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WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Erin Rhoda, Interim Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: This episode covers how tariffs have affected Maine's loggers and sawmills, the debate over whether federal immigration agents can wear masks or otherwise conceal their identities and how that compares to rules for local police, and more. Guests: Sean Scott, religion, society and politics reporter for The Maine Monitor and Report for America corps member. Emmett Gartner, environmental reporter for The Maine Monitor. FMI: themainemonitor.org/loggers-tariff-impact/ themainemonitor.org/sawmill-tariffs-boom-or-dust/ themainemonitor.org/forest-pests-diseases-outlook/ themainemonitor.org/immigration-agents-identification-concerns/ themainemonitor.org/faith-leaders-discuss-helping-mainers/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 3/5/26 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine Production Assistance: Linda Washburn, Joel Mann Democracy Forum: Participatory Democracy, encouraging citizens to take an active role in government and politics. This month: We’ll talk about how wealth and income inequality undermine democracy. Does extreme income inequality lead to right wing authoritarianism? How does that work? Is that playing out in the U.S. right now? In Maine? Guest/s: Garrett Martin, President & CEO, Maine Center for Economic Policy Susan Stokes, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Chicago. She is the author of the new book, The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies | Princeton University Press, September 2025 To learn more about this topic: Visit LWVME.org About the host: Ann Luther currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. The post Democracy Forum 1/16/26: Constitutional Crisis: Can Democracy Survive Billionaire Economics? first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine Production Assistance: Linda Washburn, Joel Mann Democracy Forum: Participatory Democracy, encouraging citizens to take an active role in government and politics. This month: We’ll talk about how wealth and income inequality undermine democracy. Does extreme income inequality lead to right wing authoritarianism? How does that work? Is that playing out in the U.S. right now? In Maine? Guest/s: Garrett Martin, President & CEO, Maine Center for Economic Policy Susan Stokes, the Tiffany and Margaret Blake Distinguished Service Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Chicago. She is the author of the new book, The Backsliders: Why Leaders Undermine Their Own Democracies | Princeton University Press, September 2025 To learn more about this topic: Visit LWVME.org About the host: Ann Luther currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. The post Democracy Forum 1/16/26: Constitutional Crisis: Can Democracy Survive Billionaire Economics? first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Erin Rhoda, Interim Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: We discuss Monitor Local, a new reporting initiative from the The Maine Monitor focused on what’s happening in towns across Western and Downeast Maine — how the idea came to be and what its coverage has looked like so far. Guests: Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, Executive Director of The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting — micaela@themainemonitor.org Judith Meyer, Editor of Monitor Local — judy@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/monitor-local/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 1/1/26 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host/Producer: Amy Browne Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center and more than 70 of her colleagues in Congress have called on President Trump to reverse what they say is an illegal renaming effort The Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS') Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) urges Mainers to take steps to protect their health as influenza (flu) activity begins to rise across Maine. Maine’s weekly influenza surveillance report for week 51, which ended December 20th shows: Number of hospitalizations: 69 Number of outbreaks: 12 The Challenger Learning Center of Maine in Bangor is offering Girls Who Code: A Free Intro to Coding for All Students “A free introductory club for all students in grades 3-5, no experience required! This beginner-friendly program welcomes all young coders, including those trying programming for the very first time” FMI and to register Activate Maine’s new “Selective Spending Directory” The state of Maine is now accepting entries for the 2026 Maine Constitution Poster and Essay Contests. The deadline is March 13, 2026. About the host: Amy Browne started out at WERU as a volunteer news & public affairs producer in 2000, co-hosting/co-producing RadioActive with Meredith DeFrancesco. She joined the team of Voices producers a few years later, and has been WERU's News & Public Affairs Manager since January, 2006. In addition to RadioActive, Voices, Maine Currents and Maine: The Way Life Could Be, Amy also produced and hosted the WERU News Report for several years. She has produced segments for national programs including Free Speech Radio News, This Way Out, Making Contact, Workers Independent News, Pacifica PeaceWatch, and Live Wire News, and has contributed to Democracy Now and the WBAI News Report. She is the recipient of the 2014 Excellence in Environmental Journalism Award from the Sierra Club of Maine, and Maine Association of Broadcasters awards for her work in 2017 and 2021. Theme music: BreakBeat Chemists I, 2015 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 International License The post Around Town 12/29/25: Local News, Culture and Events first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Erin Rhoda, Interim Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: Maine Monitor reporter Rose Lundy speaks about her recent reporting on how more older Mainers appear to be using harder drugs, how groups across Maine are trying to combat men's loneliness, and other health care challenges older adults are facing. Guests: Rose Lundy, rose@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/more-of-maines-oldest-struggle-drugs/ themainemonitor.org/fighting-mens-loneliness/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 12/4/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters, Interim Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: We hear from Report for America corps member Daniel O'Connor about his reporting on the budget crisis in Washington County and the Maine school districts that have voted to change policies around transgender students. Guests: Daniel O’Connor, daniel@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/washington-county-11m-bond-rejected/ themainemonitor.org/groups-pushing-schools-change-transgender-policies/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 11/6/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Monopolistic business practices have been illegal in the United States for more than a century. Yet, monopoly power continues to accelerate in our modern commercial landscape. Large, powerful corporations edge out smaller businesses, often citing scale, “efficiency”, and lower costs as their reasons for success. But looking more closely reveals a reality that is far different. Small businesses are more cost-effective and deliver better results to the people they serve than giant corporations. Furthermore, they form the backbone of engaged and connected communities. So what is actually preventing small businesses (and communities) from flourishing, and what can individuals do today to build economic power in their communities? In this episode, Nate is joined by economic writer and strategist, Stacy Mitchell, to explore how concentrated economic power shapes the health of towns and cities – from economic resilience to social connectedness. They unpack why big businesses actually deliver poorer, pricier results and more vulnerable supply chains, yet are able squeeze smaller businesses out of the market. Stacy also sheds light on the United States' long history of breaking up monopolies through antitrust laws, and the policy developments in recent decades that have prevented their enforcement. How do small businesses play an integral role in fostering resilient social capital? Why have we seen an increase in economic consolidation and inequality in the last several decades, and how can we reverse it? Finally, what practical steps can each of us take in our own communities to advance more localized economic systems that better serve people and the planet? (Conversation recorded on September 18th, 2025) About Stacy Mitchell: Stacy Mitchell is a writer, strategist, and policy advocate. She is Co-Executive Director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, an organization that for five decades has challenged the wisdom of neoliberalism and championed local, community-oriented models. She also serves on the board of the Maine Center for Economic Policy. Additionally, Stacy is the author of Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses. In 2016, she co-authored Amazon's Stranglehold, an influential report that took a critical eye to the e-commerce giant. Congress cited her research on Amazon's monopolization strategy in its investigation of Big Tech's dominance in 2021 and her work informed the Federal Trade Commission's antitrust lawsuit against the company in 2023. She has also worked extensively at the local level, helping communities craft policies that support local entrepreneurship and vibrant commercial districts. Show Notes and More Watch this video episode on YouTube Want to learn the broad overview of The Great Simplification in 30 minutes? Watch our Animated Movie. --- Support The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future Join our Substack newsletter Join our Hylo channel and connect with other listeners
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Kate Cough, Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: A Maine State Police trooper pinned a handcuffed man to the ground and repeatedly punched him in the face during an arrest. The episode raises questions about the agency's use of force policy and its process for reviewing complaints. Reporters Josh Keefe and Callie Ferguson take listeners behind the scenes of their recent investigation. Guests: Josh Keefe, josh@themainemonitor.org Callie Ferguson, cferguson@bangordailynews.com FMI: themainemonitor.org/stop-punching-him/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 10/2/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Kate Cough, Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: In this episode of The Maine Monitor Radio Hour, we hear from The Monitor’s two summer interns, Stacey Zhang and Yasmeen Khan, on their experiences trying to make a career in the field of journalism and how their Gen Z colleagues are consuming the news. Guests: Stacey Zhang – themainemonitor.org/author/stacey-zhang/ Yasmeen Khan – themainemonitor.org/author/yasmeen_khan/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 9/4/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Age Diversity in the Workplace: Benefits, Challenges, and Strategies for EmployersIn this episode of Looking Forward Our Way, Brett and Carol are joined by Dr. Jennifer Crittenden, Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Maine and Associate Director for Research at the University of Maine Center on Aging. The focus is on the challenges and opportunities facing older adults as they transition into paid employment, and particularly on how volunteerism can act as a bridge to help them re-enter the workforce.Dr. Crittenden began by sharing her background in gerontology and her early research in older adult volunteerism. She noticed a fascinating trend: some older volunteers were leaving their unpaid roles because they needed or wanted to return to paid employment. This observation set her on a research path to better understand how older adults juggle different responsibilities—such as caregiving, volunteering, and work—and whether skills gained in volunteer opportunities could support their move into paid roles.Through a study funded by AmeriCorps, Dr. Crittenden discovered that many older adults indeed use volunteer experiences as a stepping stone back into employment—even if the volunteer programs themselves weren't specifically designed for that purpose. This realization led her and other researchers to ponder whether volunteerism could actually become a structured pathway to employment for seniors. Furthermore, her research highlighted the “spillover effect”: skills acquired through both in-person and virtual volunteering frequently enhanced other aspects of life, such as caregiving or community engagement.The partnership with AmeriCorps became more formalized when, in 2022, Dr. Crittenden's center was approached to help study a new round of demonstration grants focusing on workforce development for older adults. This new initiative required participants to integrate volunteerism into their program design, with the ultimate goal of aiding older adults in securing sustainable employment. Seven different pilot programs across the country were set up, each distinct in its local approach but unified in combining volunteer experience, community service, training, mentorship, and employment support.What makes this research so groundbreaking is its focus on identifying the “secret recipe”—the common elements across all seven pilot programs that effectively support older adults' transition to sustainable employment. The data, collected from over 150 participants in the first round, helps the researchers understand what motivates seniors, what keeps them engaged, and what drives successful placement into jobs.Looking at the demographics, the majority of participants were women (about 72%), which reflects broader trends in volunteerism. Most were between the ages of 60 and 70—prime years for retirement or semi-retirement—but the programs included participants up to 85. A striking finding was that many lived alone and were single, divorced, or widowed, implying a significant financial need to supplement single-income households.In terms of the nature of work, the positions targeted by these programs were generally paraprofessional roles—such as paralegals or early childhood educators—that often required participants to complete some form of certification or additional training. This requirement, while presenting barriers for some, helped others gain clear pathways into employment that matched their interests and skillsets.Motivation to participate in these programs was largely financial, but the data showed that earning new skills, having a sense of purpose, giving back to the community, and building social connections were also major drivers. This mirrors what we see among younger job seekers, emphasizing that these needs...
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Kate Cough, Editor at The Maine Monitor. The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: Sawyer Loftus, an investigative reporter with Maine Focus, the investigative team at the Bangor Daily News and partner of The Maine Monitor, walks us through a story he worked on with ProPublica about a wave of foreclosures on Maine homes purchased with loans from the United States Department of Agriculture. Guests: Sawyer Loftus, sloftus@thebangordailynews.com FMI: themainemonitor.org/usda-maine-foreclosures-rural-homeowners/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 8/7/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
This week on the podcast, Cate chats with Garrett Martin of the Maine Center for Economic Policy. They do some unpacking on what the new federal tax bill really means for Maine families. Garrett breaks down how deep cuts to programs, like stricter work requirements for Medicaid and food assistance could leave many Mainers without… The post Podcast: The real cost of Trump's federal budget bill first appeared on Maine Beacon.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: Josh Keefe takes listeners behind the scenes of his recent reporting on Maine’s child welfare system, including the story of one Maine woman's fight to get her son back after an incident in a Presque Isle parking lot. Guests: Josh Keefe, government accountability reporter: josh@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/spanking-or-abuse/ themainemonitor.org/maine-foster-care-population-grew-fastest-nationally/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 7/3/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: Reporters Rose Lundy and Kristian Moravec discuss their reporting on workforce shifts and challenges in health care and clean energy. Guests: Rose Lundy, rose@themainemonitor.org Kristian Moravec, kristian@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/ themainemonitor.org/heat-pump-workforce-development/ themainemonitor.org/healthcare-workforce-diversity/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 6/5/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine Production Assistance: Linda Washburn, Joel Mann Democracy Forum: Participatory Democracy, encouraging citizens to take an active role in government and politics. This month: The effects of the federal administration’s policies on health and science research and delivery nationally and here in Maine. Guest/s: Art Blank, Former CEO, MDI Hospital Amy Fried, Professor emerita of political science at the University of Maine Dr. Nirav Shah, former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, and former principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention To learn Amore about this topic: Visit LWVME.org About the host: Ann Luther currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. The post Democracy Forum 5/16/25: Constitutional Crisis: Is Our Government Making Us Sick? first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Host: Ann Luther, League of Women Voters of Maine Production Assistance: Linda Washburn, Joel Mann Democracy Forum: Participatory Democracy, encouraging citizens to take an active role in government and politics. This month: The effects of the federal administration’s policies on health and science research and delivery nationally and here in Maine. Guest/s: Art Blank, Former CEO, MDI Hospital Amy Fried, Professor emerita of political science at the University of Maine Dr. Nirav Shah, former director of the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention, and former principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention To learn Amore about this topic: Visit LWVME.org About the host: Ann Luther currently serves as Treasurer of the League of Women Voters of Maine and leads the LWVME Advocacy Team. She served as President of LWVME from 2003 to 2007 and as co-president from 2007-2009. The post Democracy Forum 5/16/25: Constitutional Crisis: Is Our Government Making Us Sick? first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the state of Michigan, explains the state's Public Health Data Dashboard, which visualizes public health trends by district and helps to shape awareness of public health's role in the community; David Stone, Accreditation Analyst at ASTHO, discusses the importance of accreditation and ASTHO's guide to sustaining efforts across health departments; Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and State Health Officer for Alabama, appeared on a recent Public Health on Call podcast; Dr. Nirav Shah, former ASTHO President and former Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, will give the commencement address at the University of Maine in Farmington; ASTHO will host an event being an effective crisis communicator Thursday, May 8th. Michigan's Public Health Data Dashboard ASTHO: A Guide for Sustainable Public Health Accreditation Podcast: A Conversation with Alabama's State Health Officer ASTHO: Don't Panic: A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator UMF Announces Dr. Nirav Shah as Commencement Speaker
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Kate Cough, Editor at The Maine Monitor The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: Child welfare and healthcare in Maine. Guests: Josh Keefe and Rose Lundy FMI: themainemonitor.org/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 5/1/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: A discussion with Maine Monitor editor Kate Cough and community news fellow Emily Hedegard about their recent series on Maine's maternity care crisis, as well as the recent announcement that MDI Hospital will close its birthing unit. Guests: Kate Cough, kate@themainemonitor.org Emily Hedegard, emilyh@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/maternity-care-crisis/ themainemonitor.org/mdi-birthing-unit-closure/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 4/3/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Dr. Puthiery Va, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explains how PHIG has helped Maine create a new Office of Violence Prevention. PHIG Partners Web Page PHIG Newsletter
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a public affairs program that airs monthly on WERU Community Radio, in collaboration with The Maine Monitor (a publication of the nonprofit Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting). In this episode, Monitor environmental reporter Emmett Gartner joins host Kate Cough (Maine Monitor Editor) to talk about his recent series on dams in Maine and how they will fare in a changing climate. The post WERU Maine Monitor Radio Hour 12.5.24 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor Production Assistance: Amy Browne The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: A discussion with Maine Monitor environmental reporter Emmett Gartner about the future of Maine's dams, including the dams on Silver Lake, Alamoosook Lake, and Toddy Pond. Guests: Emmett Gartner, Environmental Reporter, emmett@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/bucksport-dam-event/ themainemonitor.org/divided-on-dams/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 3/6/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters, Deputy Editor at The Maine Monitor Production Assistance: Amy Browne The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: The Maine Monitor’s senior health reporter Rose Lundy discusses proposed staffing regulations for assisted living facilities in Maine, as well as other aspects of her investigative and accountability reporting on the long-term care industry. Guests: Rose Lundy, rose@themainemonitor.org FMI: themainemonitor.org/care-facility-staffing-proposal-amended/ themainemonitor.org/door-knocking-context/ themainemonitor.org/residential-care-growing-need/ themainemonitor.org/maine-proposes-care-facility-staffing-changes/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 2/6/2025 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives
Host: Stephanie McFeeters Production Assistance: Amy Browne The Maine Monitor Radio Hour is a collaboration between WERU-FM and the Maine Monitor, the nonpartisan, independent publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting. This month: Maine’s indigent defense crisis. Symposium co-hosted by The Maine Monitor and the Maine Indigent Defense Center, recorded by the University of Maine at Augusta events team. Guests: Josh Keefe, government accountability reporter. Robert Ruffner, director of the Maine Indigent Defense Center. Ron Schneider, the general counsel and vice president of legal affairs at the University of New England. Tina Nadeau, executive director of the Maine Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. FMI: themainemonitor.org/indigent-defense-symposium-discussions/ The post The Maine Monitor Radio Hour 1/2/25 first appeared on WERU 89.9 FM Blue Hill, Maine Local News and Public Affairs Archives.
Arthur Philips of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins Cate Blackford to discuss the results of their report on Maine’s direct care workforce. It’s not good. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show at (207) 619-3182. Subscribe to the podcast feed using any podcasting app or subscribe on Apple Podcasts. The post Podcast: The ongoing abandonment of older Mainers first appeared on Maine Beacon.
SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Mike Thorne and Matt Zaun discuss Mike's TEDx Talk, what leaders can do to unpack their early childhood trauma, and how to create a culture that's not afraid to ask for help. MIKE THORNE BIO: Mike is the Founder and Managing Partner of Trust Inside, a business mentor at the Maine Center for Entrepreneurs, the Chairman of the Board of the National Council for Adoption, and he's a Vistage Chair, where he coaches numerous CEOs to be better leaders.For more info on Mike, check out his:TEDx TalkWebsiteLinkedInMATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt's past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry.Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact.For more info, check out Matt Zaun HERE.
James Myall of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins Ben Chin to discuss the 2023 State of Working Maine report and the economic environment of the Pine Tree State. Also, Esther Pew and Nyawal Lia remember the life and work of Lado Lodoka. Ask a question or leave a comment for a future show… The post Podcast: Will robots take Maine's jobs and other insights from the author of the State of Working Maine first appeared on Maine Beacon.
Dr. Joan Duwve, State Health Officer for the Kansas Department of Health, talks about the need to put equity at the center of all public health work; Dr. Puthiery Va, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explains that lessons learned from the pandemic will inform her new role at a critical time as she begins her new job; Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says she is working to build trust with local agencies; and ASTHO training modules will tell you what it means to be a state trusted contact for the CDC's Opioid Rapid Response Program. ASTHO Policy Statement: Equity Driven Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes Kansas Office of the Governor Webpage: Commission on Racial Equity and Justice Maine Department of Health and Human Services News Release: DHHS Commissioner Lambrew Announces Director for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention ASTHO Webpage: Trusted Contacts Training Modules
Jessica Fepelstein, ASTHO Analyst of State and Community Engagement, explains the work the ASTHO Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Initiative is doing to promote health equity; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says there is a lot of work to be done to prevent a government shutdown this fall; Alicia Justice, ASTHO's Senior Director of Programmatic Health Equity Initiatives & Strategy, is recognized in this year's de Beaumont Foundation 40 Under 40 in Public Health; and ASTHO welcomes new members Dr. Kaitlan Baston and Dr. Puthiery Va to the organization. CDC Foundation: Open Requests For Proposals: STRETCH 2.0 The de Beaumont Foundation: 40 Under 40 in Public Health The Maine Department of Health and Human Services: DHHS Commissioner Lambrew Announces Director for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
As Gov. Janet Mills looks to “modernize” the Pine Tree Empowerment Zone corporate tax credit program, Esther and Ben are joined by Maura Pillsbury of the Maine Center for Economic Policy to talk about their new report, “Are Tax Giveaways Worth the Money?” which, using state data, finds that the money governments give to corporations… The post Podcast: Are corporate tax breaks worth it? Probably not. first appeared on Maine Beacon.
Dr. Christine Bean, Chief Learning Officer at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, talks about recruiting candidates into laboratory positions on ASTHO's new jobs website, publichealthcareers.org; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, gives his take on the FDA proposing a once-a-year COVID-19 regimen for immunizations; and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, announces ASTHO has new funding from the FDA to advance retail food safety initiatives and reduce foodborne illness. PublicHealthCarrers.org Webpage Maine Public Radio Webpage: Dr. Nirav Shah prepares to leave Maine CDC for top federal post—and answers your public health questions ASTHO News Release: Public Health Associations Band Together to Combat Foodborne Disease and Death
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, reflects on his work in the state of Maine as he readies for his next job as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's number two in charge; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, tells the Washington Post he thinks an annual COVID-19 vaccine is more likely to be accepted by the public than more frequent shots; and Dr. Esther Muna, CEO for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Northern Mariana Islands, says the new Medicaid law will allow people to avoid traveling thousands of miles to get treatment. Maine Public Radio Webpage: Dr. Nirav Shah prepares to leave Maine CDC for top federal post—and answers your public health questions FDA Webpage: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee January 26, 2023 Meeting Announcement ASTHO Blog Article: Bringing the U.S. Territories Closer to Medicaid Equity ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President, will leave his job as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to take the number two position at the CDC; Joya Coffman, ASTHO Senior Advisor for Performance Improvement and Change Management, says equity in racial healing and reconciliation is a top priority at ASTHO; ASTHO's CEO Mike Fraser and Senior Vice President Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge hope the new year will bring more racial healing; and an episode of the Public Health Review podcast details how South Carolina has done thousands of food safety inspections online since the pandemic began in 2020. ASTHO Blog Article: Make 2023 a Year of Racial Healing and Understanding ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review
Join John Williams and Dana Connors with special guests Coleman Lapointe, Senior Strategic Specialist at Bath Iron Works, and Dr. Ryan Wallace, regional economist and director of the Maine Center for Business and Economic Research.
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was incorporated on March 23, 1942. For 80 years, ASTHO has worked to advance public health and create a healthier nation. What has that looked like in the past, and we where are we going in the years ahead? Join ASTHO's leadership panel—including CEO Mike Fraser, President Anne Zink, Past President Nirav Shah, and Idaho Commissioner of Health Elke Shaw-Tulloch - for a discussion on the unique role ASTHO plays in the public health landscape, and how we can seize historic investments in health to create a more equitable future. Guests Mike Fraser, PhD, MS, CAE, FCPP, ASTHO CEO Anne Zink, MD, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health Nirav Shah, MD, JD, ASTHO Past President, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Elke Shaw-Tulloch, MHS, Public Health Administrator, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare Resources About Us | ASTHO Anne Zink, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Alaska Department of Health, Announced as ASTHO's 80th President Thanking Our Public Health Workforce
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, discusses the significance of ASTHO's 80th anniversary; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO's Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reflects on his time as ASTHO's President, which overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic; and changes may be on the way to the WIC food package approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. National WIC Association News Release: Broad Support for USDA Effort to Enhance Access to Healthy Foods for WIC Families ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
This week, the Cate, Esther and Ben dig into election-eve campaign spending and what it may or may not mean, highlight the new “State of Working Maine 2022” report from the Maine Center for Economic Policy, and talk about state efforts to tackle Maine’s affordable housing crisis (as well as landlord pushback against some pretty…
ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser reflects on last week's White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, makes a seasonal vaccine pitch during a recent appearance on a Maine Public Radio call-in show; Jessica Frain, a school mental health consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, explains how Wisconsin education and public health officials are working together to give frontline staff the tools and training to better serve students dealing with mental health challenges; and ASTHO's Public Health Weekly newsletter is a great resource for everything going on in public health. White House Webpage: Biden-Harris Administration National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Maine Public Radio Webpage: Maine CDC director Nirav Shah addresses the state of the pandemic, boosters, flu and more Wisconsin Department of Health Services Webpage: Resilient Wisconsin ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses a letter CEO Mike Fraser sent to the White House this week seeking additional funding to respond to the Monkeypox outbreak; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says the pandemic has prepped his department and others for the Monkeypox outbreak; and ASTHO has a new speakers bureau. ASTHO Webpage: Letter to the White House Requesting Funding For a National Monkeypox Response
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO's President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, commends CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky for wanting to improve the CDC's mission; Rachel Scheckman, an ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst, discusses a new microlearning available to help people with questions about the HIV epidemic in the United States; and an ASTHO blog article explains how Medicaid, WIC, and SNAP programs can be leveraged to address different aspects of hunger and food insecurity. ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO HIV 101 & Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States ASTHO Webpage: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
Jin Woo Chung, senior economist for the Groundwork Collaborative and James Myall, policy analyst for the Maine Center for Economic Policy join host Cate Blackford to discuss rising prices, corporate gouging and what can be done to address it at both the state and national level. Ask a question or leave a comment for a…
Jin Woo Chung, senior economist for the Groundwork Collaborative and James Myall, policy analyst for the Maine Center for Economic Policy join host Cate Blackford to discuss rising prices, corporate
Since 2000, rates of suicide and substance overdose mortality have steadily increased in the United States. A prevailing theory within public health is that substance use disorder and suicide are both “deaths of despair” and a way to cope with socioeconomic infrastructure challenges, such as poverty, lack of social connection, housing instability, and discrimination—issues which have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a method of preventing suicide and substance use disorder, states turn to addressing upstream factors like creating healthy communities where individuals feel they matter. In this podcast episode, Sheila Nelson, a program manager for adolescent health and injury prevention at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Kini-Ana Tinkham, the executive director of the Maine Resilience Building Network, discuss how they are working in their communities to set youth up to thrive. Using behavioral health data from the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS), they are collaborating on a Cultivating Mattering for Maine Youth Initiative where they build resilience, incorporate youth voices, and support communities in their suicide and substance use prevention efforts. Guests: Sheila Nelson, Program Manager, Adolescent Health and Injury Prevention, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Kini-Ana Tinkham, Executive Director, Maine Resilience Building Network Resources: Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey Maine Resilience Building Network
Susan Laird, a health communication specialist with the CDC, discusses the need to use more inclusive communication when working with individuals or groups; Sheila Nelson, Program Manager for Adolescent Health and Injury Prevention with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, details a plan to reduce suicide and overdose by letting young people know they matter; a new ASTHO brief outlines an effort with the CDC that will help people living with disabilities during emergencies; and ASTHO offers a summary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act approved by the U.S. Senate late last week. CDC Webpage: Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication ASTHO Brief: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance ASTHO Legislative Alert: Senate Approves Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Tamyra Porter, a partner at Guidehouse Consulting, explains a project to improve disease surveillance; Sara Robinson, an epidemiologist working for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spends a lot of time warning people about the dangers of ticks; and ASTHO announces several new sponsors for next week's Public Health TechXpo – SAS Institute, OpiSafe, Color Health, STC Health, and MicKinsey and Company. Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Vectorborne School Curricula ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo TechXpo Sponsor: Guidehouse Consulting TechXpo Sponsor: SAS Institute TechXpo Sponsor: OpiSafe TechXpo Sponsor: Color Health TechXpo Sponsor: STC Health TechXpo Sponsor: McKinsey and Company
James Myall of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins the podcast to discuss the current debate in the State House over how much should be sent out in one-time
James Myall of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins the podcast to discuss the current debate in the State House over how much should be sent out in one-time checks and which Mainers should receive them. Cate, Esther and Mike provide an update on the last days of the Maine legislative session and what…
Sarah Austin of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins the podcast this week to discuss what’s in the state budget, what’s out and what decisions are still being made. Also: Some bad news for fans of housing reform and health care inclusion. Plus: the ballots are set for this year’s elections and some interesting…
Sarah Austin of the Maine Center for Economic Policy joins the podcast this week to discuss what’s in the state budget, what’s out and what decisions are still being made.