Jennifer Rooks
Host and Executive Producer, Maine CallingJennifer walked into her college radio station as a 17-year-old freshman and never looked back. Even though she was terrified of the microphone back then — and spoke into it as little as possible — she loved the studio, the atmosphere and, most of all, the people who work in broadcasting. She was hooked. Decades later, she’s back behind the radio microphone hosting Maine Public Radio’s flagship talk program, Maine Calling. She’s not afraid of the mic anymore, but still loves the bright, eclectic people she gets to work with every day.
Jennifer joined MPBN in June 2007 after spending more than 13 years at WCSH-TV in Portland as a general assignment reporter and weekend news anchor. She has twice won a regional Edward R. Murrow award: in 1998, for coverage of Maine National Guard and Reserve soldiers deployed in Bosnia and Hungary, and in 2003, for the documentary Citizen King, about then-governor and former Maine Watch host Angus King.
For six years, Jennifer served as host, reporter and executive producer of Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks. She has moderated more than 20 broadcast debates for Maine Public Television and has produced three television documentaries: Broken Trust: Elder Abuse in Maine and Winds of Change, both Maine Watch Special Reports, and A Matter of Duty: The Continuing War Against PTSD. Co-produced with Charlie Stuart, A Matter of Duty has been shown on PBS television stations throughout the U.S. and in multiple screenings, including at the National Sheriff’s Association national conference.
Jennifer grew up outside Atlanta, Georgia. She earned her BA from the University of Virginia and her master’s in journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She worked at television stations in San Francisco and Monterey, California, before coming to Maine. She and her husband Mike have two teenagers.
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As part of our series "The Cost of Living: Maine's Housing Shortage," we examine ways to alleviate the housing crisis through shared housing arrangements
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How to introduce variety in your landscape to help wildlife and contribute to a healthy environment
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The latest development in Gaza, the U.S. role in the conflict—and how one doctor works for peace
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The need for more live organ donations, and what to know about kidney transplants in Maine
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The power of art to strengthen community through healing, memory and a sense of place
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The tradition of wooden boatbuilding in Maine, what it entails, and how to learn
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Comments and stories about how the eclipse experience was for town organizers, scientists and the public
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Live from Jackman: We learn all about experiencing the historic eclipse from Maine
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Ways to approach end-of-life issues, from emotional to spiritual to practical
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What makes Maine ice cream special, and what are some favorite places and flavors?