At a Republican gubernatorial debate in Old Orchard Beach last week, all five candidates endorsed new restrictions on abortion in Maine, though several struggled to outline exactly how far they’d go. Click the link to read the full story.

Gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree joins us on the podcast to reflect on her political journey that started in small town Maine and led her to running for governor. Hannah shares her vision for the state's housing, healthcare, economic equality, climate and more. Listen below!

Earlier this summer, Pres. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell Republicans to “vote the opposite of Susan Collins” in a hidden attempt to make her appear to be moderate. The truth? Collins has voted with Trump 96% of the time. Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!

Eighteen Maine Senators and 57 Representatives received 100% scores in an annual legislative scorecard by Maine People's Alliance that was released earlier this week. The scorecard highlights legislators’ votes on housing, workers’ rights, child care, immigration, tax fairness and more.

Maine’s minimum wage is rising in response to the annual cost-of-living adjustment. More than 100,000 workers — including farmworkers now covered by the state minimum — will see higher pay, with a new base of $15.10 per hour.

Sen. Susan Collins says Congress may only revisit Trump’s $1 trillion cuts to Medicaid if there's "evidence" of Americans getting sicker — even as 61,000 Mainers face losing coverage and rural hospitals risk closure. Read more here.

CMP has officially filed for a $1.4 billion electricity rate hike that would raise bills every year starting in 2026. Gov. Mills blasted the proposal as “massive and unacceptable,” saying it would especially hurt seniors, small businesses and rural Mainers. Click below to read the full story.

ACA subsidies that have saved Maine families hundreds of dollars a month are set to expire in 2026. Without them, premiums could nearly double. Yet, Sen. Collins voted for a GOP bill that left the subsidies out — after pocketing campaign checks from the very insurers raising rates. Read more here!

In an off-kilter move for someone reportedly gearing up to challenge Sen. Collins for her seat, Gov. Mills offered universal praise for Collins’ actions in office. Collins said she was delighted. Esther, Cate and Ben cover this and the broader dynamics of the US Senate race on the podcast this week.

Opinion writer Ethan Strimling pays tribute to the late Bill Diamond, who served Maine for 40 years between the House, Senate, and as Sec. of State. Despite their differences, Ethan remembers Diamond as a mentor, friend, and leader who was "more progressive than he let on." Read the full story:

Opinion writer Ben Chin argues that Maine's progressive movement is leading nationally because of...fundamentals! "Fundamentals aren't sexy. But they're the reason campaigns win and big movements succeed," Ben writes. "Year by year, issue by issue, that persistence has built lasting power."

@mainebeacon.bsky.social Maine officials say rising costs and the uncertainty of federal policies will lead to higher health insurance premiums starting in 2026. “It’s going to hit people in the wallet.”

@mainebeacon.bsky.social As she gears up for a tough midterm race against a progressive challenger in 2026, Sen. Susan Collins is struggling to shake her reputation as a sellout to corporate interests. A new report out last week may make that even more difficult.

The Trump administration has begun dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency’s office dealing with reducing environmental harms to minority and low-income communities. More than 160 staffers in the Office of Environmental Justice and Civil Rights have been placed on paid administrative leave.

Maine’s Clean Elections system gives candidates millions in public funding—freeing them from wealthy donors & giving them more time to meet voters. While most current governor candidates are chasing private money, @strim.bsky.social argues running clean isn’t just ethical, it’s a winning strategy.

As lot rents rise in mobile home parks, some landlords are pointing to a new state law as the cause. But residents say the hikes began long before and call out the landlords for misrepresenting the law to justify increases. Cities are now considering temporary rent freezes to protect tenants.

When Octavie Nkama couldn’t find the childcare she wanted for her kids, she built it. Riverside Academy in Lewiston is a new early childhood education center that goes beyond childcare by helping parents with job searches, financial literacy and community resources.

This week on the podcast, we chat with Rep Rafael Macias (D-Topsham), a retired naval officer and first-time legislator. He reflects on the past session including the hurdles of budget negotiations and frustrations with the lack of progressive action. Listen below or on your favorite podcasting app!

Earlier this week Graham Platner — veteran, oysterman, and Democratic challenger to Sen. Susan Collins — took questions in a Reddit AMA that drew more than 450 comments. On Monday, he’s set to appear with Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Senate President Troy Jackson at a Labor Day Rally in Portland.

There are lots of events happening in Maine for Labor Day this weekend! Check out this great roundup in the @mainebeacon.bsky.social by Andy from @maineaflcio.bsky.social!

Opinion Columnist Ethan Strimling calls out Portland’s City Council for secretly accepting federal airport funds tied to ICE compliance, calling the move “unfortunate” compared to Lincoln County’s open rejection of similar money. Click below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!

Sen. Susan Collins was met with boos and 200+ protesters at a Searsport ribbon cutting this morning, forcing it indoors. Demonstrators called out her vote to advance the GOP budget and support for U.S. aid to Israel, chanting “Stop funding genocide.” Click below to read more.

From unconditional military aid to calls for Palestinian statehood, Maine’s delegation is divided on how the U.S. should respond to the genocide in Gaza. Click the link below to read more on where Maine's elected officials stand.

Portland’s City Council could give voters a chance to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour by 2029. Over 11,000 low-wage workers could see a real difference in their lives — but only if the council sends the proposal to the ballot, writes columnist @strim.bsky.social.

Yesterday, Maine news workers launched their “One Big Union” campaign to bring nearly 50 more employees under collective bargaining. They say pay equity and job security are key to protecting the future of local journalism. Click the link below to read the full story!

New Medicaid work requirements have left many Mainers worried that they’ll lose coverage. Mainers who are older, disabled, or parents of young kids are likely exempt from the new rules, but the confusion itself can discourage people from seeking care. Originally published by @themainemonitor.org.

This week on the podcast, we are revisiting Ben’s conversation with grassroots organizing expert Marshall Ganz. The two discussed how to strengthen organizing skills, effectively build a movement, and create lasting change. Listen at the link below or on your favorite podcast app!

Maine is joining 20 other states in suing the Trump administration over a new rule that could limit immigrant families’ access to Head Start programs. Experts warn the changes could cause children to miss critical early education and health interventions.

Maine insurers are requesting rate hikes of up to 32.7% for 2026, affecting 115,000+ residents. Join the virtual public forum Friday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m. to ask questions and weigh in on the rate increases. Read below to learn how to register for the forum.

Today marks 90 years of Social Security—and we’re taking a look at Sen. Susan Collins’ record. From voting forward Trump’s new tax bill that is projected to drain $30B a year from the trust funds, to decades of votes undermining the program, her actions have threatened the benefits millions rely on.

Maine’s yellow flag law is “cumbersome, inefficient,” and failed to prevent the Lewiston shooting, writes @strim.bsky.social. Passing Question 2 would let families act quickly to remove guns from someone who poses a threat, potentially saving lives. Read Ethan's full column below.

Genesis HealthCare, which runs 11 Maine nursing homes, has filed for bankruptcy after missing millions in rent. Advocates say it’s proof private equity puts profit over patients and are pushing to expand Maine’s new ban on such ownership in hospitals and nursing homes.

Maine’s lighthouses are in danger from rising seas and powerful storms. In response, University of New England student Regina Dyer has mapped the most at-risk sites to guide preservation efforts and climate action. Click the link below to read the full story.

This week on the podcast: Susan Collins backs far-right nominees and Trump’s $1B jet, health insurance hikes could hit Maine small businesses by 32%, and Ballot Question 1 threatens absentee voting. Click the link below to listen to the full episode!

For the first time in 50+ years, Congress cut all funding to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, forcing its shutdown. Sen. Collins pulled her own amendment to restore funds — after earlier saying she’d back defunding NPR. Both national and local media is expected to be impacted.

In his latest column, @strim.bsky.social urges Mainers to vote "No" to Question 1 on the November ballot, as it's a GOP-backed proposal that would roll back absentee voting, restrict drop boxes, eliminate prepaid postage, and add a strict photo ID requirement. Click below to read his full piece!

Great to join @bchinme.bsky.social on the @mainebeacon.bsky.social podcast to talk about my campaign for Senate. Washington is broken but I've spent my career fighting corruption and I'm ready to continue that fight as your Senator. Listen to our conversation:

As Trump’s recently-passed budget bill deepens economic inequality, @strim.bsky.social argues Maine municipalities must act now to support working-class residents through tax fairness, wage hikes, and protecting immigrant communities. Click the link below to read Ethan's full column!

Collins voted to confirm Joe Kent, a far-right conspiracy theorist with ties to white nationalists, to lead the National Counterterrorism Center. Kent has falsely claimed the FBI targets conservatives and has called for "federal terrorism charges" against the Black Lives Matter movement.

On the 60th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, here's a look at Sen. Susan Collins' long record of voting to cut both programs, raise the retirement age, and block efforts to lower drug prices.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is refusing to hand over the state’s voter registration list to the U.S. Department of Justice, calling the Trump administration’s sweeping request unconstitutional and a violation of privacy. Click the link below to read the full story!

With federal climate funds dwindling, Maine farmers are turning to free risk assessments to prepare for extreme weather and shifting growing seasons. Click the link below to read the full story.

Penobscot Nation stories took center stage at the Maine Outdoor Film Festival, where films on the Wáhsehtəkʷ land return effort spotlighted the tribe’s deep ties to 30,000 acres of forests and waters near Katahdin.

This week on the podcast, we break down the Trump administration's new restrictions on programs like Head Start and Maine’s fight to block them. Plus, a vision for universal child care that puts families first. Click the link below to listen to the full episode!

Nearly one in four Mainers live in “childcare deserts,” where access to licensed care is limited or nonexistent. A new report calls for a universal public system to make care affordable and accessible while ensuring fair pay for workers.

Bangor’s housing crisis won’t be solved by the private market, writes columnist Ethan Strimling. Developers admit they can’t (or won’t) build enough affordable units because there’s no profit. Ethan calls for rent control to stabilize costs and social housing for permanently affordable homes.

Despite a federal court overturning Biden-era rules, Mainers will soon be shielded from medical debt on credit reports. Starting in September, a new state law will ban providers and collectors from reporting medical debt, helping thousands secure housing, jobs and loans.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has joined 21 other Democratic attorneys general in suing the Trump administration over new rules restricting access to programs like Head Start, health clinics, and adult education for immigrants without legal status.

This week on the podcast, Ben, Cate + Channa dig into how Pres. Donald Trump’s budget bill injects roughly $170 billion into immigration + border enforcement with minimal oversight, while creating new barriers to legal immigration. It also weakens + erodes protections for children and immigrants.

With federal consumer protections gutted, experts warn Mainers could face more scams, medical debt, and financial exploitation. But this session, lawmakers delivered wins: cracking down on medical debt, expanding aid for hospital care, and reining in predatory lenders.