2026 Knox County Fair Royalty were announced on Sunday. WNZR’s Joe Rinehart had the chance to talk with the 2026 Junior Fair Queen – Sophie Wolfe and Junior Fair King – Will Stokes. They shared about their experience in this contest and shared a highlight of the projects they are working on for this year’s Fair. Click HERE to listen to their conversations.
Congratulations to all the participants and winners: 2026 Junior Fair Queen – Sophie Wolf
We spoke with these candidates:
Sophia Wolf
Haley Unger
Taylor Thorne
Raegan Blanchard
2026 Junior Fair King – Will Stokes
We spoke with these candidates
Will Stokes
Lane Dugan
Check out our pictures on the WNZR Facebook page. Look for the 2025 Knox County Fair Sunday photo album.
Kristin and Coach Jared Ronai recently joined WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to talk about Kaci’s Camp, a free sports camp created in memory of their daughter, Kaci Ronai. The camp is designed for children with Down syndrome and reflects the Ronais’ desire to honor Kaci’s life while encouraging other families.
Jared shared that more than a year ago, he and Kristin learned they were expecting their fourth child. Later in the pregnancy, they found out Kaci would be born with Down syndrome.
Kaci was born on November 29th, 2025, and spent her first month in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Jared said the family was able to bring her home on New Year’s Eve, which became a very special day for their family. He also reflected on the memories they were able to make together during Kaci’s time at home.
Kaci became sick, and because of medical complications, she passed away on March 22nd, 2026.
Following her passing, the Ronais wanted to create something that would continue Kaci’s legacy. That vision became Kaci’s Camp.
The camp will be held on Saturday, August 8th, at Ariel Arena on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University. It is open to children ages 6 through 18 with Down syndrome and will feature basketball, volleyball, soccer, and wiffle ball.
Kristin said their family was always focused on helping Kaci thrive, and they hope the camp will provide that same encouragement for other children. Jared said the goal is to give participants an opportunity to feel celebrated, build confidence around others like them, and enjoy a day where they can thrive through sports and activities.
The event is completely free for participating families. While donations are accepted, the Ronais said those gifts will help provide educational resources for parents of children with Down syndrome. They also shared that approximately one in every 700 babies is born with Down syndrome, and they hope the camp helps raise awareness within the community.
Kaci’s Camp is designed as a full-day event. Registration will take place from 9:30 until 10 a.m., with activities running from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Campers will participate in two sports during the morning, followed by lunch and breaks before taking part in two additional sports during the afternoon.
Kristin said they want every child who attends to feel like they are part of something and know they are welcomed. She also said that while the camp is centered on the children, she hopes volunteers and everyone involved will leave with a greater appreciation for the Down syndrome community.
Jared shared that he hopes Kaci’s Camp continues to grow in the years ahead, helping raise awareness about Down syndrome while honoring Kaci’s life and the impact she had on their family. Kristin also offered encouragement to parents who may receive a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child, saying that children with Down syndrome are a gift from God and sharing that Kaci was a tremendous blessing to their family.
As they prepare for the first Kaci’s Camp, the Ronais are asking the community to pray for the event, for enough volunteers to serve, and that every child who attends will have a positive experience and feel loved.
Registration is open through August 1st.
The Ronais are also seeking volunteers, and anyone interested in serving can use the same email address to learn more about available opportunities.
We are around the halfway point of summer, so we wanted to check in and see how your summer bucket list is looking. The big blue crew shared what they checked off and what they are still itching to do. There are so many more opportunities to have fun this summer, so don’t worry if you still have a lot on your list.
Sometimes a to-do list can be daunting, so remember to rest this summer in the midst of all the fun. Here a few simple ideas to rest while still having fun this summer:
Watch a movie while cuddled up with some popcorn
Have a self-care night
Go for an evening walk and play I-Spy
Play a board game
Listen to music
Read your favorite book while watching the sunset
Click HERE to listen to the Big Blue Crew’s summer bucket list check-in
Do you dread and the Monday morning blues? We can all relate and we have some suggestions to help you have a better Monday. The Big Blue Crew shared their favorite Monday morning gratitudes on The Morning Thing! You can listen to them HERE!
Here are a few Monday Morning gratitudes to start your day off with. One simple way to kick the Monday blues is to finish this sentence:
From classic pairings like French fries dipped in a milkshake to more unexpected favorites like potato chips on a sandwich or peanut butter on a hamburger, everyone had a unique combination they enjoy.
The conversation also invited listeners to share their own unusual food favorites. Whether it’s something you’ve eaten since childhood or a combination you discovered by accident, everyone seems to have that one food pairing that makes other people raise an eyebrow.
As the week wrapped up, it was a fun reminder that when it comes to food, sometimes the strangest combinations become the tastiest traditions.
Click HERE to see some WEIRD food combos from Live Eat Learn!
Today (Wednesday) is Be a Kid Again Day, a lighthearted reminder to slow down, have fun, and reconnect with the simple joys of childhood.
The annual observance encourages adults to embrace their inner child and enjoy the carefree moments that often get lost in the busyness of everyday life.
On The Morning Thing, the Big Blue Crew took a trip down memory lane by sharing some of their favorite summer memories.
Click HERE to hear comments from the Big Blue Crew!
From long days spent riding bikes around the neighborhood to catching lightning bugs, swimming until sunset, and enjoying family vacations, it was a reminder that some of life’s best moments are also the simplest.
Whether it’s flying a kite, eating a popsicle on the front porch, playing catch, or simply watching the clouds roll by, today is a great opportunity to set aside your to-do list—even for a few minutes—and enjoy life through the eyes of a kid again.
Today (Tuesday) is World Chocolate Day, making it the perfect excuse to enjoy your favorite chocolate treat.
On The Morning Thing, we heard from the Big Blue Crew as they shared some of their favorite chocolate desserts, and we had some fun imagining what belongs in the ultimate chocolate creation. Whether you prefer brownies, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, cake, or a classic candy bar, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate.
Chocolate has been enjoyed for more than 3,000 years. The ancient Maya and Aztecs prized cacao, using it to make a bitter drink that was considered a valuable part of their culture.
Milk chocolate is America’s favorite. While dark and white chocolate have plenty of fans, milk chocolate continues to be the most popular choice in the United States.
Chocolate begins with cacao pods. The pods grow on cacao trees, and each one contains dozens of cacao beans that are fermented, dried, roasted, and processed to create the chocolate we enjoy today.
Whether you’re reaching for a candy bar, baking your favorite dessert, or sharing a sweet treat with friends, World Chocolate Day is a great reminder to enjoy one of the world’s favorite flavors. Happy World Chocolate Day!
Click HERE to learn more about World Chocolate Day!
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior Kai Mays to reflect on his time at MVNU and his experiences with WNZR.
Kai, who is from Delaware, says he originally came to MVNU to play soccer after spending most of his life around the sport. While athletics brought him to campus, he eventually found a passion for Communication and Digital Media, graduating with a Business minor as well.
Kai became involved with WNZR through class requirements and later found his place with the station’s video crew. He helped direct productions, run camera, and assist with sports broadcasts. He says one of the biggest lessons he learned was how much work goes into producing content behind the scenes and how important the process is to creating something successful.
During the conversation, Kai also shared a few favorite memories from his time at MVNU, including Christmas parties with friends, exciting moments covering volleyball games, and even jumping into the reflection pond during the recent paint drop celebration.
As graduation approaches, Mays says it still feels a little surreal, but he is excited for the next chapter. After a short trip to Iowa, he plans to work for a renovation company this summer while exploring long-term career opportunities, including possible work in car photography.
Kai also asked listeners to pray for his sister and her fiancé as they prepare for their upcoming wedding in August, along with continued health concerns she is facing.
For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite memories with our Seniors in the MVNU Class of 2026. Congratulations to Abby Almodovar, Zane Menzie, Isaiah Clark, Kai Mays, EJ Temple, Jackson Bush, Kara Jenkins, Naomi Kinne and Traven Griffith!
Click HERE to hear our memories or click on the picture below.
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior EJ Temple to talk about his journey to MVNU, his time with WNZR, and what’s next after graduation.
Temple, who is from Mount Gilead, says his path to MVNU took a few turns. After attending Waynesburg University and Columbus State, he transferred to MVNU for his junior and senior years. He studied Communications and Digital Media with a focus on sports announcing.
At WNZR, EJ worked on The Viewer, served on the video team, and spent a year as a DJ. He says his favorite role was working behind the camera during sports broadcasts and video projects. Temple says one of the biggest things he learned during his time at the station was patience and how to work with people at different experience levels.
Looking back, EJ says he still remembers being nervous about getting accepted to MVNU, but now sees how worthwhile the journey has been. Some of his favorite memories came while working courtside at basketball games, including a funny moment during a women’s game when a player was less than thrilled to see the camera pointed her direction after a fall on the court.
After graduation, Temple will begin a job with Bankers Life selling life insurance. He says his background in sales and communication helped lead him toward the career. EJ asks listeners to pray for him as he prepares for his insurance exam and begins this next chapter.
Rise and Shine 