Maine Calling

Our tech experts return to talk about the latest tech news and answer listener questions about smart phones, tablets, smart speakers, online security and more.

Why do we sometimes eat the entire bag of potato chips instead of just a serving (or two)? Why is it so hard to stick to a diet? We'll hear from two experts on why we eat the way we do, how to eat healthier, and the latest news from the world of good nutrition.

Police departments throughout Maine—and the nation—don't have enough applicants to fill their ranks, putting a lot of stress on existing officers. What are the reasons for the police shortage and what can be done about it?

What goes into being an inventor? How does someone go from an idea to a real, marketable product? We learn about the step-by-step process of bringing inventions to life, and how the entrepreneurial spirit propels so many Mainers to create novel and useful inventions.

Our favorite car experts return to share the latest news on cars, trucks, SUVs, hybrids and more.

On the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, we discuss the Irish in Maine. Irish immigrants came here at a time of economic and social change in the United States, working as longshoremen, factory workers, brewers and more. By the end of the 19th century, the Irish were an integral part of the Maine social fabric. Our guests include the executive director of the Irish Heritage Center and a well-known historian of the Irish diaspora in Maine.

A new book, “Rise, Decline and Renewal: The Democratic Party in Maine” by Douglas Rooks, explores the story of the Democratic Party in Maine — how it suddenly rose from irrelevance in 1954 with the election of Gov. Ed Muskie and successfully challenged the ruling Republican Party over the next two decades.

In the wake of the Parkland school shootings, Maine has seen several school security scares. What kind of safety measures are in place in schools across Maine, and how have administrators, teachers, students and parents reacted to the heightened call for more security?

Tax season is upon us. We’ll get answers to your tax questions as well as discuss strategies for retirement saving, credit card debt and other personal finance matters.

What are the different kinds of boundaries that affect us as a society? We explore the topic of boundaries, inspired by a current exhibit at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. “Boundaries” is a recent collaborative project between poet Richard Blanco and contemporary landscape photographer Jacob Bond Hessler. Blanco’s poems and Hessler’s photographs together investigate the visible and invisible boundaries of race, gender, class and ethnicity, among others.