News Channel 4

UPPER ARLINGTON, Ohio (WCMH) - A coffee shop that hires people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is opening its first central Ohio location.

Bitty & Beau's Coffee employs more than 400 people with disabilities at its locations across the country. Its newest spot is opening in Upper Arlington at 3110 Tremont Rd., inside the Kingsdale Shopping Center. The coffee shop is taking over the former location of Light Bulb Asian Café.

Not only is the coffee house new to Columbus, but it's the company's first shop in Ohio. The first shop opened in January 2016 in Wilmington, North Carolina, starting with 19 employees with disabilities. Now, the franchise has locations across the U.S. As of now, there isn't an opening date for the coffee house, but the company website noted the shop is "coming soon."

Bitty & Beau's menu has a variety of options including hot and iced coffee, as well as flavored frappes and smoothies. The shop will also have breakfast food options including bagels and muffins along with sweet treats like cake pops, cookies and brownies.

According to Bitty & Beau's website, the shop is a "human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop." The company has a goal to inspire customers to include people with disabilities in their lives, whether it's work, school or social circles.

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WCMH) -- Gov. Mike DeWine announced a $154 million investment into Ohio's Appalachian region meant to make the area a tourism destination and improve residents' quality of life.

On Wednesday, DeWine spoke at events in Chillicothe and McArthur to announce what he called an "unprecedented" investment in the state's Appalachian region. The investment includes 30 major economic development projects across 12 Ohio counties to improve infrastructure at parks, trails, and museums, enhance historical native landmarks, renovate downtown spaces, and more.

"Sometimes it's revitalizing a downtown, sometimes it's making the riverfront more appealing to people and really take that asset of the Ohio River that we can't take for granted," DeWine said. "It's stunningly beautiful, just a beautiful place to be, a beautiful place to see, a beautiful place just to be out and walk on our trails. A lot of this money goes to trails, more opportunities. So, the use of this area as a tourism destination, I think just makes a lot of sense."

DeWine said that money flowing into Ohio's Appalachia has been a long time coming.

"This part of the state is where Ohio really began, [Chillicothe] was the first capital right here," DeWine said. "We've looked at this part of the state and it's been neglected in the past, but I also think it has tremendous potential and we have the opportunity to use that, to develop that potential."

Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik, who also spoke at the events, said the region's potential can be used to bring tourists in from across the world.

"We know what a great place, you know, the Appalachian region is in Ohio, and we want more people to find out about it," Mihalik said.

Historical spots undergoing enhancements because of the money awards include the Monroe Theater in Woodsfield, the Black Horse Inn Underground Railroad Museum in Morristown, the Serpent Mound in Adams County, and Ross County's four Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks sites. Logan, Georgetown, Jackson, Chauncey, and more will have their downtown districts revitalized.

The millions of dollars in funding for the Appalachian Downtowns and Destinations Initiative are being awarded through the previously-announced Appalachian Community Grant Program, a $500 million investment into Ohio's 32-county Appalachian region. The program was started in 2022.

Previously, grant awards of $64 million to improve access to healthcare across the region and approximately $80 million for several projects and planning grants were announced as part of the larger initiative. According to the Department of Development, nearly $200 million in remaining funding will be announced in the coming weeks.

"The more we can do to let people know what is here, I think is going to bring a lot of money to this region, a lot of tourism, and it's going to really allow people to continue to live here, who want to live here because they'll have jobs," DeWine said.

The list of all 30 projects funded by the newly announced investment can be found below.

View a previous report in the video player above on how Ohio's medical marijuana dispensaries could also end up offering recreational cannabis.

WASHINGTON (WCMH) -- In Ohio's first full year with legalized recreational marijuana, two proposals at the national level could open new opportunities for the drug as well.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sent forward a motion to remove marijuana from status as a Schedule I drug, where it has sat for over 50 years. This federal classification marked cannabis as one of the nation's drugs with the highest potential for abuse alongside others like heroin, and no accepted medical use, according to the DEA. The proposal needs review from both the White House Office of Management and Budget and administrative judge before going into effect.

However, marijuana would remain on the controlled substances list even if the motion is approved. The DEA's proposal reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule III drug, putting it alongside others including Tylenol with codeine, testosterone and anabolic steroids. While still regulated by the agency, it would open the door to potentially easier access to marijuana by researchers to study its medical benefits. How that would be executed, would potentially be laid out in a final rule published by the DEA.

With the DEA's proposal, little could change on the recreational front for Ohio, where legislators have yet to approve a legal storefront for residents to buy cannabis without a medical prescription. Under Schedule III, marijuana would still fall subject to the agency's regulation, and federal charges could befall someone possessing it in certain circumstances.

For example, an Ohioan could potentially go to Michigan, which has recreational dispensaries, purchase marijuana and bring it back to Ohio. If they cross state lines with the cannabis, they would be subject to federal drug trafficking laws even with marijuana's reclassification as a Schedule III drug. The only way for an Ohioan to avoid federal regulation in that situation would be to consume all of the cannabis within Michigan.

Ironically, marijuana has its own set of penalties under the DEA's trafficking charge system. In certain cases, they are less severe than the ones for Schedule III drugs. Under the current scale, that Ohioan with Michigan marijuana could see at least five years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine. Schedule III drugs could land a person more prison time, but capped at 10 years maximum, and a capped fine at $500,000.

It's not clear if marijuana would keep its unique consequences if the DEA gets its bid for reclassification approved.

Still, cannabis in one form can legally move between states even while marijuana remains a Schedule I drug. The DEA excludes cannabis seeds from regulation because they don't contain a noteworthy amount of THC. It's only after the seeds germinate and become plants that they fall back into regulation.

Simultaneously on Wednesday, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced legislation to pull cannabis from the controlled substances list altogether and expunge the criminal records for Americans with low-level offenses related to the drug. While this would have a more immediate effect on marijuana, Schumer and the bill's 18 sponsors have yet to take action on the legislation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

High pressure will slide off to the southeast and winds will turn southerly, raising temperatures into the low 80s, with a good deal of sunshine and scattered clouds.

A frontal boundary will drift south this evening, triggering isolated showers across the northern part of the state.

A return flow of moisture in a southerly flow will bring more humidity on Friday, along with increasing cloudiness. There will be more showers and a few storms, as a wave of low pressure moves toward the Great Lakes. 

A trailing cold front will keep showers and a few storms in the forecast to start the weekend, with a slight cooldown, as highs fall back into the 70s. Another system will bring a cold front into the region Saturday night and Sunday, raising the chance for additional showers.

That front will likely hang around early next week, keeping rain in the forecast at times in a humid pattern.

• Thursday: Mostly sunny, warm. High 84
• Tonight: Partly cloudy, shower later. Low 63
• Friday: Clouds increase, scattered showers, storms. High 82
• Saturday: Showers continue, cooler. High 75 (63)
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, few showers. High 77 (62)
• Monday: Partly sunny, scattered showers p.m. High 76 (58)
• Tuesday: Scattered showers, storms. High 80 (60)
• Wednesday: Showers, storms. High 79 (64)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Columbus area nonprofit is emphasizing its support for those they help who are experiencing mental illness.

Community Housing Network (CHN) has been serving the community for more than 35 years by helping find affordable, permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.

CHN said more than 80% of its residents experience mental illness. Those numbers hit close to home for Carolyn Ford, a woman who was without a home for more than two years.

Ford was diagnosed with cancer and had to stop working.

"I became homeless because I wasn't able to pay my rent. I went to the shelter," she said.

At the shelter, she tried to figure out what came next.

"I thought that nobody cared. I was lost," Ford said. 

She was on the waitlist for a home through CHN, which could provide a place she could afford that included support for her mental and physical health.

One day, she got the call.

"I was happy, I was sad, I was grateful, I cried, I jumped up and down. I was saying thank you," Ford said. 

"It's actually one of my favorite days of the year when we have move-in day because the people we serve have really experienced so many really difficult situations and they're incredibly resilient," CHN CEO Samantha Schuler said. 

Schuler said they put a strong emphasis on mental health support because so many people who are homeless need it.

"If you really want to end the cycle of homelessness for folks, you really need to provide both affordable housing and access to voluntary services," Schuler said. "Generally speaking, if somebody has a mental illness and not a good support system, then their homelessness will be long term unless you can get them some permanent supportive housing."

There are almost 60 residents living where Ford is now. CHN plans to add another 40 units with construction starting this summer.  

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A drug that has been available for decades but only available with a prescription has entered a new era.

“We have a lot of data on this particular medication,” Jacquelyn Kissel, associate director of clinical pharmacy with Equitas, said.

That medication Kissel is discussing is called Opill.

The oral contraceptive was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale without a prescription last July.

The pill is taken daily and is a progestin-only contraceptive, a hormone Kissel said is a safer medication option especially for those high-risk consumers.

“This is the medication we would want to use in patients with cardiovascular disease or are smokers, or older,” she said. “It’s a safe medication and we have a lot of data around it, so I feel comfortable with the fact that it’s over the counter.”

The advisory committee tasked with evaluating the drug found the over-the-counter availability would be important for teenagers who often face barriers to access.

Opill is available for all users of reproductive age and is currently available at all Equitas Health pharmacies.

“I mean, it takes a lot to go from a provider to a pharmacy to get a prescription and a medication in hand there are a lot of steps and this takes all that away,” Kissel said. “For people typically more effected by unplanned pregnancies this really gives them options that they didn’t have before.”

HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) – The rules of the road are changing in several locations around Hilliard and according to the city, it's all about safety.

New "No Turn On Red" signs have been installed at the intersection of Davidson Road and Trueman Boulevard. Four other locations will be getting those signs over the next several months, according to a release from the city.

“These are pretty busy intersections so they should just, I don't know, abide by the rules," Bri Lacy said.

Lacy said she welcomes the changes. She's often out running or teaching her daughter how to ride a bike. They live near the intersection of Leap Road and Davidson Road, one of the spots getting new "No Turn on Red" signs. 

“I’ve noticed like last week when I was running and when I’ve seen people, we still yield to all of those cars too, because they’ll just go, even though we have the right of way," Lacy said.

The city monitored the five intersections for the past year and determined the changes were needed to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists, according to Hilliard's Transportation and Mobility Division. 

“Because there is a lot of traffic and people walking and riding bikes, especially with it being summer time so I wasn't real surprised they made them that way," said Jo Crawford, a longtime Hilliard resident.

Three of the locations are near schools. Those "No Turn On Reds" will be in effect on school days during parts of the morning and the afternoon. 

“Some people will welcome them and some of them it’s not," Crawford said. "I've read comments where some people think it was ok and other people were saying I don't know why they put it in that area so, just everybody’s own opinion I guess.”

The rest of the signs will be installed over the next several months.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Columbus City Schools senior will be attending college without the worry of racking up debt. Independence High School senior Michael Hock is one of 300 students nationwide to receive the Gates scholarship. 

To say he’s excited would be an understatement. With the scholarship, Hoch plans to fully embrace the college experience and get as many degrees as possible. 

“I found out, like, real late at night. I was hanging out with some friends, and I just got this email, I was let's check it out. It was big. I can't put it into words,” he said.

While he is ready to take this next step, one thing he has always worried about is being able to afford college. 

“But this has changed that, so it kind of changed my approach to it,” said Hoch. 

The Gates Scholarship Program was launched in 2017. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation commits to helping outstanding minority students from low-income backgrounds. 

According to their website, this program is based on evidence that by eliminating the financial barriers to college, a last-dollar scholarship can enable high-potential, low-income minority students to excel. It covers tuition and additional expenses such as books, housing and transportation. 

“I have the time and capability to do it now. So I'm going to do the full four years,” he said. 

Hoch is no stranger to a college campus. Through the College Credit Plus Program, he has been attending college full-time while also working towards his high school diploma.

“I got into Columbus State and so I went there for a year, did well there. Applied to OSU again, got in and I've been doing full-time at OSU for two years now. I think I'm at 75 credit hours,” Hoch said. 

With the financial freedom this scholarship offers, Hoch plans to attend Ohio State University for four years, with a dual major in political science and a language to study abroad. He intends to get his master’s in education as well and obtain a license to teach. 

“It was the good teachers that got me to really start doing stuff. So I will be a good teacher myself,” he said. 

In addition to the funding, The Gates Scholarship will provide support to scholars by engaging with them and ensuring they have access to whatever resources they may need.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The trial of one of two men accused of brutally beating a well-known Short North bartender to death started this week.

Chrystian Foster is charged with the murder of Gregory Coleman Jr. on Sept. 5, 2022, in an assault that was caught on video and quickly went viral.

Foster and Dwayne Cummings, who was convicted of Coleman’s murder in February, are seen repeatedly hitting Coleman while he is already unconscious.

On Wednesday, the defense and prosecution presented their opening statements.

Prosecutor Kevin Bertelsen said the state is arguing Foster’s actions are one of the causes of death.

“What the evidence will show in this case, your honor, beyond a reasonable doubt, is that Mr. Foster is guilty of murder under the state's two theories of the case. Mr. Foster is guilty of murder in the commission of felonious assault,” Bertelsen said.

He said he believes the judge will also find Foster guilty because he helped Cummings with the act.

Defense attorney Bryan Bowen said he does not dispute that Foster threw punches, but they are arguing causation.

“We believe that once the court reviews the evidence in this case, it will find certainly that there was no intent on the part of Mr. Foster to kill Mr. Coleman, there was no collusion or agreement with the co-defendant, and we believe there was a significant issue of caution in regards to Mr. Foster's conduct,” Bowen said.

Bertelsen said this all started when Coleman walked up to the now-closed Julep Bar where Foster was working when Coleman started talking to women on the patio. Bertelsen said evidence shows Coleman had been drinking that night.

“Something that Mr. Coleman says sets Mr. Foster off," Bertelsen said.

He said a verbal argument turned into a physical fight. Foster is seen in several different versions of the video hitting Coleman three times after the initial punch by Cummings already knocked him out.

Bowen said Foster told Coleman to come inside the bar or leave several times before the fight started.

“In the video, you will hear people saying, including Mr. Foster, ‘Just walk away, just walk away.’ That's not what happened,” Bowen said.

He said in opening statements that Coleman did not listen and continued to hassle Foster and the people on the patio. Bowen said one of those people was Foster's fiancé.

The prosecution called five witnesses to the stand including one of the Columbus Police officers first on scene. The police officer testified that when he arrived at the scene, no one standing around Coleman would tell them what happened. He said the workers at the bar were unhelpful as well. He said when they got there Coleman was lying in the street unconscious with labored breathing.

The prosecution showed his body camera footage from that night. Coleman’s family immediately got emotional and had to leave the courtroom.

The prosecution also called two police detectives. They spoke about their roles in the investigation. They were involved in getting security video from the julep the next day.

The prosecution also called an eyewitness to the incident. She did not want to be shown on camera. She said she was across the street from the Julep at the time of the incident. She said she saw the end of the fight and described the punch as making a statement. She claims to have heard someone yell during the fight something along the lines of, “This is my city, this is what you get.''

The last witness was a forensic pathologist with the Franklin County Coroner's office. He went through his findings from his examinations of Coleman's body in detail. During questioning, he said Foster’s strikes to Coleman's body did play a role in his death.

The defense will call their witnesses Thursday. This is a bench trial so the judge will be deciding Foster’s fate.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – It has been little more than a year since Ohio lawmakers tightened voter ID laws, and now there is a new effort to take the law a step further.   

“This is not a partisan bill,” Representative Bob Peterson (R-Sabina) said. “We believe everyone desires a safe, secure election.” 

House Bill 472 is sponsored by Reps. Peterson and Bernard Willis (R-Springfield). The bill had its first House committee hearing Wednesday. The bill's sponsors said it is “critical” legislation that is about election integrity and safety. 

“We think like Ohio does it as well as any place in the country and world,” Peterson said. “We just want to make sure just like you update your computer antivirus on a regular basis, that we’re reviewing the election procedures and make sure we continue to be the best, fairest and most open elections in the country.” 

The bill does things like require that the auditor of state annually audits voter registration systems to help make sure they are up to date and secure. 

“Our job is to ensure that the database is as correct as it can be and to give resources to our boards of elections,” Willis said. “What we don’t have at this point is very solid protection on that database against the same types of intrusions we may have on the day of election.” 

Despite the bill gaining support from 13 other Republican representatives, the more than 250-page bill is drawing pushback. 

“I really do think it’s a voter suppression bill,” Representative Michele Grim (D-Toledo) said. 

“That’s definitely not the intent,” Willis said. “I would say our goal is to get as many valid electors in the system so that they can vote.” 

Director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio, Jen Miller said while they want to work to improve elections, but says this bill is not the answer. 

“This doesn’t actually make our elections safer,” she said. “It will make lines longer on Election Day, it will make poll workers’ jobs harder.” 

In the legislation are also provisions to do things like require that someone who is requesting to vote by mail also provide a photo ID, rather than their social security number, unless they have an affidavit of a religious objection from being photographed. Willis said it is a proactive measure to ensure accurate voter rolls. 

“Building in those securities up into the system up front I think protects everything up to the point where a person either sends in their vote or they show up at the polls on voting day,” Willis said. “Ohio already has one of the strictest voter ID laws in the county and voter impersonation – it does not happen in Ohio,” Miller said. “The voter ID law we have is already very strict and already very hard for seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, students and others, and this would make it incredibly more difficult.” 

Miller said 10% to 11% of Ohioans do not have an ID issued by the Ohio BMV. Though current law requires a photo-ID to vote, there are options, like passport or military ID. This new bill would require an Ohio ID or driver’s license to register. But Willis said they are trying to be intentional, so it is not more difficult for anyone. 

“We have to be very cautious about how we institute the things to allow them to register. Because that’s really where we are. We want to allow them to be able to register as valid electors,” Willis said. 

The bill also would require that poll workers compare a voter’s photo ID with their appearance, and if they do not match, “challenge that electors right to vote.” Peterson said he trusts that law would not be enforced unfairly. 

“In the past we’ve had 4-year driver’s license, now we are moving to 8 years, and my looks have certainly changed over the past 8 years,” he said. “But I trust poll workers and I trust the Secretary of State to put together good guidance.” 

“Just imagine if you have had a major illness and have gained or lost a significant amount of weight, or you’ve been in an accident and have a disability now, or you are transgender,” Miller said. “These are all groups of people that are going to struggle to vote if there is this subjective measure by a poll worker.” 

There is no calculation of how much this legislation would cost the state or boards of elections yet. 

“I don’t think anyone has their hands fully around it yet,” Willis said. “But I want to emphasize upfront, this is one of those things we have to make a priority.” 

Peterson said overall, he thinks the bill “puts a greater focus on making sure we continue to be the very best” and encourages everyone to register to vote. He said he is not sure it will pass and become law before the end of this General Assembly at the end of the year. 

“The threats and challenges are real, so if you know there’s a problem, the sooner you can resolve it the better,” Peterson said. “We also recognize we are six months out form a major election and our board of elections have a very heavy schedule of work to prepare for that election, so we are very cognizant of that.” 

Ben Kindel, Spokesperson for Secretary of State Frank LaRose said, in a statement: 

“We’ve shared some agreement, as well as some questions and concerns, with the sponsors of the bill, and we’ll continue to have that conversation throughout the legislative process.” 

Kindel said it is their office’s “top [priority] to maintain Ohio’s reputation as the gold standard for election integrity, and we appreciate the General Assembly’s commitment to upholding that high standard.” 

Both Peterson and Willis said they are open to working across the aisle in continuing to write and tweak HB427.

This article discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline available 24/7. To reach the 24/7 Crisis Text Helpline, text 4HOPE to 741741.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A former girls basketball coach accused of sexual exploitation with two former underage students has died by apparent suicide, according to sources in the Columbus Division of Police.

Jason Dawson, 35, was charged earlier this month with 10 counts of sexual battery in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. He posted bond in that case last Friday. Dawson was a former girls basketball coach and teacher at Worthington Christian High School in Westerville.

Dawson was also hit with federal charges Tuesday, accused of the sexual exploitation of a minor and the distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Ohio.

The sexual battery charges stem from accusations from two former students and players coached by Dawson, who alleged he engaged in sexual activity with them between 2020 and 2022. One of the victims said she and Dawson engaged in sexual activity approximately 100 times, according to court records.

The federal charges stem from Dawson allegedly filming himself having sex with both victims on multiple occasions. Both victims were under the age of 18 at the time the alleged sexual activities took place, court records state.

Dawson was arrested and charged with 10 counts of sexual battery in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. He waived his arraignment on those charges and was out of jail after posting bond last Friday. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Dawson, who moved to North Carolina in 2022, was extradited to Columbus to face the charges against him.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – As NBC4 celebrates 75 years in 2024, so much has changed in the television industry for women in the newsroom.

Anchor Colleen Marshall said, “When I was a kid and you watched television news, you saw old white men anchoring.”

She reached out to Diann Burns, who worked at WCMH in 1983 and ’84 before working the next 25 years in Chicago. Marshall said Burns taught her how to apply makeup for TV cameras.

“Columbus and Channel 4 were my opportunity to get my first steps in this business, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and for my time there,” Burns said.

And Marshall got together with three current NBC4 anchors who rarely overlap: herself, NBC4 Today anchor Monica Day, and First at 4 and NBC4 at 5 anchor Jennifer Bullock. Together, they shared their experiences on what life was and is like for women in the industry.

You can watch the full interview in the video player below:

“Up until the last three, maybe four years, I was constantly trying to prove myself and trying to prove that I could do the job and that I belonged, that I had stories to tell and that I was capable of telling those stories,” Bullock said.

“It’s such a blessing to have this job,” Day said. “I'm so lucky to have this job and so lucky to have the opportunity to help all of these organizations in central Ohio. Shame on me if I don’t.”

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State University has closed public access to some campus buildings and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is prepared to assist university police ahead of a planned pro-Palestinian protest on campus Wednesday evening.

Hours before students planned to demonstrate on campus against Israel's war in Gaza, Ohio State's facilities operations and management sent a message to building coordinators asking them to post "Building Locked" signs on the doors of buildings. Only people with swipe card access will be permitted in buildings "out of an abundance of caution," the email read.

"Given what has occurred on other college campuses, the university has locked some buildings. The buildings remain open for business," Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said in a written statement. "This proactive measure is intended to allow university employees to continue their work and best maintain safety on campus."

Protesters are returning to the South Oval behind the Ohio Union Wednesday after three dozen protesters were arrested for staging a pro-Palestine encampment there, one of dozens at universities across the U.S. calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Protesters, led by students, are calling on Ohio State to disclose its investments in companies tied to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, and to ultimately divest from those.

The university has declined to disclose its investments and cited a state law forbidding targeted boycotting of Israel as an explanation for its inability to divest. On Monday, Ohio State President Ted Carter defended the arrests and general police response to the protests, saying that "Ohio State's campus will not be overtaken" by protest encampments.

Thursday’s arrests marked the most arrests of protesters on Ohio State’s campus in more than 50 years. More than 40 people have been arrested for protesting there since April 23, when two students were arrested outside an academic building.

All arrested protesters have been charged with criminal trespassing, with Ohio State saying the planned encampments violated the university's space rules. Amid calls to drop the charges, the Columbus city attorney's office told NBC4 on Monday -- and reiterated again in a Wednesday social media post -- that the office is reviewing each case against protesters as it does with any criminal case.

The arrests -- particularly of students -- have sparked criticism from faculty, students and activists and commendation from Republican elected officials.

On Tuesday, Ohio State's chapter of the American Association of University Professors sent a letter to Carter and the board of trustees regarding the deployment of law enforcement against peaceful protesters.

“We just wanted to be peaceful and stand our ground, and then they made it not peaceful,” Ohio State student Saphia Abdelsalam, who has family members in Gaza, told NBC4 after the arrests last week. “They started attacking and started arresting.”

"The OSU administration's avowed concern with student safety is irreconcilable with the decision to send in large numbers of armed police in response to a peaceful protest and prayer," AAUP-Ohio State's letter read.

Faculty, students and staff of Ohio State's sociology department, graduate and doctoral students in the department of history and other academic departments have published similarly condemning statements about Ohio State's response to protests.

From Gov. Mike DeWine to Sen. J.D. Vance and state representatives, Republican politicians, meanwhile, have praised how Ohio State and other colleges have broken up anti-war protests on their campuses.

"I think that it's reasonable to say that, yes, you have the right to free speech, but there are certain time, place and manner restrictions to ensure that we still have an orderly society," Vance told NBC4 on Wednesday. He previously posted on social media that "wanting to participate" in pro-Palestine protest encampments "is a mental illness."

DeWine said that Ohio State fairly balanced protesters' freedom of speech with campus safety and security concerns. He told reporters at an event in Chillicothe on Wednesday that state police is prepared to assist the university at evening protests, as it did at the university's request last week.

“We can’t camp out overnight. You can’t erect tents, but you can stand there and advocate, and that’s what Ohio State has enforced," DeWine said. "They ask us for help from the Highway Patrol, our highway patrol. We are happy to do that. We will continue to do that if necessary."

The Ohio State Highway Patrol declined to discuss its preparations ahead of the Wednesday protest, citing "safety concerns." Last week, state troopers on the roof of the Ohio Union had rifles ready “reactively to protect the safety of all present, including demonstrators,” an Ohio State spokesperson confirmed.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) -- The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of Hermanio Joseph, the man accused in a fatal school bus crash last August.

2 NEWS reporter Aaliyah Seabrooks was live in the courtroom as the jury began deliberations on Wednesday afternoon. By 3 p.m., the jury reached its verdict, finding Joseph guilty on one count each of involuntary manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

Joseph was on trial for charges relating to a deadly Northwestern Local Schools bus crash in Clark County in August 2023. According to court documents, Joseph was driving a minivan when the vehicle veered left of center into the bus' path, hitting the bus and causing it to leave the road and overturn.

More than 20 children were hospitalized and one boy, 11-year-old Aidan Clark, was killed after being ejected from the bus.

Joseph did not have a valid U.S. driver's license at the time of the crash.

Joseph's trial began on Monday with opening statements on Tuesday. The prosecution rested its case Wednesday, followed by the defense calling two witnesses, including Joseph.

Joseph said he knew it was not necessary, but he felt that testifying was something he had to do. Through a translator, Joseph addressed the jury and testified in his own defense.

After the defense rested its case, both sides delivered closing statements.

The validity of Joseph's Mexican driver's license has been a major point for both the prosecution and the defense. Because Joseph did not have a valid U.S. license, charges were upgraded to felonies rather than misdemeanors.

The jury began deliberation early Wednesday afternoon. They reached their verdict a little less than 2 hours later. Following the decision, the jury was polled, with all 12 jurors returning a guilty verdict against Joseph.

Joseph will return to court for sentencing on May 21. He will be held without bail until then.

The crash prompted the creation of the Ohio School Safety Working Group, formed to issue recommendations to make school buses safer. Among the recommendations made in January were seat belts on the buses, stronger bus frames, and collision avoidance systems.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A Tasmanian devil described as a cherished member of the Columbus Zoo who had an infectious love for life has died.

Thyme, a 5-year-old Tasmanian devil, died after facing health issues that may have been age-related, the Columbus Zoo announced on Facebook Wednesday. Tasmanian devils have a life expectancy of around 5 to 6 years. 

“From her early days as a fierce, fiery baby to her later years as a trusting and loving adult, Thyme taught us invaluable lessons about her species and left an indelible mark on our hearts,” the zoo said.

The energetic and curious marsupial was a gentle soul with a fiery spirit who “captured the hearts of everyone she encountered,” the zoo said. When Thyme wasn’t basking in the sun's rays or playfully exploring her surroundings, she enjoyed dragging paper into her nest box and snuggling up in a cozy lawn bag. 

Thyme originally came to the Columbus Zoo from Tasmania in 2019 through the Save the Tasmanian Devil Program. Thyme was the last member of the original Tasmanian devil family at the zoo, which consisted of Thyme, Sprout and Mustard. 

Pathology reports are still pending, but the zoo said Thyme seemingly did not respond to treatment for "discomfort she appeared to be in." While Thyme’s beloved presence cannot be replaced, the Columbus Zoo states it is working to bring in more Tasmanian devils soon.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Columbus police are searching for a man accused of using a gun in a threatening manner on a Central Ohio Transit Authority bus nearly two weeks ago.

According to a CPD incident report, officers were informed of an unknown male getting involved in an altercation with another passenger on a COTA bus in the 5300 block of East Livingston Avenue. The alleged incident occurred at in the Shady Lane neighborhood.

• Police are searching for a suspect believed to have threatened a COTA bus passenger in east Columbus, April, 20, 2024. (Courtesy/Columbus Division of Police)
• Police are searching for a suspect believed to have threatened a COTA bus passenger in east Columbus, April, 20, 2024. (Courtesy/Columbus Division of Police)

The man allegedly pulled out a gun on the passenger and threatened to shoot him. Security footage captured images of the suspect, who is being charged with aggravated menacing.

Police ask that anyone with information to call Detective Kerr at 614-645-4035.

High pressure will provide sunshine and warm weather to start the month of May. Afternoon temperatures will approach 80 degrees, with a light southeast breeze. 

A few clouds this evening will arrive with a weak cold front that will come through dry and stall over the region, before lifting north Thursday as a warm front. Overnight readings will stay in the 60s.

Thursday will be the warmest day of the week, as winds shift back to the south, with readings in the mid-80s and lots of sunshine. Clouds ahead of a warm front could bring a shower or storm.

More clouds will arrive on Friday, coupled with afternoon showers and storms, as a storm system in the middle of the county moves toward the Great Lakes.

A trailing cold front will keep showers and a few storms in the forecast to start the weekend, with a slight cooldown.

• Wednesday: Mainly sunny, few clouds p.m.. High 82
• Tonight: Partly cloudy. Low 56
• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High 84
• Friday: More clouds, showers, storms p.m.. High 81 (63)
• Saturday: Showers continue, cooler. High 74 (62)
• Sunday: Partly sunny, isolated shower p.m. High 77 (61)
• Monday: Partly sunny, scattered showers p.m. High 76 (57)
• Tuesday: Scattered showers, storms. High 79 (60)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - May is National Water Safety Month, and experts are urging parents to be cautious when it comes to children being in or around water this summer.

Brittany Kaiser, an aquatic experience director at the Reynoldsburg YMCA, recommends kids can start swim lessons as early as 6 months old, as long as they have good neck control. Kaiser said the YMCA also offers parent-child classes where an adult is in the water with the child, as well as adult swim classes.

Other tips when it comes to keeping your child safe is supervision. Kaiser urges you or someone you trust is actively watching your children swim at all times.

"Making sure they are swimming in a group, they are swimming together and that they know the pool rules," Kaiser said. "Definitely keeping them supervised, setting those phones aside... we all know that pictures are great with our kiddos but making sure we're actively engaged as they are around water."

Kaiser also recommends wearing life jackets but noted that wearing a life jacket should not take away supervision from children in the water. Parents also need to check that the life jackets are in good shape by making sure the buckles work and that there's nothing loose that could get tangled in the water.

"If parents are going to utilize life jackets, make sure they are Coast Guard-approved, appropriately sized and that all of the features on them work," Kaiser said.

The YMCA's goal is to make sure that every person of all ages can swim safely. Kaiser encourages people to learn how to swim and to do it through offered swim lessons. The Y is offering lessons with many options. Anyone can contact their local YMCA or can go online to register for lessons.

Kaiser also noted if you join the Y, which is a nonprofit organization, the funds go back to the community and are returned through the agency's swim lesson programs to help strengthen safety around water.

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) -- A national chain boasted as a "hot chicken sensation" is expanding with a third central Ohio location opening this week.

Dave's Hot Chicken is opening on Friday at 803 Polaris Parkway in Westerville, near Buffalo Wild Wings and the Original Pancake House. The new restaurant comes after the brand opened its first central Ohio location at 3590 W. Dublin-Granville Road in 2022, followed by the second at 1828 N. High St. near Ohio State University last year.

Based in Los Angeles, Dave's was founded in 2017 and has since ballooned to nearly 190 locations across the U.S., Canada and in the Middle East. Along with chicken legs and wings, menu offerings include slider-style sandwiches and tenders that can be made with seven different heat levels, from "no spice" and "lite mild" to "extra hot" and "reaper."

The hot chicken chain is one of several fast-casual chicken eateries expanding in central Ohio, like Bojangles, which is moving forward with plans to build a location in Delaware. The restaurant would mark the chain’s third central Ohio restaurant after the first opened in Hilliard and the second in Heath.

Chick-fil-A is also expanding by bulldozing several Columbus-area restaurants to make room for new locations. The chain is planning to demolish a Buca di Beppo in Worthington after purchasing the site for $2.5 million earlier this month.

Mackenzie River in Westerville closed earlier this year and is scheduled to be demolished to make room for a new Chick-fil-A. In addition, Tee Jaye’s Country Place at 4910 N. High St. closed in 2021 for a new Chick-fil-A, which opened earlier this month. Construction at this site included preserving the site’s 20th-century sign that has received a facelift with Chick-fil-A branding.

Other central Ohio chicken eateries include a chain founded by Hall of Fame basketball star Shaquille O’Neal that is planning to open more than 35 restaurants in Ohio, beginning in Columbus. Slim Chickens is planning to open as many as 25 locations in Ohio, while Hot Chicken Takeover has recently opened several new restaurants.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A doctor from Oregon accused of running a “pill mill” out of Franklin County was indicted in common pleas court and faces a judge Wednesday afternoon.

According to court documents, Dr. Mark Fettman, of Portland, Oregon, is accused of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, including knowingly trafficking narcotics, out of an office space in the 6100 block of Busch Boulevard, just off State Route 161 in north Columbus.

On October 15, 2021, a search warrant was executed as part of a long-term investigation of Fettman, who is facing 147 total felony charges, including 137 counts of drug trafficking.

Documents state that beginning in November of 2019 and continuing well into 2021, Fettman, 76, was operating a “pill mill” after the State of Ohio began receiving complaints of his alleged practices. An investigation into Fettman includes recordings and reports of an undercover investigator meeting with the doctor at his clinic on Busch Blvd.

Authorities believe that Fettman knowingly conducted office-based opioid treatment without complying with requirements of Ohio Admin. Code Rule 4731-33-03, which includes guidelines and regulations as it pertains to treatment for opioid addiction.  Fettman reportedly operated his clinic two days a month, when he saw patients and prescribed the maximum legal dosage of buprenorphine, a Schedule III opioid.

Fettman then allegedly accepted cash payments and money orders in the amount of $290 and did not accept patient insurance.

The undercover investigator stated that Fettman told him, “When you see me, I’d like you to pay me right off the bat,” before receiving a prescription for Suboxone.

Fettman was arrested on Oct. 15, 2021. Two weeks ago, he was indicted on 137 counts of drug trafficking, nine counts of money laundering, and one count of engaging in corrupt activity.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.