Maine Calling

Municipal governments have seen many firsts in recent years, as more people from other countries have stepped up and run for public office. We’ll talk with some of the immigrants who hold elected office in Maine to learn about their backgrounds, why they chose to serve—whether on City Council or School Board—and hear their views on the growing role of immigrants in Maine. We’ll also discuss how their perspectives have forwarded more efforts toward racial justice statewide.

We check in on how the start of school has been for districts across the state, whether students are attending in-person, remotely, or in some hybrid of the two. We’ll talk to educators, parents, students—and Maine’s DOE Commissioner about the challenges and successes of the first weeks of school, and we’ll hear about some schools that have had to alter their game plans.

Getting outside while the weather is still good and making the most of Maine's abundant outdoor recreation opportunities is one way to get through the pandemic, and stay distanced from others. We discuss the top-notch outdoor recreation options that can be found in Maine and New England, including different forms of recreation and different places to go. We highlight better known attractions as well as hidden gems, and how to enjoy them safely.

Guns sales have been on the rise since the start of pandemic, most likely due the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and also due to increased racial tensions nationwide and here in Maine. We'll learn about the demographic makeup of new gun owners, such as more women and minorities, and why societal conditions are causing people to purchase firearms. We'll also discuss the health and safety concerns associated with this surge in gun sales.

With many Mainers working from home through at least the rest of 2020, and with most students doing at least part of their learning remotely, tech issues can take on a whole new dimension. Our tech experts return to answer questions about plugging in, staying connected, and which high-tech device is right for your needs.

Sea-level rise due to global warming along the coast of Maine is increasing at a rapid pace, with some estimates predicting levels to rise by as much as two feet by 2050. We'll discuss what is causing the waters to rise more quickly, how it will impact coastal communities and structures, and what towns and individuals can do to prepare. We'll also find out how historic buildings can be protected from rising waters.

One of the outcomes of the 2016 election was a distrust of polling. But many pollsters will tell you that’s the wrong conclusion to draw, and that, in fact they were not so far off in their polling. We’ll check in with pollsters and learn what lessons they took from the 2016 election, the science of polling and how it has changed over the years, and what to expect this election season.

Tensions with China center on a social media app and scientists accused of spying. Russia apparently has poisoned a leading opposition leader. And Israel normalized ties with the UAE. One of our guests, scholar Aaron David Miller, argues that the Middle East doesn't matter as much anymore. How has the Covid-19 pandemic affected international politics? What major geopolitical developments are unfolding under the radar? And how are the Presidential campaigns addressing global hotspots?

Companies and their employees are increasingly seeking ways to embrace socially responsible practices. This trend is growing as Millennials and younger generations have greater expectations for working at places that prioritize social justice and other values, rather than only looking at profit for stakeholders. One term for this is "conscious capitalism." We'll examine this trend and why it is taking hold, and we'll talk with some of the people in Maine whose businesses prioritize these values-

As hurricanes ravage parts of the South, and we look ahead to storm season, we get advice on preparing for a natural disaster. We’ll discuss climate risk, the increase in more powerful storms, which leads to more flooding and wind damage. We’ll get advice on preparing your home and business, ways to reduce risk, how to make an emergency plan for family and pets, and pre- and post-storm risk mitigation/retrofitting.