Maine Calling

Blueberries play a huge role in Maine’s identity. We’ll learn about wild and highbush blueberries, how farmers grow and market their crops, any new uses for this iconic Maine product, and what blueberries mean for Maine’s culture and economy . This is part of Maine Calling’s yearlong focus on topics that reflect what is iconic in Maine .

What is happening with the almost 300 asylum seekers who arrived in Portland in June? We will learn about their backgrounds, what is being done to accommodate them and facilitate the work-permitting process, and how people can help.

On the eve of the Fourth of July, we check in with the Maine State Fire Marshal Joseph Thomas to learn how to stay fire-safe this summer. We’ll discuss how high the fire danger is this summer, and how to handle fireworks safely. We’ll also get an up date on the best smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other home safety devices and measures. Guest: Joe Thomas joined the Fire Marshal’s Office in 2000 after a 28-year career with the Portland Fire Department, including eight as chief. He was

Maine has an active roller derby scene, with mostly all-women teams competing throughout the state. We’ll learn more about this fast-paced, strategic sport, and why it has become so popular for both skaters and spectators.

Colby College political science professor Anthony Corrado shares his take on who did well and who didn’t after the first debates among the leading Democratic candidates for president. We’ll also hear about their predictions for how the race will take shape in the months to come.

This show is part of Maine Public's Deep Dive Special Series on child care in Maine. We wrap up Maine Public's special child care series with a conversation about challenges and priorities for child care in Maine. What are some potential solutions or paths forward? What is being done elsewhere that is a model for our state? And are there policies or programs that show promise for alleviating the child care crisis? Mark your calendar! Join the Maine Public news department for a community

Linda Holmes is the pop culture correspondent for NPR and the host of Pop Culture Happy Hour. Her first novel, "Evvie Drake Starts Over," which is about love and sad things and baseball and the state of Maine, comes out on June 25. Maine Public’s All Things Considered host Nora Flaherty will interview Holmes on Thursday evening (June 27) at the Portland Public Library.

June 27 is the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Up rising in New York, the "birthdate" of the modern gay rights movement. July 7 is the 35th anniversary of the death of Charlie Howard in Bangor, the event which led to the founding of MLGPA, predecessor of Equality Maine. This year also marks the 45 anniversary of the founding of the Wilde-Stein Club at UMaine in Orono, Maine's first LGBTQ organization. Our panel discusses LGBTQ life in Maine, past, present and future.

We talk with Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Commissioner Judy Camuso about her background, priorities and goals--and what challenges she see ahead.

We hear from Maine Public News team editors and reporters, as well as from Tara Williams, executive director of the Maine Association for the Education of Young Children, about the issues we’ll be covering during this week’s special deep dive series on child care in Maine.