This week on News Man Weekly, Carl and Zac recap a red, white and blue weekend across North Central Ohio, launch a new segment called, “The News Man’s Top Five” and break down the latest local headlines. We discuss new state tax credits for major downtown Mansfield redevelopment projects, rising health insurance costs facing Richland County and Mansfield City Schools’ early steps toward a possible new elementary school.

Later, Carl sits down with three of Source Media’s newest reporters: Abby Hiday of Ashland Source, Logan Adams of Richland Source and Alex Hopkins of Knox Pages. The trio discusses their first month in local journalism, what surprised them most about covering North Central Ohio, the stories that have stood out so far and what they hope to bring to readers in the years ahead. Consider this your official introduction to a few new voices in the Source Media newsroom.

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

Relevant links:

• Downtown Forward, new Mansfield hotel project receive $1.1 million in state tax credits
• Downtown Forward project in Mansfield gets $5 million in historic tax credits for redevelopment
• 70 percent in 5 years: Rising health insurance costs not sustainable in Richland County, Vero says
• New elementary school? Mansfield City Schools is considering construction

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Fifty years after Mansfield sealed away a snapshot of 1976, the city opened its bicentennial time capsule and found a message of hope still echoing into 2026.

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Today – A Mansfield fire promotion ceremony became a full-circle family moment Wednesday, as Lt. Adam Compton pinned an assistant chief badge on his father, Dave Compton.

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Today – A new job center inside Mansfield Correctional Institution is aimed at helping inmates build résumés, search for work, and prepare for life after release.

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Today – A black bear on the move in Bellville has residents checking cameras, warning neighbors and keeping a closer eye on the backyard.

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This week on News Man Weekly, Carl, Zac and Hayden welcome resident soccer expert Adam "Doc" Fox into the studio for a lively World Cup discussion. We talk about knockout stage scenarios and debate whether this year's U.S. Men's National Team has what it takes to make the deepest tournament run in program history. We also catch up on another busy week of local news, including a $5 million boost for the Downtown Forward redevelopment project. 

Later, we sit down with Ryan James -- who is behind the Cypher City Hip Hop Festival, returning July 25 to the Richland County Fairgrounds. He talks about how the festival has grown into one of the region's premier celebrations of hip hop culture, what's new this year, why Mansfield's music scene continues to evolve and which local artists deserve a spot on your playlist. Whether you're a longtime fan or simply curious about the scene, this conversation offers a fresh look at one of Richland County's most unique annual events.

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

Relevant links:

• Follow Cypher City on Facebook
• Downtown Forward project in Mansfield gets $5 million in historic tax credits for redevelopment
• Mansfield man, 31, arrested for allegedly murdering his 3-year-old child in 2024
• Richland County sells home seized in major Madison Township drug bust for $91,414

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Today – A major state funding award is bringing Taking Root Farms closer to building a long-planned future for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Richland County.

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Pleasant Hill Lake has become the setting for one of the most remarkable wildlife comeback stories in the region, as ospreys have spent the last two decades fighting wind, predators, bad luck, and even people, yet still managing to thrive.

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Today – Richland County leaders say the county’s finances are steady, but rising employee health insurance costs are forcing a harder look at the future.

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Today – Mansfield’s historic landmark theater is temporarily without seats, but the Renaissance Theatre says that empty auditorium is a visible sign of a much bigger vision for its next century.

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