Local news is weird right now. Most people get their updates from a frantic scroll through social media or a push notification that barely tells half the story. But if you live in Central Ohio, you’ve probably seen the "On Your Side" branding more times than you can count. It isn't just a catchy marketing slogan cooked up in a boardroom; ABC 6 News On Your Side (WSYX) has built a massive footprint in Columbus by leaning into a very specific kind of advocacy-based journalism.
They don't just tell you the barn burned down. They try to find out if the fire department was underfunded or if the insurance company is dragging its feet on the payout. That matters.
Honestly, the "On Your Side" philosophy is what keeps local TV relevant in an era where everyone is cutting the cord. While national networks argue about high-level politics that feel thousands of miles away, WSYX focuses on the pothole on High Street or the school board meeting that actually affects your kids' Tuesday morning.
The Real Identity of WSYX and the Sinclair Connection
Let's get the technical stuff out of the way first. WSYX, Channel 6, is the ABC affiliate for Columbus, Ohio. It’s owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Now, depending on who you ask, that ownership is either a badge of corporate efficiency or a point of contention regarding editorial "must-run" segments. But if you talk to the reporters on the ground—the ones standing in the rain at 5:00 AM—they’ll tell you their day-to-day is about the 614.
They share a building and a lot of resources with WTTE (FOX 28). This "duopoly" setup is common in mid-sized markets. It means more cameras on the street. It means more reporters hitting the pavement.
Why the "On Your Side" Brand Actually Sticks
You've seen the segments. A consumer is getting ripped off by a contractor. A veteran isn't getting their benefits. A neighborhood is being neglected by the city. This is where the ABC 6 News On Your Side investigators, like Brooks Jarosz or the 6 Investigates team, come in.
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The "On Your Side" promise is basically a public service contract. They have a dedicated tipline. People call it because they feel powerless. When a news camera shows up at a shady business, things tend to get fixed pretty quickly. That’s the "On Your Side" effect in action. It’s about accountability. Without that pressure, many of these stories would just fade into the background noise of everyday frustrations.
Weather and Traffic: The Bread and Butter
Let's be real. Most people tune in for two things: will I need an umbrella, and is I-71 a parking lot?
The ABC 6 weather team, led by Chief Meteorologist Phil Kelly, handles the volatile Ohio Valley weather. It’s a tough gig. One day it's 60 degrees, the next there's a lake-effect dusting or a massive thunderstorm cell rolling in from the west. Their "Storm Tracker" tech isn't just for show; it's about localized data. They use high-resolution modeling to tell you if the hail is hitting Dublin or if it's staying up in Delaware.
And traffic? It's Columbus. Between the "Split" downtown and the endless construction on 270, you need a navigator. The morning team focuses heavily on these "drive times," which is probably the most practical use of local news there is.
The Shift to Digital and the ABC 6 App
You aren't always sitting in front of a TV at 6:00 PM. WSYX knows this. Their digital presence has exploded because, frankly, that’s where the eyes are. The website, abc6onyourside.com, serves as a massive repository for things that don't make the broadcast.
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They do a lot of "Live Desk" reporting now. If there's a police standoff or a major highway closure, they go live on Facebook and their app immediately. You don't have to wait for the scheduled news block. This shift is survival. If they didn't do it, they'd be gone.
What People Get Wrong About Local News
There's this idea that local news is just "if it bleeds, it leads." Crime. Fires. Car crashes.
While that’s definitely part of the mix—because people want to know if their neighborhood is safe—it’s not the whole story. ABC 6 News On Your Side spends a significant amount of time on "Good News" segments and community spotlights. They cover the Arts Festival, the Columbus Zoo updates, and local high school sports (especially Friday Night Finals).
It’s about balance. If you only watch the first five minutes, you might think the world is ending. If you watch the whole thirty minutes, you get a much better sense of what’s actually happening in Central Ohio.
Behind the Scenes: The Daily Grind
Ever wonder how a story gets on air? It starts at a morning meeting, usually around 9:30 AM. Producers, reporters, and assignment editors sit around a table (or a Zoom call) and pitch.
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- "There's a water main break in Upper Arlington."
- "The Governor is signing a new bill at the Statehouse."
- "A local non-profit just hit a huge fundraising milestone."
They choose. They dispatch. The photographers (photojournalists) are the unsung heroes here. They lug 40 pounds of gear through snow and heat to get the shot. By 4:00 PM, the newsroom is a controlled explosion of activity. Editors are cutting video, anchors are tweaking scripts, and the social media team is teasing the top stories. It’s chaotic. It’s fast. And they do it several times a day, every single day.
How to Actually Use ABC 6 News to Your Advantage
Don't just be a passive viewer. If you have a problem, use the resources they provide.
- The 6 Investigates Tipline: If you have evidence of government waste or a massive consumer scam, don't just complain on Reddit. Send them a tip. They can't cover everything, but they look for patterns. If ten people complain about the same car dealership, that's a story.
- The Weather App: Seriously, set the alerts for your specific zip code. Ohio weather is too localized for the generic weather app that comes on your phone.
- Social Media Engagement: If you see something happening—a fire, a weird sky, a major event—tag them. Local news relies on "viewer pictures" more than ever. You become part of the reporting process.
- The "On Your Side" Search: If you're looking for a specific past story about a local business or a school board decision, use the search function on their website. Their archives are a goldmine of local history and accountability records.
The Nuance of Local Media Ownership
It would be irresponsible not to mention the broader context of local TV. Because Sinclair owns WSYX, the station sometimes airs segments produced at the corporate level in Maryland. Some viewers find this jarring compared to the local reporting.
However, the core of the station—the people living in Clintonville, Westerville, and Grove City—remains focused on the local beat. You have to learn to distinguish between the "must-run" national clips and the hard-hitting local journalism that actually impacts your daily life in Columbus.
Actionable Steps for Central Ohio Residents
If you want to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed, here is the best way to engage with ABC 6 News On Your Side:
- Download the "ABC 6 Columbus" app and customize your notifications. Turn off the "breaking news" for everything and only keep it on for "Life-Threatening Weather" and "Major Traffic." This prevents notification fatigue.
- Follow individual reporters on X (Twitter) or Facebook. Often, reporters like Lu Ann Stoia or standard beat reporters post updates and "behind the scenes" context that never makes the 90-second TV slot.
- Check the "On Your Side" consumer section weekly. It’s a great way to stay ahead of local scams, especially those targeting the elderly or new homeowners in the area.
- Watch the 6:00 PM broadcast for depth, but use the morning show for utility. The morning news is designed to get you out the door; the evening news is designed to tell you why things happened.
Local news isn't dead. It's just changing. By focusing on advocacy and staying "on your side," stations like WSYX manage to remain a vital part of the Columbus community. Whether it's holding a local politician's feet to the fire or just telling you to grab a jacket, they fill a gap that a national news feed simply can't reach.