This week on the Beacon podcast, Esther, Ben and Mike discuss the Democratic presidential primary results in Nevada, the South Carolina debate and what it all means for Maine and Super Tuesday.

Also: Mike talks with No on 1 volunteer Alice Ornella on what it means to have a medically vulnerable child and the importance of countering the anti-vaccine movement.

Plus: Ben shares new communications research, Esther explains what groups you’re likely to see collecting signatures at the polls and Mike recounts how the Bloomberg campaign tried to steal his dog.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Photo: Drew Angerer, Getty Images

This week on the Beacon podcast, Esther, Ben and Mike discuss the Nevada Democratic presidential primary debate and the state of the race a week and a half away from Maine’s March 3 contest. A new poll from Colby college has shed some light on this and other races in Maine.

Also: Sen. Susan Collins runs her first attack ad, Beacon launches a documentary series on the opioid crisis and new legislation could recognize the sovereign rights of Maine’s Native tribes.

Plus: How Esther got into organizing, how movements get funded and necromancers in space.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Photo: Democratic presidential candidates former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) speak during the Democratic presidential primary debate in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 19, 2020. | Mario Tama, Getty Images

Susan Collins’ comments about President Trump learning his lesson have become a punchline for every comedian and political commentator in the country as he continues to use the powers of his office to enact revenge against those who testified against him and interferes more deeply in the justice system.

Now, Maine’s senior senator is trying to rewrite history, saying she didn’t say what she clearly said.

This week, Kate Josephs of Mainers for Accountable Leadership joins the conversation to launch their new podcast, Concerning Collins.

Also: updates on medicaid transportation, whistleblower, tribal sovereignty and overtime bills in the Maine legislature and a preview of the supplemental budget.

Plus: the New Hampshire primary results and what they mean for Maine.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

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Photo: Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) walks to the Senate subway following a vote in the Senate impeachment trial that acquitted President Donald Trump of all charges on February 5, 2020 in Washington, DC. | Sarah Silbiger, Getty Images

With Trump immediately giving lie to her ridiculous rationale for acquitting him and Sen. Mitt Romney showing a more principled path, Sen. Susan Collins surrendered her last scrap of public dignity this week. It’s the same fate to which many of Trump’s sycophants and defenders have already succumbed.

Also on the podcast this week: Reflections on Iowa, predictions of New Hampshire, legislative updates and a profusion of referendums.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

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Photo: Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) walks to the Senate subway following a vote in the Senate impeachment trial that acquitted President Donald Trump of all charges. | Sarah Silbiger, Getty

We recorded the podcast before Sen. Susan Collins finally announced she would be voting for witnesses and evidence in the trial of President Donald Trump, now that Republicans are sure they have enough votes to block them, but we were pretty sure what was going to happen.

Also this week, we handicap the Iowa caucuses, explore the ramifications of the new Roux Institute in Portland, and give a lightning-round update on legislative issues from ranging from dental coverage to police seizures.

Here’s that Washington Post candidate quiz and the results of the MPA member brainstorm.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Photo: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is trailed by reporters at the U.S. Capitol before the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill on January 30, 2020 in Washington, DC. | Samuel Corum, Getty Images

This week on the Beacon podcast, UMaine political science professor Amy Fried joins to discuss Sen. Susan Collins’ disingenuous maneuvering on the rules of impeachment.

MPA organizer Esther Pew co-hosts this week along with Ben Chin and Mike Tipping. They discuss the State of the State, a new jail diversion bill and those signs claiming you can vote against “big pharma.”

Plus: A meditation on The Sims 4.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

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Photo: Sen. Susan Collins looks at her phone as she returns to the Senate chamber following a dinner recess in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump | Drew Angerer, Getty

From wages and health care to justice and democracy, legislators in Maine will consider a host of important legislation in 2020, some carried over from the previous session and some newly-introduced.

MPA’s new legislative director, Mohamed Nur, joins the podcast this week to help us break it down.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Photo by Scott Hamann

 

Pulitzer-winning reporter Hedrick Smith joins the podcast this week to discuss his new documentary, The Democracy Rebellion, airing January 17th at 7:00 p.m. on Maine PBS stations. Smith discusses Maine’s democratic advances, new breakthroughs n democratic reform across the country and what comes next.

Plus: Ben and Mike discuss the opening of Maine’s legislative session and the Democrats’ new health care bill.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Photo: video still of The Democracy Rebellion

 

Professor Sue Ishaq of the University of Maine’s School of Food and Agriculture joins the podcast this week to discuss her research on gut microbes and social equity.

Ben and Mike also discuss the impeachment of President Donald Trump and the split decision by Second-District Rep. Jared Golden.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Getty images stock photo

This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben Chin and Mike Tipping discuss a new report showing racial and gender disparities in Maine’s criminal justice system, debate whether Sen. Susan Collins might vote to remove President Donald Trump in an impeachment trial and look back on just a few of the stories broken by Beacon this year.

To make a contribution to support the podcast and the site, visit mainebeacon.com/support.

You can ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182.

Subscribe to the podcast feed right here using your favorite podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Photo by Drew Angerer, Getty Images