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1 in 5 U.S. voters is a caregiver, providing $600 billion in unpaid labor annually, according to AARP.(Adobe Stock)

Online resource guide helps Mainers prepare for upcoming elections

A new online resource guide is available to help Mainers prepare for the upcoming presidential election. It includes key dates for voter …

The vast majority of poll workers in Maine are women, college-educated and are retired, according to a survey by the Scholars Strategy Network. (Adobe Stock)

ME poll workers get closeup view of 'democracy in action'

Maine election officials are encouraging registered voters to sign up as poll workers ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. While some poll worker …

Nearly 50% of Mainers age 12�17 who have depression did not receive any care in the last year, according to NAMI Maine. Mental health care advocates say listing the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on student I.D�s could help. (Adobe Stock) <br />

ME groups boost awareness of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline services

A monthly telecom surcharge could generate significant funding for Maine's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, according to a new report. The mental …

Studies show volunteering can significantly improve mental and physical health, life satisfaction and self-esteem and decrease depressive symptoms. (Adobe Stock)

Andrus Award honors older volunteers enriching ME communities

AARP Maine is seeking nominations for its 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service. The award honors individuals or couples over age fifty, who …

Majorities of Americans expressed confidence in higher education in 2015, but by 2018, confidence had fallen across all groups, including a 17% drop among Republicans, according to Gallup. (Adobe Stock)

Maine’s Colby College counters higher ed mistrust with community outreach

Americans' confidence in higher education has plummeted but students and staff at Maine's Colby College hope continued community outreach will help br…

Members of the Sunrise Movement in Franklin County, Maine, advocate for a Green New Deal. The Fifth National Climate Assessment showed greenhouse gas emissions in the United States fell 12% from 2005 to 2019 but will need to decrease 6% annually to meet international climate goals. <br />

Young activists call on Biden administration to declare climate emergency

Young activists are pressuring President Joe Biden to declare a climate emergency and use the additional powers to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions…

Respite for ME Grants, funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, provide caregivers up to $5,171 to access needed services and can be accessed through the state's five Area Agencies on Aging. (Adobe Stock)

Unpaid caregivers in ME receive limited financial grants

Advocates for unpaid family caregivers in Maine say they'll need continued support beyond the recently passed paid family and medical leave program…

Maine's four-year climate plan aims to decrease the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050, and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. (Adobe Stock)

ME towns share plans, resources to build climate resilience

Community groups across Maine are helping small towns with fewer resources better prepare for the growing threat of climate change. They are …

Maine had one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country for the 2022 midterm elections with 73% of registered voters taking part. (Adobe Stock)

State Officials Warn of Threats Ahead of 2024 Election

Election officials nationwide are urging Congress to provide the funding needed to ensure a safe and secure 20-24 election. They've asked for at …

Research has shown that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older and could help counter America's newest public health epidemic, loneliness.<br />(Adobe Stock)

Andrus Award Honors Older Volunteers Helping ME Communities

AARP is seeking nominations for its 2023 Andrus Award for Community Service, which celebrates those individuals over age 50 who share their …

3,514 men and one woman have won the Medal of Honor in service of their country from the Civil War to the present day. 19 have won it twice. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Plans for National Medal of Honor Monument Progress in Washington, D.C.

Congress is moving forward with plans to build a National Medal of Honor Monument in Washington, D.C. - honoring the 3,600 Americans who have earned …

The 2021 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey found the number of Maine high school students who identify as transgender <a href=

more than doubled from 2019 to 2021. (Adobe Stock)">

Intergenerational Groups Strengthen Maine’s LGBTQ Community

Intergenerational connections can be powerful tools to help improve overall quality of life for both young and old. It can be especially true in the …

An average hotel room costs municipalities roughly $240 per night for one family and with families often scattered at various locations, social services can be difficult to administer. Transitional housing units would alleviate both costs and service gaps. (Adobe Stock)

More Transitional Housing Needed for Increased Asylum Seekers in Maine

The growing number of asylum-seekers in Maine has spurred cities and towns to join forces and build more transitional housing for families in need…

About 67% of firefighters in the United States are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council. (Adobe Stock)

Volunteer Firefighter Shortage Spurs ME Departments into Action

If you dial 911, it is more than likely a volunteer firefighter will respond to your emergency, but in Maine, there are not enough volunteers for …

Different municipalities may have different rules about accessory dwelling units, sometimes known as

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. Types of projects …

Research from the Mayo Clinic Health Center shows volunteering can lead to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people age 65 and up. (Mediteraneo/Adobe Stock)

Volunteering in Retirement Brings Mental, Physical Benefits

Many nonprofits and advocacy groups across Maine, and the nation, have seen fewer volunteers during the pandemic, but research shows donating your …

The Build America's Libraries Act, introduced in Congress last month, would upgrade state and tribal library infrastructure. (Tyler Olson/Adobe Stock)

Public Libraries: Funding "Critical" to Provide Community Services

MILLINOCKET, Maine -- Local libraries have adapted to offer critical services during the pandemic, from deploying mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to teaching …

The Maine Broadband Coalition says it's working to ensure that broadband speeds in rural areas of the state are comparable to speeds in urban areas. (Pxhere)

Crowd-Sourced Internet Speed Test Highlights Coverage Gaps

AUGUSTA, Maine - With so many people learning and working from home in the pandemic, the Maine Broadband Coalition is conducting a crowd-sourced …

Maine has seen a 41.5% drop in opioid prescriptions since 2013. (Tech. Sgt. Mark R.W. Orders-Woempner/U.S. Air Force)

Maine Hosts Opioid Response Summit to Address Ongoing Crisis

AUGUSTA, Maine — Experts from across the country are in Maine today for the state's first Opioid Response Summit. Gov. Janet Mills will be …

It was just last November when political signs dotted every Maine roadway. They'll soon be back, as the 2020 campaign season heats up. (Kevin Bowe)

Maine House Speaker Sara Gideon to Challenge Sen. Collins

AUGUSTA, Maine — After 22 years in office, Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins is no longer representing the interests of Maine residents…

If it weren't for immigrants, Maine's population would be declining. (Paul VanDerWerf/Flickr)

Maine Bills Aim to Ease Immigration Work Barriers

PORTLAND, Maine – Sponsors of several bills in the Maine Legislature are trying to help immigrants work in the state, in an effort to ease the …

Maine's North Woods, the largest undeveloped forest in the Eastern U.S., could be affected by proposed changes to a state zoning law. (ThomasRobertKelley/Wikimedia Commons)

Changes to Maine Zoning Law Could Affect Jobs, Forests

BREWER, Maine — Proposed zoning law changes could dramatically impact rural areas of Maine, including the state's vast forestland. A public …

The rate of homelessness in Maine falls in line with the national average. (Max Pixel/Creative Commons)

New England Research Ties Homelessness to Rental Housing Costs

PORTLAND, Maine — New research shows that while homelessness in the United States may be down overall, it's still rising in the most expensive …

Extreme weather in 2017 caused a half-trillion dollars in damage across the United States. (paulbr75/Pixabay)

Report: Climate Change Drove Extreme Weather in 2017

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Catastrophic hurricanes, severe flooding and raging wildfires fueled by drought have been prominent features of an eventful year …

Responding to the recent violence in Charlottesville, Va., Mainers turned out Sunday to take a stand against racism and white supremacy. (Maine People's Alliance)

Mainers Take Stand Against Racism and Hate

PORTLAND, Maine -- Mainers took a stand against racism and white supremacy on Sunday, gathering in Payson Park in Portland on Sunday, to mourn the …

Dr. Tony Owens will be one of the more than 50 Mainers taking a polar plunge at East End Beach on Saturday to call attention to the need for action on climate change. (Natural Resources Council of Maine)

More than 200 Mainers Set to Take Polar Bear Plunge

PORTLAND, Maine - With temperatures forecast to be in the mid to upper 20s, a group of dedicated Mainers will be taking a plunge into the Atlantic on …

Consumer advocates advise people to do their research on charities before making an end-of-year donation. (L.Tong/GooglePlus)

Don't Be Fooled with a "Sound-Alike" in Year-End Charitable Donations

AUGUSTA, Maine -- There are precious few days left to make a charitable donation for 2016, and consumer advocates suggest you take a moment to check …

There are concerns in the hunger-fighting community that a

Hoping "Trump Effect" Doesn't Divide Those Fighting to End Hunger

AUGUSTA, Maine — The number of hungry people in New England has declined in recent years, but their local advocates are concerned about the …

Voting-Rights Advocates Hope Presidential Debate Primed the Pump

AUGUSTA, Maine – Local voting-rights advocates are hoping the first presidential debate primed the pump to get more Mainers registered to vote…

Local union and social-justice advocates say important questions linger about Gov. Paul LePage's plan to use a private contractor to administer a Maine job-training program. (MSEA)

Reactions to LePage Plans to Privatize Maine Job-Training Program

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage has said he doesn't understand all the hoopla, but questions remain about his plan to contract with an out-of-…

Maine farmers were busy this weekend, with a tractor parade in Augusta to help fight hunger. Maine has the most farms in New England, but is also tops in food insecurity. (NightThree/Wikimedia Commons)

Maine: First in Farms, and Food Insecurity, in New England

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Maine farmers stepped up to help fight hunger this weekend with a parade from the Augusta Food Bank to the State Capitol. There …

First-time offenders caught with small amounts of drugs like cocaine and heroin will no longer face felony charges in Maine. (Credit: Drug Enforcement Administration)

Compromise Averts Felony Charges for First-time Maine Drug Offenders

AUGUSTA, Maine - Starting next month, Mainers who would have faced felony charges for possession of small amounts of drugs will instead receive a …

Mainers gave feedback in Millinocket and at the University of Maine in Orono on Monday about the proposed North Woods National Monument (Mark Picard)

Mainers Give Feedback on Proposed North Woods National Monument

AUGUSTA, Maine - The director of the National Park Service was in Maine on Monday to gather public input on the proposed North Woods National …

Local letter carriers are hoping Mainers can outperform themselves again on Saturday in the nation's largest one-day annual food drive. (National Association of Letter Carriers)

Maine's On a Roll – Helping to Stamp Out Hunger

AUGUSTA, Maine – Stamp Out Hunger is the nation's largest one-day, charitable food drive, and coming up on Saturday, local letter carriers are …

Mainers are urged this week to get their kids outside by getting them to forego the seven hours a day most kids spend watching TVs or computer screens. (Mike Clifford)

Mainers Encouraged to Turn Off the TV: It's Screen-Free Week

AUGUSTA, Maine - With all the smartphones, tablets, computers and video games around, it's easy to forget that there is life beyond a screen…

Building robots is part of the work one might find at a library's makerspace. (L.D. Moore)

Building Robots During National Library Week in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine – Most of us have heard of Transformers, and now libraries are transforming so that Mainers can spend their time building robots…

State lawmakers are expected to take a vote this week on a measure that supporters say is crucial to ensuring Maine's solar industry does not die on the vine. (Insource Renewables)

Pivotal Week for Future of Maine Solar

AUGUSTA, Maine - Lawmakers are expected to take a vote early this week on an act to modernize the state's solar policy, and supporters say passage is …

A University of Maine professor says families don't have to spend money on videos to introduce babies and young children to reading. It's as simple as sitting down with them daily to enjoy a book. (Ldorfman)

Maine Expert: No Need for Videos to Help Babies Learn

AUGUSTA, Maine - New England children's advocates say a video learning series is back at it again, making "unfounded claims" about infants' ability …

December is among the top three months for first-time alcohol use among teens and local experts say New England states such as Maine are where kids are more likely to be taking a drink. (Mike Clifford)

Holidays Prime Time for First-Time Teen Alcohol Use in Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine - We all love a bit of good cheer, but December and the holidays also are prime time for teens to experiment with drugs and alcohol…

Advocates for foster children in Maine say programs like this youth leadership training session show the state is moving in the right direction to help make life in foster care more normal. Credit: Penthea Burns

Report: Maine Heading Foster Children in Right Direction

AUGUSTA, Maine – States can help foster children to thrive by knocking down a few barriers, according to a new Annie E. Casey Foundation report…

It is World Suicide Prevention Day, and training sessions like this one in Brunswick held by NAMI Maine help people identify the warning signs of suicide and take action. Courtesy: NAMI Maine

World Suicide Prevention Day: Maine in Top Ten States at Risk for Suicide

AUGUSTA, Maine - Reaching out and saving lives. That's the theme of World Suicide Prevention Day today, and advocates say Mainers need to pay …

PHOTO: A revitalized downtown and Mill District of Biddeford is one of the success stories in a new report that says Maine's nonprofit organizations contribute an estimated $10 billion to the state's economy. Photo credit: Tomasso/Wikimedia Commons

Nonprofits Profit Maine; Just Ask Biddeford

BIDDEFORD, Maine - Maine's nonprofits profit Maine. That's the takeaway from a biennial report on the status of the nonprofit sector in the Pine …

PHOTO: The Maine Community Foundation, which has lent helping hands to almost every nonprofit organization in the state, will be 32 years old next year. It is commemorating the 100th anniversary of America�s first community foundation. Photo credit: Artotem/Flickr.

100 Years of Giving, 31 and Counting in Maine

ELLSWORTH, Maine - America is commemorating the 100th anniversary of the first community foundation, begun in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. Locally…

PHOTO: The Holmes Family of Misty Brook Farm, a Buy/Protect/Sell Project in Albion, was helped by Maine Community Foundation�s $1 million loan to Maine Farmland Trust. Photo credit: Greta Rybus/Maine Farmland Trust.

Good Deeds Go Unpunished – Maine Group Hailed, In Fact

ELLSWORTH, Maine – The Maine Community Foundation is one of the nation's best at finding ways to build community wealth using new approaches…

GRAPHIC: Public and private efforts to lift Maine�s children out of poverty should take a two-generation approach, according to a new Annie E. Casey KIDS COUNT policy report. Graphic credit: Pixabay.

Report: Maine’s Struggling Young Families Need “Two-Generation” Help

PORTLAND, Maine - Public and private efforts to lift Maine's children out of poverty should take a "two-generation" approach, according to a new …

PHOTO: The proposed 28th Amendment fell short of the 60 U.S. Senate votes needed for passage last week. Voting rights advocates see it as a sign of the extent to which U.S. election fairness has been compromised. Photo courtesy of Library of Congress.

28th Amendment D.O.A.: A Sign of Compromised Elections?

AUGUSTA, Maine – The U.S. Senate debated the so-called Democracy for All Amendment last week – and then voted along party lines to kill …

Maine Leads the Way in Getting Money Out of Politics

AUGUSTA, Maine - People concerned about getting money out of politics in Maine have been keeping an eye on New Hampshire, where the issue has been a …

PHOTO: Art galleries are blossoming in Belfast, Maine, where the Belfast Creative Coalition has benefited from CCED, a state arts grant designed to stimulate local economies through art and culture. Courtesy: BCC.

Art for Maine’s Sake

AUGUSTA, Maine - Can art and artists re-invigorate Maine's economy? They can surely help, according to the overseers of a state grant that is being …

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ME: Community Issues and Volunteering