Maine Calling

Learn about the latest news from outside Earth’s orbit. We'll discuss NASA's Casini space probe and its discoveries around Saturn; prospects of lunar space tourism, and, the latest on the search for Planet X. Guests: Neil F. Comins is professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Maine. His books include “Discovering the Universe,” 10th edition (2014), “What If the Earth Had Two Moons?” (2010), “Heavenly Errors: Misconceptions About the Real Nature of the Universe” (Columbia, 2003),

Population Health Improvement is a new way to look at the health status of a community that focuses on the population's health, not solely a patient's. We'll learn why some believe this perspective can offer a better way to address a number of health problems in communities, including: obesity, diabetes, food security, behavioral health and drug addiction. Guests: Ron Deprez , president of the Public Health Research Institute (Deer Isle, Maine) and an associate research professor at the

Following on Susan Sharon's reporting on Maine Public Radio, we examine the impact of solitary confinement on prisoners and the prison system. We'll also discuss the upcoming PBS Frontline film "Last Days of Solitary," which is a follow-up to Frontline's 2014 "Solitary Nation," which examined the long-term effects of solitary confinement and featured the Maine State prison. Guests: Ryan Thornell , Ph.D., Associate Commissioner, Maine Department of Corrections Joe Jackson , prison rights activist

With Maine’s unemployment rate falling – it’s now 3.2% - Maine companies are having a hard time finding qualified employees. There’s now a concerted effort to recruit more young people to move to Maine and build their careers and lives here. Last month, some companies event took to the road, taking a bus to Boston to recruit potential employees! Guests: Ed McKersie - Founder and President of Pro Search, Inc., Founder and President of LiveandWorkinMaine LLC, a state wide initiative launched in

There is a growing effort to offer instruction in basic life skills – often to young people who have gaps in their knowledge of how to navigate the adult world, from managing personal finances to cooking & cleaning to writing letters. Sometimes those who are older need help with skills as well. “Adulting” schools and classes are surfacing to address these needs. Guests: Rachel Weinstein , Co-founder of The Adulting School and psychotherapist in Portland Stacy Stewart , Coordinator of Career

Maine's First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joins us to discuss the latest news out of Washington.

Transgender rights are very much in the news right now, but the challenges facing transgender people include much more than bathroom access. We’ll talk with transgender adults about navigating life in Maine in 2017 – what has changed for them, and what has not. One of our guests hosts a transgender issues program on Community Television and has just written a book about being a transgender man and a Christian, and another is a Maine business owner who identifies as neither a man or woman. Guests

As summer approaches, many Maine businesses are on the hunt for part-time or temporary help. But Maine’s low unemployment rate and the tightening of the H1B visa program are making it a challenge for businesses to find workers. We’ll hear from the Maine Department of Labor as well from leaders of the Maine Tourism and Restaurant and Innkeeper’s associations about the challenges – and opportunities – facing Maine Businesses. Guests: Julie Rabinowitz , Director of Policy, Operations and

From L.L. Bean and its iconic duck boots, to the relationship between New Balance and the U.S. military (not to mention Bass Weejuns and Dexter shoe), Maine shoemakers have a long and storied history. At its height, the Maine shoe sector employed 50,000 people. We’ll discuss the past, present and future of shoemaking in Maine. Guests: Rachel Desgrosseiliers , executive director, Museum L-A, in Lewiston Mike Rancourt , co-founder Rancourt & Co. in Lewiston Jack Samson , LL Bean's VP of

The investigations into Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election continues; the Neil Gorsuch supreme court nomination sets up a potential 'nuclear option;' and repealing and replacing Obamacare is dead - or is it? We'll discuss the latest news from the nation's capital. Guests: Ron Schmidt , professor of Political Science at University of Southern Maine Jamie McKown , political science professor, College of the Atlantic Stephen Engel , chair of Bates College politics department