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Ohio attorney general investigating sexual assault kit data

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Attorney General’s office is taking a closer look at why hundreds of agencies aren’t reporting sexual assault kit data to the state. Ohio law requires hospital and law enforcement agencies to report sexual assault kit data to the attorney general’s office, but a report found more than…

Supreme Court allows execution of Christa Pike to go forward

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that Tennessee can put Christa Pike to death, lifting an eleventh-hour appeals court ruling that had paused the execution. The court's decision clears the way for the state's first execution of a woman in more than 200 years. It came over the dissent of the three liberal justices…

Bexley first in Ohio to offer reusable to-go food containers

BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) — There's a new pilot program in central Ohio aiming to help the environment through the use of re-usable to-go food containers. “The mental model for me is kind of like checking a book out of the library; you check it out, you borrow it, take it home, bring it back when

Work continues on storm-damaged Columbus rec center

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s been more than a month since a destructive tornado swept through the south side of Columbus and some are still without their recreation center. Repair work has begun on the damaged Columbus Recreation and Parks facilities including Barack Community Center where part of the roof was torn…

Testimony begins in trial of pastor's son accused of rape

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (WCMH) -- Testimony is underway in a high profile sexual assault trial in Knox County. Gary Tom Keesee Jr. is facing 32 charges including rape, gross sexual imposition and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Court documents say all of the alleged victims had ties to Faith Life Church in New Albany,

How Columbus kindergarten classes have performed since COVID pandemic

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning for an entire generation of students. For years, we’ve heard about the lasting impact that it had on children just starting school. Now, NBC4 Investigates found something different is happening in Columbus. Kindergarteners at most Columbus elementary…

Ohio lawmakers vote to pause state gas tax

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio's lawmakers voted to suspend the state's gas tax, saving Ohioans about 40 cents at the pump through the December holidays. In an emergency session Wednesday, Ohio's legislators voted to lower the gas tax to essentially $0 for 90 days. The tax, which is used to fund Ohio's roads and state

Cleveland-area man pleads guilty in fatal stabbing near Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A Cleveland-area man pleaded guilty Tuesday in a stabbing that left one dead in the University District. Joseph Gerich, 23, of Mentor, was indicted on murder and involuntary manslaughter charges in November. He originally pleaded not guilty but changed his plea to guilty for the lesser offense…

Avina Women’s Care reaches deal to stay in UnitedHealthcare network

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Avina Women’s Care will remain in UnitedHealthcare’s network after the sides reached an agreement shortly before their existing contract was scheduled to expire. The multiyear agreement preserves in-network access to Avina providers for patients enrolled in UnitedHealthcare employer-provided…

Catching Our Eye News Roundup, Sept. 30, 2026

Every morning in the Ohio Capital Journal’s free newsletter, The Eye-Opener, we round up the news and commentary from across Ohio and around the country and world that is catching our attention. We call this feature Catching Our Eye, republished here. Please subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get all the Ohio…

Ohio job growth is slowing, analysis says

Unemployment rates in Ohio remained low in August but Ohio’s job growth has also slowed, a recent analysis by Policy Matters Ohio said. There are several reasons for low unemployment happening along with slow job growth, and none are encouraging. Ohio added an average of 3,100 jobs per month from January to August…