* The University of Findlay Vocal Music & Theatre Programs will hold open auditions for “Smile: The Musical” on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 30 and Dec 1, at 6:30 p.m. in Room 004 (dance studio) of the Frank J. Egner Center for the Performing Arts. The production will be staged on Wednesday through Sunday, Feb. 17-21, in the performing arts center’s John & Hester Powell Grimm Theatre. Community members are welcome to audition.

* U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today released a report highlighting the potential benefits of the recently completed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) for Ohio businesses and communities. According to Pritzker, the TPP will boost U.S. and local economic growth, support American jobs, expand investment opportunities, and increase Ohio exports to some of the world’s fastest growing markets.

* The U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) legislation to help military retirees and their families stop smoking. The bill now heads to the President’s desk. The Senate also appropriated the funding under the FY 2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriationsbill. The Strong Lungs, Strong Lives Act of 2015 – inspired by the story of military veteran and Urbana resident Terrence Levesque – would ensure that military retirees and their families who are TRICARE for Life beneficiaries maintain coverage for FDA-approved smoking cessation prescription drugs even after they age into Medicare.

* The Mansfield North Central Tea Party Association will present a program called “Stealth Jihad: The Advance of Sharia in America” 7-9 p.m. Nov. 16 at Wyandotte Senior Center in Mansfield.

Staff report