In this episode of News Man Weekly, host and deputy editor Carl Hunnell is joined by State Senator Mark Romanchuk for a timely and wide-ranging conversation about issues impacting residents across the area. Senator Romanchuk discusses Ohio’s state budget, including proposed changes to the public school funding formula, the future of the Public Library Fund and his thoughts on the newly announced federal tariffs. The conversation also touches on the state’s handling of the voter-approved recreational cannabis statute and how local governments like Mansfield may be affected by potential changes.

The episode also features updates on several key local stories. Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry delivered her State of the City address, highlighting progress in infrastructure, safety and economic growth. Charter Next Generation announced plans to add 125 new jobs as part of a major expansion in Lexington and Ontario and the Richland County Jail welcomed a new interim captain. Meanwhile, a proposed 51-acre housing development in Ontario remains uncertain after the developers withdrew from a scheduled rezoning meeting.

As always, News Man Weekly brings you local news and policy discussions with clarity and purpose, helping you stay informed about the issues shaping your community—and it all pairs perfectly with a cup of great coffee from our friends at Relax, It’s Just Coffee.

Relevant links:

Mayor Jodie Perry's State of the City address

Charter Next Generation expansion

51-acre lot in Ontario

Intro song credit: Smoke And Drink, by Luke Watson.

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In this episode of News Man Weekly, host and deputy editor Carl Hunnell is joined by State Senator Mark Romanchuk for a timely and wide-ranging conversation about issues impacting residents across the area. Senator Romanchuk discusses Ohio&rsquo;s state budget, including proposed changes to the public school funding formula, the future of the Public Library Fund and his thoughts on the newly announced federal tariffs. The conversation also touches on the state&rsquo;s handling of the voter-approved recreational cannabis statute and how local governments like Mansfield may be affected by potential changes.
The episode also features updates on several key local stories. Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry delivered her State of the City address, highlighting progress in infrastructure, safety and economic growth. Charter Next Generation announced plans to add 125 new jobs as part of a major expansion in Lexington and Ontario and the Richland County Jail welcomed a new interim captain. Meanwhile, a proposed 51-acre housing development in Ontario remains uncertain after the developers withdrew from a scheduled rezoning meeting.
As always,&nbsp;News Man Weekly&nbsp;brings you local news and policy discussions with clarity and purpose, helping you stay informed about the issues shaping your community&mdash;and it all pairs perfectly with a cup of great coffee from our friends 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=1744140450180000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3-2oqWe0NPOCgHnAechKAS">Relax, It&rsquo;s Just Coffee</a>.
Relevant links:
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/03/the-state-of-our-city-is-strengthening-every-day-mansfield-mayor-cites-in-annual-address/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/03/the-state-of-our-city-is-strengthening-every-day-mansfield-mayor-cites-in-annual-address/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744140450180000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0y6LyuSrp37USaJi00nGz0">Mayor Jodie Perry's State of the City address</a>
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/04/charter-next-generation-expansion-project-planned-for-2028-completion/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/04/charter-next-generation-expansion-project-planned-for-2028-completion/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744140450180000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mv6dl6BQ9pttQnFP4MelW">Charter Next Generation expansion</a>
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/03/13/200-plus-single-family-homes-proposed-for-ontario-near-stowell-park/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/03/13/200-plus-single-family-homes-proposed-for-ontario-near-stowell-park/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744140450180000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ysvWDwa51D7BLD5J36_UA">51-acre lot in Ontario</a>
Intro song credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/31PbqiNA0BZouNa9WHrl6H?si=F12DuHq3RtO33O7MPZvZDA" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://open.spotify.com/album/31PbqiNA0BZouNa9WHrl6H?si%3DF12DuHq3RtO33O7MPZvZDA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744140450180000&amp;usg=AOvVaw32AyjUjYQGMCjttRL5uip3">Smoke And Drink</a>, by Luke Watson.
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/members/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/members/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1744140450181000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ZK9AqN5Whix3iLGEuOccM">Be a Source Member</a>&nbsp;for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

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>