Crossword puzzle clue "n y state word"

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin

Word that literally means "that which occurs," which also gives us the English word for the ideal state of mind #deep

First word across in the first-ever crossword (1913) and the first of a dozen appearances of the word in this puzzle's grid, written word search-style (left, right, down, and diagonally) ... Can you f

Article of tropical apparel ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

Unlikely state of a state?

Secretariat's mother, for one ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares

State made up of two state postal abbreviations

Emergency worker ... whose start is a state nickname for the state indicated by the circled squares