Morning Links - Friday, February 23, 2024

Friday, February 23, 2024

Business

National retailer Free People leases first Maine storefront, in Portland's Old Port 🏛 Mainebiz

14 Maine companies make Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing in the US 🏛 Mainebiz

Maine's business exodus: Is the state losing its corporate backbone? - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Climate Emergency

Cumberland County towns consider removing flood-prone road 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Kittery grapples with millions of dollars' worth of damage from historic January storms 🏛 WGME

Turning the tide: How climate change is reshaping waterfront development in Maine 🏛 Mainebiz

Education

White House announces plan to cancel $5.3 million in student loan debt for 700 Mainers 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine teachers call on lawmakers to raise their minimum salary 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Lawmakers support funding for African American, Wabanaki studies in schools 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Principal leaving Portland’s Casco Bay High after 19 years 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Conservation purchase protects 400 acres in Casco 🏛 Maine Public

Loon Echo Land Trust conserves 400-acre site in Casco 🏛 The Windham Eagle

New information may prompt rethinking of lobster rules, development of Sears Island 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Guns

Tensions rise as Legislature prepares to debate gun safety in wake of Lewiston shooting 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Jared Golden opposes Janet Mills’ gun reform package 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Health Care

We must support reproductive autonomy 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Mental health crisis center in Portland could serve as model for state network 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Aspen Dental patients' personal information exposed in data breach 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Housing

Median home price in Maine in January jumps to $353,000 🏛 Maine Public

Maine home values climbed nearly 9 percent in January 🏛 Bangor Daily News

MaineHousing Working on Providing Additional Funding for Portland's First Parish Warming Center 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

LGBTQIA+

Lockman readies lawsuit against trans students, reportedly backed by notable attorney 🏛 Maine Beacon

Photography

Dave the dogman pic I found on facebook. 🏛 Reddit

Frank J Wood Bridge 🏛 Reddit

Androscoggin from Lewiston today. 🏛 Reddit

Police

2 youths arrested after attempted carjacking in Portland 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Two juveniles arrested, charged with robbery following attempted carjacking in Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Minors charged with robbery in alleged carjacking attempt 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Politics

Measure to limit PAC contributions could be headed for November ballot 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Citizen initiative to limit contributions to PACs deemed valid by Maine secretary of state 🏛 Maine Public

Maine may vote on limiting contributions to political committees 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Nangle introduces bill to help communities protect local water resources 🏛 The Windham Eagle

Bill to help communities with shoreland zoning violations moves forward in Augusta 🏛 WGME

Maine should prevent lapse in critical funding for crime victims 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Bill will support Maine children in foster care 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Child Tax Credit should be expanded 🏛 Portland Press Herald

RFK Jr. sues Maine's secretary of state over polling place access 🏛 Maine Public

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sues over Maine ban on collecting presidential nomination signatures at polls during primary 🏛 Portland Press Herald

RFK Jr.'s team sues Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Joe Biden, Donald Trump enter Maine primaries with huge leads 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Palestinian rights activists hold rally inside State House and demand a ceasefire 🏛 WGME

Public Safety

More than 200 evacuated from ski lift at Sunday River 🏛 Portland Press Herald

'Mechanical issue' prompts Sunday River chairlift evacuation 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine Warden Service receives grant, helps those with dementia 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Transportation

Smiling Hill Farm stands in the way of proposed Gorham connector 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Tribal Sovereignty

Maine Democrat rolls out another effort to expand tribal rights over Janet Mills’ opposition 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Unhoused

Bill to prevent moratoriums on homeless shelters advances 🏛 Maine Public

Take Action Now: Permanent Funding for Shelters 🏛 Preble Street

Cumberland County Jail puts together warming kits 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Vacationland

Improvements planned for public restroom in downtown Old Orchard Beach 🏛 Saco Bay News