Morning Links - Wednesday February 12, 2025

Asylum Seekers

Trump Administration goes after "sanctuary" jurisdictions. But what does the term actually mean? πŸ› Maine Public

Bears, Sharks, and Zombies

Haunted places in Portland? πŸ› Reddit

City

Snow problem? Tow problem? Portland plows struggle to keep pace. πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Civil Rights

Why we must resist the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion in education πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Houlton officials knew of facial recognition on disabled cameras πŸ› The County

Climate Emergency

Regulators to investigate Passamaquoddy solar dispute πŸ› Maine Public

Community

South Portland Food Cupboard and shoppers feel the strain of grocery price hikes πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Constitutional Crisis

We just blocked Trump's birthright citizenship ban. πŸ› ACLU of Maine

ACLU of Maine helps block Trump’s birthright citizenship order πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Letter: We must stop Trump’s coup πŸ› Bangor Daily News

'We do not agree with what's going on:' Rep. Pingree outlines plan to take on DOGE, Musk - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Sen. Collins calls on Trump to consult with Congress on federal budget cuts - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Education

Letter: Dismayed by cuts to school budget in Falmouth πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Ban or embrace? School board debates classroom AI policy πŸ› Harpswell Anchor

Environment

Take Action to Protect Maine’s Water from Toxic Firefighting Foam πŸ› Friends of Casco Bay

Opinion: Let’s keep the door closed to nuclear energy in Maine πŸ› Portland Press Herald

2024 Casco Bay Ecosystem Monitoring Report πŸ› Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Guns

Federal judge considers whether to pause Maine’s 72-hour gun-purchase waiting period amid lawsuit πŸ› Portland Press Herald

MGSC Launches Initiative for ERPO πŸ› Maine Gun Safety Coalition

Box of military grenades, mortars left at Goodwill store in Maine πŸ› New England Cable News

Goodwill store in Augusta evacuated after discovery of grenade πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Democrats advance budget filling MaineCare gap over Republican opposition πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Healthcare payments for thousands of Mainers will be disrupted by Republican holdup πŸ› Maine Beacon

Payments to MaineCare providers still in jeopardy after Republicans reject short-term funding fix πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Congressional Republican plan threatens health insurance affordability for Mainers πŸ› Maine Center for Economic Policy

Governor Mills and Northeast Delta Dental Announce Extension of Maine Veterans' Dental Network πŸ› State of Maine

Sen. Collins introduces bill to support maternal health at rural hospitals πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Augusta Rally Urges Lawmakers Prioritize Family Planning Health Care Funding πŸ› Munjoy Hill News

New Dempsey Center facility to open in Westbrook - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Justice

Maine's high court asked to reconsider ruling on statute of limitations in child sexual abuse claims πŸ› Maine Public

Group suing Maine’s Catholic Church asks high court to reconsider statute of limitations ruling πŸ› Portland Press Herald

LGBTQIA+

EqualityMaine and Maine Council of Churches Stand United Against Discrimination in Schools πŸ› Equality Maine

New FREE download: know your rights cards! Get an overview of student right… πŸ› Bluesky - OUT Maine

Outdoors

Here is the star of the old-fashioned saying β€˜crazy as a coot’ πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Photography

Chasing Sunrise: A Frosty Morning Shoot on Long Lake πŸ› Reddit

Acadia After Last Week’s Snow πŸ› Reddit

Top of Pleasant Mountain. ft. the sunset and fresh snow. πŸ› Reddit

The lighthouses of Nubble and Whaleback πŸ› Reddit

Cape Elizabeth, Maine sea smoke just before dawn yesterday. πŸ› Reddit

Police

Several agencies involved in high-risk search warrant in Portland - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Some people were curious about Congress today πŸ› Reddit

preacher funeral - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Politics

Governor Mills Calls for Bipartisan Passage of Supplemental Budget πŸ› State of Maine

Maine Democrats reluctantly choose to negotiate with Republicans over short-term budget πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Maine lawmakers advance budget but without support to enact it immediately πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Democrats postpone final supplemental budget votes, buying more time to negotiate with Republicans πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Opinion: Maine’s proposed pharmacy tax puts small businesses at risk πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Proposed bill would give Maine cities first chance to buy university buildings for sale πŸ› Portland Press Herald

How Susan Collins and Angus King have voted on Trump’s nominees πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Susan Collins will vote to confirm RFK Jr. as health secretary πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Sen. Collins to vote for RFK Jr., Trump's pick to lead health agency πŸ› Maine Public

Sen. Susan Collins will support RFK Jr. as US health secretary πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Letter: Susan Collins needs a reality check πŸ› Portland Press Herald

It’s time for Susan Collins’ β€˜Declaration of Conscience’ moment πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Bowdoin pro-Palestinian activists end 5-day encampment πŸ› Maine Public

Public Safety

Flu continues to surge in Maine πŸ› Maine Public

More avian flu found in wild birds in Maine as state urges precautions πŸ› Portland Press Herald

DACF and MDIFW News -- Maine Health Officials Urge Precautions For Public as Avian Influenza Is Confirmed in Maine πŸ› State of Maine

Letter: Medical cannabis program must require testing πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Social Safety Net

Man claims roadblocks prevented him from getting needed support in Maine - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

State

Child safety roadmap outlines how agencies, communities can better support Maine families πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Things to Do

Maine Things To Do: Valentine’s Day Dance Party, Maine Pond Hockey Classic, Winter in the Woods πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

PMA Films: The Oscar Shorts arrive! Plus, Universal Language delights and beguiles. πŸ› Portland Museum of Art

Simple Plan - State Theatre, Portland Maine πŸ› State Theatre

Sleep Theory - State Theatre, Portland Maine πŸ› State Theatre

Demetri Martin πŸ› Merrill Auditorium

Unhoused

Concerns rise over safety of unhoused community in Portland after recent deaths πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine