Have a terrific Thursday, Columbus! 🎉 Happy National Punctuation Day‽

⛅ Today's weather: Cloudy and windy with a high around 70.

Today's newsletter is 796 words — a 3-minute read.

Ohio State University enrollment is up and nearly as high as it's ever been, but the school's makeup reflects a change in focus toward Ohio students amid tightening immigration policies.

Why it matters: OSU is one of the largest college campuses in the country, representing around 7% of Columbus' population.

• It's in an era of change under new president Ravi V. Bellamkonda.

Driving the news: The university released its annual enrollment census this week, breaking down the fall 2026 student body.

By the numbers: Total enrollment is 68,183, just shy of OSU's 2019 record.

• Enrollment of 62,010 on the main campus is a record high.
• Regional campus enrollment shot up 4% from last year.

The freshman class at the main campus increased by nearly 5% to 8,585.

• Of those first-year students, 70% are Ohio residents representing all 88 counties.

What they're saying: In his first State of the University address, Bellamkonda said he believes Ohio State "will become the finest public university in the country" and emphasized the importance of in-state students.

• He described wanting the undergraduate program to be "anchored" on the school's "Access to excellence" push, which has resulted in about 80% of first-year students receiving financial aid.
• That includes the Regional Campus Commitment program, announced last year, which covers tuition and fees for qualifying Ohio students with family incomes under $100,000.

Zoom out: The school's largest out-of-state populations come from New York, Illinois and New Jersey.

• China (2,558 students) dominates international numbers, followed by India (745) and South Korea (313).

International enrollment at the main campus is down nearly 13%, dropping for the second year in a row.

• In 2024, international students represented 7.6% of undergraduates and 10.2% of main campus.
• In 2026, those shares are down to 5.8% and 8.4%, with around 1,000 fewer total international students.

The big picture: International student populations are plummeting around the country amid stricter immigration policies and students losing their visas.

Green Columbus is giving away thousands of young trees to Franklin County residents for free.

What they're doing: It's the Columbus sustainability nonprofit's annual Tree Giveaway, part of a mission to increase the city's canopy coverage.

• This year, it is ready to give out 3,000 trees that volunteers have been nurturing at the group's Linden nursery.

How it works: For the next three Sundays beginning Sept. 27, any Franklin County resident can pick up a free tree from pickup sites in Franklinton, Linden or on the South Side.

• You can reserve your tree online ahead of time.

What they're saying: "Trees are one of the simplest ways that individuals can make a lasting impact on their neighborhoods," says executive director Shelly Douglas in a news release.

• "By making trees available to residents, we're helping take part in creating a healthier, more resilient Columbus."

The big picture: Green Columbus aims to create safe and healthy communities "through sustainable environmentalism."

• The group partners with the City of Columbus, the Columbus Foundation, Metro Parks and more on programs ranging from its Earth Day Celebration and April Month of Service to community tree-planting and river cleanups.

🍺 Hoster Brewing Co., a 190-year-old local brand, will close its distribution and east side taproom due to rising costs and "an incredibly challenging climate." (Dispatch)

⚖️ The Franklin County courthouse is closed until Monday due to issues with its fire protection system. (WOSU)

🏒 The Blue Jackets Hockey Network will come to Spectrum TV as part of a deal reached about a week before the team's Oct. 1 season opener. (WSYX-TV)

Five pup politicians are in the running to become Grandview Heights' first Dog Mayor.

State of play: The Wag dog park and bar partnered with the city to hold the first Dog Mayor election.

The latest: After receiving 93 local nominations, The Wag and Grandview narrowed the field to five finalists.

• Residents can read their bios and vote for the city's new four-legged elected official.
• The winner will be "sworn in" at an Oct. 9 event at The Wag.

The nominees:

• D'artagnan (D'art), a lifelong Grandview resident wanting "accessible sidewalks" and "plenty of poop bags."
• Hank, a 6-month-old Yorkipoo favoring more "pup-friendly patios."
• Kiki (Zucchini), with a cheese tax plan for humans.
• River, seeking "daily whipped cream pup cups."
• Tater, a "Grandview girl though and though" that might implement a permanent Winans biscuit entitlement.

Thanks to Tyler Buchanan for editing today's newsletter.

Our picks:

📴 Alissa is off.

🌳 Andrew feels lucky to live somewhere with so many trees.

🤷‍♂️ Tyler wants to know the dogs' policy ideas on Flock and data centers.