Maine Calling

The workings of our democracy can be confusing to anyone, especially in today's political climate. Do young people get exposed to politics and government in school? We talk with educators to find out what Maine students learn about civics, and whether schools promote teaching about more controversial issues.

Climate challenges facing Maine range from extreme weather to sea-level rise to warming waters. We'll discuss how climate science informs policy and real action, as we learn about the new state climate action plan. It focuses on areas such as transportation, renewable energy and agriculture, and sets bold goals for greenhouse gas emissions.

Just as pressing as the health concerns of the coronavirus pandemic are the economic concerns facing Maine. The Governor's Economic Recovery Committee has just rolled out its state action plan. We talk with the committee's leaders to find out what steps Maine will take, now and in the years to come, to create a healthy economy.

The four Wabanaki tribes in Maine—Micmac, Maliseet, Penobscot and Passamaquoddy—have been here since long before Europeans arrived and Maine became a state. We will discuss tribal history in Maine, and learn about the significant challenges and advances among Native Americans in Maine over the years. This is part of our ongoing series of bicentennial shows about Maine's history.

This is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date Oct. 29, 2020); no calls will be taken. Of the many side effects that COVID-19 has had on people's wellbeing, sleep often comes up in conversation as something that has been disrupted during the pandemic. We will talk with medical experts about how sleep is integrated with overall mental and physical health, what ways the pandemic is affecting people's sleep (and even their dreams), and approaches that can help foster healthy sleep

We are re-airing this program at 7 pm on Thanksgiving, Nov. 26, 2020, (original air date Nov. 24); no calls will be taken. With the economic distress that the pandemic has caused, supporting the local economy has become even more vital. Seeking out holiday gifts from Maine-based sources is one way to do that. We’ll hear from craftspeople, artists, authors, small store owners and Etsy business operators about what they produce and where to find it. These products and services reflect the depth of

What's the best advice you've ever gotten? Or given? We pose these questions to well-known figures around Maine, as well as to anyone who wants to weigh in, and gain some wisdom about how to approach life.

With the economic distress that the pandemic has caused, supporting the local economy has become even more vital. Seeking out holiday gifts from Maine-based sources is one way to do that. We’ll hear from craftspeople, artists, authors, small store owners and Etsy business operators about what they produce and where to find it. These products and services reflect the depth of innovation and entrepreneurship in Maine.

The Harold Alfond Foundation recently announced an unprecedented grant of more than $500 million to higher education and research institutions in Maine, with the goal of fostering growth and opportunities for Maine's future. We learn about the diverse ways in which the grant recipients will apply those funds, and what they see as the best approaches to promote Maine's economy. Greg Powell, chairman of the board, Harold Alfond Foundation Joseph Aoun, president, Northeastern University Kim

Mindfulness has gained popularity in recent years for its role in helping people to improve their lives, from sleeping better to losing weight to reducing anxiety. It has become even more popular during the pandemic, and the other challenges of 2020, in giving people a way to manage these stressful times. We'll learn how and why mindfulness contributes to health and well-being.