We asked for your thoughts on what specific steps should happen to grow Maine’s economy, and you responded. In November, a total of 2,066 people took a Maine Focus survey to give their feedback on which economic development ideas deserve priority. We put forward 20 economic initiatives that have been proposed in one form or another […]
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What you love about Maine
Growing Maine's Economy Maine Focus Project AnnouncementsWe asked you to share what Maine means to you, and you did. Here are 50 digital postcards that capture your sense of place and Maine pride.
33 of your ideas to hold batterers accountable
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusLast week, Maine Focus published a piece describing how a vast majority of domestic violence offenders convicted in Maine courts are not ordered to attend a batterers’ intervention program as part of their probation. Instead, most batterers are required to complete psychological counseling and anger management, despite broad consensus by experts and state agencies that […]
Maine fails to put batterers in programs that address roots of domestic violence — and pays for it
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusAfter 19 years running an educational program in Bangor for men who are abusive to their partners, Kathryn Maietta has seen many changes in how the community responds to incidents of domestic violence. But one important aspect has not changed: A vast majority of domestic violence offenders convicted in Maine courts are not ordered to attend […]
30,737 hours: What people give to end violence in Maine
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusDomestic violence resource agencies in Maine would not exist in their current forms today without the time donated by volunteers.
What if Maine actually met its biggest challenges head on? Here’s a chance to have a say
Growing Maine's Economy Maine FocusWe’re asking you to get the conversation going about Maine’s economic future.
What it takes to get clean: Stories of recovery
Drug Abuse Maine FocusWe often think of addiction in broad terms — as statistics, as a brain disease, as a driver of crime. But what can we learn when we hear directly from those experiencing — and overcoming — addiction?
5 years at UMaine: 1 expulsion, 8 suspensions, 62 reports of violence
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusReports of sexual assault have increased at the University of Maine in Orono: There were fewer than 10 per year until 2013 when there were more than 30. That’s probably a good thing; universities should want more people coming forward to seek help. But what about the response to those disclosures? Did the students want […]
What should Maine do to draw more people here?
Growing Maine's Economy Maine FocusFluid Imaging Technologies, which manufactures a first-of-its-kind imaging particle analyzer, has been growing — and fast. In addition to attracting lots of capital, it has doubled its number of employees in the past year. But one thing has CEO Kent Peterson, and others across Maine, worried. How will the state address its population decline and its anticipated […]
A new way of preparing Maine’s future workforce?
Growing Maine's Economy Maine FocusThere are all sorts of ways to get kids prepared for life after high school. But what would you do if your school didn’t have a computer science class, and you knew information technology employees would be in high demand in the future? Machias Memorial High School Principal Brian Leavitt decided to partner with Susan […]