Five things to know for Monday, Oct. 6

Ohio State enrollment up

The Ohio State University’s 2025 enrollment numbers increased by 0.5%, helping the school remain one of the nation’s largest universities.

WCMH-TV reported that the school planned to decrease enrollment by 5% to 7% after a graduating class in May that was among its largest classes ever, and reduce its first-year student numbers to address capacity concerns following last year’s record-breaking enrollment. The numbers show a 35% decrease in new first-year international students, according to the report.

Dems planning to flood Ohio with cash

The Democratic National Committee intends to make a record investment in Ohio in advance of the 2026 midterms, Statehouse News Bureau reported. “I can’t give you a specific number but I can tell you it’s six figures, and that this is the most money we have ever invested in an off-year election cycle,” DNC national political director Shelby Wiltz told the outlet.

House passes bill to improve nurses background checks

The Ohio House has passed House Bill 440, legislation that streamlines the Ohio Board of Nursing’s background check process.

“This is a simple fix that will ensure that the background checks of nurses seeking licensure in Ohio will remain in trusted hands,” state Representative Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk, said in a release. “I’m thankful that the Attorney General’s office brought this to me and look forward to working it through the process in the Senate.”

DeWine announces $10 million for safer school buses

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin announced $10 million in funding for the new Ohio School Bus Safety Grant Program. The initiative is designed to award competitive grants to enhance school transportation safety.

Report: Ohio is the 29th safest state

Ohio is the 29th safest state, according to WalletHub’s new 2025 Safest States in America report. The personal finance site used 52 metrics, including assault rates per capita and the unemployment rate, to compare the 50 states.