The monthly budgets of more than 1.8 million Ohioans will change this month with the return of student loan obligations, Troy Smith writes for Axios Cleveland.

Driving the news: October marks the end of the pandemic pause on federal student loan payments.

Why it matters: After a three-plus-year break from payments, experts warn of a messy return to debt repayment for borrowers.

• Student loan debt will especially be tough on younger people, who typically have lower incomes.

Catch up quick: More than 37,000 Ohio borrowers are eligible to get their combined $1.7 billion in debt erased following loan relief adjustments to Income-Driven Repayment plans implemented by the government in July.

Yes, but: That still leaves more than $60 billion of student loan debt for many other Ohioans, most of which will be paid back starting this month.

The big picture: More than 40 million Americans, who collectively owe more than $1 trillion in student loans, will have to make loan payments again.

Zoom in: Ohio has the sixth-highest number of borrowers in the country, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

• More than half of those borrowers are under age 35.

What's next: Due dates for the first payments vary, but the Department of Education says borrowers will get a bill, with payment amount and due date, at least 21 days before the due date.

• Borrowers can apply for the new federal SAVE Plan, an income-driven repayment plan that calculates monthly loan payments based on income and family size.
• The Biden administration also created a yearlong "on-ramp period" during which borrowers won't be reported to the national credit rating agencies if they default on payments.

👋 Tyler here. It took me nine years to finally pay off my student loan debt.

• It might have taken longer had I not put off various life milestones to afford making payments on a small-town journalist's salary.

The intrigue: A few months after my last bill, President Biden announced plans to cancel up to $10,000 for individuals earning under $125,000 per year.

• I requested a $9,999 payment refund in hopes Biden would be able to cancel the ensuing "debt" and allow me to pocket that money.

Yes, but: I wisely chose not to spend it while a legal challenge played out.

• Suffice to say I've never had so much money riding on a Supreme Court decision, which ended up nullifying the loan forgiveness plan.

The bottom line: I recently paid that $9,999 back and am once again student-debt free, though it would've been nice to put it toward a new car or home down payment.

🤔 What's your student loan story?

• Take our quick survey to share how much you owe and how the return of loan payments will affect your day-to-day life and finances.

💵 Les Wexner's net worth of $6 billion puts him at No. 176 on the Forbes list of America's 400 richest people. (Columbus Business First)

🚓 Columbus police are testing ShotSpotter gunfire detection sensors today and tomorrow by firing bullets at old Cooper Stadium on Mound Street. (WBNS-TV)

🙏 Local residents with ties to Israel and Palestine have rallied and mourned the ongoing violence overseas. (Dispatch)

Attention sports fans and "potassium enthusiasts:" The wackiest baseball team in America is headed to Huntington Park for three exhibitions next spring.

Why it matters: The Savannah Bananas' unique blend of humor, dance and athleticism has made the team a touring sensation — you'll need to act quickly for a chance at tickets.

How it works: The Georgia-based team is baseball's answer to the Harlem Globetrotters, with the yellow-clad Bananas typically facing their rival Savannah Party Animals in pink.

• They play under Banana Ball rules, which dictate a two-hour time limit, outlaw bunting and cause a batter to be out if a fan catches a foul ball on the fly.

The intrigue: You never know what you'll see at a Bananas game.

• There might be ping pong in the outfield, a backflip catch, a batter on stilts or a twerking umpire.

Details: Fans must join the ticket lottery list by Dec. 1 for an opportunity to buy tickets.

• Three games are scheduled for May 24-26, 2024.

We recently debuted Mug Shots, a new series highlighting the stories behind our favorite coffee mugs — and yours.

• Here are two stories shared by our fabulous readers:

Lisa B. writes: "Here is my favorite mug. I was 16 in England for the summer and saw this. I had to have it! I didn't know at the time what "Lady Muck" meant. I assumed it meant a lady who was stuck up, holier than thou, etc., and when I finally looked it up, I was right! I'm now in my 60s and this mug has been with me all this time. Hopefully I'll get quite a few more years with my Lady Muck!"

Kevin B. writes: "This one is from my cat Theo. Truer words were never written. Theo was the master of our household (in a very benevolent and good way). Sadly we had to let go of him a couple years ago at the ripe old age of 17. We miss him dearly."

📬 Do you have a favorite coffee mug with a special backstory? Hit reply and send us a picture.