Morning Links - Wednesday April 2, 2025

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Asylum Seekers

In an atmosphere of fear, Portland nonprofit pivots to feed clients where they feel safe – at home 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine’s first Office of New Americans director steps down after 3 months 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Wells police department applies to ICE program to enforce certain aspects of federal immigration law 🏛 Maine Public

Bears, Sharks, and Zombies

Experts urge caution with outdoor food amid bear emergence 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Business

L.L.Bean sues Wisconsin company, alleging it copied signature tote bags 🏛 Portland Press Herald

L.L. Bean sues vendor over similar looking tote bags 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Buy Local

New bookstores coming to Biddeford and Saco 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Climate Emergency

Offshore wind developer puts power contract talks on hold 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Maine offshore wind array on pause 🏛 Maine Public

CMP Corridor

Judge sides with federal agencies, won’t pull permits for NECEC 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Community

Saco father celebrates forever home 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Contitutional Crisis

Maine reproductive health care providers say freezing Title X funding will harm patients 🏛 Maine Public

Trump freezes $2 million in Maine family planning group funding 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine hit with Title X funding freeze by Trump administration 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Providers say Trump Title X freeze will have devastating impact on tens of thousands of Mainers 🏛 Maine Morning Star

AG Frey joins multi-state suit as Maine health agencies face over $91 million loss in federal funds 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Dem states sue Trump administration over sudden cancellation of $11B in health funds 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine joins lawsuit against Trump’s health funding cuts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine joins lawsuit against the U.S. HHS over termination of Covid-related grant funding 🏛 Maine Public

Attorney General Aaron M. Frey Sues HHS, Sec. Kennedy to Overturn Public Health Grant Cuts 🏛 State of Maine

Trump administration cuts entire federal heating assistance staff 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Donald Trump’s cuts throw a contentious Maine budget into more chaos 🏛 Bangor Daily News

In Radio Address, Governor Mills Warns Against 'Rushed and Reckless' Cuts to Social Security Administration 🏛 State of Maine

Maine’s rural libraries at risk as Trump guts agency that provides federal funding 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Foreign aid is vital for Maine’s economic and national security 🏛 Bangor Daily News

What Maine can expect as Donald Trump’s tariff day approaches 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine farmers, brewers concerned about next round of tariffs 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Calais businesses grapple with less Canadian foot traffic 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Tariffs will make homes more expensive 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Worried for America’s vulnerable students 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Support funding of the U.S. Antarctic Program 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Fighting For Democracy 🏛 PenBay Pilot

Sen. Angus King asks questions during Sen. Cory Booker's marathon speech - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Maine workers in federal unions push back against Trump executive order - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Maine congressman seeks to overturn Trump executive order about collective bargaining - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Education

South Portland residents voice displeasure about potential cuts to school system - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Windham offers scholarships to graduating seniors 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Education in Maine must be about more than scores 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Maine lobstermen test 'ropeless' traps aimed to protect endangered right whales 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Emerald ash borer confirmed on Mount Desert Island 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed on Mount Desert Island 🏛 State of Maine

Letter: Clear labeling needed on non-flushable products 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Falmouth

Proposed Falmouth budgets increase taxes, but less than recent years 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Old Port bar Cuties to open next week 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Garden Bar to open South Portland location 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland, Maine's 20 Best Eateries Based on TripAdvisor Reviews 🏛 WBLM

Health Care

Veterans urge Maine lawmakers to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Housing

Lawmakers advance plan to expand tax exemption for homeowners 🏛 Maine Morning Star

LGBTQIA+

Title IX case against Maine schools headed to U.S. Department of Justice 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Feds give Maine 10 more days to ban transgender athletes from girls’ sports 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Feds issue 'final warning' letter to Maine over Title IX compliance 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Republican lawmakers press for hearings on bills dealing with transgender athletes in Maine 🏛 Maine Public

Maine Republican lawmakers address Title IX and education policy - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Republican lawmakers seek changes to Maine Human Rights Act in Title IX compliance effort - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Photography

Good morning Maine:Harpswell 🏛 Reddit

Police

Man allegedly stole ATM from Maine business during broad daylight 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Maine State Police needs trained mental health professionals 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Politics

Expanding the Dependent Exemption Tax Credit is an investment in Maine’s future 🏛 Maine Center for Economic Policy

Letter: Compel Maine’s representatives to hold town halls 🏛 Portland Press Herald

With 170,000 Mainers eligible, IRS Direct File could save people nearly $80 million 🏛 Maine Beacon

Public Safety

Longhorn Steakhouse customers hold up falling ceiling at Maine restaurant 🏛 WMTW

Casco hosts emergency response session 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Sports

Opinion: Let Maine sports fans, not monopolies, control tickets 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

City to Host Earth Day Celebration – Saturday, April 12 in Payson Park 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Maine Open Farm Day List of Host Sites 2025 🏛 Real Maine

‘Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE’ to thrill fans of all ages 🏛 WGME

'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock LIVE' to thrill fans of all ages - YouTube - CBS 13 News

An Evening with Spencer Albee 🏛 One Longfellow Square

Serbian Dance Party with Lara Rakocevic and The ... 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Veronica Robles' All Women Mariachi – Mayo Street Arts 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Maine Things To Do | Bow Ties ＆ Bean Boots, Pancake Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Pie Sale 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Transportation

Opinion: It’s time to move on from the Gorham Connector 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Biddeford construction project to have major traffic impact - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Utilities

Owner of Bangor Natural Gas inks deal for another Maine gas company 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Vacationland

Fryeburg and Cumberland fair officials still at odds due to overlapping Saturday 🏛 Maine Public

Cumberland Fair organizers decry Fryeburg's 'self-interest' move 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine