Today – The Mansfield Playhouse is trying to hit a crucial fundraising milestone, and if it does, a potential $1 million gift could help launch a brand-new, fully accessible theater downtown.

Today &ndash; The Mansfield Playhouse is trying to hit a crucial fundraising milestone, and if it does, a potential $1 million gift could help launch a brand-new, fully accessible theater downtown.

Richland Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.

Our music is by THE AFRXNTS

Richland&nbsp;Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.
Our music is by <a href="https://linktr.ee/theafrxnts">THE AFRXNTS</a>

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Mansfield Playhouse Nears Fundraising Trigger for Possible $1M Gift

Episode 88 opens with Carl reflecting on turning 65. From there, the show rolls into its usual mix of banter, a fresh edition of "What’s Carl Watching" and a rundown of the week’s biggest local headlines -- including a major downtown Mansfield housing project, new cannabis tax revenue and a $100,000 reward in the search for the driver accused in a fatal construction-zone hit-and-run.

Then the spotlight shifts to this week’s guest, Cassandra Kurek -- a Crawford County native, Ohio Northern student, accomplished performer, pageant contestant and arts advocate whose story is equal parts talent, determination and grit. Carl and Cassandra reminisce about sharing the stage years ago, discuss her journey from theater kid and Bratwurst Festival royalty to Miss Ohio contender and explore her advocacy for accessibility in the arts. The conversation also turns deeply personal as Cassandra opens up about her recent Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis, the treatments she’s undergoing, and why she refuses to let cancer sideline her goals, her voice or her future.

This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. 

Related links: 
Downtown Forward: $25M vision set to spark a new era in Mansfield
Kokosing Construction offers $100K reward for info about driver who killed worker
Cannabis revenue in Mansfield helps replace income tax dip in 2026 budget

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Episode 88 opens with Carl reflecting on turning 65. From there, the show rolls into its usual mix of banter, a fresh edition of "What&rsquo;s Carl Watching" and a rundown of the week&rsquo;s biggest local headlines -- including a major downtown Mansfield housing project, new cannabis tax revenue and a $100,000 reward in the search for the driver accused in a fatal construction-zone hit-and-run.
Then the spotlight shifts to this week&rsquo;s guest, Cassandra Kurek&nbsp;-- a Crawford County native, Ohio Northern student, accomplished performer, pageant contestant and arts advocate whose story is equal parts talent, determination and grit. Carl and Cassandra reminisce about sharing the stage years ago,&nbsp;discuss her journey from theater kid and Bratwurst Festival royalty to Miss Ohio contender and explore her advocacy for accessibility in the arts. The conversation also turns deeply personal as Cassandra opens up about her recent Hodgkin&rsquo;s lymphoma diagnosis, the treatments she&rsquo;s undergoing, and why she refuses to let cancer sideline her goals, her voice or her future.
This episode is powered by the great folks at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773176461388000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ce2TaLFhAiDdBLdnlD3GT">Relax, It's Just Coffee.</a>&nbsp;
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/04/downtown-forward-25m-vision-set-to-spark-a-new-era-in-mansfield-officials-say/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/04/downtown-forward-25m-vision-set-to-spark-a-new-era-in-mansfield-officials-say/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773176461388000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DR1R1yUn5GS_ftwhPogjs">Downtown Forward: $25M vision set to spark a new era in Mansfield</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/06/kokosing-construction-offers-100k-reward-for-info-about-driver-who-killed-worker/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/06/kokosing-construction-offers-100k-reward-for-info-about-driver-who-killed-worker/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773176461388000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0xdYb2OVf-ngwQ3rYcOvDn">Kokosing Construction offers $100K reward for info about&nbsp;driver who killed&nbsp;worker</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/04/cannabis-revenue-in-mansfield-helps-replace-income-tax-dip-in-2026-budget/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/04/cannabis-revenue-in-mansfield-helps-replace-income-tax-dip-in-2026-budget/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773176461388000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Uim2EF-SVlKiJyqfijCw6">Cannabis revenue in Mansfield helps replace income tax dip in 2026 budget</a></li>
</ul>
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Download our new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/app/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/app/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773176461388000&amp;usg=AOvVaw32pfVTVhDXGicYEDaUm0In">mobile app.</a>

News Man Weekly: Miss Ohio Contender Cassandra Kurek; Downtown Housing; Cannabis Revenue and more!

Today – College campuses in central Ohio are doing double duty, giving preschoolers extra support while helping future teachers discover where they belong.

Today &ndash; College campuses in central Ohio are doing double duty, giving preschoolers extra support while helping future teachers discover where they belong.

Student teachers getting real classroom time with preschoolers

Dr. Melissa McRae, founder of Vitality Natural Wellness, joins us for a powerful and practical conversation about what really happens to women’s bodies during perimenopause and menopause, and why it matters far beyond personal health.

We dig into everything from gut health and hormone shifts to workplace burnout and self-advocacy. Dr. McRae explains why symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and brain fog are often misdiagnosed, how women are quietly exiting the workforce because they feel unsupported, and what it actually means to take a whole-body approach to wellness.

This episode is packed with insight, validation, and small steps you can take to better support yourself or someone you love, because wellness isn’t just personal. It’s how we show up for the village we’re building.

If you're new here, this is a place for everyone to laugh, learn, heal and build. Not alone. Not perfectly. But arm in arm, heart to heart. Because we were never meant to do this alone. We are always Better Together. 

Let's Connect! 

If this podcast feels like something you’ve been craving, hit subscribe, leave a review, and send it to a friend. The more voices we have in this village, the stronger we become.

Email Us: bettertogether@richlandsource.com 

Subscribe to Maddie’s Blog

Listen to more of Sarah Goff's Music

More about Dr. Melissa McRae

More about Vitality Natural Wellness

The 'Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver 

Dr. Melissa McRae, founder of Vitality Natural Wellness, joins us for a powerful and practical conversation about what really happens to women&rsquo;s bodies during perimenopause and menopause, and why it matters far beyond personal health.
We dig into everything from gut health and hormone shifts to workplace burnout and self-advocacy. Dr. McRae explains why symptoms like anxiety, insomnia, and brain fog are often misdiagnosed, how women are quietly exiting the workforce because they feel unsupported, and what it actually means to take a whole-body approach to wellness.
This episode is packed with insight, validation, and small steps you can take to better support yourself or someone you love, because wellness isn&rsquo;t just personal. It&rsquo;s how we show up for the village we&rsquo;re building.
If you're new here, this is a place for&nbsp;everyone&nbsp;to laugh, learn, heal and build. Not alone. Not perfectly. But arm in arm, heart to heart. Because we were never meant to do this alone. We are always&nbsp;Better Together.&nbsp;
Let's Connect!&nbsp;
If this&nbsp;podcast&nbsp;feels like something you&rsquo;ve been craving, hit subscribe, leave a review, and send it to a friend. The more voices we have in this village, the stronger we become.
Email Us:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bettertogether@richlandsource.com">bettertogether@richlandsource.com</a>&nbsp;
<a href="http://atthehearthwithmaddie.substack.com/">Subscribe to Maddie&rsquo;s Blog</a>
<a href="http://facebook.com/SarahGoffMusic">Listen to more of Sarah Goff's Music</a>
<a href="https://www.drmelissamcrae.com/">More about Dr. Melissa McRae</a>
<a href="https://www.vitalitynaturalwellness.com/">More about Vitality Natural Wellness</a>
<a href="https://thepauselife.com/">The 'Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver</a>&nbsp;

Mansfield Playhouse Nears Fundraising Trigger for Possible $1M Gift

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