On this episode of So That Reminds Me, Staff Writer Trent Levakis joins hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet to recap Easthampton's citywide Proposition 2 1/2 override vote to avoid cutting city services, and the recount that followed. Trent discusses the background, observing the hourslong recount process and the impact it all has on the city. Ryan and Tyler also review some of this week's top stories, including reaction to the selection of a site for a new Springfield courthouse and Chicopee's moves to staff the Police Department's Real Time Information Center in the wake of the Hampden County Sheriff Department's cuts.

• Welcome 0:30
• Springfield courthouse drama: 3:50
• Real Time Information Center staffing: 7:55
• Easthampton override and recount: 13:00
• Wrap-up: 34:11

East Longmeadow is preparing for one of its biggest celebrations in generations, and So That Reminds Me has your inside look. Co-hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet sit down with Adele Hill and Donna Prather to preview East Longmeadow's Fourth of July festivities and the country’s landmark 250th anniversary celebration. They discuss what visitors and residents can expect, the events that will bring the town together to celebrate Independence Day, and the community collaboration that makes it all possible.

Dennis and Tyler review the latest top stories from across the Reminder Publishing coverage area, breaking down the news shaping local communities. And if you're looking for holiday plans they give a roundup of Fourth of July celebrations happening throughout Western Massachusetts, highlighting parades, fireworks, family activities and community traditions across the region.

• Welcome: 0:22
• Top Western Mass. headlines: 1:44
• Preview of Celebrating America 250th in 01028: 12:55
• Western Mass. Fourth of July Events: 38:07

The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival returns to Springfield's historic Court Square on July 10 and 11, bringing two days of world-class music, vibrant culture and community celebration to the heart of downtown.

On this episode of So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Tyler Garnett and Ryan Feyre are joined by Blues to Green Executive Director Kristin Neville for a preview of this year's festival. They discuss the event's mission, what makes the 2026 lineup special, and what attendees can expect from a weekend featuring everything from New Orleans funk and Afro-Cuban jazz to global roots music.

Welcome: 0:30

Western Mass News update: 4:29

Kristin Neville: 14:35

Wrap-up: 37:27

On this episode of So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sit down with Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby to discuss one of the most consequential votes facing the city in recent memory: a proposed $6.9 million Proposition 2½ override.

With city finances at a crossroads, Derby explains how Easthampton arrived at this point, the budget pressures driving the request and what residents need to know before heading to the ballot box. The mayor breaks down what passage of the override would mean for municipal services, schools, public safety and long-term financial stability, and what potential cuts, changes and challenges the community could face if voters reject the measure.

• Welcome: 0:30
• What’s Happening in Western Mass — Chicopee stories: 4:13
• Easthampton Mayor Salem Derby: 9:49
• Wrap up: 40:30

This week on the podcast, Chris Maza and Dennis Hackett sit down with Taurean Bethea, founder of the Springfield Pride Parade, to preview Pride Month 2026 events, community celebrations, and LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts across Springfield. Meanwhile, Tyler Garnet and Ryan Feyre speak with Jeffery Bianche and Jeffrey Anderson-Burgos about what’s ahead for Pride festivities in Holyoke and how local organizations are preparing for one of Western Massachusetts’ biggest community celebrations.

The crew also breaks down some of the biggest stories making headlines across Western Massachusetts, including Easthampton’s ongoing budget crisis, the latest developments in the Longmeadow fiber saga, and what voters should know with spring municipal election season is in full swing.

Welcome: 0:30

What's News In Western Mass: 4:08

Springfield Pride: 13:31

Holyoke Pride: 28:21

Wrap-up and other Pride events: 47:49

As soon as news broke of a proposed merger between Baystate Health and Mercy Medical Center, Springfield state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez began seeking answers. Now, with a meeting with Baystate leadership on the horizon, Gonzalez joins Reminder Publishing co-hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet to discuss the uncertainties surrounding health care access, the Western Massachusetts economy, and whether the two organizations can successfully unite.

Dennis and Tyler are also joined by Chris Maza to break down some of the region’s biggest stories, including a heated fiber debate in Longmeadow, the ongoing budget crisis in South Hadley, and the anticipated arrival of new F-35 Lightning fighter jets in Westfield this June.

• Welcome: 0:29
• What’s News in Western Mass.: 1:09
• Carlos Gonzalez on the Baystate-Mercy Merger: 14:33
• Gonzalez on state Legislature’s health care priorities: 22:12
• Gonzalez on the state budgeting process: 23:15
• Gonzalez on being the honorary chair for the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast: 25:05
• Wrap-up: 26:38

In this week’s episode, the So That Reminds Me team interviews one of their own. Staff writer Tyler Garnet swaps roles to discuss his ongoing coverage of South Hadley’s high-stakes, complicated and emotionally charged discussions, debates and votes as the town tries to maneuver its way through a budget crisis that could have serious and damaging implications for the town and its residents.

Co-hosts Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre also dive into more Western Mass. news, including local elections, the Senate’s passage of the FARM Bill, Westfield’s new fire chief, some news out of Springfield where they honored one of its own for his dedication to kids and sports programming.

• Welcome: 0:20
• What’s News in Western Mass.: 3:00
• Breaking Down South Hadley’s Budget Dilemma with Tyler Garnet: 13:12
• Wrap up: 37:00

This week on So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler sit down with Colleen Loveless and Ethel Griffin of Revitalize CDC to talk about the upcoming #GreenNFit Day in Springfield, a celebration of healthy living, community togetherness, and neighborhood revitalization. Learn what volunteers can expect, why this event matters for Springfield residents, and how Revitalize CDC is working to make a lasting impact across the city.

Plus, the hosts break down some of the top headlines across the Pioneer Valley, including the real-world impact of proposed budget cuts to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office and what voters need to know about the looming override vote in South Hadley.

• Welcome: 0:10
• What’s News in Western Mass.: 4:10
• Revitalize CDC’s #GreenNFit Day: 16:46
• Wrap-up: 51:21