Ohio News

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- One Ohio college is working toward being as sustainable as possible and a big part of that is composting uneaten food.  

Colleges like Ohio University have a lot of food waste left over from the kitchen and dining halls. Ohio University has figured out how to compost 100 percent of that food waste. 

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With around 20,000 students at the school, it’s no wonder there is some food waste. But for students in the dining halls, the university has made it easy. Students just put their uneaten food on a conveyor belt.  

“There are student workers there who will scrape that food waste into one of these large green bins,” Ohio University Director of Sustainability Sam Crowl said. “Those bins are then stored at that dining hall for the day. They’ll bring them up here and then they'll add them with wood chips into the compost facility to start the decomposition process.”  

Ohio University’s facility is the largest in-vessel composting system at any college in the country, processing more than five tons of food waste each day.  

Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said sustainability is huge for the school and for the city. 

Columbus receives ‘F’ grade for air quality from American Lung Association

“It’s in our DNA, it’s in the university’s DNA to constantly be very environmentally conscious about the things that we are doing,” Patterson said. “The composting program is a big piece of that.” 

Crowl said all of the food waste that goes through the compost facility is turned into nutrient-dense soil, which then goes back to the university.  

“They’ll pick it up on a daily basis, especially now in the spring and the summer,” Crowl said. “They’ll take it down to campus and spread it around all our trees and all our flower beds on our intramural fields and anywhere that that nutrient-rich soil can do good.”  

Crowl said the compost system is not just about helping the planet; it’s also about being economically responsible.  

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“All of the electricity savings we're doing up here, all of the savings of not having to ship this to the landfill, that's part of the equation, and certainly we're helping people and certainly we're helping the environment,” he said.  

On top of composting all the food, Ohio University’s facility is completely sustainable, getting most electricity from solar panels and using a waste oil burner to heat the place in the winter.  

To learn more about how Ohio University’s system works, click here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine hosted the state’s annual Holocaust Commemoration Wednesday, where memorial candles were lit and stories were shared. 

Best-selling authors, elected officials, and retired U.S. Army members spoke during the commemoration. They all said that no matter how much time has passed, it’s important to always remember that point in history to be sure it is never repeated. 

"Today is more of a remembrance, it is a warning and a reminder that antisemitism did not fall with the fall of the Nazi regime,” Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York Tsach Saar said. “The Holocaust was a result of hatred and silence in the face of growing evil. Today that hatred resurfaces on campuses and social media.” 

There is also a pop-up memorial in the Ohio Statehouse, featuring Ohio veterans who served in units that liberated concentration camps at the end of World War II. It will be on display through May 16. 

JOHNSTOWN, Ohio (WCMH) — Construction at the Intel site in Licking County has been going on since 2022, but that project and the company have run into challenges since that work began.

As coffee is brewed a few miles from the site at Leonard's Coffee Roasting Co., so are questions about the tech giant's project.  

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“I guess my biggest question would be how much further is this going to push everything out," Leonard’s owner Zachary Leonard said about a report from Bloomberg News which said Intel is planning to cut more than 20% of its workforce this week. "The question would be how much of that 20% affects this job site here in Johnstown." 

Leonard's shop is in downtown Johnstown. The site for the $20 billion computer chip plant is nearby in New Albany. Leonard said he regularly has customers from the site. 

“They’re still working on it, they’re still building it, so we get a little bit of that business, But maybe not as much as I thought we were going to,” Leonard said. “Had they been further along, we’d be expecting more workers to be in town." 

The completion date for Intel's Ohio project has been delayed a couple of times. The company laid off 15% of its workforce last summer.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was asked about the project and the report.  

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“I don't have any information you don't have on that particular point,” DeWine said. “I’ll just repeat what I've said is that they’ve put now close to $8 billion into the ground and there’s going to be chips that are going to be made there. I will guarantee you that.” 

Leonard said he is also confident the project will eventually be finished. 

“I was definitely thinking it was going to happen sooner,” he said. “However, I'm cool with it, you know, we’re just going to roll with the punches.” 

NBC4 reached out to Intel to confirm the report and ask how layoffs would affect the Ohio project. A company spokesperson said Intel is not commenting at this time.  

The company's latest earnings report is set to be released Thursday. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio lawmakers are poised to repeal the remaining portions of a law that landed the state’s former speaker of the house in federal prison. 

In 2019, House Bill 6 passed and was signed into law, but the process to get there was not clean, and it was ultimately discovered that the bill passed thanks to $60 million in bribes from FirstEnergy to former House Speaker Larry Householder. Since the scandal unfolded, the parts of the law most closely tied to the scandal have been repealed, but other portions are still in state law and costing ratepayers. 

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“I think ultimately the question is, ‘Why should these things continue?’ and I think there's been a lot of debate, especially after the last four years,” Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) said.    

What do the remaining portions of HB 6 do? They subsidize two Ohio Valley Electric Corporation (OVEC) coal plants on the backs of Ohio ratepayers. One of the plants is in Ohio, the other in Indiana. 

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel estimates that the amount Ohioans have paid since January 2020 is more than $464 million to date. Ohio Republican leaders have been at odds since the scandal unfolded about the remaining portions of the law. 

Now, Huffman said he is confident it can get done on or around April 30.  

“Because now I can get the votes in both Houses to get it passed,” he said. 

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If this bill does pass and is signed into law, the OVEC subsidies would stop as soon as the bill becomes effective, which is 90 days after the governor’s signature. Lawmakers considered a phase-out plan, but ultimately decided against it. 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed HB 6 into law. In January, when asked about repealing the OVEC subsidies, DeWine said he is OK with that. 

“That is not something that was part of the bill that I thought was necessary [at the time],” DeWine said. “I am fine if that is taken out.”  

In April, when the legislature is one week away from likely sending it to his desk, DeWine had a different answer.

“I have not looked at that at all,” DeWine said. “I’ll tell you later.” 

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Huffman said the repeal would help with the bigger picture of government staying out of the free market, if it does become a reality. 

“The bigger part of it is, going forward, the electric security plans,” he said. “We’re not going to do that anymore. Now the free marketeers can say if that's not going to happen, we can now invest lots of dollars in Ohio.”  

The repeal is part of both House Bill 15  and Senate Bill 2,  two massive, bipartisan bills to reshape Ohio’s energy structure.   

“This is the most significant energy bill in the last 25 years,” Huffman said. “We truly are resetting the ground.”

“This is not Democratic energy policy, but I think that it does do some important things,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said.    

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The bills are slightly different; Huffman said there are only “a few tiny issues” between the two. 

“It is important enough to us, enough that we find a swift resolution to it,” Ohio Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) said. 

Russo said that aside from repealing the OVEC subsidies, she thinks that while the bill could go further, it is “good forward progress.” 

“It does open the door to some renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, and for the first time in almost two decades, it actually opens up the books of utility companies and allows for real rate review,” she said. 

Huffman and DeWine said the crux of Ohio’s energy issues is that there simply isn’t enough of it. 

“Manufacturers and other energy users came to me and said, ‘We're going to be out of energy in (20)27 or ‘28,’” Huffman said. “There was a potential data center coming to Lima, Ohio, that ended up going to Pennsylvania because [we] can't promise the energy.”

Columbus eager for new expansion of Peninsula development  

“Part of this challenge is caused by the fact that we've been highly successful in getting companies to come to Ohio,” DeWine said. “Some of these companies take a massive amount of energy, electricity, so yes, that is a big issue.” 

Lawmakers said by doing things like diversifying energy and reshaping storage, they hope it is a step in the right direction to help Ohio become more energy independent.  

Huffman said he thinks the bill could have passed sooner, but the goal is to get it to the governor’s desk by April 30. McColley agreed that he’d like to see it done at the end of April or start of May. 

Part 2 of NBC4's look at Franklinton and the role it will play in Columbus' future. To read part 1, click here.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It's not a commonly known name throughout the Columbus area, but the development known as The Peninsula, located just west of the Scioto River downtown, represents a massive strategic investment from the city. 

“The Peninsula is probably one of the most discussed, studied and talked about pieces of land in all of downtown Columbus," Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said. "A place where people want to be and where everybody belongs is a critical part to the vision for The Peninsula." 

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Construction for The Peninsula began in 2020, serving as the latest realization of the "work, live, and play" housing and living strategy growing more popular in American urban areas. That development consisted of three main components—a high-end apartment complex, a boutique hotel, and an office building. The city also assisted with the 1,400-space parking structure behind the buildings, pushing the total private/public investment north of $500 million. 

That development began at the center -- as in, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI). COSI moved to that site next to the Scioto River in 1999 and for decades, it sat with a great view of Downtown but little else. 

"When I came here in 2017 to head up COSI, we had none of this development,” COSI President and CEO Dr. Frederic Bertley said. “It was just our building and then a parking lot, but today we have an incredible park that the city of Columbus runs called the Dawn Green Park. Underneath is our garage. All this development on The Peninsula and in Franklinton has really changed the future of COSI because there's so many people, and especially adults that are not just working but living right outside of our front door.” 

Daimler was among the key construction firms hired for the project. Its 230,000-square-foot office building on the site began with no tenants. Today, the building is more than 80% leased, despite the rocky climate of the office space market.  

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"Companies really wanted to locate in more vibrant areas, places that had walkable amenities, things that they could offer their employees," The Daimler Group CEO Bob White Jr. said.

The centerpiece of the first phase construction was The Junto, the boutique hotel with an active lobby and new dining and bar options, including a rooftop bar looking into Downtown. 

"We've seen almost a 40% growth in guestroom nights, but really as well in our food and beverage experiences," The Junto Managing Director Jason DeCamp said. "I think for food and beverage, that says a lot about the local community that people that are living here in Columbus that they're looking at another neighborhood, another location to go to. Our goal was always to be the hub of this start of The Peninsula as it starts to grow and be that next great neighborhood that Columbus is known for.” 

Those three buildings plus the parking structure represent the first phase of the development, and now the second phase is starting to come together. New residential space is planned, as well as a chance to address one of downtown's most significant needs: a grocery store.   

Daimler said it remains in negotiations with a major grocer to open a location on the site, along Broad Street. 

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"A Downtown grocer along with a parking garage above the grocer, and then a multifamily tower project above that,” White Jr. said. “So, a pretty significant project on Broad Street that will really kind of anchor the corner of The Peninsula."

The original plans for the Peninsula called for an entertainment venue (originally proposed as a Pins Mechanical) to open at the site, but those plans fell through. Daimler continues to search for an entertainment partner to take up a vacant lot between The Junto and the parking structure.   

Last year, the city approved a new seven-story apartment building on the site, which would bring another 100 apartments to the area. Construction has been sluggish to begin, but the city and developers said they're moving ahead with phase two of the project. 

"We're very bullish on the future of The Peninsula and of Franklinton,” Ginther said. "Obviously, we need to bring more people, more jobs. This activation that I talked about is going to be really important to get more folks in."

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Franklinton Board of Trade Director Trent Smith said The Peninsula is fueling growth further west into the bulk of Franklinton.  

“I think that we just have the opportunity as more things develop here and there's more things to walk to that just becomes a much more seamless area and not so much a division between Peninsula and Franklinton," he said. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- As the weather gets warmer, it also means allergy season is underway, and it's important for allergy sufferers to know what to look out for and how to protect themselves.

Be aware of surroundings as allergy season ramps up, especially when tree pollen in Ohio is at an all-time high compared to other parts of the country, according to Dr. Ben Bring with OhioHealth.

“If you look at the southwest, you don't really have as many of those types of trees here,” Bring said. “I know specifically to the Midwest and Ohio, the tree pollen this time of year can be very you know, can be kind of brutal for us allergy sufferers out there.” 

Bring said it's just the beginning of allergy season, with the peak expected by June and July. He noted that with viral diseases still spreading, it's important to know the difference in symptoms when it comes to allergies. 

“We're kind of coming out of viral season and getting into allergy season,” Bring said. “So how do we figure out whether it's COVID or still even the flu, which I know the flu is still going around? The biggest thing you know, the biggest differentiator usually is, you know, fevers and chills usually are more so for COVID and flu. Muscle aches can also be in that category, whereas for allergies, usually it's more of nasal congestion, some sneezing, some itchy, watery eyes, and you just kind of feel itchy all over.” 

For people who may suffer from asthma or other respiratory issues, Bring said it's imperative to find ways to avoid common triggers by limiting pollen exposure, removing large amounts of dust in the home, wearing a mask if outside for long periods of time and closing windows. 

“I think the biggest thing is prevention, if you can," Bring said. "If you know you're allergic to pollen, try to get good air filters in your home as it gets warmer. Consider start turning on the air conditioner instead of keeping the windows open. Basically, any ways to limit your exposure to pollen or excessive levels of it.” 

Another important factor is that kids can sometimes break out in hives or develop different kinds of rashes due to allergies. If over-the-counter medications aren't relieving severe symptoms, contact a doctor.  

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Columbus metro area received an "F" grade for its air quality in the latest "State of the Air" report from the American Lung Association.

The report, released on Wednesday, gave Columbus a failing grade for short-term and annual particle pollution, also known as soot. The area received a "C" grade for smog.

The American Lung Association looked at air pollution data from 2021-2023 for the report.

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"Unfortunately, too many people in Columbus are living with unhealthy levels of particle pollution," Kezia Ofosu Atta, advocacy director for the Lung Association in Ohio, said in a statement. "This air pollution is causing kids to have asthma attacks, making people who work outdoors sick and unable to work, and leading to low birth weight in babies."

The area was graded the same or worse in all three metrics compared to the previous report, but pollution levels are still down significantly since the late 90s and early 2000s, according to the American Lung Association.

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The American Lung Association urged Ohio lawmakers to address air quality issues.

The report also found that nearly half of Americans are living in areas that received a failing grade for at least one metric of air pollution. More than 42 million Americans live in areas that failed in all three metrics.

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The American Lung Association said grades were based on "the number of days a county's air reaches unhealthful levels on the Air Quality Index," with each day given a weighted score based on the AQI category (orange days received a weight of 1, while maroon days received a weight of 2.5).

For the annual values, the ALA looked at whether a county's particle pollution was above or below the Environmental Protection Agency's standard. If it was below the level, it received a passing grade. If not, it received a failing grade.

The organization explained that its methodology for grading is different than the system used by the Environmental Protection Agency.

"EPA determines whether a county violates the ozone standard based on the fourth maximum daily 8-hour ozone reading each year average over three years," the American Lung Association wrote. "Multiple days of unhealthy air beyond the highest four in each year are not considered. By contrast, the system used in this report recognizes when a community's air quality repeatedly results in unhealthy air throughout the three years."

View the full study and methodology on the American Lung Association website.

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (WCMH) – Less than one week after being arrested, the son of New Albany church leaders facing over two dozen sexual assault charges, made his first court appearance.

36-year-old Gary “Tom” Keesee Jr., the son of Faith Life Church senior pastors Gary and Drenda Keesee, had his arraignment hearing in Knox County on Wednesday afternoon. He has entered a not guilty plea on all 27 charges he is facing.

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Judge Richard Wetzel set his bond amount at $2 million after the state requested a $5 million bond. As part of his bond conditions, Keesee Jr. was ordered to surrender his driver's license and passport to Licking County, make a $5,000 cash for his GPS ankle monitor, and that he make no contact with the victims.

Keesee Jr., a former member of the church staff, was arrested on Friday in Johnstown by deputies with the Licking County Sheriff's Office. At the time of his arrest, he was charged with two counts of rape out of Mount Vernon Municipal Court.

A grand jury on Monday presented additional evidence to prosecuting attorneys to increase his charges. He now faces 11 counts of rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The counts' date range spans from 2002 to 2011 with a Licking County prosecutor saying the ages of the victims range from 6 to 15 at the time of the alleged offenses.

Gary "Tom" Keesee Jr., at an arraignment hearing, is facing 27 charges sexual assault charges out of Knox County. (NBC4/Anna Hoffman)

In February, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office asked the Licking County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the church for allegations of sexual abuse of minors because Dendra Keesee serves as a Knox County commissioner. Records obtained by NBC4 show there are potentially dozens of victims and witnesses with the alleged abuse dating back decades.

No evidence has yet indicated that any of the alleged offenses happened at the church, according to a Licking County prosecutor.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio educators submitted a petition to the state on Monday, the first step in a grassroots effort to overturn Senate Bill 1.

The movement began at Youngstown State University, where faculty union members started collecting signatures to initiate a repeal. S.B. 1 will ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at public universities, and limit faculty union powers. The sweeping higher education bill was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on March 28, and Ohio professors hope to repeal it before it takes effect June 26.

They are trying to repeal the bill using a referendum, which enables voters to decide on a law themselves. In Ohio, laws can be challenged in the 90 days before they take effect through a series of petitions. The faculty group submitted its initial summary petition to secretary of state and attorney general offices on Monday, kicking off the process.

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Already, support for the referendum has been high. Although they only needed 1,000 signatures to submit the first petition, the Ohio S.B. 1 Petition group collected between 4,000 and 5,000 signatures in just 10 days.

Yost has until May 5 to decide if he believes the title and summary of Senate Bill 1 organizers submitted with the initial petition are fair and accurate. If he certifies the petition, the group then needs to collect more than 250,000 signatures from registered voters across Ohio. For accurate representation, the law requires signatures that equal 3% of how many voters participated in the last gubernatorial election from at least 44 of Ohio's 88 counties.

The organization said it anticipates Yost rejecting the first petition, so it hurried to submit it on Monday to allow time to collect enough signatures for another if need be. The group has until June 25 to certify their process and gather the hundreds of thousands of signatures they need.

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The group is organizing across the state, attracting a number of supportive volunteers. When S.B. 1 was under consideration at the Statehouse, it received around 1,800 opponent testimonies but just 39 proponents. The faculty group pointed to the overwhelming opposition in support of their movement.

If they are able to submit the proper petitions, S.B. 1 would be paused from being enacted until voters have the chance to decide in November.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Teenagers looking for summer work might be surprised to learn that job applications and interviews are not the only steps they need to complete before starting a new position while school is out.

A 2023 Ohio law requires youth aged 14 and 15 to have a Minor Work Permit to be employed during summer break. The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Industrial Compliance's Bureau of Wage and Hour is bringing awareness to the subject by explaining the process step-by-step.

“We want to ensure that Ohio’s young workers start their summer jobs on the right foot,” said Stephen Clegg, Wage and Hour Administration Bureau Chief. “Work permits are an important and necessary safeguard to ensure teens are working in safe conditions and within the guidelines set to protect their well-being.”

The recommended work permit route includes the following steps:

• First, students should start their job search and secure a position.
• Next, Minor Work Permit applications can be found on the Department of Commerce's website.
• Teenagers should download and fill out the form and have it signed by a parent or guardian.
• Then, the employer adds specific information about the job and signs the document.
• The completed request goes to the child's school district for review and approval.
• Once approved, the teen can start working.

ODOC Bureau of Wage and Hour also notes that each individual job a 14- or 15-year-old works during the summer needs a separate permit. These younger teens can work 40 hours a week until 9 p.m. in the summer. Teens 16 and older have no restrictions on work hours when school is not in session.

During the school year, all teenagers aged 14 to 17 are required to have a Minor Work Permit. However, teens in the 14 to 15 age range can only work up to 18 hours a week and must end their shifts by 7 p.m. on school nights. Teens aged 16 or 17 are allowed to work until 11 p.m. on school nights.

According to Ohio law, minors under 18 get a 30-minute break after every five hours of consecutive work, whatever the season.

CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) – The Ohio-based grocery chain Kroger has plans to build a new location in Canal Winchester.

The retailer is aiming to build a new Kroger Marketplace on an undeveloped 17.9-acre property on the east side of Diley Road and south of Busey Road, according to a proposal submitted to the city. The lot sits just west of the Redwood apartments in Canal Winchester.

The city’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend the preliminary plan for approval on April 14. The plan is now in the hands of city council, which will allow public feedback at a hearing on June 2 at 5:30 p.m.

The 118,000-square-foot proposed grocery store would feature a drive-thru pharmacy and grocery pick-up area. It would also be accompanied by a Kroger Fuel Center.

Kroger's proposal calls for the 17.9-acre site to be redeveloped into five lots. The Kroger store would be constructed on a central 13.09-acre lot, and the fuel center on a 1.02-acre lot. Other lots would not be owned by Kroger and remain open for future development opportunities. The commercial center would be branded as “GreenGate Plaza” with signage placed along Diley Road. 

• The proposed lots for the 17.9-acre site, with plans for a Kroger to sit on the central 13.09-acre portion of the property. (Photo courtesy/Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission)
• A rendering of the proposed Kroger Marketplace building. (Photo courtesy/Canal Winchester Planning and Zoning Commission)

Kroger’s corporate affairs manager Mark Bruce said the company could not yet share any further information regarding the potential location.

“Kroger's Columbus Division routinely works to scout potential sites for new stores to serve our customers,” Bruce said. “Unfortunately, I'm unable to provide any additional details at this time.”

The new Kroger would join an existing location in Canal Winchester, which sits at 6095 Gender Road. The new location would also sit about half a mile north of a Meijer. 

Kroger is an American grocery retailer that was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati. The chain has since spread to over 1,200 locations across 16 states, including nearly 200 stores in Ohio. The Kroger Company also owns multiple other brands, including Dillons, Ralphs and Gerbes.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- College football's brightest stars from the past few years will become NFL players this week, and some of them are walking in with an Ohio State title ring.

The NFL draft begins Thursday night from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The first round will take place Thursday, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday night and the final four rounds on Saturday afternoon.

15 players from Ohio State's national championship team could be selected, and this class could break records. If all 15 are drafted, it will be the most Buckeyes selected in one draft and tie a record set by Georgia in 2022.

Outside of the Buckeyes that were key in winning the College Football Playoff, players who used to wear the scarlet and gray, those who went to other Ohio schools and central Ohio natives are in the pool of prospects.

Here is a look at the available prospects.

Josh Simmons

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Offensive tackle
• Projected selection: Middle first round to early second round
• One thing to know: Made third team all-Big Ten in 2024

Donovan Jackson

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Offensive lineman
• Projected selection: First or second round
• One thing to know: 2024 All-America selection by four organizations

Emeka Egbuka

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Wide receiver
• Projected selection: Late first round to early second round
• One thing to know: Ohio State's all-time leader in catches

TreVeyon Henderson

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Running back
• Projected selection: Second round
• One thing to know: Three-time all-Big Ten selection

Tyleik Williams

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Defensive lineman
• Projected selection: Second round
• One thing to know: Two-time all-Big Ten selection

JT Tuimoloau

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Defensive end
• Projected selection: Second round
• One thing to know: Named all-Big Ten first team in three consecutive seasons

Darius Alexander

• School: Toledo
• Position: Defensive lineman
• Projected selection: Second round
• One thing to know: Named all-MAC last two seasons

Quinshon Judkins

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Running back
• Projected selection: Second or third round
• One thing to know: Scored three touchdowns in the Buckeyes national title win over Notre Dame

Kyle McCord

• School: Syracuse
• Position: Quarterback
• Projected selection: Second or third round
• One thing to know: Started all 12 regular season games for Ohio State in 2023

Kaleb Johnson

• School: Iowa
• Position: Running back
• Projected selection: Second or third round
• One thing to know: Hamilton, Ohio, native who was a consensus All-American in 2024

Denzel Burke

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Cornerback
• Projected selection: Third or fourth round
• One thing to know: Named first team all-Big Ten in 2023, earned two third-team selections

Lathan Ransom

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Safety
• Projected selection: Third to fifth round
• One thing to know: Named first-team all-Big Ten in 2024

Will Howard

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Quarterback
• Projected selection: Third to fifth round
• One thing to know: Record-holder for most passing yards in a College Football Playoff

Harold Fannin Jr.

• School: Bowling Green
• Position: Tight end
• Projected selection: Fourth to sixth round
• One thing to know: Holds multiple Football Bowl Subdivision tight end records, including for yards, catches and average yards

Jack Sawyer

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Defensive end
• Projected selection: Fourth to sixth round
• One thing to know: Scored clinching fumble return touchdown in Cotton Bowl semifinal win over Texas

Quinn Ewers

• School: Texas
• Position: Quarterback
• Projected selection: Fourth to sixth round
• One thing to know: Committed to Ohio State in 2021 and played two snaps

Ty Hamilton

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Defensive lineman
• Projected selection: Fifth to seventh round
• One thing to know: Set career highs in tackles, sacks and forced fumbles in 2024

Jordan Hancock

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Cornerback
• Projected selection: Fifth to seventh round
• One thing to know: Played in seven postseason games for Ohio State over four seasons

Luke Kandra

• School: Cincinnati
• Position: Guard
• Projected selection: Fifth to seventh round
• One thing to know: Named first-team all-Big 12 in 2024

Joe Huber

• School: Wisconsin
• Position: Offensive lineman
• Projected selection: Fifth to seventh round
• One thing to know: Dublin Jerome graduate who started each game for the Badgers in 2024

Luke Lachey

• School: Iowa
• Position: Tight End
• Projected selection: Fifth to seventh round
• One thing to know: Grandview Heights graduate and son of former Buckeyes and Super Bowl champion Jim Lachey

Seth McLaughlin

• School: Ohio State
• Position: Center
• Projected selection: Sixth round to undrafted
• One thing to know: Two-time national champion with Alabama (2020) and Ohio State (2024)

Kurtis Rourke

• School: Indiana
• Position: Quarterback
• Projected selection: Seventh round or undrafted
• One thing to know: Started 32 games for Ohio University before leading Hoosiers to playoff appearance in 2024

Corey Kiner

• School: Cincinnati
• Position: Running back
• Projected selection: Seventh round or undrafted
• One thing to know: Named Ohio Mr. Football by the Associated Press in 2020

John Williams

• School: Cincinnati
• Position: Guard
• Projected selection: Seventh round or undrafted
• One thing to know: Started last 24 regular season games for the Bearcats

Maxen Hook

• School: Toledo
• Position: Safety
• Projected selection: Seventh round or undrafted
• One thing to know: Named first-team all-MAC three consecutive seasons

NFL 2025 draft first-round order

1. Tennessee Titans
2. Cleveland Browns
3. New York Giants
4. New England Patriots
5. Jacksonville Jaguars
6. Las Vegas Raiders
7. New York Jets
8. Carolina Panthers
9. New Orleans Saints
10. Chicago Bears
11. San Francisco 49ers
12. Dallas Cowboys
13. Miami Dolphins
14. Indianapolis Colts
15. Atlanta Falcons
16. Arizona Cardinals
17. Cincinnati Bengals
18. Seattle Seahawks
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Denver Broncos
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Los Angeles Chargers
23. Green Bay Packers
24. Minnesota Vikings
25. Houston Texans
26. Los Angeles Rams
27. Baltimore Ravens
28. Detroit Lions
29. Washington Redskins
30. Buffalo Bills
31. Kansas City Chiefs
32. Philadelphia Eagles

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's latest budget proposal would continue a $100 million tax credit program for mixed-use projects, like $33 million for Capitol Square's transformation and $5.8 million for Heath's new downtown.

House Bill 96, passed by the Ohio House in April outlining the state's next two-year budget, continues in perpetuity $100 million in annual tax credits through the Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program. The program, which awarded tax credits to nine Ohio projects in January, supports the construction or redevelopment of housing, retail, dining, office and entertainment developments across the state.

House legislators in support of the tax credits are at odds with Gov. Mike DeWine's budget proposal released in February, which did not call for the program's extension. Still, the governor previously boasted the tax credits and said the latest round is expected to create more than $1.1 billion in new payroll and $2 billion in investments in Ohio. Learn more about the House budget proposal in the video player above.

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"As our state grows, it's more important than ever that we are creating communities where current and future Ohioans can live up to their fullest potential," said DeWine, when announcing the January tax credits. "By prioritizing developments that transform neighborhoods, we're making Ohio a place where people will want to be."

Among the nine developments awarded tax credits in January is the $573 million Capitol Square Renaissance project, redeveloping underutilized buildings and surface parking lots between Downtown's Broad and Third streets. Allotted a $33 million tax credit, the project will feature more than 1,000 new residences, nine restaurants and 200,000 square feet of office space.

Wallick Communities earned a $5.8 million tax credit to build the second phase of Heath's "Central Park" development. (Courtesy Photo/Wallick Communities)

A $218 million project building a downtown for the city of Heath earned a $5.8 million tax credit, after the development's first phase was also awarded by the program with an $8.5 million tax credit in 2024. This second phase will develop more than 729,000 square feet and include multi-family residential buildings and assisted living facilities.

NP Limited Partnership, Polaris mall's developer, was awarded a $7.39 million tax credit for the $269 million Galaxy at Polaris project. The project's first phase is home to 289 apartments, 37,000 square feet of commercial space, a dog park and an amphitheater. The second phase will span 1.7 million square feet with retail, more apartments, office space and restaurants.

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Demolition is kicking off this year to make way for the $122 million Estrella project, which got a $4.5 million tax credit. Plans call for a 500,000-square-foot, 24-story tower to be built on the southeast corner of East Rich and South Fourth streets, currently home to single-story buildings that will face a bulldozer.

Costing about $122 million, The Estrella will span more than 500,000 square feet. (Courtesy Photo/Bluestone Brothers Development)

The $61 billion budget proposal is now under consideration in the Ohio Senate, which will need to negotiate changes and send the finalized fiscal document to DeWine's desk by June 30.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio school districts had until Friday to sign and submit certifications saying they do not partake in "illegal DEI practices" or risk losing federal funding.

On April 3, the U.S. Department of Education required all state education departments to collect signed certifications from all public school districts saying they are in compliance with Title VI or risk their federal funding and open themselves to possible litigation. The requirement said the some diversity, equity and inclusion programs violate Title VI but did not clarify what qualifies as "illegal DEI practices."

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Most, if not all, central Ohio schools elected to sign the certification to protect their funding. However, the letter did not include a definition of the diversity, equity and inclusion it considers illegal.

The compliance certificate acknowledges a district's obligations under Title VI and SFFA v. Harvard. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act bans discrimination based on race or ethnicity in any program that receives federal funding, such as K-12 schools. The Harvard decision in 2023 struck down race-based affirmative action programs

Bexley City Schools Superintendent Jason Fine said he signed and submitted the certification to protect the $950,000 in federal funding it receives annually. Pointing to the lack of definition, Bexley’s statement included a statement about the district’s legal reservation of rights. 

“We will not change who we are and will continue our mission to love and care for each and every one of our students and staff,” Fine wrote in a message to families. 

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Columbus City Schools released a statement similar to Bexley’s, explaining they have signed the certification and are in compliance because the message was "vague and ambiguous." the district said it had already affirmed its compliance with Title VI in its grant applications, which it attached as further proof.

Further, Columbus schools' resolution to sign the certification said the school board was unaware the Department of Education had the authority to make demands of districts without a formal administrative process. The district also clarified that by signing the letter, it was not giving up its right to sue if its funding was removed.

"At Columbus City Schools, we remain deeply committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all students, families, teachers and staff," Superintendent Angela Chapman said.

Both Columbus and Bexley have school departments with at least one employee who works to make the districts more equitable, as do other central Ohio school districts. Districts said their policies and departments do not defy the constraints in the federal Title IV compliance requirement.

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Two of the eight central Ohio school districts that employed a director of DEI as of March 4 have since retitled or reassigned those employees. Worthington, which had an active DEI website page earlier this year, took down its page in March, according to website history data.

Many central Ohio districts submitted their compliance letters without public messages to families. Chief Communications Officer for Upper Arlington Schools Karen Truett said the district signed the certification and did not have to make any changes to its policies. Grandview Heights said the same.

“We reviewed policies and websites so as to ensure we were compliant to the very best of our ability," Grandview Heights Superintendent Andy Culp said. “We signed the certification as was published.  We do not believe that we will have to make any changes in how we are educating our students." 

NBC4 asked the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce for more guidance, but a spokesperson did not offer a further description of what constitutes as illegal DEI. The spokesperson said the directive came from the federal government, which would be able to provide more information. The U.S. Department of Education did not respond to NBC4's inquiry by publication.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A man is fighting for his life after he was struck by a tractor trailer on Alum Creek Drive in Obetz Tuesday night.

According to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, a white 2019 Freightliner tracdtor trailer was traveling southbound on Alum Creek Dr., approaching the Groveport Road intersection when an adult male pedestrian had entered the crosswalk. The man, walking west to east, stepped in front of the truck, which had the green light at the intersection.

Where the Pike County massacre case stands nine years later

The victim was struck and thrown to the west side of the road, where deputies, Obetz police officers and Hamilton Township EMS/Fire units responded. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the truck pulled over and called 911 at 9:18 p.m., stating he did not realize he had been in an accident at first.

The FCSO continues to investigate the crash and asks that anyone with information call 614-525-6113.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Tuesday marked nine years since eight family members were found dead across multiple Pike County homes, setting off one of the largest murder investigations in Ohio's history.

On the night of April 21, 2016, into the early morning of the next day, eight people were shot to death across four mobile homes in Pike County. The victims were discovered during the morning and afternoon of April 22, when two family members discovered two separate crime scenes then called 911.

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Among the victims were Christopher Rhoden Sr., 40; his ex-wife, Dana Rhoden, 37; and their three children Hanna Rhoden, 19; Clarence “Frankie” Rhoden, 20; and Christopher Rhoden Jr., 16. Frankie Rhoden’s fiancée, Hannah Gilley, 20; Christopher Rhoden Sr.’s brother, Kenneth Rhoden, 44; and the brothers' cousin, Gary Rhoden, 38, were also killed. A young child and two infants were at the various crime scenes during the slayings, but were all spared. 

After an over two-year investigation, four members of a family with ties to the Rhodens were charged with their murders in 2018. George “Billy” Wagner, 47 years old at the time; his wife Angela Wagner, 48; and their sons George Wagner IV, 27, and Edward “Jake” Wagner, 26, were arrested. 

Jake Wagner previously had a relationship with Hanna Rhoden, and the pair had a daughter who was a toddler at the time. Prosecutors have stated the motive for the murders was a custody dispute over the child.

Where do court proceedings stand?

Billy Wagner, who is facing 22 charges, including eight counts of aggravated murder, is the only family member still awaiting a trial. His court case was set to start on Jan. 6 but has been pushed back for an unknown amount of time. The delay came after a judge granted a motion to move the trial out of Pike County in November. A judge also took the death penalty off the table in November, citing concerns that handling litigation surrounding capital punishment could further delay the trial. Billy Wagner faces up to life in prison.

George Wagner IV was convicted of 22 charges, including eight counts of aggravated murder, after a three-month trial in 2022. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

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Last week, George Wagner IV’s attorney pushed for a new trial in a Chillicothe state appeals court. His attorney argued there were multiple mistakes made in the trial, alleging two jurors had personal connections to the victims. Judges with the appeals court will typically come to a decision within six months.

In April 2021, Jake Wagner pleaded guilty to eight counts of aggravated murder and 15 other charges including felony conspiracy, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence. He switched his plea from not guilty as part of a plea deal where he agreed to testify against his family members to avoid the death penalty. In January, Jake Wagner was sentenced to life in prison with the chance of parole after 32 years.

In September 2021, Angela Wagner also took a plea deal after originally pleading not guilty, agreeing to testify against her family members. She pleaded guilty to 14 charges, including conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence. In return, prosecutors dismissed eight counts of aggravated murder and agreed to not seek the death penalty. In January, Angela Wagner was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — NBC4 Today Traffic Anchor Kristine Varkony and her husband, Michael, are marking another milestone in their parenting journey with a major announcement about their son Mickey.

Months after arriving early, baby Mickey has grown strong enough to leave the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the hospital. Kristine will be off-air for a little while to spend some long-awaited time at home with her 3-month-old.

Faster, stronger 911 system rolling out in Ohio

Kristine and Michael first shared their joyous baby news in January after a challenging pregnancy. In a heartfelt social media post, Kristine announced Mickey’s birth and expressed gratitude for the support received during her hospitalization.

“Michael II ‘Mickey’ was born Saturday,” Kristine wrote. “We’re both going to take a while to recover from his very sudden birth, but are getting stronger every day.”

• Photo Courtesy/Kristine Varkony
• Photo Courtesy/Kristine Varkony
• Photo Courtesy/Kristine Varkony

She also thanked the hospital’s NICU staff for their exceptional care, which was instrumental in Mickey’s progress. Additionally, Kristine shared some new photos of Mickey settling into his routine at home.

Kristine will be back on air later this spring.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohioans voting in the May 6 special election will be deciding several countywide races and municipal issues, from city council seats to Fairfield County property taxes and Delaware County library funding.

Early-in person and absentee voting has already kicked off in the May election, which also features Issue 2 on ballots statewide. If passed, Issue 2 would allow Ohio to give out up to $250 million in bonds annually, or $2.5 billion over the next decade, to fund local infrastructure projects, like building roads, bridges, landfills, water supply systems and more. Learn more about Issue 2 in the video player above.

Otherwise, here are the countywide races and municipal issues to expect on your ballot.

Franklin County

City councils

• Columbus District 7 -- Vote for one, two proceed: Kate Curry-Da-Souza (I), former chair of the Near East Area Commission; Jesse Vogel (D), an immigration attorney; Tiara Ross (D), an assistant city attorney. 
• Hilliard -- Elect 4: Samer Bazerbashi, Tina Cottone, Dorothy Hassan Tony Moog, Kathy Parker‐Jones, Nadia A. Rasul, Andy Teater.
• Whitehall Ward 2 -- Vote for one, two proceed: David F. Coleman, Jr., Brian McCann, Micole L. Spicer.

Municipal issues

• Blendon Township: An additional, continuing 4.48 mills for the police department. If approved, property owners would pay $157 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Brown Township: An additional, continuing 5.2 mills for fire and EMS services. If approved, property owners would pay $182 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Clinton Township: A continuing replacement of 3.2 mills for fire service. If approved, property owners would pay $92 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Franklin Township: An additional, continuing 14.79 mills for fire service. If approved, property owners would pay $518 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Hamilton Township: A renewal of 3.75 mills for five years for police service. If approved, property owners would pay $57 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Jefferson Township: A renewal of 2.8 mills for 10 years for road maintenance to replace an expiring levy. If approved, property owners would pay $98 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Mifflin Township: 
  • An additional, continuing 1.95 mills for fire and EMS service. If approved, property owners would pay $68 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
  • An additional 3.48 mills for 10 years for the police department. If approved, property owners would pay $122 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Village of Lockbourne: Income tax increase of 1.5% to a total 2.5%, with a credit of 1.5% for income tax paid to another municipality.
• Washington Township Fire District: A renewal of 8.25-mill for five years for fire and EMS service, which would raise $18,351,000 annually. If approved, the measure would cost property owners $176 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.

Delaware County

Municipal Court Clerk of Courts

• Democratic Primary: Scott Charland, Tyler Frederick. Winner will face Republican Cindy Dinovo.

Countywide

• Delaware County District Library: An additional 1-mill to generate $10,459,000 annually for the Delaware County District Library. If approved, the measure would cost property owners $35 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.

Municipal issues:

• Genoa Township: A renewal of 5.3 mills and an increase of 2.4 mills for five years for fire and EMS services to generate $9,489,000 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $199 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Liberty Township: An additional, continuing 2.4 mills for fire and EMS services to generate $6,667,000 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $84 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Washington Township Fire District: A renewal of 8.25-mills for five years for fire and EMS service, to generate $18,351,000 annually. If approved, the measure would cost property owners $176 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.

Fairfield County

City councils

• Lancaster:
  • Council at-Large Republican Primary -- Elect four: Burt Conley, Alayna Hoop, Rob Knisley, Corey Schoonover, Michael Wing, Bob Wolfinger.
  • Council Ward 2 Republican Primary -- Elect one: Elliot E. Hall, Talia Barsi, Joe Bizjak.
  • Council Ward 5 Republican Primary -- Elect one: Kristina Crites, Ethan Dorr.
  • Council Ward 6 Republican Primary -- Stelphen Ogg, Becky Tener.

Countywide

• Fairfield County Board of Developmental Disabilities: A renewal of 1.85 mills for five years to generate $7,608,000 annually for programs and operation of facilities. If approved, property owners would pay $40 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.

Municipal issues

• Bloom Township: An additional, continuing levy 2.25 mills for fire and EMS to generate $1,087,000 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $79 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Greenfield Township: An additional, continuing 1.75 mills for road and bridge maintenance to generate $451,000 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $61 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Hocking Township: An additional, continuing 4 mills for fire and EMS to generate $655,000 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $140 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.
• Village of Buckeye Lake: an additional property tax of 4 mills for three years for police protection, to generate $524,000 annually. If approved, property owners would pay $140 for each $100,000 of the county auditor's appraised value.

Licking County

Municipal Court Clerk of Court

• Republican Primary -- Elect one: Gary Burkholder, Carrie Masterson.

City councils

• Newark City Council Ward 3 Republican Primary: Molly Ingold, Jeff Rath.

Countywide

• County Children Services: a 1-mill replacement for 10 years.
• County Line Joint Fire District: an additional 4.5 mills for five years for fire and EMS operations.

Municipal Issues

• Heath: A renewal of 1-mill for five years for fire and EMS.
• Granville Recreation District: A renewal levy of 0.75-mill for five years for parks and recreation.
• Hanover Township: An additional 0.5-mill for five years for operating cemeteries.
• Hopewell Township: A renewal of 2 mills for five years for roads and bridges.
• Madison Township: A renewal of 2.3 mills for five years for fire and emergency medical services.
• Newark Township: An additional 1.5-mills for five years for roads and bridges.
• Perry Township: A replacement 3 mills for five years for fire and EMS.
• St. Albans Township: A renewal of 3 mills with an increase of an additional 7 mills for five years for fire and EMS.
• Village of Alexandria: Increase the village income tax from the current 0.50% to 1.5% for municipal expenses, like police protection.
• Village of Buckeye Lake: An additional property tax of 4 mills for three years for police protection, to generate $524,000 annually.
• Village of Hanover: A replacement 3 mills for five years for streets and walkways.
• West Licking Joint Fire District: A continuing replacement 3 mills.

OBETZ, Ohio (WCMH) -- Election day in Ohio is just two weeks away. Voters in Hamilton Township will decide on a 3.57 mill levy, which is a renewal.   

Tuesday night, the city of Obetz held an informational meeting inviting residents to come out and learn more.   

Issue 18 is the Hamilton Township Police Levy that expires at the end of the year. The reason why the city of Obetz held an informational meeting is that half of the city falls under Hamilton Township, meaning voters in Obetz have a say. 

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“We were getting a ton of questions online and through social media about how does this work, what is new?” said Rod Davvison, the city of Obetz city manager. “Obetz doesn't really have a dog in the fight. How our residents spend their money is their business, not ours." 

Dozens of residents showed up to listen to the meeting and ask questions to leaders from the city of Obetz, Hamilton Township and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FSCO).   

“We can essentially choose anybody to do our policing in Hamilton Township. We choose the Franklin County Sheriff’s office because we have a really great relationship with them,” said Hamilton Township Trustee Belinda Anderson.   

This levy on the ballot is a five-year police levy. According to Hamilton Township trustees, the levy is remaining 3.57 mill which amounts to $57 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised property value. Right now, Hamilton Township has a contract with the FCSO. There is a police substation located on Lockbourne Road.   

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Voters had a lot of questions, but the main thing they wanted to make sure they understood is what they’d be voting for and what could happen if it were to fail.   

Hamilton Township leaders say that the FCSO provides one cruiser all day long and a second cruiser is added but is only out for 16 hours a day. If this levy were to fail, it would lose its 24/7 dedicated law enforcement coverage from the sheriff’s office. There will also be slower response times and the FCSO substation will no longer be in use.   

It’s important to note that the city of Obetz does have its own police department, however they do also rely on other agencies like the FCSO. In addition to the city of Obetz, this levy also includes the Village of Lockbourne.   

To learn more about the levy, click here. 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A federal judge has reinstated the international student status of an Ohio State University Ph.D. student after it was revoked by the federal government. 

In a ruling filed late last week, U.S. District Court Judge Algenon L. Marbley temporarily reinstated the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS) status for the agricultural engineering student who is a citizen of India. Marbley set a preliminary injunction hearing for May 8. 

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SEVIS is a database used by the Department of Homeland Security to track F-1 students in the United States to attend school. An F-1 visa provides foreign students with valid immigration status for the duration of their time of study. 

The student was one of nearly a dozen Ohio State students, and hundreds nationwide, whose SEVIS records were removed from the database by the Trump administration earlier this month without any notice. 

According to the court filing, on April 8, the student received an email from Ohio State’s international affairs office telling her that her SEVIS record had been deleted from the database. The office said the reason was “Other -- Individual identified in criminal records check and/or has had their VISA revoked.” The email further states, “The U.S. government believes you have violated your F-1 status.” 

The student alleges that while her visa does remain valid, it is the “arbitrary and capricious” revocation of her SEVIS status that she is challenging in court. 

Criminal activity is one way an F-1 visa can be revoked. The student admits to a June 2020 conviction for a defective equipment charge – a misdemeanor traffic infraction -- in Missouri for which she paid her fine. 

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Another Ohio State graduate student, Ahwar Sultan, and the OSU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration for revoking his visa after pro-Palestinian protests at the university in April 2024. 

On April 7, Ohio State President Ted Carter said the university was not formally notified of any of the visa revocations and is working to find solutions for impacted students. 

Carter was part of the Ohio State football team’s championship visit to the White House; a university spokesperson would not say if Carter discussed the student visa issue with President Trump or Vice President JD Vance, an Ohio State alumnus.