Morning Links - Wednesday February 19, 2025

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Asylum Seekers

Trump’s Immigration Order Causes Fear on Maine Campuses. 🏛 The SMCC Beacon

Business

Maine’s cannabis chief investigated for possible conflict of interest 🏛 Portland Press Herald

City

Snow piles, parked cars make for tight squeeze for Portland Fire Department - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Climate Emergency

Solar farm proposal in South Portland raises neighborhood alarm 🏛 Portland Press Herald

2024 Gulf of Maine Warming Update 🏛 Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Letter: Clean energy is about resilience, not politics 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Contitutional Crisis

Acadia National Park loses staff under Donald Trump’s sweeping layoffs 🏛 Bangor Daily News

After Maine native testifies before Congress, Elon Musk targets his disability 🏛 Portland Press Herald

‘Nothing stable about this’: Unions warn shipyard workers against Musk’s federal buyout offer 🏛 Maine Beacon

Maine farmers face high costs from USDA grant freeze 🏛 Maine Public

Mainer sounds alarm as thousands of federal workers are impacted by HHS layoffs 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

What a Department of Education shutdown could mean for local programs and funding - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Sen. Collins advocates for downsizing Department of Education, not abolishing it - YouTube - CBS 13 News

If you’re terrified by what Trump is doing, now is the time to act 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: The human cost of DOGE 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Maine’s leaders must oppose Trump tariffs 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: New Trump administration fills me with dread 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump, Musk and Republicans in Congress are working to end a federal agency… 🏛 Bluesky - Maine People's Alliance

Education

Maine students haven’t recovered academically post-pandemic. Here’s why 🏛 Maine Morning Star

University of Maine System enrollment has increased for fourth straight semester 🏛 Maine Public

Maine early college programs will now limit the number of credits students can earn 🏛 Maine Public

Food and Drink

Rose Guest Chef Sandwich Series 🏛 Portland Food Map

Biddeford’s newest pizza joint, Slice, targets late-night crowd 🏛 Portland Press Herald

1159: Tom Barthelmes, Chef and Co-Owner of Finestkind - YouTube - Restaurant Unstoppable

Guns

Maine’s strongest gun control law after Lewiston mass shooting is now in limbo 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Health Care

8 Investigates: Most Maine firefighters have to pay for cancer screenings on their own - YouTube - WMTW-TV

LGBTQIA+

Law professor says Maine can fight ban on transgender athletes competing in girls sports - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Housing

Bangor mobile home park residentsget loan to develop 28 empty lots 🏛 Bangor Daily News

What a $1M home looks like in different parts of Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

MaineHousing's first annual housing outlook report finds wide gap between home prices and wages 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Insurrection

Trump’s pardoning of Jan. 6 rioters reminds me of the release of Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Justice

Woman sues Maine corrections department for violating rights during pregnancy 🏛 Portland Press Herald

RFK Jr. sues Cape Elizabeth man over social media posts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine lawmaker pushes bill to establish rape kit tracking amid federal funding uncertainty - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Labor

Maine workers oppose bill that undermines unions and drive down wages 🏛 Maine Beacon

Outdoors

The Maine sportsmen’s show season kicks off this Saturday 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Maine should stop coyote killing contests 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Recently in Bath… 🏛 Reddit

Rainbow Ice Igloo update #4 - It's done. Thank you for all the support Maine 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Top Democrat says Maine lawmaker ‘wrong’ to post about convicted police killer 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Need four senators to oppose Trump nominations 🏛 Bangor Daily News

‘Being the students Bowdoin wants us to be’: Organizers reflect on Palestine encampment 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Car crashes into Saco Bay Variety again - YouTube - WMTW-TV

'It's the law': Yes, you are required to clear off your vehicle after a storm 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Sports

Skijor Skowhegan set for Saturday, with new slopestyle event added 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Things to Do

Weekend Guide: February 21st – 23rd, 2025 🏛 Portland Old Port

The Live Music Guide: February 19th – 25th, 2024 🏛 Portland Old Port

Maine Things To Do: Bath Winterfest, Cabin Fever Reliever, Chili ＆ Chowdah Cook-off 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

The Empire 🏛 SPACE

USM Student Jazz Combo Night 🏛 One Longfellow Square

Toby McAllister ＆ The Sierra Sounds: Dream to play at State Theater will become reality 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Catch MJ Lenderman and The Wind at the State Theatre - a few face-value tickets are available for this sold-out show! 🏛 Reddit

Cool Things Happening in Portland This Weekend (Feb 19-25) 🏛 Reddit

Unhoused

YMCA family shelter in Portland to close next month 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Utilities

Maine public advocate urges solar companies to address potential inaccurate billing 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Using community solar? Double check your electricity savings 🏛 Maine Public

'It's just been a nightmare:' Some Maine solar customers say promises aren't being kept - YouTube - CBS 13 News