Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As citizens light fireworks and host parties for the Fourth of July, animal shelters an increase in lost pets. 

More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day of the year, according to the national nonprofit Petco Love. The American Animal Hospital Association reports animal control officials across the country see a 30%-60% increase in lost pets each year between July 4 and July 6. 

The director of marketing for Columbus Humane, Brittany Williams, said her shelter has seen the effects of this firsthand, as it encounters more owners searching for lost pets around Independence Day. 

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“Definitely, there's an increased possibility and chance that your dog and cat can go missing during the fireworks season, even dogs and cats that are very acclimated to the outdoors and very calm,” Williams said. “They have no idea what fireworks are, and even a dog or cat that has been on this earth for a while, it's experienced fireworks, they can still be startled.”

However, Williams said there are multiple things owners can do to help guarantee that their pet is found if it escapes, and to prevent a pet from going missing in the first place. 

To prepare for the Fourth of July, Williams recommends pet owners ensure their companions are microchipped, and that the microchip is up-to-date with current contact information. She also suggests having a physical identification tag on dogs and cats, to help ensure a quick reunion if a pet does get lost. 

Although pets should be kept inside during fireworks, owners should make sure their gates are closed and any gaps in fencing are fixed before the explosions light up the sky, to help prevent an escape, according to MedVet. 

When it comes to Fourth of July get-togethers, Williams said people often bring their dogs to fireworks or other social events where they could get spooked and escape, contributing to the spike of missing pets. Her advice is to keep pets at home.

“I promise you that your dog is not having as good of a time at that firework event or that Fourth of July party as you are,” Williams said. “The safest place for your pets, your dogs and your cats, are going to be indoors, so if you have an indoor-outdoor cat, I highly recommend you bring them inside this week, and even next week.” 

To help pets feel comfortable at home during fireworks, Williams recommends ensuring they have access to a quiet “safe space” away from windows. If a dog will be spending time in a crate, Williams said adding some extra blankets over the cage can help make it more comfortable and quiet. 

However, if a dog is not used to being in a crate, it might not be the best idea to confine them in one during fireworks. Animals have been known to eat through crates, while harming themselves in the process, in order to escape the noise of fireworks, according to AAHA. 

Calming music is another helpful tool to help drown out the sound of fireworks, Williams said. For pets that are extra anxious, Williams encourages owners to contact their vets to see if there are medications their pet can take to relax. Over-the-counter anxiety aids, such as Thunder Shirts, can also be a helpful option, according to Williams. 

The AHAA states owners should stay home with their pets if possible during fireworks, as their presence can help soothe them.

If a pet does escape amid Fourth of July celebrations, Williams said owners should call their microchip company to report their pet missing. She additionally suggests owners make a report on Pet FBI, a national lost pet database.

Animal shelters often house lost pets, so owners should also check their local rescues. When it comes to lost cats, owners can put their litter box or another item that smells like them outside, which can help felines smell their way back home, according to Williams. 

Hanging up flyers and posting on social media platforms such as Facebook and Nextdoor is also a good way for owners to locate a lost pet, Williams said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After months of discourse about public school funding and property tax relief, the state has settled on its funding plan.

Public school funding in Ohio has been a major talking point this budget cycle, but the state has finally determined how districts will be funded over the next two years. Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed some of the more controversial changes to public school funding, but some public school advocates still say the budget will underfund districts. See previous coverage of the budget in the video player above.

"In signing this budget, I line-item vetoed several provisions related to property taxes. I felt that these ideas were thoughtful, but I was also concerned that imposing them now, all of them at once on our local schools, would create a huge, huge problem," DeWine said.

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“Regardless of these vetoes, Governor DeWine failed, through multiple steps in this process, to propose and fight for full and fair funding for Ohio’s schools," Melissa Cropper, Ohio Federation of Teachers president, said.

How are schools funded in Ohio?

Ohio schools are funded through state, local and minimal federal sources, with state funding allocated in the budget and local funding typically coming from property tax levies. State shares for public schools are determined through the Fair School Funding formula, a bipartisan plan introduced in 2022.

The formula calculates state funding based on each district's circumstances to try to more equitably fund public schools. Under this formula, a district with more demonstrated financial need should get more state funding. For example, Columbus City Schools, the state's largest district, received $350.1 million in its last state formula payment where the much smaller Bexley City Schools, which benefits from substantial property tax support, received just $20.5 million.

Where did funding end up in the 2026-2027 budget?

In the final budget, the Fair School Funding formula is mostly implemented. Public school advocates said this is a big improvement from the House version of the budget, which scrapped the plan entirely, but it still falls short of the formula's promise to public school districts.

Advocates say the plan underfunds districts because the formula inputs will be out of sync. Under the budget, school districts will update the formula using 2025 financial data, but the state will estimate costs using 2022 pricing. By only adjusting school districts' inputs, the formula will calculate schools as demonstrating less financial need, resulting in less state money.

Ohio Education Association President Scott DiMauro called the final version a "knockoff version of the Fair School Funding Plan." DeWine said it was the largest investment into public schools in the state's history.

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The final draft allocated $8.15 billion in Fiscal Year 2026 and $8.26 billion in FY 2027 to traditional school funding, making DeWine's claim accurate, although advocates say it lacks key context. The Ohio Education Association, which represents nearly 120,000 Ohio educators, said the bill still underfunds public schools by $2 billion.

What didn't make the cut?

Although advocates are still concerned about public school funding, DeWine's vetoes eliminated provisions that troubled many districts, including property tax relief proposals. DeWine said property tax relief is a major concern, but the budget items did not guarantee long-term tax relief and would have created significant barriers for districts.

“We must address these legitimate concerns that Ohio voters are talking to us about," DeWine said. "Accordingly, I will be convening a working group, to be formalized and announced in the coming weeks, which will make recommendations to the General Assembly and to me about how we can provide meaningful property tax relief to Ohioans and still fund our schools.”

DeWine vetoed a limit on how much money school districts could carry over from school year to school year, easing the fears of many districts that rely on long-term financial planning. The budget would have stopped districts from carrying over more than 40% of their general fund expenses, returning the remaining funds to residents as property tax relief.

"I think the short answer here is that while the legislature tried to spin the property tax changes as 'tax relief;' in reality, they (particularly the 40% cash balance cap) would have been extremely destabilizing for schools and very confusing for taxpayers," Howard Fleeter, a well-established research consultant with the Ohio Education Policy Institute, said in an email.

DeWine also removed a 20-mill floor calculation provision, which affects how much property tax revenue schools can collect as home prices rise. Without the veto, State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said the 20-mill floor change would have cost districts millions of dollars.

DeWine also removed restrictions the budget would have placed on school property tax levies. Before the veto, districts would no longer have the authority to enact several emergency and fixed-sum levies. DeWine said these levies allow for important funding for districts, hence the veto.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio has awarded the Whitehall Division of Police $18,250 as part of a funding initiative aimed at helping law enforcement agencies reduce violent crime. 

Whitehall’s grant was included in the 14th round of funding from the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program, which allocated over $3 million to 48 law enforcement agencies in 27 counties across the state.

Whitehall police requested the grant to support the purchase of five license plate readers, according to Chief Mike Crispen. The technology, which is already utilized by the department, uses cameras to automatically scan license plates and alert police if a vehicle is stolen or registered to a wanted person.

What the state’s new flat income tax will mean for Ohioans

“We have experienced significant success in solving crimes using this technology,” Crispen said. “After evaluating current coverage, we identified several areas in the city that are not adequately monitored by our existing systems. This grant will enable us to expand coverage to those locations and further enhance public safety.”

Gov. Mike DeWine announced the most recent round of grants in June. The program aims to financially support agencies with implementing “targeted programs” and “enhanced technology” that aid in preventing or solving violent crime, according to a news release.

"The crime reduction strategies funded by this latest round of grants are all focused on protecting residents and making communities safer," DeWine said in a statement. "We're proud to support the work of our local law enforcement agencies to use technology and other innovative practices to enhance public safety." 

The news release detailed what a couple agencies plan to do with their funds, including the Solon Police Department in Cuyahoga County, which received $68,830.20. The agency intends to use the grant to establish a new human trafficking division that will focus on dismantling trafficking networks, conducting digital forensic investigations and implementing community outreach. 

Since the crime reduction program first launched in 2021, more than $84 million has been awarded to nearly 200 law enforcement agencies. The latest round of grants ranged from $8,500 to $170,950.01, and were funded through the state’s 2024-2025 operating budget.

The Whitehall Division of Police was the only central Ohio agency to receive a grant in the latest round of funding. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Just months after Ohio overhauled its unclaimed funds' website to make it easier for people to find money they are owed, Gov. Mike DeWine has signed a budget bill that allows $600 million of the fund to go to the Cleveland Browns for a new stadium.

In April, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds announced that its new and improved unclaimed funds site was available for people to search and retrieve their assets. The department noted in a news release at the time that using the updated system, individuals can search for missing money, upload necessary paperwork and track their claim status without leaving the state’s website.

According to the Division of Unclaimed Funds, lost assets include things such as dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, stocks and bonds, utility deposits, or unclaimed wages. Currently, the state is holding $4.8 billion in the fund.

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Ohio's new budget includes $1 billion of those funds to go to cultural and sports facilities. This gives the owners of Cleveland's NFL team the ability to use $600 million to move from the city's downtown lakefront to suburban Brook Park, where an indoor stadium will be built.

“I said from the beginning that my goal was to make sure that no longer do we use general fund taxpayer dollars to support stadiums in the state of Ohio,” DeWine said Tuesday. “This budget creates a new fund; this new fund will not only support major league sports facilities, but also minor league facilities, cultural facilities, playhouses, symphonies, and other concert venues. This is a win for taxpayers, and it will provide significant money for things that improve the quality of life in Ohio.”

Days before the bill's signing, former Ohio attorney general Marc Dann and former state representative Jeffrey A. Crossman announced that they would challenge the legality of using lost assets to pay for a new Browns football stadium. The class action lawsuit asserts that the “state intends to confiscate this private property for the purpose of funding a private development without any public purpose and will deprive the rightful owners of their property.”

“The majority in the General Assembly, and the governor may think it’s acceptable to pick the pockets of Ohio’s working families to reward billionaire Jimmy Haslam for his huge political contributions, but we think it’s fundamentally wrong,” Dann said in the news release.

The primary owners of the Browns are Jimmy Haslam and his wife, Dee, who also are the primary owners of the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer.

Ohio lawmakers have defended the use of unclaimed funds, pointing to previous occasions Ohio has tapped the fund.

“There are at least a dozen times in the past when the state has taken money from the unclaimed funds and in some cases, emergency situations,” Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said. “So this is not the first time, and we didn't recall any challenges to those occasions when that money was used.”

However, Dann and Crossman cite a nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission report that concluded there are “little to no tangible impacts of sports teams and facilities on local economic activity.”

“The law is unambiguous: before the government can take someone’s private property, there must be a public use for the taking,” said Crossman. “Here, there’s no public use — this is just a payout to a billionaire.”

While the new budget might not impact Ohioans who are owed money, it is always better to claim missing money sooner rather than later. See the steps below to find and claim forgotten funds:

How to search for unclaimed funds

The Division of Unclaimed Funds recommends using this three-step process:

• Search for unclaimed funds and generate a claim form by accessing the new system at com.ohio.gov/UnclaimedFunds.
• Review and gather the required documentation.
• Submit the claim form and any documents by mail or upload them directly through the system.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Of the substantial 67 state budget provisions Gov. Mike DeWine vetoed, three protected his successors' authority.

DeWine vetoed three provisions to protect governors' powers in Ohio: one that would limit which flags could be hung on state-owned buildings and two provisions regarding the next biennial budget cycle. Just one of these items would have affected his tenure as governor, as term-limited DeWine will transfer power after the 2026 gubernatorial election, but he said the vetoes were important to preserve future governors' flexibility. See previous coverage of the budget in the video player above.

This marks the fourth and final biennial budget DeWine has signed into law, and he vetoed more line items then any previous budget he oversaw. Previously, his record was 44 in 2023. He vetoed 14 items in 2021 and 25 in 2019, his inaugural year.

What the state's new flat income tax will mean for Ohioans

The only provision that would have affected DeWine's tenure was the flag limitations. Under the budget draft, state buildings in Ohio would only be allowed to fly state agency flags or the Ohio, U.S. and POW/MIA flags. DeWine said this removed the governor's right to honor other groups.

"The governor should have the authority to approve additional flags not included in this section to ensure state-owned properties can properly pay respect to the armed forces and other worthy public causes as deemed necessary by the governor," DeWine said.

DeWine also vetoed two provisions that would have adjusted how the maximum budget amount is calculated. He said the budget already goes through months of vetting in both chambers of the General Assembly, so added protections would just complicate matters for his successor.

"(This) will make the development of the fiscal year 2028-2029 budget difficult for the next governor," DeWine wrote in his veto explanation.

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A spokesperson for the Governor's office said state budgets often include limits on executive powers that get vetoed. This budget stands out, however, as DeWine is acting primarily for his successor.

The race for Ohio's next governor is more than a year away, but the Ohio Republican Party has already given its support to billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy. Ramaswamy was endorsed by the party in May, with Republican challenger and current Attorney General Dave Yost removing himself from the race a week later.

Lt. Gov. Jim Tressell told NBC News in a statement that he is considering a run for governor, but he has yet to declare.

Dr. Amy Acton, who led the state's early COVID-19 response alongside DeWine, is the only Democrat who has declared candidacy. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown and former Rep. Tim Ryan are both rumored to be considering a gubernatorial race, but Acton remains the sole Democrat in the race for now.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Liberty Township trustees held a second public hearing Tuesday to discuss the possibility of enacting a "serve and protect charge" at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Several people showed up to voice their concerns, and all agreed with the township that a fee to help pay for Fire and EMS services was necessary.

"The Liberty Township Fire Department was receiving basically zero funding for a substantial amount of runs being made each year, tying up resources that would typically serve the City of Powell residents and Liberty Township residents," explained Rick Karr, Fiscal Officer for Liberty Township.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium sits on over 500 acres of land and does not pay property taxes as a non-profit. For a Township government, property taxes are about the only way to generate revenue to cover its budget. Liberty Township has a budget of $23 million. Of that money, $15 million goes toward the Fire Department, which covers about 34,000 residents.

"Other zoos are in Ohio, are located in municipalities, so that provides them additional funding. Sources like payroll taxes and other access to other methods of taxation that a city has, and a township doesn't have. All others have additional funding sources, payroll taxes, and other taxes and fees that they can levy and generate to supplement their fire and EMS service," explained Karr.

Ohio House Bill 315 became law this year and paved the way for fees like this one. Townships are now allowed to assess an admission fee of up to $1 for entertainment venues that draw crowds of at least 2,000 people.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium responded to NBC4's request for comment with the following statement:

"The recently passed HB315 legislation was narrowly crafted to address large-scale entertainment venues, such as concert halls and theaters, that host major events requiring increased emergency services. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a nonprofit conservation and education institution and does not meet the spirit or intent of this legislation."

Liberty Township said they began talks with the zoo about compensation for the runs the Fire Department makes to the zoo, but those talks have stopped.

"We had some current conversations, dialogue, but then broke off, basically saying that they weren't interested in making a proposal," said Karr. "It costs us $3,415. Estimated per EMS run. We did over 87 EMS runs to the zoo in 2024. For example, though, on Sunday this week we did seven EMS runs to the zoo, five of which were within a three-hour time span," added Karr.

Township Trustees were not initially going to vote on the issue at Tuesday's meeting, but after public comment and discussion, they decided to vote. They discussed how much the fee would be, and eventually agreed on $1.

Chairwoman Shyra Eichhorn said they do not want to take advantage of the zoo or gouge the zoo in any way.

"They've been great to our fire department, which does train at their facility. And we want to continue to have that strong relationship with them. But we need to advocate for our residents. We need everyone to be paying their fair share for the services," Eichhorn said after the meeting.

The law stipulates a 30-day period between passing the fee and its implementation. However, trustees voted for a 60-day period before implementation to give the zoo time to adjust signage and pricing, but also come back to the negotiation table. Right now, the $1 will go into effect on August 30, 2025.

AMANDA, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Fairfield County Emergency Management team discusses the recent impact of excessive rainfall on the community.

NBC4 first reported flooding at homes in Ross County, but Fairfield County was also impacted by flash flooding today. According to the Fairfield County Emergency Management Agency, the damage was isolated to the Clear Creek Township area. 

Fairfield County EMA Director Jon Kochis says they’ve seen a lot of flash flooding due to overloaded creeks that are affecting roadways, culverts, and ditches. He says crews have also come across a few damaged homes due to the amount of water that came up so quickly.

“We had one incident related to a home propane tank that came loose from a secured area, I guess. So a propane tank, it can actually float in water and come off its mounts, and it causes a small leak,” said EMA Director Jon Kochis.

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A portion of Winchester Southern Road is also closed as a culvert was washed away from the heavy rainfall that happened earlier in the day. As crews continue repairs, it’s advised that residents avoid that area as there is a large hole in the road. 

Kochis says they are going to continue to monitor for any more potential storms, but for now, there are things he wants the community to know.

"Traveling motorists is the biggest deal with roadways. So if you see a roadway that is covered in water, assume that it's fast-moving water and that it could wash your car off, there could be debris in there. So we just give people the notion never to drive in a flooded roadway.”

Kochis says as of right now, no injuries have been reported.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WCMH) – The Liberty Township Board of Trustees is considering adding a charge to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium tickets.

Tuesday night it will hold the second of two required public hearings to establish a "Protect and Serve Charge.” It follows the passage of Ohio House Bill 315, which authorizes townships to impose a fee of up to $1 per admission to certain tax-exempt event venues like the Columbus Zoo. 

Liberty Township Fire and EMS teams regularly serve the zoo, using township personnel and equipment, yet according to township leaders, the zoo contributes no direct financial support for those services.

What the state’s new flat income tax will mean for Ohioans

"As costs escalate, as we hear more from residents about property taxes, taxation and being taxed out of their homes, we're really just asking for some help," Liberty Township Trustee Scott Donaldson said. 

According to leaders, this proposal is an attempt to ease the burden on taxpayers and recoup the costs of EMS and fire service to the zoo. As a nonprofit, the zoo does not contribute to local property tax revenue – Liberty Township's primary funding source for its fire and EMS department.

Liberty Township fiscal officer, Rick Karr, said the Columbus Zoo falls under a unique category. It's the only zoo in the state entirely located in a township.

"They're not paying payroll tax into Liberty Township," Karr said. "They're simply not paying any of the costs to operate the Liberty Township Fire Department."

Karr said the strain on township services is substantial. 

"Last Sunday, for example, we had seven runs to the zoo, at which I believe five of those runs were within a two hour and forty-five minute time frame, which put all three of our ambulances at the zoo on runs and not serving any of the residents or businesses within the city of Powell and Liberty Township," Karr said. 

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Karr said last Sunday alone, they incurred over $23,000 in costs. Last year, Liberty Township responded to 87 EMS calls to the zoo, costing nearly $300,000.

Qualified spaces under HB 315 must be event venues, have a capacity of at least 2,000 attendees and must be exempt from real property taxation. Karr said the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium meets all three factors.

In a statement, the zoo said: 

"The recently passed HB315 legislation was narrowly crafted to address large-scale entertainment venues, such as concert halls and theaters, that host major events requiring increased emergency services. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a nonprofit conservation and education institution and does not meet the spirit or intent of this legislation."

"I can point to a variety of times, whether it's zoo lights or any other special programing that is continuous there, that would really back up the fact that it does indeed fit that criteria," Donaldson said. "So while the bill's aim was narrow, we feel that this is a perfect fit for our situation."

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Since April, the township said it has been in talks with zoo officials to come up with a compromise but the zoo has declined.

"Since the ‘70s, we provided this service to the zoo and we're merely just asking for some sort of compensation to help our residents," Donaldson said.

Karr said they've already received a lot of positive feedback from residents.

"They realize this financial strain and they're also under a big, substantial property tax burden here with all the other services they pay for," Karr said. "And Liberty Township itself only operates on the fire levy and the basic inside millage we receive by state law."

The township can raise the fee on every ticket up to $1, though leaders have not yet decided on an exact amount. 

Tuesday night's public meeting is at 7 p.m. at the Liberty Township Administrative Building located at 7802 Liberty Road. Liberty Township and city of Powell residents are encouraged to share their input. A copy of the draft resolution can be found here.

PICKERINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) -- A local Central Ohio company offers enriching programs for adults with developmental disabilities.

On the Go Support Services is an Adult Day Service that focuses on empowering its clients. The woman-owned and family-oriented business supports adults with special needs in strengthening their independence and daily living skills.

The company states on its website that its primary focus is always on the client, enriching their lives with a variety of exciting activities. On the Go Support Services offers a variety of experiences, including cooking and art classes, independence life skills, community safety, money management, and life goal-setting skills.

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On the Go Support Services also prides itself on choosing activities that keep everyone happy, stimulated, and socialized. Its website showcases photos of clients enjoying a tour of OSU's football stadium, attending a variety of sporting events, and a Valentine's Dance.

The company is currently serving individuals living in Licking, Fairfield, and Franklin counties. To learn more about the services offered, click here to visit the On the Go Support Services website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Red, White, and BOOM! fireworks show on Thursday night offers an opportunity to capture amazing pictures of the fireworks.

No matter your skill level, getting the perfect picture of fireworks can be challenging. If you don’t know the right way to capture them, your photos may not be centered on the fireworks, the image could be out of focus, or you could even miss capturing the fireworks entirely.

The first step to getting a good shot is finding a good spot to set up.

“If you really want to capture fireworks and not just the tips of them from a distance, find a good location, set yourself up, and patience,” said Luis Gutierrez, a manager at Midwest Photo.

If you have a professional camera, like a DSLR, Gutierrez said you should make sure your ISO is set between 1 and 200. This setting will keep the image sharp.

You’ll also want to keep a wide angle and change your camera to bulb mode so the shutter stays open during the fireworks.

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“Let's say the fireworks are going up, press it, hold it. It allows all that light in, and then you can release it once the fireworks are complete. That will allow a really great light trail effect for your camera,” said Gutierrez.

Not everyone has a nice camera, but many do have smartphones, and Gutierrez said you can get a great picture with a phone camera. Gutierrez said the key to fireworks pictures on a phone is to take a live picture.

After you take the picture, you can click on the icon that says 'Live' on the top left of your iPhone. Gutierrez said that for fireworks, you’ll want to choose the live exposure or loop options.

“Long exposure, you can do that if you want the trails of the fireworks,” said Gutierrez. “If you wanted the motion of the fireworks breathing in or breathing out, you can do a loop, and what that does is it takes that live view and kind of loops it back and forth.”

Whether you have a phone or a camera, Gutierrez said, a tripod will be your best friend at BOOM!

“Once it's time to actually shoot the fireworks, a tripod is definitely beneficial to not having those blurred images. So you want nice light trails, nice bursts of the fireworks,” said Gutierrez.

BOOM! is always extremely busy, so if you want to find a nice location to shoot from, it’s best to get downtown early and set up before all the good spots are taken.

If you are interested in using a professional camera to capture the fireworks at Red, White and BOOM! Midwest Photo has a special on rentals. You’ll pick up the camera on Thursday and get to keep the camera until Monday. You’ll get the rental for five days for the price of one day.

For more information on Midwest Photo’s July 4th deal, head to https://www.mpexrentals.com/ 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Despite a weekend-long email and telephone campaign from Ohio teachers and retirees, Gov. Mike DeWine let stand an overhaul of the State Teachers Retirement System Board.

The governor did not veto a late-night amendment to the budget that changes the composition of the 11-member board. Now, there will be 15 members -- the vast majority political appointees, with teacher representatives going from seven down to just three.

Teachers and retirees had been fighting for control of their pension, and now they say they are being silenced by politicians.

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But they are not willing to accept defeat.

It took years for teachers to vote on to the board a majority of so-called "reformers," who were demanding investment transparency and a return to cost of living increases that were promised but taken away.

Now, critics say the governor and state legislatures have taken action that will likely end up in the third branch of government -- the courts.

"They built the pension through their hard work and their money," said David Pepper, former Democratic party chair. "And they live off the pension and how well it does for the rest of their lives. So having them have a majority stake in that board made sense."

But at 1 a.m., Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) slid into the budget an amendment that even his fellow pension committee members did not see coming -- the radical overhaul of the STRS board -- with no hearings and no vote in either the House or Senate.

Pepper has an online story detailing what he calls the unlawful pension takeover.

"We're talking about a political system that is right now being featured in two HBO documentaries for how broken and corrupt, this and the corruption is from the political system," Pepper said. "It's the politicians in that Statehouse who are the ones who continue to get themselves in trouble for corruption."

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Also online, a retiree watchdog group is setting their sights on Bird, saying that because he took them out of their pension, they want him out of office.

"You know, he's getting paid by a different group of people than I'm getting paid by," said Robin Rayfield, executive director of ORTA. "I work for teachers. He works for big money Wall Street."

Bird has not returned any calls from NBC4, but has pointed to accusations that a current and former board member pushed an unstable investment scheme. In a message to NBC4 last week, he said:

"The ongoing turmoil has clarified the need for the General Assembly to rebalance the board composition."

The retirees say the state investigation is a smoke screen for a power grab, with lawmakers taking control of the $90 billion pension away from the 500,000 people who paid for it. And they did it in the dead of night.

"If they had a hearing on this, on this exact proposal, you might have had protests at the Statehouse of thousands of people, maybe tens of thousands," Pepper said. "You would have had jam packed hearings with very credible opposition. Any by sneaking this through, they avoided what they knew would be a nightmare."

FRANKFORT, Ohio (WCMH) -- While the rain has moved on from Ross County, some residents still have a lot of cleaning up to do.

One of the hardest hit areas is south of Frankfort on Little Creek Road.

Neighbors have been coming together to help each other out. At one point, the water was crossing over the road. It's gone down a bit over the last few hours, but it's still surrounding some of the homes.

One of the neighbor's companies let him borrow some pumps to help get the water to the other side of the road before it got any higher. There's also a gray house where it looked like the water was just about up to the front door when NBC4 arrived.

The homeowner told NBC4 it was about an inch away from starting to flow into the house before the level began to go down.

Mark Grubb also lives in the area. No water got into his house, but he's worried about everything outside that's still below water.

"It's heartbreaking," Grubb said. "It's heartbreaking. It's a lot of work that we've done on our property. Thousands of dollars, added some crops, trees. That's just ruined."

Residents don't exactly know how much damage they're dealing with, but they are worried about what they'll find.

"We've had worse rain before and it's never been this bad," Grubb said. "Maybe a little bit of flooding on the shared driveway, but nothing like this."

Ross County EMA director Mark Thompson reminded residents not to drive through high water.

"No matter what you think, whether you think you can make it, if you think you're familiar with the road, do not drive through high water," he said.

A part of McDonald Hill Road had been completely washed out.

(Ross County EMA)

Thompson said he hasn't heard about any injuries.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A nonprofit organization in central Ohio is on a mission to save dogs from being euthanized and help them find a forever home.

Private School Pups President Monica Mosure said she saw a problem and knew she needed to fix it. 

“I was that person late at night, scrolling through facebook looking at all the dogs that were going to be euthanized,” Mosure said. “I realized that a lot of the dogs that ended up on the euthanasia list were behavior dogs and there wasn't anyone addressing behavioral issues."

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She said more than 1,000 dogs are euthanized in Franklin County every year. Many of those are because of behavioral issues.

She said since starting in 2018, Private School Pups' resources and grant program has saved more than 1,000 dogs from being euthanized across Ohio.

“We raise money and give them away through professional dog training grants to dogs that would otherwise be euthanized. So these are grants that are provided to fosters or adopters of rescue dogs. We help support rescue organizations who pull from local intake shelters, as well as partner with local intake shelters directly,” Mosure said.

Mosure said her dog Gerbil was at risk of being euthanized before she adopted him. She said he is now 14-years-old and her best friend.

“He was one of my hardest foster dogs. Came through rescue, like I said, had all kinds of health and behavioral issues. And he was one of the dogs that helped me discover the importance of training and really support the cause," Mosure said. "Every dog deserves a second chance and with time and commitment. It's just phenomenal."

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Lisa Poulin, the owner of Zoom Room Dog Training, is one of the trainers who partners with Private School Pups.

“I think people don't realize when you adopt a dog, it truly takes three months for them to fully decompress and be like, 'OK, this is my home and I trust you,'” Poulin said.

Poulin said it takes time to connect with dogs, especially rescues who may have had difficult lives before training. She said her focus is training the humans and nurturing bonds.

“We have one dog that was placed in the home and was having trouble with one of the younger children in the home and also doing some research guarding around their toys. And so by going out into their home and just creating a positive relationship between the child and the dog, we were able to completely turn that around,” Poulin said. “We wanted all the food, all the treats, everything to come from this one child and just to create that relationship. So that it was just that positive connection. And then so the dog was able to stay in the home once we figured that out.”

On Tuesday, Private School Pups hosted a fundraising event called "Christmas in July.” It was a time to raise money for more training grants and a chance to give exposure to some dogs looking for their forever home.

“It's heartwarming to see how many community members want to save these dogs. We get nothing in return except love and companionship,” Mosure said. “there's something that everyone can do right, if you can’t adopt permanently you can foster. If you can’t foster you can help raise funds for rescue. If you can’t raise funds you can certainly share the dogs on social media.

Mosure said they have saved dogs all across Ohio. More information on the non-profit and how to make a donation is on their website.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- In just two days Red, White and Boom will light up the sky from downtown Columbus, and crews have been spending the day setting up for the celebration.  

The Director of fireworks, Earl Burke, shared this is not just a show, but a full-on production that will run like a well-oiled machine.   

The planning for this event usually takes up to nine months, solidifying everything from the types of fireworks to the soundtrack and the preprogrammed computer cues.  

“We are a four-day, four-day work on site, laying it all out, syncing everything up, and then making sure that during the day of shoot we are running the computers, that are actually running the show,” Burke said. “Whether you believe it or not, it's actually making sure there's nothing wrong with the program or the shells.” 

As part of their four-day process, crews were loading racks with high-powered shells, which will make up the sequence. About 90% of the crew has worked on a BOOM! show in previous years, creating a sense of efficiency when setting up. 

“Remember this Red, White and Boom is the 43rd year and we're all thrilled to death to come down here and do the show again,” Burke said.  

Burke said this year's production will be 30 minutes long with a big finale but wants those who will be in attendance to always expect the unexpected.   

“We may shoot a ton of shells to make a different creativity in the sky and dance, but we're also putting in some new shells down along with the racks and stuff to do some different, different displays in the sky that we've not done before,” Burke said. “So, we're always adding to this show, trying to make it bigger. And, you know, it's going to be a fun time for everybody.” 

Burke also said he hopes the community will enjoy new details in this year's show, like the drone show as well. 

“At 10:00, everything is going to go right in the sky,” Burke said. “It's all about having fun, we're all having fun doing this. I mean, I'm probably the biggest kid doing it, but I have fun. 

LOGAN, Ohio (WCMH) -- A person was killed by a fallen tree Tuesday in Hocking County.

A tree was uprooted at about noon along Conkles Hollow Lower Rim trail, according to the Hocking County Coroner's Office.

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The person who was killed was identified as Shelley Vandyke, 69, of Ada, Michigan, according to the coroner's office.

Vandyke was hiking along the trail with friends when the tree fell.

No other details were immediately available.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A juvenile is in critical condition after they were struck by a car on Columbus' far northeast side.

Columbus police dispatchers say officers were called to the 6300 block of Cooper Rd on a report of a pedestrian struck around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday. Police say when they arrived, they located a juvenile victim who had been struck by a vehicle.

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The child was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Police say there is no information on what led up to the accident at this time.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus is suing the Trump administration over a proposed regulatory rule the city said would worsen health care for residents.

The city said the regulatory rule, adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, would cause 2.2 million Americans to lose health care coverage.

Columbus is joining the lawsuit with the mayor and city council of Baltimore, the City of Chicago, Doctors for America, and the Main Street Alliance, according to a news release.

The cities argue that the new rule imposes additional fees and will weaken coverage standards, leading to costs that are paid for by local taxpayers increasing, because uninsured patients will go to hospitals or other places that treat people regardless of insurance coverage.

"Paying more for less is always a bad deal, but that's exactly what the president is proposing for health care coverage -- a bad deal for working people, families, and cities that rely on the Affordable Care Act to decrease costs and increase accessibility," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement.

The new rule is scheduled to take effect in August.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill on Tuesday that will end police ticketing quotas.

Senate Bill 114 was sponsored by Sen. Thomas Patton (R-Strongville) and co-sponsored by two dozen other lawmakers from both parties. The bill makes it unlawful for law enforcement agencies to use a quota system for arrests and citations. Watch previous coverage in the player above.

The bill passed the statehouse unanimously, and will go into effect in 90 days.

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Supporters of the bill said that ticket quotas are often used to help local governments bolster their bottom lines, leading to more “unnecessary tickets,” and is, in part, what the bill is trying to eliminate.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol already prohibits the use of quotas for that agency. Ohio Rep. Kevin Miller (R-Newark) said given that fact, no other police department should take issue with a ban.

Throughout the hearing process during both this general assembly and the last, only one opponent testified.

The bill also creates an anonymous reporting system for officers if their department doesn't comply with the new law.

This story includes reporting from Natalie Fahmy.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state's $60 billion budget on Monday night, and while he vetoed 67 items, he kept in the provision that will lower the tax rate for those making more than $100,000 and create a flat income tax of 2.75%.

"This budget continues significant income tax relief for many Ohioans, particularly married couples, with the new flat income tax," DeWine said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Despite being a focal point of the budget, DeWine didn't spend much time addressing the flat income tax at the news conference.

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The budget lowers the state's highest income tax bracket over the next two years. For tax year 2025, the highest bracket will be reduced from 3.5% to 3.125%. For tax year 2026, everyone will pay a flat 2.75%.

Tax rates for TY 2024 Taxable IncomeTax Rate$0 - $26,0500% of nonbusiness income$26,051 - $100,000$360.69 + 2.75% of excess over $26,050$100,001+$2,394.32 + 3.50% of excess over $100,000Source: Ohio Department of Taxation

Supporters of the flat income tax have said it will make Ohio more competitive with neighboring states. Pennsylvania, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan all have flat income tax rates.

"I'm extremely pleased that my colleagues and I were able to again reduce the income tax burden on Ohioans by phasing-in the 2.75% flat tax," Senate President Rob McColley said in a statement after the Senate passed the budget. "It's important to point out that the Senate also maintained the exemption for people making $26,050 or less, they will continue to pay ZERO state income taxes."

Policy Matters Ohio is opposed to the flat income tax, stating that the top 1% of earners will receive 40% of the benefit.

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"Ohio lawmakers have enacted a budget that will make teachers and truck drivers pay the same income tax rate as billionaires," Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert said in a statement.

The organization also argued that a flat income tax could lead to local governments raising property taxes on residents to cover more public service costs.

"Ohioans are already paying the price for twenty years of income tax cuts for wealthy households," Halbert said. "This budget will make things worse. More public school kids will lose teachers, and more parents will lose jobs because they can't afford consistent childcare. Fewer young families will be able to buy a home. More Ohioans who use food banks will face empty shelves, and fewer Ohioans will get through college without mountains of debt. All of these are consequences of choices made by Ohio legislatures to craft a revenue policy that extracts from the public good to support the wealthy few."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While Ohio law allows residents to set off fireworks on the Fourth of July, a variety of local municipalities have ordinances that ban them. 

Ohioans can legally set off consumer-grade fireworks on certain holidays, unless limited by local legislation. State law allows residents to light fireworks on July 3, 4 and 5 – as well as the Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays immediately before and after Independence Day – from 4 to 11 p.m.

Fireworks must be lit on residents’ own property, or on the property of someone who has given them explicit permission. Only fireworks purchased from a licensed retailer within the state are allowed to be discharged in Ohio. 

No one under 18 years old is allowed to light or handle the fireworks, or be within 150 feet of the discharge point. State law also bars residents from lighting off fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Aerial devices, such as Roman candles and bottle rockets, cannot be discharged within 150 feet of spectators, and nonaerial devices, such as fountains and firecrackers, cannot be discharged within 50 feet of spectators.

A variety of central Ohio municipalities have enacted legislation that bans fireworks, making it illegal to light them within their boundaries. Licensed fireworks exhibitors may be able to put on shows if they get approval from local officials. Residents are generally banned from lighting fireworks in the following places:

• Bexley
• Canal Winchester
• Columbus
• Delaware
• Dublin
• Gahanna
• Grandview Heights
• Grove City
• Groveport
• Hilliard
• Marysville
• Pickerington
• Upper Arlington
• Westerville
• Worthington

Obetz, Powell and New Albany allow residents to light fireworks under the guidelines in state law. Reynoldsburg also permits fireworks, but only on the Fourth from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Municipalities that allow fireworks may have further guidelines or restrictions, so residents should check their local ordinances to ensure they are following all rules. 

Ohio law also allows fireworks to be set off -- in municipalities that allow it -- on the following holidays:

• Labor Day weekend from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Diwali from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
• New Year’s Day from 12 a.m. to 1 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Chinese New Year from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Cinco de Mayo from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Memorial Day weekend from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
• Juneteenth from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Most first-time violations of the state’s fireworks law are considered a first-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000.