Columbus, Ohio – A Columbus police officer, Daimon Scales, has been placed on desk duty while an internal investigation is underway, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
The department confirmed that Scales was relieved of active duty following an incident that occurred off duty in the early morning hours of August 17. However, officials have not released specific details about the situation.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, we are unable to provide further information at this time,” said Columbus police spokeswoman Caitlyn McIntosh.
When an officer is relieved of duty in Columbus, they are required to surrender their badge and firearm, and they are reassigned to a desk position at police headquarters until the case is resolved.
This case highlights ongoing law enforcement accountability issues in Columbus, Ohio, drawing attention from residents and community leaders.
Former Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee returns in a consulting role.
Former Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee Returns to Campus
Columbus, Ohio – Former Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee is returning to Columbus in a one-year consulting role to support the university’s newest academic initiative, the Salmon P. Chase Center.
According to university officials, Gee will focus on faculty recruitment, national visibility, and strengthening collaborations between the Chase Center, the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and the Moritz College of Law. He will also serve as a resource for Ohio State leaders as they advance the goals outlined in President Ted Carter Jr.’s 10-year strategic plan, Education for Citizenship 2035.
Gee, who previously served as Ohio State’s 11th and 14th president between 1990–1998 and 2007–2013, will earn up to $150,000 during his term. His contract includes three performance deadlines: Oct. 31, Feb. 27, 2026, and July 31, 2026 with payments tied to his deliverables.
The Chase Center, established through Senate Bill 117, is designed to promote civil discourse and intellectual diversity on campus. While the initiative has sparked controversy among some faculty members regarding its autonomy and funding, supporters argue it plays a crucial role in fostering debate and protecting academic freedom.
Beyond Ohio State, Gee’s career includes leadership roles at Vanderbilt University, Brown University, the University of Colorado, and most recently, West Virginia University, where he served for 11 years before stepping down.
“I am honored to return to Ohio State during my sabbatical leave,” Gee said. “The university and the people of Ohio have played an extraordinary role in my life, and I look forward to contributing to its future success.”
Ohio State President Ted Carter praised Gee’s return, noting his wealth of higher education experience: “We have an exciting vision for the future, and Gordon’s insight will bring tremendous value to the university’s conversations and strategic planning.”
Columbus State Rep. Ismail Mohamed Faces Backlash After Posting Somali-Language Video
Columbus, Ohio – State Representative Ismail Mohamed, a Democrat from Northeast Columbus, has recently become the target of far-right social media criticism after posting a video update to his constituents in Somali.
The video, originally shared on Aug. 14, showed Mohamed—who immigrated to Ohio as a child refugee from Somalia, discussing efforts to temporarily rename a Columbus street in honor of Somali historical leader Mohamed Abdulla Hassan. He also spoke about collaborating with other Somali-American leaders in the U.S. government to support Somalia.
Mohamed explained that the update was meant for Somali-speaking constituents, while most of his speeches are delivered in English. He compared the backlash to other U.S. leaders, such as Senator Marco Rubio, who frequently address Spanish-speaking voters in their native language.
The video was amplified by far-right accounts, including End Wokeness and Libs of TikTok, both of which have millions of followers. Breitbart News also covered the video, leading to national attention.
Some responses to the posts included xenophobic remarks calling for Mohamed’s deportation and questioning the role of foreign-born individuals in U.S. politics.
Mohamed expressed concern about the impact of this rhetoric on Columbus’ Somali-American community, one of the city’s largest immigrant groups. With an estimated 60,000–70,000 Somali residents, Columbus has the second-largest Somali population in the U.S., after Minneapolis.
“Many Somali-Americans feel unsafe or unwelcome due to these attacks,” Mohamed said, noting that women who wear visible religious attire are particularly vulnerable to harassment.
This controversy highlights the challenges immigrant communities face in Ohio, particularly when representation in local government becomes a target of nationalized political debates.
President Donald Trump meets President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Oval Office following a historic Alaska meeting with Vladimir Putin.
President Donald Trump Meets Ukraine President Zelenskyy at the Oval Office After Historic Alaska Talks with Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump continues to take center stage in global diplomacy. After a landmark meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Trump welcomed Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Oval Office for critical peace talks.
The high-level discussions included top European leaders and NATO officials: French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Talks focused on security guarantees for Ukraine, with strong backing from European allies in coordination with the United States. Trump described the discussions as “a very good early step” toward ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict, now in its fourth year.
Trump revealed that following his Alaska meeting with Putin, he initiated steps to arrange a direct peace summit between Putin and Zelenskyy. Plans for a trilateral negotiation involving Trump himself are currently underway.
Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are coordinating closely with Moscow and Kyiv to solidify progress.
The back-to-back meetings, first with Putin in Alaska, then with Zelenskyy in Washington are being hailed as a major diplomatic breakthrough that could shift the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Columbus police investigate Buckeye Circle homicide after a child was fatally injured by physical force.
Columbus Father Charged with Murder After 3-Year-Old Son Killed by Physical Force
Columbus, Ohio – Columbus police are investigating the death of a 3-year-old boy who was fatally injured Monday morning on the South Side. Authorities say the child’s father has been arrested and charged with murder.
Officers responded to a call just after 7:05 a.m. in the 100 block of Buckeye Circle, near London Groveport Road. When they arrived, they found the young boy had died from injuries caused by physical force.
According to court documents, 30-year-old Daniel Neal, the child’s father, admitted to assaulting the boy during questioning. Neal was taken into custody and is now facing murder charges.
The Columbus Division of Police confirmed the case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 614-645-4730 or submit tips anonymously through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477 (TIPS).
This heartbreaking case underscores the ongoing challenges of violent crime in Columbus and the efforts by law enforcement to protect vulnerable members of the community.
Ohio State announces four team captains for the 2025 football season under head coach Ryan Day.
Ohio State Announces 2025 Football Team Captains
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has officially announced the captains who will guide the Buckeyes during the 2025 college football season. The team voted safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, and wide receiver Brandon Inniss as leaders both on and off the field.
Caleb Downs, a junior standout, quickly became a force for the Buckeyes after transferring last season. Named Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and a unanimous First Team All-American, Downs recorded 82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two interceptions in 2024. He continues to excel academically as an OSU Scholar-Athlete.
Sonny Styles, the senior linebacker, returns as Ohio State’s leading tackler with 100 stops in 16 games last year. He was also nominated for the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award for his contributions beyond football.
On the offensive line, Austin Siereveld brings versatility and consistency. He started six games, including two playoff appearances logging nearly 500 snaps while showcasing his ability at both guard and tackle.
At wide receiver, Brandon Inniss enters his third season ready to take on a larger role. He will be a dependable target in the passing game and a contributor on special teams, with 14 career punt returns and three kickoff returns.
The No. 3-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will kick off their season on August 30, 2025, in a top-ranked showdown against No. 1 Texas at Ohio Stadium (noon, FOX).
Over 1 million women and girls in Gaza face starvation under Israel’s blockade, the UN reports.
UNRWA Warns Over 1 million Women and Girls in Gaza Face Starvation Amid Blockade
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has sounded the alarm, warning that more than 1 million women and girls in Gaza are facing severe starvation as Israel’s blockade and military campaign continue to devastate the enclave.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), UNRWA emphasized that women and girls are enduring violence, abuse, and food scarcity, forcing them to take extreme risks in search of survival. Many are venturing out to find water and food despite the danger of being targeted.
Humanitarian organizations are urging the lifting of the blockade and immediate large-scale delivery of aid. Gaza is currently enduring one of the most severe humanitarian crises in its history, with famine conditions worsening daily.
Since March 2, Israel has completely shut down crossings into Gaza, preventing vital humanitarian supplies from reaching the 2.4 million residents. Thousands of aid trucks remain stalled at the border, while only minimal supplies have been permitted, far from meeting the desperate needs of the population.
The World Food Program recently reported that one-third of Gaza’s residents have gone without food for several consecutive days, highlighting the dire conditions.
According to Gaza health authorities, nearly 61,900 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict escalated in October 2023. The war has left the territory devastated and on the brink of famine.
Meanwhile, international legal bodies have taken action: the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes, while the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is pursuing a genocide case against Israel.
New Columbus park proposal reimagines the Christopher Columbus statue with trails, river access, and community gathering spaces.
Christopher Columbus statue featured in new Columbus Park vision
Columbus, Ohio – Christopher Columbus statue is part of a new plan by Reimagining Columbus to build a 5-acre park in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The statue will not be the center of the park but will be included in a fresh and thoughtful way.
The park design features a large circular gathering space where concerts, festivals, and community events can be held. It will also provide river access, walking paths, and space for water activities, making it a place for both fun and relaxation.
Visitors will experience the Christopher Columbus statue differently. A trail lined with art and history panels will lead to the statue. People can choose to view it from the ground looking up or from higher ground at eye level. Displays around the statue will share information about Columbus’ history, encouraging learning and reflection.
This new vision aims to create a downtown landmark that blends history, green space, and community activities for residents and visitors alike.
Trump and Putin hold Alaska summit on Ukraine peace negotiations.
President Donald Trump and Putin Meet in Alaska
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska to discuss possible peace negotiations to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The high-profile summit focused on moving directly toward a comprehensive peace agreement rather than a temporary ceasefire.
Following the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected Putin’s proposal, which included Ukraine ceding control of Donetsk and Luhansk. Trump later held discussions with Zelenskyy and several European leaders, emphasizing a multi-lateral approach to resolving the conflict.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump described the meeting as “a great and very successful day in Alaska,” adding that direct peace talks could potentially save millions of lives. He also confirmed Zelenskyy will visit the Oval Office in Washington, D.C., to continue negotiations, with a possible follow-up meeting with Putin.
Putin echoed Trump’s remarks during a press conference in Alaska, claiming that the war would not have started if Trump had been president between 2021 and 2024. The ongoing diplomatic discussions highlight the international urgency to bring an end to the devastating war in Ukraine.
Federal agents seize drugs on East Capital Street, downtown Columbus.
Feds Seize 15 Kilos of Fentanyl, 30 Kilos of Cocaine on East Capital Street, Downtown Columbus
Columbus, Ohio – In a law enforcement operation, federal agents conducted a major drug raid at the Pierce Apartments on East Capital Street in downtown Columbus, Ohio. The operation led to the seizure of approximately 15 kilograms of fentanyl and 30 kilograms of cocaine, along with firearms and cash.
The suspect, Garry Tindall, an alleged member of the California Crips gang from Bakersfield, faces federal charges including conspiracy to distribute large quantities of narcotics and possession of firearms related to drug trafficking.
The investigation began in early 2025 following a confidential tip, prompting authorities to monitor Tindall’s movements. The raid revealed a cache of drugs hidden in safes and even inside an oven, along with multiple loaded firearms, drug manufacturing equipment, and over $15,000 in cash.
Additional cash totaling $60,000 was found concealed in shoe insoles at John Glenn International Airport when Tindall was stopped.
Tindall has a documented criminal history that includes armed robbery and burglary. He remains in federal custody as the investigation continues.
What Was Seized?
Approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine
Approximately 15 kilograms of fentanyl
Several loaded firearms, including a stolen handgun
Drug manufacturing equipment
Over $15,000 in cash from the apartment
$60,000 concealed in shoe insoles at the airport
Law Enforcement Efforts in Columbus
This seizure underscores ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking in Columbus. The collaboration between federal agents and Columbus Police SWAT was crucial in the successful execution of the raid and the arrest of the suspect.
