Ohio News

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus police officer was taken to a hospital Thursday morning after a crash on the far southwest side.

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A police dispatcher said a cruiser and another vehicle were involved in a crash just before 10 a.m. at the intersection of Alkire and Norton Roads. The officer is in stable condition at a hospital while no information was immediately available on the driver of the other vehicle, per police dispatch.

It is unknown at this time if the crash was the result of a police pursuit. This is the second time this week a police cruiser has been involved in a crash. On Tuesday, an officer and the driver of another vehicle were hospitalized due to a crash on the south side.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Meet Mustang! He is currently available at the Franklin County Dog Shelter and Adoption Center.

Mustang is a 2-year-old Pit Bull mix who's full of fun. He loves to play with people, children and other dogs as well, according to shelter staff. Mustang was briefly in a foster home where he chased squirrels, would go on walks and play with toys.

The shelter said Mustang would do best with a consistent schedule to help with housebreaking, along with being in an active home where he can go on daily walks, long hikes or even go running with someone who loves to be outdoors. Mustang would make the perfect cardio buddy for someone active.

• Mustang (Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center)
• Mustang (Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center)

Along with his active lifestyle, Mustang is well behaved and can stay at home by himself and doesn't need to be crated. He is also a smart guy and knows commands like "sit" and "down."

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Mustang is said to be full of love with the cutest puppy dog eyes and is ready to find his forever home that he deserves. If you are interested in Mustang, whether you want to adopt or foster to adopt, you can visit him at the Franklin County Dog Shelter at the Franklin County Dog Shelter for a meet and greet at 4340 Tamarack Blvd. 

To see other adoptable dogs, follow this link.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Friday marks the busiest day of the March Madness season with 32 games across the men's and women's NCAA tournaments, and six of them are in the Buckeye State.

Two women's first round games will be played on Friday at Value City Arena, with Ohio State in the mix. And Rocket Arena in Cleveland will have four men's first round games that include some of the best teams and players in the country.

Here is a look at all six games in Ohio, and what to know about each one to get you ready for a full day of basketball.

12:40 p.m. (Cleveland) - Alabama vs. Robert Morris

One of the first NCAA Tournament games to tip off on Friday will be in Cleveland as one of the tournament favorites take the floor. No. 2 seed Alabama will face No. 15 seed Robert Morris in one of the biggest mismatches in the first round.

The Crimson Tide come in as the top scoring team in the nation, with nearly 92 points per game behind All-America guard Mark Sears. Fresh off the program's first Final Four appearance last year, Alabama's tournament experience could propel them all the way.

Standing in Alabama's way first is Horizon league champion Robert Morris, which is in the field for the first time in a decade. The Pennsylvania school has won 10 straight games and is a 23-point underdog. Among the eight men's teams in Cleveland this week, the Colonials had the shortest trip to get to Rocket Arena.

3:15 p.m. (Cleveland) - Saint Mary's vs. Vanderbilt

No. 7 seed Saint Mary's has been a tournament regular out of the West Coast Conference behind coach Randy Bennett. This is its fifth straight tournament appearance, and the Gaels are among the best rebounding teams in the country.

No. 10 seed Vanderbilt has waited eight years for this game. After four successful seasons at James Madison, coach Mark Byington has breathed new life into the Commodores in his first season in Nashville. Vanderbilt has a losing record in SEC play but boasts marquee wins over Tennessee, Kentucky and Texas A&M.

5:30 p.m. (Columbus) - Ohio State vs. Montana State

Ohio State got a No. 4 seed and earned hosting duties for a third consecutive time. With junior forward Cotie McMahon and Big Ten freshman of the year Jaloni Cambridge, the Buckeyes maintained consistency as a team to beat in the conference. They are searching for redemption after losing at home in the second round last year.

Facing the Buckeyes is the 30-win Big Sky champion. Located in Bozeman, Montana State is in just its fourth NCAA Tournament under coach Tricia Binford. A player to watch is senior guard Esmeralda Morales, who leads the team in scoring and assists.

7:25 p.m. (Cleveland) - Marquette vs. New Mexico

This game will feature two of the top scorers in the country.

No. 7 seed Marquette finally got back to the Sweet Sixteen last year after an 11-year dry spell and may have the momentum to take it a further behind All-America guard Kam Jones.

No. 10 seed New Mexico, coached by Rick Pitino's son Richard, has not won a tournament game since 2012 but could be primed for the upset. Led by junior Donovan Dent, who averages over 20 points, New Mexico is a top-30 team in scoring and rebounding.

8 p.m. (Columbus) - Tennessee vs. South Florida

No. 5 seed Tennessee has gone nearly 20 years since its last national championship as its enters a new era under former first-year coach Kim Caldwell. She is hoping to get the Lady Vols to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2016.

No. 12 seed South Florida played UConn, South Carolina, and TCU in the regular season to prepare its for its fourth first round tournament game in five years. If it pulls the upset, it would be the first time it won NCAA Tournament games in back-to-back seasons.

10 p.m. (Cleveland) - Michigan State vs. Bryant

The night owls in Cleveland will get to watch arguably the Big Ten's best hope of breaking its 25-year national championship drought. No. 2 seed Michigan State begin its road to the Final Four against the America East champion, Bryant.

In the 30th season under Tom Izzo, the Spartans won the Big Ten's regular season title and claimed the best seed among the eight schools to qualify. They will hope history does not repeat itself with their last first round loss coming in 2016 to a 15 seed.

Bryant is a Rhode Island school playing in its second NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs' arena holds 2,000 people, compared with the 19,000-seat capacity of Rocket Arena. An upset here would be among the biggest in March Madness history.

Cleveland will host two more games on Sunday in the second round. The winner of Alabama-Robert Morris will play Saint Mary's or Vanderbilt, while Michigan State or Bryant will take on Marquette or New Mexico. The winners of the two games in Columbus will play in a second round game on Sunday.

The men's NCAA Tournament will conclude on April 7 with the national championship game in San Antonio. The women's tournament ends on April 6 in Tampa, Florida.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - From sporting events at Nationwide Arena and Lower.com Field, to concerts and music showcases, here are things to see and do this weekend in central Ohio.

Blue Jackets vs. Panthers

Nationwide Arena, March 19 at 7 p.m.

• The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Florida Panthers in a home game. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09: Adam Fantilli #19 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates after scoring a goal in the second period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images) Backstage at the Lincoln

Lincoln Theatre, March 19 at 7 p.m.

• The concert series offers an opportunity to be seated on stage for a performance with your favorite local artists. This week's concert features Joenathan Banks. Banks blends original music with songs that have inspired him, weaving together elements of jazz, contemporary, and inspirational music.

Summer events, concerts announced at Columbus Commons KickButtColumbus!

March 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• KickButtColumbus! is Keep Columbus Beautiful annual Spring highway ramp clean-up event created to remove blighted conditions from our city's exit and entry ramps after winter thaw. Participants will meet at the Wolfe Park Shelterhouse at 105 Park Dr.

“Heart of Ohio” Concert

Davidson Theater, Riffe Center, March 22 at 7:30 p.m.

• For one night only, enjoy a concert featuring the North Coast Men’s Chorus (Cleveland), Dayton Gay Men’s Chorus, Cincinnati Men’s Chorus and the Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus, showcasing choral music in Ohio. Local drag artist Nina West will emcee the event.

Crew vs. New York City FC

Lower.com Field, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.

• The Columbus Crew face New York City FC in a home matchup.

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Max Arfsten #27 of the Columbus Crew and Christopher McVey #97 of San Diego FC battle for the ball during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium on March 15, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images) Role Model with Special Guest Debii Dawson

The Bluestone, March 22 at 7 p.m.

• American singer and songwriter Role Model is performing in Columbus, featuring Debii Dawson. Tickets are on sale.

CML Authors at the Library

Main Branch at 96 S. Grant Ave., March 22 at 2 p.m.

• Author talks at CML are free and open to the public, however registration is required to reserve seating. This session will feature Mary Robinette Kowal and John Scalzi.

Blooms and Butterflies

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, through July 6

• Explore the exhibit featuring hundreds of exotic, vibrant butterflies. Visitors can also check out the Metamorphosis Lab to watch new butterflies emerging from their chrysalises each day. The exhibit is open now through July 6 with the best times to view the butterflies from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus residents could vote this November on whether the city establishes a division to dispatch nonpolice professionals, such as therapists and social workers, to respond to certain 911 calls.

The Columbus Safety Collective Campaign – led by multiple advocacy groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Ohio Voice, Working Families Party Ohio, and Ohio Families Unite for Political Action and Change (OFUPAC) –  intends to put a city charter amendment before voters on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Columbus City Schools bars religious release organizations from giving out candy, trinkets

The amendment would establish a community crisis division within the Columbus Department of Public Safety. The division would be made up of nonpolice professionals who would respond to emergency calls that do not involve "imminent danger" or the “substantial risk of death or bodily harm.”

“We feel it's common sense that police are not the answer to every problem,” said Emily Cole, executive director of OFUPAC. “We shouldn't ask them to be social workers and counselors and crisis responders and enforce the law and investigate crime."

Earlier this month, the collective announced it submitted the proposed ballot measure to the city clerk for review. The city attorney’s office completed its review Monday, finding the proposed measure needs some technical changes. Cole said the collective is going to make some tweaks and refile the proposal within the next week. Once it is approved by the city, the campaign will need to collect nearly 25,000 valid signatures by July 7 to get onto the November ballot.

The proposed division of community crisis response would be available 24/7. The division would monitor and evaluate emergency calls in conjunction with other relevant agencies and deploy at least one worker when deemed appropriate.

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Helen Sweeney, an OFUPAC volunteer, said police often do not have the resources to refer those experiencing mental health or substance abuse crises to the proper treatment, while a community response team would specialize in these issues. 

“There's a lot of calls that police really are not trained to do, and their talents are better suited for other types of calls,” Sweeney said. “[Certain calls] distract them from dealing with policing issues in communities that maybe are related to gun violence, gangs or theft.”

Brian Steel is the president of The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 9, an organization that serves officers in Franklin County. Steel said he agrees that certain calls officers receive may be better suited for a nonpolice response. He gave examples of calls regarding checking on a person experiencing homelessness or a patient who left a hospital against medical advice. 

“If we could free those officers up from those calls, the FOP is not getting in the way,” Steel said. “We just have to ensure that we are not putting an unarmed civilian without any kind of self-defense training in a situation where they may get hurt.”

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Steel did express concern that workers with the proposed community crisis division could find themselves in danger after responding to a call that was originally thought to be a nonviolent situation. 

“The reality is many of these nondangerous calls quickly escalate,” Steel said. “Dispatchers often lack the full details. What could be labeled as a safe crisis might actually be deadly. And when you remove law enforcement from that equation, it could possibly be disastrous for the mental health worker that's going there.”

Cole said crisis response professionals would be able to communicate on the same radio system as emergency medical services, firefighters and law enforcement, allowing them to request backup. 

“In some situations, a trained social worker or peer supporter can go in and stabilize the situation because they have techniques that they have learned, and that a lot of times can prevent the person from becoming violent,” Sweeney said.

In recent years, Columbus has established multiple alternative crisis response programs, which allow social workers and other professionals to work with police officers and 911 dispatchers. In 2025, the city budgeted about $7.6 million for these programs. However, none is available 24/7, nor do they offer a response that does not involve a law enforcement officer.

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“The reality is Columbus lacks a fully-resourced and fully-integrated alternative crisis response program to meet the mental health and safety needs of our communities,” Cole said. “We feel that this system is meeting the gap in the current emergency services.”

Cole and Sweeney said the proposed division would not eliminate the existing initiatives but would be an additional tool and help better integrate the programs. However, Steel said he has concerns that coordination between programs and agencies could have "unintended consequences," such as slower response times.

“When these calls go out, poor coordination could lead to delay, and seconds matter in these calls,” Steel said. 

The amendment calls for the city to budget at least $5 million for the implementation of the division in 2027, with annual funding increasing to at least $12 million by 2031. 

Steel said the FOP wants to ensure that the city does not cut or divert any police funds to accommodate the division.  Cole said city officials would be tasked with deciding where the funds come from but noted there are “numerous” grants available to such programs through the state and federal government.

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"All Columbus residents deserve to feel safe when they ask for help," Cole said. "It's time to invest in community crisis responders who are experts specifically for mental health, addiction, unhoused and other needs facing our community.”

If the ballot initiative were to pass, the proposed measure states the community crisis response division would be available 24/7 no later than Jan. 1, 2031.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City Schools updated its religious release time policy to declare that organizations must agree not to send students back to school with snacks or trinkets.

The district voted unanimously Tuesday at its board of education meeting to update its religious release time policy to ban organizations from sending students back with souvenirs. The change comes just weeks before Ohio's Parents' Bill of Rights goes into effect, which will require all public school districts to have a religious release time policy on the books. See previous coverage of the Parents' Bill of Rights in the video player above.

Release time for religious instruction allows short-term absences for religious instruction during the school day as long as it happens off school property, uses no public school resources and is done with parent permission. Columbus City Schools and many other public schools have permitted it for some time, but by early April, every Ohio public school district will be required to have a policy.

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The district adopted its first policy in May 2015, but its updated version adds restrictions. Participating organizations must agree not to provide students with any materials, snacks, clothing, candies, trinkets or goodies for their return to the school.

"Out of concern for coming back with a pile of gifts from the sponsoring entity and how that could be disruptive to the classrooms and the educational experience, we did opt to include that language," said board member Sarah Ingles, chair of the board's policy and governance committee.

Organizations must also provide the district with criminal background checks for all instructors and volunteers. Ingles said it includes language requiring sponsoring organizations to pay for these background checks at no cost to the district, which was recommended to the board.

The policy also clarifies that students cannot be required to change their schedules to attend programs.

Hilliard-based LifeWise is Ohio's largest religious instruction program and one of the biggest in the nation. Parents and activists who disapprove of the Christian-based organization often condemn the distribution of trinkets and candy given to students, which they say can make students who aren't participating feel left out or pressured to attend.

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LifeWise CEO and Founder Joel Penton said the new policy will have little effect on the organization, which already requires background checks among volunteers.

"Families choose LifeWise because they believe Bible-based character education has a positive impact on their children," Penton said. "The new requirement does not change their reason for sending them to LifeWise."

Molly Ann Gaines, a leader with the Secular Education Association (previously Parents Against LifeWise), celebrated the district's decision.

"Not being permitted to send back treats or trinkets is an important step, we believe it should apply to every school LifeWise is in," Gaines said. "This weakens their ability to coerce nonparticipating children. It's a matter of protecting all students from unnecessary division and the feeling of being left out."

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Recent calls for the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality could lead to a future ballot measure repealing Ohio's dormant same-sex marriage bans.

Dwayne Steward, executive director of Equality Ohio, said the organization is "having conversations across the state around how we protect marriage equality" in the wake of resolutions introduced in a handful of states urging the Supreme Court to roll back Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision establishing the right to same-sex marriage.

"What's really unfortunate is that our families and who we love and the way we operate in the world is being put up for political debate," Steward said. "My family and who I am is not up for political debate. I am not political fodder."

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MassResistance, a conservative Massachusetts group, is the driving force behind each resolution in states including Michigan, North Dakota and Idaho, arguing the Supreme Court should "leave unaddressed the natural definition of marriage as a union between one man, a biological male, and one woman, a biological female."

When NBC4 requested comment on whether MassResistance is currently or will soon be lobbying Ohio lawmakers to also introduce a similar resolution, the organization said it does "not comment on ongoing efforts in other states regarding our initiative."

Steward emphasized that MassResistance's campaign is "a scare tactic" and a long-shot effort given Obergefell is "extremely secure," as it would take a laborious legal battle to overturn the law. Still, the executive director said Equality Ohio has heard from many couples and families across the state who are concerned, and that their fear is warranted given a recent increase in anti-LGBTQ+ violence and rhetoric.

Should MassResistance's effort gain further traction and the Supreme Court rolls back Obergefell, Ohio is home to dormant same-sex marriage bans that would be immediately reenacted. Steward said a ballot initiative repealing the ban would need to be approved by Ohio voters to ensure marriage equality is again legal, but that effort would "be a very long battle that would need to be heavily resourced."

'Back in the marriage equality fight'

LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed concern the Supreme Court could reassess Obergefell since the June 2022 ruling overturning the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade, where Justice Clarence Thomas wrote a concurring opinion calling for his fellow justices to "reconsider all of this court's substantive due process precedents, including ... Obergefell."

However, writing for the majority opinion in the 2022 ruling, Justice Samuel Alito said, "Nothing in this opinion should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion."

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An effort to roll back marriage equality would likely mirror the crusade against Roe and require a "live dispute," meaning a case where the issue of same-sex marriage is specifically raised. For example, if a state passed or enforced a law that limited marriage equality in violation of Obergefell, a legal challenge to that law could make way to the Supreme Court.

Steward stressed, before the Supreme Court takes a case, other cases are reviewed by lower courts, and it's only when lower courts can't decide on an issue that the Supreme Court can step in. The executive director said "we are not at that place," as a list of lower court cases regarding marriage equality that could move up to the Supreme Court doesn't exist.

If such a case arises in the future and succeeds, Ohio would reckon with a revived law passed by the Statehouse in 2004 that states "a marriage may only be entered into by one man and one woman." A constitutional amendment that voters passed later in 2004 that reads, "only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions," would also resurrected.

The clearest path to nulling these bans would be a ballot initiative codifying the right to marriage equality, Steward said. The executive director noted that some Statehouse legislators attempted last year to align Ohio law with the protections set by Obergefell, but the proposal didn't advance past one committee hearing.

A federal law signed in 2022, the Respect for Marriage Act, requires a state to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, while also allowing states to decide for themselves whether to issue licenses to same-sex couples. So, if Obergefell falls and Ohio's bans have yet to be repealed, the act would only require the state to recognize marriages from other states where it is legal.

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Equality Ohio, which was founded in 2005 in response to the previous year's same-sex marriage bans, would be at the forefront of the fight should it surface again. Steward said it's "bittersweet" to be celebrating the organization's 20th anniversary this year, while also contemplating another battle for marriage equality.

"I never thought that I would be back in the marriage equality fight, I didn't think that was gonna have to happen again in my lifetime because there was so much that it took for us to get that right," said Steward. "We're going to lead as we have always done in this space, and we're going to make sure that our families across Ohio remain protected."

An 'honest and objective' ballot measure

A ballot initiative in Ohio codifying marriage equality would not be unprecedented. Also concerned after the fall of Roe in 2022, voters in California, Colorado and Hawaii passed measures in last November's election to repeal dormant same-sex marriage bans and proactively protect marriage equality.

"If the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its previous rulings in the future, leaving the current definition of marriage in Colorado's constitution jeopardizes the ability of same-sex Coloradans to marry," read the ballot for Colorado's Amendment J, which passed with 64% of the vote. "Marriage is a basic right, and Colorado's constitution should reflect this right for all state residents."

Ohio's version would follow in the footsteps of 2023's Issue 1, another ballot measure that passed with 56% of the vote to establish the right to abortion in the state constitution. Like with Issue 1, the effort would take several years to build "a coalition of support" before collecting more than 444,000 proponent signatures and operating a multi-million-dollar campaign across the state.

Issue 1 organizers raised more than $39.2 million and spent $26.2 million, campaign finance reports show. Another proposed amendment, which was also called Issue 1 and would've changed how Ohio's political districts are drawn, similarly raised more than $39 million when it was on the ballot last November.

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Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) pointed to 2024's Issue 1 as a cautionary tale, given the measure failed with 53% voting against the proposal. While supporters of Issue 1 promised it would end the practice of gerrymandering, proponents argued the measure would "gerrymander more than what we have now." That messaging was intended to confuse voters and succeeded, Antonio said.

"Republicans in power right now will go to any length to prevent a ballot initiative to go forward that they don't support, as in the case with the redistricting ballot initiative," she said. "They lied to the people of Ohio about what that ballot initiative would do and it failed, of course it did."

The state senator also cited when Issue 1 organizers filed a lawsuit that went to the Ohio Supreme Court against the Ohio Ballot Board, who is in charge of finalizing the language for each ballot. The organizers claimed the board's wording for Issue 1 was the "most biased, inaccurate and unconditional ballot language ever adopted by the Ohio Ballot Board."

For those reasons, Antonio said a measure codifying same-sex marriage needs to come at the right time. She argued that such a proposal would be written "honestly and presented objectively" only when Statehouse representation and those in positions that have a final say in ballot language changes.

In the meantime, Antonio is advocating for legislation to ban discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community and to prohibit conversion therapy, practices that falsely claim to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Still, as Ohio's first openly gay Statehouse lawmaker who got married after Obergefell in 2015, the state senator said she'll be ready if the fight for marriage equality returns.

"I don't understand what benefit there is to take away a right for a group of people who, until that Supreme Court decision, were denied the right to marry, and what benefit an everyday person gets from taking away that kind of a right from someone else," said Antonio. "How does my marriage affect anyone else?"

Central Ohio Weather and Radar

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As part of Severe Weather Awareness Week this week, the state held a tornado drill shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday. 

The warning sirens were activated in Franklin County for three minutes, which is longer than the weekly Wednesday tests at noon.  

Franklin County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Young said the test went well. 

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The sound heard Wednesday morning, and just about every Wednesday of the year, is what would sound should there be a tornado warning issued. The point of the drill is to offer up the opportunity to practice and strengthen emergency plans. 

“If it's an actual tornado warning or sounding the sirens, your first reaction should be, I need to get, you know, inside a structure, get to the lowest level and preferably a room that has no glass and no windows,” Young said. 

Franklin County has 198 sirens spread throughout and Young said they all worked properly during the drill. 

“Every week, we test them and there's typically something that needs to have some level of maintenance done on it, which is why we do that test weekly, you know, and so now when we need them, we know they’ll all work,” he said.  

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Young said the purpose of these sirens is to inform people that if they’re outside and severe weather is rolling in, they need to get to an indoor safe area as soon as possible. 

“That's why you want to pay attention,” he said. “They're not designed to wake you up from a sound sleep in the middle of a building.” 

When a tornado warning is issued, the Franklin County siren warning system is activated by zone; the warning zones are broken up into northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast sections of the county.

Last year, Ohio saw 74 tornadoes touch down, far exceeding the record of 62 set in 1992. Young said people in Franklin County are aware of the devastation tornadoes can cause.

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“There's a lot of anecdotal stories about how the sirens went off, it woke people up, they started to react, their mobile devices went off, and then they took shelter, and it helped them,” Young said. “It's all part of being informed and knowing where you're going to get your trusted information, you know, and being weather aware, you know, knowing your surroundings, which makes you better prepared so you can take action to protect you or your family." 

Young said it is important to prepare for all types of severe weather, including tornadoes and flooding. In addition to having a plan in place, it’s also important to build an emergency kit that should include items like a first aid kit, food and water. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Authorities in Texas reaching out to a task force in central Ohio led to the arrest of two suspects from Texas and the rescue of four trafficking victims.

"I hope society realizes this is an ongoing problem, that it can happen in any neighborhood. We know that we look around and see the signs of it and we all need to work together," the director of the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force (COHTTF) said.

The COHTTF is led by the Columbus Division of Police. It's made up of other central Ohio agencies, state and federal partners. NBC4 agreed not to identify the director of the task force because of the work the agency is involved in.

“That task force model and knowing we have multiple agencies willing to help out for this crime is super important," he said. 

The director said last week the task force was contacted by the FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety about a girl younger than 18 they believed to be in Columbus.

“When we get actionable item that somebody’s son or daughter is out there in this lifestyle, we’re going to stop what we’re doing and we’re going to jump into action," the director said.

That led to the arrest of two suspects from Texas and the rescue of four victims from Texas, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. Yost said all of this happened on March 13.

“The communication happened, the investigation went forward at light speed. There was collaboration and a manhunt, and we got this done fast," he said. "More and more we’re dealing with this. Criminals don't just stay put and they move around. Knowing to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. That's why we work so hard to build these collaborative relationships across jurisdictional lines."

The COHTTF director said this case is one of more than 50 the task force has worked on this year.

“It’s absolutely great we can provide some ray of hope, but the task force investigators are super dedicated and they see the problem on a much larger scale," he said.

The suspects will be extradited back to Texas. The victims were given services to help them, according to the task force director.

"Having task forces such as the one here in central Ohio is very important because we can pick up a phone and call Texas or Texas can pick up the phone and call us and know there’s somebody trained in these investigations in order to have the results we had in a very short time," he said.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Protesters gathered on Wednesday afternoon calling on Gov. Mike DeWine to veto Senate Bill 1 when it reaches his desk and, in their words, protect higher education.

Lawmakers in the Ohio House passed Senate Bill 1 at the statehouse Wednesday evening, putting it one vote away from reaching DeWine's desk and becoming law.

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College students, faculty, staff and community members marched from Ohio State’s campus, down High St. to the statehouse on Wednesday to show their opposition to the bill.

“We’re hopeful that if we build enough student power and show him that enough of us are vehemently opposed to the passage of SB1 that he will do the right thing,” said OSU student Molly Hornberger.

“The vast, vast majority do not want this bill. We don’t need it and if they pass it, a lot of us are going to leave,” said Dr. Erynn Beaton, an associate professor at Ohio State.

They said they are concerned about how the legislation might restrict freedom of speech and diversity on campus.

Senate Bill 1 would eliminate all DEI -- or diversity, equity and inclusion -- scholarships, offices and policies on Ohio public campuses.

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“Personally, I’m worried for the quality of my education, but for the wider student community, this sets a precedent that very intentionally attacks specifically Black, brown and LGBTQ students,” Hornberger said.

The bill would also prohibit universities from taking stances on controversial topics.

Beaton said tough subjects are a big part of higher education that students need to be exposed to.

“I already have professors talking to me about how if the legislature is going to pass a bill like this saying that there are controversial beliefs, that there are things we can and can’t do in the classroom, they are already saying ‘I’m just not going to talk about these hard things in the classroom,’” Beaton said.

On the other side, Buckeye Institute Research Fellow Greg Lawson testified in favor of Senate Bill 1 before it passed on Wednesday.

He said the bill just makes it so universities and professors can’t tell students what to think or give them a bad grade over a specific opinion the student holds.

“Yes, it gets rid of DEI offices, but it also says you can’t basically force someone to have an opinion within a classroom but you can still discuss things,” Lawson said.

He said Senate Bill 1 is beneficial to higher education. Lawson said it protects students and puts them first by not allowing faculty to strike and by not letting professors tell them what to think.

“I think there’s an awful lot of fear that’s been out there," Lawson said. "I think that you have to look at it from the big picture of what’s good for the student,” Lawson.

Protesters outside the statehouse Wednesday already believed lawmakers would pass Senate Bill 1, which is why they were imploring the governor to veto the bill. They said DeWine is their last line of defense.

Central Ohio Weather and Radar QUICK WEATHER FORECAST:

• Tonight: Showers & rumbles later, breezy, low 45
• Thursday: Showers & breezy, falling pm temps, daytime high 47
• Friday: Sunny skies, high 53
• Saturday: Showers early, partly sunny, high 52
• Sunday: Clouds increase, showers late, high 53

FORECAST DISCUSSION:

Good Wednesday Evening,

It has been another beautiful day to close out winter, with highs back in the lower 70s. We will see rain and storms approaching late this evening into the overnight hours, with the storms weakening, but potentially still having some gusty winds as they arrive overnight tonight. Temps will still be in the 60s after midnight, but falling to the middle 40s by daybreak.

Temps will waffle up a degree or two on Thursday into the upper 40s by lunch, then fall into the lower 40s by late day, with breezy conditions, and on and off very light showers. We will clear out on Friday, with highs in the lower 50s.

Saturday expect showers early with highs only in the lower 50s. We will start off dry on Sunday, with clouds increasing, and showers late on Sunday with highs in the lower 50s. On and off showers are expected again on Monday, as the seasonal to below seasonal temps continue with highs below normal in the lower 50s.

Once that line of showers leaves, expect gray skies for Tuesday and Wednesday, and highs only in the upper 40s.

-Dave

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A bill that makes sweeping changes to Ohio’s public higher education system is just one vote away from the governor’s desk after lawmakers promised to fast track it. 

"I think I’ll probably sign it,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “I always reserve the right to look at the last rendition of the bill and I will do that and then I’ll make a final decision."

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Senate Bill 1 is a reintroduction of a bill from the last general assembly to “advance” or “destroy” higher education, depending on who you ask.  

When the bill failed to pass last year, the bill’s sponsor, State Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) said “all bets are off,” saying he would make sure it got to the governor’s desk fast, making few concessions or compromises.   

The legislation prohibits all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices on college campuses and threatens loss of state funding for noncompliance. DEI practices include scholarships, hiring and admission.  

Before the bill was passed, two amendments to clarify DEI language in the legislation were added to:  

• Clarify that the bill's DEI prohibitions do not prohibit a state institution from complying with any state or federal law to provide disability services or to limit student organizations including fraternities and sororities.  

• Carve out the opportunity for a university to apply to the chancellor of higher education for an exemption to the DEI ban. The university will need to demonstrate a need for the exemption, like for purposes of accreditation of a specific program. 

“Today I stand at a crossroad between what diversity, equity and inclusion once was and what it has become,” State Rep. Tom Young (R-Washington Township) said. “The original purpose was to break down barriers. For decades it worked, but somewhere along the way, DEI changed.”

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“Once we go down that road, we are not just censoring diversity, equity and inclusion, we are censoring everything,” State Rep. Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) said. “Let’s be clear, this is not about fairness, it is certainly not about education, it is about power.” 

The legislation, in one of its most controversial provisions, also prohibits faculty from striking. University professors said the anti-strike provision assumes that they strike for sinister reasons, when in reality it is for issues like classrooms that don’t leak or better salaries.  

Some lawmakers said striking puts students, who are paying thousands of dollars, in danger of losing their education. 

“Our students here at our universities are not tools to be used by faculty,” State Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) said. “I will stand by my students.” 

“Nobody wants to go on strike, workers lose money, they lose their benefits,” State Rep. Erika White (D-Springfield Township) said. “When they do that, that means they’ve reached the point of desperation.” 

Senate Bill 1 also creates a new “American civic literacy” course. It’s described as a three-credit-hour course with a list of seven required readings including the U.S. Constitution, a minimum of five essays from the Federalist papers, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the letter from Birmingham Jail written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

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When the bill was first introduced, that class was mandatory for graduation; now students can get out of it if they have taken three credit hours, or the equivalent, of an American government or history course.  

Other portions of the bill require that professors publicly post syllabi online and prohibit universities from taking stances on “controversial topics." Controversial topics are defined in the bill as “any belief or policy that is the subject of political controversy, including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion.”

“There is so much that is just chilling in terms of free speech at our universities, our public universities and colleges, that it’s hard to see the good because of so much of the bad,” Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said.  

The bill, over its time in both the House and Senate, brought testimony from nearly 40 people in support and about 1,500 in opposition to the legislation, testifying either in person or via written testimony. 

“Understand that we don’t just make decisions in the general assembly based on who has the ability to show up at the statehouse,” Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman said. “[Testimony] is not the only way that we receive information. In fact, there are thousands and thousands of replies, information we get by way of email, letters, telephone calls, text messages. That’s in addition to people we meet with in our district.”

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“That that many people showed up, testified, sent in testimony, definitely says it is out of touch legislation with everyday Ohioans,” Antonio said.    

When asked why he thinks so few proponents showed up to show their support for Senate Bill 1, Huffman said, “I don’t know the answer to that.” 

“Probably there’s a lot of folks who are testifying who believe they have some financial loss, something financially at stake,” he said.  

The Ohio Senate is in session next week, where it could bring the bill up for a concurrence vote; if passed, it would head to DeWine’s desk for signature. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The NCAA men’s basketball championship tournament tips off this week and with billions of dollars expected to be wagered on this year's games, experts are sounding the alarm about the risks of problem gambling. 

It's not just experts; one Ohio woman is also warning about the dangers behind the growing trend.

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"I was so nervous to think that they would just, you know, disown me and be so ashamed of me," Paige Huskey said. She feared the worst after her first Gamblers Anonymous meeting in 2019. "As soon as the meeting was over, I went outside and sat in my car, and called each of my kids separately.” 

The phone calls had been years in the making. 

After separating from her ex-husband, and with her children off in high school and college, Huskey said she began playing in weekly card tournaments at a local club.  

"That was a once-a-week thing and that was great,” Huskey said. “It was a wonderful social activity. I think most gamblers start out with gambling as a social activity.” 

But the once-a-week Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments in 2009 became more frequent, evolving into high-stakes poker and blackjack tournaments, eventually leading to slots.

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"I had $60,000 in credit card and personal loan debt," Huskey said. "That's when, like, for me, I was planning to end my life."  

Huskey credits that Gamblers Anonymous meeting with saving her life.  

"We're not seeing a whole lot of reduction in overall gambling," Derek Longmeier with the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio said. "It seems like everybody that's casino gambling is gambling at the same rate, and then adding the sports betting on, as well.” 

According to the American Gaming Association, more than $3.1 billion will be gambled on March Madness, continuing the huge influx of engagement, particularly in Ohio.  

"Over the first year, we saw a 55% increase in total call volume from the previous year, and those numbers have remained relatively high throughout," Longmeier said. 

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With mobile betting, he said more accessibility has led to more problems.  

"From then in 2012 to 2022, we saw those numbers go from about 5% to just about 1-in-5 Ohioans at risk,"Longmeier said. 

With counseling services, self-help groups, and a national hotline, resources for those experiencing problem gambling are increasing in availability.  

But before you bet big this March, experts warn to "pause before you play."  

"From my perspective, the main question is: is it still fun? And if it's not fun, then that should be a real red flag," Longmeier said. 

Huskey, meanwhile, suggests getting rid of credit cards used for gambling, removing sports betting apps from your phone, and setting limits that make gambling more difficult and not so readily available. 

"If you're still kind of in that phase where you're not thinking you need help, try to set as many barriers as you can," Longmeier said. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing problem gambling, resources are available.  
You can contact the Ohio Problem Gambling Hotline at (800)589-9966 or the National Hotline at 1-800-GAMBLER.  

Ohio launched a new responsible gambling campaign in December, for more details go to pausebeforeyouplay.org  or visit the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A juvenile is hospitalized after shots were fired near a school on the northeast side of Columbus Wednesday afternoon.

According to Columbus police, the shooting happened near the corner of Dresden Street and Duxberry Avenue near the Linden-McKinley STEM Academy at approximately 2:11 p.m.

A Columbus City Schools spokesperson said no students were harmed in the shooting.

The school spokesperson said that during the school's dismissal, gun shots were fired near the school, prompting school officials to recall students into the building. The school then initiated a lockdown, which was lifted at approximately 2:58 p.m. after Columbus police cleared the scene.

Scene of a shooting near the intersection of Dresden Street and Duxberry Avenue on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 that sent a juvenile to the hospital. (NBC4) Scene of a shooting near the intersection of Dresden Street and Duxberry Avenue on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 that sent a juvenile to the hospital. (NBC4)

The shooting victim was taken to Nationwide Children's Hospital in stable conditon.

There is no further information at this time.

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — A baby boom is happening at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, with more infant and pregnancy news arriving on the cusp of spring.

Along with the recent announcement of dozens of baby seahorses, the zoo has revealed the hatching of two penguin chicks and it shared an update on two expecting Asian elephants.

On its Facebook account, the zoo posted Wednesday about the pair of aquatic birds welcomed in the Shores and Aquarium area.

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“The two little ones hatched just after Valentine’s Day on February 18 and February 20,” the post's caption read. “The first chick is the offspring of Big Bertha 'BB' Cobblepot, sired by Dr. Oswald Cobblepot and the second chick is the offspring of Asela Bellfontaine, sired by Professor Phineas Sprinklebottom.”

• Penguin chick. Photo courtesy/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
• Penguin chick. Photo courtesy/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

The zoo noted the infants will attend “penguin preschool,” before visitors can view the duo later this year. This education helps them develop self-assurance and grow stronger while they experience colony life and learn to dive and swim in deeper water.

On Tuesday, the zoo posted a recent sonogram of pregnant elephant Phoebe.

Elephant Phoebe's ultrasound. Photo courtesy/ Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

“This special image gives us a peek at Phoebe’s growing baby elephant!” the zoo wrote in the caption. “While we can’t see the entire fetus at once (elephants are huge, after all), we often spot the ribcage and even the beating heart.”

The zoo said Phoebe is doing well, and her calf is scheduled to arrive this fall. The organization added some interesting details about elephant pregnancies, stating that they are divided into trimesters that span more than seven months each for a total of 22 months gestation. The animal's “baby bump” does not appear until late into the final trimester and they do not need significant dietary adjustments while carrying their offspring.

“While elephant pregnancies last much longer than humans, their actual births can be much quicker!” the zoo wrote. “Our dedicated Animal Care and Veterinary teams are closely monitoring Phoebe, performing regular ultrasounds, preparing for every scenario, and ensuring she’s comfortable every step of the way.”

According to the zoo, once Phoebe's baby arrives, weighing around 250–300 pounds, she will receive extra nutrition to support nursing.

In addition to Phoebe, Asian elephant Sunny is also due to deliver a calf in the upcoming months.

NEWARK, Ohio (WCMH) – A man suspected of killing two people and injuring four others in a mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse was back in court for the first time since his arraignment hearing six weeks ago.

Bruce Reginald Foster III, 28, facing an aggravated murder charge out of Licking County Court of Common Pleas, was ruled not competent to stand trial. He appeared in court with council on Wednesday after defense attorneys asked for an evaluation to determine his competency on Feb. 12.

The court ruled that Foster was not found competent and requires hospitalization for rehabilitation. Prosecuting attorneys then asked for a second evaluation to confirm, which the judge granted. If the second evaluation is returned with the same result, Foster could spend one year of rehabilitation to help him get to the point of competency to stand trial.

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Foster, who allegedly shot six people, killing two, at the KCD/One facility in New Albany, was issued a $20 million bond at an arraignment hearing on Feb. 6, hours after he was arrested in Columbus’ University District.

The Licking County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Kyle Vaver, 38, and Shakhar Chapagai, 30. For an earlier report on this story view the video player above.

The shooting took place at the warehouse, in an industrial section of New Albany. Foster, an employee, had been working for several hours before opening fire and then left in a rideshare vehicle, authorities said.

Police said motive remains unknown and while there was reportedly no altercation prior to the incident, witnesses reported that Foster arrived at work intoxicated and smelling of marijuana.

Workers saw Foster firing a handgun at people along a production line, including one victim who was shot at close range in the head. One of the shooting victims was able to get the handgun away from Foster, prompting Foster to then flee the building.

About 150 people were inside the warehouse at the time, with some not knowing about the shooting until police arrived.

Foster is charged with one count of aggravated murder.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Franklin County dentist, who twice has been suspended by the Ohio State Dental Board for alleged substance abuse, is under investigation after a patient died in February.

According to an incident summary, Grove City police responded to a 911 call on Feb. 13 at Grove City Dental on Gantz Road. Officers arrived before Jackson Township medics and found Michael Bessler unresponsive while Dr. Scott Schumann was administering CPR.

Bessler, 61, was hooked up to a defibrillator, and police assisted in life-saving measures until medics arrived, after which the victim was taken to Mount Carmel Grove City hospital for treatment. He died three days later.

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Detectives interviewed Schumann and three dental assistants. Bessler was sedated for multiple fillings, extractions, a root canal, deep cleaning and upper dentures.

One witness said Bessler was given two ibuprofen and two Tylenol before he was administered nitrous. A hygienist, according to the witness, also gave Bessler a total of four Halcion pills, as well as eight total numbing agents, four each of Marcaine and Septocain.

The witness also said that when Bressler’s oxygen levels began to drop, Schumann said the patent was fine and “shrugged off” a second warning from the assistant.

Another witness stated that Bressler’s oxygen levels began dropping about 10 a.m., returned to normal and then dropped again about 11:45 a.m.

Schumann said the patient had a pulse, was breathing and warm to the touch, but shortly after, two milliliters of a drug used to bring back patients under sedation was administered.

No charges have been filed as of Wednesday in relation to Bressler’s death.

According to documents from the Ohio State Dental Board, Schumann was twice suspended for “inability to practice under accepted standards of the profession because of physical or mental disability, dependence on alcohol or other drugs, or excessive use of alcohol or other drugs.”

His license was reinstated in 2002 after a six-month suspension and for three months in 2015. Both reprimands came with five-year probation periods.

Grove City Dental's website said Schumann, whose license remains active, according to eLicense Ohio Professional Licensure, is a “Grove City celebrity dentist and best-selling author for leading dental care and treatment.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost signed on to a brief in support of President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship.

Yost, who is running for Ohio governor, joined 17 other Republican attorneys general in signing the brief, which was filed last week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird. The brief argues that birthright citizenship harms states by imposing costs on them and encourages "birth tourism."

Yost's office did not return NBC4's request for comment. See earlier coverage of birthright citizenship in the video player above.

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The executive order would deny citizenship to those born after Feb. 19 whose parents are in the country illegally. It also forbids U.S. agencies from issuing any document or accepting any state document recognizing citizenship for such children.

Dozens of states and several other groups sued the Trump administration after the executive order was signed, arguing that it violates the Fourteenth Amendment. However, in the brief, Bird cites scholars who contest the meaning of the phrase "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States," along with previous U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

"The Supreme Court's earliest decisions establish that the Citizenship Clause did not confer citizenship to children born to individuals who were not lawfully and permanently present in the United States," Bird wrote.

"After carefully examining the text, history, and precedent underlying the Fourteenth Amendment, one scholar concluded, 'Nonimmigrant and illegal aliens, however, are not similarly considered part of the American people, are not subject to the complete jurisdiction of the United States, and are therefore not entitled to birthright citizenship under the Constitution,'" Bird wrote.

The states claim that they are being harmed because babies who "likely would have been born in a different country" if it weren't for birthright citizenship may "participate in state welfare programs ... receive state healthcare... and obtain a driver's license."

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Costs would be imposed on the states if the babies participate in those programs "throughout their lives," the attorneys general argued. They also argued that the incorrect interpretation of the Citizenship Clause would encourage "birth tourism," causing further harm.

"States have been, and will continue to be, harmed by the Citizenship Clause interpretation advanced by the Plaintiffs," Bird wrote. "Plaintiffs have no likelihood of success on the merits and the equities and public interest strongly weigh against Plaintiff's interpretation and the resulting harm to States and the public."

The attorneys general are seeking to vacate a preliminary injunction, which blocked the executive order. The Trump administration has also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to partly allow the restrictions during the legal challenges after district judges in Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington blocked the executive order nationwide.

Three federal appeals courts have also rejected the Trump administration's requests.

The administration wants the justices to allow Trump’s plan to go into effect for everyone except the handful of people and group that sued, arguing that the states lack the legal right, or standing, to challenge the executive order.

Vivek Ramaswamy, who is also running for Ohio governor, has also previously called for ending birthright citizenship. Heather Hill also entered the race on the Republican side for 2026. On the Democratic side, former Ohio health director Amy Acton has entered the race.

Read the full briefing below file-stamped-washington-v-trumpDownload

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Chicago-style fish and chicken restaurant that shuttered its Gahanna location after a few months of business is planning to reopen inside the Downtown building previously home to Little Palace.

Dawn's Fish and Chicken began operating inside High Street Kitchens, a ghost kitchen in Clintonville, last August before opening a Gahanna location at 134 N. Hamilton Road in December. While the Gahanna eatery has since closed, Dawn's is now planning to reopen at 240 S. Fourth St. in April, spokesperson Shenese Cox confirmed to NBC4.

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The eatery has gained a following for a Southern twist on Chicago-style fish and chicken, with menu items including deep fried lobsters, seafood boils, homemade mac and cheese, sweet potato pie and more. Dawn's is named after the owner's late mother, "to keep her spirit alive and pay tribute to her and introduce the city of Gahanna and Columbus with something they've never tasted," Cox previously said.

Dawn's is taking over the Downtown space that was most recently home to Little Palace, which closed in November after owners Tina and Randy Corbin announced they were unable to reached an agreement with the building's landlord. Watch a previous NBC4 report on Little Palace in the video player above.

The downtown Columbus building on South Fourth Street housing El Camino Inn and Little Palace. (Franklin County Auditor's Office)

The Corbins' announcement came shortly after the couple also shuttered El Camino Inn, a Mexican restaurant that operated in the same building as Little Palace at 238 S. Fourth St. El Camino, which opened in 2012 with tacos, margaritas and began selling vintage items last year, also closed due to "lease negotiations."

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Once open, Dawn's could soon be neighbors to a demolition site making way for a 24-story tower that will be built directly behind the building that housed El Camino and Little Palace. Plans call for bulldozing to last three to four months before construction begins on the tower in early 2026.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - Food trucks, concerts, festivals and more are part of a full lineup that's coming to the Columbus Commons this summer.

The 2025 season kicks off on April 17 with more than 200 events, many of them being free to the public. The space, which is managed by Downtown Columbus Inc., promises several activities for all ages to enjoy.

April events at the commons include kickball league, free carousel rides and tasty treats from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams and Tortilla Street Food Cafe.

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Other events kicking off in May range from free fitness classes, Food Truck Food Court starting May 1, Taco Tuesday on May 6 and Breakfast at the Commons beginning May 7.

The commons will also host lineup of movie nights this summer with Finding Nemo (May 9), Inside Out (June 20), Surf's Up (July 18), Tangled (Aug. 1) and Moana 2 (Sept. 5). In October, the Sunset Movie Series starts with Goosebumps (Oct. 2), Hocus Pocus (Oct. 9), The Goonies (Oct. 16), Wicked (Oct. 23) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Oct. 30).

The Columbus Commons is also bringing back its summer concert series, along with a special show called the 2025 Common Ground Concert featuring Nelly on July 20. Below is the list of free concerts that are part of the series.

• May 23 - The Song Remains: A Night of Led Zeppelin with a Pink Floyd Tribute Band
• June 8 - Parker Louis with The Deeptones
• July 31 - Mojo x Yoncé…A MojoFlo Beyoncé show with Eric Rollin & Friends
• Aug. 14 - Zoo Trippin', Paul Valdiviez & The Devious Boys, and The High Definitions
• Aug. 29 - The Dead Revival Band with The Groove Brothers Band: A Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band
• Aug. 31 - Shadowbox Live Performance of Rock This Way: A Music Tribute to Aerosmith and Van Halen
• Sept. 26 - The Navigators

Other events include the Capital City Half Marathon Finish-Line Party and Post-Race Concert, Girls on the Run Central Ohio Spring 5K and Nationwide Picnic with the Pops.