So That Reminds Me

In this episode of So That Reminds Me, hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnett sit down with Mike Baxendale of Rock 102 to discuss the upcoming Mayflower Marathon, one of Western Massachusetts' largest annual food drives benefiting Springfield Open Pantry.

Dennis, Tyler and Bax explore the growing challenge of food insecurity across Hampden County and Western Massachusetts, and how the Mayflower Marathon has evolved from filling a single truck with donations to generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in food and financial support for local families in need. Bax shares the event's history, highlights the donations most needed this year, explains how volunteers can get involved and discusses why community participation is more important than ever as demand at local food pantries continues to rise.

The episode also includes a breakdown of the 2026 Massachusetts election results, with Dennis and Tyler reviewing federal, state and local races, voter turnout trends and the outcomes of all nine statewide ballot questions: public records transparency, public defender unionization, open primaries, same-day voter registration, tax rebates, nature conservation, zoning reform, marijuana repeal and gun regulations.

• 0:30 Welcome
• 1:13 Election Night Recap
• 2:18 Federal, State and Local Election Results
• 3:12 Ballot Question Results
• 11:02 Introducing Mike Baxendale and the Mayflower Marathon
• 12:24 The History of the Mayflower Marathon
• 18:02 How the Marathon Supports Springfield Open Pantry
• 20:15 Growing Food Insecurity in Western Massachusetts
• 24:30 Most Needed Donations and How to Help
• 28:10 Why Cash Donations Go Further
• 31:15 Volunteer Opportunities and Community Partnerships
• 35:18 Remembering John O'Brien's Legacy
• 38:12 Additional Food Assistance Resources in Western Massachusetts
• 40:05 Final Thoughts and Next Episode Preview

Massachusetts voters will decide nine statewide ballot questions this Election Day, and understanding what's on the ballot can be challenging. In this episode of So That Reminds Me, Tyler Garnet, Ryan Feyre and Chris Maza break down all nine Massachusetts ballot questions, explaining what each proposal would do and how it could affect residents, taxpayers and local communities. Topics include public records transparency, voter registration, tax policy, housing development, environmental funding, recreational marijuana, firearm regulations and other major issues facing Massachusetts voters.

• 00:30 Welcome
• 00:48 The Big E and West Springfield Agreement Discussions
• 06:17 Question 1: Massachusetts Public Records and Government Transparency
• 12:50 Question 2: Union Rights for Massachusetts Public Defenders and Public Counsel Employees
• 17:34 Question 3: Open Primaries, Ranked-Choice Voting and Massachusetts Election Reform
• 23:23 Question 4: Election Day Voter Registration and Expanding Voting Access in Massachusetts
• 33:18 Question 5: Massachusetts Taxpayer Rebates, State Revenue Limits and Fiscal Policy
• 41:06 Question 6: Environmental Conservation Funding, Parks and Open Space Protection
• 46:01 Question 7: Single-Family Housing Development, Zoning Reform and the Massachusetts Housing Crisis
• 51:13 Question 8: Recreational Marijuana Legalization, Cannabis Sales and State Drug Policy
• 58:03 Question 9: Massachusetts Gun Laws, Firearm Regulations and Ghost Gun Restrictions
• 1:03:55 How to Research Ballot Questions, Prepare Your Vote and Navigate Election Day
• 1:06:16 Final Thoughts on the Massachusetts Election, Voting Resources and Episode Wrap-Up

State Sen. Jake Oliveira joins So That Reminds Me to discuss school funding, Proposition 2½ overrides, rising energy and health insurance costs, East-West Rail, economic development and the future of the Quabbin Reservoir. Oliveira also weighs in on the proposed Hampden County courthouse, legislative transparency, state spending and what Beacon Hill can do to help local communities manage growing costs while investing in the future.

00:30 Welcome

03:10 Holyoke's Wyckoff Country Club redevelopment proposal and future housing plans

07:02 Holyoke cannabis dispensary extended hours pilot program

09:52 Chicopee's debate over the PROTECT Act school policy

15:37 Interview begins: Sen. Jake Oliveira on representing Western Massachusetts

17:27 Springfield courthouse proposal and concerns over a long-term state lease

22:26 Proposition 2½ overrides and school funding challenges facing local communities

27:23 Rising gas prices, energy affordability and the proposed Massachusetts gas tax suspension

30:44 Health insurance costs and the impact on municipalities, taxpayers and businesses

35:15 Quabbin Reservoir water withdrawals and concerns about Western Massachusetts water resources

38:08 One Stop for Growth grants and economic development projects in the region

40:23 Looking ahead: legislative priorities, Chapter 70 funding, energy affordability and East-West Rail

43:29 Ballot Question 1, legislative audits and government transparency

48:53 Episode wrap-up

In this episode of So That Reminds Me, Chris Maza and Ryan Feyre sit down for an exclusive interview with Springfield College professor and author Marty Dobrow to discuss his new book, Original City, Original Sin: King, the Klan, and the Fight for Civil Rights in St. Augustine, Florida, scheduled for release on Oct. 15.

Dobrow explores the little-known story of the civil rights movement in St. Augustine, Florida, the nation's oldest city and one of the movement's most significant yet often overlooked battlegrounds. The conversation examines the roles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Ku Klux Klan, local activists, and other key figures who shaped the struggle for civil rights. Dobrow also explains the surprising connections between this pivotal chapter in American history and Western Massachusetts.

The hosts also break down some of the top local news stories from across Western Massachusetts, including Halloween season events at Holyoke's Wistariahurst Museum, a partnership between the Hampden District Attorney's Office and students in Dean Technical High School's Auto Collision and Diesel Technology programs, new state earmarks supporting local veterans services and organizations, and plans for the future of the East Longmeadow Town Hall.

• 0:30 Welcome
• 6:43 Wistariahurst Museum Halloween events
• 8:44 Hampden District Attorney’s support for Dean Tech students
• 9:55 Chicopee veterans funding
• 11:34 East Longmeadow Town Hall move
• 12:53 Twisted Sister Prime Magazine feature
• 14:25 9/11 25th anniversary reflections
• 19:25 Welcoming Marty Dobrow
• 22:40 Inspiration for Original City, Original Sin
• 27:44 Western Mass. connections
• 33:24 Impressions of St. Augustine
• 43:04 The South’s struggle with racial history
• 55:34 Reflections on the process
• 59:39 Where to find Original City, Original Sin

Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll joins Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre on this episode of So That Reminds Me for an in-depth discussion on the major issues shaping the state and Western Massachusetts in 2026.

Driscoll discusses the Healey-Driscoll administration's proposal to suspend the Massachusetts gas tax and weighs in on the controversial Hampden County courthouse project in Springfield, growing concerns over Proposition 2½ overrides and efforts to address the Massachusetts housing crisis as residents face rising costs and affordability challenges.

The conversation also covers the state audit and legislative transparency, data center development across Massachusetts and local control over proposed projects in communities such as Holyoke, Westfield and Agawam, and the administration's response to potential federal SNAP benefit cuts. Driscoll also reflects on the accomplishments of the Healey-Driscoll administration's first term, her priorities moving forward and her approach to the election season.

In addition to the interview, Hackett and Feyre discuss other top stories from around Western Massachusetts, including The Big E, regional 9/11 memorial events, Springfield Public Schools' recovery from a cyberattack and data breach, local communities' responses to data center proposals and other news impacting residents throughout the region.

• 00:30 Welcome
• 05:52 Western Massachusetts Headlines
• 14:45 Interview: Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll
• 15:40 Massachusetts Gas Tax Relief
• 19:26 Springfield Courthouse Debate
• 21:37 Proposition 2½ and School Funding
• 24:05 Massachusetts Housing Affordability
• 28:40 State Audit and Government Transparency
• 29:52 Data Centers and Community Impact
• 30:58 Supplemental Budget and SNAP Benefits
• 33:46 Healey-Driscoll Administration Accomplishments
• 40:34 Wrap-Up

In this episode of So That Reminds Me, hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sit down with Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni to discuss the work of the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, youth outreach, public safety and community engagement across Western Massachusetts.

Gulluni talks about his office’s youth programs, including Hoop Up Springfield and HERizon, the importance of building relationships with young people and why approaches such as “Scared Straight” may not be the best way to prevent crime. He also discusses other community outreach programs, how their effectiveness can be measured and the importance of connecting with residents throughout Hampden County.

The conversation also covers the Hampden County courthouse, including Gulluni’s concerns about the process behind the selection of the Liberty Junction bid as well as Springfield’s recent multi-agency public safety initiative, which resulted in more than 50 arrests, more than 200 motor vehicle citations and firearm seizures over a two-day period.

Ryan and Tyler also recap the Sept. 1 Massachusetts primary election, including several key results in Western Massachusetts, U.S. Senate and Congressional races and the South Hadley tax override vote.

• Welcome: 0:30
• Primary election results: 1:08
• District Attorney Anthony Gulluni: 10:17
• Wrap up: 45:09

Ahead of the upcoming election for Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District, So That Reminds Me spoke with Democratic congressional challenger Jeromie Whalen and independent candidate Nadia Milleron about the race for the U.S. House of Representatives, their campaigns and the issues facing voters in the district. The interviews were conducted at Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s annual picnic.

Whalen and Milleron discuss their candidacies, priorities and views on the issues as they seek to represent Massachusetts’ 1st Congressional District in Congress.

Note: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Richard Neal was invited to participate in an interview at the sheriff’s picnic, and other invitations to participate in an interview for this podcast were unanswered.

• Welcome: 0:30
• Top news in Western Mass.: 1:07
• Democratic candidate Jeromie Whalen: 13:10
• Independent candidate Nadia Milleron: 22:24
• Wrap up: 33:52

Food for Thought: Talking Politics at the Sheriff’s Picnic

On this special episode of So That Reminds Me, the co-hosts Ryan Feyre, Tyler Garnett, Dennis Hackett and Chris Maza sat down with elected officials and political hopefuls from Western Massachusetts to the Massachusetts State House to discuss the issues and their platforms as a pivotal election season approaches.

• Welcome: 0:26
• Top news in Western Mass: 4:43
• Sheriff Nick Cocchi: 9:07
• Governor Maura Healey’s media avail: 15:15
• State Auditor Diana DiZoglio: 23:11
• Governor’s Council candidate Michael Fenton: 34:36
• Republican treasurer candidate Elizabeth Dionne: 43:27
• State Rep. Angelo Puppolo: 57:28
• State Rep. candidate Michael Lachenmeyer: 1:08:21
• State Rep. candidate Nichole Coakley: 1:16:36
• Springfield City Councilor Victor Davila: 1:24:27
• Springfield City Council hopeful Juan Latorre: 1:32:02
• Wrap up from the Sheriff’s Picnic: 1:41:09

On the latest episode of So That Reminds Me, Managing Editor Ryan Feyre and Staff Writer Tyler Garnet are joined by State Senator John Velis to talk about what is going on in his district and in the Legislature.

From data centers to cell phones in school and keeping Massachusetts competitive the interview digs into some of the big question marks in the area.

• Welcome: 0:30
• What's News in Western Mass.3:30
• State Senator John Velis: 9:30
• Wrap-up: 55:45

On this week’s episode of So That Reminds Me, Managing Editor Dennis Hackett and Chicopee/Holyoke Herald Staff Writer Tyler Garnet sit down with Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia to discuss the status of current issues and happenings in the Paper City, including the city’s comprehensive planning process, the proposed sports complex, redevelopment of the Kmart property and the mayor’s approach to social media and constituent outreach.

Plus, the hosts review other recent top stories, including the ongoing conflict between Springfield City Councilor Justin Hurst and City Clerk Gladys Oyola-Lopez, East Longmeadow’s new time capsule, the reopening of Longmeadow’s Bliss Park and the return of the Chicopee Farmers Market.

• Welcome: 0:30
• Top news in Western Mass: 1:55
• Holyoke Mayor Joshua Garcia: 6:26
• Wrap-up: 1:20:27