Beacon Podcast

This week on the Beacon podcast, Taryn Hallweaver, Mike Tipping and Ben Chin discuss the allegations of sexual abuse and harassment against powerful men in media, entertainment and politics and why there’s likely more to come.

Also: the Republican plan to cut health care to fund tax breaks for the wealthy is hurtling towards passage. Rep. Bruce Poliquin voted for the House bill but Sen. Susan Collins hasn’t yet made up her mind.

Plus: Taryn shares an emergency texting service for difficult Thanksgiving dinner conversations.

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 using iTunes.

This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben Chin and Mike Tipping talk about what lessons can be learned from the 2017 elections, both in Maine and across the country. They also dig into allegations of sexual abuse and assault, including by former President Bill Clinton.

Also on the podcast: Maulian Dana joins to discuss what good can come from the Skowhegan Chamber of Commerce’s racist “hunt the Indian” contest.

Also: activists are engaging against the GOP tax bill, which is now also a health care repeal bill.

You can also listen to Taryn Hallweaver’s take on the Portland Press Herald podcast this week.

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 using iTunes.

Jennie Pirkl, campaign manager for Mainers for Health Care, joins the podcast this week to discuss their historic win and the effects that are already being felt across the country. She discusses the long fight that led to this point, how they persevered when people said they couldn’t win and shouldn’t try, and what’s next for the law and health care for 80,000 Mainers.

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 using iTunes.

Why did a 65 mile per hour windstorm, with no snow or ice, knock out so much of Maine’s electricity? Rep. Seth Berry, House Chair of the Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee, joins the podcast today to talk about tree-trimming regulations, resiliency in power grids, government-mandated monopolies and how to build infrastructure that can withstand storms made more powerful by climate change.

Also: Taryn, Ben and Mike discuss what’s at stake this Election Day and how you can volunteer to get out the vote and collect signatures for the senior care referendum.

Plus: An explanation of Question 4 (you should vote yes) and Mike reveals that he went to elementary school with Russia investigation cooperating witness George Papadopoulos.

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 using iTunes.

Photo via Sen. Ben Chipman.

This week on the Beacon podcast, Ben, Mike and Taryn discuss the repeal of ranked-choice voting and why Mainers shouldn’t give up on making their votes and voices count.

They also interview gubernatorial candidate Jim Boyle, who discusses the future of mill towns, and Portland City Council candidate Marpheen Chann, who discusses the future of Maine’s large city in a time of gentrification.

Rays of hope this week include that Yes on 2 TV ads are winning some acclaim, the fight against tar sands in South Portland just got some good news and something about Ben’s hamstrings.

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 using iTunes.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben Chin and Mike Tipping discuss the state of the race to replace Governor Paul LePage following the announcement by Senator Susan Collins that she’ll stay in the Senate.

They also interview Portland City Council at-large candidate Joey Brunelle, with a focus on affordable housing policy.

Plus: the No on 2 campaign is launching false ads and a surprising percentage of Maine doctors support a universal, single-payer health care system.

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 using iTunes.

Photo via Jeff Kirlin.

Dr. Sandra Butler discusses her new study on hunger in Maine and the threat of new federal and state cuts to food assistance.

Taryn, Ben and Mike also interview Diane Russell, who is running for governor on her own terms.

Plus: they all speculate (and all come to different conclusions) about what Sen. Susan Collins will probably have already announced by the time you listen to this podcast.

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 using iTunes.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Taryn interviews political scientist Josh Kalla and gets to the truth behind the headlines on his research on the efficacy of political campaigns.

Ben, Taryn and Mike also interview Jonathan Fulford, candidate for Congress, on his vision for confronting climate change and addressing a changing economy in Maine’s Second District.

Also: Bruce Poliquin again votes for big tax breaks for the wealthy and health care cuts and Mike gets polled by a congressional campaign.

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 using iTunes.

Photo: A canvasser gathers signatures for the Medicaid expansion referendum in downtown Bangor.

This week on the Beacon Podcast, Ben, Taryn and Mike can finally talk publicly about the new referendum campaign for universal in-home care for seniors and Mainers with disabilities, paid for by closing a tax loophole on the wealthy.

Sign up to collect signatures here.

Also, an interview with gubernatorial candidate Betsy Sweet, who is running as a Clean Elections candidate with a platform including universal health care.

From this week’s rays of hope, check out the Yes on 2 TV ad and the Collins Curve.

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 using iTunes.

This week on the Beacon Podcast Ben and Mike Discuss the Graham-Cassidy health care repeal bill, the stance of Maine’s senior senator and the repercussions for Maine.

Also: They examine the Maine Center for Economic Policy’s State of Working Maine report and find that, in rural Maine, the economy is literally killing people.

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 using iTunes.