Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How has WBLM’s “Captain” stayed on Portland airwaves for 40 years?

Coming up: Continental Shakedown on the Portland Patch calendar

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Saturday December 20th Patch AM
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Good morning Portland! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How has WBLM’s “Captain” stayed on Portland airwaves for 40 years?
  • How a new federal order could boost Portland cannabis businesses
  • How did Portland lose a 16-point lead at the Expo?

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons and 1 more event.

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Portlandfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Saturday: Windy and colder, with a high of 36 and low of 34 degrees.
  • Sunday: Turning sunny; breezy, temps: high: 43, low: 20.
  • Monday: Sunny, windy and colder, with a high of 28 and low of 19 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

📰 News we're reading

1. 'The Captain': Broadcasting legend Herb Ivy celebrates 40 years on air (newscentermaine.com) — Longtime WBLM morning host Herb “The Captain” Ivy is marking 40 years on air from Portland, a rare milestone in radio. Listeners across southern and central Maine still wake up to his classic rock, easy humor, and familiar partnership with co-host Celeste Baranyi.
   

2. Maine cannabis store owners relieved after executive order reclassifies marijuana (wgme.com) — Portland-based WGME reports that Maine cannabis shop owners are celebrating a new federal executive order that moves marijuana to a lower drug schedule, easing tax burdens and opening the door to more medical research. Local attorney Tammie Snow says the change finally lets cannabis businesses deduct normal expenses, though marijuana technically remains illegal at the federal level.
   

3. Windham boys basketball surges past Portland in final quarter (pressherald.com) — A packed crowd at the Portland Expo watched Windham storm back from 16 points down to beat Portland High, 57-50, on Friday night. Portland’s shorthanded Bulldogs, missing two would-be starters, couldn’t hold a big third-quarter surge as Windham’s balanced scoring and hot outside shooting took over late.
   

4. Maine immigration advocates push back against new rules from Trump administration (wgme.com) — From Portland business and immigration advocates are warning that new Trump administration rules on work permits could sideline more than a million asylum seekers nationwide, including many already working here. Local industry leaders say delays and restrictions threaten staffing in seafood, agriculture, health care and other sectors, and could force some Maine employers to cut production or close if they lose trained immigrant workers.
   

5. Federal judge blocks changes that could leave thousands homeless across Maine, US (pressherald.com) — A federal judge has temporarily blocked Trump administration changes to a key HUD homelessness grant program, preserving funding that supports permanent housing for more than 1,800 Mainers. State officials say the proposed cuts could have pushed over 1,200 people, including many in the greater Portland area, toward homelessness and strained local shelters. Maine’s attorney general and governor both praised the ruling as protecting vulnerable residents.
   

📸 Around Portland

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Portland

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★ Featured events ★

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Other local events
    Friday December 19
  • Candlelight: Coldplay & Imagine Dragons
    Stevens Square Community Center , 631 Stevens Ave , Portland
    9:00 pm
    • Sunday December 21
  • A Christmas Carol
    Portland Stage , 25 Forest Ave , Portland
    12:00 pm
    • Monday December 29
  • Meet the Designers
    Victoria Mansion , 109 Danforth Street , Portland
    5:00 pm

📣 Portland Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I’m reaching out to this community for recommendations or information about services that offer in-home euthanasia for dogs.
    My sweet boy is over 14 now, and while he’s not quite ready, we are at a stage where I’m watching him very closely and trying to prepare thoughtfully… (Nextdoor Rosemont)
  • Woven into the tapestry of the Solstice Performance of Liz Knowles, Kieran O'Hare and Palaver Strings on Saturday at New Brackett Church will be Portland's own 6th Poet Laureate Linda Aldrich.
    In her own words: “This is exciting to think that rather than dying out, poetry is having somewhat of a resurgence. I would like to bring poetry… (Nextdoor Peaks Island)
  • UniFirst posted a job opening for Production Team Partner - Truck Loader (Non-CDL) - UniFirst in Portland. Apply here.
  • Walgreens posted a job opening for Inventory Specialist in Portland. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portland here.

Ok Portland! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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