Heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely in Columbus Friday, May 22, with a Flood Watch for parts of the metro. Expect localized flooding and a soggy commute.

A state bill that passed the Ohio House would force in‑person exams for drugs flagged as “high‑risk.” Advocates warn the change could make medication abortions harder to access.

Ratmir Timashev pledged $15 million to Ohio State to back a new bachelor’s that blends computer science and business, pairing rigorous coursework with paid work experience. The proposal is on the university review track and aims to enroll its first students in Autumn 2027.

Ohio regulators say Syntax Financial Group sold unregistered investments and diverted investor money, prompting a Division cease-and-desist. The order gives the firm limited time to appeal.

Joel Brown was sentenced to 71 months after neighbors flagged dogs being kept for fighting; investigators also seized meth, a shotgun and training gear at his Columbus property.

Cenovus Energy will relocate its U.S. headquarters to Dublin's Bridge Park, taking about 50,000 sq ft in a new mixed‑use tower and promising new local jobs by 2027.

Dublin has threaded fiber, big land buys and mixed‑use approvals into a single growth pitch — and developers are already taking notice. The city says the package is meant to cut the time it takes to build and to recruit employers.

A 63-year-old Davenport woman, Nancy Baker, died after falling at Cantwell Cliffs in Hocking Hills State Park; officials urged visitors to stay on marked trails.

A Sidney man received jail time, probation and a license suspension after pleading guilty in the crash that killed a 20-year-old motorcyclist.

John "Joel" Schaefer, 76, was convicted in Delaware County and sentenced to life without parole for rape; prosecutors say victims came forward from incidents dating to 2013, 2015 and 2022.

A bipartisan Ohio bill would require bars to offer drink-testing strips and signage; sponsors say the kits are a harm‑reduction tool while industry raises questions.

A bipartisan Ohio bill would require hospitals and urgent-care clinics to adopt statewide domestic-violence screening, private interviews and injury documentation.

Plymouth‑based Roers Cos. is proposing a 152‑unit, four‑story apartment at 2501 S High St on Columbus' South Side.