Maine Calling

The latest news out of our nation’s capital: We’ll discuss the firing of the FBI director, the fate of Obamacare, potential tax cuts, and more. Guests: Jeanne Cumming s, national political reporter for The Wall Street Journal Gordon Adams , Prof. Emeritus, School of International Service, American University. Distinguished Fellow, Stimson Center Jim Melcher , professor of Political Science at University of Maine Farmington

The Pulitzer-prize winning author discusses his new book, Between Them , a memoir about his mother and father. Guest: Richard Ford's novel Independence Day was the first book to win both a Pulitzer Prize and a PEN/Faulkner award. He joins us to discuss his storied writing career, being a big Bruce Springsteen fan, and the national political scene.

We'll hear about what's happening in the world of food: food events, cookbooks, ingredients of the season, restaurants and food trends. Guests: Nancy Harmon Jenkins , cookbook author and food writer Peggy Grodinsky , food editor at Portland Press Herald and Maine Sunday Telegram Sam Hayward , pioneering chef and one of the partners at Fore Street in Portland

Is it possible to balance quality of life with community growth and development? How do you foster growth while not overwhelming a neighborhood or town? Guests: Elizabeth Boepple , environmental attorney with BCM Environmental & Land Law, PLLC Nancy Smith , Executive Director of GrowSmart Maine Jesse Kanson-Benanav , Founder and chairman of A Better Cambridge. He's the keynote speaker at this year's MEREDA conference. Click here to learn about the upcoming MEREDA annual spring conference.

Apple sold fewer iPhones than expected last quarter, but rumors abound that the Cupertino company is going to get into autonomous automobiles. There’s also talk about the next iPhone having Virtual Reality features. We’ll discuss the latest developments from the world of IT and personal computing. Guests: Jared Maxfield , Owner of Necessary Technology Andrew Rosenstein , Owner of Techport Janet McKenne y, Director of Library Development, Maine State Library

Since 1965, the percentage of the US population born outside the country has tripled, changing the many American communities. Immigration became a central issue in the Presidential campaign, and rhetoric around immigration issues continues to divide the country. NPR's Tom Gjelten explores the modern immigrant experience in his book "A Nation of Nations." Guest: Tom Gjelten covers issues of religion, faith, and belief for NPR News, a beat that encompasses such areas as the changing religious

A retired professor lives off the grid at a self-sufficient farm and helps preserve wildlife habitat. Why did he choose to live such a remote and back-to-the-land lifestyle, and how does he pull it off? He addresses everything from white-tailed deer habitat to canning and preserving to solar energy. Guest: Prof. John Twomey, retired University of Massachusetts professor, living in Montville. He has written a book about his experience: Retiring To, Not From: Intimate Details of Life on a Remote

The latest status, research and efforts toward protection of Maine’s marine mammals, from gray seals to porpoises and whales. Guests: Lynda Ada Doughty , Executive Director, Marine Mammals of Maine Kristina Cammen , Assistant Professor of Marine Mammal Science at University of Maine Sean Todd , Ph.D., Steve K. Katona Chair in Marine Science, Director, Allied Whale, College of the Atlantic

Mainers, as a whole, tend to be conscientious about what we do with waste products. Several organization in the state promote innovative approaches to composting. Schools and students are also getting involved with making good use of food waste. We'll discuss how institutions, businesses and households can maximize use of organic waste and learn about new ways to compost. May 7-13 is Maine Composting Week. Guests: Travis Blackmer —Research Associate with the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for

Mental health issues in the news include understanding grief--England's Prince Harry has come forth to talk about how he suppressed his grief over Princess Diana's death, and Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg has a new book about dealing with grief after her husband's sudden death. Also: March 4th is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day; we'll talk about psychiatric issues that affect children, including whether mindfulness is a helpful approach to children's well-being. Guests: Dr. Robyn