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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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. 

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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.

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"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.

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"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."

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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.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — One person was rescued from a northeast Columbus fire that destroyed a home early Monday morning.

According to the Columbus Division of Fire, a single-family home caught fire at around 1 a.m. Monday in the 4200 block of Grayfriars Lane in the Hyde Park neighborhood. One person was rescued from the home and taken to an area hospital with their condition unknown.

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Also unknown was how many people were in the home at the time of the fire, which caused heavy flames to be seen upon arrival of firefighters.

The Red Cross was called to assist those affected by the fire, which remains under investigation as to what the cause was.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Trademark lawyers are representing a Michigan bar free of charge after Ohio State University challenged the name of its draft "Buckeye Tears."

The Brown Jug, an Ann Arbor-based bar near the University of Michigan campus, offers Buckeye Tears for $7. The Brown Jug applied and begun the approval process to trademark the term for beer and liquor, but Ohio State filed a formal opposition to halt the trademark.

Ohio State keeps its No. 1 ranking going into final bye week

"Consumers, particularly within the Midwest, inherently associate the term 'Buckeye' with Ohio
State and the Ohio State Services, including its athletic programs," OSU said in a filing.

OSU argues "Buckeye Tears" infringes on the university's copyrighted material and could be damaging to the university's reputation. Trademark attorney Josh Gerben told NBC4 that Ohio State will need to prove consumers will assume the university is affiliated with the brew.

Firm partners Todd Gregorian and Eric Ball are confident in their defense and took the case on pro bono. Gregorian was a patron of the Brown Jug as a law student at the University of Michigan, and the pair seized the opportunity to give back.

"We're here to give the Brown Jug the strongest D-line that we can," Ball said.

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Gregorian said it's unlikely anyone would be confused about the product. He said although the name might poke fun or hurt feelings, it does not tarnish OSU's brand.

"Ohio State just stands between a rock and a hard place," Gregorian said. "The university is claiming rights on a term that's generic and really used by the public in Ohio for a bunch of other purposes, and at the same time, they are claiming that their singular use of the Buckeye mark is so famous that everyone in the country knows it refers to them."

Ohio State is one of the largest universities in the U.S. and the Buckeyes are the reigning college football national champions. The Brown Jug said that makes them recognizable in many circles, but not unilaterally.

Ball said although Ohio State's branding is well-known among trademark lawyers -- referring to OSU's attempts and successes in trademarking the word "THE" -- the general public is less aware of their hallmarks. Watch previous coverage of the "THE" ruling in the video player above.

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In its court filing, the Brown Jug offered examples of other liquor and beer brands with buckeye branding, part of more than 5,700 registered Ohio businesses with "buckeye" in the name. The Brown Jug included nine photos of "buckeye" alcohols as evidence that they are not inherently synonymous with Ohio State.

Some Ohio-based alcoholic brands with "buckeye" in their name refer to the tree or state symbol. However, other brands cited in the legal filing do lean into Ohio State sports on social media. One of the examples, Buckeye Vodka, is even officially licensed with Ohio State and an athletic sponsor.

"The success of Ohio State in its educational missions, including its arts and athletic
programs, have cemented the presence of the BUCKEYES Mark and BUCKEYE Formative
Marks on a national stage," OSU wrote in its court filing.

Niko Porikos, son of the Brown Jug's owner, said the Buckeye Tears brew has become incredibly popular. He attributed most of the beer's success to OSU's legal challenge.

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"Due to the pettiness of THE school down south, a beast has been unlocked," Porikos said via email. "We are struggling to keep up with the insane demand over the last few weeks and are pursuing additional product lines."

Porikos clarified any additional products will be in maize and blue to avoid similar confusion.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, some people may start to notice a shift in their mood. According to experts, that could be a sign of seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression that tends to hit during the fall and winter months. 

"It's just sad and depressing," Starla Bible said. "I don't want to do anything except for curl up and binge-watch TV."

It’s less than two weeks until the end of daylight saving time, when clocks will turn back one hour. While this means an extra hour of sleep, it also means less daylight. For some people like Starla Bible, that seasonal shift can take a real toll on mood and energy levels. 

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"Typically around Halloween, I start feeling different in my mood and doing less because it gets cold and there's less activities to do outside," Bible said. 

Like millions of other Americans, Bible has been struggling for years with seasonal affective disorder.

"It makes it really hard to do anything," she said. "I feel like I don't want to be active and go out and do anything. I don't even want to go to work sometimes."

Wexner Medical Center psychologist Dr. Nicole Hollingshead said early warning signs include feeling unusually tired, eating more sweets and carbs, and losing interest in things you normally enjoy. 

"Things like sitting next to a window during breakfast or taking a walk outside can really help regulate your circadian rhythm and help with your mood," Hollingshead said. 

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Hollingshead recommends planning activities now that get you moving, connected and out of the house, especially during the winter months. 

"One year, I joined a walking club, and that was pretty good, except for I felt like it got too cold and I eventually stopped going," Bible said. "But I joined a church that I really like and that gets me out at least on Sunday and then one day during the week."

Hollingshead even suggests trying a light therapy box, which is a tool that mimics sunlight. 

"There is some research to support that if you purchase a light box that's around 10,000 lumens and you use that for 20, 30 minutes during the morning, that can help ensure that you're getting that early morning light exposure and help avoid worsening mood and depression," Hollingshead said. 

It's also about mindset and trying to embrace winter instead of dreading it.

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"I really encourage you to take some time now and talk with your support people," Hollingshead said. "What kind of plans can you put in place? What kind of trips can we plan? Or maybe getting creative with different gatherings? Maybe you can get together for board nights or make sure you're going to indoor facilities."

According to experts, if you're struggling, don't wait to reach out for help; talk to a mental health professional to discuss potential treatments.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Athletes from all across the world were in central Ohio Sunday to participate in the half and full Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon. The money raised will go toward supporting the work and research at the hospital.

The runners, spectators and volunteers did not let the rain put a damper on their day. They called this the most meaningful marathon and people we spoke with said it lived up to the name.

“There's no one in central Ohio and across America that hasn't been affected by the work we're doing at Nationwide Children's Hospitals,” said Charissa Fee, the assistant race director.

The marathon has raised $15 million for the hospital over the years. At each mile marker they have a children’s champion who shared their story to inspire and have faced some uphill battles throughout their lives. 

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We spoke to Chase, who has a heart condition called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. “It means a lot and it's really cool. I never thought I would actually be here,” he said.

As well as Pragalya, who was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss when she was about 14 months old. 

“They (Nationwide Children's Hospital) played a really big role in my hearing loss journey,” she said “I know the weather has been crazy out here today so seeing the amount of people who still showed up I feel really happy and empowered.”

The runners trained for months and they really felt the weight of that accomplishment as they crossed the finish line.

The winners from the 2025 Columbus Marathon were: 

• Men's Marathon: Simon Heys, from Wilmington, OH with a time of 2:21:16
• Women's Marathon: Shannon Smith, from Fayetteville, AR with a time of 2:42:56.
• Men's Half Marathon: Curt Eckstein, from Indianapolis, IN with a time of 1:05.
• Women's Half Marathon: Tyler Hudacek from Boulder, CO with a time of 1:16:19
• Wheelchair Marathon: John Moore from Dayton, OH with a time of 2:43:56.

We had the chance to catch up with the Eckstein, who said it was special to see the children's champions at each mile. “It feels good for sure. It feels great to get the win,” Eckstein said. “It's really cool and I think it is a really fun event. Probably the best half marathon I've done so far.”

Race organizers said this is the most runners they’ve had since the COVID-19 pandemic with 15,000 people signing up. They also had more than 1,700 volunteers to make the day possible with approximately 100,000 spectators.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Crew will face archrivals FC Cincinnati in the first round of the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs and fans now have the dates and kickoff times for the anticipated series.

Major League Soccer released the schedule and kickoff times for all eight first-round matchups in this year's playoffs. This is the third season MLS is using a best-of-three format for the first round as the higher seed team hosts game one, lower seed hosts game two, and higher seed game three if necessary. If a match ends in a tie after regulation, it goes straight to a penalty shootout.

The Crew will play their in-state "Hell is Real" rivals first at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati for game one on Oct. 27. Kickoff time is set for 6:45 p.m. Columbus will hosts FCC for game two at Lower.com Field at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 2. If a third game in the Queen City is necessary, it would be played on Nov. 8 at a time to be announced.

'Hell is Real' Crew-Cincinnati playoff schedule

• Game 1 (TQL Stadium): Monday, Oct. 27 at 6:45 p.m.
• Game 2 (Lower.com Field): Sunday, Nov. 2, at 6:30 p.m.
• Game 3 (TQL Stadium): Saturday, Nov. 8, time TBD (if necessary)

This will be the first time in 2023 that the Hell is Real derby is played in the playoffs. The only other time was when the Crew came from behind to beat Cincinnati on the road 3-2 in extra time in the 2023 Eastern Conference final. Columbus would go on to win MLS Cup over Los Angeles FC that season.

The Black & Gold went unbeaten in their two regular-season matches against FCC, with a 1-1 draw at home on May 17 followed by a 4-2 road win on July 12. Cincinnati has only beaten the Crew four times in 18 matches.

The winner of the Crew-Cincinnati series will meet the winner of the first round series between Inter Miami, led by MLS golden boot winner Lionel Messi, and U.S. Open Cup champions Nashville SC.

2025 MLS Cup Playoffs bracket

This year's MLS Cup final will be played on Dec. 6. If the Crew manage to get that far, it is highly unlikely it would host the final. The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs begin on Wednesday with each conference's wild card game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on the Sunday Briefing:

• A journalist exiled from Russia, just labeled an enemy of the state by Vladimir Putin.

“Putin understands only sheer power, only force,” journalist Evgeny Kiselev said.

Hear what Kiselev said it would take to end the war in Ukraine as it nears its fourth year.

• An anonymous poll with unique insight into Ohio statehouse politics. 

“It gives us a window into what are these folks, how do they actually feel?” Dan Williamson with the Werth public relations said.

Hear what the Gongwer-Werth legislative poll shows about safety and partisanship.

• There’s a new effort in the Ohio Senate to overhaul the state’s juvenile justice system.

“Can you imagine a 10-year-old being sentenced to a correctional facility?” Ohio Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) said.

Hear about the changes some lawmakers said will help young offenders break the cycle.

• Is there a chance the United States could arm Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles? Republican strategist Matt Dole and Democratic strategist Lou Gentile join the roundtable to discuss the issue.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — To the surprise of no one, Ohio State is still the No. 1 ranked team in college football thanks to a dominant 34-0 win over Wisconsin on Saturday.

The Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0) enter its second and final bye week of the regular season with the top spot in both the Associated Press poll and USA Today coaches poll. Ohio State has the top spot in the coaches poll by unanimous decision. Cincinnati, which is undefeated in Big 12 play, moved up the rankings to No. 21.

Saturday's shutout win in Madison further solidified OSU's incredible talent offensively, its historically good defense that has allowed less than six points per game, and put Julian Sayin's name among the Heisman Trophy favorites.

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The Scarlet & Gray now stand with five other teams (No. 2 Indiana, No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 7 Georgia Tech, No. 11 BYU, and Navy) with undefeated records. A handful of teams with unbeaten marks lost in Week 8, including Miami, Ole Miss, and Texas Tech, which all sat in the top-ten entering Saturday's games.

The upsets once again shuffled the latest rankings quite a bit.

2025 Associated Press rankings (Oct. 19, 2025) 1Ohio State (60)2Indiana (6)3Texas A&M4Alabama5Georgia6Oregon7Georgia Tech8Ole Miss9Miami10Vanderbilt11BYU12Notre Dame13Oklahoma14Texas Tech15Missouri16Virginia17Tennessee18South Florida19Louisville20LSU21Cincinnati22Texas23Illinois24Arizona State25Michigan

The Buckeyes' new projected opponent for the College Football Playoff using this week's rankings is the winner of a first round game between No. 8 Ole Miss and No. 9 Miami in a quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl.

Ohio State will return to the field and to Ohio Stadium on Nov. 1 when it hosts struggling Penn State. The Nittany Lions will enter the contest unranked and on a four-game losing streak with interim head coach Terry Smith at the helm. Penn State has not beaten Ohio State since 2016.

With less than half of the season to go, the Buckeyes and Hoosiers are the only undefeated teams left in the Big Ten and are two of three teams with less than two losses.

Conference championship games if season ended today

• American: Navy (6-0, 4-0) vs South Florida (6-1, 3-0)
• ACC: Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0) vs Virginia (6-1, 3-0)
• Big 12: BYU (7-0, 4-0) vs Cincinnati (6-1, 4-0)
• Big Ten: Indiana (7-0, 4-0) vs Ohio State (7-0, 4-0)
• C-USA: Jacksonville State (4-3, 3-0) vs Kennesaw State (4-2, 2-0)
• MAC: Buffalo (4-3, 3-0) vs Miami (4-3, 3-0)
• Mountain West: Boise State (5-2, 3-0) vs San Diego State (5-1, 2-0)
• SEC: Texas A&M (7-0, 4-0) vs Alabama (6-1, 4-0)
• Sun Belt: James Madison (6-1, 4-0) vs Southern Miss (5-2, 3-0)

Assuming all goes to plan, Ohio State and Indiana would meet in the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 6 in Indianapolis.