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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Blaine rose to top national political roles in the 19th century, including Speaker of the House and Secretary of State. We learn about why he was so influential, and his ties to Maine. -
How can cannabis affect physical and mental health? And what are the latest developments in Maine's cannabis industry? -
The broad scope of reproductive care offered in Maine, and how federal funding cuts will affect health care providers and patients -
An update on the extent of homelessness, some of the causes, and what is being done to address the prevalence of people without homes in Maine -
We highlight people living with disabilities who are involved with the arts—and some programs that promote inclusivity in the arts -
Addressing confusion over vaccine recommendations, and what Maine residents need to know about who can get vaccines—including what's covered and where to go -
We examine some of the significant protests and demonstrations in America over the decades and whether they achieved their goals -
We rebroadcast our earlier show about the special quality of light that Maine is known for -
Author Bill Gerencer shares his journey as a lobsterman, groundfisherman, restaurant cook and fish buyer—and reflects on this historic era for New England’s fishing community -
A posthumous collection of David McCullough's essays explore the importance of learning lessons from history
