Maine Calling

Winter is traditionally the toughest season for Maine restaurants — but this year, because of the pandemic, it’s even more challenging. Local restaurant owners say revenue this winter so far has been about half of what it usually is. Several Maine restaurants have closed during the pandemic, others have changed the way they operate, setting up to-go windows, outdoor seating options and food trucks. A few new restaurants have even opened. Maine Restaurant Week is different this year, too, hoping

Our panel of editorial page editors and local newspaper editors return to discuss vaccine rollout in the state, the impeachment of Donald Trump, and the latest developments at the Maine State House. Susan Young , editorial page editor, Bangor Daily News Ben Bragdon , editorial page editor, Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel Greg Kesich , editorial page editor, Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram The Maine GOP Has Condemned Susan Collins' Vote To Convict Trump — But She's Not Having Any Of

Conducting meetings and having conversations by Zoom and other virtual means is significantly different — and not the natural way of relating to one another. We’ll examine why remote communication can be stressful and exhausting, and explore ways to make the best of this new reality. Blanca Gurrola , social worker, VP of clinical service and operations, Maine Behavioral Health Care Nick Morgan , communications theorist and coach; founder, Public Words consulting firm "Can You Hear Me? How to

The pandemic has wreaked havoc on many Mainer’s personal income and financial security. Tax season is also fast approaching. We’ll get advice and answers about personal financial questions. Michelle Singletary , author; award-winning personal finance columnist, The Washington Post Jon Paradise , senior VP of marketing, communications & community outreach, Town & Country FCU Michelle Singletary personal finance columns 15 Personal-Finance Lessons We Can All Learn From the Year of Covid-19

The way that funerals are being conducted has been altered significantly due to COVID-19. We'll discuss the impacts these changes have had on families and on the funeral industry.

As the Biden administration increases vaccine supplies to state, and Maine's mass vaccination sites offer more shots, COVID-19 cases are dropping. Dr. Nirav Shah , director, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, returns to answer your questions about COVID-19, vaccination prioritization, testing, new virus variants and more. Dr. Shah: Vaccinations Not Cause Of Recent COVID-19 Case Declines Maine CDC Discovers Second Case Of U.K. Coronavirus Variant In York County Biden Administration

The pandemic made 2020 a record year for residential real estate, as people flocked to Maine seeking a different kind of lifestyle. Almost every county in the state saw double-digit appreciation. Meanwhile, commercial real estate had highs and lows, depending on the type of business. We’ll discuss what the outlook is for real estate in the year ahead. Madeleine Hill , president elect, Maine Association of Realtors Brit Vitalius , principal, designated broker, Vitalius Real Estate Group;

Our tech experts return to share the latest news from the world of personal technology. They’ll answer questions about home networking, upgrading computers, and more.

As the majority of Americans wait for their turn to get their Covid-19 vaccine, questions abound over what justifies one group to take priority over another. We discuss the ethical questions that arise in how vaccines are allocated and developed—and what these questions say about the moral values of our society. Jessica Miller , clinical ethicist; professor of philosophy, University of Maine Dr. James Jarvis , physician leader for incident command, Northern Light Health Bjørn Hofmann , professor

The 2021 Camden Conference explores the Arctic, one of the world’s least-known regions. The Arctic is also undergoing dramatic, irreversible changes traceable to global warming. As these changes alter the pace of climate change, they forewarn of the challenges ahead for human, animal and plant habitat—in Maine and elsewhere. We’ll discuss how this transformation is creating a new arena for global power and competition.