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This newsletter is sponsored by Coastal Enterprises Inc., Koo & Patricia Yuen, IDEXX, cPort Credit Union, MaineHousing, Maine Health Access Foundation, Hannaford, The Sam L. Cohen Foundation, and DHHS Office MaineCare Services. |
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Welcome to Maine Public News Connect Episode 186 is out today in Portuguese and Spanish, with additional newsletters in French, Arabic and Khmer. View all via the links below, or on Facebook, and mainepublic.org. News Connect is also available on WhatsApp! Click to join for direct access links to weekly episodes. Visit mainepublic.org/connect to sign up for this newsletter, with options in each language, straight to your inbox. Subscribe, and help us spread the news! A big thanks to our sponsors for making this program possible. Today is Friday, January 24, and below are the week's top stories. |
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We are happy to partner with the following community media stations in Maine. News Connect will be broadcast on: Channel 3 in South Portland on Mondays at 8 PM, Tuesdays at 2 AM, Wednesdays at 8 AM, and Thursday sat 2 PM; Channel 22 in Berwick on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 6 PM. Channel 5 in Portland on Fridays at 10 PM, Mondays at 7 AM and 8 PM, Wednesdays at 2 PM, and Thursdays at 3 AM. Channel 1301 in Mt. Blue on Fridays at 5:00 PM and 11 PM EST, Saturday at Noon, and Sunday at 8 AM. |
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Immigration Orders In the first days of his second term, President Donald Trump took several executive actions to restrict immigration. Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border with Mexico, largely shutting down the asylum process, and suspended the federal refugee admissions program. One of the most drastic orders directs federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents to children of non-citizens. This order continues a campaign promise to end so-called “birthright citizenship”, meaning all people born in the U.S. are citizens. Maine and more than 20 other states immediately filed legal challenges to the birthright citizenship order, arguing it violates the constitution. January 6th Rioters Trump also fulfilled a campaign promise to pardon many of those convicted in connection with a deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in 2021, an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. About 1500 people received some form of pardon. That includes 15 people in Maine. Eleven Mainers have already been convicted, including some found guilty of assaulting police officers at the Capitol. Maine’s congressional delegation offered mixed reactions to the pardons. Representative Chellie Pingree condemned the move. Senator Susan Collins said some may deserve clemency, but not those who committed acts of violence. Asylum Seeker Housing State officials say they will likely have to discontinue a transitional housing program for asylum seekers by the end of the year, citing budget constraints and fewer new arrivals. Since 2022, MaineHousing has leased a hotel in Saco as a resettlement hub for asylum seekers, providing shelter for over 700 people during that time. The agency contracts Catholic Charities Maine to run daily operations, which include job training programs, English classes, and help finding permanent housing. But with fewer asylum seekers arriving in Maine and the state facing a tight budget picture, the Governor's Office of Policy Innovation and the Future said the $6 million annual cost of the program is no longer warranted. Gaza Ceasefire After Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire, Palestinians are hopeful that an end to the 15-month war is in sight. The Associated Press reported that celebrations began in the warzone after the ceasefire was announced, with some Palestinians starting to return to their homes. The Maine Coalition for Palestine, a group of 20 organizations urging U.S. officials to back a ceasefire and stop arming Israel, said they were hopeful but that the deal was very fragile. Hamas has also begun freeing some of the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza. Maine Public is looking for your feedback. To fill out our short survey, visit mainepublic.com/newsconnect. |
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Thanks for tuning in. You can watch for free in all our languages on Facebook, YouTube, and mainepublic.org – and on community access television across the state. If you enjoy the program, feel free to like, comment, and share. Sign up for direct links to the videos in your preferred language through our Newsletter and WhatsApp groups. New episodes and newsletters are available every Friday. We want to hear from you! Please reach out with any thoughts or story ideas. See you next time. |
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The translator-presenter team includes Paola, Victoire, and Tamara. The reporting for News Connect is compliled by Ari Snider via Report for America, and edited by Mark Simpson and the Maine Public News Department. The newscast videos are produced by Brian Bechard, with Rebecca Conley, and overseen by Cory Morrissey. News Connect was created by as part of the Connecting Communities initiative. |
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Questions about Maine Public News Connect can be directed to Cory Morrissey Email: [email protected] |
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We have News Connect posters available! If you would like a print copy for your organazation, please contact: [email protected] |
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Maine Public News Connect has been made possible by individual supporters, businesses, and foundations from across Maine, and by Koo & Patricia Yuen, IDEXX, cPort Credit Union, MaineHousing, Hannaford, and DHHS Office MaineCare Services, all organizations dedicated to making a difference in Maine. |
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To support Maine Public and the News Connect program, please reach out for sponsorship and advertising opportunities. |
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