Afternoon Links - Wednesday December 25, 2024

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Asylum Seekers

Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center offices burglarized, vandalized - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Business

Saco medical spa closes without warning, leaving gift cards and prepaid treatments useless - YouTube - CBS 13 News

City

165 Washington Avenue Public Meeting Raises Parking Concerns of Neighbors 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Greater Portland Landmarks' new leader aims to balance legacy amid city change 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Climate Emergency

Maine energy agency asks for major battery storage buildout 🏛 Maine Public

NOAA predicts above-normal temperatures for Maine's ... 🏛 WGME

Food and Drink

The Send Brewing Co. to open Friday in South Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Sichuan-style hot pot restaurant coming to Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Wrap: Portland on Tap returns; a potluck with a twist 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Best Tea House/Shop in Portland ME? 🏛 Reddit

History

Portland’s famous Christmas Eve shipwreck tale is worth repeating 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Media

Maine business owners take over Stephen King’s ‘rock ‘n roll’ radio station 🏛 Piscataquis Observer

Outdoors

How to tell if it’s too cold outside for your dog 🏛 Bangor Daily News

You can have a fantastic time cross-country skiing on these Penobscot River trails 🏛 Bangor Daily News

2024 Whitewater Highlights: Canoeing 10 Maine Rivers [+BONUS] - YouTube - River Metimbers

Photography

Portland International Jetport's Christmas "Tree" 🏛 Reddit

Frosty sunrise at Long Sands Beach, York, ME 🏛 Reddit

Southwest Harbor is looking lovely this afternoon. 🏛 Reddit

Sunset at Indian Point 🏛 Reddit

Bar Harbor in the Christmas Eve snow storm 🏛 Reddit

Aroostook Christmas eve snow. 🏛 Reddit

Maine delivers a spectacular white Christmas! 🏛 Reddit

Latest Snow in Bar Harbor 🏛 Reddit

Merry Christmas Maine! 🏛 Reddit

Police

Suspect arrested in Portland immigrant center burglary 🏛 Mainebiz

Man arrested in Portland shooting that left woman wounded 🏛 WMTW

Portland police arrest suspect in Sanborn Street shooting incident 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Politics

UMaine System board says it won't divest financially from Israel 🏛 Maine Public

Public Safety

Crews respond after 3 people, 2 dogs fall through ice at Cumberland 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Social Safety Net

More than 25K Mainers to get Social Security boost after repeal of 2 provisions 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Thousands of Mainers expect to see boost in Social Security under bill before President Biden 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Transportation

Holiday schedule changes for public transportation in Greater Portland - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Morning Links - Tuesday December 24, 2024

Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Arts

Maine authors publish multilingual children's book, bringing immigrant stories to the page 🏛 Maine Public

Asylum Seekers

Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center vandalized in weekend burglary 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Immigration drives nation’s population growth 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Letter: My grandfather would have been deported under Donald Trump’s immigration plans 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Business

Janet Mills signs executive order to establish artificial intelligence task force 🏛 Maine Public

Buy Local

Marden’s bargain hunters relish 60 years of fabulous finds 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine wreath-makers ring in the holiday season with balsam fir tradition 🏛 Portland Press Herald

City

Residents of Portland's 'crime central' neighborhood take action 🏛 WGME

Meet Portland's new fire chief - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Portland officer spreads holiday cheer. Check out the caroling cop. - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Climate Emergency

Maine’s Shellfish at Stake: Scientists Tackle Ocean Acidification Together 🏛 Friends of Casco Bay

Opinion: I hope Mother Nature might teach Maine to cooperate 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Is sea level rise greatly exaggerated? Debunking common climate myths 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Cryptocurrency Scams

Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection Announces Consent Agreement and Order with Kraken 🏛 State of Maine

Education

Sex Ed empowers young people to make responsible decisions in a post Roe v. Wade world 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Environment

Maine ban on PFAS-laden products moves forward 🏛 Maine Public

$4.3 million grant secured to protect Maine's oldest forests 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Third right whale entanglement reported in a week 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Advocates cheer possible end of genetically modified salmon 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Opinion: HIV medication decision a symptom of a larger issue 🏛 Portland Press Herald

History

How Ski Bums Bucked State Control and Founded the Town of Carrabassett Valley 🏛 Down East

Housing

Maine is lagging the lofty housing goals it set last year 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine sells old courthouses in Sanford, Biddeford to turn into housing 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Photography

Mornin' 🏛 Reddit

Athens Energy from the porch at 5am. 🏛 Reddit

Baby Sea Smoke at Nubble Light yesterday before dawn 🏛 Reddit

Augusta Maine 😎 🏛 Reddit

Kennebec river in bath 🏛 Reddit

Solstice vibes in Acadia NP 🏛 Reddit

Christmas Magic 🎄✨ 🏛 Reddit

My Maine This Week: Sunset on Madawaska Lake by Brenda Ketch 🏛 Natural Resources Council of Maine

Scarborough couple turns their home into a holiday display - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Police

23-year-old woman shot in Portland 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Portland Police Respond to Shooting This Afternoon 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Woman shot in Portland, suspect detained 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Suspect detained in Portland shooting incident; one person found injured 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Politics

King, colleagues introduce bipartisan “Preserving American Dominance in AI Act” 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Musk and Ramaswamy to confront Congress in struggle for control of the public purse 🏛 Maine Morning Star

UMaine System board says it won’t consider divesting from Israel 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Portland man found dead after fire in basement 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Fatal Portland Fire Investigated by Fire Marshall’s Office 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Man dies after Portland basement fire 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Man's body found in basement of Portland home where fire occurred 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Social Safety Net

More than 25,000 Mainers to get Social Security boost after repeal of two provisions 🏛 Maine Public

Mainers could see more out of their Social Security thanks to new law 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Letter: Close to achieving Social Security fairness 🏛 Bangor Daily News

State

How Maine’s 1st violence prevention director is envisioning her new role 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Things to Do

Nothing But a Man 🏛 SPACE

Morning Links - Monday December 23, 2024

Monday, December 23, 2024

Buy Local

STRATA: Premier Place for Holiday Shopping; Samauri Swords on Display Early Next Year 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Local businesses finally feel 'normalcy' as shoppers fill Portland's Old Port 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Shoppers look for last-minute gifts at Portland Makers Market - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

City

Residents of Portland’s 'crime central' neighborhood take action 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Greater Portland Landmarks gets new executive director amid lawsuit 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Civil Liberties

Jared Golden faces criticism for supporting ‘terror-financing’ bill 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Climate Emergency

Maine fishing piers still rebuilding from last winter’s storms 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Food and Drink

Get in on taco Tuesday deals at El Rayo Taqueria in Portland and Scarborough 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Wood-fired pizza adds to the menu at reopened Noble 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Restaurants taking reservations for Christmas & New Years 🏛 Reddit

Health Care

Total Maine Dec. 22, 2024: The future of abortion rights in Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

History

Throwback photo: Bonnie Raitt’s 1999 visit to Boys & Girls Club of Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Maine news layoffs loom 🏛 Patch

LGBTQIA+

A states' rights legal war is brewing. Trump DOJ pick has blasted California shield laws 🏛 San Francisco Chronicle

Outdoors

One Bird’s Winter is Another Bird’s Summer 🏛 Maine Audubon

Scarborough Beach winter access? 🏛 Reddit

Photography

Nonantum Resort Lighthouse, Kennebunkport, ME 🏛 Reddit

Sunday Photos: December 22nd, 2024 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Politics

Letter: Campaign finance suit a sad commentary 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Emergency overnight warming shelter opens in Portland as temperatures drop - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Fire badly damages 2 Ogunquit businesses 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Crews battle large fire in Ogunquit 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Ogunquit residents react to fire that destroyed two local businesses - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Crews respond to fires in Scarborough and Westbrook Saturday night - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Things to Do

This New Year’s Eve, skip Times Square and watch a local spectacular 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Pull tickets out of your hat for Champions of Magic 🏛 Portland Press Herald

On New Year’s Eve, party like a Mainer 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Talking Heads, Willard Beach Polar Bear Dip and an old-fashioned radio show 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Katie Matzell pays tribute to Bonnie Raitt with One Longfellow Square show 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Tickets on sale for Shania Twain in July, 12/OC in August 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Morning Links - Sunday December 22, 2024

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Business

Gov. Mills establishes task force to study potential impact of AI on Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Over 100 vendors provide last-minute shoppers with locally made gifts 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Climate Emergency

A year since the region saw disastrous flooding, western Maine officials say they’re better prepared 🏛 The Maine Monitor

A year later: Looking back at central Maine’s 2023 flood 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Do not fall for arguments against going green 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Community

Portland community members gather for winter solstice celebration 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Consumer Protections

Letter: Maine’s Implied Warranty Law should not fly below radar 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Letter: We need single-payer health insurance now 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Maine Millennial: Don’t let congressional Grinches take away telehealth 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Outdoors

Central Penjajawoc Preserve 🏛 Hiking in Maine

10 most-watched trail camera videos of 2024 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Farewell sunset earlier this week. 🏛 Reddit

Dune grass sunset at Ferry Beach, Scarborough, ME 🏛 Reddit

Solstice Sunrise 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Opinion: Voting against the courts is a losing battle 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Senate passes Social Security benefits boost for many public service retirees 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Senators Collins, Smith introduce bipartisan bill to build rural health care workforce 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Privacy

Opinion: One more challenge Maine’s small businesses don’t need 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Our View: A very deadly year on Maine’s roads puts us all on notice 🏛 Portland Press Herald

‘Severely hypothermic’ hiker from Portland rescued in New Hampshire’s White Mountains 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Scarborough house fire closes several roads Saturday night 🏛 WGME

House fire in Westbrook displaces two people 🏛 WGME

Crews battle large fire near Perkins Cove in Ogunquit 🏛 WMTW

Fire on Perkins Cove Road (Ogunquit) 🏛 Reddit

Big Fire in Ogunquit tonight. 🏛 Reddit

State

Mobile Screens 🏛 Reddit

Transportation

Power restored at Portland Jetport 🏛 WMTW

Car crash knocks out power near the Portland Jetport Saturday 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Morning Links - Saturday December 21, 2024

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Business

Bull Moose founder returns as retailer's interim CEO 🏛 Mainebiz

Party City is going out of business 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Support Maine entrepreneurs focused on the social and environmental 🏛 Portland Press Herald

City

Live Nation may partner with investment firm for Portland venue 🏛 Boston Globe

New music venue coming to Portland 🏛 WGME

Portland to get new large concert venue 🏛 WMTW

Plans for Major Music Venue in Downtown Portland Unveiled Today 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Plans made to bring new music venue to Portland - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Portland residents split on plan to add new music venue - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Education

Retirement plan issues at Portland Public Schools could take a year to fix - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Letter: A solution to teacher shortages 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Brunswick Landing leaders respond to clean water petition over PFAS spill 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Scarborough considers new setback proposal to protect wetlands 🏛 WGME

Phillips must fix river dredged after 2023 flood 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Maine's recycling reports are better, but still bleak 🏛 The Maine Monitor

The holiday season arrives, along with a huge increase in waste. Here’s what you can do. 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine organization awarded grant to tackle abandoned fishing gear cleanup - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Health Care

Closure of Maine’s rural birthing centers part of national ‘crisis’ 🏛 Portland Press Herald

History

Maine now has its second national monument: Frances Perkins' home - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Housing

$23M earmarked for affordable housing rentals in Maine 🏛 Mainebiz

November 2024 Maine housing report 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Gorham Sees Need for Affordable Housing 🏛 The Gorham Times

Labor

Unemployment in Maine rose slightly in November 🏛 Maine Public

Lewiston Mass Shooting

Breakdown podcast episode 4: 'They controlled it all' 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Police

Kobe Steakhouse shooting in South Portland, Maine 🏛 New England Cable News

South Portland police identify two shooting suspects in ongoing search - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Man accused of killing Westbrook couple waives right to jury 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Marcel Lagrange, accused of a double murder, waives jury trial 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Westbrook student accused of making threats taken into protective custody 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Cornville home searched for alleged illegal cannabis growing operation - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Politics

Maine Senate president calls GOP proposal to defund paid leave program ‘a gotcha bill’ looking to draw headlines 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine high court justice should be reprimanded, committee says 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Special election for Maine House District 24 scheduled for February 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Former Bangor city councilor will seek open Maine House seat 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Top Maine Republicans renew calls to overhaul child protective services 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine agrees to delay political spending limits amid lawsuit 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Jared Goldenand Chellie Pingree vote for 11th hour funding plan to avoid shutdown 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Social Security benefits boosted for millions in bill headed to Biden’s desk 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Senate passes Social Security benefitsboost for public service retirees 🏛 Bangor Daily News

U.S. Senate approves Collins’ bill to fund urban parks, trails 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Mainer rescued after his limbs froze on NH mountain 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Little Haystack Mountain hiker rescued after losing trail in wind and snow 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Minivan driver crashes into pole near Portland International Jetport, causing power outage 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Car crash causes power outages, possible delays at Portland Jetport - YouTube - WMTW-TV

State

Maine's economy accelerates along with Mainers' income 🏛 Maine Public

Maine DHHS union workers call for ouster of key leader 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Gov. Mills signs executive order for AI task force 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Things to Do

Out of the Picture @ Portland Museum of Art 🏛 SPACE

Veeva Banga – Art Across Borders: Tales of Migration 🏛 SPACE

MAMM Presents: Rock of (All) Ages 🏛 SPACE

Three Promises 🏛 SPACE

Dollar Day at CMTM 🏛 Visit Portland

Disney on Ice: Into the Magic brings enchantment to Portland - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Unhoused

Portland honors the 50 community members who died in 2024 at Annual Vigil 🏛 Preble Street

Maine housing first programs see more deaths than people moving on 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Waterville forms task force to support homeless community members - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Lewiston leaders prioritize affordable housing in fight against homelessness - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Vacationland

Down East's Monthly "Where in Maine?" Clue 🏛 Down East