Emma G. Wozniak

Columbus-based journalist with a firm belief we all have a story to tell — and a passion for being the mouthpiece through which those stories can be shared with the world.

The Columbus Dispatch •

OSU identifies student found dead at Ohio Stadium. No foul play suspected

Ohio State University has identified a student who was found dead inside the Ohio Stadium.

University spokesperson Ben Johnson identified the student as 19-year-old William Meyers. According to Johnson, Meyers was from Fairfield, Connecticut.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Counseling and Consultation Services are available for students in need of support by calling 614-292-5766," Johnson said in an email to The Dispatch.Meyer's cause of death has not been...
The Columbus Dispatch •

OSU freshman, international student enrollment drops

Ohio State University reported a nearly 37% drop in first-year international students this year in its annual enrollment report, among other changes.

Across all campuses, the university reported 67,255 total students, a few hundred more than last year, with graduate student enrollment reaching a record high at 11,463 students. On its Columbus main campus, Ohio State reported fall 2025 freshman enrollment at 8,210, marking an almost 14% drop from last year's first-year student population of 9,53...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Protest forms outside ABC6 building, calls for Sinclair to reinstate 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'

Around 125 people stood outside Columbus' WSYX-TV ABC6 building with handmade signs risen and voices loud as they protested Disney, Sinclair Broadcasting Group and President Donald Trump the afternoon of Sept. 23.

Organized by local advocacy group Indivisble Central Ohio, the protest was organized in the aftermath of late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel's suspension by Walt Disney-owned ABC on Sept. 17. Though the network reinstated "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," Sinclair announced that it would continu...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Sinclair? Nexstar? ABC? Here's what you need to know about Jimmy Kimmel's return to air

If you're tuned into the late-night talk show universe, you've probably heard a lot about a company called Sinclair.

One of the largest television station operators in the country, Sinclair has been the subject of many people's attention — and many news outlets' coverage — since Jimmy Kimmel was taken off the air Sept. 17 following comments the late-night host made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk's killing.But if the details concerning what Sinclair is or how it operates in the national...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Former Buckeye Zach Boren lists 2,900-square-foot Italian Village home for $1.2M

Former Buckeyes fullback Zach Boren left a legacy behind at Ohio State when he graduated in 2013.

Now, 12 years later, he's leaving another kind of lasting mark on Columbus: his $1.2 million home.

Located at 1038 N. 6th St. in Italian Village, the 2,900-square-foot house stands tall, slim and sleek. Despite its skinny stature, the three-bedroom, five-bathroom home extends far back on its nearly 3,500-square-foot lot, complete with an unattached, two-car garage and the only private driveway-to-...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Jimmy Kimmel suspension prompts protest at Columbus ABC station

A local advocacy group will protest outside Columbus' ABC affiliate news station following the company's indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show.

Indivisible Central Ohio — an organization that identifies itself as dedicated to defending human rights and democracy — will host a free speech rally from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sept. 23 outside WSYX ABC6, located at 1261 Dublin Road. According to its event webpage, the group asks that attendees bring written statements reflecting why they...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Ohio State President Ted Carter addresses 'horrific' Charlie Kirk killing, gun violence

At his second State of the University address, Ohio State President Ted Carter spoke out about the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kirk, the co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Sept. 10 while speaking at an outdoor event on Utah Valley University's campus. Before diving into his regularly scheduled remarks on Sept. 17, Carter took a moment to reflect on what he called "a rough time for our nation."

"Events that happened just a week ago on a public univers...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Ohio State President Carter announces tuition-free paths, university investments

From free college tuition for qualifying regional campus students to a new in-person center that helps Buckeyes find paid internships, changes are coming Ohio State's way.

At his second State of the University address on Sept. 17, Ohio State University President Ted Carter unveiled his long-term goals for Ohio State, titled "Education for Citizenship 2035." The 10-year plan has been about 20 months in the making since Carter took office in January 2024, but the president spent the first several m...
The Columbus Dispatch •

How much is that steak? Record high beef prices force Ohio restaurants to rethink menus

City Barbeque, a fast-casual barbecue restaurant chain founded in Columbus, is used to selling just under 4 million pounds of brisket a year across the 11 states it serves.

After all, the "premium barbecue experience" is what City Barbeque prides itself on, said Rachel Demers, the company's senior director of supply chain — and for customers, that means brisket.This year, though, City Barbeque is preparing for a shift in consumer preference toward other proteins like chicken or pork. Not because...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Judge sides with OSU students, families on most claims in Lawrence Tower lawsuit

Ohio State University students displaced from Lawrence Tower after mold and mushrooms infested the dormitory last year scored a legal victory this week in one of their lawsuits against the university.

Ohio Court of Claims Judge David Cain ruled Sept. 8 that four of the five claims brought against Ohio State will move forward to trial, with only families' claim of fraud being denied. The case will move forward on plaintiffs' claims of negligence, breach of implied warranty of habitability, breach...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Kaleidoscope Youth Center executive director steps down after more than 7 years

Throughout Erin Upchurch's more than seven years as executive director of Columbus nonprofit Kaleidoscope Youth Center, no day was easy.

She stepped into the role in 2018, not long after President Donald Trump's first inauguration, when she said "the community was in disarray." Upchurch continued serving through the COVID-19 pandemic, where she kept her staff employed and paid full-rate.And she's remained in the position through what she and Columbus leaders have referred to as an unprecedented t...
The Columbus Dispatch •

OSU-area wooden apartment complex begins construction on Bier Stube site

Construction is underway on the apartment complex replacing the Bier Stube in Columbus' University District, a project its developer says will set a record as the nation's tallest student housing building made of wood.

9th and High, located at 1497 N. High St., is a 13-story, 242,000-square-foot student housing complex owned by Chicago-based real estate developer Harbor Bay Ventures. The development officially broke ground Sept. 8 and is set to open by summer 2027, according to a Harbor Bay news...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Columbus' Crimson Cup coffee gets surprise chance to sit on Walmart shelves across states

Columbus-based coffee company Crimson Cup will soon get the chance to pitch its products to Walmart buyers, with the potential to land on shelves nationwide.

And until the morning of Sept. 4, Crimson Cup had no idea.

The local company's representatives thought they were visiting the Walmart Supercenter on Bethel Road to make a pitch to store managers. They were under the impression that if all went according to plan, Crimson Cup would earn an invitation to Open Call — a day-long event in October w...
The Columbus Dispatch •

What will winter weather be like in Columbus? Here's what The Old Farmer's Almanac predicts

We know what you're thinking.

It was literally 80 degrees this week. Why on Earth are we talking about winter?

While it's true that even the fall equinox isn't until Sept. 22, The Old Farmer's Almanac is one step — or rather, one season — ahead, having already released its forecast for this upcoming winter. Spoiler alert, if you're a Columbus local hanging onto summer heat or feeling good about what's expected to be a comfortably temperate fall, this may not be the news you were hoping for.Despite...
The Columbus Dispatch •

As Powerball jackpot soars, Ohioans can't use Jackpocket app for tickets

While the estimated Powerball jackpot is setting records, Ohio Jackpocket users are unable to use the popular lottery app to buy their tickets for the drawings.

Jackpocket, which was bought by DraftKings in May 2024, was the first licensed, third-party lottery courier app in the United States, allowing users to order official state lottery tickets from their phones, according to the app's website.

But Jackpocket's ability to fulfill orders was recently suspended in the Buckeye State because it...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Summer's almost over: What to know about the first day of fall and the equinox

If you're still clinging to summer skies, backyard barbecues and late-night sunsets, we've got bad news for you — those days are numbered.

But if you live for Ohio State football, crunchy leaves, long sleeves and pumpkin spice, it's nearly your time to shine.

Here's what to know about the official start of the fall season, when to set your clocks back and more.It may be sooner than you think. Believe it or not, meteorologists say the fall season, as it relates to weather, actually begins on Labor...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Dish soap and jelly and tires, oh my! Everyday products you didn't know had Ohio roots

Your lunch salad, your commute, even your shower — chances are, Ohio had a hand in them all.

You might not realize it, but many of the everyday products in your home have ties to Ohio. Whether they were invented, manufactured, or still have their headquarters here, the Buckeye State is behind more household goods than you might expect.Think you know which commonplace items make the list? Test your knowledge below.Here are ten daily essentials that might surprise you to learn have Ohio roots.Quake...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Sports bar Victory Lap opens inside Rambler apartments on Ohio State campus for Texas game

A new sports bar for Buckeye fans to scream for their team — complete with a Jumbotron, cold beer and plenty of school spirit — is opening on Ohio State University's campus, just in time for one of the football program's most historic season openers yet.

Victory Lap, located on the first floor of the Rambler luxury student housing high-rise at 222 W. Lane Ave., will open its doors at 6 a.m. Aug. 30 for Buckeye fans to watch the Ohio State-Texas game, which kicks off at noon.The nearly 6,500-squar...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Trump is closing a big tariff loophole. What it means for those Shein and Temu shipments

The trade loophole that allowed American shoppers to order overseas products without paying import fees has come to an end.

The de minimis exemption — officially revoked Aug. 29 — allowed U.S. consumers to avoid duty fees on items from other countries valued at $800 or less. The decades-long rule has been historically contentious, with supporters contending that it allows shoppers to spend less money and critics saying it hurts U.S. companies and allows illicit items to be imported without prop...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Ohio State-Texas weather updates: Forecast for Buckeyes' Saturday season opener

The Ohio State-Texas showdown is nearly here, and even Mother Nature looks gameday ready.

It looks like good news for the scarlet and gray faithful — search "Saturday's forecast" and you'll find more talk of touchdowns than rain, storms or cold.

The No. 3 Buckeyes and No. 1 Longhorns will kick off at noon ET from Ohio Stadium in their season opener Saturday, Aug. 30, in Columbus. The game can be watched nationally on FOX stations or heard locally on 97.1 The Fan and across the Ohio State Sport...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Can you get a COVID vaccine in Ohio? What to know about new FDA rules

The latest COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, but their availability comes with broad restrictions on who can access them.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. shared the news in an Aug. 27 post on X (formerly known as Twitter), saying he had rescinded the COVID-19 shots' Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), which allowed the vaccines to be more quickly available to the public during the pandemic.

With the EUA gone, t...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Ohio State-Texas football showdown could bring out famous fans. Who will show up?

Every time Spike Lee pops up courtside at a New York Knicks game or Taylor Swift is spotted cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs, it's a reminder of something many everyday sports lovers tend to forget.

Your favorite celebrities are sports fans too.Of course, college football is no exception. When Ohio State and Texas face off Aug. 30, fans will knowingly tune in for on-field stars like Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs and Arch Manning. But there could also be some familiar A-listers in the stands, espe...
The Columbus Dispatch •

Ohio State closed Lawrence Tower dorms for mold — the building sits empty months later

Nine months after mold and mushrooms drove roughly 500 Ohio State University students from their campus dormitory mid-semester, the future of Lawrence Tower remains uncertain.

Ohio State officials evacuated all student residents from the former Holiday Inn-turned-residence hall on Lane Avenue in November 2024 after drywall damage from a water leak caused mold and mushrooms to grow behind the wallpaper of several dorm rooms. Ohio State spokesperson Dave Isaacs told The Dispatch that Lawrence Tower...
The Columbus Dispatch •

What to know about Gordon Gee, the bow tie-wearing, two-time former president of Ohio State

E. Gordon Gee — the bow tie-wearing, two-time former president of Ohio State University — is returning this fall for a third stint on campus.

He won't be taking residence in the president's office, though. Rather, Gee will take on a one-year consulting role, mainly working with the leaders of the new Salmon P. Chase Center, the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and Moritz College of Law, the university announced earlier this month.It's been more than a decade since Gee left Ohio State. Here's...
Load More