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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – This week on The Spectrum:

• A Columbus woman on a volunteer mission in Israel was forced to take cover when Iran launched its drone attack.

“This is how the people of Israel live, and frankly, that’s how the people of Gaza live,” said Marcy Fleisher, the owner of a Columbus PR firm who was part of a rally in support of the hostages in a crowd of about 10,000 people when the strike was launched.

Ohio’s U.S. Senate race: Sherrod Brown and Bernie Moreno gear up for November

Hear the outcome she said Israelis are praying for as the war with Hamas drags on.

• An Ohio appeals court sides with a State Teachers Retirement System board member who was removed by Gov. Mike DeWine.

"Mr. Price, I have a court order," State Teachers Retirement System investment expert Wade Steen told the board during a meeting this week. "I am now reclaiming my seat and Mr. Parera is to leave. Thank you."

Hear what the judges had to say about DeWine overstepping his authority.

• A law that would ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth in Ohio is on hold, at least for now.

Ohio Gov. DeWine pushes for stricter seat belt laws

The bill’s sponsors and opponents both say the fight is far from over.

• Republican strategist Terry Casey and Democratic strategist Dale Butland join the roundtable to discuss what effect, if any, former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York, which heads to trial this week, will have on November’s election.

Follow NBC4's The Spectrum on Twitter for the latest political news you need to know.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A registered sex offender pleaded guilty to child pornography charges this week, admitting to possessing images of child torture and mutilation.

Jeremiah Morrison, 38, pleaded guilty Friday to distributing child pornography, possessing child pornography, and transporting obscene matter.

According to the U.S Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Kenneth L. Parker, Morrison was previously convicted twice for crimes against children, including in 2012 for filming an 11-year-old child under a bathroom stall at the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Central Ohio man who used Snapchat to obtain child pornography pleads guilty

In June of 2023, members of the Franklin County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force executed a search warrant of Morrison’s cell phone, where detectives allegedly found approximately 3,000 images and 900 videos of child sexual abuse material, containing children under one year up to six years of age. Investigators said they also discovered images and videos depicting torture, mutilation, and dead children.

Morrison was arrested in September 2023 and has remained in custody since.

A sentencing date for Morrison has not been scheduled. He could face 15 years to life in prison.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man’s murder that occurred outside of a South Linden home remains unsolved three years later.

According to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers, Yahieness Jamaal Dixon was found shot while sitting inside a gold Monte Carlo on April 18, 2021. Police believe the shooting took place on the south side of the 1300 block of East 25th Avenue.

One injured in shooting at north Columbus auto shop

Officers responded to reports of a shooting in an alley behind East 25th Avenue, where they found Dixon. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

The family of Jamaal Dixon is partnering with Crime Stoppers and offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of the person(s) responsible for this crime. Anyone with information is asked to call 614-461-TIPS (8477) or visit www.stopcrime.org and submit your tip.

Watch a previous report of the merger talks between Westerville and Harlem Township in the video player above.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) – The proposed merger of Westerville and a neighboring township to help preserve the integrity of both amid the Intel development has come to an end.

The Harlem Township trustees voted on Wednesday to discontinue discussions related to the merger, citing “abuse” the board received from residents on something trustees said wasn’t a “done deal.”

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“It took me back when this first came out, I thought, ‘Wow, we’re going to do that,’ but the thing I liked about it was there’d be a negotiation period and then if the trustees saw something that they thought was worthy, taking it to their residents,” Harlem Trustee David Jackson said during Wednesday’s trustees' meeting. “They would put it on the ballot, then the residents got a say. It wasn’t an automatic thing by any means like all the people around here were running around saying it was a done deal. It was not.”

Jackson said all the abuse Harlem’s strategic planning committee took was “ridiculous and just uncalled for.” According to Harlem Trustee Carl Richison, that committee voted to disband during a meeting Tuesday night, a disbandment Richison and Jackson approved via vote.

"I'm sorry that they were subjected to such abuse and the carrying on by the residents during this process," Jackson said.

The merger was first proposed in February in an attempt to fight changes development fueled by Intel’s semiconductor plant construction in Licking County would bring to the small township.

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“The risk is that land for farms and families become warehouses,” Richison said at the time. “Ohio law doesn’t give townships the power to prevent it. Only cities can do that, which is why the committee has recommended that the Harlem Township trustees move forward with an intent to merge with Westerville.”

On Thursday, the day following the trustees’ vote, Westerville issued a statement saying that even though the township ended negotiations, the city would still help its neighboring municipalities.

“Westerville will continue to serve and advise our neighbors to the east as development and potential annexation takes shape,” the city’s statement reads. “Westerville is committed to working with Harlem and any regional partners to pursue thoughtful, well-planned growth that facilitate continued strong public services, responsive public safety and crime prevention, safe schools and neighborhoods, job creation and overall economic stability.”

Westerville’s statement further clarified that while the aim was to have the proposed merger appear on November’s ballot, Harlem requested the ballot initiative be moved to next year.

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“While this was one scenario to continue to move forward in good faith, we are aware Trustees, staff and volunteers have been inundated with outcries of criticism from opposing parties in recent weeks,” the statement reads.

Backlash from Harlem residents to the proposed merger was almost immediate, with the trustees being inundated with opposition at a meeting one day following the announced negotiations.

"I live, as the crow flies, about a mile and a half or two miles from the Intel plant, where I live personally. And I bet there isn't a week goes by that I don't get a flyer in the mail from some realtor wanting to buy my land. It's family land. My dad bought that little farm out there in the 1930's," Allen Fling, a lifelong resident of Harlem, said at that meeting.

A second meeting on March 6 brought more of the same sentiment from residents.

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"We like it the way it is,” Harlem resident Peggy Kuntzman said at that meeting. “Maybe I'm old and that's what we like is things just the way they are. And they won't be, we know that. But we really don't want it to be Westerville. If we wanted it to be Westerville, we would've bought a house in Westerville 32 years ago.”

At the start of Wednesday's meeting, Harlem Trustee Matt Jaeger resigned from the board. No reason was given and it is not clear if his resignation was tied to the negotiations with Westerville.

Harlem Township is a 26.5 square mile piece of land between New Albany, Westerville and Sunbury. The 2020 Census shows just over 4,500 residents. Richison said that number is now right at 4,800.

The merger idea came from a two-year strategic planning committee that was put together by the Board of Trustees after the announcement of Intel bringing massive development to nearby Licking County. Most land in Harlem Township is a short drive from the Intel site.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WCMH) -- A former Buckeye wrestler is going to the Olympics this summer as he looks to cement himself as one of the most decorated American wrestlers ever.

Kyle Snyder, 28, booked his tickets to Paris on Saturday night after beating Isaac Trumble in two matches to win the 97kg freestyle title at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Penn State. The victories clinched Snyder his third straight Olympic spot and his 10th straight appearance at an Olympics or world championships.

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Snyder has competed in the 97kg weight class at each Olympics he has made, winning gold at Rio 2016 and falling short of back-to-back golds in Tokyo. At the 2020 Olympics, Snyder lost in the final to Russia's Abdulrashid Sadulaev to settle for silver.

The Maryland native made history while with the Buckeyes, completing a 2016 sweep of the NCAA, world, and Olympic championships before returning to Ohio State and defending his NCAA title in 2017.

In Paris, Snyder will look to win his second gold in the 97kg freestyle weight class, which has not been done since Ivan Yarygin of the former Soviet Union won back-to-back golds at Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976. No American has ever won two golds in the 97kg freestyle class.

The Olympic 97kg freestyle wrestling tournament begins on August 10 with the final taking place on Aug. 11, the final day of the Paris Olympics. You can watch Snyder and all of Team USA this summer on NBC4, Peacock, and NBC Universal channels.

Poker in the United States is booming—again.

Last year, the World Series of Poker accepted a record 10,043 entrants, who each had to fork over $10,000 to sit at the no-limit hold 'em tournament with a $93.4 million purse, including $12.1 million for the winner.

The event, which started in 1970 with seven participants, took off in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker burst onto the scene, The Financial Times reported. The Tennessee accountant won $2.5 million after qualifying for the main event in an $86 online satellite tournament, and poker hasn't been the same since.

The World Poker Tour, which arranges and hosts international poker tournaments, was launched the previous year. Added to that, the increased availability of broadband internet plus unregulated online poker rooms and the entertainment value of televised events helped foster a rise that lasted until the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 prevented businesses from accepting payments from people participating in illegal gambling.

Online poker took another huge hit in 2011, when the Department of Justice on what is known as Black Friday seized the domains of super sites PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, and Ultimate Bet—and $34 million from players. It made a comeback, however, when the coronavirus pandemic led to the sprouting of new platforms, and subsequent developments and innovations made the game more attractive.

Still, it's been a slow burn, and while poker has seen its share of ups and downs as the gambling industry ebbs and flows, more and more players are sitting down to ante up.

To see which players had the most eyes on them, Clubs Poker compiled a ranking—based on a national analysis—of the most popular poker players in Ohio using data from The Hendon Mob. Players residing in Ohio were ranked according to the unique pageviews on the website starting from Jan. 1, 2008. Data about each player's live cash earnings were added as supplementary insights. Data is as of March 13, 2024.

#10. Robert Kuhn
- Total live earnings: $731,818
--- 3,827th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $122,098
- Residence: Barnsville, Ohio
- Unique hits: 22,694

#9. Nick Guagenti
- Total live earnings: $2,101,172
--- 1,161st highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $186,000
- Residence: Westerville, Ohio
- Unique hits: 23,937

#8. Shawn Cunix
- Total live earnings: $2,296,523
--- 1,042nd highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $748,313
- Residence: Galena, Ohio
- Unique hits: 24,493

#7. Joseph Couden
- Total live earnings: $2,723,658
--- 812th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $251,523
- Residence: Blacklick, Ohio
- Unique hits: 24,626

#6. Samuel Phillips
- Total live earnings: $2,203,366
--- 1,105th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $1,345,850
- Residence: Powell, Ohio
- Unique hits: 25,660

#5. Joe Ebanks
- Total live earnings: $3,407,287
--- 618th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $1,158,481
- Residence: Stow, Ohio
- Unique hits: 31,888

#4. Adam Friedman
- Total live earnings: $4,584,268
--- 408th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $312,417
- Residence: Gahanna, Ohio
- Unique hits: 47,685

#3. David Reese
- Total live earnings: $3,999,090
--- 484th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $1,784,640
- Residence: Centerville, Ohio
- Unique hits: 47,690

#2. Jacob Bazeley
- Total live earnings: $4,824,880
--- 380th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $568,687
- Residence: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Unique hits: 49,849

#1. Keven Stammen
- Total live earnings: $6,626,545
--- 238th highest live poker earnings of all time
- Best live cash: $1,350,000
- Residence: Celina, Ohio
- Unique hits: 51,063

This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Mike Taylor, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Stargazers are in for a special show starting this Sunday with the peak of the Lyrid Meteor Shower.

Space.com says the Lyrid Meteor Shower is an annual event from around April 16 to April 25. Its peak dates in central Ohio will be from Sunday, April 21 to Monday, April 22, where Timeanddate.com notes that up to 18 fireballs could be visible per hour. However, the Moon will be almost full (98.4%) on Sunday, which could reduce the visibility of the falling meteors.

Lyrid Meteor Shower (Adobe Stock)

The Lyrids are the oldest recorded meteor showers, with historical texts mentioning them more than 2,000 years ago. The "shooting stars" seen in the sky are created by the comet Thatcher which releases fragments of itself while traveling through space that burn up upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.

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Observers can enjoy the Lyrids just by looking into the night sky without special equipment. To see the Lyrids NASA recommends finding an area away from city lights. It is also a good idea for watchers to dress for the weather, the overnight forecast calls for clear and chilly conditions with a low of 36.

Spectators should look to the northeastern sky and find the constellation Lyra. Meteors will appear to radiate from near this constellation. The best time to view will be between midnight and dawn.

A meteor spotting tool map can detail how clear it will be at night. The tool allows users to enter a date range and a location, to see the times with the best visibility.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Partly cloudy, high 54
• Tonight: Mostly clear, low 37
• Monday: Mostly sunny, high 64 (44)
• Tuesday: Rain showers, high 66 (47)
• Wednesday: Stray Shower, high 57 (36)
• Thursday: Mainly sunny, high 61 (40)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

After a frosty morning for some, all of us will be highs returning to the mid 50s. This is still close to 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. Skies will start off mostly cloudy, but more sunshine will peek through as the day goes on. Winds will also be calm as a cold northerly air flow continues to move into central Ohio.

Another frost advisory will go into effect from 1 am - 9am Monday. Overnight clouds will clear up once again, but temperatures will not drop as much. Lows will fall into the mid30s. A few areas will still see the chance for some patchy frost. Conditions tonight going into tomorrow morning will be mainly quiet weather wise. Monday will start off beautiful.

The upcoming work week will start relatively quiet. Rain showers will move across the area Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning. The showers will come along with a cold front when the rain arrives. There will be a brief midweek drop in temperatures, but a rebound will be on the way by next weekend. Friday will bring additional rain shower chances. More rain and a few thunderstorms will move through on Saturday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The third annual Classic for Columbus has come to an end, seeing thousands gather at the Schottenstein Center for a party with a purpose.

Whether you attended the game or participated in it, everyone can agree that it was more than just a basketball game.

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“The message is that education is the pathway to upward mobility,” John Pace, president and CEO of Classic for Columbus, said. “We believe that so strongly, that we believe education should be a part of every aspect of our life, including sports, entertainment and culture.”

So far, Classic for Columbus has awarded over $670,000 to scholarships, educational programs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

“Many of the students we serve come from marginalized communities, and they are first-time college hopefuls,” Pace said. “They need hope and so we bring them to this event where they see an arena filled with accomplished African-Americans who serve as role models and mentors.”

Watching the two teams -- the Ohio and HBCU all-stars -- was fun for everyone, but for the selected players, they said being picked was an honor.

“It's about the greater good so they have an opportunity to use their gifts and talents to bless others and other people are blessed by this event,” Tim Brown, chairman of the Players Selection Committee for the Classic for Columbus, said. “So they love to play so they can help somebody else.”

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Brown said the selection process begins in early fall, with the committee tracking players' stats but also paying close attention to their character.

“Sometimes you watch guys on film, you see their stats on paper, and then you see them, like, you can hear the excitement in the crowd,” Brown said. “So you hear it when you see it live. It just, just gives me great joy.”

NBC4 was a sponsor of the event and our very own Kerry Charles served as the emcee.

Pace said the event is just going to keep growing thanks to the organization’s 18k Initiative, a plan to put 18,000 people in the Schottenstein Center by the 2026 game.

“It's important because we also have a $1.5 million goal, $1.5 million towards scholarships,” Pace said. “Now that 18k initiative will all but guarantee we meet that $1.5 (million) and we're halfway there already today.”

He said that they’ve only just begun and to keep the third Saturday in April free and come join them for the next Classic for Columbus.

High pressure will edge southeastward from the northern Plains across the Ohio Valley through the weekend, resulting in a northwesterly flow of cool, drier air. Afternoon temperatures will only reach the mid-50s despite a good deal of sunshine and a few clouds.

Morning readings will dip into the mid-30s early Sunday and Monday, with patchy frost possible.

Dry weather will continue on Monday, as high pressure shifts east to the Atlantic Coast. A northern system sweeping across the Great Lakes midweek will bring the next chance for showers later Tuesday that will taper off early Wednesday, accompanied by a reinforcing push of cool air.

Expect windy and mild weather on Tuesday ahead of a strong cold front, followed by blustery and chilly weather the rest of the week, with afternoon readings in the 50s. Light frost is possible again Thursday morning.

Seasonable temperatures return on Friday, along with an increase in clouds. A storm coming out of the west will bring showers to start next weekend.

Forecast

• Saturday: Partly cloudy, cool. High 55 
• Tonight: Few clouds, scattered frost. Low 36
• Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 56 
• Monday: Mostly sunny. High 64 (37)
• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, windy, showers p.m. High 66 (43)
• Wednesday: Partly cloudy, breezy, cooler. High 58 (48)
• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 60 (35)
• Friday: Partly cloudy, showers late. High 68 (40)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus police said that an adult died early Saturday morning after being hit by a car in a crosswalk on the northeast side.

Police said the victim was crossing south across Morse Road at Stelzer Road just before 5:30 a.m. The victim was in a marked crosswalk but was crossing against the traffic light, per police. A Dodge Challenger hit the adult in the crosswalk with the driver staying at the scene until officers arrived.

Three hospitalized after car crashes into pole in northeast Columbus

The victim was taken to Mount Carmel East Hospital in stable condition, but was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m. CPD's accident investigation unit is continuing to investigate the crash.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Perry County man could face up to 23 years in person after he pleaded guilty in connection to charges he obtained child pornography on Snapchat.

Clay Thomas Wolfe, 28, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court on Wednesday to sexually exploiting minors and possessing child pornography. Using Snapchat, Wolfe solicited child pornography, primarily from middle and high school boys.

According to a Department of Justice news release, Wolfe pretended starting in 2018 to be a 15-year-old female on the app to obtain the illegal materials. Videos of minors as young as 10 were found. In total, Wolfe received an estimated 850 images and 570 videos depicting child pornography.

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The investigation was initiated in April 2022, when Pennsylvania law enforcement officials were made aware of a sixth-grade student sharing a nude photograph of a classmate that he had received from Wolfe.

Wolfe was arrested and charged in June.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WMCH) -- A Powell man will spend five years in prison and have to forfeit his Tesla for embezzling tens of millions of dollars from the furniture company at which he worked.

Yi He, 36, was sentenced in federal court Wednesday for stealing more than $26 million from Roundhill Furniture in west Columbus, which supplies retailers like Wayfair, Walmart and Ashley Furniture. The sentence comes after he pleaded guilty last August to wire fraud and falsifying a tax return.

According to court documents, Yi, who was responsible for payroll and tax-related duties, wired the company's funds into his personal accounts from 2018 to 2022. To conceal the theft, he showed company leaders falsified bank statements.

Yi also embezzled more than $600,000 from an employee incentive company that he oversaw. The company, Zero Group, supplemented longtime employees' retirement savings. In one instance, Yi wired himself $200,000 from the company and labeled it for "rent."

Additionally, Yi inaccurately reported his income to the IRS from 2018 to 2021, according to court documents. He owes the IRS about $6.8 million.

Yi originally faced up to 23 years in prison and the forfeiture of three homes, two in Reynoldsburg and one in Columbus. Instead, he will forfeit his 2020 Tesla Model X and pay more than $27 million in restitution to Roundhill Furniture and the IRS.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Three people have been hospitalized after a car crashed into a pole early Saturday morning on a northeast Columbus road.

According to a police dispatcher, officers were called to Old Dublin Granville Road at 4:30 a.m. after reports of a crash. Police arrived and found one vehicle with three occupants that had crashed into a pole.

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Two of the crash victims were taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition while another went to Mount Carmel East Hospital in stable condition. Westbound lanes of the road are closed, per a dispatcher.

View a previous report on the fastest growing healthcare jobs in Ohio in the video player above.

With the country eager to put the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the American economy continued to boom in 2023. The national unemployment rate remained around 3.6%, while the total number of people employed grew to roughly 152 million, up from 148 million in 2022.

The economy has seen several significant changes in recent years. Many people are leaving expensive coastal states such as California and New York and moving to more affordable places in the Mountain West region and the South, buoyed by companies that have embraced remote work. What's more, in a reversal of past trends, wages grew the fastest for lower-earning workers.

Stacker analyzed jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the fastest-growing jobs in Ohio. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2022 and 2023. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Ohio.

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#50. Family medicine physicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +31.6% (1,220 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,080
--- Employment in 2022: 3,860
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $74,410

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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#49. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +31.9% (2,140 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 8,840
--- Employment in 2022: 6,700
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $76,000

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VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#48. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +32.1% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,730
--- Employment in 2022: 1,310
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,670

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#47. Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +32.1% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,180
--- Employment in 2022: 1,650
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $62,070

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Chaay_Tee // Shutterstock

#46. Office machine operators, except computer

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +32.9% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,010
--- Employment in 2022: 760
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,120

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#45. Crossing guards and flaggers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +33.7% (660 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,620
--- Employment in 2022: 1,960
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,800

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#44. Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +34.2% (1,500 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,890
--- Employment in 2022: 4,390
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $24,320

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#43. Cargo and freight agents

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.2% (890 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,420
--- Employment in 2022: 2,530
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $45,210

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Djols // Shutterstock

#42. Emergency medicine physicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +35.6% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Employment in 2022: 870
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

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Canva

#41. Education administrators, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +36.8% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,600
--- Employment in 2022: 1,170
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $69,950

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Susan Law Cain // Shutterstock

#40. Tree trimmers and pruners

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +37.1% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,810
--- Employment in 2022: 1,320
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $47,300

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Akimov Igor // Shutterstock

#39. Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +37.4% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Employment in 2022: 1,550
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $48,000

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#38. Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.2% (840 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,040
--- Employment in 2022: 2,200
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,360

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#37. Food processing workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +38.2% (680 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,460
--- Employment in 2022: 1,780
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $35,240

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BalanceFormCreative // Shutterstock

#36. Information security analysts

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +44.2% (1,650 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,380
--- Employment in 2022: 3,730
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $106,460

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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#35. Educational instruction and library workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +44.3% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,660
--- Employment in 2022: 1,150
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $46,810

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Dragon Images // Shutterstock

#34. Broadcast technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +44.6% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Employment in 2022: 830
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

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Tyler Olson // Shutterstock

#33. Library technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +45.1% (1,560 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,020
--- Employment in 2022: 3,460
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,850

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wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock

#32. Physicians, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +45.9% (5,920 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 18,810
--- Employment in 2022: 12,890
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

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BlurryMe // Shutterstock

#31. Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +46.4% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,010
--- Employment in 2022: 690
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $86,680

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ibnu alias // Shutterstock

#30. Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +47.7% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,230
--- Employment in 2022: 1,510
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $34,300

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Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock

#29. Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +48.1% (520 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,600
--- Employment in 2022: 1,080
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $61,470

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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#28. Database architects

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +49.2% (620 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,880
--- Employment in 2022: 1,260
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $127,230

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Motortion Films // Shutterstock

#27. Entertainment and recreation managers, except gambling

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +50.7% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Employment in 2022: 690
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $55,250

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Gearstd // Shutterstock

#26. Mechanical drafters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +51.8% (880 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,580
--- Employment in 2022: 1,700
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $63,320

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#25. Materials engineers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +52.0% (780 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,280
--- Employment in 2022: 1,500
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $101,620

27 / 50

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#24. Computer numerically controlled tool operators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +54.1% (7,710 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 21,960
--- Employment in 2022: 14,250
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $47,620

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#23. Aerospace engineering and operations technologists and technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +55.1% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,070
--- Employment in 2022: 690
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $77,480

29 / 50

Roschetzky Photography // Shutterstock

#22. Food cooking machine operators and tenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +55.1% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Employment in 2022: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,960

30 / 50

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#21. Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +55.6% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,100
--- Employment in 2022: 1,350
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $81,470

31 / 50

NIKCOA // Shutterstock

#20. Medical transcriptionists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +55.7% (490 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,370
--- Employment in 2022: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,150

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#19. Agricultural equipment operators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +56.3% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,000
--- Employment in 2022: 640
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $49,060

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rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#18. Art directors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +60.2% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,410
--- Employment in 2022: 880
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $91,700

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#17. Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +60.4% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,540
--- Employment in 2022: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $59,830

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Virrage Images // Shutterstock

#16. Motor vehicle operators, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +61.6% (1,410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,700
--- Employment in 2022: 2,290
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $31,990

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#15. Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +61.6% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,390
--- Employment in 2022: 860
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $48,100

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#14. Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +62.4% (1,130 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,940
--- Employment in 2022: 1,810
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $46,410

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#13. Pipelayers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +62.5% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Employment in 2022: 720
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $50,890

39 / 50

Stock Rocket // Shutterstock

#12. Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +64.1% (840 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,150
--- Employment in 2022: 1,310
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,480

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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#11. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +76.4% (4,010 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 9,260
--- Employment in 2022: 5,250
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,150

41 / 50

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

#10. Education teachers, postsecondary

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +80.0% (1,480 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,330
--- Employment in 2022: 1,850
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $66,320

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Nikita M production // Shutterstock

#9. Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +83.3% (650 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Employment in 2022: 780
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,560

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tilialucida // Shutterstock

#8. Biological technicians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +84.5% (1,420 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,100
--- Employment in 2022: 1,680
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $56,220

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Nordroden // Shutterstock

#7. Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +89.9% (1,240 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,620
--- Employment in 2022: 1,380
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $49,350

45 / 50

Kzenon // Shutterstock

#6. Metal workers and plastic workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +94.1% (960 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,980
--- Employment in 2022: 1,020
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $41,600

46 / 50

Nagy-Bagoly Arpad // Shutterstock

#5. Insulation workers, mechanical

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +96.7% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Employment in 2022: 600
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $68,860

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#4. Library assistants, clerical

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +109.1% (3,010 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,770
--- Employment in 2022: 2,760
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $33,600

48 / 50

Roman Zaiets // Shutterstock

#3. Radiologists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +116.7% (630 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Employment in 2022: 540
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

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#2. Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +141.2% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,230
--- Employment in 2022: 510
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $37,860

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Suwin // Shutterstock

#1. Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +178.4% (910 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,420
--- Employment in 2022: 510
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $97,060

This story features data reporting and writing by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One person is in the hospital after being shot early Saturday morning at a north Columbus auto shop.

A police dispatcher said that officers were sent to an auto shop at the 900 block of East Dublin Granville Road at 1:30 a.m. after reports of a shooting. One person was found with a gunshot wound and was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital in stable condition.

Columbus-area neighbors frustrated by ‘drag racing’ on Interstate 270

Police are searching for a suspect at this time, according to a dispatcher.

Columbus and Central Ohio Weather QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Today: Mostly sunny, high 57
• Tonight: Mostly clear, low 36
• Sunday: Few Clouds, high 59 (38)
• Monday: Mostly sunny, high 64 (46)
• Tuesday: PM rain showers, high 67 (47)
• Wednesday: Stray Shower, high 59 (37)

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Parts of central Ohio will wake up to a little cloud cover this Saturday morning, but at the day goes on skies will become mainly sunny. Below average temperatures will remain over the weekend. Saturday's high temperatures will only reach the upper 50s across the area. Winds will be slightly breezy at times.

Overnight the coldest temperatures in a while will make their way to central Ohio. In the city lows will fall to the mid 30s. Many counties to the north and east of Columbus will be under a freeze watch starting at 2 a.m. Sunday morning and last until 8 a.m. Lows in these area will be closer to lower 30. Skies will be mostly clear and winds will become lighter.

Sunday will continue the sunshine, and a slight bump up in temperatures. After a frosty morning for some, all of us will be highs returning to the upper 50s. This is still close to 10 degrees below normal for this time of year. Winds will also be calmer compared to Saturday. It's a close call, but weather wise Sunday will be slightly better compared to Saturday.

The upcoming work week will stay relatively quiet. Highs will move closer to normal throughout the week with one exception. Rain showers will move across the area Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday morning. The showers will come along with a cold front when the rain arrives. There will be a brief midweek in temperatures, but a rebound will be on the way by next weekend.

GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) – The city of Gahanna is cracking down on distracted driving. A city ordinance went into effect on April 3.

It’s similar to state law, however, Gahanna’s recently amended code goes further to penalize those that text while driving. 

Columbus doctors study best way to transport critically injured children

Leaders said it’s all about keeping their residents safe. Looking at your phone while behind the wheel can cause serious harm to you and another person. 

“In 2000, my husband died because somebody was talking on the phone,” said Sharon Montgomery. 

Sharon and her husband, John, spent the day with their son who was in college at the time. They were celebrating John's birthday. What was supposed to be a fun day, turned into a nightmare on the way home. 

“My husband never made it out of ICU. I had life threatening complications from my injuries,” she said. 

Since that day Sharon took her grief and turned it into action. 

“My first advocacy effort was to stop calling it an accident because it was a crash. Almost all crashes are not accidents. They're preventable. They're a result of somebody's bad decision,” she said. 

The city of Gahanna’s amended ordinance went into effect April 3 of this year. It’s similar to state law but it goes further to penalize repeat offenders with an escalating misdemeanor. 

Under state law, first and repeated offenses can result in only a fine, however in Gahanna, those found guilty can be punished with community service and jail time, in addition to a fine. 

A first offense for texting while driving is now a minor misdemeanor in Gahanna, it’ll carry a maximum penalty of a $150 fine and 30 hours of community service. A second offense in Gahanna, within two years, is now a fourth-degree misdemeanor, and carries a maximum penalty of $250 fine, 30 days in jail and 200 hours of community service. A third offense, within two years, is now a third-degree misdemeanor, it carries a maximum penalty of $500 fine, 60 days in jail and 200 hours of community service. 

Also, those who are found to be driving distracted while causing injury to another individual will be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor. Drivers who cause the death of another while texting and driving, will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. 

“I'm cautiously optimistic that we're starting to maybe turn the corner and see less distracted driving behavior,” said Lt. Ethan Moffitt with Gahanna Police, “This is something that still needs to have a lot of attention. And, you know, we intend to, you know, take a very careful look at here and keep promoting this message so that we make our local roadway safe.”

Lt. Moffitt says that driving distracted is similar to driving impaired. 

“We've all become, you know, over time, very aware of the dangers of driving while impaired. There's been a lot of effort put into that. And I think you're seeing an analogy now with distracted driving,” he said.

Sharon tells NBC4 that texting while driving is just not worth it. That’s why it’s so important for her to share her story.

“When I can talk to people one on one and through this kind of opportunity, people hear the, you know, the emotional impact of what really happens. Then people start to think about it more often.” she said.

To help strengthen their message, city leaders recognized April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The city has been promoting its “Drive Safe Gahanna” message. That includes handing out decals for drivers to place on their car. The decals are available at Gahanna City Hall.

Circleville, Ohio (WCMH) – A 73-year-old man died of an apparent drowning in a Pickaway County pond on Friday afternoon. 

Around 3:18 p.m., the Pickaway County Communications Center received a 911 call from an Amazon driver who reported human remains in a pond on the 23000 block of Smith-Hulse Road in Circleville. 

Columbus doctors study best way to transport critically injured children

Law enforcement officials arrived at the home and discovered Louis Menduni Jr. in the pond. He was removed from the body of water and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Pickaway County Sheriff's Office. 

Detectives state it appears Menduni Jr. was mowing the grass around the pond when he slid backwards into the water. The case remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – What began as a TikTok trend led to an influx of Hyundai and Kia thefts across the nation. Kia America is providing drivers with free anti-theft software updates at a time when Columbus police say vehicle thefts remain a problem. 

Technicians are now installing new software that causes an alarm to go off and kills the ignition when a Kia is broken into.

Columbus-area neighbors frustrated by ‘drag racing’ on Interstate 270

“Between those two things obviously the car can’t be stolen but most importantly is that we want the thieves to know that we’re onto them,” said James Bell with Kia America.

Columbus police said there have been 1,868 motor vehicle thefts this year and 759 of those were a Hyundai or Kia. Les Pence is a Columbus Kia owner and he said he didn’t want to be added to that list. That’s why he came to the free event.

“Until I hear something about the new thing not working, hopefully I’ll feel a little bit safer,” Pence said.

The model of his car wasn’t eligible for the software update, so he had an ignition protector installed. The cylinder is a shield to protect the ignition for vehicles that don’t have an alarm system. Bell said this is just as safe as the software update.

“But we are very clear with owners that once they have the upgrade done they must lock the car,” said Bell.

Last year, the Columbus City Attorney filed a lawsuit against Kia or Hyundai. Zach Klein is asking the motor companies to take responsibility for the damages and costs that come from these thefts. The case is still moving through the court system and Kia is trying to dismiss the lawsuit.

The clinic will also be open during the weekend at Historic Crew Stadium on One Black and Gold Boulevard during these times:

• Saturday, April 20 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, April 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

To find out if your vehicle is eligible for the upgrade you can find more information here.