Columbus OH

A former Franklin County employee is now facing criminal charges for what investigators describe as a disability payment fraud scheme that swindled more than $250,000 from the public coffers. Jonathan McPheters, who worked as a bus driver, was indicted on charges including theft, tampering with records, and forgery....

Ohio’s soul food scene brings warmth, flavor, and community to the table in ways that feel both nostalgic and deeply satisfying. Across the Buckeye State, restaurants celebrate the dishes that have defined generations, delivering comfort food that speaks to tradition, family, and the joy of gathering for a hearty meal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTRF) — The Columbus Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Samara Elizebeth Dunlap, who has been missing since October 26, 2025. Samara is listed as missing from the Columbus area. Authorities say she may still be in the region, but she could also travel to other...

Authorities in Ohio say they’re looking for a man accused of executing fraudulent bank transactions. A man recently opened a checking and savings accounts at First National Bank and deposited $20 into each. Three days later, police reports say the savings account received a wire transfer of $67,000 from...

As students moved through campus this semester, some caught whiffs of an odor they couldn’t quite put their noses on — a sour and sewage-like smell, strong enough to spark confusion on social media.

OHIO — Several schools and educational programs across Ohio will be closed or delayed on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, due to weather and other operational concerns. Adams County and Ohio Valley Schools will open two hours late. A number of private and parochial schools will remain closed for the day, including Agape...

State auditors have flagged a Lucas County behavioral health agency, Empowered for Excellence Behavioral Health of Ohio, for more than $1.75 million in improper Medicaid payments, it was announced by Auditor of State Keith Faber on Tuesday. The figure swelled to approximately $1.87 million with added interest,...

COLUMBUS, OHIO — A bizarre social media saga unfolded this week after a Columbus woman named China “Chicxxaa” Woods was found alive following three days of viral rumors claiming she had been killed. The incident, which spread rapidly across Facebook and TikTok, triggered an outpouring of concern, police involvement,...

Ohio had a tragic Thanksgiving weekend on its roads. The state recorded 11 fatalities in eight separate fatal crashes between November 26 and 30. The death toll matches 2024’s total and marks the third straight year above 10 fatalities during the holiday period. Law enforcement dealt with a sharp rise in...

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — A major winter storm moving east from the Plains is forecast to impact millions across Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and into the Northeast through Tuesday, delivering a broad zone of heavy snow, freezing rain, and travel disruptions from Chicago to New York City. According to meteorologists, the...