Podcast: Desmond Meade On Prison, Politics And Preserving Democracy

The executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and the author of "Let My People Vote" joins the Beacon Podcast.

Opponents Say CMP ‘Profiteering' As Mainers' Power Bills Spike

Opponents say Central Maine Power's earnings are proof of corporate profiteering as Mainers are facing rising energy costs.

U.S. House Democrats Send Sweeping Climate, Health And Tax Legislation To Biden

Debate on the bill Friday was part of a brief, one-day session for House members, who now will continue their August recess.

Beacon Podcast: Fairer Taxes, Climate Investment And More Health Care; What The IRA Means For Maine

Hosts discuss the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and its impacts in the state.

Report: Millionaires Didn't Flee When Tax Rates Increased In Certain States

A new study examines two recent events in an effort to determine whether tax flight should be of significant concern to policymakers.

Lawmakers Expanded Dental Coverage But Mainers Are Still Struggling To Find Providers

Nearly 220,000 low-income adults in Maine, became eligible for comprehensive dental coverage through the state’s Medicaid program.

Senate Democrats Pass Landmark Health, Tax And Climate Bill

The 755-page bill was passed after Vice President Kamala Harris broke a 50-50 tie in the evenly divided Senate.

Expanded Good Samaritan Law Increasing Protections At Scene Of Overdose Now In Effect

The updated law protects people from arrest or prosecution for most non-violent crimes and all drug crimes.

Mills Saw Jump In Donors After Supreme Court Ended Right To Abortion

The incumbent governor is averaging about 80 donations per day.

Jackson Praises Federal Drug Pricing Reforms In Inflation Reduction Act

The bill could impact more than a million Medicare recipients.

Podcast: A Grassroots Process To Endorse Candidates For State Legislature

Plus: Beacon hosts discuss what’s in the new Inflation Reduction Act set to be passed by reconciliation in Congress.

Maine Youth Leaders Question Candidates About Abortion, Climate, Housing

Activists held a forum Tuesday for young Mainers to pose questions to elected leaders and those seeking state office.

Maine Communities Work To Become More Age-Friendly

Eleven projects in Maine have been awarded grants from AARP to make communities more livable, especially for older residents.

Collins Unveils Bipartisan Abortion Bill Unlikely To Pass Senate

The bill is a response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

CourtWatch Program Seeks To Gather Data To Reform Maine's Punitive Legal System

CourtWatch leaders will be analyzing data collected during the summer soon and will likely put out a report in mid-September.

Bipartisan Support For Same-Sex Marriage Protections Builds In U.S. Senate

“I think we’re very close,” Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday of efforts to get at least 10 GOP senators on board.

Warning That Abortion Is On November Ballot, Maine Planned Parenthood Endorses Gov. Mills

Mills pledged to block any attempts to curb reproductive health care in Maine.

With Redbank Purchase, Housing Advocates Warn Of Rise Of Corporate Landlords In Maine

Advocates warn that a growing category of landlord has made displacing tenants part of their business model.

Activists Protest Outside Maine Mansion Of Conservative Supreme Court Architect

Leonard Leo is the co-chairman of the Federalist Society who has played a leading role in building the conservative Supreme Court majority.

U.S. House Passes Bill Guaranteeing Contraception Access

The legislation is Democrats’ response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion.

Maine Election Officials Sound Alarm On ‘Independent State Legislature Theory'

The U.S. Supreme Court plans to consider a case which could have major implications on the power of state legislatures to control elections.

Podcast: Pushing For Paid Family And Medical Leave In Maine, One Way Or Another

Beacon hosts also discuss South Portland mayor Deqa Dhalac’s candidacy for state representative and union busting by Chipotle.

MPA, Maine Women's Lobby Launch Ballot Campaign To Create Paid Leave System In Maine

"It’s time for Maine to take action on this issue, as states across the country have already done."

U.S. House On Bipartisan Vote Passes Bill Protecting Right To Same-Sex Marriage

Both Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. House voted Tuesday to enshrine the right to same-sex and interracial marriages in federal law.

Same-Sex Marriage And Contraception At Risk After Abortion Ruling, U.S. House Panel Told

Advocates told Congress that a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a landmark abortion rights case is likely only the beginning.

‘Terrified:' Unchecked Supreme Court May Spell Trouble Ahead For Wabanaki Tribes

Tribal members say the ramifications of the ruling have the potential to upend decades of tribal law and rollback Indigenous protectections.

Wabanaki Sovereignty Bill Sponsored By Rep. Golden Passes U.S. House

The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, received bipartisan support, passing on a 329-101 vote.

Expanded Medicaid Program Restores Health Coverage To Some Immigrants In Maine

Immigrants under 21 and those who are pregnant can now receive health care through the state's Medicaid program.

Maine Group, National Advocates Warn That Billionaires Are Trying To Buy 2022 Election

A new study shows an "alarming" amount of money being spent by billionaires in support of conservative candidates.

Advocates Pan Industry Letter Requesting Delay Of Maine's PFAS Reporting Requirement

A letter to the Mills administration about the 2023 requirement was primarily signed by national industry groups.

Expanded Medicaid Program Restores Health Coverage To Some Immigrants In Maine

Immigrants under 21 and those who are pregnant can now receive health care through the state's Medicaid program.

In Huge Step Forward, Maine Expands Full Dental Care To Over 200,000 People

Gov. Mills and the legislature approved a $45 million investment that will expand MaineCare to cover comprehensive dental benefits.

Podcast: Abortion Is Legal In Maine, But For How Long?

Learn more about the Dobbs decision's impact in Maine, the reactions from elected leaders and candidates, and what comes next.

Maine Climate Activists Condemn Supreme Court Ruling Limiting Power Of EPA

“This case is really about coal companies’ radical agenda to try and save themselves,” said Ania Wright, organizer with Sierra Club Maine.

U.S. HHS Chief Vows To Protect Abortion Access, But Says Much Depends On States

Secretary Xavier Becerra pledged Tuesday to work to preserve abortion access in the aftermath of the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Despite Efforts To Downplay Issue, LePage Has Long History Of Opposing Abortion Rights

Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage this week said "I don’t have time for abortion."

Consumer-Owned Utility Campaign Nearing Signature Goal For November 2023 Ballot

"Our Power" is a grassroots coalition spearheading the consumer-owned utility campaign.

Mainers Rally In Support Of Abortion Rights Following Supreme Court's Roe Decision

Mainers across the state rallied to protest the ruling and speak out in support of reproductive health care.

Podcast: Maine Celebrates Juneteenth, Loses At Supreme Court

Plus: emergency rent control action in South Portland and the Poor People’s March in D.C.

Pingree, Golden Vote For Bill Removing Barriers To Medication-Assisted Recovery

The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act passed the U.S. House on Wednesday.