Afternoon Links - Tuesday February 18, 2025

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Asylum Seekers

Portland leaders frustrated over potential funding changes for immigrants 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Community

Mainers to brave plunging into icy ocean to raise funds for Special Olympics Maine - YouTube

Constitutional Crisis

Why Maine unions are suing to stop Musk and DOGE 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Maine’s senators need to stop Elon Musk 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Child care and early childhood education are in grave danger 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Protesters in Augusta call out Trump, Musk on Presidents Day 🏛 Portland Press Herald

'No Kings Day' rally draws hundreds to the State House in Augusta 🏛 Maine Public

Happening Now: Not My President Rally in Augusta 🏛 Reddit

No Kings! 🏛 Reddit

Hundreds protest in Augusta despite cold for 'No Kings Day' - YouTube

More pics from the protest in Augusta 🏛 Reddit

Mainers protest against Trump, Musk as part of nationwide movement - YouTube

Russia to hold talks on Ukraine war while Americans protest across the country against Trump - YouTube

Letter: Newspaper needs to cover more protest, resistance 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Book bans and censorship are not hoaxes 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Jared Golden’s dismissive attitude disturbs me 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Trump’s executive order throws wrench in Maine efforts to formalize place renaming process 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Elon Musk’s intimidation of government employees has been going on for years 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Maine divided on U.S. Department of Education cuts amid federal shakeup 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Earthquake

Another earthquake recorded in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Phoever Moving to Portland 🏛 Portland Food Map

Guns

Maine’s attorney general fights pause on 3-day waiting period to buy guns 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine attorney general asks judge to restore 3-day waiting period for gun sales 🏛 Maine Public

Maine attorney general asks judge to restore 72-hour wait for gun sales 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Health care providers push for cost-of-living adjustments, against new taxes in two-year budget plan 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Valuing direct care professionals requires more than words 🏛 Bangor Daily News

History

Throwback Thursday Photo: Valentine’s Day Bandit 1983 🏛 Portland Old Port

Housing

Maine needs more housing fast, but tariffs could slow efforts 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Letter: State hatcheries need better funding for higher wages 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Outdoors

Maine Guide Mondays: Outdoor winter activities - YouTube

Photography

Barred Owl on Isle au Haut by John DeWitt 🏛 Natural Resources Council of Maine

Can’t wait for island days 🏛 Reddit

Katahdin 🏛 Reddit

Anyone else make their dog sick paths to run after the storm, or am I weird 🏛 Reddit

Casco Bay, Gulf of Maine 02/17/25 🏛 Reddit

Fresh Snow in Southwest Harbor 🏛 Reddit

Rainbow Ice Igloo update #3 🏛 Reddit

My favorite photos of Maine in the last few years 🏛 Reddit

Snowy sunrise at Portland Head Lighthouse - Maine 🏛 Reddit

Snowy twilight at Nubble Light last week in York, Maine 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Maine’s top federal prosecutor fired by Trump administration 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Maine's top prosecutor ousted by Trump administration 🏛 Maine Public

Trump administration terminates Maine’s U.S. attorney 🏛 Portland Press Herald

US Attorney for District of Maine Fired by Trump; Collins Silent 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Public Safety

Opinion: Maine must raise the tax on tobacco products 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Nirav Shah, former head of Maine CDC, says he's stepping down from US CDC 🏛 Maine Public

South Portland

Letter: Let South Portland voters decide turf issue 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Sports

Portland Hearts of Pine to Join the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open ... 🏛 Hearts of Pine

Things to Do

Weekend Guide: February 14th – 16th, 2025 🏛 Portland Old Port

Monster Beauties: A Maine Transgender Poetry Anthology book launch party 🏛 SPACE

Wormrot with No/Mas and Bandit 🏛 SPACE

Flamenco Movement Workshop for Mothers and ... 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

An Evening of Crankies with Katherine Fahey 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Flamenco Tablao featuring Laura Sánchez, Behzad ... 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Bread ＆ Puppet Spring Tour – Mayo Street Arts 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

The week of February 17th Part 1 🏛 Bluesky

The week of February 17th Part 2 🏛 Bluesky

Transportation

Confusing intersection in Old Orchard Beach could soon see overhaul - YouTube

Morning Links - Monday February 17, 2025

Monday, February 17, 2025

Community

Lunar New Year event in Westbrook celebrates community, Chinese culture 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Constitutional Crisis

Is Trump really doing what voters asked for? 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: Data security standards are not a partisan concern 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Dismantling USAID is the only crime 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Trump’s wrecking ball has global implications 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Why we’re bailing on our annual vacation to Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Protest tomorrow! Bundle Up and make history! (This is the second 50-states protest, with simultaneous protests and marches happening all over the country tomorrow.) 🏛 Reddit

Earthquake

Earthquake shakes part of central Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Education

EPA visits Winthrop schools as part of electric bus investigation 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

Dover-Foxcroft stares down massive tax hike to maintain ailing dam 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Food and Drink

Why Mainers are still eating outside in winter 🏛 Portland Press Herald

History

Throwback photos: A history of air travel in Portland 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Housing

His widely supported housing project igniteda war in this wealthy Maine town 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Labor

The labor issues likely to dominate discussion in Maine Legislature this year 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine’s congressional delegation wants more teenagers logging 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Outdoors

Eight ways to play in Maine’s snow 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Powderhouse Hill - YouTube - Portland Press Herald

Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby returns after two-year hiatus, brings excitement and prizes - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Photography

Viewers share snapshots from Sunday's storm 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Snow Storm, Feb 16 2025 🏛 Reddit

Snowfall so far this year in southern Maine, as told by my patio table 🏛 Reddit

Sunrise after the storm 🏛 Reddit

Politics

Maine Democrats find a new Republican villain in an old foe 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Susan Collins needs to explain RFK vote 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Susan Collins’ replacement, step forward 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Let younger voices frame the arguments against Trump 2.0 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Make plans for Maine Maple Sunday, Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf and Bonnie Raitt 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Flavors of Freeport, Michael Carbonaro and a miniature ‘Sunset Boulevard’ 🏛 Portland Press Herald

This Wednesday Feb 19th at 6:30pm: Prose ＆ Poetry, from the West End Neighborhood Association 🏛 Reddit

Morning Links - Sunday February 16, 2025

Sunday, February 16, 2025

Community

Good Samaritan shovels wheelchair ramp for Saco resident - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Constitutional Crisis

The Maine Millennial: America’s new F-word is more offensive than the original 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Common sense from an old Yankee 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: We all need our own Margaret Chase Smith moment 🏛 Portland Press Herald

CDC to lose one-tenth of workforce under Trump's probationary job cuts - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

IRS will lay off thousands of workers in the middle of tax season - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Maine research labs warn that Trump’s NIH cuts would be devastating 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion: Maine farmers threatened by federal funding freeze 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Cutting climate-related funding will harm Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Canadian trade war could leave Mainers out in the cold 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Presidents Day Protest at State House in Augusta Announced for February 17th 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Lewiston, Never Change 🫡 🏛 Reddit

Food and Drink

Sunday Snow Day List 🏛 Portland Food Map

Meet Maine's 10 Semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards 🏛 WBLM

Health Care

The number of mental health providers licensed in Maine is up 60 percent since 2019. It still isn’t enough. 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Letter: A double standard on raises by Maine’s leaders 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Labor

Letter: Get ready, Maine’s paid family leave law is coming soon 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Outdoors

Explore the underwater world of Maine’s lakes and ponds with this hobbyist 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Rainbow Ice Igloo 2.0 update #1 🏛 Reddit

Politics

New bill aims at preventing deed fraud in Maine - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Susan Collins’ reelection bid already shaping up to be a pivotal — and very expensive — race 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Public Safety

Our View: Raise the cigarette tax in Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Things to Do

Port City Cornhole presents: Mud Season Social Cornhole League! 🏛 Reddit

Utilities

Total Maine: New public advocate Heather Sanborn - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Voter Suppression

New bill proposes giving ballots individual tracking information in Maine - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Morning Links - Saturday February 15, 2025

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Buy Local

Midcoast community rallies against plan for chain store to keep town small 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

City

Roux Institute Garage Construction to Begin in East Deering Next Week 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

Community

Portland’s beloved Valentine’s Day Phantom strikes again 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Legacy of the Valentine's Day Bandit carries on in Portland 🏛 WMTW

Kevin's heart goes on | The Valentine's Day Bandit is still ... 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

The Valentine’s Day bandit strikes again! 🏛 Reddit

Be a Kevin: The Valentine's Day Bandit is still spreading love - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Constitutional Crisis

Opinion: This is not a drill. It’s a constitutional crisis. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine farmers left in limbo by federal funding freeze 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s $35 million climate grant caught up in funding freeze 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Farmers and rural businesses spent big on improvements. Will promised rebates arrive? 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine's craft brewing industry braces for aluminum tariffs 🏛 Maine Public

Pingree Sounds Alarm on Firing of 3,400 Forest Service Employees 🏛 Munjoy Hill News

URGENT: Consider signing on to support SNAP funding 🏛 Maine Federation of Farmers' Markets

Here's the Schitck 🏛 Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

Letter: We must stop the Elon Musk coup 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Jared Golden is doing what we elected him to do 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Voice and vote can defend America 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: USAID did not deserve to die 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: An enterprising way out for Democrats 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Education

UMaine retains its top research status among U.S. universities 🏛 University of Maine

Black Student Unions in Maine foster community and belonging 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

RSU 9 on how generative AI will change the future of the district 🏛 Daily Bulldog

Maine's aging schools: Commission studies funding as lawmakers debate solutions - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Elections

New bill would make Election Day state holiday in Maine - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Environment

Lawmaker wants to make federal drinking water PFAS limits the legal standard in Maine 🏛 Maine Public

Dover-Foxcroft stares down massive tax hike to maintain ailing dam 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Food and Drink

Reynolds Joining Team at Bar Futo 🏛 Portland Food Map

Guns

Federal judge pauses Maine's 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

As shootings become part of the backdrop of Lewiston, the city is trying to come to grips with a growing problem 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Health Care

Reducing federal dollars for Medicaid expansion could cut millions from the rolls 🏛 Maine Morning Star

State legislative committee advances proposal to help foreign-trained physicians get relicensed 🏛 Maine Public

Spotlight on USM Neighbors 🏛 USM Free Press

New psychiatric treatment center could keep Maine children close to home 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

History

For generations, Black Mainers made sure Vacationland was open to all 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Housing

Opinion: Funding for Maine housing emergencies should be nonnegotiable 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine lawmakers discuss plan to help released convicts find housing - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Justice

Maine Republican indicted for alleged signature forgery 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Indictment of Maine lawmaker for alleged forgery stirs political divisions 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Court documents detail murder charge against Portland man accused of stabbing roommate 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Man who robbed Biddeford cheese shop sentenced to 20 years 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Martin’s Point whistleblowers awarded $5.6M 🏛 Portland Press Herald

LGBTQIA

“We are not having it”: Maine stands firm against Trump’s anti-trans orders 🏛 Maine Beacon

Maine to defy Trump order, will allow transgender athletes to play girls sports - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Trump administration makes another move against transgender community - YouTube - NEWS CENTER Maine

Outdoors

10 ways to enjoy Maine during a snowstorm 🏛 Bangor Daily News

These huts deep in the woods offer skiers hot homemade meals 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Researchers look for secretive golden eagles in Maine's forests 🏛 NPR

Photography

February Sunrise, Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. 🏛 Reddit

Kettle cove tonight 🏛 Reddit

Bluebirds in Bridgton! A rare site in February. 2-13-2025 🏛 Reddit

The calm before the storm 🏛 Reddit

Police

7 suspects arrested in Portland drug raid 🏛 WGME

Politics

Maine House Speaker calls for resignation of lawmaker indicted on forgery charges 🏛 Maine Public

New bill aims at preventing deed fraud in Maine 🏛 WGME

Cannabis conflict of interest, state landfill among next investigations for legislative watchdog 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Previewing our Priority State Legislation for 2025 🏛 Maine Audubon

Our View: Sen. Collins’ decision matrix does not pass muster 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Former Elon Musk worker challenges Susan Collins for US Senate 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Confirming Kash Patel to head FBI would make Maine less safe 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Public Safety

Bird flu cases confirmed in southern Maine - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Local stores scramble for ice melt amid supply crisis in Maine 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

It's the law: Clear off the ice and snow from your car - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Things to Do

Coming to PMA Films in April: "L.A. in Film: Wildfire Relief Series" 🏛 Portland Museum of Art

An Evening with Winemaker Marinette Garnier in Falmouth 🏛 Rosemont Market

An Evening with Winemaker Marinette Garnier in Cape Elizabeth 🏛 Rosemont Market

Miniatures Gallery Opening – Mayo Street Arts 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Califone 🏛 SPACE

Secret Mall Apartment 🏛 SPACE

Shamrock ＆ Bowl After Dark 🏛 Visit Portland

Kevin Hart Announces Acting My Age tour 🏛 Visit Portland

Masquerave: An Alice In Wonderland Rave 🏛 Visit Portland

Up next for Reading the Rainbow, Print's best queer book club, is THE EMPRE… 🏛 Bluesky - Print: A Bookstore

Morning Links - Friday February 14, 2025

Friday, February 14, 2025

Arts

Opinion: A Southern rock opera comes to Southern Maine 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: A tribute to the Portland Symphony Orchestra 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Business

Joann closing more than half of its stores, including several in Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Buy Local

Uncommon Paws in Portland offers upscale, all-natural pet products - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Climate Emergency

Snow lovers welcome the return of an old fashioned Maine winter 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine considers tightening rules for recycling solar panels 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Constitutional Crisis

Pingree fields wide-ranging concerns at virtual town hall focused on Trump's actions 🏛 Maine Public

Pingree warns Trump’s hiring freeze could have financial impacts on Acadia, other national parks 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Pingree calls for lifting National Park Service hiring freeze 🏛 Maine Public

Senators ask Navy to exempt Portsmouth shipyard workers from Trump buyout program 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Maine nonprofit directly impacted by move to shutter USAID 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Letter: Some questions for Maine Republicans 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Letter: Trump right to end birthright citizenship 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Elon Musk is trying to shut down a federal agency that protects people from… 🏛 Bluesky - Maine People's Alliance

Education

Portland Education Association proposes task force to update discipline policies - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Ban or embrace? Harpswell-area school board debates classroom AI policy. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Environment

How Stormwater Impacts Casco Bay’s Coldwater Community: A Story of Two Maine Mermaids 🏛 Friends of Casco Bay

Republican legislators paving way for possible nuclear energy comeback in Maine 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Maine train derailment that led to injuries and forest fire was caused by beaver dam, officials say 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Food and Drink

Maine Food ＆ Dining: Lewiston, Waterville, Kennebunk, Belfast, Eliot, Houlton, Windham, Bangor 🏛 Portland Food Map

Guns

Federal judge pauses Maine’s new waiting period for gun sales 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Federal judge pauses Maine's 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases - YouTube - WMTW-TV

Federal Judges Pauses Implementation of 72 Hr. Waiting Period Law; MGSC press release 🏛 Maine Gun Safety Coalition

Use of Maine’s yellow flag law continues to be consistently high 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Look up which law enforcement agencies are using Maine’s yellow flag law 🏛 Maine Morning Star

Health Care

After Mainers Elect Pro-Reproductive Rights Majority to Statehouse, Some Lawmakers Seek to Take Away Rights, Access to Care 🏛 Planned Parenthood Maine

Committee Advances Bill to Train Internationally ... 🏛 Amjambo Africa

Housing

Maine housing leaders building interest in modular construction 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

Outdoors

You won’t want to miss these birding festivals in Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Photography

Pemaquid Point After Recent Snow 🏛 Reddit

Casco Bay Bridge and sea smoke, Portland, Maine. 🏛 Reddit

Ice droplet 🏛 Reddit

Politics

The Paul LePage-era fight that Donald Trump is bringing back to Maine 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Passing a bipartisan supplemental budget can build foundation for larger spending debate 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Opinion: The folly of Maine Republicans 🏛 Maine Beacon

Former Elon Musk employee enters 2026 race against Susan Collins 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Sen. Collins votes to support RFK Jr. while Sen. King calls the nominee a 'danger' to public health 🏛 Maine Public

Angus King calls RFK Jr. ‘a danger.’ Susan Collins votes yes. 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Susan Collins and Angus King split over RFK Jr. confirmation 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Letter: Susan Collins capitulates 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Opinion | Susan Collins and Her Cowardly Caucus Bow Down to Trump 🏛 New York Times

Susan Collins is again under pressure over backing or bucking Trump 🏛 USA Today

Sen. King demands more resources to combat fentanyl trafficking - YouTube - CBS 13 News

Prices are up again, after Trump’s promises to bring them down 🏛 Maine Beacon

Analyzing how President Trump's proposed tariffs would impact Maine - YouTube - WMTW-TV

NO KINGS Protest 2/17/25 at the State House in Augusta And Elsewhere 🏛 Reddit

Public Safety

Maine immunization advocates call for state action following confirmation of RFK Jr. 🏛 Maine Public

Maine’s childhood vaccination rates have benefited from the elimination of nonmedical exemptions 🏛 The Maine Monitor

Letter: RFK Jr. stands to compromise medical care and study 🏛 Portland Press Herald

Social Safety Net

Mainer says he feels helpless after poor personal experience at DHS office 🏛 WCSH News Center Maine

State

Maine must provide better support for families experiencing challenges 🏛 Bangor Daily News

Things to Do

Susan Linn's "What the Duck?" – Mayo Street Arts 🏛 Mayo Street Arts

Upcoming Heroscape Learn-to-Play events at Weekend Anime ＆ Games in Westbrook, Maine 🏛 Reddit