Morning Links - Monday March 3, 2025

Monday, March 3, 2025

Arts

Playlist of (mostly) smaller, local bands playing in Portland this week. Hear something cool, get out and support local music! 🏛 Reddit

Asylum Seekers

Advocates testify against proposed aid, housing cuts for ... 🏛 Amjambo Africa

Total Maine: Lewiston leader shares insight on immigrants under Trump administration - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Business

New pickleball club opening in Westbrook - YouTube - CBS 13 News

City

Proposed Live Nation venue draws opposition from Portland arts organizations 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Two years after Portland voters called for it, city has new ethics commission - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Sunday Social: Ranking Portland sidewalks, cardboard pirate ship sled - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Climate Emergency

Maine lawmakers introduce bills to combat effects of climate change - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Constitutional Crisis

Trump cuts already having devastating impacts on tribal communities 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Stop Trump from creating a theocracy 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: No president is a king. Right? 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump administration terminates Maine Sea Grant 🏛 National Fisherman

Fishermen react to federal cuts to Maine Sea Grant program 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

NIH funding uncertainty remains 🏛 Ellsworth American

Statewide protests highlight Mainers' demands for change 🏛 WGME

Mainers demand change at protests across the state on Saturday 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

National Park Service employees protest over worker and funding cuts - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

March 4th- No Kings!: Maine Leads the Way Protest- Augusta, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. 🏛 Reddit

Education

Maine school administrators push for more funding for poor, unhoused students 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Governor proposes cutting programs for kids 🏛 Amjambo Africa

Food and Drink

Looking to try a new restaurant? Maine Restaurant Week is here - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

History

Women’s History Month puts spotlight on Maine people and places 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Throwback photos: Famous Maine women Margaret Chase Smith, Bette Davis and Joan Benoit 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Maine lawmakers consider bill to raise minimum teacher pay - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Letter: Seeking a pay raise for those who stock fish in Maine waterways 🏛 Bangor Daily News

LGBTQIA+

‘Silenced’ Republican inDonald Trump’s war with Maine louder than ever 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Outdoors

Thrill of the chill: cold-water swimmers embrace winter’s bite 🏛 Harpswell Anchor

Maine Audubon reassures backyard bird feeders safe despite bird flu concerns - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Photography

Sunday Photos: March 2nd, 2025 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Perfect snowflakes the other morning :) 🏛 Reddit

Acadia from Cadillac 🏛 Reddit

How many piebald deers have you seen in Maine? 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Letter: Budget needs two-thirds support 🏛 Bangor Daily News

What to Know About Maine Gov. Janet Mills Amid Clash With Trump 🏛 New York Times

Congressman: Democratic Party Is 'As Weak As I've Ever Seen' 🏛 Time

Challenger criticizes Collins for lack of oversight of Elon Musk spending cuts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Collins Democrats should come home in 2026 🏛 Portland Press Herald

New mural on the falls in Lewiston/Auburn 🏛 Reddit

Spotted in Portland 🏛 Reddit

Things to Do

Watchhouse - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

Make a plan to hit the Hippie Flea Market and ABBA tribute show 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Back Cove music festival features national acts — and some Maine headliners too 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Visit Narnia, laugh with Sam Morril and watch a futuristic take on Ireland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Transportation

Opinion: Let’s keep Portland’s public in public transit 🏛 Portland Press Herald

New rail push for Bangor wins over Republican skeptics 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Morning Links - Sunday March 2, 2025

Sunday, March 2, 2025

Business

Maine’s groundfishing industry is in decline. Saving it is complicated. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Freeport's 'Fit-Up' grant program helps local businesses grow 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Constitutional Crisis

Emotions high at multiple city protests over Trump, Mills, DOGE and transgender athletes 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Statewide protests highlight Mainers’ demands for change 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Protestors rally against Trump in Portland - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Ellsworth people showed up to protest the oligarchy! Even in driving rain! We don’t like bullies! 🏛 Reddit

"No Kings! Maine Leads in the Fight to Defend Democracy" Protest March 4th! 🏛 Reddit

Letter: Gov. Mills offers a model 🏛 Portland Press Herald

UMaine loses multi-million-dollar Maine Sea Grant funding from NOAA 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine Sea Grant in jeopardy after Trump administration terminates $4.5 million grant program 🏛 Portland Press Herald

NOAA ends funding for Maine Sea Grant, citing shift in priorities 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Pingree: Abrupt Termination of “Maine Sea Grant” Makes Clear President Trump has Personal Vendetta Against Maine 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

National Weather Service staffer in New England loses 'dream' job in latest wave of DOGE cuts - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Opinion: I am a casualty of the Trump war on the federal workforce 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Federal workers are not our enemies 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Concerns About Changes In the Department of Education 🏛 The Gorham Times

Education

Laying the Foundation for Maine’s Future 🏛 The Gorham Times

Gorham Takes Next Step in School Construction Process 🏛 The Gorham Times

Food and Drink

Maine Restaurant Week helps boost local businesses during quieter winter season 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Health Care

Our View: Threat to health care should secure supplemental budget compromise 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Child care providers fear cuts to state stipend would set back hard-won stability 🏛 Portland Press Herald

As birthing units close, where do midwives fit in? 🏛 The Maine Monitor

History

the Haunted Mansion at Funtown USA | 1990 🏛 Reddit

Labor

Support WGME Workers (IBEW 1837) Fighting for a Fair Contract! 🏛 Reddit

LGBTQIA+

Maine bill aims to fight online ‘doxxing’ and harassment of children 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Maine Millennial: State Republicans want Trump to punish Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump challenge to Maine’s transgender policy hinges on new read of anti-discrimination law 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Races that exclude people aren’t worth winning 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Republican Libby turns muzzle into megaphone in transgender competition debate 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Hundreds gather in Augusta for 'March Against Mills' - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Oops

Babbs Bridge Reopens 🏛 The Gorham Times

Outdoors

7 top Maine snowshoe spots, plus winter hikingtips 🏛 Bangor Daily News

These 2 bills could change how Mainers hunt 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Politics

Opinion: What Gov. Mills can do to really help trans Mainers 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Bill would name official state anthem for Maine - YouTube - CBS 13 News

New bill nominates Seppala Siberian sleddog to be Maine's official state dog - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine Sens. King and Collins call Trump and Zelenskyy meeting 'unfortunate' 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Statements from Maine's congressional delegation on Trump-Zelenskyy meeting 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Shenna Bellows and Bill Nemitz to speak in Buxton on 3/2 at 2pm 🏛 Reddit

Things to Do

Richard Shindell 🏛 One Longfellow Square

Transportation

MTA Releases Turnpike Connector Poll Results 🏛 The Gorham Times

Vacationland

1,000-plus watch as Can-Am returns after 2024 cancellation 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Morning Links - Saturday March 1, 2025

Saturday, March 1, 2025

Business

Maine lobster landings hit a 15-year low in 2024 🏛 Maine Public

Maine lobstermen hauled smallest catch in 15 years 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Lobster prices drive rise in Maine commercial fishery values - YouTube - WMTW-TV

City

Planning Board approves 2 Portland housing projects 🏛 WGME

City News Round Up: Friday, February 28, 2025 🏛 City of Portland

Electrify Everything! e-bike incentive 🏛 City of Portland

Electrify Everything! E-Bike Incentive 🏛 West End Neighborhood Association

PMC Studio - Lucy Comaskey - Feb 2025 - YouTube - Portland Media Center

Climate Emergency

US lobster catch drops as crustaceans migrate to colder Canadian waters 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Republicans push to end Maine solar subsidies, but key lawmaker says it’s unlikely 🏛 Portland Press Herald

The Gulf of Maine warmed in 2024, but more slowly than recent years 🏛 Maine Public

Town officials and homeowners rally in support of bipartisan climate preparedness bill 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Constitutional Crisis

Opinion: Gov. Mills got it right with Trump – Sen. Collins, are you watching? 🏛 Maine Beacon

Letter: Trump’s Freudian slip was revealing 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump’s Canadian tariffs could increase Maine electricity bills 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Rural farmers in Maine warn of economic fallout if expected USDA grant funding isn't restored 🏛 Maine Public

Maine lawmaker wants state to help farmers affected by federal funding freeze 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine farmers say they're frustrated while they wait for funding resolution 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine farmers brace for impact as promised federal money remains frozen - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine labs and research centers could lose millions in NIH funding cuts 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Potential federal layoffs loom over Kittery shipyard 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Workers await decision on layoffs at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Lack of clarity on how many of Maine's federal jobs have been cut raises concern - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Dismissed Maine VA employee speaks out about layoffs - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Letter: Ways to push back against Trump and Musk 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Gleefully but forcefully resist 🏛 PenBay Pilot

Education

Mattie Daughtry has spent a decade trying to get Maine high schoolers more sleep. She’s still at it. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Maine Food ＆ Dining News: Hampden, Swanville, Brunswick, Westbrook 🏛 Portland Food Map

Pastry chef for Twelve, Evo wins Incredible Breakfast Cook-off 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine eateries compete for 'Maine Best Breakfast' title in Incredible Breakfast Cook-Off - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Two Fat Cats survey 🏛 West End Neighborhood Association

Frog ＆ Turtle in Westbrook permanently closing after Sunday - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Health Care

Legislature considers push for MaineCare to cover doula services 🏛 The Maine Monitor

The Maine legislature is about to vote again on a funding bill to make sure… 🏛 Bluesky - Maine People's Alliance

Housing

Westbrook housing complex residents voice frustration over ongoing issues - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Minimum wage earners face rental cost burden in Maine, nationally - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Justice

Gov. Mills announces nominee for open seat on Maine’s highest court 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Janet Mills nominates Julia Lipez to Maine’s highest court 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Janet Mills nominates fired federal prosecutor to be Maine judge 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Superior court justice nominated to Maine Supreme Judicial Court 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Governor Mills Nominates Maine Superior Court Justice Julia Lipez to Serve on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court 🏛 State of Maine

Maine Supreme Court Chief Justice speaks on state's lack of public defenders - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Opinion: Let’s commit to stopping human trafficking in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

LGBTQIA+

TWIBS: Laurel Libby Censured After “Reprehensible” Behavior 🏛 Assigned

Letter: Rep. Libby’s behavior inappropriate for an elected official 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Some in Auburn, Minot support for Rep. Laurel Libby despite Maine House censure 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Fairness in sports is about inclusion, not exclusion 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Attack on transgender rights may be only the beginning 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Delving into the battle between Maine, Trump administration over trans athletes - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Outdoors

Why you should try cross-country skiing 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Come mingle with wildlife and be inspired! 🏛 Maine Audubon

How to improve your bird identification skills 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Proposed fishing license bill is not the one we signed onto 🏛 Piscataquis Observer

Partial solar eclipse on tap for March 2025 - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Photography

Beautiful Day at Fort Williams—Spring is Coming! 🏛 Reddit

Street light size perspective against human 🏛 Reddit

Bass Harbor 🏛 Reddit

September and October 🍂🌲🌊 🏛 Reddit

Some shots of Camden on a medium format film camera. 🏛 Reddit

Otter Cove today, along the loop road, just past Blackwoods. 🏛 Reddit

Police

Lawmakers try again to hire auditor to oversee Maine’s secretive state police intelligence unit 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Theft ring busted in Maine, suspects tied to multi-state crimes - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Politics

Governor, Democrats split on regressive or progressive tax changes to close budget gap 🏛 Maine Morning Star

‘Our economy shouldn’t be balanced on the back of the working class’: Legislators push for taxes on millionaires, rich corporations 🏛 Maine Beacon

Opinion: Failure to pass the supplemental budget will hurt us all 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Golden’s Family Income Security Credit: strong fundamentals undermined by some problematic provisions 🏛 Maine Center for Economic Policy

Legislation 🏛 ACLU of Maine

Letter: Senate Republicans are shirking their duties 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Mainers join nationwide economic blackout in their own way 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Pingree, King criticize Trump after heated meeting with Ukraine's Zelenskyy 🏛 Maine Public

How Maine’s delegation reacted to Donald Trump’s clash with Ukraine’s leader 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Sen. Angus King interviewed by ‘60 Minutes’ about Ukraine support 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Members of Maine’s congressional delegation lament Oval Office meltdown 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Sen. King and Sen. Collins react to clash between President Trump & President ZelenskyyEmail This Link 🏛 WABI

Letter: Dark history repeating itself with Trump 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Public Safety

How to protect yourself and pets as avian flu cases hit 'high' levels in Maine 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Social Safety Net

United Way says 42 percent of Mainers are living paycheck to paycheck - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Things to Do

Vuyo Sotashe, Chris Pattishall, Palaver Strings collaborate ... 🏛 Amjambo Africa

Celebrate Spring Early at Phenomenal: Spring 2025 — Our Seasonal Story Slam 🏛 Maine Audubon

March Reiche Community Room Activities 🏛 West End Neighborhood Association

Unhoused

Some municipal officials warn proposal to scale back General Assistance could increase homelessness 🏛 Maine Public

'It's family here': Bangor officially closes city's largest homeless encampment 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Utilities

CMP seeks $228 million for 2024 storm repair costs 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Morning Links - Friday February 28, 2025

Friday, February 28, 2025

Business

Vertical hydroponic indoor farm prepares to take root in Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Business, legal experts offer advice to Maine employers navigating federal immigration changes 🏛 Maine Public

Climate Emergency

Warming slows in Gulf of Maine but temperatures remain high 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine must prepare for storms and climate change, lawmakers told 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Bipartisan leaders come together to try to make Maine more resilient to extreme weather 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Shifting Baseline: It’s supposed to be snowy and cold out. Enjoy it! 🏛 The West End News

Lawmakers once again debate repealing the Net Energy Billing program 🏛 Maine Public

Many believe Maine’s net energy billing needs reform, but diverge on whether to tweak or toss 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Windham to restrict public EV charging at town hall 🏛 The Windham Eagle

City

Ben Grant – The City needs to move faster to meet its biggest challenges 🏛 The West End News

Longfellow square sculpture damage 🏛 Reddit

Constitutional Crisis

The untested legal theory behind Donald Trump’s fight with Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Legislative leaders approve late bills to help farmers affected by federal cuts, among other issues 🏛 Maine Morning Star

House Republican spending plan, coupled with DOGE mayhem, will hurt Americans 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Local farmers anxious amid growing concerns over federal funding freeze 🏛 Portland Press Herald

‘What’s next?’: Acadia employee loses dream job during National Park Service terminations 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard anticipates mass layoffs before week's end 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine's legislative group on Canada assembles as tariff threats loom 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Some Maine nonprofits left in limbo as federal funding freeze looms 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Letter: We need more than ‘concern’ from Susan Collins 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Kudos to Gov. Mills for standing up to Trump 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Musk’s cruel cuts show misunderstanding of efficiency 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Want to battle Trump and Musk? Donate. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Education

Opinion: Maine’s future hinges on the health of its public universities 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Most Maine lobstermen have resisted alternative fishing gear. A new initiative hopes to change that 🏛 Maine Public

Maine’s forests are vulnerable to wildfires and a spruce budworm outbreak 🏛 Bangor Daily News

What Should We Do Now? Suggestions for Environmentalists 🏛 The West End News

Food and Drink

How to make a Maine Italian: A tale of 3 sandwiches 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Maine health care providers brace for effects of looming $118 million budget shortfall - YouTube - CBS 13 News

History

America’s first Black lawyer started in Maine. His only known portrait has been missing for decades. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Justice

No arresting our way out of this – No or low bail means immediate release for many at Cumberland County Jail 🏛 The West End News

Labor

Maine bill proposes raising minimum teacher salary to $52,000 - YouTube - CBS 13 News

LGBTQIA+

Maine bill aims to ban transgender students from sports, bathrooms - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Opinion: Don’t fall for the distraction of transphobia 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Organizations Unite to Condemn Harassment of Maine Youth 🏛 Maine Women's Lobby

Are Democrats Taking the Rizz Out of Resistance in Their Opposition to Trump? | The Daily Show - YouTube - The Daily Show

Outdoors

Our birding adventure had a couple of surprises 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Good morning! Imagine a day in Maine without politics 🏛 Reddit

Quick break from politics to appreciate this photo I took of our state bird? 🏛 Reddit

Police

Casco man accused of stabbing landlord in the leg 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Cumberland County Sheriff's Office investigates stabbing in Casco 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

U.S. Marshals arrest men in Maine facing charges in Minnesota, New Hampshire 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Politics

Maine's legislature considers bill requiring public school students to learn cursive writing 🏛 Maine Public

New bill would require Maine elementary school students to learn cursive writing - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine lawmaker pushes bill that would delay high school start times - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Maine group calls for tax hikes on the wealthy and corporations - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Public Safety

Funding cuts threaten Maine's water infrastructure stability 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Nearly 2 dozen geese found dead on Ogunquit Beach, avian flu suspected - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Dead geese found in Ogunquit believed to have had avian flu - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Things to Do

Jack White, Lord Huron and André 3000 to perform in Payson Park 🏛 WMTW

Back Cove Music ＆ Arts Festival Sets Inaugural Lineup: Jack White ... 🏛 Live for Live Music

Big names listed in lineup for two-day music festival in Portland - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Local Event: St. Patrick's Day Parade! - Portland 🏛 Patch

Maine storyteller goes on a personal journey in ‘The Malaga Ship’ 🏛 Portland Press Herald

On-stage perch for patrons makes ‘The Birds’ an immersive experience 🏛 University of Southern Maine

After three months of winter, it's time for the Cabin Fever Film Festival 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Concerts coming to Maine in March feature classic rock, jazz, and more 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Afternoon Links - Thursday February 27, 2025

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Arts

Maine Voices Live with Charlie Hewitt - YouTube - Portland Press Herald

Civil Rights

In uproar over low test scores, Republicans try to shift blame to DEI, social emotional learning 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Climate Emergency

Why Maine should keep net energy billing for solar power generation 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Constitutional Crisis

Pingree Condemns Togus Firings; Collins Feels the Heat by Not Accepting Phone Calls 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Sen. Susan Collins vows to fight medical research cuts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

How Trump’s Canada, China and Mexico tariffs could affect Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Environment

Nature Connects: Free the Androscoggin and restore sea-run fish 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

A Maine Italian isn’t just beloved – it’s a rite of passage on a roll 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Map: Find Greater Portland’s best 75 places to eat and drink for 2025 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Portland restaurant has unique offer to help open new location - YouTube - WMTW-TV

The Knotted Apron in Portland prepares for Maine Restaurant Week - YouTube - CBS 13 News

History

Throwback Thursday Photo: J’s Oyster Bar 1937 ＆ 2025 🏛 Portland Old Port

LGBTQIA+

80+ House Democrats ask Trump to revoke trans youth care ban 🏛 Advocate

Photography

We'll Drive in Maine Again - Nubble Lighthouse - YouTube - Zaramo Studios

Hunter's Beach Seal Harbor 2-26-25, one of my favorite places: 🏛 Reddit

Public Safety

Avian flu: 20 geese found dead on Ogunquit Beach 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Nearly 2 dozen geese found dead on Maine beach, avian flu suspected - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Sports

Shamrock Showdown 🏛 Maine Roller Derby

Maine Celtics aim for 10th win in 11 games - YouTube - CBS 13 News

The teal is back! - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Things to Do

Jack White, Andre 3000, Lord Huron to play Portland festival 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Line-up for two-day music festival at Portland's Payson Park announced 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Faye Webster - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

My Morning Jacket - State Theatre, Portland Maine 🏛 State Theatre

USM's Department of Theatre presents chilling adaptation of 'The Birds' - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Transportation

Portland Jetport parking expansion plan lands in court 🏛 WGME