Samantha Bender, WCMH-TV (Columbus, OH) Journalist Profile

Articles

Classmate, Ohio Dominican sister both react to new pope

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Samantha Bender

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio woman said she couldn’t believe it when the new pope was announced. Thursday’s election of Robert Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV – was extra special for Marie Sweeney, a proud graduate of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, the same city where Pope Leo XIV was born, and also the same Catholic graduate school he attended and graduated from just one year after she did.
Classmate, Ohio Dominican sister both react to new pope

6 days ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender |Jackie Gillis

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A central Ohio woman said she couldn’t believe it when the new pope was announced. Thursday’s election of Robert Prevost – now Pope Leo XIV – was extra special for Marie Sweeney, a proud graduate of Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, the same city where Pope Leo XIV was born, and also the same Catholic graduate school he attended and graduated from just one year after she did.
Columbus school leaders fight for fair school funding

1 week ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As lawmakers in Ohio debate the state budget, public school advocates say proposed cuts and policy changes could harm children’s education. “What’s at stake is education for not just every single student who lives in Columbus, but every single child who lives in the state of Ohio,” Ohio Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio (D-District 4) said.
COSI’s Big Science Celebration festival comes to a close

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Samantha Bender

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The rain did not dampen the fun at COSI’s ‘Big Science Celebration’. Saturday marked the final day of the 7th annual festival. NBC4 is a proud sponsor of the four-day event that kicked off Wednesday. The family-friendly hands-on experience showed central Ohioans just how fun science can be. Lots of different experiments were on display as people from near and far came together to celebrate science.
COSI’s Big Science Celebration festival comes to a close

1 week ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The rain did not dampen the fun at COSI’s ‘Big Science Celebration’. Saturday marked the final day of the 7th annual festival. NBC4 is a proud sponsor of the four-day event that kicked off Wednesday. The family-friendly hands-on experience showed central Ohioans just how fun science can be. Lots of different experiments were on display as people from near and far came together to celebrate science.
Driving teacher offers tips after video shows driver stop on I-71 after missing exit

1 week ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio Department of Transportation is reminding drivers what not to do after missing an exit on the highway after a three-car crash on Interstate 71 South earlier this week. David Berk, owner of Faith Driving School in Hilliard said it was extremely careless of the driver to come to a stop in the middle of the highway. He said in the event of a missed exit, take the next one. Even if it adds time to the drive, it’s better than putting lives at risk.
Federal cuts hit Columbus program helping better the lives of youth

2 weeks ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As of last week, approximately $400 million in AmeriCorps grant funding has been cancelled nationally. “To see that funding is going away and that we may have to make other decisions that will impact lives is very, very scary,” Adero Robinson, former executive director of City Year Columbus, said. The cuts, made last Friday, are the latest in the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) effort to slim down government spending.
Powell police boosting traffic patrol

2 weeks ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender

POWELL, Ohio (WCMH) — The city of Powell is working to enhance safety along the Sawmill Parkway corridor by launching a high-visibility traffic enforcement initiative called the S.A.F.E. (Sawmill Parkway Awareness and Focused Enforcement) Passage Initiative to increase visibility and build a culture of traffic safety. Powell Police Chief Ron Sallows said community awareness and public education is one of the main focuses behind the proactive approach.
Pickaway County farmland could be home to new development

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Samantha Bender

PICKAWAY CO., Ohio (WCMH) — A proposal for a new development in northern Pickaway County is being met with concerns from residents. It would be built on more than 300 acres of farmland along Gibson Road and state route 762. The proposal includes more than 1,200 homes and commercial space. Many residents are sounding the alarm on this development.
Pickaway County farmland could be home to new development

2 weeks ago | nbc4i.com | Samantha Bender

PICKAWAY CO., Ohio (WCMH) — A proposal for a new development in northern Pickaway County is being met with concerns from residents. It would be built on more than 300 acres of farmland along Gibson Road and state route 762. The proposal includes more than 1,200 homes and commercial space. Many residents are sounding the alarm on this development.