Evening Links - Thursday March 6, 2025

Thursday, March 6, 2025

Asylum Seekers

Opinion: Why Mainers must defend justice for immigrants 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: America’s immigration history is about the ‘golden door,’ not the golden visa 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Business

‘The Ultimate Wedding Experience’: Bliss Wedding Show in Portland - YouTube - CBS 13 News

New England's largest indoor pickleball facility opens in Westbrook - YouTube - CBS 13 News

City

The dispute over the Portland's former children's museum building had its day in court 🏛 Maine Public

Dispute over Portland Museum of Art expansion now in judge’s hands 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Legal battle to save former Portland children's museum continues 🏛 WGME

Opinion: Portland’s housing strategy must not ignore unused lots 🏛 Portland Press Herald

165 Washington Avenue Construction Delayed Due to Trump Policies 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Climate Emergency

In a first, New England governors push transmission boost to bring wind, hydropower through Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Money from New England grid operator could be used to promote electric vehicle subsidies in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine sees increase in spring temperatures, mirroring national warming trend - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Constitutional Crisis

Attorney General Aaron M. Frey Secures Nationwide Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Administration for Defunding Medical and Public Health Innovation Research 🏛 State of Maine

Attorney General Aaron M. Frey and Multistate Coalition Secure Court Order Blocking Trump Administration from Freezing Federal Funds 🏛 State of Maine

2nd judge extends block preventing Donald Trump from freezing funding 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Federal judge extends pause on Trump's health research funding cuts 🏛 Maine Public

Social Security now requires Maine parents to visit an agency office to register newborns 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump administration removes but expects to republish list of Maine buildings it may sell 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Federal government considers selling Portland US Custom House 🏛 WMTW

Maine Sea Grant will be renegotiated after outcry from congressional delegation 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine Sea Grant: US Department of Commerce agrees to renegotiate funding 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Angus King and Chellie Pingree demand Trump restores Maine Sea Grant funds 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Trump administration agrees to ‘renegotiate’ Maine’s canceled Sea Grant funding 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Trump administration to 'renegotiate' Maine Sea Grant, after it initially pulled funding 🏛 Maine Public

Investing in Maine Sea Grant is investing in Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Trump administration agrees to renegotiate Maine Sea Grant funding 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Bill Belichick’s Maine girlfriend pleads with Trump to restore Sea Grant funds 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: NOAA is vital for Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Trump cuts already having devastating impacts on tribal communities 🏛 Wabanaki Alliance

Feds restore Maine solar for all grant funding 🏛 Maine Public

Shipyard Union says cuts would impact national security - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Canadian tariffs would ‘cripple’ Maine lobster industry, state’s top fisheries leader says 🏛 Bangor Daily News

How Trump's tariffs on Canada will ripple throughout New England 🏛 Maine Public

'More questions than answers': Maine energy sector leaders weigh in on tariffs 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maple producers brace for tariff impact on equipment costs 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Justin Trudeau urges Canadians not to vacation in Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Canadians already canceling summer reservations in Maine over tariff dispute 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Portland nonprofit scrambles to find housing for dozens as shelter risks closure 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Chellie Pingree on why she left Donald Trump’s speech early and what’s next for Democrats 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation react to Trump’s speech to Congress 🏛 Portland Press Herald

King, Golden, Pingree weigh in on Trump's address to Congress 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Sen. King voices concerns over DOGE plans for Veterans Affairs - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

‘It's a sham’: Sen. King blasts mass federal layoffs - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Sen. Angus King reacts to proposed VA job cuts - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Letter: Collins, Golden fail to see gravity of Trump alignment with Russia 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Speak out now if you disagree with what Trump is doing 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Education

Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Presentation March 4, 2025 - YouTube - Portland Public Schools, Maine

Environment

Maine makes first purchase of farm contaminated by forever chemicals 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Bills to find and destroy Maine’s toxic firefighting foam win over legislative committee 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Conservation groups contest federal review of Kennebec River dams 🏛 Maine Public

Flawed EIS for Kennebec Dams Ignores Calls for a Collaborative Recovery Solution 🏛 Natural Resources Council of Maine

State lawmakers push for changes to Maine's dam abandonment process 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Food and Drink

Portland restaurants after COVID: A closer look at the data 🏛 Portland Press Herald

How the pandemic reshaped Portland’s restaurant scene 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The new Taj: A special experience at affordable prices 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Cargo Pizza Opens Today 🏛 Portland Food Map

Cargo Pizza opens on outer Forest Avenue 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Downtown Social to open to public next month in former home of Dogfish Bar ＆ Grille 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Biddeford-Saco Restaurant Week slated for later this month 🏛 Portland Press Herald

This Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurant In Portland Will Make Your Morning Epic 🏛 Family Destinations Guide

Guns

Douglas Rooks: A Maine federal judge turns to judicial activism 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Maine shouldn’t balance the budget on the backs of direct care workers 🏛 Maine Center for Economic Policy

MaineCare payments will be delayed if Legislature doesn’t approve funding, DHHS warns 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Increased stipends for child care workers saved by Maine lawmakers, at least for now 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Direct care workers fight for restoration of cost-of-living increases in Maine budget 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine Democrats call for $6 million in state funding for reproductive health care 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Dempsey Center opens Westbrook location at Rock Row Health Campus 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

History

Throwback Thursday Photo: Post Office Park 1964 ＆ 2025 🏛 Portland Old Port

Housing

Westbrook residents in 55+ community share concerns over living conditions - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Justice

Maine lawmaker accused of trying to strangle wife pleads not guilty to domestic violence charges 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Grand jury finds probable cause to charge sitting legislator with domestic violence 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Rep. Lucas Lanigan indicted on felony domestic assault charges 🏛 Maine Beacon

Maine lawmaker denies assault charges, calls case a 'witch hunt' 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine lawmakers look to shore up supports for survivors of military sexual trauma 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Illegal grow houses have been entering Maine’s medical weed market for years, even after being busted by police 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Maine's year-old retirement fund hits $10M milestone 🏛 Mainebiz

LGBTQIA+

More than one in three young LGBTQ Mainers considered suicide, new report says 🏛 Maine Morning Star

There is no place for hatred in running 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Trump administration finds Maine’s transgender athlete rules violate Title IX 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Trump administration finds Maine in violation of Title IX over transgender policy 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump administration finds Maine violated Title IX with transgender athlete policy - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Trump administration refers Maine to Justice Department over transgender athletes policy 🏛 Maine Public

White House Press Secretary incorrectly says Maine is being sued by US Department of Education 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Beware of Trump’s diversions 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Outdoors

I had this up-close encounter with a Maine bear family 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Maine photographer shares winter wildlife wonders in studio 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Babies, babies and more babies! Worth the Wait Farm, @oldehavenfarm and @ba… 🏛 Bluesky - Portland Maine Farmers’ Market

October evening, Bubble Pond. 🏛 Reddit

Police

Convicted sex offender accused of chasing kids at Maine gas station - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Politics

As voting begins on two-year budget, what to know about the plan 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Amid increased need, federal uncertainty, bill would double support for hunger relief program 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Committee barely favors bill to increase fishing license fees 🏛 Bangor Daily News

From equal rights to parental rights, Maine lawmakers consider constitutional amendments 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Advocates push for Maine to adopt Equal Rights Amendment - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine lawmakers consider making Daylight Saving Time permanent - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Bid to protect lobstering by extending Maine’s maritime jurisdiction could be unconstitutional 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Public Safety

11 children taken to hospital after falling ill at Scarborough school 🏛 Bangor Daily News

10 Scarborough students taken to hospital after feeling ill at Wentworth School 🏛 Portland Press Herald

11 students taken to hospital after falling ill at Maine elementary school 🏛 Boston.com

Fire officials: 'No hazards' detected at Wentworth School in Scarborough 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Students at Scarborough school fall ill, prompting emergency response - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Update on emergency response to Scarborough school - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Update on medical incident at Scarborough school - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Officials provide update on Wentworth School situation - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Fatal pedestrian crashes in Portland already exceed last year's count 🏛 Maine Public

Portland sees pedestrian deaths rise as officials push for reforms 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Portland explores changes to make city safer for pedestrians - YouTube - CBS 13 News

One person dead in Portland house fire 🏛 Maine Public

Deadly fire at Portland home kills 1, sends 4 others to the hospital ... 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

1 dead, 4 injured in Portland house fire 🏛 Portland Press Herald

1 dead and 4 injured after Portland fire 🏛 Bangor Daily News

1 dead, 4 injured following Portland fire 🏛 WGME

One dead, four hospitalized after Portland house fire 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

One person killed, 4 others injured in overnight fire in Portland, Maine 🏛 Boston.com

Crews respond to commercial building fire in Westbrook 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Black Balloon Day spurs legislative action on addiction recovery in Maine 🏛 Maine Beacon

Lawmakers push for stricter medical cannabis testing in Maine 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Scarborough

Scarborough town councilors vote to increase price of non-resident beach price passes - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

South Portland

South Portland district needs to cut $5 million from proposed budget 🏛 Maine Public

Layoffs loom for South Portland school employees 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Celebrate Pi Day March 14 in Freeport or Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Mark Your Calendar for Jane’s Walk ME – Saturday, May 3! 🏛 Portland Downtonwn

Joseph - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

Compensation 🏛 SPACE

Ceremonial Tapping Spotlights Upcoming Maple Event 🏛 Real Maine

Old Hat Stringband shares music ahead of upcoming show 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

We are excited to be hosting the book launch for Adina King's THE HOUSE NO… 🏛 Bluesky - Print: A Bookstore

‘Antiques Roadshow’ Heads To Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens 🏛 The Lincoln County News

Live Music in Portland This Week: Who’s Playing ＆ Where to Go! 🏛 Reddit

5th annual Women's Wave to be held at Willard Beach in South Portland - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Transportation

Maine Turnpike drops plans for Gorham Connector 🏛 Maine Public

Gorham Connector under review as DOT seeks traffic solution 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Wells train station expansion begins 🏛 Maine Public

Expansion of Wells train station underway 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Vacationland

NASA: A meteorite fell in Down East, Maine 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine