S7E3 Food Equity in Education: Where Maine Stands and Where It’s Headed

Farmer holding a wooden crate of various vegetables.

S7E3 Food Equity in Education: Where Maine Stands and Where It’s Headed

In this episode, we interview Shannon Coffin, Lynne Holland, Lisa Morin, and Amanda Levesque on food insecurity in Maine’s higher and lower education systems. This episode is part 2 of our series on food insecurity in Maine. If you haven’t listened yet, please check out Part 1, where we discuss the statewide prevalence of food […]

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Illustration of a businessperson riding a bicycle through a cityscape, wearing a helmet and suit, with tall glass buildings and clouds in the background. Represents sustainable commuting for National Bike to Work Day.

National Bike to Work Day 2025: Health Benefits and Mobility Data

National Bike to Work Day is more than a ride—it’s a step toward healthier communities. Cycling to work can reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 45%. Explore how mobility data is revolutionizing nonmotorized traffic monitoring in this study by Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center Staff, Rebecca Bian.

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Password login box.

World Password Day

Today is World Password Day, a reminder of passwords’ critical role in internet safety.Strong password practices aren’t just recommended, they’re essential.

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Children holding up a globe with their hands, symbolizing unity and global awareness.

Our Power, Our Planet: Celebrating Earth Day 2025 Together

Today, we celebrate Our Power, Our Planet on Earth Day and reaffirm the importance of Maine’s policies that protect it. From clean air and safe water to climate resilience and renewable energy, smart, forward-thinking policy is essential to a sustainable future. Read these articles from Maine Policy Review on Maine’s Clean Water Act and Maine […]

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Headshot of Rebecca Bian

Interview with New Staff Member Rebecca Bian

Dr. Bian is an assistant professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and is affiliated with the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center at UMaine. Can you share a bit about your academic, research, and professional background? I lived in Louisiana for the last 10 years completing my PhD study at Louisiana State University and starting my […]

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Split image with Franklin County Sheriff Department logo on the left and headshot of Jamie Wren on the right.

Proactive Approach to First Responder Suicide Risk

Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center staff member, Jamie Wren, who oversees data collection of violence and drug-related deaths was recently mentioned in an article about the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department’s proactive approach to reduce first responder suicide risk. Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols and Sergeant Ryan Close asked the question, how many law enforcement officers […]

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Split image with MPM logo on the left and food and vegetables on the right.

S7E2 Feeding Maine: The Fight Against Hunger in Urban and Rural Communities

In this episode, we interview Heather Paquette, Kelly Sirimoglu, and Justin Strasburger on the prevalence of food insecurity in Maine. Resources Transcript [00:00:00] Kelly Sirimoglu: Food insecurity in this region is really interwoven with poverty, transportation security, lack of state resources, high levels of poor health, and high levels of disability. So it’s really intertwined. […]

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Extended artwork for MPR Library Special Issue illustrating a foot crushing the word "Libraries"

Exclusive Interview with Maine Policy Review Editors: Insights on Selection Processes and Expert Contributors

This interview discusses Maine Policy Review’s special issue on Maine libraries, highlighting the evolving challenges they face, such as funding, digital content access, book censorship, and their expanding role in social services. The editors share insights into the selection process, emphasizing contributions from various library professionals and national experts. Barbara Harrity and Joyce Rumery are […]

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