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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – For the first time, a Columbus area nonprofit is carrying out a test to see why so many children in Franklin County are not ready for kindergarten.

Right now, Future Ready Five says kindergarten readiness in the area is a significant crisis: more than half of kids in Franklin County are not ready for kindergarten.

Report names Columbus as most polluted major U.S. city in 2023

Future Ready Five is hoping to change that, and this week their first pilot assessments kicked off. These will work to figure out why kids are falling behind and how they can be helped. 

This has been in the works for months and is something Columbus City Council invested in earlier this year. 

This week pre-k students in 14 child care centers sat down and took a test that will help experts figure out where kids are struggling and what will be the best way to help them improve. 

"We're testing the theory that if we focus on the first five years of life and really do what we can, we think it can make a difference, not just with third-grade reading scores, graduation rate, career attainment, college attrition rate," Future Ready Five CEO Mario Basora said. 

A mom of a child who went through the test this week spoke with NBC4. She said she is glad her child had a chance to participate. 

"I thought it was pretty cool because it's getting the kids ready for kindergarten," Pre-K Mom Charity Dimalata said. "So I think it's a good program."

A Blessed Child Learning Academy was one of the centers carrying out the assessment.

"We have learned that this area definitely needs help all day long, hands down," Owner and Director of A Blessed Child Learning Academy Stephanie Walker said. 

65% of children in the county are not ready for kindergarten, but that number is even higher for minority communities.

"That means we have a universal problem. So universally, we need to make sure that kids are getting adequate exposure to basic literacy skills, and particularly the science of reading," Basora said. 

The next step is to review this data and create intervention strategies for each center. 

"The fact that this is a new pilot program we're all learning together is exciting as well because of the fact that we can all put our heads together and share what needs to be done as far as what's next for the kids and what's best for them academically," Walker said. 

The goal is to get to a place where there is a plan for each child that Future Ready Five works with. 

LAKEVIEW, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio National Guard is in Logan County, working to help rebuild the communities devastated by the EF-3 tornado that hit one week ago. 

Since then, community members have come together and pitched in to get the rebuilding process underway. 

Facial reconstructions of skulls found in Ohio seek public’s help in identifying them

The Ohio National Guard has been out here for days, doing their part to help out the residents that lost everything. According to leaders, being able to help is rewarding, but this tragedy hits home for them. 

On Sunday, after declaring a state of emergency in 11 counties across central Ohio, Gov. DeWine activated the Ohio National Guard to help officials in Logan County. 

“We mobilized just an initial assessment team initially and then by that afternoon, we had a full equipment package with an advanced team here on site,” said Colonel Tim Grady, task force commander with the Ohio National Guard. 

Their mission is to restore access to public infrastructure in support of the Logan County Emergency Management Agency along with other local authorities. 

The amount of debris on U.S. Route 33 in Lakeview has been prohibiting traffic, however significant progress has been made so far. 

“It's cleared up immensely and we're doing everything we can to request resources from the state and coordinate all of that so things get moving very quickly and safely,” said the emergency manager with the RED HORSE Unit, Alexandria Dye. 

The Ohio National Guard is trained and ready to help if and when a disaster strikes, but to see such devastation in their home state, hits hard.

“The thing that hits me the most is everybody out here is a drill status guardsmen,” said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Schneider, “They left their jobs and their families to come here to volunteer, to help. So they're all volunteers in my eyes as well, not necessarily here to do a job or make a pay, you know, have a paycheck.”

“It's hard to see houses completely gone. People are struggling, but that's what we're here for, to make the transition to recovery a lot easier, a lot simpler and effective,” said Dye.

Leaders said they’ve been a part of major operations around the world, but in the few days they’ve been here, they’re amazed by all the support Logan County has received. 

“The way that this community has come together, local contractors, local agencies, other counties stepping in to assist the law enforcement officers and how well that the synergy that they've established it just amazes me,” said Schneider. 

The Ohio National Guard plans to stay out in Logan County for as long as their services are needed. 

“We live here, we are in and of the community. Majority of our folks are citizen soldiers, citizen airmen, they have civilian lives. These are our families, these are our fathers, mothers, brothers, daughters and sisters. And it's tough, but we're proud to be able to help," Grady said.

Gov. Dewine has requested FEMA Damage Assessment teams to survey 11 counties in Ohio, one of which is Logan County. He believes this is the next step in helping these communities recover.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – For the second year in a row, IQ Air’s World Air Report names Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S. Community members said they are shocked to hear this news.

“That's very hard for me to believe. Obviously a little bit upsetting. I came from Pittsburgh two years ago and the city does feel a lot cleaner than Pittsburgh. Just makes me want to kind of get out there and do something to make it better,” said Kelsey Rzymek.

Polaris restaurant to be bulldozed for new Chick-fil-A; eatery’s gear auctioned

The report is placing a lot of blame on the wildfires in Canada spreading to the midwest last June.

NBC4 spoke with Brandi Whetstone, the Associate Director of Sustainability at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, to better understand the report. She said the report is a bit misleading.

“Further from reports that we've produced with this data, we've actually seen an overall trend of improvement in air quality over the last 30 years. And while that can vary from year to year due to outside factors like wildfire smoke,” Whetstone said.

Whetstone said MORPC tracks air quality in Columbus everyday with the EPA. She said they are looking for ozone and particle pollution.

Whetstone said it is correct that air quality did get worse from 2022 to 2023. She said with significant growth in central Ohio, it’s something they are keeping an eye on.

“That means there's a lot of things that we can be doing. We're not perfect, but we can be doing a lot more to improve air quality, and that can include things like reducing driving, you know, using carpooling, transit, even biking and walking to nearby destinations," Whetstone said.

Whetstone said other ways to reduce pollution is by switching to battery powered outdoor equipment instead of gas powered.

Community members NBC4 spoke with said they already feel inspired to make that change.

“So just making sure that people realize how important it is and then kind of voicing that too,” Rzymek said.

Whetstone said air quality is something that can impact your health especially if you have asthma or other respiratory infections. Click here to learn more about MORPC’s air quality alerts. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Republican infighting has stalled several pieces of legislation and led to one of the messiest primary elections lawmakers and experts say they have seen in decades.

With primary elections in the rearview mirror, some changes could come, and some legislation might move forward.

Root Insurance executive sentenced for embezzling $10 million from Columbus-based company

“Hang onto your seatbelts, it is going to be a wild ride in the Ohio House,” Democratic Strategist Brian Rothenberg said.

The Republican infighting is between House Republicans and also between chambers.

“I really hope they solve their family feud and figure out all of the barriers to getting things done so that we can get things done,” Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said.

Because of the “family feud,” several incumbents had primary challengers; four of them lost.

“I don’t think that changes anything,” DeWine said. “I think we have a big task ahead of us still in the legislature, marijuana needs to be dealt with, Delta 8 needs to be dealt with, we have a capital bill that needs to get passed. So, we have a lot of things to do.”

But the four lost seats could open the door to new leadership in the Ohio House next year. Current speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) will likely face off against current Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima).

In theory, Stephens has the votes to keep his title, but experts say the path is not clear for either leader.

“It just wasn’t enough, it wasn’t enough of a landslide for Huffman to claim that he is going to be able to take over the whole thing,” Rothenberg said. “Stephens has less of a stranglehold in being able to maintain that, so it’s not clear with either of them.”

In a statement, Stephens said they are "in a strong position” to expand the Republican majority in the House.

Stephens was elected because Democrats teamed up with 22 Republicans to do so. Some Republican house members said that they stand by that, because Stephens was the best fit for the job and has proven so this past year.

“I certainly am committed to making sure, whether it’s me or anyone else, that whoever is elected speaker is elected by the majority of the majority caucus,” Huffman said.

“Counting votes is often a moving target so I think it would be incredibly naive to count votes now,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said.

But because of the infighting, several bills have been stalled and weaponized. For example, Senate Bill 83, a higher education overhaul bill, has been stalled in the House.

“The House continues to focus on good policy our members can proudly talk about to their constituents back home,” Stephens said in a statement. “We will see where the legislation stands when members return now that the primary season is over.”

If Huffman is speaker next year, that bill would likely get through each chamber a lot quicker. Huffman said if the house does not pass it this year, should he become speaker, they likely would not make as many concessions on it.

A massive spending bill is being also being stalled, that one by the senate.

“I think most legislators are going to be able to sit down and get these things worked out,” Huffman said. “Some more contentious issues maybe not, but spending $850 million, usually you can get agreement on that.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A crash on Interstate 270 through the Eastland neighborhood temporarily left the northbound lanes of the highway shut down.

The Ohio Department of Transportation confirmed the crash and closure just north of U.S. Highway 33 Thursday evening. Highway cameras showed the scene of the wreck around 5:45 p.m., with emergency crews in the middle of the lanes. One car crashed into the back of another on the overpass.

As of 6:45 p.m., the cameras showed a tow truck had moved in and taken both cars away from the overpass. Crews reopened two lanes of I-270, but kept the right lane closed. Columbus police dispatchers confirmed emergency crews took two people to local hospitals in stable condition after the crash.

Root Insurance executive sentenced for embezzling $10 million from Columbus-based company

• A highway camera shows the northbound lanes of Interstate 270 closed. (Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation)
• A highway camera shows a traffic jam in the northbound lanes of Interstate 270. (Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation)

Another highway camera showed a traffic pile-up in the northbound lanes and on-ramp. The Ohio Department of Transportation noted there would be at least a nine-minute travel delay beginning at mile marker 45.

Investigators had not shared the cause of the crash as of 6:45 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A local utility company is warning the public about a re-emerging scam. 

Better Call 4 first told viewers about it in October, but five months later, it continues to make the rounds, targeting customers and noncustomers alike.

Root Insurance executive sentenced for embezzling $10 million from Columbus-based company

"We're not trying to scare customers, you know," said Amanda DePerro with Columbia Gas of Ohio. "We don't want customers to be nervous, but we do want them to be cautious."

That was the warning from Columbia Gas of Ohio, when they first spoke with NBC4 last fall. Back then, some noncustomers had reached out, concerned about letters and checks they received that appeared to come from the utility company.

"The first person who reached out to us, they're from Maryland," DePerro said. "And they reached out to us toward the end of September (2023), and they had received an $8,500 check in the mail, claiming to be from Columbia Gas. And then, a few days later, someone from Seattle, Washington reached out and said, 'I received a check for $3,800.'"

The checks also came with letters, instructing the recipients to deposit the checks at their banks. Then, email back copies of the deposit slips. But in an alert on its website, Columbia Gas of Ohio stated, "these checks are fraudulent, and do not come from us."

• 
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Fast forward to March 2024, and the company is once again sharing that message, as more people reported receiving more of these checks.

"If we're sending you a check in the mail, we're gonna let you know," said DePerro. "If something comes that is out of the blue, that should be your first red flag."

The second red flag?

"The letter was just not professionally written," DePerro said. "You can kind of see those errors in the spelling."

Columbia Gas said it does frequently reach out to customers, but if an individual is ever in doubt about whether the letter, call, email or in-person visit they receive is legitimate, they should take a step back before acting. 

"If you want to double check, please give us a call, please reach out, and we can verify that person's identity, or you know, a letter in the mail, we can confirm whether it came from us,” DeParro said.

For current customers, there is no threat to personal information, as long as the customer doesn’t respond to the scheme. Again, reach out to the company first with any concerns.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The total solar eclipse is less than three weeks away and people across central Ohio are preparing themselves and their children for safe viewing.

Glasses are needed for eye protection during the eclipse, but it may be harder for kids to understand why they are necessary.

Ohio mother and daughter reunited after 54 years

“The reason to take this seriously is that if you look at a partial eclipse, you can get permanent, instant and severe eye damage,” said Dr. Sean Gallagher, a pediatrician at Central Ohio Primary Care in Worthington.

Kids may be tempted to look at the sun without their safety glasses on April 8 so Gallagher said the way a parent speaks to their kids about safety is key.

“Tell their children what’s going on but use language that they can understand to kind of get the message across that we definitely need to take this very seriously,” said Dr. Gallagher.

For parents who are worried about their kids keeping the glasses on, there are some arts and crafts projects to do with kids before the solar eclipse. One is cutting a paper plate in half and then gluing each half to the top and bottom of the glasses. This way if a child tries to pull the glasses down, the sun will be blocked by the paper plate.

Another DIY project parents can use to help their kids safely view the eclipse is with a box pinhole projector. NASA describes how to make one here.

“It’s an event that you want to err on the side of caution for, for sure. But so long as reasonable safety precautions are taken, it can be safely viewed,” aid Dr. Gallagher.

If a parent fears their child may have stared at the sun, there are some signs to look out for eye damage.

“If their child seems clumsy or they are bumping into things or sitting closer to the television than they usually do,” said Dr. Gallagher. “Parents might just need to pay attention to see if they’re bumping into things.”

If a parent needs glasses for themselves or their kids, all Columbus Metropolitan Library locations have them for free while supplies last.

For more information about safety for all ages during the eclipse, click here.

With KubeCon Europe taking place this week, Microsoft has delivered a flurry of Azure Kubernetes announcements. In addition to a new framework for running machine learning workloads, new workload scheduling capabilities, new deployment safeguards, and security and scalability improvements, Microsoft has placed a strong emphasis on developer productivity, working to improve the developer experience and helping reduce the risks of error.

To read this article in full, please click here

Rust 1.77, the latest version of the Mozilla Research-founded programming language focused on safety, speed, and concurrency, adds support for C-string literals.

C-string literals in Rust expand to a null-byte terminated string in memory of type & ‘static CStr. This makes it easier to write code that will interoperate with foreign language interfaces that require null-terminated strings. All relevant error-checking, such as for a missing interior null byte, is performed at compile time.

Announced March 21, Rust 1.77 can be installed using rustup:

To read this article in full, please click here

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium made a sad announcement on social media Thursday about one of its bat-eared foxes.

The zoo shared that Ivy, a nearly 5-year-old bat-eared fox, was humanely euthanized after her health "deteriorated rapidly" stemming from a battle with diabetes. The online statement noted that the condition is "difficult to manage in animals."

Ivy and her brother Bruce arrived at the zoo in 2019 as "adorable kits," according to the zoo.

A photo and several details about Ivy's personality were included in the social post.

"Unlike her outgoing brother, she approached the world with a blend of curiosity and carefulness," a zoo spokesperson wrote. "She adored rubbing her neck and chest on things she found comfort in, especially the scent of her keepers and the Animal Health team. Her care team says they will fondly remember Ivy for her intelligence, playful and easy-to-train demeanor, and how she delighted guests during behind-the-scenes tours as she demonstrated her exceptional ability to locate sounds, such as crickets, with precision."

Ohio mother and daughter reunited after 54 years

Additionally, background about Ivy's species was provided.

"Known for their distinctive huge ears, Ivy and her species have a remarkable ability to locate prey, even insects beneath the ground," the zoo wrote. "These ears also served as a means to regulate body temperature, keeping them cool under the African sun."

The zoo concluded by thanking Ivy's care team for "their unwavering dedication to her wellbeing and to wildlife conservation as a whole."

Did you know? Bexley woman started off on historic journey 60 years ago this week

"Ivy's memory will forever live on in our hearts and in the countless lives she touched during her time with us," the zoo said. "She may have departed from this world, but her spirit will continue to inspire us to cherish and protect the precious beings that share our planet."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The former executive of a Columbus-based car insurance company faces prison time for embezzling more than $10 million from the company.

Brinson Caleb Silver, 43, was sentenced to just over four years in federal prison on Thursday on wire fraud and contempt of court charges, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio's office announced. Silver, formerly the chief marketing officer of Root Insurance, will have to pay back the $10.2 million he siphoned from the company's contracts with vendors.

According to court documents, Silver entered into multiple contracts with marketing vendors and instructed them to divert portions of their contract proceeds to the bank accounts of companies that Silver controlled. From November 2021 to November 2022, Silver embezzled $10.2 million from Root, using his companies Collateral Damage, LLC, Eclipse Home Design, LLC, and Grind 24.

Affordable housing stock in Columbus hits five-year low, according to new report

Silver used the embezzled funds for a variety of personal purchases, including a $1.4 million yacht, a Mercedes-Benz and an amphibious plane. In February 2023, Root sued Silver for the embezzlement.

But his illegal activity didn't stop there. Court filings indicate that after he was sued, Silver disobeyed court orders by failing to appear in court and routinely making purchases larger than $5,000. He spent "lavishly" while traveling internationally, including by spending $20,000 on plastic surgery and $8,000 on a resort in Bali. He sent an additional $92,000 through PayPal.

Before he was sued, Silver paid $75,000 to a consulting firm specializing in international relocation, global citizenship and offshore tax planning, according to court documents. In recorded phone calls, Silver asked about gaining citizenship to a country that would not extradite him to the U.S. He also wanted to move up to $10 million to a foreign bank account that the U.S. could not freeze.

Silver was arrested in June 2023 and indicted by a grand jury in October 2023. In November 2023, he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and criminal contempt. The lawsuit from Root, headquartered in Columbus, against Silver remains ongoing in federal court.

Microsoft has introduced .NET Smart Components, AI-powered UI controls intended to make it easier to add AI features to existing software. These components are currently experimental and not officially supported. 

Announced March 20, .NET Smart Components can be added to .NET apps without developers having to redesign their UX or researching machine learning and prompt engineering, Microsoft said. The components use Azure OpenAI to provide prebuilt end-to-end AI features that can be dropped into existing app UIs.

To read this article in full, please click here

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) - With the start of spring, upcoming changes are being made to downtown Hilliard, including a permanent road closure in front of Hilliard Station Park.

According to a social media post, the city is making infrastructure improvements starting Monday. The city website noted the changes will improve safety, providing a better experience for residents.

Did you know? Bexley woman started off on historic journey 60 years ago this week

There are three phases, including changes to Main and Center streets, resurfacing Main Street and repairing sidewalks along Wayne Street. With these improvements, there will be many closures and detours.

Construction on Main and Center streets begins Monday and will run for two weeks. Daily closures are expected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the intersection to install an underground storm sewer. Other plans include improvements to curbs, ramps and crosswalks.

This will also result in the permanent closure of Center Street between Main and Wayne streets where Hilliard Station Park is located. The city's website noted the area between Hilliard Station Park and Center Street Market has been blocked off to vehicles since 2021.

Starting April 8, there will be a two-week closure to reconstruct the Main and Center streets intersection and repair the railroad track pavement. Other closures for resurfacing Main Street with curb and pavement repairs will begin in June.

Construction is expected to be completed at the end of June.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Bexley resident made history 60 years ago this month as the first woman to fly solo around the world.

Geraldine "Jerrie" Fredritz Mock, a Newark High School graduate and attendee of Ohio State University, started her voyage on March 19, 1964. Mock departed Port Columbus airport in a single-engine Cessna called the "Spirit of Columbus." She succeeded, landing back safely at Port Columbus 29 days and 23,000 miles later.

Ohio mother and daughter reunited after 54 years

President Lyndon B. Johnson recognized Mock by awarding her the Federal Aviation Administration's Exceptional Service Decoration on May 4, 1964. The ceremony was held at the White House Rose Garden.

After her first taste of history, Mock went on to set a number of world aviation records between 1964 and 1969. The Spirit of Columbus was donated to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and today it hangs in the Steve F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia. The Federation Aeronautique Internationale honored Mock with its Louis Bleriot Silver Medal, the organization's highest honor, as the first woman and American to receive the award.

A life-sized statue of Mock was unveiled at the original Port Columbus terminal -- now the Ohio Air and Space Hall of Fame and Museum -- commemorating the 50th anniversary of her voyage.

Mock died at age 88 on Sept. 30, 2014, at her home in Quincy, Florida.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- From Tim McGraw and Olivia Rodrigo at Nationwide Arena to the Columbus Symphony at the Ohio Theatre, here are things to see and do this weekend in central Ohio.

Olivia Rodrigo | Guts World Tour

Nationwide Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Friday

• Following the success of her 2022 debut tour, “Guts” will be Rodrigo’s first arena tour, taking her to iconic venues around the world including Madison Square Garden, Kia Forum, Sportpaleis, The O2, and others.

Olivia Rodrigo performs onstage for the kick-off of GUTS World Tour at Acrisure Arena on Feb. 23 in Palm Springs, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images) Finnish-American violinist makes her Columbus Symphony debut 

Ohio Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday

• Described by the Chicago Tribune as "a fluent, stylish and gifted musician whose brilliant technique is matched by an abundant spirit, sensitivity and imagination," Elina Vähälä makes her debut with one of her favorite works: Jean Sibelius' celebrated violin concerto.

Tim McGraw | Standing Room Only Tour

Nationwide Arena at 7 p.m. on Saturday

• McGraw boasts 69 Top 10 singles and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks, 73, with songs atop the charts at No. 1. He also has the second most Number 1 albums in the United States. McGraw’s Standing Room Only album was released on Aug. 25 and its title song ranks in the top 10 at Country Radio.

Tim McGraw performs during the CMA Fest at LP Field on Thursday, June 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/AP) Fury vs. Vibe

Nationwide Arena at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

• The Columbus Fury face the Atlanta Vibe.

Black Violin | The Experience Tour

Ohio Theatre at 7 p.m. on Sunday

• The Black Violin Experience Tour showcases the two-time Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin, brought to life by Kev Marcus and Wil Baptiste, invoking a musical fusion of classical sounds and hip-hop beats.

'The Prom'

Short North Stage beginning through April 7

• 'The Prom' follows a group of Broadway actors who travel to a conservative town to support an LGBTQ+ teen's fight to attend her high school prom with her girlfriend.

'The Prom' follows a group of Broadway actors who travel to a conservative town to support an LGBTQ+ teen's fight to attend her high school prom. (Courtesy Photo/Short North Stage) Easter egg hunts in central Ohio

• Central Ohio communities are hosting Easter celebrations this March with grand-scale egg hunts, family-friendly activities and more. 

Women's History Month events

• Interactive panels, art workshops, donation drives and more are popping up across central Ohio this March in celebration of Women’s History Month.

Top spring concerts and shows

• From the reimagined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey at the Schottenstein Center to Olivia Rodrigo and Bruce Springsteen at Nationwide Arena, more than two dozen top artists and shows are performing in central Ohio this spring.

For more events, view NBC4’s community calendar.

joel readies his feet for the hike.