Morning Links - Thursday March 27, 2025

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Arts

The Backbone of Portland Local Music: The Apohadian Theatre 🏛 The SMCC Beacon

Asylum Seekers

Bangor Democrat proposes ban on Maine police contracting with ICE agents 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Immigrants are our neighbors, not our enemies 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Business

Maine has an ocean of potential 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Wells voters to decide on recreational marijuana sales - YouTube - CBS 13 News

City

Proposed music venue for downtown Portland sparks debate 🏛 Maine Public

Portland Music Hall divides opinion amid planning board meeting 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Constitutional Crisis

Federal worker from Maine leads class-action lawsuit over Trump’s anti-DEI ‘witch-hunt’ 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Former federal worker from Maine joins class action suit against Trump's anti-DEI firings 🏛 Maine Public

A Maine resident is leading a complaint against the Trump administration over DEI firings 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Gov. Janet Mills assails Trump’s tariffs, Social Security layoffs 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Food Is a Human Right: Protecting Access to Nutrition in Maine 🏛 Preble Street

Letter: Trump is breaking America 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: The worst of the Gilded Age returns to America 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Education

Researchers recommend changes to special ed funding under state formula review 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Legislators consider whether to strengthen or weaken Maine's ban on plastic retail bags 🏛 Maine Public

Other states consider joining Maine in banning the spreading of sewage sludge 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Pulling Corks Opens Today 🏛 Portland Food Map

Guns

Lawmakers take up more gun control measures one year after advocates won major victories 🏛 Maine Public

Maine Legislature weighs updates to machine gun definition, ghost gun regulations 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Proposals to amend concealed carry laws saw pushback from business community, law enforcement 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine lawmakers hear testimony over proposed gun-related bills - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Dozens testify in Augusta on new proposed gun bills - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Health Care

Many people with disabilities risk losing their Medicaid if they work too much 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Sweetser awarded $2 million for psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Housing

Maine mill towntakes a step toward curbing short-term rentals 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: A common-sense housing plan for Freeport 🏛 Portland Press Herald

LGBTQIA+

Maine officials refuse to sign Trump agreement on transgender athletes 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Federal deadline approaches for Maine to ban trans athletes from competing in girls sports 🏛 WGME

Governor Mills Stood up for Students and Survivors—Who Will Join Her? 🏛 Common Dreams

Letter: Blanket bans not the answer to trans athletes issue 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Photography

Easton woman catches brawling squirrels on camera 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Spring is Coming! 🏛 Reddit

Another sun pillar, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 🏛 Reddit

Police

State police investigating South Portland death 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Person found dead at South Portland residence after wellbeing check 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

S. Portland Death Investigation - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Politics

Shenna Bellows will remain as Maine’s secretary of state while running for governor 🏛 Bangor Daily News

No, Maine does not require the secretary of state to step down if running for office 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Shenna Bellows announces run for governor - YouTube - WMTW-TV

GOP lawmakers urge Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to step down - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows launches campaign for governor - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

'I will not step down': Bellows to remain Secretary of State while running for Governor - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Raise taxes on Maine’s wealthy? Some of them are OK with that 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Mills administration comes out against Democrat proposals to hike taxes on the wealthy 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

GOP lawmaker seeks to change Maine's Good Samaritan law - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Rep. Golden, House Democrats call for defense secretary to testify about attack leak 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Susan Collins Is Less Popular Than Donald Trump in Maine: Poll 🏛 Newsweek

Public Safety

Bipartisan health committee members reject limits on syringe service programs 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine advocates warn proposed bill could deter overdose 911 calls 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Things to Do

Rui Abecassis Tasting 🏛 Rosemont Market

Maine Middle Eastern Orchestra 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

Cassatt String Quartet - Portland 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

Trivia Thursdays 🏛 Reddit

Tribal Sovereignty

Legislators again seek equal tax treatment among Wabanaki Nations 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Voter Suppression

As Maine eyes voter ID law, Trump order tightens federal registration rules 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine