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Today – Richland County voters will have a clear choice for county commissioner this November, with incumbent Republican Cliff Mears facing Democratic challenger Mark Kaufmann in a race shaped by taxes, county finances, schools and renewable energy.

Curt and Effie open this week’s Inside the Lines by breaking down the Massillon eligibility situation before Curt recaps his trip to Ironton to watch Big Walnut take on the Fighting Tigers in one of Ohio’s biggest games of the season.  Then, Mansfield Senior freshman quarterback David Phillips III joins the show — the first freshman to sit down with Inside the Lines, but a player already handling responsibilities well beyond his years. Phillips talks about making the leap from middle school to varsity football, how the game is beginning to slow down and what he’s learning while playing for his dad, first-year Tygers head coach David Phillips Jr. He discusses a talented freshman class that never lost a football or basketball game in middle school and the lessons that group is learning during a 1-6 start.  He also takes us inside Mansfield Senior’s dramatic first win against Lexington — including the late touchdown pass, the play call, what was going through his mind and what earning that first victory meant for both him and his dad. Related links: Tygers score in final minute to subdue Lexington for 1st win of the season Youth Movement: Freshman QB leading Mansfield Senior Youthful Tygers struggle in home opener against Tiffin Columbian Twice Crowned, Still Hungry: Mansfield 8th-graders finish historic 2-year run This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall. Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom.  Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism. Use code thegame26 for 20% OFF and to be entered into the OSU vs Michigan ticket sweepstakes. Already a Source Member? Enter the sweepstakes here.

Today – A Clear Fork graduate is stepping onto one of baseball’s biggest stages, as rookie right-hander A.J. Blubaugh gets the start for the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series.

After a three-week break, the News Man Weekly is back. Carl, Zac and Hayden catch up on what they’ve been doing — including Carl’s Alaskan adventure — before diving into the latest Richland County news.  This week, the crew discusses record-breaking county sales tax revenue, the final stretch of Mansfield’s $20.3 million Main Street improvement project and new upgrades at Sterkel Dog Park. Plus, Carl counts down his Top 5 things to do on an Alaska vacation. Then, with spooky season officially underway, Carl welcomes Vic Amesquita, owner of Blood Prison at the Ohio State Reformatory. Fresh off opening weekend, Amesquita takes listeners behind the scenes of one of Ohio’s most popular haunted attractions, from designing new scares and developing terrifying characters to recruiting scare actors and managing huge October crowds.  This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. Relevant links:  Get your tickets to Blood Prison! Mansfield's Blood Prison is getting ready to welcome you — if you dare Summer surge: June events fuel record-breaking sales tax month in Richland County Main Street Improvement Project enters closing stages of work in downtown Mansfield Paws, partnership and a new chapter at Sterkel Park Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

Today – A Mansfield pastor is celebrating his 60th birthday by taking on 60 kilometers on foot — and hoping every mile will help more young people get to camp.

Today – A second defendant in the Loudonville dog-breeder investigation has appeared in court, facing six misdemeanor charges and a strict bond condition barring him from possessing any animals.

Curt and Effie open this week’s Inside the Lines with a look around the region at the midway point of the regular season, from Cleveland Glenville and Danville’s hot start in the KMAC to the star power emerging in Delaware County. Then, Ontario junior Trey Remy joins the show with the Warriors off to a 5-0 start. Remy takes listeners inside the modern college recruiting experience, from game-day visits to already working with an agent as a high school junior. He also traces his evolution at Ontario — learning behind Bodgpen Miller as a freshman, taking over at quarterback as a sophomore and transitioning to tight end this fall while taking on a bigger role defensively.  Remy talks about Ontario’s talented junior class, the chemistry and accountability behind its unbeaten start, the rivalry with Shelby and the Warriors’ goals for the rest of the season.  Plus, we talk about his life as a three-sport athlete, lessons learned against Ohio’s powerhouse programs and finish with Ontario football trivia and rapid-fire questions. Related links:  Multidimensional: Ontario’s approach to 2026 season leads to 4-0 start Unbeaten Ontario, Shelby lead football playoff charge Miller Time: Ontario senior does it all in convincing win over Lexington This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall. Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom.  Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism. Use code thegame26 for 20% OFF and to be entered into the OSU vs Michigan ticket sweepstakes. Already a Source Member? Enter the sweepstakes here.

It was the best financial launch to summer in recorded Richland County sales tax history.

Today – Downtown Mansfield’s Main Street transformation is entering its closing stages, with new trees, plazas, brick pavers and the downtown fountain beginning to bring the long-running project into focus.

Today – A nearly year-long federal dispute over political expression at the Ashland County Fair has ended in a settlement between the fair board and the county’s Democratic Committee, although part of the case remains unresolved.

Today – A 13-year-old Mapleton student is already reaching speeds of about 50 miles per hour on the dirt track — and now he has his first junior sprint car victory.

Today –Habitat for Humanity is looking for local contractors to help build two new high-performance homes in Shelby and Crestline — homes designed to remain affordable not just at move-in, but for years to come.

Today – A longtime downtown Mansfield hotel is officially headed for a major transformation, with local investors launching a 10-million-dollar project they hope will create a new destination in the heart of the city.

Today – A beard competition in downtown Ashland turned into something much bigger Saturday, as a fundraiser for a Mansfield girl with a rare disease ended with nearly four thousand dollars in support.

Today – North Central Ohio’s manufacturing legacy took center stage as six new Champions of Industry were inducted into a hall of fame honoring the people whose ideas, businesses and inventions helped shape the region.

Today – Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, hundreds of American flags filled a field in Ontario as the community gathered to remember those who died, honor those who served, and reflect on a day that changed the country.

A Crestline teacher died Sunday evening after a two-vehicle crash in Fairfield County, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Crestline Exempted Village Schools.

Curt and Effie open this week’s Inside the Lines by reflecting on where they were and what they remember from Sept. 11, 2001, before turning their attention to high school football. Madison senior Aiden Proctor joins the show to talk about the Rams’ changing culture under coach Kobi Johnson and the team’s response to a 54-0 season-opening loss to Shelby. With Madison now 2-1, Proctor discusses his leadership at middle linebacker, the Rams’ defensive identity and expectations for the rest of 2026. He also discusses the Mansfield Senior rivalry, his wrestling career and hopes of competing collegiately as a wrestler. This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall. Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom.  Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism. Use code thegame26 for 20% OFF and to be entered into the OSU vs Michigan ticket sweepstakes. Already a Source Member? Enter the sweepstakes here.

Today – Blood Prison is getting ready to reopen inside one of Mansfield’s most famous landmarks, with new sets, new scares and more than 100 characters waiting in the dark.

Today – After more than a year of construction, Mansfield’s $20.3 million Main Street transformation is approaching the finish line, with city officials saying the project remains on schedule for completion by the end of October.

Today – A Lexington graduate who once simply wanted to challenge herself has emerged from West Point as one of the top cadets in her class — and says the hardest moments taught her the most.

Today – A major dog surrender in Loudonville has turned into an around-the-clock community effort, with students, volunteers and rescue groups now caring for dozens of animals — including 13 puppies born after the dogs were removed.

Curt and Effie open this week’s Inside the Lines by talking about the late-summer heat and player safety, the early battle shaping up in the MOAC and Danville’s strong start in Knox County. Then, Hillsdale senior twins Kael and Knox Lewis join the show to talk about a lifetime of playing together and their final season as Falcons. They reflect on back-to-back trips to the state championship game, lessons learned against Ohio’s small-school powers and the work that goes into a Hillsdale offseason. The brothers also discuss stepping into veteran leadership roles, chasing a conference title, what they hope to accomplish before their high school careers end and what college athletics might look like for each of them.  This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall. Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom.  Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism. Use code thegame26 for 20% OFF and to be entered into the OSU vs Michigan ticket sweepstakes. Already a Source Member? Enter the sweepstakes here. Related reading:  Brother to brother: Kael, Knox Lewis connect for 3 TDs in Hillsdale’s win over Black River Hillsdale ground attack stifles signature grit of Lucas

Today – A former telecommunications building in Mansfield could soon take on a very different role — becoming a multimillion-dollar housing community for veterans and senior citizens.

Today – Otters, sloths, zebras, kangaroos and more — one Shelby farm has turned an ordinary backyard into one of the area’s most unusual animal experiences.

This week on News Man Weekly, Carl, Zac and Hayden head into a three-week break with plenty to discuss, including a tense Mansfield town hall on police-community relations, a new pavilion bringing fresh life to Prospect Park and the first-ever Coney Fest in downtown Mansfield. Plus, Carl prepares for the approaching doom of winter by counting down his Top 5 places to see fall foliage across North Central Ohio. Later, we sit down with Mansfield native Joe Robertson, a 71-year-old retired letter carrier who has turned a lifelong love of baseball into an extraordinary quest: visiting more than 900 ballparks. Robertson has seen every Major League Baseball stadium along with hundreds of minor league, independent and college fields across the country. He shares how the obsession began, his favorite parks and baseball memories, the adventures involved in planning trips around the game and the stadiums still left on his bucket list.  This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. Relevant links:  Join the Ballpark Chasers Facebook group ‘An opening to a longer conversation’: Mansfield leaders partner with NAACP on ‘Town Hall’ series A coney’s worst day: Richland Carrousel Park hosts Coney Fest to beat a dog day afternoon Public-private partnership brings new pavilion to Mansfield’s Prospect Park Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

Today – Seventy-two dogs are beginning a new chapter after being removed from a Loudonville commercial breeding operation — and the Ashland County Humane Society says it now needs the community’s help to care for them.

Today – Madison Primary is starting a new chapter this school year, bringing the district’s youngest students together under one roof — and putting two Madison graduates in charge of helping them build a strong foundation.

Inside the Lines is back for the 2026 school year and we start out with Centerburg tight end and Florida Gator commit Jackson Ballinger.  First, host Curt Conrad and co-host Effie James review a couple of week 1 results and pay their respects to the late Andrew Saris of Lexington.  Then, Centerburg senior tight end Jackson Ballinger joins the show to talk about his journey from small-town Ohio to becoming a Florida Gators commit. Ballinger takes us inside the recruiting process -- including NIL, agents and why he chose Florida over programs such as Indiana. He also discusses graduating early, preparing for the jump to SEC football and what he wants to accomplish before leaving Centerburg. Plus, we break down the Trojans' winning culture, their new-look offense and how Ballinger is approaching his final season as a leader.   This episode is brought to you by Graham Auto Mall and Triple P in Knox County. Intro and outro music is "Story of the Sunflower Samurai" by local artist Vaundoom.  Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local journalism. Related reading:  Explosive Centerburg roars past Utica for impressive victory Find all of our Knox County high school football coverage

Today – A neighborhood park in Mansfield has a new place to gather, thanks to a partnership that brought residents, local organizations and the city together.

Today – Three new firefighters are beginning their careers with the Mansfield Fire Department, joining a department that hopes to return to full staffing in the coming weeks.

This week on the News Man Weekly, we're keeping it in the family. Zach Hunnell, Carl's youngest son, joins us to discuss his life in Barcelona, Spain.  First, we recap the latest news around Richland County, including the Festival of Hope at Mansfield Speedway, long-awaited plans to demolish the former West Park Shopping Center and a new series of community town halls aimed at strengthening dialogue between Mansfield residents and police. Plus, Carl ranks his top 5 summer blockbuster movies of all time.  Then, News Man Weekly goes international as Carl welcomes his youngest son, Zachary Hunnell, a Lexington High School graduate who has spent the past four years living and working in Barcelona, Spain. Zach talks about his career in global supply chain management with HP and how a kid from Richland County ended up building a life halfway around the world. Father and son also get into the fun stuff: adjusting to 10 p.m. dinners, late-night beach parties, life without a car, European soccer culture, European healthcare, traveling the continent and the things Americans get completely wrong about everyday life in Spain. This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. Relevant links:  On the same track: Churches unite for Festival of Hope at Mansfield Speedway Mansfield NAACP announces 'Town Hall' meetings with mayor, police seeking improved relationship Powering down: Utility work to begin ahead of former West Park Shopping Mall's fall takedown Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

Today – An inclusive cheer team in Madison Township is proving that competition, confidence and belonging can all share the same mat.

Today – Lexington’s new elementary school is taking shape, with construction underway and plans calling for students to walk through the doors in the fall of 2028.

Today – Mansfield leaders are putting a five-year plan behind one of the city’s biggest economic assets, with hopes of turning Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport into a stronger engine for jobs, investment and new technology.

Today – A local bluegrass band is tuning up for a special Mansfield concert, with every ticket sold helping the Mansfield Playhouse keep the lights on as it prepares for its 101st season.

This week on News Man Weekly, it's essentially a high school football show. We invite our Managing Editor and long-time high school sports reporter, Larry Phillips, into the studio to help us preview the 2026 football season in Richland County.  But first, Carl, Zac and Hayden break down the latest Richland County headlines, including the case against a 16-year-old accused in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Elias Uzunoff, a new memorial highway honoring Vietnam War veteran Glenn S. Wingenbach Jr. and a major $500,000 donation moving the Mansfield Playhouse closer to its new downtown home. Then, Larry joins us for our special 2026 high school football roundtable. We break down the teams and players to watch across the county -- including a new era beginning at Lexington, a rebuilding Mansfield Senior, a MOAC race that includes Shelby, Ontario, Clear Fork and Galion, Plymouth's numbers issue, Lucas joining a conference and more.  Check out all of our high school football previews at the links below:  Team previews in Richland County Team previews in Ashland County Team previews in Knox County This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. More relevant links:  Richland County prosecutor will seek to try 16-year-old charged with murder in adult court Madison High School grad killed in Vietnam to have section of Ohio 13 dedicated in his name Anonymous $500K donation pushes Mansfield Playhouse closer to dream of new $5.9 million downtown theater Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

Today – Reece Cook is closing out a decade in the show ring with one of the biggest honors of her junior fair career — being named Showman of Showmen at the Richland County Fair.

A stretch of Ohio 13 near Mansfield will soon carry the name of a Madison High School graduate who left home for Vietnam and never returned.

Today – A major anonymous gift has moved the Mansfield Playhouse another half-million dollars closer to turning its vision for a new downtown theater into reality.

Today – A young black bear is turning heads around Mohican State Park, but wildlife officials say the animal appears to be a traveler rather than a new permanent resident.

This week on News Man Weekly, it's Richland County Fair week and Carl gives his top 5 fair foods. The crew also digs into the latest Richland County headlines, including the investigation into the May killing of 18-year-old Le’Ondra Messner, new economic development projects taking shape across the county and a debate at Mansfield City Council over whether more resources should be directed toward proactive youth violence prevention. Later, we sit down with Mansfield native Tom Joudrey, creator of Passenger Seat, a three-part podcast revisiting the harrowing 2012 kidnapping of Jennifer Hurst. Joudrey explains what drew him back to a story from his hometown, how he reconstructed Hurst’s 12-hour ordeal and why the series ultimately became about much more than the crime itself.  The conversation explores Hurst’s remarkable composure during the kidnapping, the collateral damage of addiction, Joudrey’s trip to Grafton Correctional Institution to interview Nathan Taylor and the ethical challenges of telling a true-crime story involving real people and lasting trauma. Joudrey also discusses why, more than a decade later, Hurst still feels compelled to tell her story — and what creating Passenger Seat taught him about storytelling, journalism and his hometown. This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. Relevant links: Listen to Passenger Seat on Apple Podcasts or Spotify Mansfield police seek public help in finding 4 'persons of interest' from May homicide Prevention vs. OT: Mansfield lawmaker pushes city to target root causes of youth violence Manufacturing expansions and historic revivals anchor Richland County growth, officials say Find all of our 2026 Fair coverage Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism. GET 10% OFF when you sign up through Aug. 16. 

Today – Richland County leaders say years of behind-the-scenes economic development work are now paying off in a wave of manufacturing expansions, downtown redevelopment and new opportunities across the county.

Today – Two Columbus men are in custody after authorities recovered 27 firearms and a taser stolen during an early-morning break-in at Fin Feather Fur Outfitters in Ashland.

Today – A Mansfield councilwoman is urging city leaders to invest more directly in preventing youth violence, rather than relying primarily on police overtime and crime analysis after violence occurs.

Today – A suspicious early-morning fire at a Mansfield transitional housing facility sent two men to the hospital and brought both fire and police investigators to the scene.

This week on News Man Weekly, Carl, Zac and Hayden mark the unofficial beginning of Ohio's march toward fall with another edition of Carl's Top 5. The crew also discusses several major local headlines, including Buc-ee's officially purchasing land in Mansfield, a $20 million fiber optic expansion along U.S. Route 30 and the opening of the new Bad Magic Skatepark at Maple Lake Park. Later, we sit down with Mansfield actor, filmmaker and videographer Beau Roberts. From his starring role as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls at the Renaissance Theatre to his work in independent films and behind the camera at DRM Productions, Beau shares stories from decades in the performing arts. We talk about the differences between stage and screen, memorable moments from live theater, the realities of pursuing an acting career and why Mansfield's arts community continues to punch above its weight. This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. Relevant links: Broadway Blowout: Case from 'Guys & Dolls' celebrates with the audience at the Renaissance Get tickets to Guys & Dolls at the Renaissance See Beau's IMDB page Mansfield Lahm Airport Day offers up-close look at aircraft and automobiles Property transfers: Buc-ee's closes on $2.6 million land purchase in Madison Twp. Lincoln Highway to broadband internet: Contract signed for $20 million U.S. 30 high-speed connection across Ohio From tennis courts to kickflips: Skat Ohio opens new Bad Magic Skatepark in Mansfield Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

Today: A first-year soap box derby racer turned a win in Mansfield into a third-place finish on the world championship stage in Akron.

Today: Former Butler Mayor Wesley Dingus will face a judge rather than a jury in his Mansfield Municipal Court voyeurism case, but the bench trial cannot be scheduled until the Ohio Supreme Court selects a visiting judge.

Today: A historic Mansfield home built to showcase the future could soon begin a new chapter as a museum, but only under strict operating limits designed to protect the surrounding neighborhood.