Morning Links - Thursday December 12, 2024

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Asylum Seekers

Biden urged to ensure immigrants’ temporary legal status before Trump mass deportations 🏛 Maine Morning Star

ILAP Applauds Leadership from Governor Mills, Representative Pingree, and Senator King in Securing Major Win for Maine’s Businesses and Immigrant Workers 🏛 Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project

Climate Emergency

$17 million awarded to promote forest sustainability, carbon storage in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Fishing impacts from offshore wind pale in comparison to climate change 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Education

Free college tuition should be celebrated and expanded 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Don’t give up on electric school buses 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Struggling to Adapt 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Video (4-minute): A fire hose of ‘forever chemicals’ 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Toxic-free holiday 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Enfield factory produces material aiming to help reduce PFAS in soil 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Forestry experts urge action to counter spruce budworm outbreak 🏛 Maine Public

Mainers could play role in preserving monarchs even though state population is stable 🏛 Maine Public

Food and Drink

Best of 2024 from Maine’s restaurants, bars, cafes and bakeries 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine Food ＆ Dining News: South Portland, Swanville, Falmouth, Skowhegan, Auburn 🏛 Portland Food Map

Maine's two dedicated-gluten-free breweries satisfy more than palettes 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Biddeford restaurant says switch from dine-in to delivery has hurt business 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Gambling

Legal sports betting in Maine brings in $6 million in revenue 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Health Care

Maine abortion providers seek $6 million in state funding 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Wednesday Sit-Down: Changes to Medicaid looming 🏛 WGME

Sen. Collins helps usher another Alzheimer’s bill into law 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Housing

Maine public housing tenants face eviction at high rates. A new program to keep renters housed excludes them. 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Justice

Report says lack of legal representation in adult guardianship cases is a problem, some disagree 🏛 Maine Public

LGBTQIA+

U.S. House passes defense bill barring trans medical coverage for service members’ kids 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Photography

Maine storm 🏛 Reddit

December Sunset at Pine Point, Scarborough, Maine 🏛 Reddit

Police

Police investigate drive-by shooting in Westbrook 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Police investigating drive-by shooting in Westbrook 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine’s illegal cannabis grow houses are being refurbished, relisted and sold 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Politics

Sen. Collins undecided after meeting with Trump defense nominee Hegseth 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Sen. Collins meets with Pete Hegseth as he lobbies for support in the Senate 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Sen. Collins meets with Pete Hegseth; not swayed 'one way or the other' on his bid for defense secretary 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Collins meets with Trump nominee as he lobbies for key votes in Senate - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Letter: Sen. Collins must remember who she serves 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Stop giving Susan Collins a pass 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Social Safety Net

Maine Connectivity Authority awarded $5.7 million in federal funds 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

State

Maine’s Child Development Services is struggling to pay its contractors on time 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Obsessed With Light 🏛 SPACE

Unhoused

New rent relief program excludes Mainers in public housing 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Bangor delays closure of city's largest homeless encampment 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Afternoon Links - Wednesday December 11, 2024

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Arts

Vibrant Holiday Décor and Paint Shine Up a Kennebunk Saltbox 🏛 Down East

Asylum Seekers

After calls from Maine officials, immigrant work permits will be automatically extended 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Feds announce permanent extension of asylum seeker work permits 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Business

Proposed merger of supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine got only one bid on its latest 10-year liquor contract 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Amid concern over microplastics, a Maine company creates a kelp-based laundry pod alternative 🏛 Maine Public

City

Public Meeting on the Controversial 165 Washington Avenue Development Announced; Business Owners Concerned 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Organizers put Carnaval Maine on ice 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Civil Rights

Letter: The clock is ticking on equal rights 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Climate Emergency

Maine joins states suing oil giants over climate change 🏛 Mainebiz

Sea State Recap: Climate Resilience Potential in the Gulf ... 🏛 Gulf of Maine Research Institute

Education

Letter: Choosing the right electric busses 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Enivronment

Augusta utility shuts down two drinking water wells because of PFAS contamination 🏛 Maine Public

‘Little pockets of this all over’ 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Highlights of 2024 PFAS survey of Maine fire departments 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Food and Drink

The Wrap: Dizzy Birds Rotisserie to close, new bakery opens in Windham 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Taco Trio moving back to old location in South Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Top 10 Places to Eat in Portland, Maine, in Winter 🏛 Marpheen Chann

History

Now Available! CBEP Resilience and Monitoring Grants 🏛 Casco Bay Estuary Partnership

Housing

Low-income Mainers won’t get new federal housing aid for months 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Why Portland, Maine is the Ultimate Relocation Magnet 🏛 WCYY

Justice

8 Investigates: Prosecutors, lawmakers fight to improve sexual assault investigations in Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Cumberland County gets $2.5 million grant to address backlog of rape kits - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Lewiston Mass Shooting

WATCH: 'Breakdown in Maine' 🏛 Maine Public

Sen. King proposes bill requiring study of brain injuries among veterans from low-level blasts 🏛 Maine Public

Sen. King introduces bill to study low-level blast injuries on military personnel 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

LL Bean announces new round of layoffs, 50-75 jobs to be cut 🏛 New England Cable News

Maine’s military personnel will get big raises in new defense budget 🏛 Bangor Daily News

LGBTQIA+

Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Guide to Portland, Maine Pride: Where to Support, Celebrate, and ... 🏛 Portland Old Port

Outdoors

This secluded hike in western Maine offers spectacular views of the White Mountains 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Looking back from Spring Point Light, South Portland, Maine 🏛 Reddit

Your moment of Holiday calm at Nubble Lighthouse. Part 2. 🏛 Reddit

Calico Lobster 🏛 Reddit

Blackjack Sunset, Pine Point, Scarborough, Maine 🏛 Reddit

2024 🏛 Reddit

Police

York County Sheriff's Office is the latest agency to adopt body-worn cameras 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Politics

Legislative leaders wrestle with tweaks to make lawmaking more equitable, efficient 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Will Collins use her power to protect Maine from the Trump Administration? 🏛 Maine Beacon

Letter: Will Collins put people over politics? 🏛 Portland Press Herald

What Susan Collins asked embattled Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth during their meeting 🏛 Bangor Daily News

How Democrats can regain New England’s coalition 🏛 Maine Beacon

The Belfast City Council was right to divest from Israeli companies 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Belfast follows Portland’s lead with courageous divestment vote 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Portland crash: Truck drives into barricade on Casco Bay ... 🏛 WMTW

Things to Do

The Live Music Guide: December 11th - 17th, 2024 🏛 Portland Old Port

Maine Things to Do: Lantern Tours, Craft and Literary Fairs, Cookie Walk 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Brazen 🏛 SPACE

Aziz Ansari 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

Love Letter: Katie Matzell ＆ Friends Present the Music of ... 🏛 One Longfellow Square

Heather Lynn, Oodelally, and Emily Irving 🏛 SPACE

Brad Williams 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

Portland Outright – Queer Futures, Queer Joy: A Queer Youth Arts Gala 🏛 SPACE

Transportion

Removing snow and ice from your car isn’t just a courtesy. It’s the law. 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Tribal Sovereignty

Wabanaki people have a right to be safe and heard 🏛 Wabanaki Alliance

Unhoused

Bangor delays encampment closure deadline 🏛 Maine Public

Homeless board game 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Morning Links - Tuesday December 10, 2024

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Arts

Student and her 3D-printed instrument harmonize classical music with digital age 🏛 University of Maine

Good Theater in Portland will soon raise the curtain in a new home - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Asylum Seekers

Mills, Pingree, King push to extend asylum seeker work permits 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Elected leaders in Maine push for permanent extension of asylum seeker work authorization 🏛 Maine Public

Maine officials call for automatic extension of asylum seeker, immigrant work authorizations 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Business

Success of Maine’s snowmobile industry rides on the weather 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Skowhegan’s Maine Grains eyes expansion with grants 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine's ski areas are largely feeling good about this year 🏛 Portland Press Herald

City

UPDATED: Culley Major Site Plan Submitted to City for Controversial 7 Story Building at 165 Washington Avenue; January Workshop Expected 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Top Reasons to Visit Portland, Maine: A Coastal Gem of New England 🏛 Marpheen Chann

Civil Liberties

President Biden should certify the ERA as the 28th Amendment 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Climate Emergency

Mainers urged to nab clean energy rebates before they’re gone 🏛 Maine Beacon

Maine's Changing Climate: Is Maine seeing a decline in yearly snowfall? 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Community

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine to hire Andrew Zarro as next Executive Director 🏛 Bicycle Coalition of Maine

After flood of requests, Maine Needs is moving up 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Santa Sunday at Sunday River draws over 300 participants 🏛 New England Cable News

Country's longest veterans' parade departs from Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Education

I recaptured the magic of teaching by learning from other teachers 🏛 Bangor Daily News

UMaine awarded $3.5 million for new statewide weather network 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Environment

Accidents not waiting to happen 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Video: A fire hose of 'forever chemicals' 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Augusta-area water district shuts down two wells due to PFAS contamination - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Food and Drink

Saco’s Sweetest Spot 🏛 Edible Maine

Health Care

Abortion funds take on bigger role as access to funding shifts 🏛 Maine Beacon

Portland funds new programs with opioid settlement money 🏛 WMTW

Justice

Cumberland County DA receives grant to test sexual assault kit backlog 🏛 Maine Public

Cumberland County DA Office Awarded Fed Grant for Testing of Sexual Assault Kits 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Labor

L.L. Bean announces employee layoffs for second time this year 🏛 Maine Public

L.L.Bean to lay off up to 75 Maine workers 🏛 Portland Press Herald

LL Bean layoffs to impact up to 75 workers 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

In Waterville, Starbucks workers seek to unionize 🏛 Mainebiz

Outdoors

Maine Guide Mondays: Exploring Monson - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Photography

Sunrise 🏛 Reddit

Ain’t nothin better than sunrises on the water. Doesn’t matter what time of year 🏛 Reddit

quite deep out there 🏛 Reddit

Winters In Maine are the best 🏛 Reddit

Love the skies up here 🏛 Reddit

Westbrook winter mornings~ 🌅 🏛 Reddit

Sunrise from Sabattus 🏛 Reddit

The skies above Sugarloaf today, looking like the portal to another dimension 🏛 Reddit

Snow to Surf 🏛 Reddit

2 fighting Canada lynx caught on video in Aroostook County 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photo gallery: Cundy's Harbor gathers to light village trees 🏛 Harpswell Anchor

PHOTOS: Ellsworth Christmas Parade 🏛 Ellsworth American

Cape Elizabeth Sunrise - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Police

Woman allegedly crashed head-on into Westbrook police cruiser 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Politics

Letter: Divestment votes in Portland and Belfast deserve praise 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Decision to divest shows support for antisemitic views 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Gov. Mills addresses antisemitism at Jewish Community Alliance event - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Public Safety

Video shows truck crash into barricade on Casco Bay Bridge - YouTube - WMTW-TV

One side of Casco Bay Bridge will be closed after truck hits barricade - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Truck slams into Casco Bay Bridge gate - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Lyme cases set another record as ticks spread across Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Funkationland (Night 1) 🏛 One Longfellow Square

Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl 🏛 Visit Portland

UMaine Men's Hockey vs. Bentley University 🏛 Cross Insurance Arena (Cumberland County Civic Center)

Winter Warmer Slavic Strings 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

North Star Baroque - Brandenburg 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

Winter Warmer Illuminations 🏛 Merrill Auditorium

Transportation

Casco Bay Bridge to be closed to southbound traffic Tuesday 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Lanes on Casco Bay Bridge to be closed for emergency repairs 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Budget airline will offer nonstop flights from Maine to Connecticut 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Avelo Airlines to offer flights between Portland, New Haven 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Unhoused

Portland homeless services face uncertainty amid state funding dispute 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Utilities

Electricity Maine is mailing 1st round of refunds to 20K customers 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Overcharged Electricity Maine customers can soon expect refund checks 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Electricity Maine customers will soon receive refunds 🏛 Maine Public

Bridging the digital divide in Maine - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Morning Links - Monday December 9, 2024

Monday, December 9, 2024

Arts

Love it or hate it, we all saw this crossover coming. 🏛 Reddit

Business

Spending on the rise in Maine ahead of holidays - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Buy Local

Freeport photographer helps include pets in holiday memories 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Hub Furniture has such an interesting post-industrial interior, it's worth pretending that you want to buy a couch, and walking through just to for the architecture 🏛 Reddit

City

For instant holiday cheer, watch a livestream of the Monument Square tree 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland, New England city named most livable metro - NBC Boston 🏛 Boston.com

City Seeks Applicants for Two Treatment Programs by 1/24/25 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Portland Selects Next Fire Chief Succeeding Chief Keith Gautreau 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Climate Emergency

Maine communities sharing information to prepare for winter storms - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Gov. Mills announces applications for second round of storm relief funding for small businesses 🏛 Piscataquis Observer

Community

Heavy-metal Santa Claus raising money for Maine Needs - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Three generations on central Maine farm to donate Christmas trees for troops 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Education

Maine teachers want more connection, mentorship and financial support 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Our View: Failure of Lion electric school buses is – at the very least – twofold 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Greater Augusta Utilities District shuts down two wells for high PFAS levels 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine could be ending its controversial moose herd management strategy 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Food and Drink

Cheeseburger meets French dip at Gorham roadside burger stand 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Abortion funds take on bigger role in Maine, nationwide as access shifts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Housing

Sharp price cutstilt Maine’s hot housing market toward buyers 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Labor

L.L. Bean to lay off workers for 2nd time this year 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Another morning stroll the other day 🏛 Reddit

Trees up 👍 🏛 Reddit

York Holiday Parade 🏛 Reddit

Spring Point Ledge Light 🏛 Reddit

Early December Snow in Bar Harbor 🏛 Reddit

Sunday Photos: December 8th, 2024 🏛 Daily Bulldog

My Maine This Week: Mt. Vernon Snow by Karen Mairs 🏛 Natural Resources Council of Maine

Politics

The Lessons of Little Middle 🏛 The Bollard

The new Maine Legislature is finally changing how it operates 🏛 Bangor Daily News

State leader pushes to make famous sled dog by making breed Maine's state dog - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Total Maine Dec. 8: Gov. Mills interview ＆ funding for Maine trails - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Letter: Collins’ critical choice on health care 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Zionists have hijacked the Holocaust to justify crimes 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Protesting Israel is not antisemitic 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Open House & Holiday Market at Factory 3 in Portland, Maine (December 14) 🏛 Factory 3

Gingerbread Spectacular in Boothbay Harbor, ‘A Christmas Carol’ in Buxton 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Tickets on sale for Ace Frehley on Feb. 1, Avril Lavigne on May 25 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Christmas countdown is on: 12 ways to spend the 12 days leading up to the holiday 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland On Tap set for Feb. 1 at Cross Insurance Arena 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Paul Winter Consort’s solstice celebration comes to Maine for the first time 🏛 Portland Press Herald

New Year's Eve Beach Party 🏛 Visit Portland

Tribal Sovereignty

Wabanaki people have a right to be safe and heard 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Unhoused

Homeless people are being moved more quickly in Portland, but some have nowhere to go 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Downtown Portland needs a warming shelter 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Utilities

Maine gets $5.7M in federal funding to expand internet access 🏛 Piscataquis Observer

Versant Power launching public discussions focusing on grid, climate planning - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Vacationland

Santa arrives by lobster boat at Kennebunkport’s Christmas Prelude 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Morning Links - Sunday December 8, 2024

Sunday, December 8, 2024

Arts

A backstage look at a thriving Biddeford community theater 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Maine photographer’s surfer portraits get new attention 25 years later 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Climate Emergency

As climate focus shifts to states, East Coast partnership offers multi-state collaboration model 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Education

Electric bus maker facing complaints from Maine school districts is strapped for cash 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Lisbon’s football season was derailed by hazing allegations. Here’s how it happened. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Greater Augusta Utility District shuts down wells exceeding PFAS standards 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

PFAS testing lab in Norridgewock expands to support high demand - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

To combat an invasive plant, a Peaks Island woman has persuaded her neighbors to adopt endangered trees 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Abortion funds take on bigger role as access to funding shifts 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Who is the typical abortion patient in Maine? 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Portland seeks service providers for opioid crisis programs funded by $1.38M settlement - YouTube - WMTW-TV

History

‘Year of Togo’ will draw attention to a legendary Maine sled dog 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Push on to make the heirs of famous sled dog Togo, a Maine retiree, the official state dog 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Looking back at 1959, when Maine had 4 governors in one year - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Labor

L.L. Bean to lay off workers for second time this year 🏛 WGME

Outdoors

Meduxnekeag River Trail 🏛 Hiking in Maine

People are already ice fishing in Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Does technology blur the lines of ethical hunting? 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Police

Cumberland County wins grant to track sexual assault kits at every local police department 🏛 WMTW

Photography

Free Street 🏛 Reddit

Late Night Snowfall, Downtown Portland @ 3AM 🏛 Reddit

I found this at Jersey Mike's in Windham, ME 🏛 Reddit

Cape Porpoise Twilight, Kennebunkport, Maine 🏛 Reddit

Cold but pretty day in Maine 🏛 Reddit

Broad Cove (Bremen) tonight 🏛 Reddit

Photo taken from my grandparents old cabin 🏛 Reddit

Gardens Aglow 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Opinion: To be truly open, more reform of Maine primaries is needed 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Should Maine Legislature still appoint constitutional officers? - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Opinion: To appoint Hegseth would be a grave dereliction of duty 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Collins, Golden could give Maine delegation outsized influence during Trump administration 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Sen. Collins to be 1st Mainer to chair Appropriations Committee in nearly 100 years - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine's Collins poised to become one of most powerful Senate members - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Sports

Maine Celtics end losing streak - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Travis Lazarczyk: Locals shoot their shot for the Hearts of Pine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Mainers show off their soccer skills during Portland Hearts of Pine tryouts 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

State

Maine earns 'C' grade on infrastructure report card, an improvement from 2020 - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Things to Do

Experience a winter wonderland: Victoria Mansion holiday tours ... 🏛 WGME