The Mansfield Daily News, the city's first daily newspaper, was founded in 1885. The Mansfield Journal was founded in 1930. In 1932, as the Depression hit, The Journal and the Mansfield News were merged into The News Journal, the only daily in the area. The News Journal was owned by the Horvitz family in 1932 and remained with the family until it was sold to Ingersol in 1987. It was sold to Thomson in 1990 and Gannett in 2000.

The newspaper has distinguished itself in Ohio journalistic circles by winning the General Excellence Award in the Ohio Associated Press contest in 1989, 1990 and 1997. In addition to winning this top award in its circulation category three times, the News Journal has placed either second or third in this competition in 1998, 1999 and 2000. The News Journal also won the Ohio AP First Amendment Award in 1989 for successfully defending a libel suit before the Ohio Supreme Court and thus establishing a new standard for public-records reporting in Ohio.

Mansfield is located in north central Ohio, midway between Cleveland and Columbus. The city serves as a regional hub for employment, shopping, medical care and entertainment in the six-county area between these two larger cities.

Mansfield was developed as an industrial town and once served as the home of such giants as Tappan and Westinghouse. Although the community has made the transition to a more service-based economy, it still features heavy manufacturing, including a large General Motors stamping plant.

Attractions that bring visitors to north central Ohio include an indoor carrousel in downtown Mansfield, Kingwood horticultural center, Snow Trails and Clear Fork ski areas and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. The track features a number of auto races each year, including the Miller 200 for Indy cars.

Johnny Appleseed spent most of his adult life in Mansfield and north central Ohio, planting orchards and spreading his religious philosophy. An outdoor drama focusing on Johnny Appleseed's life will open near Mansfield prior to Ohio's bicentennial celebration in 2003.

Area population: 385,904
Median family income: $41,795
Median age: 37.7
Largest employers: General Motor, MedCentral Regional Hospital, Sprint
Key colleges: Ohio State University, Mansfield, Ashland University, North Central State College