Open Ears Maine

On today’s show, we’ll hear about Janet Mills' COVID testing announcement, plus breaking news about a cruise ship planning to tie up in Eastport for an extended stay. And we’ll talk about the practically useless COVID-19 antibodies test with a Boothbay Harbor man who paid 75 bucks for the darn thing.

On today’s show, we’ll speak to State Rep. Genevieve McDonald, a Democrat from Stonington-Deer Isle with tips on filing for unemployment as a self-employed Mainer or sole proprietor. She’s also the skipper of a lobster boat, so we’ll learn about COVID-19’s impact on the commercial fishing industry. And we’ll discuss the misogyny in today’s political circuses across the country. Later in the program, Becky Pritchard, author and reporter for the Mount Desert Islander newspaper, to hear how the state’s re-opening plan will be putting the damper on this summer’s tourism season Down East.

We spoke to Rick Savage, the owner of Sunday RIver Company about his decision to challenge the state COVID-19 reopening plans.

We'll talk to a Portland-area barber who held a haircutting speakeasy last week about the new rules for Maine's barbers. Plus we'll speak to Danielle Madore and Carrie Vinette of the Black Hen studio, a tattoo shop and gallery located on Ocean Street in South Portland and hear their perspective on the delayed re-opening of their industry.

Tonight, we'll speak with psychoanalyst Ed O'Brien who sees patients in mid-coast Maine. We'll discuss how the pandemic is impacting those with mental illness and discuss coping mechanism for stressed out Mainers. 7 to 8 p.m.

A conversation with Jason Dionne, attorney-at-law, on how the pandemic is impacting Maine's family court system. And an update on the mill explosion at the paper mill in Jay, plus information about a hotline to help Mainers navigate the state's unemployment system.

Tonight we’ll hear from State Representative Chris Johansen, a Republican lawmaker from Monticello and the organizer of yesterday’s “Patriot’s Day” protest in Augusta. And we’ll speak to Washington County Commissioner Chris Gardner on how the pandemic is impacting life Downeast. And Gardner's thoughts on why rural Maine should re-open before the rest of the state. Tonight from 7 until 8.

On the second episode of Open Ears Maine, we'll speak to a nurse we're calling "Jane" who works on a "med surg floor" in one of Maine's largest hospitals to hear from the inside on how health care workers are dealing with Covid-19. And we'll discuss the explosion that rocked the town of Jay yesterday, showering the Franklin County community in dust and calling into question the future for 500 local workers. Tonight from 7 until 8. Call (515) 602-9747 to tell your pandemic story.

Tonight, we'll be discussing the trials and tribulations of seeking unemployment benefits with the recently laid-off Neil Skillin. And we'll talk about Susan Collins with Nathan Bernard. And we'll hear from Becky McDonald Pritchard about the scene on Mount Desert Island. And, perhaps, a call from you? The number is (515) 602-9747. Tonight, from 7 until 8.