Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Franklin County judge on Wednesday granted a request for a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit against the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) Board.

Judge Carl A. Aveni granted the request by the Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, and the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors -- which sued over changes to the makeup of the board.

"This determination confirms what retired and active members of STRS have known since June: this is an unconstitutional power grab by the legislature," a joint statement from all three organizations reads. "Educators, just like all other public employees in Ohio, deserve a meaningful voice in our pension plan."

Parents push back against Dublin school redistricting plans

Last month, a different judge temporarily blocked portions of the state budget pertaining to changes on the board from going into effect until a hearing could be held.

Provisions in the state budget reduce the number of elected teachers on the STRS board from seven to three and adding four new political appointees. Critics said the provision in the budget, which was added at the last minute, was an effort to silence teachers.

The Ohio Education Association, the Ohio Federation of Teachers, and the Ohio Conference of the American Association of University Professors filed a lawsuit last month, calling the provisions unconstitutional. Those groups are the three largest education unions in Ohio.

The group argues that educators’ rights were violated because the law only targets STRS, and not the other four public pension systems in Ohio, which get to keep their elected members as the majority.

There have been several years of chaos at the massive pension system, with retired teachers denied cost-of-living increases and the Ohio attorney general filing a civil complaint against two board members.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus sports event organizers are hard at work this week selling why the City of Columbus is such a great sports destination.  

This week, the Travel, Events, Management in Sports (TEAMS) conference is at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Before a major sporting event can be held in a city, there are years of work behind the scenes to prove why that location would be the right host. Many of the people in charge of making those decisions are at the TEAMS conference.

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“Having the TEAMS conference here, those are people doing real-life site visits in Columbus all the time versus, you know, this will take our team months and months and months to have all these people come to Columbus, so having them all here, they can see how awesome our arenas are, how great the convention center is, and how close we are to so many things to do,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission marketing director Jesse Ghiorzi said.

Columbus has hosted some of the biggest events in sports over the last few years, including the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, the NHL Stadium Series, the MLS All-Star Game, and the early rounds of the men’s March Madness college basketball tournament.

“We're always bidding on things to bring future events here,” Ghiorzi said.

Ghiorzi said they have to bid on those events sometimes years before to sell the venue.

“We're putting together, we just call like a bid book, sometimes up to 100 pages that has all the important stuff about the arena, dates that are available, the hotel room prices and hotel room numbers are available,” Ghiorzi said.

Roosters on Olentangy River Road hoping to reopen in the next 2 weeks

He said this includes proximity from hotels to venues like Nationwide Arena and the time it takes to get from Nationwide to the airport, for example, and also how John Glenn airport renovations over the next few years can improve desirability.

“I think something that's exciting, we're really excited about is the airport renovation and a lot of the bids that we're working on are going to be after CMH, CMH 2.0 is intact,” Ghiorzi said. “So that's something that I think will be super helpful for us and having a first-class airport, and we're so thrilled that the Columbus Regional Airport Authority is investing in the airport because that's one of the first touchpoints that people have with the city, and the last touchpoint that people have for the city.”

The TEAMS conference organizer, North Star Meeting Group, said this is a record-breaking attendance year, with more than 400 sports event organizers in Columbus.

“So these organizers are going to get a sense of the city in addition to the convention center where we are, they're going to see some of these sports venues that make Columbus such a great destination for sporting events,” North Star Meeting Group Sports Division Vice President Jason Gewirtz said. “Whether you're a small city or whether you're a large destination, Columbus is a great example. You can do so many sporting events right here in the convention center if you wanted to.”

He said they held an opening ceremony at Ohio Stadium and will have a closing night event at Lower.com Field.

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“We want them to come away with real business,” Gewirtz said. “We want them to build relationships. This industry, while it's a business, it is a relationship industry. Cities like Columbus and others have to be out there making their case again and again because events don't just magically fall into their cities. It's a lot of hard work and that is on a large scale across the community with buy in. And that's one thing I will say Columbus does as well, if not better, than anybody.”

Ghiorzi said that some major events the city has coming up are in 2027, with the NCAA women's volleyball championships and the NCAA women's basketball Final Four. Then, in 2029, the city will host the chess super nationals, which it bid on several years ago.

“We've got a few out that I can't share too much information on, but we've got our fingers crossed and a few big ones,” Ghiorzi said.

A few years ago, Columbus hosted early rounds of the men’s March Madness tournament; Ghiorzi said next year, they will have the opportunity to bid on that again and bring the event back to Columbus.

DUBLIN, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s a hot debate in Dublin that’s impacting thousands of families.

Dublin City Schools is redistricting its three high schools, and the decision has come with a lot of pushback.

Parents are circulating petitions, drafting their own maps, asking questions and reaching out to NBC4 Investigates, with one concern we keep hearing over and over: the impact on traffic.

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“This is a huge decision,” Dublin parent Alicia Pauling said. “We have not redistricted high schools in over 20 years.”

Uneven growth across the three high schools is the reason behind redistricting. There are two draft maps; a third was dismissed after it received the lowest score from the internal planning team. 

 “I cannot wrap my head around how just poorly this has been done,” Dublin parent Erach Deboo said. 

Three Dublin parents spoke on camera, representing many more who’ve talked with NBC4 Investigates, sharing the same concern.

 “Our initial concern was with the lack of a traffic study,” Pauling said. “So the only traffic study that was provided in a public records request was a study that was performed in 2020 at the Glick Road interchange, but it was a retail traffic study.”

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In a public records request, NBC4 Investigates asked the district for the traffic or transit time studies that were considered while creating the maps. The district’s response: “We do not have any records showing reports or results from a traffic study at this time.”

 This process started in April. At that time, the Dublin Superintendent, Dr. John Marschhausen, said this in a redistricting webinar: “We're going to do some traffic studies. As we go through this process, we want to have that information right at hand as we work through this.”

 “Going back and listening to that April webinar, I was surprised that he spoke so highly or kept talking about wanting to do that study and having all these studies done to see what the transit times were and then to find out that nothing had been done,” Pauling said. 

The district commissioned a traffic study on Sept. 29, after the three draft maps were released. The study results were released on Oct. 13 and focus on the changes in travel times/distances for existing boundaries and draft maps for both car and pedestrian travel.

“Phase one of the redistricting in May 2025 was data collection, which is fantastic, but Sept. 29 of ‘25, we're entering into contracts,” Deboo said. “Now, you know, they're just trying to cover. Now we're going to go back and we're going to try to fit studies into these three predetermined maps. I mean, it's backwards.”

Roosters on Olentangy River Road hoping to reopen in the next 2 weeks

The district sent NBC4 Investigates a statement reading: “The district reviewed a traffic study from a local municipality early in the process, then commissioned its own study after draft maps were developed to focus on specific routes and reduce costs.”

Parents did their own digging, looking at traffic patterns and crashes.

“I pulled every crash statistic for the last four years,” Dublin parent Chad Fairchild said. 

Fairchild created maps of those accidents in his area, near historic Dublin. He gathered Ohio State Highway Patrol data and tracked the routes his children and others in his area would have to take from his house to Scioto High.  He found the shorter route, with a roundabout, had many more crashes. NBC4 Investigates confirmed what he found.

“We all understand it needs to happen,” Deboo said. “No one's saying scrap it. That's not what we're saying. But it certainly, certainly could have been done completely different. It could have started with a solid foundation.”

The district is asking for parental feedback, which can be done here. The superintendent says he plans to present a final map on Nov. 10.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has officially named its newest bonobo after a longtime member of its conservation team.

The baby, born in August to first-time mother Kibibi, has been named Winstel, the zoo announced Wednesday. The name was chosen by an anonymous donor to honor Don Winstel, a former assistant zoo director who worked at the facility for more than three decades and played a key role in establishing its bonobo program.

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"Bonobo Kibibi's baby boy has a name," the zoo shared in a social media post on Wednesday. "Meet…Winstel."

• The baby, born in August to first-time mother Kibibi, has been named Winstel. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
• The baby, born in August to first-time mother Kibibi, has been named Winstel. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

Winstel was the 18th bonobo welcomed into the bonobo habitat, with zoo describing his birth last month as "a milestone moment" for the organization and for global bonobo conservation efforts. The zoo said both Kibibi and her son are healthy and bonding well.

The newborn represents the fourth generation of bonobos at the Columbus Zoo. Kibibi is the daughter of Kimia, who was born at the zoo in 1997, and the granddaughter of Susie and Jimmy -- two of the zoo's earliest bonobos. Paternity testing is still underway to determine the baby's father.

According to the zoo, Don Winstel began his career at the facility in 1972 and was instrumental in the acquisition of bonobos in 1990. He helped establish ties to Lola Ya Bonobo, the world's only bonobo sanctuary, founded by Claudine André in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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"Bonobo Winstel is the great-grandson of two of the first bonobos within our care," the anonymous donor said in the zoo's announcement. "Don was the zoo leader who supported and inspired so many staff members to care deeply for bonobos, and he inspired volunteers who have become the bonobos' biggest champions."

Winstel retired from the Columbus Zoo in 2008 after serving as assistant zoo director of animal care and conservation. The zoo described him as a mentor to many and expressed pride in honoring his legacy through the naming of the newborn.

"Join us in showing some love for the newest member of our bonobo troop, Winstel," the post said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Roosters restaurant on Olentangy River Road that has been closed since a fire last year expects to reopen in the next two weeks, a spokesperson for the restaurant chain confirmed to NBC4.

The company bought the land next door to the restaurant to add more parking, Columbus Business First reported.

Earlier this year, the restaurant said it hoped to reopen in the fall, barring any construction or permitting delays, but had not provided a specific date.

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A spokesperson for the restaurant chain said they should have an exact date soon.

The restaurant has been closed since a fire in July 2024. The fire caused more damage to the restaurant than initially expected and has been undergoing renovations.

The Olentangy River Road location opened in 2000 when there were just a handful of restaurants. The chain now operates more than 40 locations in four states, according to Columbus Business First.

MARION, Ohio (WCMH) -- Whirlpool announced a $300 million expansion in its manufacturing operations, which is expected to create up to 600 jobs at facilities in central Ohio.

A majority of the jobs will be at the Clyde washing-machine facility, while about one-third of the jobs will be located at the Marion dryer factory. According to the news release on Wednesday, the expansion will also create "approximately 5,000 additional jobs outside the company."

In a statement, Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation, said the expansion is a commitment to American manufacturing.

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“This $300 million investment in our Clyde and Marion facilities underscores our dedication to creating jobs, fostering innovation, and delivering high-quality, American-made appliances to U.S. consumers,” Bitzer said.

The company said the new investment in laundry manufacturing facilities is part of the $23 billion Whirlpool has invested in U.S. operations, logistics and workforce in the past decade.

The Clyde facility is the "largest washing machine plant in the world," according to Whirlpool. The Marion manufacturing plant celebrated its 70th anniversary in September.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- John Glenn Columbus International Airport is not showing a video from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the government shutdown.

A spokesperson confirmed to NBC4 that the video is under review by the airport's legal team and is not currently being shown in the terminals. A timeline for the review was not provided.

The airport joins several others across the U.S. that have decided against showing the video, with some airports claiming the video may violate the Hatch Act, which restricts federal employees from participating in certain political activities. Watch related video in the player above.

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Airports in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Phoenix, Seattle and more say the video goes against their airport policy or regulations which prohibit political messaging in their facilities.

In the video, Noem says that TSA’s “top priority” is to help make travel pleasant and efficient while keeping passengers safe.

“However, Democrats in Congress refuse to fund the federal government, and because of this, many of our operations are impacted, and most of our TSA employees are working without pay,” she said.

The government shutdown is expected to enter its third week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- If you noticed your lights flicking about 9 a.m. Wednesday, it turns out that it wasn't just you. It happened all across central Ohio.

The power fluctuations happened for about a minute, most noticeably with flickering lights. In a thread on Columbus' Reddit page, people from across the area reported the same thing, from Pickerington to Upper Arlington and from Westerville to the Ohio State campus area.

Despite a joke that it had to have been because of all of the central Ohio-area data centers, it wasn't that. NBC4 reached out to AEP Ohio, and it provided an explanation.

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"There was an issue with non-AEP Ohio equipment that caused a transmission line to trip, causing the flickering lights in many places across central Ohio," the statement read.

Further details were not available, but despite the initial flickering, other problems were not reported. As of noon, fewer than 200 outages were reported for all of Franklin County.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Federal inspectors found Ohio State University researchers improperly treated 30 animals, leading to 16 deaths.

The United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for ensuring laboratories that test animals treat subjects properly. Two USDA inspections this year found Ohio State improperly cared for animal test subjects, resulting in the deaths of 15 baby ferrets and one pig.

"Ohio State follows all regulations and ethical guidelines for animal research," OSU spokesperson Ben Johnson said. "At each step of the process, the university strives to provide excellent care and minimize discomfort, distress and pain."

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In August, the USDA found Ohio State did not provide adequate veterinary care to 29 baby ferrets over the course of two experiments. According to inspection reports, the USDA said the baby ferrets were weak, not fed appropriately and suffered "significant weight loss." Between October 2024 and March 2025, the USDA said 15 baby ferrets were found dead or had to be euthanized.

Johnson said the March testing on ferrets was done by a researcher from a partner university. He said the researcher was responsible for not following proper protocol while researching at Ohio State's facilities.

"Ohio State has made all corrections outlined in the USDA report, and the external researcher is no longer permitted to conduct animal research at Ohio State facilities," Johnson said.

The USDA also looked into the February death of a pig in OSU's care. The USDA found a pig went into cardiac arrest while undergoing anesthesia, which was administered incorrectly. In July, OSU received an official warning of an alleged violation from the USDA, which cited improper veterinary care to the pig.

"A pig involved in a study went into cardiac arrest while under deep anesthesia," Johnson said. "The animal did not regain consciousness and did not suffer."

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Johnson said the pig's death was separate from the ferrets, and was investigated by Ohio State. He said OSU discussed the death "in detail" with the USDA during a routine visit.

Laboratories that test animals must adhere to the Animal Welfare Act, and USDA inspections ensure compliance. Scientific research groups and the federal government say these inspections are thorough. Avid animal rights advocacy groups like PETA and the Animal Legal Defense Fund have condemned USDA investigations as inadequate.

Ohio-based animal rights watchdog group Stop Animal Exploitation Now (SAEN) filed two federal complaints against OSU this year. SAEN asked the USDA to fine Ohio State $12,722 per infraction, per animal, the highest penalty. SAEN alleged the mistake should not have been made and indicated noncompliance.

"The fact that this animal was allowed to die this way clearly demonstrates that Ohio State University staff are inadequately trained and unqualified," Michael Budkie, SAEN executive director, said. "If they were adequately trained and qualified this pig would still be alive."

OSU facilities have been inspected by the USDA at least five times in 2025, and three of the five inspections found university researchers to be fully compliant.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus church has sold its property to Nationwide Children's Hospital for $7.3 million, but the congregation isn't going anywhere just yet.

Livingston United Methodist Church, which sits on 1.9 acres at 200 E. Livingston Ave., completed the sale on Oct. 1, according to Franklin County auditor's office records. Despite the change in ownership, the church is remaining in its current building under a lease agreement while it searches for a new home.

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The property, listed in 2024 as a "redevelopment opportunity," sits just blocks from the hospital's growing main campus. At the time of the listing, the church emphasized that a sale would support the congregation's mission, not end it. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Livingston United Methodist Church's listing in the video player above.

• Livingston United Methodist Church, at 200 E. Livingston Ave., finalized the sale on Oct. 1. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
• Livingston United Methodist Church, at 200 E. Livingston Ave., finalized the sale on Oct. 1. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)
• Livingston United Methodist Church, at 200 E. Livingston Ave., finalized the sale on Oct. 1. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

"From the moment redevelopment of this land was first considered, the intent has always been to find a new space where the Livingston community could build something new together," church leaders said in a December 2024 newsletter. "As the church moves further into the 21st century, we are looking to build something that better suits the needs of our mission and ministry."

The 16,700-square-foot church, built in the 1960s, is home to a congregation that traces its roots to 1843, when it was founded as an outreach to the city's German immigrant population. In an Oct. 6 social media post, church leaders shared that the sale closed and offered reassurance to congregants and neighbors.

"While we are still working on securing our next home, we want our community and friends to know that we aren't going anywhere anytime soon," the church wrote. "The church is still the church, and we will remain in the current building, doing ministry as we do, for at least the next two years, if not longer."

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"While the property may have a new owner," the post continued, "we still do what we do in Jesus' name, so that whatever new space we do find, we will continue to be well-equipped to love our neighbors, as they are, where they are."

According to the December 2024 newsletter, the church had also considered a different buyer, but that deal fell through. It later partnered with The Robert Weiler Company to market the land, which was described in the listing as "ripe for redevelopment" due to its location near Downtown and the expanding hospital campus.

A Nationwide Children's spokesperson said, while the property "is for future growth,... there are currently no plans for the site."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A year after announcing its comeback and two years after closing its Easton Town Center location, upscale steakhouse Smith & Wollensky has scrapped plans to reopen in Columbus.

The steakhouse, known for its USDA Prime dry-aged steaks and award-winning wine list, had planned to reopen in the renovated first-floor space at the Hyatt Regency Columbus in the Arena District. The June 2024 announcement followed the shuttering of the brand's Easton Town Center restaurant in 2023 after more than 20 years of business.

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"Smith & Wollensky has made the difficult decision to suspend our planned return to Columbus as we shift our focus to support our international expansion and strategic growth opportunities," a spokesperson said in a statement.

A rendering of Smith & Wollensky's now canceled Downtown location originally planned for the Hyatt Regency Columbus. (Courtesy Photo/Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group)

The brand, which recently opened a location in Manila, Philippines, and has upcoming openings planned in Tokyo, Japan, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, emphasized its ongoing investment in U.S. markets, including those in Boston, Miami, Las Vegas and Chicago.

"We are deeply grateful to our dedicated team and the loyal guests who supported our Columbus location over the years," the statement continued. "Thank you for being part of our journey -- we hope to welcome you at one of our other locations soon."

Hyatt Regency Columbus was chosen after "an exhaustive search," Smith & Wollensky said in the 2024 announcement, with the restaurant set to feature "elegant dining rooms, an expansive patio fronting High Street and valet service."

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Nathan Evans, brand president of Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group, initially expressed excitement about the brand's return to Columbus.

"Smith & Wollensky has always held a special place in the hearts of greater Columbus diners," Evans said at the time. "We were deeply missed by the community when our previous venue closed at the end of our 20-year lease. Now, we are excited not just to serve our loyal guests again but to be part of the fabric of downtown and the vibrant Arena District."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A 34-16 win for No. 1 Ohio State over now unranked Illinois keeps the Buckeyes as the national title favorites. The Buckeyes may keep that moniker through the rest of the regular season.

While projected College Football Playoff spots have changed hands every week this season, Ohio State remains firmly in place atop the rankings and may already be guaranteed a postseason position, barring any upsets in the weeks to come.

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

What the bracket looks like heading into Week 8

The Buckeyes are firmly in the No. 1 spot in the bracket. NBC4 looks at the AP rankings for playoff projections until the initial official playoff rankings begin in November, and Ohio State has kept that spot since beating Texas in Week 1.

But the prospect of facing Oregon or Georgia in a quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl is tantalizing for neutral college football fans, albeit daunting for the Buckeyes faithful. The most notable change in the field is Indiana moving up into the No. 3 seed and getting a bye.

The reality is the SEC and Big Ten own this playoff bracket, with 75% of the teams in this field from those two conferences. No. 2 Miami could run all the way to a bye if it can continue winning in the ACC, and Texas Tech will be under threat in the Big 12 soon as its schedule becomes more challenging.

South Florida returns to the Group of Five, taking it back from Memphis. The 19th-ranked Bulls had an impressive 63-36 win over previously undefeated North Texas, but will play Memphis on Oct. 25 in what could be a play-in game.

Buckeyes playoff spot in the bag?

Oddsmakers have set odds for dozens of teams to make the College Football Playoff this season, but Ohio State is not among the teams listed. Why? Because the Buckeyes' chances of a postseason spot are now likely north of 99%.

Thanks to the downfall of Penn State, along with Michigan's loss Saturday to USC, Ohio State does not have a ranked opponent left on the regular-season schedule. The Buckeyes' odds of going 12-0 are decent, but the odds of getting into the playoff are even higher.

With Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, Rutgers, and Michigan left on the schedule, it would take a gargantuan collapse for Ohio State to lose two of those games, let alone three, to lose a playoff spot.

So it is safe to say the Buckeyes can be on cruise control for a postseason spot. To make the Big Ten title game, however, they're not quite there yet.

What to watch in Week 8

No. 5 Ole Miss at No. 9 Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.): The SEC has three all-ranked matchups on Saturday, and the highest-ranked one is in Athens at 3:30 p.m. Mississippi is one of two undefeated SEC teams and hopes it can beat Georgia in consecutive seasons.

No. 20 USC at No. 13 Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on NBC4): One of college football's greatest rivalries will return to the gridiron on NBC4. The Fighting Irish must continue its do-or-die mentality to make the playoff again, but the Trojans can end their chances and become a Big Ten playoff hopeful.

Bonus round: In the early afternoon window, No. 10 LSU and No. 17 Vanderbilt will headline before that Ole Miss-Georgia contest. There will also be two other all-ranked games in the primetime slot as No. 6 Alabama hosts No. 11 Tennessee and the Holy War returns to Provo as No. 15 BYU hosts No. 23 Utah.

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — One of central Ohio's premier festivals is set to kick off on Wednesday with a whole host of events celebrating fall's signature gourd.

The Circleville Pumpkin Show, sometimes referred to as “The Greatest Free Show on Earth,” will run for its 118th season from Oct. 15 to 18 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Held in the heart of Circleville's downtown, the show offers a selection of baked goods, live entertainment, parades, amusement rides and more.

The four-day celebration features live music, seven parades and more than 400 booths offering food, retail, games and crafts for sale. (Courtesy Photo/Circleville Pumpkin Show)

To get to the pumpkin show, visitors can travel 25 miles south of Columbus on U.S. 23 to 159 E. Franklin St. Each year, the pumpkin show attracts more than 400,000 guests while displaying over 100,000 pounds of pumpkins, gourds and squash.

The show also offers several contests, including the Miss and Little Miss Pumpkin Show and pumpkin pie eating contests for kids and adults. Amusement ride specials run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $30 per person per day; individual tickets are required after 4 p.m. There are also daily parades that travel through the festival streets. Plenty of food and drink concessions are available throughout the festival.

Giant Pumpkin Weigh In

On Wednesday morning, the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Court and Main streets, followed by the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Local growers will go head-to-head to compete for the largest pumpkin and the Nancy Martin Prettiest Pumpkin Award. In 2024, the winning pumpkin weighed in at 2,226 pounds and was grown by Bob and Jo Liggett, who have taken first place at the show multiple times. In 2023, the pair set a state record in Ohio.

2023 Largest Pumpkin winner (Courtesy: Circleville Pumpkin Show) Food and treats

Pumpkin-flavored food items will be at the Circleville Pumpkin Show for all to enjoy, with most of them containing actual pumpkin or pumpkin-related ingredients. The list includes pumpkin pie, donuts, cookies and even pumpkin burgers, soup, ice cream and more. There are 23,000 pumpkin pies and more than 100,000 pumpkin donuts sold during the four-day show.

Circleville ready to welcome thousands of people to town for annual pumpkin show

Lindsey’s Bakery will also prepare one of the world’s largest pumpkin pies during the show, a tradition more than 60 years in the making for the bakery. The pie, 6 feet in diameter and more than 400 pounds, will be on display at the bakery located on West Main Street.

Parking

Free parking is available on the city streets surrounding the limits of the pumpkin show. Spaces are first-come, first-served. Handicapped parking is available on North Western Avenue.

Shuttle services

Shuttles will be available at AMVETS at 818 Tarlton Rd. Drop off and pick up takes place at the corner of Pickaway and Mound streets. The shuttles will operate Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The cost is $10 per car for the round-trip shuttle. AMVETS and Auxiliary members ride free.

The Ohio Christian University baseball team will also have services at 1476 Lancaster Pike in the Global Missions Parking lot across from OCU. Drop off and pick up will be at 235 E. Main St., operating Wednesday from noon to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost, including parking and round-trip shuttle, is $5 per person, $3 for seniors or children under 12 and $1 for OCU students.

Child ID wristband program

Child ID wristbands are available at the Circleville Police Department, 151 E. Franklin St., to help reunite lost children with their parents or guardians during the show. Officers on foot in the downtown area will have extra wristbands on hand to distribute. The information booth on Main Street provides an area for lost children.

For additional show details and the full schedule, visit the official Circleville Pumpkin Show site.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A pair of fish mascots and a lineup of supporters made their way to the Ohio Statehouse as lawmakers considered a proposal to name the walleye the official state fish.

Appearing in full costume, Spike from the Toledo Walleye hockey team and Wylie Walleye from Port Clinton's annual Walleye Drop posed for photos and brought levity to a Sept. 30 hearing of the Ohio House Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee, where supporters of House Bill 312 urged legislators to recognize the species for its contributions to culture and the economy.

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Introduced in May by Reps. Sean Brennan (D-Parma) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), the bipartisan bill aims to enshrine sander vitreus, commonly known as the walleye, as Ohio's official fish. While Ohio has more than 20 official state symbols, it remains one of only three states, along with Indiana and Iowa, without a designated state fish. Watch a previous NBC4 report on H.B. 312 in the video player above.

• Wylie Walleye, left, and Spike, right, during the Sept. 30 Ohio House Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee hearing. (Courtesy Photo/The Ohio Channel)
• Wylie Walleye, left, and Spike, right, during the Sept. 30 Ohio House Arts, Athletics and Tourism Committee hearing. (Courtesy Photo/The Ohio Channel)

Larry Fletcher, president of Shores & Islands Ohio, testified that walleye are not only ecologically abundant in Lake Erie but also economically vital to the state's $1 billion recreational fishing industry.

"I speak on behalf of 500,000 anglers who annually fish in Ohio's Lake Erie waters, over 970 Ohio-licensed charter captains and the estimated 77 million walleye that are swimming the waters of Lake Erie," Fletcher said. "While yellow perch, small and largemouth bass, steelhead, catfish, and other species are also popular sportfish in Ohio, it is the walleye that sits atop the water column in terms of popularity, economic impact, and in the opinions of millions of seafood lovers, taste."

Peter Bode, president of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes and a longtime advocate for environmental restoration, emphasized the species' symbolic connection to Ohio's ecological progress.

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"Building upon state successes such as the H2Ohio Program, Lake Erie Commission, Ohio Sea
Grant, and so many others that have dedicated their resources to the state, the walleye holds a place of honor," Bode said. "While there have been cases made for other sensitive species throughout the state such as the muskellunge, pumpkinseed sunfish, bass, there are no species that truly tell the social, economic, ecological, and cultural story of the state of Ohio like the walleye."

Parma resident Matthew Kowalewski testified that his inspiration to advocate for the bill came from learning Ohio had yet to name an official fish.

"I was stunned and disappointed to learn that we are still among just three states … that do not have an official state fish," Kowalewski said, noting that sport fishing for walleye supports 34,000 jobs across Ohio and brings in more than $1 billion annually. "Honestly, I felt like a fish out of water hearing that news."

"Imagine a future where this bill does not pass, a future where Ohio stands alone as the last fishless state," he continued. "You sit on your couch … and watch the Ohio State Buckeyes trounce Iowa or steamroll over Indiana … but part of you is occupied by a deep sadness. You regretfully recall that you did not do everything you could to pass this bill and give our state the fish she deserves."

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The effort to name the walleye as Ohio's state fish has a long legislative history. A similar bill passed the Ohio House in 2024 but stalled in the Senate. In 2022, lawmakers even debated the proposal over a spread of smoke walleye cheese dip, but the bill ultimately failed to reach a floor vote.

Supporters remain optimistic this time around. With nearly 50 bipartisan cosponsors and backing from Gov. Mike DeWine, H.B. 312 has a longer runway during the current legislative session, which runs through 2026. Brennan previously said the bill is an opportunity to reflect a shared cultural touchstone for Ohioans, from anglers and tourists to hockey fans and coastal communities.

"We got started a lot earlier than we did last time," Brennan said in August. "So I'm pretty sure we can reel this one in."

The committee has not yet scheduled a vote on H.B. 312.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – More Ohioans who were wrongfully incarcerated may soon be able to apply for financial compensation under a recently introduced Statehouse bill.

Under current state law, individuals who are found guilty and later have their convictions overturned are eligible to seek restitution. However, Ohioans who were incarcerated as minors, residents who received a gubernatorial pardon, and those who entered an Alford plea -- a guilty plea that maintains one's innocence while acknowledging that the evidence would likely lead to a conviction -- are barred from applying, Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) said.

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These exclusions are the reason Williams introduced House Bill 501 on Oct. 7, alongside Rep. Elgin Rogers Jr. (D-Toledo). The legislation would expand the opportunity for compensation to such groups.

“No one who has been wrongfully imprisoned should be denied the opportunity to seek justice and compensation simply because of a technicality in the law,” Williams said in a statement. “This legislation is about correcting past wrongs and bringing Ohio in line with best practices across the nation.”

To obtain financial compensation in Ohio, individuals must file a civil action to be declared wrongfully imprisoned in a common pleas court in the county where the original charges were filed. After this determination is made, they can file a civil claim for monetary damages in the Court of Claims. 

A person declared wrongfully imprisoned is entitled to court costs, loss of income and $68,808.38 for each year they were incarcerated, with the amount prorated for partial years. This number is accurate for actions filed in 2025 and 2026, as the Auditor of State adjusts it every odd-numbered year based on the Consumer Price Index. 

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According to the National Registry of Exonerations, 3,741 people in the United States, including 116 in Ohio, have had their convictions overturned dating back to 1989. Ohio has paid nearly $51 million to wrongfully incarcerated people since then.

HB 501 has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee, where it awaits its first hearing. Three Democrats and one Republican are cosponsoring the bill. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As a mother of children with disabilities, legal advocate for families with disabled students and a school board member, Amanda Fontana sees "all angles of how destructive" recent firings at the Department of Education will be.

"What do we do when funding isn't getting to the schools like it's supposed to be, and you have a kid who is G-Tube fed, and there is nobody there to feed that child? I just don't understand how anybody can be OK with this," Fontana said. "If we can't care for the most vulnerable among us, none of us deserve anything."

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Fontana is one of many central Ohio parents of students with disabilities concerned by mass firings at the Department of Education. AFGE Local 252, the union representing 2,700 Education Department employees, said the firings have gutted federal offices responsible for ensuring protections for students with disabilities.

The federal government has not confirmed which offices were hit, but court filings show 466 employees were fired from the Department of Education on Friday. AFGE Local 252 said only a handful of employees remain at the offices that ensure schools comply with disability laws and distribute special education funding.

Fontana volunteers her time as an advocate with the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, helping families get protections for students with disabilities. She learned about the legal system firsthand; Fontana's 24-year-old daughter is deaf and lives with severe disabilities, and Fontana's middle schooler also requires accommodations. She said federal supports were "lifelines" for her oldest, allowing her to function as well as she does today.

Department of Education staffing was halved by mass firings earlier this year, and Fontana said COPAA is already seeing the impact. She said more families are having their IEP and 504 plans declined, federally protected plans that offer individualized education and accommodations for students who need them. With fewer employees, she said districts no longer face oversight to ensure they comply with special education laws.

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Desarae Huston has a son in the South Western City School District who has autism and ADHD. She said she was already concerned about her son's accommodations, which have been crucial for her son's ability to thrive as a student council member and peer to younger students.

"He can only do these things because his federally protected 504 plan guarantees him things like break periods between transitions, choices with his free time and daily check-ins with teachers and support people," Huston said. "I am terrified of what this could mean for him and his ability to interact with all students of all abilities.” 

All three of Marissa Donham’s children were diagnosed with autism at a young age, and she said early intervention was crucial for her family. Donham said parents rely on aides, therapies and socialization offered at public schools through federal funding, and cuts will affect students with all types of disabilities.

"I'm really confused that people aren't more mad about this, but it's awful," Donham said. "I don't think people really understand. It's catastrophic."

As a school board member, Fontana said she understands public schools need to cut costs. Without federal enforcement, she warned districts will likely start with cutting the thousands of dollars needed for an interpreter or aide. She said this could revoke decades of work to protect students.

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Fontana said many parents can only work while their students are at school and will need to find other places for their students or cut back on work. Donham said many families she knows have tried to get into specialized schools for students with disabilities, but nonpublic options are expensive and have long waiting lists.

Some parents said the cuts won't hurt funding, and could streamline processes that are often time consuming. Fontana disagreed, saying she does not trust Ohio legislators to appropriately distribute funds to public schools.

Fontana said parents will now likely need to step in and advocate for their children. It's a big undertaking; on average, she spends around 100 hours working on every case that comes across her desk. Fontana encouraged families to document everything, and Donham encouraged families to raise awareness.

"Real harm is being done to a large number of families in Ohio and across the nation because people have stopped seeing people as people and are only seeing party lines and politics," Fontana said. "And our most vulnerable, our kids with disabilities, are the ones that are going to be lying in the wake."

NBC4 reached out to the Department of Education for more information, but media contacts said they were furloughed due to the ongoing government shutdown and unable to respond.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A judge temporarily blocked Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's executive order banning intoxicating hemp products and relief is being felt at shops across central Ohio that sell these products.

"We can take a deep breath, a sigh of relief, for just a minute at least," Hedz Up Head Shop employee Kelly Parker said. "It might not be a deep sigh of relief that we can keep, but it's one we can take for now."

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Employees at Hedz Up Head Shop in Columbus said they've been on an emotional rollercoaster. Just Monday night, they were covering up some of the most popular products on their shelves; now they're back to selling them, at least for now. 

"There's been so many customers that walk through the door and say how this stuff, you know CBD and hemp, it helps them out," Hedz Up Head Shop employee Victoria Fleming said. 

Fleming said many of their customers left empty-handed Tuesday morning when the ban was set to take effect. 

"I don't think it's harming anyone," customer Seth Jackson said. "I don't see really the big deal with it."

Fleming kept a running tally since opening up shop at 10 a.m.

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"Twenty-four customers that just walked in and walked out, and then we had calls," Fleming said. "We had 12 calls that people were just calling, asking, and we were like, 'No, sorry.'"

Hemp products make up 60 to 70% of their business. 

"It's something I've been doing for a while," customer James Crossen said. "I use it recreationally and I use it for pain and all the other good benefits it has."

The shop's sales for the first half of Tuesday were down more than 65%, reflecting a huge hit for the family-owned business. 

"I believe it's unconstitutional what the governor is doing, just banning another freedom that we have, a freedom to choose what we want to do, want to use," Hedz Up Head Shop Owner Terry Johnson said.

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But when the news of the temporary block on the ban broke Tuesday afternoon, and hemp products were put back on their shelves, most of their customers returned. 

"I ran out the door after a customer, I was like, 'Hey, wait, come back, we can sell again' and she was so excited, she was, like, 'Yay,'" Fleming said.

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Johnson shared their updated sales with NBC4. They were down by just more than 5%, marking a big recovery from that morning. He said he wants lawmakers to find a way to regulate -- not eliminate -- hemp products.

"I do believe that it's mainly for adults," Johnson said. "Children should not have access to it. You know, they say the same thing about alcohol or whatever, but children have a lot more access to alcohol than they do this, and that's at home in the fridge. That's more accessible than our products are. We at least keep them behind the counters."

The ruling gives shop owners like Johnson a chance to breathe for the time being. But if the ban goes through, he's concerned about the trickle-down effect. 

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"These stores like us are probably going to have to go out of business," Johnson said. "I mean, I'm looking to where if this actually goes into effect, half my employees are gone. I'm going to have to change my hours and everything."

Johnson is calling this a small victory, but also a reminder of the uncertainty that still lies ahead.

"Hopefully, this new 14-day stay will help us be able to get the word out there better and get more people out there to fight for this because that's what we need," Parker said. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus food scene may be getting some more bragging rights as the owner of two local restaurants competed on the Food Network’s "Bobby’s Triple Threat".

“Do I feel like there's pressure to perform? 100% but you know, we're in Buckeye Nation, so we're used to being competitive,” said Avishar Barua, owner of Agni and Joyas.

Barua has a full plate. Along with owning two restaurants, his cooking skills have gotten him on "Top Chef", "Guy’s Grocery Games", "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives" and "Beat Bobby Flay", where he did in fact beat him.

“It's Bobby Flay, this guy’s got an over 75% win rate on things that he doesn't have any idea about,” Barua said.

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Now we will see if Barua can take down a group of chefs in three rounds on Bobby’s Triple Threat. “The coolest thing about actually being in the place with the people that you watch is you get to see them as people and get to talk to them and they had a lot of inspirational words, good advice and are fierce competitors,” he said.

No matter how many shows he goes on, he said the experience never gets any less exciting.

“I think every time you sign up to do a competition, you're putting yourself out there for the entire world. It's very, very scary and nerve-racking, but I want to represent Columbus,” said Barua.

He said he’s hoping to bring more attention to the food scene that the capital city has to offer. “If I get a chance or a platform, it's always to bring more awareness to what Columbus already is,” he said.

The episode airs Tuesday night on Food Network. If Barua wins, he will take home $25,000.

UPDATE: Chef Barua lost on Tuesday's show, 34-27, but did put up a good fight.

CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man is facing a murder charge after a 5-month-old girl died Monday.

According to Columbus police, Madison Township medics responded to a call for a child who was having difficulty breathing on the 400 block of Willard Brook Road on Monday at approximately 10:50 a.m.

The girl was taken to the hospital in critical condition. During the examination of the child, doctors said her injuries were inconsistent with what police were told. The girl died at 6:32 p.m. due to "severe blunt force trauma to the head," according to court records.

Glenn McIntosh, 32, of Canal Winchester, was in charge of the infant's care at the time of her injuries, police said. He has been charged with murder and is being held in Franklin County Jail.

Online court records have yet to list a hearing date for McIntosh.

CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- The popular Circleville Pumpkin Show returns Wednesday for its 118th year, an event that organizers, vendors and local businesses prepare for all year.

Downtown Circleville will be shut down for four days to make room for the roughly 400,000 people expected to attend.

The giant pumpkins, pie-eating contest, vendors and more are all back this year.

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Pumpkin show president Marc Rogols said people will see something pumpkin-themed just about everywhere they look.

“Back in 1903, it was started for agriculture," he said. "They basically wanted a place, a showcase for agriculture in Pickaway County. That really hasn't changed. Pumpkin Show is still agriculture."

Rogols said the exposure Circleville gets from the show each year is unmatched.

“It’s a local support of businesses, agriculture, nonprofits," he said. "I mean, that's why we do this, but it really is for family memories."

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Businesses all around town have also been preparing for the influx of people. Scioto Valley Coffee is located on the main road downtown, just steps away from the amusement rides.

Owner Jennifer Koenig said a lot of preparation goes into this one week.

“Lots of inventory," she said. "We almost quadruple what we normally order for a week just with the expectation of the crowds. We run about five to six people per shift and we are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. So extended hours throughout the week as well.”

Every Pumpkin Show week, Scioto Valley Coffee sees a big increase in sales.

“It’s going to be packed shoulder to shoulder," shop manager Angie Banks said. "The weather is going to be amazing. So it's going to be a busy pumpkin show."

With everything starting Wednesday morning, Circleville is prepped and ready to welcome everyone to the annual Pumpkin Show.

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“There’s no place else you can go and hear so many people laughing and having a good time, and that says a lot,” Rogols said.

While the show is free, attendees may end up having to pay for parking. Rogols said they added two shuttles this year from lots at Amvets in Circleville and at Ohio Christian University, so there is more parking for attendees.

The Circleville Pumpkin Show runs 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Learn more about the show by clicking here.