Morning Links - Friday January 24, 2025

Friday, January 24, 2025

Arts

Maine musician Mike Maurice shares unreleased music in 207 studio 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Asylum Seekers

Letter: Anti-immigration or anti-immigrant? 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Judge temporarily blocks Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Federal agents seen in Boston fuel concerns about possible ICE raids - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Business

Lawmakers criticize state official for withholding annual cannabis report 🏛 Portland Press Herald

With new construction, a new approach to the funeral business 🏛 Mainebiz

Buy Local

New Old Port Convenience Store Opening in Portland, Maine 🏛 WCYY

City

Portland begins construction on first aquatic disposal cell to ... 🏛 WGME

Climate Emergency

One year later, Island Institute still helping lead storm recovery 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Golden wants to ensure fishing areas are protected from offshore wind 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Community

Letter: Thanks to a Good Samaritan in South Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Education

Why officials say electric school buses are the future 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine’s Lion Electric school buses have been a disaster. What’s next? 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Cape Elizabeth chef will lead soon-to-reopen Dry Dock 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland coffee roaster among Maine's 10 James Beard Award ... 🏛 WMTW

Guns

Gun safety groups deliver signatures to place red flag law on November ballot 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Organizers say they collected more than 80K signatures to get red flag law referendum on Maine’s ballot 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Stymied in the Maine Legislature, gun control activists hope voters will approve red flag law 🏛 Maine Public

Gun safety advocates turn in signatures to force fall referendum on red flag law 🏛 Portland Press Herald

More than 80,000 signatures submitted for Maine red flag law initiative 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine Gun Safety Coalition gives updates on gun safety initiatives - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Health Care

Maine saw nearly 20% reduction in opioid-related deaths this past year 🏛 Maine Public

Maine’s ACA enrollment up slightly for 2025 🏛 Portland Press Herald

History

Throwback Thursday Photo: Unum Headquarters 1964 ＆ 2025 🏛 Portland Old Port

Justice

Indigent defense trial continues in Augusta 🏛 Maine Public

Opinion: Domestic violence in Maine is out of hand 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Cost-of-living increases for direct care workers on the table as state budget hearings begin 🏛 Maine Public

LGBTQIA+

Trans Under Trump 🏛 Midcoast Villager

I am the same as you and your rights could be threatened too 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Town leaders aim to modernize language in Hampden ordinance 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Nazis

Elon Musk's straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Outdoors

Initial plans drawn up to extend Mountain Division Trail from Windham to Westbrook 🏛 The Windham Eagle

This ‘little’ mountain in western Maine is a great winter trek 🏛 Bangor Daily News

What birding books can do for you that apps cannot 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Cloudy day at Bug Light 🏛 Reddit

Custom House Wharf 🥶 🏛 Reddit

End of an era at B＆M: wharf building is coming down 🏛 Reddit

On a "dark city" kick and took a walk around the Old Port this past weekend. 🏛 Reddit

Police

MDEA arrests Westbrook man for alleged drug trafficking 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Westbrook Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking This Morning; Additional Charges Expected 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Undercover operation leads to Westbrook drug bust - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Politics

Hey Portland! Wanna Help Me Get on the Ballot for June 10th? 🏛 Reddit

Planned Parenthood participates in People’s March in Portland 🏛 Daily Bulldog

While supportive of Medicaid funding, public pushes back on cuts in Mills’ short-term budget fix 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine cities, nonprofits ask lawmakers to reject proposed limit on housing assistance 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Candidates to lead Maine Democratic Party hope to focus on rural outreach 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Sen. Collins a ‘no’ as Hegseth nomination for Pentagon chief advances in U.S. Senate 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Why Susan Collins said ‘No’ to Pete Hegseth as defense secretary 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Susan Collins opposes Pete Hegseth’s nomination to lead Pentagon 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine Sen. Susan Collins to oppose Hegseth leading Pentagon, but he'll likely be confirmed 🏛 Maine Public

Hegseth told senator he paid $50,000 to woman who accused him of 2017 sex assault 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Collins must consider Mainers’ safety with Hegseth vote 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine senators Collins, King vote against Hegseth's nomination - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Susan Collins and Angus King join majority to confirm John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Susan Collins should oppose RFK Jr.’s nomination 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Collins receives U.S. Army’s highest public service medal 🏛 The Windham Eagle

What Mainers can expect from a new president and new tax policies 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Public Safety

Planned increase in train speeds raise safety concerns in Maine communities 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Social Safety Net

Amid rising costs, Maine residents are struggling to stay warm 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Heating Assistance Requests Spike Countywide 🏛 The Lincoln County News

Sports

Young cancer survivor finds joy and support with Maine Mariners hockey team - YouTube - CBS 13 News

State

Continuing to fight against Real ID would be counterproductive 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Things to Do

SEAFEST 2025 🏛 SEAFEST 2025

A Deer A Horse, Cadaverette, Pocket Knife, and Birdie 🏛 SPACE

Repair fair (south Portland) 🏛 Reddit

Unhoused

Portland property owners frustrated with encampments on their property 🏛 WGME

Voter Suppression

Eight Maine Legislators Introduce Bill to Repeal Ranked Choice Voting 🏛 Ballot Access News