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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Central Ohio offers a wide mix of entertainment for this mid-September weekend.

Music fans can enjoy the Olde Towne East Jazz Festival, the Blues and Brews Festival in Reynoldsburg, a free Columbus Jazz Orchestra concert downtown, “Hokus Pokus Live!” on stage and a big-name show from Eric Church at Nationwide Arena.

Families can head to Hilliard’s Fall Fest, attend the See Brilliance STEAM Festival, or Olentangy Caverns for crafts, puppets, and live youth performances. Movie lovers can catch the classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” on the big screen in Marysville.

Food, sports, and fashion also take the spotlight with Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus Columbus, the Ohio State Buckeyes game against Ohio University, and the start of Fashion Week Columbus.

3rd Annual Olde Towne East Jazz Festival

Blackburn Recreation Center, 263 Carpenter Street, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 12 to 14

• Three days of free family fun. This year's theme: Bringin It Back Home, honoring the historic Mt. Vernon Comin Home Festival with original organizers and the iconic electric slide. Great music, food vendors and resources onsite. Saturday Headliner Four80East and Sunday headliner Lin Rountree. Live music at 8 p.m. each night. Friday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. More info and registration: otejazz.com

Oktoberfest Grandview!

Hofbrauhaus Columbus, recurring weekly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 28

• Celebrate Oktoberfest with authentic bier, traditional German dishes, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Festivities include stein-raising singalongs, balloon artists, and plenty of food and drink. Kick off Friday at 7 p.m. for the ceremonial keg tapping with Dave Man from QFM96.

Adobe Stock Blues and Brews Festival

Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr., Reynoldsburg, Friday, Sept. 12, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• The Blues and Brews Fest is a celebration of live blues music, craft beer, great food, and fun family activities. Food trucks and live music with Austin and the Syd Experience and Bobby Floyd and Sean Carney.

Hokus Pokus Live!

KEMBA LIVE! Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

• Hokus Pokus Live conjures up a wickedly spooky fully-scripted theatrical experience starring Ginger Minj, Jujubee, and Sapphira Cristál as the legendary Sisters and featuring Landon Cider as Billy. With hauntingly hilarious comedy, powerhouse vocals, and a dash of magic, this live spectacle brings the cult classic to the stage like never before. Ages 13 and up recommended for language.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

The Avalon Theatre, 121 S. Main St., Marysville Friday, Sept. 12, 7 p.m.

• A delicious family classic. Join Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) in a splendiferous movie that brings the endlessly appetizing delights of Roald Dahl’s classic book. On a whirlwind tour of Willy’s incredible, edible realm of chocolate waterfalls, elfish Oompa-Loompas and industrial-sized confections, a boy named Charlie (Peter Ostrum) will discover the sweetest secret of all, a generous, loving heart. First Friday Film, pay-what-you-can, $4 minimum.

Actors Gene Wilder (1933 - 2016) as Willy Wonka in the film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory', 1971. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images) Columbus Jazz Orchestra at Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Park Downtown, Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m.

• Free outdoor concert featuring the Columbus Jazz Orchestra with Byron Stripling and Sydney McSweeney on vocals. Local band Starlit Ways opens at 5:30 p.m., CJO begins at 7 p.m. Food trucks onsite. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Admission is free.

See Brilliance STEAM Festival

MPACC Box Park, 925 Mt. Vernon Ave., Saturday, Sept. 13, noon to 5 p.m.

• The See Brilliance STEAM Festival is a family-friendly celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and confidence in youth across Columbus. Now in its third year, the festival brings together over 300 students, families, educators, and community partners for a day filled with hands-on activities, live demonstrations, interactive exhibits, music, food, and more.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Ohio Bobcats

Ohio Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

• The Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Ohio Bobcats at 7 p.m. in Columbus.

NBC4 File Eric Church: Free the Machine Tour

Nationwide Arena, Saturday, Sept. 13, 7:30 p.m.

• Making the most of the long-awaited opportunity to “gather again,” for the first time in his career, Eric Church will play in-the-round.

FILE - In this April 29, 2016 file photo, Eric Church performs at the 2016 Stagecoach Festival at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif. Church is one of several country stars who will be honored by the Academy of Country Music during a television special later this year. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP, File) Hilliard Fall Fest

Hilliard Municipal Park, Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Celebrate the beginning of fall at an event hosted by the City of Hilliard. Enjoy hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, inflatables and games, face painting, balloon artists, live dog shows, and more. Plus, live music from Simba Jordan!

Kids craft market, Mr. Puppet puppet show and local teen rock band 'Short Fuse'

Olentangy Caverns, 1779 Home Road, Delaware, Sunday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Young entrepreneurs are invited to set up and sell their wares at the Made By Me Market, more details and to register, click here: olentangycaverns.com/made-by-me-market. At 2 p.m. enjoy a free kid-friendly puppet show featuring Mr. Puppet at the outdoor shelter house stage. Local teen rock band “Short Fuse” performs at 3:30 p.m.

Fashion Week Columbus

Various locations around Columbus, Sept. 14 to 20

• Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, which produces a full week of fashion shows and fashion-related programs showcasing emerging fashion designers to media, buyers, and the incredible fashion community in Central Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After the success of "Superman," awarded $11 million in tax credits for filming in Ohio, the state is awarding $46 million in tax credits to another round of movies, TV series and stage shows being produced in the state.

Through the state's Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, Ohio's Department of Development is giving out the tax credits to 11 movies, four TV mini series, five full TV series, four theatrical productions, two documentaries and one digital media. These projects are expected to create more than 1,000 new jobs, contribute more than $150 million in eligible production spending, and drive $196 million in production-related expenses, the department said.

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"When productions choose Ohio, they put our communities on the global stage," Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development, said. "Through the Motion Picture Tax Credit Program, we're telling Ohio's story to the world while creating new jobs and growing local economies."

The state is continuing its Motion Picture Tax Credit Program after garnering nationwide acclaim as one of the main filming locations for "Superman." Originally listed under the code name "Genesis," the James Gunn-directed movie earned $11,091,686 in tax credits and hired more than 3,000 Ohio residents.

DC's Ohio-related expenses were projected to exceed $36 million, which made up about 10% of the movie's total budget of more than $363 million. The film's Motion Picture Tax Credit application said its Ohio production included 133 days for preparation, 37 for shooting and 31 for wrap. That means around a quarter of Gunn's movie was produced in Ohio.

"Superman" was released in theaters on July 11 and has since grossed more than $614 million at the worldwide box office.

Films awarded in this round includes more than $10 million in tax credits for a movie under the code name "Spain Thief" being produced in Cleveland; $8.4 million for "Sunny" in Canton; $3.6 million for "10 Center" in North Canton; $2.8 million for "The Chaperones" in Cincinnati; and $1.5 million for "Love is Not the Answer" also in Cincinnati.

TV series include $2.1 million for All Elite Wrestling's 2025-26 productions in Cleveland; $2 million for "Gabriel and the Guardians" in Columbus; $1 million for WWE's 2025-26 productions in Cleveland; and $3 million for "The Guest List" in Lorain.

Theatrical productions awarded include $1.3 million for the national tour of Broadway's "Hell's Kitchen" in Cleveland; $1 million for a tour of "Spamalot" in Cleveland; $613,000 for "The Notebook" in Cleveland; and $463,877 for "Elf the Musical" in Springfield.

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Motion Picture Tax Credit applications are reviewed and awarded in two rounds each year. Projects are awarded first to TV series, then to all other based on the extent of positive economic impact in Ohio and the effect on developing a permanent workforce in motion picture of theatrical productions in the state, the Department of Development said.

Earlier this year, the department gave out $44 million in tax credits for 23 productions in Ohio. Last fall, 17 projects were chosen to receive $36 million in tax credits.

While Ohio is angling to be a movie-making destination, the state was passed up in February to be the next home of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Cincinnati was among three finalist cities last year that could begin hosting the Sundance starting in 2027. However, the festival's parent organization, the Sundance Institute, opted for a move to Boulder, Colorado.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Capital University has introduced a program in response to a nationwide shortage of social workers, as government and education institutions across the country work to address the issue.

The Bexley college launched a Master of Social Work degree, which offers a one-year track for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a two-year track for students with any other undergraduate degree. The first students in the program began classes in August. 

Capital said the degree is one of the few in Ohio that allows graduates to practice in any field of social work. The program was designed for students seeking “flexible” education, offering evening and Saturday classes, according to a news release.

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The school stated the degree was designed in response to a demand for social workers across the country, which has only intensified since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“With everything going on in the world today, the need for compassionate, highly trained social workers has never been greater, and it’s not a career AI will ever replace,” said Dr. Katie Gorman-Ezell, MSW Program Director. 

Social workers help people of all ages cope with problems in their lives by providing counseling and advocacy, as well as connecting them with resources such as housing. The trained professionals often work with children, along with those facing mental health issues or homelessness. To become a social worker in Ohio, students must obtain at least a bachelor’s degree, while a master’s degree may be required for advanced roles. 

In 2024, 41 out of 44 responding states reported a social worker shortage in a survey released by the behavioral health nonprofit NRI, Inc. The shortage is fueled primarily by burnout, partly due to the emotionally challenging nature of the job, and employees switching career fields, Colorado State University reported. 

The COVID-19 pandemic enhanced the challenges social workers experience. Psychological and financial disruptions brought on by the pandemic led to an increased need for social work services, as professionals reported stress from the difficulty of serving clients in crisis while dealing with the effects of the pandemic in their personal lives. This led to an increase in social workers leaving the field in 2020 through 2023, according to a study published in Oxford University Press. 

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State mental health agencies across the country are attempting to combat the shortage with a variety of initiatives such as tuition reimbursement, salary increases and recruitment efforts. Several states have also partnered with local high schools and colleges, as they assist with curriculum development, informational sessions about workforce opportunities and more, according to NRI, Inc. 

In July, Ohio launched a statewide initiative to combat shortages in the behavioral health workforce, which includes social workers. The program offered financial support to students in behavioral health fields and supplied grants to multiple programs focused on the recruitment and retention of related professionals. 

Capital’s program provides students with up to 25 hours per week of real-world experience at institutions such as Nationwide Children’s Hospital and OhioHealth Riverside, along with policy-focused organizations like the National Association of Social Workers.

The university also launched a redesigned Master of Business Administration program this school year for individuals of all undergraduate majors, which allows students to complete the program in as little as one year. The new MBA also offers a hybrid structure that blends in-person classes with online coursework. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Data centers are the center of debates across central Ohio as cities and townships weigh resource strains with financial benefits.

Central Ohio is home to 120 of Ohio's 188 data centers and attracting more, with another data center opening in New Albany on Wednesday. State and local governments have offered tax incentives in hopes of attracting the jobs and tax revenue data centers can bring. However, some residents are pushing back over environmental and nuisance concerns.

Data centers are large facilities that store computing equipment and power AI, phones and data processing. The federal government said the U.S. needs to build more data centers to support its digital infrastructure. One center can require as much electricity and water as thousands of homes combined, and data centers are also linked to spikes in local utility rates.

15 years later: The story of Rufus Bobcat vs. Brutus Buckeye

Last week, debates about data centers led Jerome Township to approve a moratorium pausing data centers for nine months. Trustee Wezlynn Davis recommended the pause, citing resident feedback and strains on local utilities and public safety departments. She said data centers bring sound and light pollution and may not be worth the money.

“We need to really look at what the return on investment is for our township,” Davis said. “I don’t find data centers to be the best and highest use.”

Trustee Barry Adler cautioned his fellow trustees against sending a message that data centers are unwelcome. He said the tax revenue and job creation should not be ignored. He said the township needs to figure out how to balance limited resources with the growing demand for data centers.

“We just need to work with the data centers on the details of being good neighbors to surrounding communities, and we also need to work with the economic development director to figure out what the best economic returns can be for our township,” Adler said. 

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Dublin resident Amy Swank connected with an anti-data center coalition in Virginia, the data center capital of the world, when she learned a data center could be moving into her neighborhood. With rapid innovation, Swank believes large, utility-heavy data centers may become obsolete quickly.

Central Ohio's newest data center is trying to adapt. Edged Data Centers opened a data center on Wednesday that uses waterless cooling. Edged said the facility is built for AI workloads and will save more than 92 million gallons of water each year compared to a traditional data center. Instead, Edged relies on rooftop air cool chillers, evaporators and non-toxic glycol refrigerant.

Edged's new facility spans 14 acres and can accommodate up to 24 megawatts. The company said its Columbus facility uses 72% less overhead energy than the industry average and said its power systems "virtually eliminate direct air emissions."

“I do think that central Ohio is probably inundated with data centers right now, and I'm not sure that the infrastructure can support any more,” Swank said. “That said, I also recognize that we do as a nation, have a need for data centers, and so we need to look at where we can put these, how we can mitigate some of the bad things about them.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Saturday's game between Ohio State University and Ohio University is just the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools.

While the most recent matchup in 2010 didn't offer much suspense, in 2008, the Bobcats were just 15 minutes away from making history in the Horseshoe.

On Wednesday, players reflected on what they remembered from that tussle between the two schools.

15 years later: The true story of Rufus Bobcat vs. Brutus Buckeye

"It was surreal, is the only way I could put it," Ohio University quarterback Boo Jackson said.

Jackson threw for more than 4,000 yards during his time at Ohio University. But on Sept. 6, 2008, the junior quarterback never even expected to see the field.

"All week, I understood the hype, but in my mind, I was like, 'I don't have to go against these guys,'" he said.

But when Bobcat starter Theo Scott was injured early in the game, it was Jackson's time

"Frank [Solich] looks at me and is like, 'Boo, you're in. Start warming up,'" he said.

Thrust into the action, Boo calls it a "once in a lifetime moment," leading his teammates -- like then-linebacker Jay Edwards -- inside one of college football's most iconic venues.

Three bands coming together for Saturday’s Ohio State halftime show

"Getting to see those jerseys and those helmets that you grew up watching play, you know, it was pretty mesmerizing," Edwards said. "I tell people, it was the quietest I've ever heard the ‘Shoe, that day."

That's because the Bobcats lead a sluggish Ohio State 7-6 at halftime.

"I just remember that game, obviously it wasn't our best day, right?" Bryant Browning, then a first-year starter on the offensive line, said.

He admits the Buckeyes were unprepared for the Bobcats defense that day.

"They had a couple blitzes that were very exotic, that we had not seen before going into that game," Browning said.

"We got way more confident and you could see it in the play-calling, you could see it defensively,” Jackson said.

Ohio resident makes case for renaming State Route 666

Leading 14-12, the Bobcats were just 15 minutes away from becoming the first Ohio team to beat the Buckeyes since Oberlin College in 1921.

But then "Tressel-ball" happened.

"Obviously, special teams ended up winning it for us," Browning said of the offense. "Our defense holding them, and special teams winning it. Essentially we left the field without ever getting going."

The Buckeyes ultimately escaped, 26-14.

Both Jackson and Edwards said they let one slip away in 2008, but hope this year's Bobcats can pounce on the opportunity.

"Always a toss-up,” Jackson said. “Obviously heavy underdogs, but you just, again, you never know; any given Saturday."

"There's only so many things you can do with 11 guys on the football field, and we'll see what happens," Edwards said.

The Buckeyes and Bobcats will kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday. The game can be seen on NBC's streaming platform, Peacock.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The Black Voters Matter bus tour stopped in Columbus on Wednesday, working to get more people interested in the upcoming November election.

Black Voters Matter’s mission is to increase Black voter turnout in underrepresented communities. They aim to get people excited to vote at every level, but especially in state and local elections.   

“The work that we do is year-round, our issues as Black folks, they don't start nor stop on election day,” Black Voters Matter National Field Co-director Danielle Brown said. “So when we talk about building capacity, when we talk about the work that we're doing, we're talking about making sure that that is looked at all year long. And so when we come to these communities and when we're talking to folks, we're talking about their issues, we're talking about how that connects to the voting polls.” 

The group is on a three-state bus tour speaking with voters about issues that matter most to them, hoping to foster more civic engagement. Trenah Keita with the People’s Justice Project shared that it’s imperative to be engaged.  

“Knowledge is power,” Keita said. “It is important to stay informed on the current events, what is going on around you, and it is important to make sure that you are engaged, because without you there is no say. Come out, stay strong, stay forward. Stand with your community.   

According to the Ohio Secretary of State, Franklin County’s voting rate for the midterm elections dropped from about 55% in 2018 to 47% in 2022. Leaders of this group said it’s numbers like those that give them a sense of duty to continue the work of encouraging people to vote in every election.

“It’s just not a one-time thing that we've got to make sure that we are coming out locally,” Brown said. “We’ve got to make sure that we're coming out for the investment in these midterms, and we've got to make sure that in four, in three years, that we're coming out again to show that we as a people that work has not stopped and that we as a people, we've not given up.”

The deadline to register to vote in Ohio is Oct. 6 and Election Day is on Nov. 4.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has extended the Ohio National Guard's mission to Washington, D.C. for more than two more months.

In a press release on Wednesday, the governor's office said it agreed to a request from the Secretary of the Army to keep Ohio guardsmen in Washington until Nov. 30.

"While some of the Ohio National Guard members will be rotated, Ohio will continue to provide 150 military police to carry out presence patrols," the office wrote in the press release.

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DeWine announced the deployment in mid-August as part of President Donald Trump's "crime emergency" in Washington.

Since the deployment, Trump has touted lower violent crime rates in the city, and has proposed sending more guard members into other Democratic-run cities like New Orleans, Baltimore and Chicago.

DeWine's office said none of the Ohio guardsmen deployed to Washington are working as law enforcement officers in Ohio.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Several people in the Polaris area claim the intersection of Wynstone Drive and South Old State Road has become far too dangerous and something needs to change. 

Residents said heavy traffic from the Chase Bank headquarters makes turning left out of their neighborhood extremely difficult and speeding drivers only make it worse. Many have children who have been involved in serious crashes at the intersection. 

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"I don't want it to take someone getting seriously injured or killed before something is done," Columbus resident Wendy Butts said.

According to residents, they've been pushing the city to take action before another serious crash happens.

"We have to regulate when we can come and go from our neighborhood, because the traffic is backed up so bad," Columbus resident Jennifer Dorwaldt said. "You can't make a left. It's just very dangerous."

Longtime residents have watched the area grow from a two-lane road to the four-lane thoroughfare it is today. 

"They have made a right-hand turn into our development, but people merge from that turn only lane into the single left lane, causing confusion," Butts said. 

According to neighbors, traffic is worst during the morning and afternoon commutes. Some have even opted to change their routes and schedules to avoid it altogether.

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"I don't think they took into account Chase and with them being back to work full time," Columbus resident Jen Culvertson said. "It's horrible."

Within the last couple months, residents have seen several serious accidents, including one that flipped a family's car with their newborn inside. There's still glass in the road from one of those recent incidents.

"I have a 17-year-old who just is learning to drive and it's scary," Culvertson said. 

Many residents like Culvertson said they've been filing 311 complaints with the city for months but feel they've been falling on deaf ears.

"We get automatic responses, ‘oh it's being reviewed and being reviewed,’" Culvertson said. "And then months later, you get, ‘oh, it was,’ you know, nothing happened. It was disregarded or it's being reviewed again." 

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According to the Columbus Division of Traffic Management, it plans to complete a new traffic signal evaluation in the upcoming months since the previous evaluation is nearly three years old. 

The city plans to look at several factors including traffic volumes on South Old State Road and Wynstone Drive during the main hours of the day, crash data including crashes that may be corrected with a traffic signal installed, sight distance for people turning from Wynstone Drive, proximity to other traffic signals and nearby driveways, along with other relevant characteristics of the site, such as roadway geometrics and types of surrounding development. 

"They need to figure it out, whether it's a light or not," Dorwaldt said. "We need to figure it out because it's not safe."

One resident even said the intersection is so problematic, he's watched several friends move out of the neighborhood over it.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Leaders on both sides of the political divide offered their condolences while calling for an end to political violence after the shooting death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.

Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy posted on X that he had spoken to Kirk earlier this week.

“I traveled the entire country with him last year, we spent 1x1 time together in Ohio two weeks ago, spoke to him again 2 days ago,” Ramaswamy posted in part. “He’s long warned of the rise of political violence & the growing culture of assassination, when few were willing to listen, with a clarity of vision unlike anyone I’ve known. Completely and utterly devastated.”

Former President Joe Biden offered his condolences to Kirk’s family.

“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones,” Biden posted to X.

Vice President JD Vance, a former Ohio Senator, reposted President Donald Trump’s Truth Social announcement of Kirk’s death, writing, “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.”

Kirk, 31, was speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City, during an event for the organization he co-founded, Turning Point. Videos posted to social media show Kirk speaking into a handheld microphone while sitting under a white tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong.”

A single gunshot was fired shortly after noon MT, moments after Kirk was reportedly asked about gun rights and mass shootings. Videos online showed Kirk then reach for his neck with his right hand as he bled heavily. Another video posted to social media showed multiple people carrying Kirk to a vehicle.

Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) also offered his condolences.

“My family is mourning the death of Charlie Kirk. His murder is a tragedy for his beautiful young family and a very sad day for America. Violence has no place in our society or in political dialogue. We’re praying for Charlie’s family. May he rest in peace.”

“Charlie Kirk dedicated his life to the Lord, his family, and freedom,” Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan posted. "There aren’t enough words to describe the impact he had on our country. We won’t ever forget him or his work. God bless him and his family.”

Jay McDonald, president of the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, posted a statement to Facebook calling for an end to political violence.

“We must end political violence. It can never be condoned and must be called out and condemned by every reasonable and responsible person and or group,” the post reads.

Kirk and Ramaswamy appeared at a Delaware County Republican Party event in late August, and Kirk was scheduled to return to Ohio at the Center for Christian Virtue’s Cleveland Gala on Sept. 26, delivering the keynote address for that event.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Saturday's game between Ohio State and Ohio will be a hot ticket for many OU fans, eager to see the Bobcats back in the old Horseshoe. 

Although OU's never beaten OSU in football, some of the meetings have proved quite memorable. In 2010, Ohio fell to Ohio State 43-7, but the result of the game was not the memorable part of the day. 

Brandon Hanning remembers that day far better than most people. Today, Hanning lives near Pomeroy, a small town overlooking the Ohio River. He played football at Meigs High School, and he had a bit of a reputation around town. 

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"Would you consider yourself famous or infamous?" I asked.

"Infamous, definitely." Hanning said. 

He said he was a prankster in school, and when he enrolled at Ohio in 2009 he arrived there with a plan. 

"I had just seen the Oregon Duck videos where he was bullying other mascots," he said. "And I thought it would be awesome ... for our mascot to beat up their mascot." 

The mascot in question? Brutus Buckeye. 

But for that plan to work, he first had to become Ohio's mascot, Rufus Bobcat.

"I just showed up to the tryouts. It was me and one other person, and I did the worm, did some stupid stuff, and they started letting me be the mascot." he said. 

Hanning said being Rufus was not much fun, but he was playing the long game. 

"It got annoying quickly, but the whole goal of being able to fight Brutus in a year was still in my head, so I just decided to put up with it for the entire time so that I could beat up Brutus," he said. "I wanted to do something crazy." 

Ohio was scheduled to play at Ohio State on Sept. 18, 2010. But by the start of classes in the fall of 2010, Hanning had already dropped out of OU, seemingly ending his plot to tackle Brutus. 

Then, just weeks before the game, Hanning got a call from the athletics staff. 

"They called me up, asked if I wanted to be the mascot, and I was like, yeah, of course, I'll do it. So I went and did one more game, because I knew the Ohio State game was coming next. And so I just told them that, yeah, I'd go be the mascot and did not tell them anything about the fact that I wasn't enrolled." 

Meanwhile in Columbus, Sean Stazen was in his second year playing the coveted role of Brutus Buckeye. He joined five other students in that honor, and for the Ohio game it just happened to be his turn for the first half of the game. 

"My morning started like a normal game day. Morning was all pregame activities coming in the stadium and getting ready to entertain 100-plus thousand fans as Brutus Buckeye," Stazen said.

That morning, Hanning arrived at Ohio Stadium with the cheer squad but not exactly with a formal plan of attack.

"Come up with it as I get there," he said

As OSU took the field, Brutus led the way as usual, helping to carry the large Ohio State flag ahead of the team. Hanning/Rufus was watching ... and waiting.

"It hit me that they were about to run across the field," he said. "This is a perfect time to do this."

Look: Rufus vs. Brutus in September 2010

• 18 SEP 2010: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye is attacked by the Ohio Bobcats Mascot Rufus prior to the start of the Ohio State Ohio University football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Ohio September 18, 2010. (Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
• 18 SEP 2010: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye is attacked by the Ohio Bobcats Mascot Rufus prior to the start of the Ohio State Ohio University football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Ohio September 18, 2010. (Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
• 18 SEP 2010: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye is attacked by the Ohio Bobcats Mascot Rufus prior to the start of the Ohio State Ohio University football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Ohio September 18, 2010. (Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
• 18 SEP 2010: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye is attacked by the Ohio Bobcats Mascot Rufus prior to the start of the Ohio State Ohio University football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Ohio September 18, 2010. (Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
• 18 SEP 2010: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye is attacked by the Ohio Bobcats Mascot Rufus prior to the start of the Ohio State Ohio University football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Ohio September 18, 2010. (Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
• 18 SEP 2010: Ohio State Buckeyes mascot Brutus Buckeye after being attacked by the Ohio Bobcats Mascot Rufus prior to the start of the Ohio State Ohio University football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus Ohio September 18, 2010. (Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/Icon SMI/Icon Sport Media via Getty Images)
• Sean Stazen, who portrayed Brutus Buckeye in 2010, with Jerod Smalley at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, in September 2025. (NBC4)
• Tattoo of Brandon Hanning, who portrayed Rufus Bobcat in 2010, seen in September 2025 (NBC4)

Stazen said he noticed Rufus starting to run toward him as he crossed midfield.

"I notice him getting closer and closer and my thought is, oh, OK, he's trying to mess up our entrance."

Hanning did not break stride.

"It was a very intense moment because I knew about 100,000 people there were going to hate what I'm about to do, and I'm not supposed to do it."

Rufus delivered a glancing blow but ended up taking the worst of it.

"The last thing I see is him down with his (Rufus) head on the ground," Stazen said.

Rufus scrambled to get his mascot head back in place. Brutus then continued to jog toward the endzone, continuing his pregame routine, but Rufus had scurried back to his feet and continued the pursuit. 

"And then I feel someone jump on my back in the end zone," Stazen said. "I'm proud to say I'm able to get into the end zone. So I always say I did score the touchdown."

"I just jumped on top of him and started swinging," Hanning said. 

Rufus delivered a wrestling style tackle in the end zone, followed by a few roundhouse punches. Thanks to the padding in the Brutus costume head, they did no damage.

"We both stand up, dust ourselves off, and that was it," Stazen said.

Rufus was warned by security not to touch Brutus again, but he was not kicked out of the game. In fact, he finished the game. In the hours after, it became clear that Rufus' plot had ruffled some feathers. 

"I knew there was a little bit going on, on the way home, because the people in charge wouldn't talk to me." Hanning said. "My parents texted me. They asked me, did I do it? I was like, yep."

After people found out it was Hanning in the Rufus costume, enterprising reporters started to track him down. 

"The word got around that my Facebook started blowing up," he said. "I was getting calls from all over the country, from Oregon, from Michigan, from Miami."

Hanning shared with a few reporters why he did it, including the detail that he wasn't even a current Ohio University student. 

In the weeks after the game, the story made national headlines.

"The back story that Rufus attacked Brutus, and it was this whole elaborate plot," Stazen said. "The wildest thing was having attorneys reach out that week. They got my information ... wanted to know if I wanted to press assault charges. That's where really I was like, OK, this is this has gone off the rails."

Does Hanning regret his actions that day?

"No, Never." 

Stazen said he has no hard feelings, and it's a common topic among his friends who knew he was playing Brutus that day.

"It's still just a hilarious story when it happened and here we are 15 years later still talking about it," Stazen said.

Stazen is now living in central Ohio, married with two children. Hanning is now a mail carrier in the Pomeroy area and is expecting his first child next year. 

The two have not seen each other since that day in 2010. 

Although Hanning has moved on with his life, he's reminded daily about his infamous role as Rufus. He has a large tattoo on his right shoulder, showing that Rufus "Dotted the I" of Brutus. 

"Legends never die," he said. "Mission accomplished."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Wednesday is World Suicide Prevention Day, with the goal of reducing stigma and fostering open conversations, according to the World Health Organization.

Mental health advocates at Ohio State University have joined in on the mission.

“If you’re struggling or you know somebody that’s struggling, we are a campus that is rich with resources to be able to support you,” said Laura Lewis, assistant director of the Ohio State Suicide Prevention Program.

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According to the CDC, suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 15-24, a demographic largely served by the university. The Ohio State program teamed up with several departments to make their message heard and seen, including Transportation and Traffic Management.

“If you see a bus around campus today, you’ll see that it says very quickly 'Buckeyes reach out' as a reminder to our campus that we can connect with each other when we need to,” Lewis said.

They also teamed up with Dining Services. Stickers reading ‘Help create a campus culture of care’ were placed on each food purchase. Each robot food delivery came with a note of encouragement.

“I really hope that when someone opens and sees it, it’s something unexpected and it brings them happiness, and hopefully it can change the minds of someone who's going through a very hard time,” Ohio State University senior Mia Castro said.

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She was one of many student volunteers that helped handwrite more than 1,500 notes. Castro also teaches REACH training, which teaches students and staff about warning signs and how to help someone struggling. Castro urges people who don’t need help to be the help.

“You know your peers better than anyone else and so you see them in your class, in your daily life. So you're going to notice some things other people might not. To know these warning signs and to look out for those, that can be a really big step in preventing suicide,” she said.

Learn more about REACH training here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Several concerts originally planned for the Columbus Athenaeum are moving to new locations after the theatre's owner canceled its own lineup earlier this week.

The Waterboys' concert on Friday, James McMurtry's Saturday show and Geordie Greep's Sept. 18 performance have all been relocated to The Bluestone at 583 E. Broad St., according to local concert organizer Celebrity Etc.'s website. The Weight Band's Sept. 19 concert has also been moved from the Athenaeum to Skully's Music-Diner at 1151 N. High St.

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In a social media post on Wednesday, The Waterboys said all tickets sold for the Athenaeum show will be honored at the Bluestone.

The Athenaeum Theatre at 32 N. Fourth St. in Columbus. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

Celebrity Etc. is relocating the performances after TempleLive, a venue operator that owns the Athenaeum, on Monday axed its lineup at the theatre through December. A statement on TempleLive's Columbus website said, "there are currently no upcoming events," and provided a Ticketmaster link that said ticketholders would receive refunds. Watch a previous NBC4 report on TempleLive's Athenaeum cancellations in the video player above.

Celebrity Etc.'s late September, October and November shows are still scheduled for the Athenaeum.

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TempleLive's cancellations came after the company acquired the Athenaeum in early 2024. The purchase added to the entertainment group's portfolio of Masonic buildings-turned-music-venues, including in Cleveland; Wichita, Kansas; and Fort Smith, Arkansas. The company has canceled its shows in those cities as well, according to local news reports.

Located at 32 N. Fourth St., the Athenaeum was constructed in 1896 as a Masonic Temple and underwent expansions in 1914 and 1934. In 1996, the building was purchased and renovated to include a new air conditioning system, paint, carpeting, and flooring to transform it into a premier Columbus event and wedding venue.

LATEST TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A crash on Columbus’ southeast side has closed a major highway on Wednesday afternoon.

The crash happened on Interstate 70 near James Road at approximately 2:15 p.m.

Traffic cameras in the area show the crash involved a yellow tanker truck. A police dispatcher said the tanker was the only vehicle involved.

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Multiple Columbus Division of Fire personnel are on the scene.

According to OHGO, the crash closed all lanes on I-70 eastbound beyond James Road and two lanes of I-70 West.

One person was taken to Grant Medical Center in a stable condition.

There is no word on what caused the crash.

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) -- A man was arrested Tuesday after hateful graffiti was found painted at a Hilliard park over the summer, as well as several other places.

Victor Daniel Garcia-Martinez, 23, of Hilliard, was identified by police as a suspect after he was allegedly seen on Aug. 18 parking his car in front of the pavilion at the Hilliard Athletic Complex, entering the restroom for 10 minutes and then leaving, according to a heavily redacted police report.

A profane message referencing President Donald Trump was found on the door of a bathroom stall, police said. The report states that the message didn't appear after Garcia-Martinez was spotted entering the restroom.

Which Ohio cities would be more likely to see National Guard deployment?

Police said the message was written in a way that would have taken "a significant amount of time."

Garcia-Martinez was also reportedly linked to multiple other instances of graffiti, including at Columbus Metro Parks.

On July 14, a hateful message was also painted on the side of the Hilliard Soccer Complex building, police said, causing more than $16,000 in damage. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

At the time of his arrest on Tuesday, Garcia-Martinez was found in possession of psilocybin mushrooms, according to police.

Garcia-Martinez was charged with vandalism of a government entity, a fourth-degree felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a fifth-degree felony. Court records show he was arraigned on Wednesday morning.

Garcia-Martinez was released on his own recognizance and may not consume alcohol or drugs, and cannot visit the incident locations, according to online court records.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 24 in the Franklin County Municipal Court.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Known as the “nation’s most elaborate costume party,” HighBall Halloween is returning to Columbus this fall with some new experiences.

HighBall is set from 6 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 25 along High Street from Goodale Street to Nationwide Boulevard. Admission is free for all who want to celebrate  the “art of costume and vibrancy of Columbus.” 

Highball Halloween 2022 _ Photo By_ Tony Bentivegna Photography

Several new features at HighBall this year include Potion Patios where you can visit several spots along High Street for exclusive themed cocktails and food. The event is also offering Open Walls Mural, a community-made art installation where visitors can paint on the wall.

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HighBall is also offering a new expanded weekend lineup, offering a Friday pre-party at Denmark on High, a Saturday night speakeasy at Sacred Palm and brunch on Sunday at Black Sheep. Along with the new additions, the event is bringing back its popular Costume Couture Fashion Show.

Also returning to HighBall is its public costume contest. Patrons can show off their creativity for a chance to win cash prizes. The costume contest will have several categories including Best Group Costume and Most Humorous/Unexpected Costume.

Tickets for HighBall Halloween are on sale now with Early Bird VIP Admission, Weekend Access Pass and Spook Suite options. For additional details and the event schedule, visit HighBall's website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Cities and towns across central Ohio have set a date and time for Beggars' Night this October.

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission recommends when Halloween falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, trick-or-treating should be held on Oct. 31. When Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, it should be held the Thursday prior to Oct. 31. Individual municipalities, however, can establish their own trick-or-treat days.

Find your local trick-or-treat time below. This list will be updated throughout the season as cities and towns announce their Beggars' Night date.

Coshocton County

• Coshocton: 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25.

Delaware County

• Galena: 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
• Genoa Township: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
• Ostrander: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
• Powell: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
• Sunbury: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.

Fairfield County

• Canal Winchester: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Baltimore: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Lancaster: To be announced.
• Pickerington: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Franklin County

• Bexley: 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Blendon Township: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Columbus: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Dublin: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Gahanna: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Grandview Heights: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
• Grove City: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Groveport: To be announced.
• Hilliard: To be announced.
• Minerva Park: To be announced.
• New Albany: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Obetz: To be announced.
• Pickerington: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Prairie Township: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Reynoldsburg: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Upper Arlington: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Westerville: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Whitehall: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Worthington: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.

Licking County

• Alexandria: To be announced.
• Heath: 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Hebron: 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Johnstown: To be announced.
• Kirkersville: To be announced.
• Newark: To be announced.
• Pataskala: To be announced.

Logan County

• Bellefontaine: 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Lakeview: To be announced.

Madison County

• London: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
• Plumwood: To be announced.

Marion County

• Marion: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.

Ross County

• Chillicothe: 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.

Union County

• Marysville: 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31.
• Plain City: 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As Florida looks to end vaccine mandates for children attending school, Ohio Department of Health's director said the state's stance hasn't changed.

Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff told NBC4 the Ohio Department of Health's stance is that all kids should get the recommended, routine childhood vaccines.

Currently, all 50 states have vaccine mandates for children attending school, but Florida's surgeon general said those mandates restrict parents' ability to make health decisions for their children.

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"We're one plane trip away from someone accidentally bringing those diseases back into our communities," Vanderhoff said. "And we've had outbreaks of measles here in Ohio just in the past year."

Vanderhoff said the recommended childhood vaccines have long track records, and the department is confident in their safety. This time of year, he said, is typically when there is an uptick in illnesses -- especially respiratory -- as children head back to school.

Not vaccinating children can put them at risk of getting a serious illness, Vanderhoff said.

"Invariably, those outbreaks involve people who are poorly vaccinated or unvaccinated," he said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- President Donald Trump is considering deploying the National Guard to more locations, but Columbus' crime rates make it less likely to be chosen than other Ohio cities.

Ohio was allegedly named as a possible state for deployment in reports that surfaced in August. Trump has not announced plans to deploy troops to any Ohio city; however, if he were to send National Guard members to Ohio, it is unlikely it would begin in Columbus.

The deployments target violent crime, and Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Youngstown all have higher homicide rates than Columbus. Those four cities also have higher rates than Chicago, where Trump has teased sending troops next.

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Trump already deployed troops to Washington, D.C., and has also proposed deployments in Baltimore and New Orleans. Trump cites crime as the reason for federal interference, a rare move that typically requires a governor's approval. See previous coverage of D.C. deployment in the video player above.

Columbus has a homicide rate of 12.54 per 100,000 residents. NBC4 compared FBI homicide data from 2024 and calculated homicide rates based on population size. Data shows at least 15 cities with higher crime rates than Chicago, and two Ohio cities with higher rates than D.C.

Columbus' homicide rate is much lower than other Ohio cities, offering it a buffer from possible deployment. It appears Cincinnati and Cleveland would be more likely sites for possible deployment, especially after comments from Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. Moreno and Ramaswamy are both endorsed by Trump.

Moreno and Ramaswamy recommended Cleveland and Cincinnati for possible deployment while praising the president's efforts in D.C. On Aug. 24, Moreno posted about the D.C. deployment and tagged Cleveland and Cincinnati's mayors on social media, writing, "Let's take back our great Ohio cities!"

Ramaswamy similarly called out Cleveland and Cincinnati while discussing crime. He condemned Illinois' response to possible deployment in Chicago, saying, "We'll get it right in Ohio's cities." Speaking on Fox News in late August, Ramaswamy supported taking "D.C.'s plan national," and he retweeted a post on X seemingly in favor of deployment to Cincinnati.

Although Cincinnati's homicide rate is lower than Cleveland's or Dayton's, violent crime in Cincinnati gained a national spotlight in July when videos of residents being beaten in a brawl circulated on social media. On Tuesday, DeWine announced the Ohio State Highway Patrol will partner with Cincinnati police to reduce violent crimes in the city.

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DeWine said the initiative was entirely separate from Trump's National Guard deployment, and Cincinnati residents are unlikely to notice a large difference in daily life.

"From the city's perspective, there is absolutely no reason to even consider sending in the National Guard to Cincinnati," said Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, a Democrat. "Not only would it be a massive waste of resources, but it would ultimately make our city less safe. I'm proud to partner with our governor to actually make the city safe."

The state law enforcement support in Cincinnati mirrors similar programs in Columbus, Toledo, Dayton, Youngstown and Cleveland. DeWine said local police will maintain control, but the changes will allow gun crimes to be prosecuted federally and help relieve burdens on local enforcement.

DeWine sent 150 Ohio National Guard troops to Washington in August upon Trump's request. DeWine visited with deployed Ohio troops last week. He said the mission was set for 30 days, but the Sept. 15 end date could be extended.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Traffic in Columbus and Cleveland ranks among the least congested in the country, according to a recent analysis. 

To determine which cities have the worst traffic, ConsumerAffairs, a platform for consumer reviews and news, reviewed three data points for the 50 most populous cities in the United States, including the average travel time to work, the average amount of time roads are congested on weekdays and the number of car crash fatalities per 100,000 people.

The platform used the most recent information available from the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Highway Administration and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Data included in the study spans from 2023 to early 2025. 

Columbus ranked as the city with the seventh lowest level of traffic congestion, with an average commute time of 24.9 minutes, an average weekday congestion time of one hour and 39 minutes, and a fatality rate of 9.67 per 100,000 people.

Cleveland placed even higher on the list of cities with the least traffic congestion, ranking at No. 3. The city’s average commute time is 24.7 minutes, average weekday congestion time is one hour and 23 minutes, and fatality rate is 7.6 per 100,000 people, according to the study. 

The city with the most free-flowing traffic was Rochester, New York, with an average commute time of 21.2 minutes, an average weekday congestion time of two hours, and 41 minutes and a fatality rate of 8.69 per 100,000 people. 

Rochester was followed by Salt Lake City (No. 2), Hartford, Connecticut (No. 4), St. Louis (No. 5), Milwaukee (No. 6), Fresno, California (No. 8), Kansas City, Missouri (No. 9) and Buffalo, New York (No. 10). 

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Conversely, Washington, D.C. was the city that saw the worst traffic with an average commute time of 33.4 minutes, an average weekday congestion time of six hours and 35 minutes, and a fatality rate of 5.95 per 100,000 people.

The nation’s capital was followed by Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York City, Houston, Seattle, Baltimore and San Jose, California. 

ConsumerAffairs’ full study can be found here.