Beacon Podcast

You heard us right! This week, Ben and Cate talk about Pres. Joe Biden’s proposal on Tuesday to cap rent increases at 5% for large corporate landlords. The proposal is a huge win for tenant advocates and would impact 20 million homes around the country. And that’s not all — around Maine this week, we’ve…

The post Good news for tenants (really!) first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Arthur Philips of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins Cate Blackford to discuss the results of their report on Maine’s direct care workforce. It’s not good. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

The post Podcast: The ongoing abandonment of older Mainers first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther, Cate and Ben discuss some of the testimony before the Independent Commission on the mass shooting in Lewiston, a new proposed anti-panhandling ordinance in Bangor, and some structural problems with how Maine addresses mental health, homelessness and policing. Plus: Learn how to support a strong paid family leave program…

The post Podcast: Prosecuting panhandlers and missing mass shooters first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Guests Andy O’Brien of the Maine AFL-CIO and Lisa Margulies of Planned Parenthood join guest-host Mike Tipping to discuss the results of this week’s primary and municipal elections. From the flipping of an anti-trans school board to the ousting of Democratic incumbent Bruce White in Waterville by Cassie Julia, progressive candidates had a good election.…

The post Podcast: Why anti-choice and anti-trans incumbents lost their seats in Maine this week first appeared on Maine Beacon.

Guest Mike Tipping joins Esther on the podcast this week to talk polling results, the Republican Primary race in CD2, health care, housing and Aztec history. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

The post Podcast: How much do Mainers hate insurance companies (and other poll results) first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, Cate Blackford and Ben Chin are joined by Maine People’s Alliance board member Jim Parakilas to discuss some legislative primaries, MPA’s endorsements, and an important zoning conversation in Portland. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any…

The post Podcast: Conservative Democrats face progressive challengers in Maine legislative primaries first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther and Cate discuss new rules proposed for the implementation of the paid family and medical leave program passed by the legislature last year as well as the fight over funding for South Portland’s Human Rights Commission. They also talk about a sad book and a happier TV show. Ask…

The post Podcast: Maine’s paid family leave program takes a big step forward first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, Esther, Cate and Ben discuss the last day of the 131st Maine legislature, a disagreement over process with the governor, and what her vetoes mean for some important policies, from investigating rape kits to paying childcare providers. Plus: Ben’s thoughts on the roast of Tom Brady and Cate has to…

The post Podcast: What the clash at the State House means for Maine people first appeared on Maine Beacon.

This week on the podcast, Esther Pew interviews Luc Kuanzambi of Portland. An immigrant from the Congo, Kuanzambi is a communications specialist and host of Luc’s 2 Cents Podcast, which highlights immigrants’ experiences and opinions on sociopolitical events. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the…

The post Podcast: Luc Kuanzambi on the Maine immigrant experience and what the media gets wrong first appeared on Maine Beacon.

On the podcast this week, organizing luminary George Goehl sits down to talk with Ben Chin about Fundamentals of Community Organizing, his new treatise, website and podcast on how to bring people together and win structural change. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast…

The post Podcast: How to win fights and influence politicians first appeared on Maine Beacon.