Issue 12
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Welcome back for week 12 of The Kindling! Some of the articles linked below require subscriptions to local Maine newspapers. Read my take on these paywalls here.
Quote of the week
“when we stand up to billionaires, we win. when we stand up for palestinians, we win. when we stand up for trans people, we win. when we stand up for immigrants, we win. no more scapegoats. no more throwing minorities under the bus. no more appealing to republicans. all power to the people.”
- Matt Bernstein, self described “friendly queer jew with very long nails” and host of the “a bit fruity” podcast, on Zohran Mamdani’s win in the NYC Democratic mayoral primary
Listen to “a bit fruity” on Apple or Spotify.
The Dark
Here are a few hard truths this week — but remember we’re in this together!
The Rumford paper mill emits more mercury than almost any other paper processing plant in the country, according to a new study released by the Environmental Integrity Project. ND Paper’s plant in Rumford burns tires for fuel which releases pollutants that are harmful to both people and the planet. Ultimately, the report found, its emissions are similar to those of some oil refineries.
ICE activity continues to tear families apart and divide Mainers. Paris residents asked the select board to sign a petition that would limit police cooperation with ICE except in instances of a legitimate judicial warrant, but were turned down. Meanwhile, state lawmakers passed a bill that would limit law enforcement cooperation with ICE statewide, though it is unclear whether Janet Mills will sign it into law.
Cuts to programs impacting Mainers continue to be on the table with Trump’s batshit budget bill. Read about impacts on: clean energy tax credits, medicaid, rural hospitals, and reproductive care.
College lacrosse coaches around the state draw attention to longstanding inequities faced by women in sports. Turns out they have literally nothing to do with trans athletes, and everything to do with differences in NCAA funding of men’s versus women’s programs. Shocker, I know. If folks are serious about advocating for women in sports, how about starting here?
The Light
Yes, good things are happening -- here’s proof!
A socialist - and Bowdoin alum! - is the Democratic mayoral candidate for New York City! Zohran Mamdani ran a grassroots campaign that centered the working class - and “a city that every New Yorker can afford” - while being outspoken in defense of immigrants, Palestinians, trans folks, and other marginalized people. Mamdani handily defeated disgraced former NY governor Andrew Cuomo, despite Cuomo’s establishment-backing and millions in campaign expenditures raised from bipartisan billionaires. Mamdani’s campaign is a stunning and hopeful example of how organized people can overcome organized money. Watch his full victory speech here.
Critical forest habitats for insects and amphibians in Maine have expanded protections thanks to a new law that takes climate change into account. Maine Audubon released a statement that these vernal pools are “important to an incredible diversity of wildlife.”
Mechanic, teacher, and western Mainer Nori Hashimoto talks about repairing cars and flying planes, and how he’d like to start teaching folks in our area how to do both!
Mainers around the state gathered for watch parties as Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks. An 18 year old native of Newport, Flagg has taken the national basketball scene by storm with what some have described as once-in-a-generation talent. Janet Mills declared June 25 “Cooper Flagg Day” to honor his outstanding athletic accomplishments and inspire youth statewide. Read a lovely (and free) article about Flagg’s journey from Maine to the Mavericks here.
Your Maine Action Kit
Pick one and then get outside!
Call! Make a plea to Susan Collins’s better angels and request she oppose Trump’s budget bill. The bill guts programs that Mainers rely on in exchange for tax cuts for the greediest people in America. Collins has said that she understands the role of Medicaid in the lives of Mainers but has not made her position on the bill clear. Contact Susan Collins here and let her know where you stand. Nervous about speaking to a person? Call after hours and leave a voicemail or send a message through her website’s portal linked above.
Celebrate! BAAM and The Gem Theater are hosting Pride in Bethel TODAY with a full slate of family friendly events starting at 3pm. We took our kids last year and the drag show was an absolute hit! Check out The Kindling calendar for Pride events throughout the month and across the state.
Check…for ticks! And if you find one attached to a loved one? Consult your doctor while you wait on test results from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Tick Lab.
Have energy and anxiety to burn? Check out the Action Kit Archive here, for more ideas! Another option? Reply to this email and let us know what issues you want to mobilize around. We are connected with organizations who are looking for people power!
For when it all feels like too much
Read about environmental good news around the country. No one has submitted on behalf of Maine – do you have something you can share??
Turn off the screens, lay down, and stream Tracy Chapman’s 1988 self-titled album. Let her lyrics move you. They speak to the socio political moment we find ourselves in today just as much as they did 37 years ago.
Political historian and beloved Mainer Heather Cox Richardson launched a video series called “Ten Steps to Revolution”. The videos (each between one and three minutes long) outline the journey to American democracy and provide a handbook for these times.
Need a bit more to get out of the pit of despair? Check out this post.
Mark your calendar
See an ever evolving list of community events on The Kindling’s calendar here. Subscribe to our google calendar while you’re there so you can stay in touch with what’s happening!
TODAY! Thursday, June 26, 3pm: Pride at The Gem Theater!
Sunday, June 29, 10am-3pm: Upcycle Fair with indigo artist Rebecca Zicarelli at Valentine Farm
Bring your stained, threadbare, and ripped clothing and goods and learn how to extend their life through mending, embellishing, and natural dyes. No experience necessary. This event is free.
Saturday, July 5, 9am-4pm: 21st Annual Shy, Novice, and Closeted Art Show at 18 High Street, Bethel, rain or shine
All shy, novice, and closeted artists are invited to submit work to the show. Whether it’s your first piece, your only piece, your worst piece, or your best piece, the only requirement is a willingness to share. Reach out to the show’s director, Janet Willie, at 207-824-3889 with questions. Art must be dropped off by July 2.
Some conversation
One reader wrote in: “Regarding paywalls, and more so your donation framework: Wouldn't it be cool if our newspapers/local media had a nonprofit donation model in general? One could write off subscriptions and donate to causes they believe in! And more important to me the boundaries between the people and information are lessened. [The] $79 [per year cost of a subscription] is a week of (shitty) groceries and for some, no amount of mental gymnastics can justify the cost.”
Read about the rise of nonprofit news here. I’d love to hear from you about paywalls. Do they impact your consumption of information? Would it be helpful if I indicated which articles are free and which require subscriptions when posting links throughout the newsletter? What changes would make The Kindling work better for you? Hit “reply” and let me know!
Til next week,
Michelle and The Kindling Crew
Logistical things
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