diff --git a/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py b/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py
index fb35872..7ef8220 100644
--- a/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py
+++ b/backend/app/routers/dashboard.py
@@ -14,6 +14,13 @@ from app.routers.auth import get_current_session
 
 router = APIRouter()
 
+# Reusable filter: exclude parent template events (they have a real recurrence_rule).
+# Some legacy events have "" instead of NULL, so allow both.
+_not_parent_template = or_(
+    CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == None,
+    CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == "",
+)
+
 
 @router.get("/dashboard")
 async def get_dashboard(
@@ -31,7 +38,7 @@ async def get_dashboard(
     events_query = select(CalendarEvent).where(
         CalendarEvent.start_datetime >= today_start,
         CalendarEvent.start_datetime <= today_end,
-        or_(CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == None, CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == ""),
+        _not_parent_template,
     )
     events_result = await db.execute(events_query)
     todays_events = events_result.scalars().all()
@@ -77,7 +84,7 @@ async def get_dashboard(
     starred_query = select(CalendarEvent).where(
         CalendarEvent.is_starred == True,
         CalendarEvent.start_datetime > now,
-        or_(CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == None, CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == ""),
+        _not_parent_template,
     ).order_by(CalendarEvent.start_datetime.asc()).limit(5)
     starred_result = await db.execute(starred_query)
     starred_events = starred_result.scalars().all()
@@ -158,7 +165,7 @@ async def get_upcoming(
     events_query = select(CalendarEvent).where(
         CalendarEvent.start_datetime >= today_start,
         CalendarEvent.start_datetime <= cutoff_datetime,
-        or_(CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == None, CalendarEvent.recurrence_rule == ""),
+        _not_parent_template,
     )
     events_result = await db.execute(events_query)
     events = events_result.scalars().all()
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DayBriefing.tsx b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DayBriefing.tsx
index 9bf0aa2..c1019d9 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DayBriefing.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/dashboard/DayBriefing.tsx
@@ -45,11 +45,13 @@ export default function DayBriefing({ upcomingItems, dashboardData, weatherData
     if (hour >= 21 || hour < 5) {
       // Before 5 AM, "today" still matters — mention remaining items
       if (todayItems.length > 0 && hour < 5) {
-        const remainingToday = todayEvents.filter((e) => isAfter(new Date(e.end_datetime), now));
+        const remainingToday = todayEvents.filter((e) => e.end_datetime && isAfter(new Date(e.end_datetime), now));
         if (remainingToday.length > 0) {
           parts.push(`${remainingToday.length} event${remainingToday.length > 1 ? 's' : ''} still on today.`);
         } else if (todayTodos.length > 0) {
           parts.push(`${todayTodos.length} task${todayTodos.length > 1 ? 's' : ''} due today.`);
+        } else if (activeReminders.length > 0) {
+          parts.push(`${activeReminders.length} reminder${activeReminders.length > 1 ? 's' : ''} set for today.`);
         }
       }
 
@@ -92,7 +94,7 @@ export default function DayBriefing({ upcomingItems, dashboardData, weatherData
     }
     // Afternoon (12PM–5PM)
     else if (hour < 17) {
-      const remainingEvents = todayEvents.filter((e) => isAfter(new Date(e.end_datetime), now));
+      const remainingEvents = todayEvents.filter((e) => e.end_datetime && isAfter(new Date(e.end_datetime), now));
       const completedTodos = todayTodos.length === 0;
       if (remainingEvents.length === 0 && completedTodos) {
         parts.push('The rest of your afternoon is clear.');
@@ -109,7 +111,7 @@ export default function DayBriefing({ upcomingItems, dashboardData, weatherData
     }
     // Evening (5PM–9PM)
     else {
-      const eveningEvents = todayEvents.filter((e) => isAfter(new Date(e.end_datetime), now));
+      const eveningEvents = todayEvents.filter((e) => e.end_datetime && isAfter(new Date(e.end_datetime), now));
       if (eveningEvents.length === 0 && tomorrowItems.length === 0) {
         parts.push('Nothing left tonight, and tomorrow is clear too.');
       } else {