Morning Links - Saturday March 29, 2025

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Arts

An Appeal to Heaven 🏛 SPACE

Portland fashion show illuminates new American designers 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Biddeford seeking artist proposals to transform sign 🏛 Saco Bay News

Climate Emergency

Maine Climate Council says it’s ‘not all doom and gloom’ amid concerns about federal cuts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Willard Beach 'sacrificial' dune restoration underway after ... 🏛 WGME

Constitutional Crisis

Shenna Bellows says Trump's order attempting to overhaul US elections is 'unconstitutional' 🏛 Maine Public

Secretary Bellows’ Response to Trump’s Executive Order for Election Administration 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Federal Employees File Class-Action Complaint Against ... 🏛 ACLU of Maine

Stainnak v. Trump 🏛 ACLU of Maine

A rundown of the monthlong Mills-Trump conflict over transgender athletes — and its effect on Maine 🏛 Maine Public

Details of federal cuts to Maine DHHS unknown, but layoffs are possible 🏛 Portland Press Herald

UMaine will pause new financial offers to graduate students due to uncertain funding 🏛 Maine Public

University of Maine pauses new financial offers to graduate students amid funding uncertainty 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Sen. King says Social Security is 'under assault' - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Opinion: Maine’s economy depends on smart foreign aid 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: With Maine punishments, Trump shows his petulance 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: The water’s getting awfully warm in America 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: America is being lost to an oligarchy 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Education

Letter: Music education is not a luxury 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Lawmakers’ change to airport habitat bill leaves both aviation officials and environmentalists baffled 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Food and Drink

Samuel's Bar ＆ Grill to close after 37 years, reopening as North Deering Tavern 🏛 WGME

Here's What is Replacing Samuel's in Portland, Maine 🏛 WCYY

Yarmouth Farmers Market returns with new location and leadership 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Guns

Public comment open over wording of protection order state ballot question 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Health Care

Lawmakers hear public testimony on bills to restrict abortion access 🏛 Maine Public

Hourslong hearing highlights continuing tension over Maine abortion laws 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Housing

Low supply, mortgage rates, and 'lock-in effect' hamper Maine home sales 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Labor

LD 599: Expanding overtime protections for 21,000 salaried workers 🏛 Maine Center for Economic Policy

Scarborough packaging plant to close, lay off 67 workers 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Justice

Portland code enforcement officer banned from city-owned residential buildings after assault charge 🏛 Portland Press Herald

LGBTQIA+

Experts blast federal probe into Maine’s transgender student policies as ‘unprecedented’ 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Another federal probe targets Maine school gender policies, citing parental rights 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Feds investigate Maine Department of Education over alleged FERPA violations 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Feds investigating Maine for allegedly hiding students’ transgender identity from parents 🏛 Bangor Daily News

US Department of Education alleges Maine violated parental rights by shielding transgender students 🏛 Maine Public

HHS refers Maine’s Title IX violation to the Department of Justice 🏛 Bangor Daily News

DHHS refers Maine to Justice Department for enforcement regarding ‘noncompliance with Title IX’ 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine school officials won't comply with Trump administration agreement to bar transgender athletes 🏛 Boston.com

Outdoors

Here’s a challenge: Get to know your local Maine trails 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Headed to Work, Ram Island Ledge Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine 🏛 Reddit

A view of sand beach on trails heading up to Gorham mountain 🏛 Reddit

Sears Island 🏛 Reddit

Politics

A look back at some notable action in the Maine Legislature this week 🏛 Maine Morning Star

This Democratic bill could end Maine’s unique presidential election system 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Proposal would make Georgia governor tied for nation’s top paid. Maine pays its governor the least. 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Halle Berry will testify before Maine Legislature today 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Halle Berry testifies before Maine Legislature to support menopause education 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Hospitality leaders fear Maine tax hikes could hurt tourism 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine bill would increase the number of inmates who qualify for free calls - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine lawmakers propose bills to eliminate daylight saving ... 🏛 WGME

Governor Mills Swears In Julia Lipez as Associate Justice of Maine Supreme Judicial Court 🏛 State of Maine

Gov. Janet Mills swears in 4 new judges, including state supreme court associate justice 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Longhorn Steakhouse ceiling collapses during dinner service in South Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Ceiling collapse at Longhorn Steakhouse by Maine Mall ‘could have been much worse’ 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Falmouth Spur reopens after tractor trailer topples, blocks westbound lanes 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Glitterfox - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

Just Passing Through 🏛 SPACE

Swan Lake 🏛 Visit Portland

Beer + Bar Snacks Master Class 🏛 Visit Portland

Traveling With Light 🏛 Visit Portland

Spring Fling 🏛 Visit Portland

A Taste of Nations Food Festival – Mayo Street Arts 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

1950s Murder/Mystery Show 🏛 Visit Portland

Luana’s House – a family sing-along and story time 🏛 SPACE

Music fest 🏛 Reddit

Cool Things Happening in Portland This Weekend (March 28–30) 🏛 Reddit

Art ＆ Vintage Market today 3/29 🏛 Reddit

Maine has fourth-highest rate of poorly-rated bridges in country, according to national database - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Transportation

Opinion: Maine’s highest court spoke up for cyclists. Drivers and lawmakers should listen. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Utilitles

Our Power is still working for change to ensure the state’s electric utilities serve Mainers 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Vacationland

Why has the Saco Riverwalk repair project in Biddeford faced such significant delays? - YouTube - CBS 13 News