MANSFIELD — Source Media Properties released its 2025 impact report this week, offering a look at how independent local journalism continues to shape civic life across Richland, Ashland and Knox counties.
The report, titled “Community Trust at Work,” highlights the newsroom’s growth, investigative reporting, community engagement and the role readers and members play in sustaining local journalism.
“We’re building something durable: journalism that earns trust, strengthens civic life and supports the long-term health of our communities,” noted Jay Allred, CEO of Source Media.
The publication outlines both the scale of the newsroom’s work and the impact of its reporting.
By the numbers
In 2025, Source Media’s local news platforms — Richland Source, Ashland Source and Knox Pages — saw continued growth in both readership and community support.
Key highlights include:
- 20.9% overall membership growth across the organization
- 34% membership growth at Knox Pages
- 32% membership growth at Ashland Source
- 13% membership growth at Richland Source
- 1.4 million visitors across the network in 2025
- 14,000 articles published across the three counties
The newsroom also earned three statewide journalism awards recognizing the quality and impact of its reporting.
Reporting that shaped community conversations
The report highlights several major journalism initiatives and Solutions Journalism work from the past year.
One of the largest projects was “It Takes a Village,” a tri-county investigation exploring how child care access affects workforce participation, economic growth and family stability.
The project included more than 35 stories, a community survey with over 1,000 responses, and a public event drawing hundreds of attendees to discuss solutions.
Another major effort concluded in early 2025: “Beyond the Chip,” examined the potential regional impact of Intel’s semiconductor investment near Knox County.
Reporters traveled to Sherwood, Oregon — a community already living with a major semiconductor facility — to study lessons local leaders could apply as development unfolds in Ohio.
Accountability and public-interest reporting
The newsroom invested heavily in time and effort to produce investigative and accountability reporting.
One example highlighted in the report is the “Crisis of Faith” investigation into Faith Life Church, which examined allegations, financial transparency and governance issues.
The project required extensive records review, travel and layered editorial oversight — the type of work that can only happen with sustained community support, the report states.
Other major public-interest coverage included:
- Explaining complex Mansfield City Schools budget decisions in accessible language.
- A three-part series examining $12 million in federal ARPA spending in Knox County.
- Reporting on state tax policy that could mean $2.7 million in annual revenue loss for Mansfield.
Breaking news and community coverage
The report also highlights the newsroom’s role in covering breaking news and community developments.
When a private plane crashed in Ashland County, reporters worked at the scene gathering exclusive details, photos and audio from air traffic communications to provide accurate reporting as the story unfolded.
Similarly, coverage of a major winter fire in downtown Shelby drew more than 4,000 readers overnight, outperforming regional legacy outlets in speed and depth of coverage.
Journalism beyond the article
Source Media also expanded its role as a community convener.
The organization hosted Solutions Journalism events attended by more than 2,000 people over the past two years, bringing residents together to discuss local issues.
It also continued to grow its podcast lineup, including:
- Newsman Weekly, a civic-focused discussion of local issues.
- Better Together, hosted by Brittany Schock and Maddie Penwell, exploring themes of leadership, caregiving, mental health and community connection.
The report also highlights the Kaleidoscope speaker series, which brought three national voices to Mansfield for conversations about culture, faith and public life.
Looking ahead
In 2026, Source Media plans to build on this work by expanding its journalism footprint.
The organization has already launched Delaware Source, extending its community-driven local news model into Delaware County.
Future priorities also include expanding its Open Source community question platform, continuing election and accountability coverage and developing new tools — including a mobile app — to help readers stay connected to local news.
“Local journalism isn’t just about telling stories,” said Leah Gesouras, Head of Community Investment at Source Media Properties. “It’s about strengthening the systems people rely on every day so they can lead more informed lives in their communities.
“When communities have clarity, strong systems follow.”
That mission is supported by two pillars: thousands of reader members and a growing group of local businesses and organizations participating in the Newsroom Partner program.
Together, their investment keeps independent journalism strong and accessible across north central Ohio.Readers can explore the organizations who make this work possible on the Newsroom Partners page or by joining as a Source Member.