Government

• Ohio Proposal Could Let State Close Struggling Schools — Here's What It Means for Richland County

  No Richland County schools are on the state's 43-school intervention list, but the proposal's framework for closures and charter conversions puts every Ohio district on notice.

• Ohio Capital Budget Delivers Over $3.4 Million to Richland County Projects as Part of $5.9 Million for Three-County District

  Ten local projects — from the Mansfield Playhouse's new facility to homeless shelter upgrades — will receive state infrastructure funds signed into law by Gov. DeWine.

• Advocates and Business Leaders Call Ohio Childcare Costs a Crisis — Richland County's Lawmakers Haven't Weighed In

  Richland County families pay roughly 56% above the recommended affordability standard, yet local state legislators have stayed silent as advocates and business groups push for action.

• The Blueprint for Mansfield's Next 25 Years Is Being Drawn Right Now. Who's at the Table?

  With over 1,000 housing units, $32 million in port authority deals and a broadband project in play, a tri-government initiative will shape local land use through 2050.

• Mayor Perry Cancels Civil Service Commission Meeting With One Day's Notice

  The commission's Aug. 13 session was rescheduled to Aug. 17 without explanation, delaying oversight of city hiring and employee appeals.

• State Awards $20 Million for Route 30 Broadband — but Which Richland County Families Will Actually Get Connected?

  The $20 million fiber backbone won't run lines to homes, leaving it unclear which underserved Richland County households will benefit or when.

• Mansfield Residents Get First Public Forum to Press Police, City Leaders on Accountability

  The forum, organized by the local NAACP branch, follows body-camera footage of an officer punching a 68-year-old during a traffic stop.

• Ramaswamy Property Tax Rollback Could Mean Billions in Cuts, Analysis Finds

  A progressive group's analysis says the plan could strip billions from Ohio schools and local services, raising stakes for Richland County budgets already running tight.

• State Opens $120 Million Brownfield Cleanup Program — Opportunity for Mansfield's Vacant Industrial Sites

  Applications close Sept. 11 for grants that could fund cleanup of contaminated former factories and commercial sites across Richland County.

• Mansfield City Schools secures state funding commitment for new elementary school

  The state would cover up to 96% of costs, but the district has not chosen a site, design, or opening date for the project.

• Port authority weighs sales-tax exemptions for Newman, Mansfield Forward development projects

  Commissioners are considering port-authority financing that could waive sales tax on construction materials for over $104 million in local projects.

• Mansfield City Council approves five-year airport economic development plan

  The unanimous vote ties city investment to measurable goals for hangars, workforce training and job growth at Lahm Regional through 2031.