Beacon is a news site by MPA, sharing Mainers' stories, explaining policy, and advancing a progressive vision of community, fairness and shared future.
Joined March 2015
- Tweets 5,301
- Following 181
- Followers 2,632
- Likes 508
801 Photos and videos
Central Maine Power customers were supposed to get some relief this summer as a temporary storm surcharge expired. Instead, the utility is asking regulators to approve new rate hikes that could cost the average household an extra $216 a year.
mainebeacon.com/dont-let-cmp…
1
2
68
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup, immigrant rights advocates are noting the risks international visitors could face while traveling in the United States, saying that fans should know their rights before attending matches in New England.
mainebeacon.com/immigrant-gr…
1
76
Maine Democrats still don't know who their nominee for governor will be. With no candidate earning a majority of first-choice votes, the race is heading to a ranked-choice tabulation that could reshape the standings.
mainebeacon.com/its-not-over…
1
90
Graham Platner is officially Maine Democrats' nominee for U.S. Senate after a decisive primary victory Tuesday night, winning more than 72% of the vote.
Click the link below to read the full story!
mainebeacon.com/platner-wins…
2
59
The most important decision voters make may not be who wins in November, but who advances from the primary, says Opinion columnist Ethan Strimling.
"Primaries are where we truly set the direction of the work we want to accomplish," Ethan writes.
mainebeacon.com/strimling-wh…
1
58
Mainers head to the polls Tuesday in one of the country’s most accessible election systems.
Here's what you need to know before casting your ballot!
mainebeacon.com/how-to-vote-…
1
2
67
One Maine renter says Nirav Shah's private comments to landlords raise serious questions about where he'd stand in the state's housing crisis. Click below to read Gina Morin's full opinion column. mainebeacon.com/opinion-main…
1
106
This week on the podcast: Hear the full town hall with gubernatorial candidate Shenna Bellows and U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner in Old Town. They discuss their priorities, grassroots organizing, and what keeps elected officials accountable to voters.mainebeacon.com/who-holds-po…
2
68
The Democratic primary for Maine governor is just around the corner, and Opinion columnist Ethan Strimling is sharing why voters should rank Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, and Hannah Pingree as their top three choices.
mainebeacon.com/strimling-wh…
1
2
140
Collins voted to confirm Kathleen Lane to a lifetime federal judgeship. Lane previously urged the Montana Supreme Court to overturn a longstanding constitutional protection for abortion and was involved in efforts to block abortion care.mainebeacon.com/continuing-t…
68
As energy costs continue to rise, a new Sierra Club analysis shows Maine's low-income households have the highest energy burden in the nation. Families earning less than $50,000 a year spend roughly one-fifth of their income on electricity & heating fuel.mainebeacon.com/maine-househ…
1
41
In Midcoast Maine, a proposed $5 billion data center never broke ground, but it still derailed affordable housing plans for Wiscasset residents. Click the link below to read the full story! Originally published in the Daily Yonder. mainebeacon.com/lure-of-data…
8
2
70
Dr. Nirav Shah told a private landlord forum he opposes Section 8 tenant protections and rent control, and promised to stand “shoulder to shoulder” with landlords. His housing policies are why columnist Ethan Strimling will not rank Shah for governor. mainebeacon.com/strimling-i-…
1
1
114
A proposed anti-trans ballot initiative in Maine won’t appear on the November 2026 ballot after state election officials found widespread problems with the campaign’s petitions, such as illegal collection practices and other defects.
mainebeacon.com/bellows-rule…
2
368
A proposed ballot initiative targeting transgender students in Maine may fail to qualify for the November ballot after state officials found thousands of signatures were unlawfully collected. Click the link below to read more! mainebeacon.com/review-of-si…
3
55
Sanford residents won a major housing victory this week after the City Council approved new limits on rent increases at manufactured housing parks. The new ordinance caps annual rent hikes at either 3% or inflation.
mainebeacon.com/sanford-move…
1
53
Rather than pouring billions of more dollars into ICE, Congress should invest in legal representation and due process protections for immigrants, writes Mufalo Chitam, executive director of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition. mainebeacon.com/for-maine-co…
1
53
Collins has not attended any Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee meetings focused on abortion or reproductive healthcare after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, according to committee hearing reports.mainebeacon.com/susan-collin…
1
1
2
86
Faith leaders, musicians and community members gathered in Portland Friday night for “Love is the Point,” a multi-faith event centered on solidarity with immigrants, transgender people, reproductive rights and gun safety.
mainebeacon.com/love-is-the-…
1
49
Collins voted to block an effort to restore consumer protections tied to overdraft fees and other banking practices rolled back under Trump. It’s the second time in just over a year Collins has sided against efforts to crack down on predatory bank charges.mainebeacon.com/collins-side…
1
1
79