Montague Reporter Podcast

Sarah Brown-Anson
  • 4.9 (26)
  • News
  • Updated Monthly

The Montague Reporter Podcast brings you inside the making of this weekly newspaper and the stories we report. The Montague Reporter covers the five villages of Montague, Massachusetts and the surrounding towns of Gill, Erving, Wendell, and Leverett.

  1. Jul 12

    The value of a grocery store, a meal, and a library: Food City sale, Summer Eats, library vote wrap-up

    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/

  2. Jun 19

    Full of Dilemmas: Montague library debate, Gill budget logistics, FCTS graduation snafu

    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/

  3. May 12

    From 1894 to 2026: historical archives and today’s town governance

    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

  4. Apr 14

    Municipal functionality within global chaos: changes in town leadership, large public gatherings

    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/

  5. Mar 18

    Gloomy Chorus 2: 2 Gloomy 2 Handle

    After clearing the post-its and coffee mugs aside, an “Ask the Editor” question prompts an impromptu reading of the index. The fun then abruptly drops off, as Mike and Sarah discuss selectboard members declining to seek reelection, and the multi-layered budgetary quagmires in our towns that might influence such a decision. A refresher on selectboard and town meeting responsibilities is folded into this discussion. Then, a lightning round of other important news topics, non-sequiturs, and an interesting disclosure about why Mike’s feelings about daylight savings might seem a little disproportionate at first glance. Subscribe to the paper at montaguereporter.org/subscribe

    Gloomy Chorus 2: 2 Gloomy 2 Handle

  6. Feb 18

    A Gloomy Chorus: Funding new tech school and library buildings amidst a challenging financial landscape

    After a lighthearted “Ask the Editor” segment, Sarah and Mike gradually descend into the doom and gloom of budgetary drama in our local towns, by way of two building projects that voters will consider this year. Listeners who stick it out through this morass will be rewarded with discussion of a sweet human interest story from the January 29 edition, plus some unexpected tips on winter sinus health from our editor! Send your editor questions to podcast@montaguereporter.org! And direct your words of encouragement and wiiiiiidddddeee format photos to editor@montaguereporter.org.

    A Gloomy Chorus: Funding new tech school and library buildings amidst a challenging financial landscape

  7. Jan 21

    The Seriousness of Doing Things Well Locally: depression of 1893, dam, pit, ballot glut

    In our first episode of the new year, Sarah and Mike acknowledge the overwhelming national and international backdrop of the current moment before diving deep into a different time altogether—1893 Turners Falls. They discuss the special archival section from the New Years Day edition of the paper and answer listener questions about it. Then, back to the present for some bread-and-butter Montague Reporter content: a dam gets undammed and a pit gets filled. Looking at the future, a glut of elections is forecast for this year in Montague.   Submit your own question for the editor at podcast@montaguereporter.org!

    The Seriousness of Doing Things Well Locally: depression of 1893, dam, pit, ballot glut

  8. 12/09/2025

    Things that don’t last forever, and stories that feel like they do

    Catching up after a little gap, Sarah and Mike recap a potpourri of stories from the last 6 weeks: Permits don’t last forever! A prospective solar development in Wendell whose permit was approved in 2018 hits yet another snag— will this be the final blow?Industrial buildings don’t last forever! We get an update on the ongoing Strathmore mill demolition saga.Police chiefs don’t last forever! Montague is getting a new one.Dogs sometimes don’t last forever when they are deemed dangerous by the town selectboard and that is sad for everyone (but all dogs considered in the recent hearings are still around!)Empty lots in the Patch don’t last forever! New apartment buildings are going up! Montague Reporter T-shirts don’t last forever! Support the paper and buy yours now! https://montaguereporter.org/

    Things that don’t last forever, and stories that feel like they do
See All (113)

4.9
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

The Montague Reporter Podcast brings you inside the making of this weekly newspaper and the stories we report. The Montague Reporter covers the five villages of Montague, Massachusetts and the surrounding towns of Gill, Erving, Wendell, and Leverett.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Brown-Anson
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    113
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sarah Brown-Anson
  • Show Website
    Montague Reporter Podcast

You Might Also Like