Around Town

A coalition of churches and faith leaders have organized a “Love Is the Point” event to counter a Turning Point USA event Friday in Portland. Both events will be held Friday evening. Turning Point at the Portland Expo, Love Is the Point at the historic UU church on Congress Street.

Turning Point USA: A Case Study of the Hard Right in 2024, Southern Poverty Law Center, Rachael Fugardi, May 22, 2025
Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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Today is the first day of absentee balloting for the June 9th primary – and other information from the Maine Secretary of State’s office

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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Andrea LaFlamme, write-in candidate for the Senate primary race on June 9th

Past coverage:
Graham Platner‘s opening remarks at Wabanaki Alliance Forum on Indian Island, 4/16/26
David Costello‘s opening remarks at Wabanaki Alliance Forum on Indian Island, 4/16/26
(Senator Susan Collins and Governor Janet Mills were invited but did not attend. Mills has since withdrawn from the race)

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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Check out all these great public affairs programs made possible by volunteer power and listener support! (Thank you!)

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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League of Women Voters of Maine’s June 9th Semi-Open Primary Voter Guide
The VOTER HOTLINE number is 207-558-3333

The Maine Dept of Environmental Protection has issued a Notice of Opportunity to File for intervenor status in an upcoming public hearing on the controversial Juniper Ridge Landfill expansion

Community Action has expanded their Walk-in-Wednesdays for heating assistance applications in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties as they encourage residents to apply for heating assistance as soon as possible. Walk-in appointments for the Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) program are available at their Ellsworth office on Avery Street from 9am to 4pm on Wednesdays through May. They recommend reviewing their list of helpful paperwork before coming in.

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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DIY Energy Efficiency for a More Affordable and Comfortable Home, hosted by A Climate to Thrive, Wednesday, May 6th
DIY projects to save money on energy and make your home more comfortable? Learn more about do-it-yourself energy efficiency projects from energy auditor, Colin McCullough
Wednesday, May 6th at 6 PM in the basement stacks, Jesup Memorial Library, Bar Harbor FMI and to register

Also on Wednesday, May 6th: Friends of Sears Island will host a Zoom presentation by Ron Butler about the butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, at at 6:30pm This presentation will cover the taxonomy, evolution, morphology, and ecological significance of butterflies. It will include images of some representative species of the region’s six butterfly families, explore butterfly conservation issues (particularly climate change), and briefly consider the ‘insect apocalypse’. The presentation will conclude with some recommended butterfly identification guides, apps, and websites.

Ron Butler is an animal ecologist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Maine at Farmington, where he taught courses in Zoology, Entomology, Ecology, and Conservation Biology. While Ron spent the first part of his career conducting research with seabirds in Maine, Newfoundland, and Antarctica, for the past several decades his work has focused on ecologically important groups of insects in Maine. Ron helped plan and coordinate several state-wide citizen science initiatives, including the Maine Damselfly and Dragonfly Survey, the Maine Butterfly Survey, the Maine Bumble Bee Atlas, and (presently) the Maine Flower Fly Survey. Ron co-authored Butterflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces (2023) and Dragonflies and Damselflies of Maine and the Canadian Maritime Provinces (in press).

You can find more information and sign up to receive the zoom link at Friends of Sears Island’s website or go directly to the registration form

The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport is offering Pre-Season Sneak Peak guided tours this week.. Explore new exhibit updates, learn about projects in the library and photo archives, watch newly added sardine videos, and examine historical documents. Guided by PMM staff and volunteers, this 1.5-hour walking tour is a unique chance to learn and ask questions. Sessions are limited to 20 people and will be starting at 10am and noon, this Thursday, May 7th For more information and to reserve a spot

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree’s public statement regarding the House passage of the Farm Bill – outlining several specific concerns.
Politico: House passes GOP-led farm bill The policy package now faces a murky path forward in the Senate after years of stalled negotiations, Grace Yarrow, 4/30/2026

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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May Day / Workers Over Billionaires National Day of Action (“No Work No School No Shopping.”) local events
Camden, noon, village square
Bangor, 3-5pm arts and tabling, 5-7pm rally and potluck, Broadway Park
Belfast, noon-1pm, Post Office Square
Maine Education Association members are holding rallies in Portland and Bangor. In Bangor the rally will be at the Bangor High School parking lot from 4-5pm
FMI:
May Day 2026: Together We Stand, Indivisible
The Workers Over Billionaires Movement, Organized Power in Numbers
Mobilize.us May Day Calendar of Events
Activate Maine calendar of events

Data Center bill with bipartisan support vetoed by Governor Mills. A majority voted to override her veto, but not the 2/3rds required. 13 legislators were absent from the vote. View the rollcall here

On Saturday, May 2, Jane’s Walk will bring a full day of free, volunteer led walking conversations to Ellsworth. Inspired by Jane Jacobs, the global festival encourages people to explore the places they live through local history, civic engagement, art, design, and shared observation. This year’s Ellsworth lineup invites participants to join one walk or make a day of it, with topics ranging from walkability and downtown history to art, public space, and a seaweed centered stroll through downtown More information at Heart of Ellsworth

Staged reading of Circus of finance, a comedy about private equity, featuring live circus, written and directed by local playwright Lisa Leaverton, followed by a panel discussion: “Whose Economy; Community Initiatives for Autonomy & Stability, free and open to the public, Sun May 3, 2026, 3:00-5:00 pm at the American Legion hall in Belfast with refreshments and socializing to follow

Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015
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