Ohio's controversial new law banning diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education takes effect today, with a grassroots effort to repeal it failing to collect enough signatures to trigger a pause and statewide vote.

Why it matters: Senate Bill 1 is a sweeping overhaul that also outlaws faculty strikes and dictates other ways that public colleges and universities operate.

• Some, including Ohio State, have already made changes to get in compliance amid the opposition campaign. Schools that don't comply now risk losing state funds.

The latest: Campaign leaders had planned to turn in petitions to the Ohio Secretary of State's Office yesterday. But they canceled the appointment after coming in around 50,000 signatures short of yesterday's deadline, according to news reports.

• The law would have been put on hold if the state needed to count signatures — and potentially until the Nov. 4 election, had the group collected enough.

Catch up quick: We recapped everything the law bans and requires after Gov. Mike DeWine signed it in March.

• Schools cannot endorse or oppose "any controversial beliefs or policies ... including issues such as climate policies, electoral politics, foreign policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, immigration policy, marriage, or abortion," it reads.

The intrigue: The bill does not define DEI, but prohibits DEI scholarships and training.

Zoom in: Ohio State will "remove official options to denote pronouns, alter professional participation guidelines and discontinue or modify programs to support any identity-based group," per WCMH-TV.

• The university already shut down its offices focused on diversity, equity and inclusion — as have several universities statewide.

What we're watching: The professors leading the opposition effort told the Dispatch they're going to "continue to fight" and are planning next steps.

🚰 Mayor Ginther unveiled a $2.9 billion capital budget proposal this week, including about $1 billion to build the city's fourth water plant. (Dispatch)

🚌 COTA is continuing to suspend fares through today because of the heat advisory — and will do so until it's lifted. (Spectrum News 1)

🪧 OSU Wexner Medical Center nurses picketed outside the hospital Wednesday, demanding better wages and safer working conditions. (WOSU)

🏛 Ohio plans to quickly appeal the recent court ruling that the state's EdChoice private school voucher system is unconstitutional. (WBNS-TV)

🎢 Cedar Point will debut its record-breaking Siren's Curse tilt coaster tomorrow.

• Riders will approach the edge of broken-off track and tilt into a 90-degree angle before the first drop. (Axios Cleveland)

Republican Vivek Ramaswamy has raised over $8.5 million since February toward his campaign for governor, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: It's a massive haul this early in the election cycle, with the primary nearly a full year away.

For comparison, Gov. Mike DeWine raised $3 million in the first half of 2021 during his reelection campaign.

The intrigue: The total does not include any personal financing from Ramaswamy.

• He previously spent over $30 million of his own money to fund his unsuccessful presidential campaign.

The big picture: Since Attorney General Dave Yost dropped out of the race in May, Ramaswamy faces only nominal opposition for the Republican nomination.

• Morgan County business owner Heather Hill's campaign reported having raised $387 earlier this year.
• Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel is reportedly considering a run but has yet to make a move.
• Former state health director Amy Acton is running on the Democratic side.

What's next: Candidates must report money raised through Monday by July 31.

🥳 Party with a purpose at ComFest, back for its 53rd year at Goodale Park.

• Noon-11pm today, 10am-11pm Saturday and 10am-6pm Sunday. Free!

🏒 Meet fellow hockey fans during the Blue Jackets' official NHL draft watch party at Nationwide Arena.

• 6-9pm tonight. Free!

☠️ See "Jackass" star Steve-O when his "Crash & Burn Tour" stops at the Funny Bone.

• 7pm and 9:45pm tonight, 6:30pm and 9:15pm Saturday, 145 Easton Town Center. $37.

🎤 Celebrate 35 years of harmony with the Columbus Gay Men's Chorus during "35-n-Thrivin'" at the Davidson Theatre.

• 7:30pm Saturday and 2pm Sunday, 77 S. High St. $10-56.

🏡 Tour 10 historic homes during the German Village Haus und Garten Tour.

• 9am-4pm Sunday. $25.

🎵 Relive the turn of the century with "Millennium: A 2000's Musical" at Shadowbox Live.

• 2pm Sunday, 503 S. Front St. Through Aug. 28. $52-54.

Thanks to everyone who attended and streamed our "Zoom In" event yesterday.

Catch up quick: Axios reporters interviewed Mayor Andrew Ginther, Columbus State Community College president David Harrison, JPMorganChase's Jeremy Young and Ohio Excels president Lisa Gray about our local economy and workforce.

Some key takeaways:

👩‍🎓 Ohio needs to put kids on a career pathway much earlier in life — as young as kindergarten, when core skills like reading and math are concerned.

👩‍🎓 The Columbus Promise, which provides a free college education to Columbus City Schools grads, is a major game-changer.

• Columbus State wants to scale the program to serve even more local districts going forward.

💼 Workforce development requires a holistic approach. Public safety, housing access and community investments all help residents reach their full potential.

Watch a recording