Morning Links - Wednesday December 18, 2024

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Bears, Sharks, and Zombies

Mystery drones reported flying over Maine as feds note sightings are increasing 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Businses

Maine holiday shoppers are buying local this year, business owners say 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

City

Portland council gives green light to two-day music festival in 2025 🏛 Maine Public

Portland City Council approves new 2-day summer music festival 🏛 WMTW

The Candelabra tree is all lit up in Deering Oaks- design by Pandora Lacasse, and provided by the Friends of Deering Oaks. Special thanks to the lead installer for this project Cole Brauer, a local cartoonist who can be found on Instagram as Fruntporch. 🏛 Reddit

Letter: A poetic vision of Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland, Maine, named most popular vacation spot in US ... 🏛 WMTW

Climate Emergency

Huge spending bill unveiled in Congress provides more than $100 billion in disaster aid 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Opinion: Maine’s path to a building a climate-resilient future 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Small winter catch set for New England’s long-closed shrimp industry, a climate casualty 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Education

With 53% students of color, Portland Public Schools focuses on equity strategies 🏛 Maine Public

Annual ‘State of Schools’ address in Portland - YouTube - CBS 13 News

A translation software invented in Portland schools expands its reach 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine assesses options after electric bus provider seeks credit protection 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Elections

Watch: Maine Electoral college casts ballots for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine’s electors join those across country in casting official votes for president 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine's Electoral College meets to cast votes for president 🏛 Maine Public

Maine officially casts its Electoral College votes for Harris, Trump 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Tuan Yuan Hotpot on Forest Ave 🏛 Portland Food Map

The Lists: Ocotillo ＆ Mr. Tuna 🏛 Portland Food Map

The Send Brewing Launching Soon 🏛 Portland Food Map

Cocktail bar Apéro launches in downtown Biddeford 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Three Portland restaurants named among the country’s best 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Wrap: 3 Portland restaurants get national praise, Apero has opened 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Via Sophia by the Sea closing in Kennebunk 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Best Dishes in America of 2024 🏛 New York Times

Guns

National gun control group upgrades Maine’s rating after response to mass shooting 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine gun safety advocates renew push to ban ghost guns 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Health Care

Maine veterinarian first in state to use new cancer-detecting technology 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

History

Maine's Role in the Civil War | Assignment: Maine - YouTube - Maine Public

Housing

Report: Public housing authorities file disproportionate number of Maine eviction cases 🏛 Maine Public

Media

Press Herald teams up with Report for America to cover Wabanaki Nations 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

State representative challenges payroll tax for paid family and medical leave program 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine lawmakers split on paid family and medical leave program as contributions begin soon - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Outdoors

Critter Chatter — Reminiscing, Part III 🏛 Natural Resources Council of Maine

Photography

More pictures from my old Pentax 🏛 Reddit

Rainbow over Athens 🏛 Reddit

Full Rainbow over the Village. 🏛 Reddit

Nubble Lighthouse 🏛 Reddit

Nubble Light at Christmas Time 🏛 Reddit

Full Moon over Holiday Barn in Cape Porpoise, Maine 🏛 Reddit

The moon…Monhegan Lighthouse…Orion 🏛 Reddit

These folks are out of their minds... 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Senate GOP leader vows to work with Democrats while holding the line on taxes, state spending 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Letter: Susan Collins can take a stand against MAGA 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Right this wrong for retired public employees 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Urgency needed on Social Security bill 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Police

Grant for rape kit backlog a reminder of how much Maine lags on investigations 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

CDC will rewrite rules for bringing dogs into the U.S. 🏛 Maine Public

State

Maine crime rates fell again in 2023, continuing a downward trend 🏛 Portland Press Herald

'I feel safe:' Report finds overall crime down in Maine, murder rate more than doubled - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Things to Do

Maine Things to Do: Songwriters' gathering, last-minute craft fair, winter solstice event 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Tophat Productions' Sunset Boulevard – Mayo Street Arts 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Monaco Studios presents Unique Unknown ＆ Friends 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Modern Friendship with Talons of Spring and Tiger Bomb 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Uneven Waves: The Balkan Surf Sound Workshop 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Jane Love's Collage Party with the Bicentennial Memorial ... 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Unhoused

Camping ban enforcement in Maine highlights patchwork of solutions to homelessness 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Morning Links - Tuesday December 17, 2024

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Arts

🐝 🏛 Reddit

Aylum Seekers

Reducing hurdles so asylum-seekers can work is a no-brainer 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Business

Holiday hiring up as Maine retailers prepare for strong selling season 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Maine employers must promote themselves – by promoting Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Buy Local

Holiday Cellar Sale 🏛 Rosemont Market

ChappyWrap luxury blanket line was inspired by a decades-long family feud 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

City

Portland City Council approves license for Payson Park music festival 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Climate Emergency

Federal hostility could delay offshore wind projects, derailing state climate goals 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Storm impacts and mitigation strategies eyed 🏛 Quoddy Tides

Education

Portland schools’ strategic plan takes center stage at State of the Schools address 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland Public Schools continue work to better support students' diverse needs 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Annual State of the Schools Address to the Portland City Council December 16, 2024 - YouTube - Portland Public Schools, Maine

High School Design Update 🏛 Portland Public Schools

Electric school buses in Maine are hitting a few road bumps - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Elections

Maine’sElectoral College is meeting to cast ballots for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine will join other states in casting Electoral College votes Tuesday 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Maine’s drought situation is getting worse 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Aroostook researchers focus on how PFAS might affect farmland 🏛 The County

Defoliation from Browntail Moth caterpillars declined over 95% in Maine this year 🏛 Maine Public

Residents in Denmark adopt a water extraction ordinance to protect the town's resource 🏛 Maine Public

Food and Drink

Where to dine out on Christmas Day in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Via Sophia by the Sea Closing 🏛 Portland Food Map

Gambling

Maine collects about $6M in revenue during first full year of sports betting 🏛 Maine Public

Health Care

Harvard Pilgrim agrees to continue coverage of HIV medication in Maine 🏛 Maine Public

Harvard Pilgrim will continue covering HIV drugs, following state investigation 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Federal funding helps schools hire mental health counselors 🏛 Maine Beacon

History

Homestead of Frances Perkins, ‘a titan of Maine,’ designated national monument 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Biden establishes a national monument for Frances Perkins, the 1st female Cabinet secretary 🏛 New England Cable News

Frances Perkins Center designation adds a new draw to Damariscotta region 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Justice

Falmouth man pleads guilty to nearly a decade of tax evasion 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Republicans look to defund Maine’s new paid leave program 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine lawmaker proposes bill to stop Paid Family and Medical Leave program - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Bath YMCA makes history with new child care option for BIW workers 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Waterville Starbucks workers push to unionize, led by shift supervisor 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Report: Nearly 10 percent of Mainers are working more than one job - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

LGBTQIA+

A Mainer’s lawsuit over transgender care could be challenged by the U.S. House 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Outdoors

Why a duck’s feet don’t freeze in winter and other chilly questions 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine Guide Mondays: Finding the perfect snowshoes - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Photography

The Cold Moon rising over Old Orchard Beach and Pine Point last night 🏛 Reddit

Police

Poland man arrested after leading Windham police on chase 🏛 Portland Press Herald

SUV hits police cruiser in Westbrook, injuring officer 🏛 WGME

Politics

How to judge Susan Collins 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Stop giving Collins a pass on judicial picks 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Pass the Social Security Fairness Act 🏛 Bangor Daily News

State

Maine’s crime rate drops for 2nd straight year 🏛 Piscataquis Observer

Things to Do

NYE Party at Ri Ra 🏛 Visit Portland

Portland Symphony Orchestra is back with annual 'Magic of Christmas' show - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Unhoused

A look back at 2024 🏛 Preble Street

Vationland

In some port towns, it's residents vs. cruises: We're going to eradicate them 🏛 Washington Post

Morning Links - Monday December 16, 2024

Monday, December 16, 2024

Arts

Check out offerings from Portland musician Lynda Mandolyn and The Red Eye Flight Crew 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Business

Maine manufacturers brace for potential tariff turmoil 🏛 Mainebiz

Maine company wants to create a new American hotel chain 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Buy Local

Who’s got the best merch in the city? 🏛 Reddit

City

Portland to consider proposed 2-day music festival that could draw large crowds to city-owned park 🏛 Maine Public

City trash bags 🏛 Reddit

Climate Emergency

Despite climate goals, state rebates for electric vehicles are running on empty 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine is leading in this energy field with wide support ahead of Donald Trump’s return 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Scarborough begins drone survey to assess beach vulnerability and future storm impacts - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Community

Sunday Social | Stick library for dogs, deer and dog backyard fun - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Education

Letter: An inspiring decision by UNE 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Bath area schools closed Monday due to safety concern 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Bath-area schools close Monday over ‘safety concern’ 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Scarborough considers new setback proposal to protect wetlands - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Food and Drink

Pick up Chicken Provençal from Sissle ＆ Daughters for a restaurant meal at home 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Sunday is the last day to enroll in Maine's health insurance marketplace for January coverage - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Federal funding helps schools hire mental health counselors 🏛 Portland Press Herald

History

Throwback photo: What the Christmas season looked like in downtown Portland 54 years ago 🏛 Portland Press Herald

President Biden to designate new national monument at Frances Perkins Center in Newcastle 🏛 Maine Public

Joe Biden is declaring Frances Perkins’ Maine homestead a national monument 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Biden to declare Frances Perkins’ Newcastle home a national monument 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Housing

State planners move forward watered-down rule on short-term rentals 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

A Maine island town looks to mobile homes to solve its ‘death spiral’ 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Evan’s Notch. 🏛 Reddit

Downtown Bath last night 🏛 Reddit

Beauty 🏛 Reddit

Beautiful Gray Maine After Snowfall 🏛 Reddit

My Maine This Week: Sunset ＆ Calm on the Maine Coast by Steve Cartwright 🏛 Natural Resources Council of Maine

Sunday photos: December 15th, 2024 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Politics

Letter: Time to right this wrong on Social Security 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Ignore Trump’s threats and work for change 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Mainers with ties to Syria celebrate fall of Assad regime 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Wrong-way driver arrested following head-on crash on I-95 in Falmouth 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Wrong-way crash on Maine Turnpike in Falmouth results in minor injuries 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Wrong way driver arrested after crashing into another driver on I-95 - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Things to Do

Things to do and places to eat and drink on Christmas Day in Greater Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

‘The Snow Queen,’ Disney on Ice and a Santa Rave dance party 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Grab tickets now for Trombone Shorty ＆ Orleans Avenue in July 🏛 Portland Press Herald

See ‘The Muppet Christmas Carol’ for free at Portland Museum of Art 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Tickets on sale for Melissa Etheridge with Indigo Girls in Bangor on Aug. 30 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Coheed and Cambria * Mastodon :: The Infinite Arc Tour 🏛 Cross Insurance Arena (Cumberland County Civic Center)

Morning Links - Sunday December 15, 2024

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Arts

Maine artist designed shoes for the New England Patriots 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Asylum Seekers

Opinion: We can choose not to lose sight of immigrants’ humanity 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine lawmakers celebrate permanent extension of work permits - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Climate Emergency

Opinion: Maine’s suing Big Oil could bring dollars – and sense 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Community

Portland nonprofit to move into bigger space to better serve those in need - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Education

Letter: Options abound for electric school buses 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Nature Connects: We must preserve Maine’s starry, starry nights 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Pingree Announces $13.2 Million for Private Forestland Management and Conservation in Maine 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Food and Drink

Apero Now Open in Biddeford 🏛 Portland Food Map

Anyone know what happened to Rosie's? My favorite bar all staff gone. 🏛 Reddit

Gym

Best / Economical Health/Gym thing in Portland 🏛 Reddit

Health Care

Federal funding helps schools hire mental health counselors 🏛 The Maine Monitor

History

How Maine celebrated the holidays 100 years ago 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Lewiston Mass Shooting

Our View: FRONTLINE documentary cuts to heart of Lewiston tragedy 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Outdoors

Kenduskeag Stream Parkway 🏛 Hiking in Maine

Foot and Paddle: Mt. Blue State Park by Snowshoe 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Photography

The new visitor contact station at Katahdin Woods ＆ Waters National Monument 🏛 Reddit

Tiny moon over Martins Point Bridge, Falmouth Maine 🏛 Reddit

Portland Head Light 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Letter: Proposed pesticide ordinance is unfair 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Jim Fossel: Political earthquakes may rumble through Maine in 2026 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Bigger US House could renew fading Congress 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Public Safety

Wrong-way driver arrested in Maine after crashing into pregnant woman's car 🏛 New England Cable News

Pregnant driver injured in wrong-way crash on Maine Turnpike 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Windham Man Charged with OUI Following Car Crash in Falmouth 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Raccoon tests positive for rabies in Cape Elizabeth, Maine CDC says 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Man rescued after falling through ice in Raymond - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Things to Do

Magdalena Bay - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

Unhoused

Community Champion: Aloft Hotels staff brace cold weather to distribute care kits to homeless Mai... - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Vacationland

Saunders Architecture’s Trailblazing Park Facility Straddles a Remote Ridge in Northern Maine 🏛 Architectural Record

Morning Links - Saturday December 14, 2024

Saturday, December 14, 2024

Arts

'For Love or Lobsters!' brings dating game show to Portland 🏛 WGME

New 'Hopeful' art display installed in Bath - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Asylum Seekers

Looking into legal immigration programs 🏛 WMTW

Bears, Sharks, and Zombies

Beachgoers brave freezing ocean to help stranded shark in Maine 🏛 Boston.com

City

City News Round Up: Friday, December 13, 2024 🏛 City of Portland

Opinion: Portland is still cool, you're just boring 🏛 Reddit

Bleeding octopus tree 🏛 Reddit

Why is Portland, Maine being sued? 🏛 Reddit

Climate Emergency

Letter: Climate leadership is alive and well in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Community

Biddeford officer remembered as a dedicated and compassionate public servant 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland Gear Hub secures funding to buy the building it has been renting 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Portland's Secret Bike Race 4 - YouTube - GWJ Films

Environment

$13M will support forest management, conservation in Maine 🏛 Mainebiz

Rumford mill mishap causes discolored snow; residents advised to steer clear 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine Public’s ‘Maine Calling’ radio call-in show to feature discussion on PFAS in firefighting 🏛 Maine Morning Star

New government report highlights toll fast fashion takes on environment 🏛 Maine Public

Guns

So I just saw a guy walking down Broadway in SoPo by the bowling alley carrying an old school Betsy Ross flag (the one with the circle of stars). He had an assault rifle over his shoulder and a pistol on his belt. I didn't take a picture. Does anyone else find this unhinged/disturbing? 🏛 Reddit

In case anyone wants to see the video - 🏛 Reddit

Health Care

Health care advocates accuse Harvard Pilgrim of discrimination against HIV patients in Maine 🏛 Maine Public

Opinion: A call to abolish health insurance claim denials 🏛 Portland Press Herald

History

Looking back at when first section of Maine Turnpike opened 77 years ago - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Housing

State planners move forward watered-down rule on short-term rentals 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Opinion: Business is business: A senior sent packing 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Linda Gallagher-Garcia’s story shows why Maine must strengthen eviction protections 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Justice

4 men plead not guilty to charges in deadly Portland biker gang clash 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Labor

MaineHealth medical interpreters and supporters rally amid contract negotiations 🏛 Maine Public

Medical interpreters picket for fair wages outside Portland hospital 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Do Maine's rules for Paid Family and Medical Leave need review? - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Outdoors

These 7 tips will get your dog ready for a winter hike 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Your moment of calm at Ram Island Ledge Light during sunrise 🏛 Reddit

One of the face carvings in the old pilings in Belfast harbor. 🏛 Reddit

Friday the 13th - Solo on Katahdin - 14 hours 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Groups tied to Republican lawmaker sue Maine over limits on political giving 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Two Maine PACs and free speech group challenge new limits on political contributions 🏛 Maine Public

Maine sued over new campaign finance law, but that was supporters’ plan all along 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine sued over new voter-approved campaign finance limits 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Looking ahead to 2026 Maine governor's race and who could run - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Letter: Susan Collins should oppose unqualified nominees 🏛 Bangor Daily News

President Biden pardons Augusta man for decades-old crime 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Some in fishing industry see Trump as a friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Some in seafood industry see Donald Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Things to Do

Gingerbread, women’s hockey, the Fogcutters and other weekend happenings 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Kennebunkport's Christmas Prelude showcases ice carving, holiday fun - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Christmas by the Sea festivities begin in Ogunquit - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Ogunquit kicks off 38th annual Christmas by the Sea celebration - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Theater of Thought 🏛 SPACE

Every Little Thing 🏛 SPACE

Dig XX 🏛 SPACE

Sicard Hollow - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

Unhoused

Portland, state clash over millions of dollars in shelter funding 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Utilities

Eastern Maine Electric Cooperative to use $14.6 million to improve reliability 🏛 Maine Public

Vacationland

Shutters Return Pomham Rocks Lighthouse to Turn of the Century Look 🏛 American Lighthouse Foundation