CBS 13 News (Portland, Maine)
Dry, windy conditions bring fire danger to Maine
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- Dry, windy conditions bring fire danger to Maine
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has an update on the warmth and windy conditions expected today, as well as the very warm Friday forecast.
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- Ask the I-Team: Helping asylum seekers enter the workforce in Maine
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- In recent months, there has been a large influx of asylum seekers making their way to Maine.
They have struggled to find housing. They also have to wait six months before they can enter the workforce.
Jeff asked the CBS13 I-Team:
"Do they have programs available to help train these individuals while they wait to be able to work? Will they be ready to enter the workforce once they're legally able to?"
Under federal law, those seeking asylum in the United States have to wait six months before being able to work here.
While some lawmakers are debating lowering that wait, in the meantime, there are numerous organizations giving asylum seekers the skills they need to be ready once they can work.
STORY: https://bit.ly/41fy8uO
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- Only asylum seeking families allowed into Portland Expo
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Hundreds of asylum seekers are moving into the Portland Expo on Monday. City leaders expect the temporary shelter to fill up right away.
When the interim city manager told the city council about the plan late last month, she specifically said this space would be set up for individuals and families, but when people arrived on Monday that was no longer the case.
Kristen Dow, the director of Portland Department of Health and Human Services, says because there are so many asylum seekers in the city, they had to change the plan and now individuals can’t stay there.
There are enough beds inside for 300 people.
The city says they need your help. They're asking for monetary donations and volunteers.
STORY: https://bit.ly/40X23s4
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- Sunday Headlines
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Sunday Headlines: Officials say brush fire season spread flames in Pownal fire. Plus, the Portland Expo preps to house asylum seekers Monday.
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- A warming trend expected this week. It will be cooler some days near the coast due a sea breeze.
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- A warming trend expected this week. It will be cooler some days near the coast due a sea breeze. How does a sea breeze it form? Find out!
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- Saturday Headlines
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Saturday Headlines: Family of victim in Turner fatal crash calling for change. Plus, Augusta man who allegedly stole cop car found incompetent for trial.
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- Once thriving Sanford mill getting redeveloped into new apartments
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- The city of Sanford is looking to revive a once thriving mill.
The Sanford Mills once covered 7 and a half acres along the Mousam River. The twin Stenton Trust Mill buildings, closed in 1955.
And some in Sanford say it’s been an eyesore ever since.
But now, there are plans to redevelop the one building still standing at the old Stenton Trust mill.
Developers plan to build 90 new and affordable one, two and three-bedroom apartments on the upper four floors of the mill.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3ZOZjvo
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- Good Day Maine: Friday Favorites
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Time to break out the shorts in Maine? 🩳 Join the Good Day Maine team for a look at your Easter weekend forecast & the warmer weather heading our way. Plus, chat with us about a plan to turn a church into apartments and other interesting stories of the week.
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- Maine's most exclusive restaurant just got more expensive
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- If now costs $250 for dinner at The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, ME. Our partners at the BDN crunched the numbers and found that's a 163% increase since 2016, which is before the upscale eatery became famous with a television show.
The $250 will get you a 5-hour, multi-course meal, however it doesn't include drinks, tax or a tip.
The restaurant opened in 2014. You can only get a reservation by sending in a postcard request. Postcards are pulled at random starting this month.
Full story here: https://wgme.com/news/local/dinner-at-maines-the-lost-kitchen-now-costs-250-per-person-postcard-reservation-details-erin-french-freedom-maine-10th-season-popular-restaurant-postcard-bookings
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- A cool Easter weekend but when will you be able to break out the summer attire? Here's the details!
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- We are tracking the warmest temperatures of the season that could break some records next week.
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- As Maine communities see higher costs for asylum seekers, Sen. Susan Collins pushes for reform
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- As more asylum seekers arrive in Maine, communities are left bearing a lot of new expenses. Since the start of the year, nearly 1,000 people have landed in Portland alone.
With more people coming to the state, that increases costs for things like schools and general assistance.
This is impacting communities like Saco, Brunswick, and especially Portland.
Portland officials are preparing to open the Portland Expo next Monday for asylum-seeking individuals and families.
In 2019, it reportedly cost $400,000 for the emergency shelter alone.
“Is there any kind of federal assistance that might help these communities with those costs?” CBS13 reporter Mal Meyer asked.
“There has been some federal assistance but by and large, the costs fall on the local municipality, and that's why I’m very eager to find a solution,” Maine Senator Susan Collins replied.
Maine Senator Susan Collins sees a way to a...
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- A video game used by kids prone to anger helps them learn to manage emotions
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Children who are irritable or prone to anger and outbursts may have what's known as "disruptive mood dysregulation disorder."
Not surprising, psychologists say, with all the stress that can make kids anxious.
But there's a video game being used by kids across the country to teach them to control their emotions.
STORY: https://bit.ly/40LSzzL
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- Rain showers south with an icy mix expected inland tonight!
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Rain showers south with an icy mix expected inland tonight!
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- 'Most important step': English classes offer fresh start for new Mainers
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Adult education courses that teach English are helping asylum seekers to thrive in Maine.
Kelli Park is one of the English instructors at Merrymeeting Adult Education. Her students say learning English is one of their top priorities to build a new life in Maine.
Through a translator, Guylain Lounangou said, "Once I learn English, I’ll have my foot in the door for many opportunities."
Beginner English Language Learner classes start with the fundamentals. More advanced students learn college level writing and critical thinking.
About 100 students are enrolled in Merrymeeting Adult Education English Language Learner classes, but with all the asylum seekers moving to the Midcoast, they expect that number to triple next year.
Merrymeeting Adult Education offers English and other academic classes at no charge in Topsham, Brunswick, and Bath.
They offer both in-person and remote classes.
STORY: https:...
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- Maine organizations prepare to open temporary shelter at Portland Expo for asylum seekers
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Asylum seekers continue to arrive in Maine. Just since the start of the year, nearly 1,000 people arrived in Portland alone, according to the city.
City staff are preparing to open the Portland Expo next Monday. It’s going to be an overnight shelter for asylum seeking individuals and families.
Some organizations say they will try to help but their hands are already full.
The Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition helped when the Expo was first used as a shelter in 2019. A lot has changed since then.
STORY: https://bit.ly/40KvE7P
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- 'We are at rock bottom': Maine in desperate need of deputies, corrections officers
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- There is a critical shortage of sheriff's deputies and corrections officers in Maine.
Even with higher pay and better benefits, sheriff's departments across the state are struggling to find people willing to work in law enforcement.
With 72 current openings for corrections officers, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce says he had no choice but to close half the jail.
Jail staff is currently down to 40 percent.
Of the 10 jail pods, five are no longer used, including all of Block C.
The capacity of the Cumberland County Jail is 570 inmates, because of the shortage of corrections officers, it's currently down to 220.
Maine State Police and Portland police say only people accused of violent crimes, for the most part, are locked up.
Statewide, 14 of Maine’s 16 counties have job openings for corrections officers, sheriff's deputies, or both.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3Mg6IR5
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- Ask the I-Team: Who's paying for the anti-Pine Tree Power commercials?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- There is a political ad circulating the airwaves about the controversial push to create a consumer-owned utility in Maine.
Jen asked the CBS13 I-Team: “Who is paying for these anti-Pine Tree Power commercials and how much are they paying for them?”
One of the ads states it is paid for by Maine Affordable Energy, a coalition which opposes a consumer-owned utility.
But who funds Maine Affordable Energy?
The Maine Ethics Commission keeps track of the political ads and according to financial disclosures, Avangrid is named as their top donor.
Avangrid is the parent company of Central Maine Power.
According to financial disclosures, Maine Affordable Energy has already spent almost $10.5 million this campaign period.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3ZB6nLT
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- Icy conditions Wednesday evening
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has a look at the forecast for some icy precipitation Wednesday, and an early look at the Easter forecast.
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- Quick thinking mail carrier stops kitchen fire from getting worse
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Westbrook firefighters say a mail carrier was delivering mail Wednesday on Spring Street when she heard a smoke alarm going off inside the home.
She knocked but got no response.
Glad Kombo lives at the Spring Street home with family and was cooking food on the stove when he left to help out a friend.
"I completely forgot that I left something on fire. Then I went about my day," said Kombo.
After no one answered the door the mail carrier called 911.
Firefighters say they arrived three minutes later to the smell of smoke and an alarm going off.
Once inside they found a pot of food on the stove.
"There was flames and fire coming out of the pot. But they anticipated it would have spread much into the building if they didn't extinguish it immediately," said the Westbrook Deputy Fire Chief Brian Langerman.
After Kombo got the call about the fire he rushed home.
"There was a lo...
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- Monmouth Memorial School robotics students heading to Dallas
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Students at Monmouth Memorial School are heading to Dallas later this month for the Vex Robotics World Championship.
The students already took home several awards at the Maine state championship in February.
In the video above, CBS13 photojournalist Monty Orrick shows us the relationship these kids have with robotics and their mentor.
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- Sunday Headlines
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Sunday Headlines: Concussion protocol bill looks to protect young student-athletes. Plus, a Maine astronaut could be selected to take a trip around the moon
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- Downpour possible tonight, sunny & windy on Sunday!
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Downpour possible tonight, sunny & windy on Sunday!
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- Saturday Headlines
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Saturday Headlines: Lewiston ban on unhoused sleeping in public goes into effect. Plus, a group of neo-Nazi's were spotted marching through Portland.
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- Friday Favorites
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Weigh in with the Good Day Maine crew about some of the more interesting stories of the week and a look ahead to your weekend weather forecast.
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- Snow, rain and storms all within 24 hours. Here's the details.
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Snow, rain and storms all within 24 hours. Here's the details.
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- Rescued seals return home to the wild from beach in Maine
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
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- Two seals are back in their natural habitat today.
The Marine Mammals of Maine released the seals named Breaker and Titan at a beach in Phippsburg. The organization says the seals overcame "significant challenges” before their release on 3/30. Beaker has doubled his weight since his rescue on Cape Cod in January, and Titan recovered from a bone fracture in his flipper. Titan was rescued from Criehaven Island, ME in January.
www.wgme.com
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- 'A risky move..' USM Poli Sci Prof. talks political perceptions of ex-President Trump’s indictment.
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- USM professor breaks down political perceptions of Trump indictment
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- USM Political Science Professor Ron Schmidt spoke with CBS13 about the political perceptions of former President Donald Trump’s indictment.
He says Trump and Republicans claim the district attorney is going after Trump as a political enemy, while Democrats have claimed the DA has been slow and cautious, showing intent to minimize the politics.
"I think I would go between those two,” Schmidt said. “I would say that he has been very hesitant, and I can imagine very political reasons for doing that. To be the first prosecutor to go after, or to indict a former president, is a risky move for someone holding an elected office. He decided not to indict in a previous case, and a couple of prosecutors quit over that. So I think he was reluctant to do this. The fact that he's doing it now, then, maybe has a little more weight."
http://bit.ly/3nzQvfo
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- Maine lobster lotion skincare: New cream being used to fight eczema
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Forget lobster rolls. How about lobster lotion? A Maine-based skincare company is creating a one-of-a-kind cream using a protein found in lobster.
It all started when Patrick Breeding and Amber Boutiette were bio-engineering undergrads at UMaine Orono. Amber was struggling with debilitating eczema.
"I was one of those people who tried everything, from steroids to bland moisturizers that don't really do anything," said Boutiette. "Nothing was really helping my condition and I was pretty much just living with it."
That is, until they learned about marine glycoproteins, which allow lobsters to regenerate limbs.
"In the same way they do that, we thought through the literature and some anecdotal evidence, it could help repair the skin barrier," said Breeding.
They created a basic prototype with the proteins and Vaseline and were shocked by the results.
"Within about two days I started to see a different. And after...
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- Sen. Collins calls for U.S. to allow asylum seekers to get work permits sooner
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) -- Maine Senator Susan Collins called for looser restrictions for asylum seekers looking to get work permits during her questioning of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Wednesday.
This comes as about 900 asylum seekers have arrived in Portland since the beginning of the year.
Collins referred to a story out of Freeport, where restaurant and hotel owners wanted to hire asylum seekers eager to work and staying in a nearby hotel.
"So, if we allowed asylum seekers to work after a one month vetting period, as long as they entered through a legal port of entry, one month would give us time to do an initial background check, to make sure they weren't on the terrorist watch list, for example, and to verify their identities," Collins said. "Why couldn't we change the law and have a win-win situation here?"
Mayorkas said he looked forward to working with Collins on a bipartisan bill to reduce the waiting period from...
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- Boothbay Harbor Police Department could soon be down to just 2 employees
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- There are currently at least 40,000 job openings posted online across Maine.
It seems just about every industry is hiring, from businesses and schools to cities and towns.
That includes first responders, firefighters, EMTs and law enforcement officers.
The Maine Criminal Justice Academy says right now, 25 Maine police departments are severely short-staffed. Boothbay Harbor is one of them.
At full staff, Boothbay Harbor has a police chief, a sergeant and five officers.
In a few weeks, the town will be down to just the chief and one officer.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3Kin7Do
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- Portland, Maine houses sinking, residents hope for solution
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Some Portland homes are sinking and costing owners tens of thousands of dollars.
A resident on Brighton Avenue reached out to CBS13 in the hopes of drawing attention to the issue.
STORY: https://bit.ly/40ArJdW
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- Maine family gives back to industry, school that means so much to them
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- SOUTH PORTLAND (WGME) -- A Maine family is giving back to an industry and school that has meant so much to them.
Mainer Sean Riley is the CEO of Maine Course Hospitality Group, and to say he loves his job would be an understatement.
"It's not easy for me,” Riley said. “I still plunge toilets as a CEO. Not a lot, and I can still fold a towel."
Riley, whose son went to SMCC, has been a part of the school’s fabric for years, working on several different committees and advisory boards, but this past December, he and his family had an idea.
"We wanted to do a little bit more, and SMCC was kind of the place where we wanted to spend some of our time and money," Riley said.
So the Riley family created an endowment and established an annual scholarship fund for SMCC students enrolled in the hospitality management program.
"It gives someone local a chance to get in, and you don't need to have a huge investment in...
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- With shelters full, Maine seeks long term housing solution for asylum seekers
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Portland is at the center of an asylum seeker crisis in Maine where housing is in desperately short supply, and it can take months for an apartment to open up.
Senator Susan Collins is urging Homeland Security to stop sending asylum seekers to Maine if they don't have a verified destination address.
More than 900 asylum seekers have arrived in Portland since the first of the year after crossing the southern border.
In a letter to the head of Homeland Security, Collins says many were provided transportation to Maine even though shelters and many services are at capacity.
Collins says Maine communities are doing their part to help asylum seekers in need but says the surge of new Mainers has strained communities far beyond their capacity.
Asylum seekers say they're being told Maine is a safe place to live, but they're not being told about the state's housing crisis when they are bussed here.
STORY: https://bit.l...
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- Chipotle to pay nearly $250,000 settlement to former employees of closed Augusta, Maine location
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A Chipotle location in Augusta closed last summer in the middle of a union organizing drive. The company blamed staffing challenges for the closure.
However, employees claimed it was retaliation and that they were effectively blacklisted from working at other stores.
The workers at the Augusta store say this is a win for all Chipotle employees.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3lNp8hr
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- Can security deposits be increased alongside rent in Maine?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- When you rent a place to live, you're typically required to hand over some money up front, including a security deposit.
Many landlords require it to protect against unpaid rent or any damage to the unit and state law does limit the amount.
Maud asked the CBS13 I-Team:
“Can a landlord increase your security deposit when they increase your rent? For example, I got a letter that my rent will increase by $100 a month starting April 1 and also a onetime payment of $100 are due at the same time for my security deposit to match my increased rent amount. Is this legal?"
Turns out, Maine’s statutes on security deposits don't directly address this.
The law does specify it can't be any more than two months’ rent. So, if rent is $1,000 a month, the security deposit can't be higher than $2,000.
And in the city of Portland, it's restricted to one month's rent.
Pine Tree Legal says there is a distinction...
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- 'Winner:' Youngest surviving baby ever born in Maine now living at home with family
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) – A Maine baby born at just 22 weeks is now living at home with her family.
Her name is Winner.
She weighed just one pound, two ounces when she came into the world at Maine Medical Center in July.
MaineHealth says she is reportedly the youngest survivor ever born in the state.
Medical professionals credited technological advancements for Winner being able to survive.
The NICU team at Maine Medical Center, including 140 nurses, decreased stimulation in the room to give Winner a comfortable environment.
MaineHealth says Winner will continue to need specialized care, but they say they're excited to see her grow up with her loving parents by her side.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3lMpyVj
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- The rise of esports in Maine
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- While baseball, softball, track, and lacrosse get going outside in Maine, there's another high school sport going on right now that’s played inside and is taking the state by storm.
Get your controllers ready, because electronic sports or more widely known as esports has now become the fastest growing sport at high schools across the country.
Behind the walls of Cape Elizabeth High School. Students do more than just enjoy their favorite hobby. They play video games to compete for their school.
The league the Capers play in consists of around 30 teams. It's sanctioned by the Maine Principal's Association, and besides cheering, it's the only sport that's co-ed. It also has two seasons, the fall and spring.
Players compete in three games during tournaments that vary from one on one to three on three. Schools even play for a state title.
Jason Lund is the coach. He started the program at Cape Elizabeth in 2019 and loves tha...
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- Sunday Headlines
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Sunday Headlines: Driver and homeowner are dead after car hits home. Plus, Montville man who escaped police is back in custody.
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- Rain, mix and snow falling across the state. Details on when it will move out!
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Rain, mix and snow falling across the state. Details on when it will move out!
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- Saturday Headlines
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Saturday Headlines: Man on the run from police on the mid-coast and major upgrades coming to Maine's broadband internet.
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- Snow develops tomorrow evening! How much? Lets talk.
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Snow develops tomorrow evening! How much? Lets talk.
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- Maine groups work together to put waste to good use
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Ecomaine, USM and several other groups are working together to turn waste into prototypes with a $3,000 cash prize for the winner.
Chief Photojournalist Mike Hartford takes a closer look.
For more stories like this, visit wgme.com.
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- The TSA has weighed in, but we're not so sure. 🤔 Is peanut butter a liquid or a solid?
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
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- Friday Favorites
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Chat with the Good Day Maine crew to get the latest on the weekend storm, and we want to hear from you on some of the most impactful stories of the week.
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- As some electric car makers ditch AM radios, concerns grow from emergency officials
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- It's a battle between old technology and the future of electric cars as a number of auto makers remove AM radios from their EV models.
AM radio has been around for more than a century, but EV makers like Tesla and Ford claim the technology in their cars can interfere with AM signals, which is why they've removed AM radio receivers.
The auto makers say they're including new streaming options in their cars so drivers can access AM radio stations from their phones, but that technology may not work during an emergency, which has lead to concerns.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3TCQhQN
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- Mainers will be able to see five planets in the sky next week
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- PORTLAND (WGME) - Experts say more than half of the planets in the solar system will be visible in the sky from Saturday to Thursday.
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus will create a semi-circle in the sky.
Elizabeth Bates-Torrey is a student at the University of Southern Maine and works at the university's Southworth Planetarium.
She's counting down the days to see the planetary alignments.
"I've never seen it before, so it definitely will be my first time, so I'm very excited," Bates-Torrey said.
Working at the planetarium has sparked her interest in planets.
"It's definitely more exciting that I work at the planetarium, so I kind of learn a little bit more about the night sky," Bates-Torrey said.
Planetarium Director Edward Herrick-Gleason says the night sky will be the best time to view the planets.
"If you want to try to see all five, you want to go out soon after dark aro...
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- Spring snow this weekend
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Meteorologist Christian Bridges has an update on today's rain, and the snow on the way Saturday night.
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- New homeless shelter opens in Portland, Maine, Oxford Street Shelter to close permanently
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- A brand new homeless shelter opened its doors in Portland Wednesday.
The new “Homeless Services Center” has been years in the making.
The center is on Riverside Street in the Riverton neighborhood.
The Oxford Street Shelter will permanently close.
At this new location, adults will get actual beds with outlets and fresh meals.
Plus, people will get help with housing, health care, dental issues and assistance finding supports for other needs.
There's room for 208 people, though city leaders know there are more people in need out there. That includes a large influx of asylum seekers since the start of the year.
People will start moving into the Homeless Services Center early next week.
STORY: https://bit.ly/3FLkeby
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- New turnpike exit in Saco expected to be done in 2025, cost $42 million
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Two and a half years from now, a second turnpike exit will open in Saco.
The new Exit 35, now under construction, will cost $42 million.
With so much traffic and growth west of Saco, the new exit will make the morning commute far less congested.
Right now, as many as 20,000 people a day drive on a stretch of Route 112 in Saco.
STORY: https://bit.ly/408MGwb
