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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 πŸ› Munjoy Hill News

Local businesses finally feel 'normalcy' as shoppers fill Portland's Old Port πŸ› 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 πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Greater Portland Landmarks gets new executive director amid lawsuit πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Civil Liberties

Jared Golden faces criticism for supporting β€˜terror-financing’ bill πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Climate Emergency

Maine fishing piers still rebuilding from last winter’s storms πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Food and Drink

Get in on taco Tuesday deals at El Rayo Taqueria in Portland and Scarborough πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Wood-fired pizza adds to the menu at reopened Noble πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Restaurants taking reservations for Christmas & New Years πŸ› 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 πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Labor

Maine news layoffs loom πŸ› Patch

LGBTQIA+

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

Outdoors

One Bird’s Winter is Another Bird’s Summer πŸ› Maine Audubon

Scarborough Beach winter access? πŸ› Reddit

Photography

Nonantum Resort Lighthouse, Kennebunkport, ME πŸ› Reddit

Sunday Photos: December 22nd, 2024 πŸ› Daily Bulldog

Politics

Letter: Campaign finance suit a sad commentary πŸ› 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 πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Crews battle large fire in Ogunquit πŸ› 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 πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Pull tickets out of your hat for Champions of Magic πŸ› Portland Press Herald

On New Year’s Eve, party like a Mainer πŸ› Portland Press Herald

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

Katie Matzell pays tribute to Bonnie Raitt with One Longfellow Square show πŸ› Portland Press Herald

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

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

Climate Emergency

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

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

Letter: Do not fall for arguments against going green πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Community

Portland community members gather for winter solstice celebration πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Consumer Protections

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

Health Care

Letter: We need single-payer health insurance now πŸ› Portland Press Herald

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

Outdoors

Central Penjajawoc Preserve πŸ› Hiking in Maine

10 most-watched trail camera videos of 2024 πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Photography

Farewell sunset earlier this week. πŸ› Reddit

Dune grass sunset at Ferry Beach, Scarborough, ME πŸ› Reddit

Solstice Sunrise πŸ› Reddit

Politics

Opinion: Voting against the courts is a losing battle πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Senate passes Social Security benefits boost for many public service retirees πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Senators Collins, Smith introduce bipartisan bill to build rural health care workforce πŸ› Daily Bulldog

Privacy

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

Public Safety

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

β€˜Severely hypothermic’ hiker from Portland rescued in New Hampshire’s White Mountains πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Scarborough house fire closes several roads Saturday night πŸ› WGME

House fire in Westbrook displaces two people πŸ› WGME

Crews battle large fire near Perkins Cove in Ogunquit πŸ› WMTW

Fire on Perkins Cove Road (Ogunquit) πŸ› Reddit

Big Fire in Ogunquit tonight. πŸ› Reddit

State

Mobile Screens πŸ› Reddit

Transportation

Power restored at Portland Jetport πŸ› WMTW

Car crash knocks out power near the Portland Jetport Saturday πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Morning Links - Saturday December 21, 2024

Saturday, December 21, 2024

Business

Bull Moose founder returns as retailer's interim CEO πŸ› Mainebiz

Party City is going out of business πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Support Maine entrepreneurs focused on the social and environmental πŸ› Portland Press Herald

City

Live Nation may partner with investment firm for Portland venue πŸ› Boston Globe

New music venue coming to Portland πŸ› WGME

Portland to get new large concert venue πŸ› WMTW

Plans for Major Music Venue in Downtown Portland Unveiled Today πŸ› 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 πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Environment

Brunswick Landing leaders respond to clean water petition over PFAS spill πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Scarborough considers new setback proposal to protect wetlands πŸ› WGME

Phillips must fix river dredged after 2023 flood πŸ› The Maine Monitor

Maine's recycling reports are better, but still bleak πŸ› The Maine Monitor

The holiday season arrives, along with a huge increase in waste. Here’s what you can do. πŸ› 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 β€˜crisis’ πŸ› 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 πŸ› Mainebiz

November 2024 Maine housing report πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Gorham Sees Need for Affordable Housing πŸ› The Gorham Times

Labor

Unemployment in Maine rose slightly in November πŸ› Maine Public

Lewiston Mass Shooting

Breakdown podcast episode 4: 'They controlled it all' πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Police

Kobe Steakhouse shooting in South Portland, Maine πŸ› 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 πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Marcel Lagrange, accused of a double murder, waives jury trial πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Westbrook student accused of making threats taken into protective custody πŸ› 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 β€˜a gotcha bill’ looking to draw headlines πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Maine high court justice should be reprimanded, committee says πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Special election for Maine House District 24 scheduled for February πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Former Bangor city councilor will seek open Maine House seat πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Top Maine Republicans renew calls to overhaul child protective services πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Maine agrees to delay political spending limits amid lawsuit πŸ› Bangor Daily News

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

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

Senate passes Social Security benefitsboost for public service retirees πŸ› Bangor Daily News

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

Public Safety

Mainer rescued after his limbs froze on NH mountain πŸ› Bangor Daily News

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

Minivan driver crashes into pole near Portland International Jetport, causing power outage πŸ› 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 πŸ› Maine Public

Maine DHHS union workers call for ouster of key leader πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Gov. Mills signs executive order for AI task force πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Things to Do

Out of the Picture @ Portland Museum of Art πŸ› SPACE

Veeva Banga – Art Across Borders: Tales of Migration πŸ› SPACE

MAMM Presents: Rock of (All) Ages πŸ› SPACE

Three Promises πŸ› SPACE

Dollar Day at CMTM πŸ› 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 πŸ› Preble Street

Maine housing first programs see more deaths than people moving on πŸ› 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 πŸ› Down East

Morning Links - Friday December 20, 2024

Friday, December 20, 2024

Arts

Meet Amy Allen, the Maine songwriter behind the music stuck in your head πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Hallmark Christmas movies love Maine πŸ› Portland Press Herald

City

Developers propose new 3,300-seat music venue in downtown Portland πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Portland Downtown expands Park οΌ† Work discount eligibility πŸ› Portland Press Herald

USPS addresses irregular operating hours at post office in Portland - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Climate Emergency

Public can comment on plan outlining Maine’s path to 100% clean energy by 2040 πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Five solar farms come online in Maine, slashing electricity costs πŸ› Electrek

Changes to river flood gauges after December 2023 floods - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Community

Free Christmas Meals πŸ› Portland Food Map

Education

Industry Day in Portland, Maine πŸ› 557th Weather Wing

RSU 14 Backpack Program addresses food insecurity among students πŸ› The Windham Eagle

Enivronment

Foam spill raises concern about Maine firefighters’ long-term PFAS exposures πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Brunswick Landing authority fixes hangar code violations πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Celebrate 50 years of the Safe Drinking Water Act πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Now is the time to cut out browntail moth webs πŸ› Piscataquis Observer

Maine finalizing nation-leading EPR for packaging problem πŸ› Daily Bulldog

Historic fish trail restoration efforts get support by federal government - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Food and Drink

Maine Food οΌ† Dining News: Unity, Oakland, South Portland, Wiscasset, Bangor, Biddeford, Kennebunk πŸ› Portland Food Map

Health Care

Maine seeks providers for psychiatric residential treatment facility for youth πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Six ways Trump administration could endanger health coverage for Mainers πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Maine can’t afford Trump’s dangerous plans to gut Medicaid πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Congress must reject harmful changes to the ACA πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Report shows growing need in residential care facilities πŸ› The Maine Monitor

Letter: Ensuring access to life-saving medications for all πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Some Maine kids could see skilled pediatric services cut soon - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Housing

Maine home sales increased nearly 7 percent in November πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Bangor residents will get $1M from state to buy their mobile home park πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Labor

Portland stagehands seek better pay and benefits through union efforts πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Waterville Starbucks employees vote to unionize πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Starbucks workers in Waterville vote in favor of unionizing πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Madawaska moving to 4-day week for non-essential personnel πŸ› The County

LGBTQIA+

EqualityMaine Urges President Biden to Veto the FY2025 NDAA After Senate's Passage of Defense Bill Attacking Military Families with Transgender Youth πŸ› Equality Maine

Outdoors

December fun on the trails πŸ› Maine Audubon

Bill to improve access to the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument unanimously passes Senate πŸ› Maine Public

Katahdin Monument road access expansion bill clears Senate πŸ› Portland Press Herald

How Canada will affect the birds seen at Maine feeders this winter πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Photography

Bog πŸ› Ellsworth American

Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, Maine πŸ› Reddit

Police

Argument inside restaurant leads to shooting at South ... πŸ› WMTW

Shots fired at vehicle following restaurant altercation in ... πŸ› WGME

Fight at Maine sushi restaurant escalates to shooting πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Maine law enforcement uncovers another unlicensed marijuana growing operation πŸ› Maine Public

Police identify suspected gunmen in Maine sushi house fight πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Police seek public's help in locating suspects in shooting near Maine Mall πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Politics

Nangle to chair Transportation Committee for 132nd Maine State Legislature πŸ› The Windham Eagle

Top Republican on budget committee vows to stand firm against any proposed tax hikes in upcoming budget πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

States to lose out on billions if GOP spurns disaster aid in spending bill, Dems say πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Letter: Time is running out for Social Security vote πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Social Security Fairness Act takes step forward, Sen. Collins says - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Congress keeps proving why it doesn’t deserve a pay raise πŸ› Bangor Daily News

What a government shutdown would mean for Maine πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Here’s how a federal shutdown could affect Maine πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Pingree, Golden vote against latest budget deal πŸ› Portland Press Herald

U.S. House torpedoes new spending plan as government shutdown nears Friday night πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Public Safety

Huge fire near Preble street? πŸ› Reddit

Social Safety Net

Food insecurity jumps in Maine, according to national anti-hunger group πŸ› Maine Public

Sports

Portland pro soccer team to play 15 games in Maine πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Portland Hearts of Pine schedule released πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

State

Highway fund shortfall highlights the need for sustainable revenue solutions πŸ› Maine Center for Economic Policy

How Maine can safeguard economic policies to protect consumers and workers πŸ› Maine Beacon

More than 100 staff in Maine’s child welfare office call on Janet Mills to replace director πŸ› Bangor Daily News

145 child welfare workers pen letter of no confidence in agency leadership πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Caseworkers say they have 'no confidence' in Maine's child services director πŸ› Maine Public

Maine child protection workers express no confidence in director πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Five upcoming concerts in Maine you won't want to miss πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

City Theater presents Holiday Inn πŸ› Saco Bay News

Social Clubs in Portland πŸ› Reddit

STEVE- The Yearly Band of Misfit Funky Carolers is Happening TOMORROW (Friday) πŸ› Reddit

Transportation

United Airlines announces new nonstop service from Portland to Houston πŸ› Maine Public

Mainers can soon fly nonstop to Texas πŸ› Bangor Daily News

United to add summer flights from Portland to Houston πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Amtrak Downeaster surpasses 10M riders πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Unhoused

Man who died in Bangor tent fire identified πŸ› WGME

MaineHousing to award $7.7 million in grant funds to address homelessness πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Morning Links - Thursday December 19, 2024

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Asylum Seekers

Tarlan Ahmadov appointed first Director of Maine Office ... πŸ› Amjambo Africa

Former state refugee coordinator, workforce leader to head Maine’s Office of New Americans πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Gov. Mills appoints first director of newly-formed Office of New Americans πŸ› Maine Public

Gov. Mills names first director of Maine’s Office of New Americans πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Business

Portland’s last traditional cab company operated without a license for months πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Jobs outlook report predicts Maine labor shortage will continue πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Five Maine companies receive federal grant to bolster local food supply chain πŸ› Maine Morning Star

City

Portland council gives green light to 2-day music festival in 2025 πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Climate Emergency

Maine's working waterfront gets $25 million to help become more ... πŸ› WGME

Maine small businesses should apply for disaster loans by December 23, says Small Business Administration πŸ› Maine Beacon

For the first time in a decade, northern shrimp fishery will open for limited harvest πŸ› Maine Public

Letter: Good climate policy can take flight in lame duck session πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Cushnoc Brewing Co. continues work to recover year after devastating storm πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

It's been one year since storm-fueled flooding ravaged parts of Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Looking back at last December's flooding - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Checking on communities hit hard by severe inland storm one year ago - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Community

MaineCF Awards $$ to Nineteen Greater Portland Nonprofits πŸ› Munjoy Hill News

Environment

$14 million set aside to suppress spruce budworm outbreak πŸ› Maine Public

Bill before Congress would give Maine $14 million to fight spruce budworm πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Federal money to help protect Maine forests from expected insect outbreak - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Opinion: Industrial pollution extends beyond Maine ZIP codes πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Fodd and Drink

Off-Track Pizza, from the team at Via Vecchia, gets almost everything right πŸ› Portland Press Herald

3 Portland restaurants given national praise πŸ› WGME

Maine restrauteurs say rising costs contributed to recent closures - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Guns

Gun control group credits Maine policymakers for post-mass shooting reforms πŸ› Maine Public

Gun safety advocates credit Maine for post-Lewiston reforms πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Six ways Trump’s policies threaten medicaid coverage in Maine πŸ› Maine Beacon

History

20 Years of Reinventing Biddeford’s Historic Pepperell Mill Complex πŸ› Down East

Justice

Cumberland County DA's Office awarded $2.5 million grant to tackle rape kit backlog πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Labor

State Theatre production staff files petition to unionize πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Lewiston City Hall adopts four-day workweek for employees πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

LGBTQIA+

Collins, King back $895 billion defense bill with traumatic brain injury reforms πŸ› Maine Public

U.S. Senate passes defense bill that bars gender-affirming care for service members’ kids πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Sen. King reacts to passage of defense bill - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Photography

Your moment of holiday calm at Nubble Lighthouse (full video) πŸ› Reddit

Lubec sunset from Campobello Island πŸ› Reddit

Ogunquit beach yesterday πŸ› Reddit

Police

Police investigating shooting near Maine Mall πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Politics

Gov. Janet Mills warns of tight budget as lawmakers prepare spending plans - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Before work begins, the Maine Legislature wants to change its rules πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Golden balks at congressional pay raise in massive must-pass spending bill πŸ› Maine Morning Star

Autism CARES: A rare success story in Washington thanks to Susan Collins πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Senate advances Social Security Fairness Act πŸ› Portland Press Herald

Sen. Collins meets with Tusli Gabbard, still undecided on RFK Jr. - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Public Safety

Why RFK Jr. can’t stop Maine communities from adding fluoride to the water πŸ› Bangor Daily News

Sports

Portland Hearts of Pine announce first signing in club history πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

State

8 Investigates: Maine Child Development Services employee claims "toxic" work environment caused ... - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Things to Do

12 Best Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Portland Maine in 2024 πŸ› Travel+Discover Maine

Mount Eerie with Hana Stretton (early show) πŸ› SPACE

A Glezele Tey (Klezmer Trio) – Mayo Street Arts πŸ› Mayo Street Arts

WinterKids 'Welcome to Winter' event to be held Thursday night at Lost Valley πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine

Transportation

Portland Jetport now offering direct flights to Tampa, Florida - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Unhoused

Candlelight vigil in Bangor honors lives lost to homelessness πŸ› WCSH News Center Maine