A child abducted from Plain City in Union County was found safe near Hilliard early Friday. Police arrested Andrew Gonzalez and charged him with kidnapping.
Abducted Child Found Safe Near Hilliard; Suspect Arrested in Union County
Abducted Child Found Safe Near Hilliard; Suspect Arrested in Union County
HILLIARD, Ohio — A child reported abducted from Union County early Friday morning was found safe less than an hour later near Hilliard, according to authorities.
Police said the child was taken from Madison Way in Plain City around 2:45 a.m. The suspect was described as someone known to the child.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police were alerted to a possible location after a cellphone ping directed them to a Meijer store along Hilliard Rome Road in west Columbus. The child was located there safely.
No injuries were reported.
Authorities identified the suspect as Andrew Gonzalez. He was taken into custody and transported to the Tri-County Regional Jail. Gonzalez has been charged with kidnapping.
The Plain City Police Department is leading the investigation. Officials said Gonzalez is not the child’s father and does not have parental rights.
DEA agents in Columbus say they seized enough fentanyl in 2025 to potentially kill more than two million people, as Franklin County reports a 25% drop in overdose deaths.
DEA Seizes Record Amounts of Fentanyl in Columbus as Overdose Deaths Decline
DEA Seizes Record Amounts of Fentanyl in Columbus as Overdose Deaths Decline
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration say they are intensifying efforts to remove fentanyl from the streets of Central Ohio and are seeing measurable results.
According to the DEA’s Columbus District Office, agents seized enough fentanyl in Columbus last year to potentially kill more than two million people.
“We are relentless right now,” said Brian Mulcahy, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Columbus office.
Mulcahy said that just this week, agents confiscated five ounces of fentanyl in the city an amount he said could have impacted hundreds of lives.
Mulcahy pointed to new data from the Franklin County Coroner’s Office showing overdose deaths declined by about 25% in 2025 compared to 2024.
The DEA is also tracking changes in the potency of counterfeit pills. Every seizure is sent to a lab for testing. In 2023, about seven in 10 pills tested contained a potentially fatal dose of fentanyl. Recent testing shows that number has dropped to roughly two in 10 pills.
Mulcahy said enforcement efforts are disrupting supply chains and increasing prices, which may be contributing to the shift.
“Those are all positive indicators. Still, too many lives are being lost,” he said.
He noted that synthetic drug overdoses remain one of the leading causes of death among Americans ages 18 to 45, surpassing car crashes and gun violence in recent years.
Nationally, the DEA reports overdose deaths have declined over the past three years, though officials stress continued vigilance is needed.
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify before a House committee as part of Congress’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Bill and Hillary Clinton to Testify in Epstein deposition
Bill and Hillary Clinton to Testify in Epstein deposition
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are scheduled to testify this week as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The depositions, expected to take place in New York, follow months of negotiations between the Clintons’ legal team and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Lawmakers previously voted to subpoena both former officials for testimony.
The investigation has drawn bipartisan interest. Members of both parties say they are seeking transparency and accountability related to Epstein’s crimes and any potential connections to public officials.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said the focus should remain on facts and justice for victims. “We are looking for truth, for the survivors, and justice and accountability,” he said.
Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) also stated that no one should be shielded from scrutiny if credible evidence emerges.
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said he plans to attend the depositions and release transcripts and video once approved for publication.
Republican lawmakers have pointed to previously released photos of Bill Clinton in proximity to Epstein, while the Clintons have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
In prior statements, representatives for the Clintons said they had already provided relevant information to investigators and had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. They have characterized the subpoenas as politically motivated.
The committee had previously considered holding the Clintons in contempt of Congress after they declined to appear for earlier in-person depositions. That move would have required approval by the full House.
Some Democrats argue the proceedings risk becoming political theater rather than a fact-finding mission. Others maintain the investigation must remain focused on accountability and transparency.
The depositions are part of a broader congressional review of documents and testimony connected to Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Governor Mike DeWine launched the OhioSEE program to provide free comprehensive eye exams and glasses to students in 15 high-need Ohio counties, including Franklin County.
OhioSEE Program Launches to Provide Free Eye Exams and Glasses to Students
OhioSEE Program Launches to Provide Free Eye Exams and Glasses to Students
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new statewide initiative is aiming to improve vision care access for thousands of Ohio students.
The OhioSEE program has officially launched, bringing free comprehensive eye exams and glasses directly into schools, with a focus on 15 high-need counties, including Franklin County.
Gov. Mike DeWine visited Prairie Lincoln Elementary School in the South Western City Schools district this week to highlight the program and observe students receiving on-site eye care services.
State officials say that while students in Ohio receive basic vision screenings at school, many who need follow-up care never receive it. In some high-need counties, only about one in five children who require additional vision treatment actually receive it.
“We just have too many children in the state of Ohio who need glasses, they need an eye exam, and they are simply not getting it,” DeWine said. “So this program is really the way to do it.”
A Columbus mother is calling for an investigation after ICE agents allegedly sprayed pepper spray into her vehicle near Easton Town Center, affecting her and three children.
ICE Agents Pepper Spray Car with Children in Columbus
ICE Agents Pepper Spray Car with Children in Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus mother is asking for an investigation after she says two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deployed pepper spray into her vehicle while her three children were inside.
The incident happened Dec. 21 near Easton Town Center. Video recorded from inside the vehicle shows the mother and her daughters ages 18, 15 and 11 after shopping in the area. The family says they noticed ICE agents nearby and warned others in Spanish.
Moments later, two agents in a white Dodge Durango pulled alongside the driver’s side window and discharged pepper spray into the open window as they drove past, according to video shared with local media.
“Our eyes were burning, and I had crying kids,” the mother said. She requested anonymity over concerns about retaliation.
After the spray was deployed, the agents activated their lights and drove away, according to video. The mother said she briefly followed the vehicle before stopping.
ICE Responds
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the incident was connected to another reported use-of-force event at a nearby Dollar Tree store.
In a statement, ICE said “anti-ICE agitators targeted, followed and verbally harassed off-duty ICE officers” and blocked agents from leaving the store, prompting them to deploy pepper spray to clear a path.
The agency did not clarify why pepper spray appeared to be used more than once or why it was discharged toward a moving vehicle. ICE policy states pepper spray should be used only to the minimum extent necessary to restore order and protect safety, and after attempts at de-escalation.
The incident occurred during a targeted immigration enforcement effort known as “Operation Buckeye.”
Police Response and Investigation
The 18-year-old daughter called 911 to report the incident. Officers with the Columbus Division of Police met the family at a nearby fire station and took an assault report.
Images taken afterward show irritation to the family’s faces and orange residue inside the vehicle. Audio from the 911 call captures coughing and distress from those inside the car.
Attorney Grant Carpenter, who represents the mother, said his client was seated in her vehicle and did not threaten the agents.
“My client was not threatening anyone. She didn’t have a weapon. She was warning others,” Carpenter said.
The family says they were later informed the case was closed. Carpenter argues the investigation did not fully examine available evidence, including video footage and a license plate number.
Sgt. Joe Albert of Columbus police said the division is reviewing the incident to ensure policies were followed.
The mother and her attorney are requesting that Columbus police reopen the case and that the Department of Homeland Security review the agents’ actions.
“It was dangerous to spray someone driving a car,” the mother said, adding she is grateful no one was more seriously hurt.
An ICE spokesperson said all use-of-force incidents are required to be reported and reviewed under agency and Department of Homeland Security policies.
Columbus police are investigating after a woman was found dead and a man critically injured inside a mobile home on Dyer Road in southwest Columbus Monday morning.
Woman Found Dead, Man Critically Injured in Southwest Columbus Mobile Home
Woman Found Dead, Man Critically Injured in Southwest Columbus Mobile Home
A woman was found dead and a man was seriously injured inside a mobile home in southwest Columbus on Monday morning, according to police.
Officers with the Columbus Division of Police were dispatched around 9 a.m. to the 1600 block of Dyer Road on an unknown complaint, said Sgt. James Fuqua.
When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive woman and an injured man inside the residence. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Fuqua said investigators are still working to determine exactly what happened. He described the scene as severe and said detectives are considering the possibility of a domestic-related assault. The relationship between the two individuals has not yet been confirmed.
Authorities have not released the names of those involved.
Detectives remained at the scene for several hours collecting evidence while neighbors waited outside police tape.
Chris Steinhour, who lives nearby, said he was at work overnight and did not see or hear anything unusual.
“I got a message that said I wasn’t going to be able to get into my house because they had it all blocked off,” Steinhour said, adding that the neighborhood is typically quiet.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Camp-Donovan at (614) 645-2557, the Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730, or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).
“We don’t want anybody to lose their life in the city of Columbus,” Fuqua said. “Unfortunately, something tragic has happened, and a family has lost a loved one.”
Mexican drug lord Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes was killed during a military operation in Jalisco. The raid triggered highway blockades, flight disruptions, and unrest across multiple states.
Mexican Cartel Leader “El Mencho” Killed in Jalisco Military Operation
Mexican Cartel Leader “El Mencho” Killed in Jalisco Military Operation
Mexican drug lord Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho,” was killed Sunday during a military operation in the western state of Jalisco, Mexican officials announced.
Mexico’s defense ministry said a shootout in Tapalpa left Oseguera seriously injured. He later died while being transported by air to Mexico City. Six additional cartel members were killed, and two were arrested during the operation. Members of the Mexican military were reported injured.
Authorities said several weapons and armored vehicles were seized, including rocket launchers capable of targeting aircraft and armored units. Officials added that U.S. authorities provided supporting intelligence as part of bilateral cooperation.
Leader of Powerful Cartel
Oseguera, a former police officer, led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, often referred to as CJNG. The cartel, based in Jalisco, home to the major city of Guadalajara grew rapidly into one of the most powerful criminal organizations in Mexico.
The group rivaled the Sinaloa Cartel, formerly led by imprisoned drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman, also known as “El Chapo,” who is serving a life sentence in the United States.
Mexican officials described Oseguera’s death as a significant development in the country’s long-running fight against drug trafficking organizations accused of smuggling cocaine and fentanyl into the U.S.
Violence and Travel Disruptions
Following the announcement, unrest broke out across several states. Reports indicated vehicles were set on fire and highways were blocked by armed individuals. Mexico’s security cabinet reported 21 active highway blockades in Jalisco alone as of Sunday afternoon, along with damage to multiple government bank branches.
Flights to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara experienced cancellations and diversions. Major airlines, including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Alaska Airlines, were affected.
Sporting events were also postponed, including Liga MX matches and a Liga MX Femenil game between Chivas and Club América.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said authorities were coordinating across states to restore order, adding that the government works daily for “peace, security, justice, and the well-being of Mexico.”
Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro urged residents to remain at home until the situation stabilizes. The U.S. Embassy advised American citizens in affected areas to shelter in place.
U.S. Intelligence Support
Mexico’s defense ministry confirmed that U.S. officials provided complementary intelligence information for the operation.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau described the killing as a significant development but expressed concern about the violence that followed.
Gas prices in central Ohio rose 15 cents this week, averaging $2.92 per gallon in Columbus, according to GasBuddy, as refinery maintenance and seasonal supply shifts impact costs.
Central Ohio Gas Prices Nearing $3 Per Gallon
Central Ohio Gas Prices Jump, Nearing $3 Per Gallon
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Drivers across central Ohio are seeing higher prices at the pump this week, with several factors contributing to the increase.
According to a new survey from GasBuddy, gas prices at nearly 500 stations in and around Columbus rose by 15.1 cents per gallon over the past week. The average price now stands at $2.92 per gallon.
That figure is slightly higher than four weeks ago and about 8.6 cents more than this time last year.
Prices vary across the region. The lowest price recorded Sunday in the Columbus area was $2.54 per gallon, while the highest reached $3.03 — a 49-cent difference depending on location.
Statewide, the average price of gas increased 7.8 cents to $2.84 per gallon.
Nationally, prices also ticked up, though more modestly. The U.S. average rose 1.2 cents to $2.88 per gallon. Diesel prices climbed 6.2 cents to $3.68 per gallon.
Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said Ohio is among several “price cycling” states where gas prices fluctuate more noticeably.
“Average gasoline prices continue to drift higher as crude oil trades near its highest level since last summer,” De Haan said. He pointed to geopolitical tensions, refinery outages, and seasonal supply tightening as contributing factors.
De Haan added that planned refinery maintenance is expected to increase in the coming weeks, which could further tighten supply. As winter transitions to spring, he said, the national average may approach the $3-per-gallon mark again.
For Ohio drivers, that means prices could continue trending upward in the weeks ahead.
Ohio native and DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin will step down this week amid ongoing controversy surrounding immigration enforcement and recent ICE-related shootings.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirm, Tricia McLaughlin will step down from her communications role this week.
Tricia McLaughlin to Leave Department of Homeland Security
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio native Tricia McLaughlin will leave her position at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) this week, the agency confirmed.
McLaughlin’s departure comes during a turbulent period for DHS, which has faced intense scrutiny over immigration enforcement policies and recent officer-involved shootings in Minnesota. The agency has also been navigating funding uncertainty as Congress debates immigration-related restrictions.
DHS did not provide details about McLaughlin’s exact departure date, her reason for stepping down, or her next professional move. However, the agency released a statement from McLaughlin expressing gratitude for her time in the role.
“I am enormously grateful to President Trump, Secretary Noem, and the American people for the honor and privilege to serve this great nation,” McLaughlin said. “I am immensely proud of the team we built and the historic accomplishments achieved by this Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.”
McLaughlin, who describes herself as a “Grateful Ohioan” from Montgomery near Cincinnati, previously served as communications director for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. She also worked as a senior advisor for businessman Vivek Ramaswamy during his 2024 presidential campaign.
As DHS assistant secretary and spokeswoman, McLaughlin became one of the agency’s most visible public defenders. She faced backlash following her comments about two Minnesota incidents involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
In one case, McLaughlin said Renee Good attempted to use a “deadly weapon” against an ICE agent before she was shot and killed. Video footage of the incident sparked differing interpretations regarding whether Good posed an immediate threat.
McLaughlin also referred to Alex Pretti as a “domestic terrorist” following his death in a separate ICE-related shooting. Video from that incident raised questions about initial claims that Pretti had threatened agents with a firearm. Both ICE officers involved in Pretti’s death have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation results.
The incidents drew bipartisan criticism. Recent national polls from organizations including PBS/NPR, Reuters, and the Associated Press-NORC suggest many Americans believe immigration enforcement actions have gone too far.
Despite the controversy, McLaughlin received praise from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who commended her work and public service.
“She has been a strong and fearless voice on behalf of President Trump and federal law enforcement,” Leavitt said in a statement wishing her well.
DHS announced that Lauren Bis, currently deputy assistant secretary for media relations, will assume McLaughlin’s role. Political commentator Katie Zacharia will serve as DHS spokeswoman, filling Bis’ current position.
Ohio House Bill 444, known as the Tithing Protection Act, would allow taxpayers to deduct church donations on their state income taxes, aligning Ohio policy with federal law.
Tax Deductions on Church Donations? Ohio Lawmakers Advance Bill Allowing State Tax Deductions for Church Donations
Tax Deductions on Church Donations? Ohio Lawmakers Advance Bill Allowing State Tax Deductions for Church Donations
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers are backing new legislation that would allow residents to deduct church donations from their state income taxes, arguing the change would align Ohio tax policy with federal law and strengthen faith-based services statewide.
House Bill 444, introduced by Reps. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township) and Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus), received its first hearing before the Ohio House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 11. The proposal is known as the “Tithing Protection Act.”
If approved, the measure would allow Ohio taxpayers who itemize deductions on their federal returns to also deduct qualifying tithes and donations to churches when calculating their Ohio taxable income.
In sponsor testimony, Williams said churches and religious institutions play a vital role in supporting communities. He pointed to services such as food distribution, addiction recovery programs, homeless outreach, and youth mentorship initiatives.
“H.B. 444 seeks to ensure that Ohio taxpayers who itemize deductions federally can also deduct church donations at the state level,” Williams told committee members.
Supporters argue the bill would create consistency between federal and state tax systems, making Ohio’s tax code more predictable. Williams added that encouraging charitable giving would direct more resources to local faith leaders who understand the specific needs of their communities.
Williams also noted a nationwide decline in religious giving, saying fewer Americans are contributing financially to churches compared to previous decades.
Jarrells emphasized the community role churches play beyond worship services. He described them as places where families receive meals, groceries, counseling, and support during challenging times.
“This legislation recognizes the role these institutions continue to play in the life of our state,” Jarrells said. “It speaks to respect — respect for faith, service, and the generations of Ohioans who rely on their churches for care and community.”
H.B. 444 now awaits further review and potential action by the House Ways and Means Committee.
