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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We re-air our show about the rise in jellyfish sightings in Maine—and what to know about these fascinating creatures -
Museum art exhibitions and public art to view this summer, including iconic Maine painters, photographers, and up-and-coming artists -
A new book describe life without a smartphone. We discuss the pros and cons of smartphone use, and whether it's addictive. -
What does it mean to be empathetic, why has the current political climate made it controversial, and can someone cultivate empathy? -
A new podcast "Essential Salt," showcases Maine stories, and highlights the importance of good storytelling -
Listen back to our show about the rise in rude behavior, why it's bad for us, and how to be more civil to one another -
We listen back to our earlier show about some of the oldest buildings and structures across the state, and what their back stories are -
What is it that makes the light in Maine so special? We learn the physics behind Maine light, and how it has inspired artists and others. -
A new exhibit showcases the history of quilting—and we hear from Maine's quilting community to learn all about what they do -
Pioneering sports journalist Christine Brennan discusses her career, her new book about Caitlin Clark, and women's professional sports
