Maine Calling

Éric Martel took office as president and chief executive officer of Hydro - Québec in 2015. He joins us to answer questions about Hydro Quebec’s plans to bring power to and through Maine. We’ll discuss the controversial CMP corridor and whether or not the transmission line would help the state reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the company’s green energy goals, and their involvement with the new electric vehicle charging corridor Gov. Janet Mills announced last week.

Signups for coverage under the Affordable Care Act began November 1st and end December 15th. Experts expect fewer people to enroll this year as more sign up for MaineCare instead. Also, several thousand people who currently have ACA insurance will be automatically switched to MaineCare (Medicaid.) We’ll discuss the new landscape for medical insurance coverage in Maine.

Both in Maine and nationwide, there has been a longtime debate over whether or not Daylight Saving Time is helpful or necessary. Two bills were introduced during the last session to eliminate the practice of losing an hour of daylight each year; they failed to pass, but the talk of the need for change continues. We’ll discuss the reasons for and against Daylight Saving Time with historians, sleep experts, business owners, farmers, lawmakers and more.

Author Mira Ptacin has written about a Maine community that has served as a gathering place for spiritualists and mediums for more than a century. We’ll discuss the belief in communicating with the dead as well as connecting with the past, present and future worlds beyond the use of normal senses.

Our panel of Maine editorial page editors returns to discuss the news that made Maine headlines in October. Issues we may discuss include: views on the impeachment inquiry, 2nd District Congressional Race up date, local elections, and other news from around the state. Ben Bragdon , editorial page editor, Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel Susan Young , editorial page editor for the Bangor Daily News Greg Kesich , editorial page editor, Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

The bat population has been in decline in Maine ever since 2011, when the onset of white nose syndrome caused by a harmful fungus began to kill off different bat species here. Bats are beneficial to the ecosystem, particularly because they eat insects and pests. During National Bat Week, we’ll learn about statewide efforts to monitor and foster the health of the bat population, and we’ll also talk with experts about what to do if bats are in your home—or if you are worried about exposure to

Human trafficking encompasses sex and labor trafficking and affects women, men and children. A 2015 study for the Maine Sex Trafficking and Sex Exploitation network estimates 200-300 cases of human trafficking in Maine each year, but cases are hard to investigate and experts believe they are under-reported. We’ll learn how Maine prosecutors and law enforcement officials are changing the way they approach trafficking cases, what’s being done to address it, and where to turn for help.

For years, if not decades or more, menopause has been a subject rarely discussed with candor and often feared, although it affects half of the population. In her provocative new book, "Flash Count Diary: Menopause and the Vindication of the Natural Life," author Darcey Steinke explores the way society and science are reframing menopause. We'll discuss the importance of talking about menopause and why certain symptoms may indicate serious health problems. And, we have actor Cindy Williams of

Ambassador Susan Rice served as National Security Advisor and UN ambassador during the Obama administration. Her memoir, "Tough Love: My Story of the Things Worth Fighting For," was published this month. She will be in Portland for speaking engagements to discuss her new book, which includes her personal story, including family ties to Maine. She'll talk with us about her book, her career, and current events.

A state task force has been formed to address juvenile justice issues in Maine. We will learn about efforts to eliminate youth incarceration, discuss Long Creek, and other issues about dealing with young people and criminal justice.