly received a notification that her credit card, which was stolen during the assault, was used at a restaurant. Police identified the suspect as Daniels and arrested him on Oct. 9.

On Sept. 6, 2024, Daniels was indicted for rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary in relation to a similar crime. Court records claim he sexually assaulted a different woman on Aug. 16, 2024, when he identified himself as a maintenance worker in order to enter her northeast Columbus apartment.

Daniels was also indicted on kidnapping and burglary charges stemming from a July 31, 2024, incident, and a public indecency charge relating to an Aug. 19, 2024, offense, court records say. He pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Philip Daniels' mugshot.

Daniels' bond was originally set at $1 million in Franklin County Municipal Court. His case was then transferred to the county’s common pleas court, and his bond was reduced to $250,000. He was released from jail on Sept. 13, 2024, according to booking records. NBC4 reached out to the common pleas court to find out why that bond was reduced, but has not yet received an answer.

On Oct. 17, Daniels was also indicted for an alleged kidnapping and attempted rape that occurred on Aug. 21, 2024, court records show.

After Daniels’ most recent arrest, his bond was revoked. He is currently in Franklin County’s Jackson Pike jail, according to booking records.

In an Oct. 10 social media post, Columbus police said their investigations have “revealed the potential for additional victims of Mr. Daniels that have yet to come forward.” Police asked anyone with information on the previous assaults or incidents that have not been reported to contact their Adult Sexual Crimes Unit at 614-645-4701. 

Daniels’ arraignment, or court appearance during which he will be formally informed of the charges against him and required to enter a plea, is scheduled for Wednesday. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State's Ryan Day is the highest-paid coach in Big Ten football.

Day makes about $12.5 million each year in total compensation, making him the second-highest paid coach overall, according to USA Today's updated data base. Under his leadership, Ohio State has maintained their status as the No. 1 ranked team for most of the season. See previous coverage of Day's contract in the video player above.

NBC4 analyzed the salaries and records of Big Ten coaches. Although the top two highest-paid coaches were also the highest performing teams, the correlation diminished quickly.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti's correlation is a reflection of his success this season, rather than initial incentive. Cignetti is undefeated and agreed to a new eight-year contact on Thursday. At $11.6 million annually, the contract made him the third highest-paid coach in college football. He previously would have been the seventh highest-paid coach.

Three schools' data is complicated, as two Big Ten schools fired their coaches. Northwestern, a private school, is not required to disclose salary details.

UCLA's DeShaun Foster was fired in September and Penn State's James Franklin was fired earlier this month. Penn State's interim coach, Terry Smith, has not publicized his salary yet. Tim Skipper at UCLA makes $875,000 as interim head coach.

Only five Big Ten coaches are ranked in the AP's college and coaches football rankings.

SchoolCoach's salaryAP college pollCoaches' pollOhio State $12.5MNo. 1No. 1Indiana$11.6MNo. 2No. 2Oregon$10.4MNo. 6No. 6Illinois$8.4MNo. 23No. 23Michigan$6.1MNo. 25No. 25

Ohio State will not play this weekend, but will play fellow Big Ten teams for the rest of the regular season. The Buckeyes' next game is on Nov. 1, where they will take on Penn State at Ohio Stadium.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio fans of “The Shawshank Redemption” are getting the rare opportunity to see the gritty, stirring prison drama in a live stage production.

The story, which began as the novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” by horror author Stephen King, was then adapted into one of the most popular films of all time. Now, it will be brought to life in a fresh setting at the Willis Theater in Delaware.

Director David Hejmanowski shared with NBC4 how a trip this summer to the historic Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, where the “Shawshank” movie was filmed in 1994, inspired him to delve into the theater rendition. He explained that in his role as Delaware County judge, he helps facilitate an annual legal education seminar that tours the former prison as part of the program. The experience sparked his interest in the stage adaptation.

Haunted Ohio: Inside the Ohio State Reformatory

“Because the movie was filmed there, and I was thinking to myself, 'Boy, it's a shame that there's not a stage version of this story,'” Hejmanowski said. “And as I got home, I thought, 'You know what? I've never looked to see if there's a stage version of this story.' And so when I got in the house, I got online, and I looked it up, and sure enough, there it is, the stage version of this story.”

He quickly realized it was an opportunity too compelling to pass up.

“And, as soon as I knew that, I thought, 'Oh, we have to do this.' I mean, it's just such an inspirational classic story, now that it's perfect for the stage.”

• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.
• Photo Courtesy/Arena Fair Theatre Co.

The production tells the story of the main character Andy Dufresne, who is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison at Shawshank. Hejmanowski said people familiar with the novella or movie will see many parallels in the stage version.

“So, all of the elements are there and all the main story points are there, but there will be differences, just in adaptation to make it work for a stage,” Hejmanowski said.

List: Central Ohio’s top haunted houses and trails for 2025

Casting for the production was competitive, with 35-40 actors vying for 12 roles. To better understand the story’s setting, Hejmanowski said the actors toured the Mansfield facility as part of their research. The Arena Fair Theatre director praised the cast for balancing the play's dark moments with its uplifting portions.

“I can't tell you how thrilled I am with this cast. They are just so incredibly talented,” Hejmanowski said. “They have really taken to their roles. I know this is going to be — audiences are going to love their presentation, because this is not easy material.”

Hejmanowski also noted that this production is not for children.

“These are, you know, men in a prison and they use the language that you would expect, in those circumstances,” Hejmanowski said. “And similar to the movie, which is … rated R … Andy is assaulted.”

However, beyond the brutality, Hejmanowski believes audiences will come away feeling moved.

“Throughout that story, you see multiple points where the average person would give up, and the average person, whatever, whatever, light they had, whatever little flame of hope they still had, would be extinguished by that,” Hejmanowski said. “And yet there's something about [Andy] and there's something about his character that he never lets that go out.”

The production runs from Oct. 24 to 26, with evening performances at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. matinées on Saturday and Sunday, at the Willis Theater, 74 West William Street in Delaware. Tickets are available online.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Police Department has released more details on a multi-vehicle crash that killed two people in west Columbus over the weekend, but has yet to close its investigation.

Officers responded to the intersection of Hilliard Rome Road and Roberts Road just south of Hilliard, at 7:02 p.m. Saturday, when two victims who were riding a motorcycle were found lying in the road after a collision.

Athens County prisoner found with drugs in his rectum

According to a CPD release, a Yamaha motorcycle was traveling south on Hilliard Rome Rd. At the same time a Honda Civic was waiting for traffic to clear before turning west onto Roberts Rd., though for reasons unknown it proceeded to make the turn and collided with the motorcycle.

Two people riding a motorcycle were killed after a crash in west Columbus, Oct. 18, 2025. (NBC4 Photo/Michael Klug)

The passenger of the motorcycle was pronounced dead at the scene while the motorcycle operator was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries but did not survive. The driver of the Honda was unharmed and remained at the scene.

The victims identities have yet to be released and the Accident Investigation Unit is asking anyone with knowledge about this incident to contact the Columbus Division of Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A judge temporarily blocked Gov. Mike DeWine's executive order banning intoxicating hemp products, but efforts to stop the sale of "diet weed" products persist.

DeWine, citing harm to children, ordered businesses to remove intoxicating hemp products by last Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, stores were given a slight reprieve when a Franklin County judge intervened, halting the order as lawsuits play out in court. The restraining order lasts just 14 days, leaving lingering questions as to what the order means for Ohioans.

Intoxicating hemp products are cannabinoid products that are not controlled by the FDA, such as Delta-8 or Delta-9. Also called "diet weed," these products are considered less intoxicating than other cannabis-derived products.

Ohio bill pushes for 24-hour abortion waiting period

DeWine's concerns stem from minors' access to the products, as intoxicating hemp does not have to be sold at licensed dispensaries with rigorous ID checks. See previous coverage of DeWine's executive order in the video player above.

Ohioans have been allowed to grow up to six cannabis plants at home since voters approved recreational marijuana in 2023. Under DeWine's executive order, "intoxicating hemp" does not meet the definition of a "hemp product." DeWine said the order did not alter cannabis law in Ohio, and residents can still grow small amounts of hemp at home.

Hemp and marijuana are both variations of the cannabis plant. Federally, hemp is classified as cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC, whereas marijuana has more than 0.3%. Hemp is federally legal and has higher levels of CBD. THC and CBD are the two primary cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, but only THC is considered intoxicating.

DeWine's order blocked retailers from selling intoxicating hemp products, and applied to anyone selling, manufacturing or offering intoxicating hemp products for sale. The order reclassifies intoxicating hemp as any food or drink with more than 0.5 milligrams per serving of THC and limits sales to licensed dispensaries.

Historic Columbus warehouse to host new jazz cafe, amphitheater

Home-grown hemp plants can be used, but they will not cause intoxication. Intoxicating hemp is made by chemically extracting metabolites and psychoactive substances from cannabis plants, typically only feasible in a professional facility.

DeWine's order would ban "diet weed" manufacturing. It has little effect on Ohioans' rights at home, as they were largely unable to manufacture intoxicating hemp to begin with. Professional hemp cultivators will see a change by the end of 2025, regardless of whether DeWine's order is upheld.

In July, the Ohio Department of Agriculture said it would withdraw Ohio's approved state plan for hemp manufacturing. Starting Jan. 1, people interested in growing hemp will need to receive a new production license through the federal Domestic Hemp Production Program. Any existing Ohio licenses will be voided on Dec. 31.

REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus-area brewery is standing by its policy not allowing children in its taproom after 7 p.m., following recent backlash that the brewery said included threats and name-calling.

In an Oct. 15 social media post, Eastside Brewing Company, at 1421 Davidson Drive in Reynoldsburg, addressed complaints from some customers and outlined its reasoning for the policy.

"Although things have been going very well for us, there is one sore sport, that seems to come back again and again. Unsupervised children," the business wrote. "It's not that we don't like kids. We manufacture alcohol."

Roosters on Olentangy River Road announces reopening date

The brewery said it has long intended its taproom to be an adult-centered environment, while still welcoming respectful families earlier in the day.

"Many families with children come and enjoy the brewery and are respectful of our property and our customers. They play board games at the table and enjoy having a pint while their kids sit with them," the post said. "Then there is a small group of adults who call me ... a 'child hater,' among others."

Eastside Brewing Company at 1421 Davidson Drive in Reynoldsburg. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

The post goes on to describe the issues the business said it had encountered with some unsupervised children, including damaged property and safety concerns.

"There are kickballs and frisbees to dodge. Some kids like to dig up rocks in the beer garden and create hazards for our adult guests to trip over," the brewery said. "They antagonize our neighbors' dogs through the fence. Our patio swing had to be taken down as it was confused with an amusement park ride. The bolts nearly fell out. The ping pong table is broken and we rarely put corn hole out as the bags end up on the roof."

"Some breweries are built for kids. They want you to bring the family and they have things for them to do while they are there. Please understand, this is not us," the post continued. "We have built a space centered on adults having a conversation and a pint and a bite to eat."

Burger, hot dog chain to open first Ohio location in Columbus

The company emphasized that children are still allowed earlier in the day and accompanied teenagers are welcome, but reiterated the 7 p.m. restriction for minors.

"Yes, we want to keep the brewery open to families," the post said. "However, on a weekly basis we have an experience with a family who wants to disregard our policies. Therefore we only allow kids until 7 p.m., but after 7 p.m. we are adults only."

The brewery, which launched its original location in Buckeye Lake in 2012 before expanding to Reynoldsburg in 2019, is open 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, 4 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.

"We work hard to provide a place for you to come and enjoy one another's company over a pint," the brewery wrote. "We hope you will continue to join us."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Despite yet another round of price cycling, Ohio remains one of 35 states averaging gasoline prices below $3 per gallon, even if that isn’t the case in central Ohio.

According to GasBuddy’s survey of 500 stations in and around Columbus, Ohio, gas prices increased by 24 cents in the last week to average out at $3.01 per gallon. The current price is 8.7 cents per gallon lower than four weeks ago as well as 3.6 cents lower than this time one year ago.

Columbus Gas Prices Tracker

The cheapest gas station in the Columbus area was priced at $2.25 a gallon on Sunday, while the most expensive was $3.29, a difference of $1.04 cents per gallon. In Ohio, the average price of gas also shot up by 17.4 cents from $2.76 per gallon to $2.93 per gallon.

Nationally, several states across the country experienced a drop in gas prices, which, despite the rise in Ohio, fell by 4.1 cents per gallon to average out at $2.98, and the price of diesel followed suit by 3.7 cents, settling in at $3.59 per gallon.

What is price cycling?

Barring any major setbacks due to weather or refinery issues in the Midwest, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis Patrick De Haan says that prices throughout the county, including in Ohio, should remain below the $3 per gallon mark in future weeks.

“Gas prices have finally fallen below $3 per gallon nationally— the earliest date we've seen a $2.99 national average since 2020, when COVID was the primary driver of low prices,” said De Haan. “Currently, 35 states have average gas prices below $2.99/gal, and barring any major disruptions, gas prices are likely to remain slightly below year-ago levels and could stay under $3 for much of the next few months.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio residents may soon notice gray, putty-like masses on their trees or outdoor furniture, as invasive bugs lay eggs across the state. 

Spotted lanternflies begin laying eggs in October, and continue to do so through December, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The egg masses, containing around 30-50 eggs, survive through the winter and hatch in April through June. 

The insects prefer to lay their eggs on hard, flat surfaces in sheltered areas, including on trees, buildings, firewood, outdoor furniture, grills, vehicles, lawn equipment and toys.

Michigan bar gets free legal help in Ohio State challenge over 'Buckeye Tears' beer

Brian Baldrige, director of the ODA, previously told NBC4 his department encourages people to inspect common areas where the bugs like to lay eggs, then scrape any masses off and place them in soapy water to kill them. 

Egg masses are usually about 1.5 inches long and brown or gray. Newly laid masses typically resemble wet, gray putty before they turn to dull brown, mirroring cracked mud, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. 

• Spotted lanternfly eggs. (Photo Courtesy/United States Department of Agriculture)
• Spotted lanternfly eggs. (Photo Courtesy/United States Department of Agriculture)
• A spotted lanternfly egg mass is seen on a tree in Indiana. (Photo provided by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources)

State and wildlife officials in Ohio and beyond regularly encourage the public to kill the invasive bugs at all stages of life because when they feed, they excrete a sticky fluid that causes mold and damages plants.

“They can be very damaging, especially to our vineyards,” Baldridge said in April. “They are very aggressive and can [have] a huge impact on these different plants.”

End-of-October deals launch Big Lots comeback: See all 28 Ohio stores reopened

As adults, spotted lanternflies have a black body, along with colorful red and gray wings with black markings. Juvenile spotted lanternflies sport black or red bodies with white spots, but no wings. 

• Adult spotted Lanternfly. (Adobe Stock)
• Juvenile spotted lanterflies. (Adobe Stock)

Spotted lanternflies feed on a variety of plants, including hops, hardwood trees and different fruits. An invasive tree, known as the tree of heaven, is the primary host for the bugs. 

The insects are native to Asia and were first detected in the United States in Pennsylvania in 2014, likely being brought to the country through imported goods. The species has since spread to 19 states and was first confirmed in Ohio in Mingo Junction in 2020.

Eighteen Ohio counties are under quarantine for the spotted lanternfly, including Franklin, marking the only quarantine in central Ohio. A quarantine means the state restricts and inspects the transportation of materials that could harbor the bugs. 

‘She Wins Act:’ Ohio bill pushes for 24-hour abortion waiting period

While the insects cause widespread damage to plants, they are not dangerous to humans or pets. The bugs do not bite or sting and are generally considered non-toxic, according to Pennsylvania State University.

If a resident lives outside a quarantined county and sees a spotted lanternfly, the ODA asks them to snap a photo and report the sighting on their website. 

NEW RICHMOND, Ohio (WCMH) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by an Ohio teacher who claimed her constitutional rights were violated when she was suspended for keeping LGBTQ-themed books in her classroom.

Karen Cahall, a third-grade New Richmond Exempted Village School District teacher for more than 30 years, filed the lawsuit in December 2024 after she was suspended without pay for three days. In the complaint, Cahall said the disciplinary action was based on her decision to include four books with LGBTQ+ characters in her classroom library.

On Sept. 29, U.S. District Judge Douglas Cole of the Southern District of Ohio ruled in favor of the district and dismissed Cahall's case.

Supreme Court case could upend local Ohio bans on anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy

"There is no question that, on the facts here, Cahall knew that the LGBTQ-themed books that she placed in the classroom related to a 'controversial issue,'" Cole wrote in his decision. "The [district's] policy defined 'controversial issue' as including 'a topic ... likely to arouse both support and opposition in the community.' Indeed, Cahall was aware that LGBTQ+ issues had done just that."

According to the original complaint, Cahall kept the books -- "Ana On The Edge" by A.J. Sass, "The Fabulous Zed Watson" by Basil Sylvester, "Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea" by Ashley Herring Blake, and "Too Bright to See" by Kyle Lukoff -- among more than 100 others in her classroom. None of them was required reading or used in formal instruction, the suit stated.

"She specifically notes that she added the books to her collection because of a 'controversy' surrounding LGBTQ+ topics and she did so precisely because she thought that controversy damaging to the emotional health of LGBTQ+ students," Cole wrote. "A teacher's desire to protect her students' emotional health is a laudable sentiment. But against the backdrop, she ... should have known that whatever the precise contours of a 'controversial issue,' there was no question that it extended to the books at issue here."

Cahall's lawsuit argued the district's "controversial issues" policy was vague and selectively enforced, violating her rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments. But the court found that her constitutional claims did not meet the legal threshold.

Out in Ohio: Equality Ohio marks 20 years of LGBTQ+ advocacy as same-sex marriage faces new threats

"Whether considered in light of the original complaint of the proposed amended complaint, Cahall's Equal Protection claim falls short," Cole wrote.

The ruling also cited precedent that limits public school teachers' speech rights in the classroom.

"Teachers do not have a First Amendment right to make their own 'curricular and pedagogical choices' in a public school," Cole wrote. "The district pays her to instruct students, and as part of that, it has the right to specify the materials that she uses to accomplish that objective."

He added that while Cahall did not teach directly from the books, her actions still fell within the scope of her duties.

"Cahall alleges she does not 'teach' from the books here. But the rule in Evans-Marshall did not turn on the precise manner in which the teacher used the books. Rather, the Evans-Marshall court said the relevant question was whether the teacher had engaged in the conduct at issue 'pursuant to' her duties as a public-school teacher," Cole wrote.

"That is because, when a teacher acts 'pursuant to' her duties, the school administration has a right to control that conduct, much like any employer has a right to control how its employees perform their jobs," the judge continued. "And Cahall, in selecting books for her in-classroom library, acted pursuant to her teaching duties."

Ohio ‘natural family’ bill would promote traditional values, supporters say

In her original complaint, Cahall said she included the books based on her "sincerely held moral and religious beliefs that all children, including children who are LGBTQ+ or the children of parents who are LGBTQ+, deserve to be respected, accepted, and loved for who they are."

She also argued the policy failed to clearly define what constituted a "controversial issue" and claimed that other teachers had been permitted to display symbols of religious belief in the classroom.

The books were brought to the district's attention in October 2024 after a parent contacted the school board. Former Superintendent Tracey Miller began disciplinary proceedings, and on Nov. 6, Cahall was formally suspended. In a letter, Miller said Cahall had previously sought approval for the books to be placed in the school library and was denied.

"You may believe that some of the books listed above are appropriate for some of your students, but it is not for you to decide," Miller wrote.

Cahall had sought compensatory and punitive damages in addition to a ruling striking down the district's policy. Since filling the lawsuit, Cahall has raised more than $18,000 through a GoFundMe campaign, where she said the funds are helping cover legal fees and supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts.

Neither Cahall's attorney, Mark Herron, and New Richmond Exempted Village School District responded to NBC4's request for comment.