Montague Reporter Podcast

As this episode’s recording coincided with the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Sarah and Mike took the opportunity to reflect on how big historical events affect daily life, leading to a discussion of September’s special historical section from the 1890s. Then they move on to a story about developing collaboration between the various “quasi-governmental” entities managing essential services in Montague. The rest of the episode offers a helpful primer on what to expect this fall election season in Franklin County. Expect to leave this episode a higher-information voter than you started! If you’re curious whether Mike ended up going to the Franklin County Fair, the Diemand Farm 90th anniversary, or something else last weekend, submit your ask-the-editor questions to [email protected] detail on all of these stories, read the Montague Reporter! https://montaguereporter.org/read/  

After checking in on Mike’s health stats following the first round of the biweekly publication schedule, we hear the harrowing story of how an AI app snafu delayed printing the most recent edition of the paper. Then Sarah and Mike discuss the developing news around Food City’s pending sale, a spotlight on the Summer Eats meal program, and the results of last month’s divisive library funding vote. Stick it out for the non sequiturs to find out what music genre Mike is just finally getting into.Wishing Maggie Sadoway a speedy recovery!Support the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/donate/

Mike is tired! The wind-down of town meeting season across each of our idiosyncratic coverage towns, a contentious vote around funding for a new library in downtown Turners Falls, and a sensitive story about the technical school graduation ceremony have been keeping our editor busy in these final weeks before the biweekly summer schedule begins. But, there is a regionally specific crossword in the June 11 edition of the paper, and that is very cool. Check it out at https://montaguereporter.org/read/

In a fun “ask the editor,” Mike talks about making the recent historical section of archival Turners Falls Reporter excerpts from 1894— and unintentionally answers a bonus question: why might a newpaper editor carry around a kazoo at all times? Then, Sarah and Mike dive into the highlights from annual town meetings and elections across several of our coverage towns: library in Montague, school roof in Gill, sawmill in Leverett, and selectboard races in Erving and Montague. Listeners who stick it out are rewarded with a stimulating discussion of the arcane system of water and fire district management in Montague, a topic that has been in the news multiple times recently. See the video of the candidates’ forum for the Montague selectboard race here: https://vimeo.com/1189594713

Though bookended by an ask-the-editor segment about AI and a non-sequitur about the Iran war, the meat of this episode zooms in and focuses on the more provincial matter of town leadership. Mike introduces the two candidates running for an open selectboard seat, as well as the new “double” fire chief of Turners Falls and Montague Center. Then to a more contentious story about the Baystate nurses union contract negotiations. Support the newspaper! https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/