Mark Dion

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman speaking about SNAP funding at a Mayoral Summit of community leaders at the Lincoln hotel in Biddeford.

Politics

Portland and Biddeford mayors call for release of additional funds for Mainers losing SNAP benefits

Madi Smith

Biddeford Mayor Marty Grohman is calling for a special session of the legislature to tap into the budget stabilization fund, also know as the rainy day fund, to pay the 170,000 Mainers expected to lose federal SNAP benefits as of this weekend.

The new 208-bed Homeless Services Center in Portland which will provide meals, day space, outside space, and wraparound services such as medical, dental, and psychiatric care. It will replace the 154-bed downtown Oxford Street Shelter.

Courts and Crime

Portland sues DHHS over shelter reimbursement changes

Nicole Ogrysko

The city of Portland is suing the Maine Department of Health and Human Services over a shelter reimbursement rule that will cut millions of dollars in funding for the state's largest homeless shelter and others around Maine.

Portland officials are preparing to remove a homeless encampment off Bayside Trail, pictured here on April 14, 2023.

Maine

Portland mayor calls for state resources to help tackle homelessness, public safety

Nicole Ogrysko

In his annual "state of the city" address, Portland Mayor Mark Dion said homelessness and public safety concerns are the top issues facing the city.

FILE - This July 31, 2017, file photo shows discarded syringes in an open-air heroin market that has thrived for decades, slated for cleanup along train tracks a few miles outside the heart of Philadelphia. Philadelphia wants to become the first U.S. city to allow supervised drug injection sites as a way to combat the opioid epidemic, city officials announced Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, saying they would seek outside operators to establish one or more safe injection sites. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Health

Portland will launch needle buyback pilot using opioid settlement funds

Nicole Ogrysko

The Portland City Council on Monday night also rejected a proposal from Mayor Mark Dion, which would have returned to a one to one exchange needle exchange ratio. Portland currently distributes as many as 100 clean needles for every used one returned, complying with a state law that was changed two years ago.

Portland mayoral candidate Mark Dion shakes hands outside an Ocean Avenue polling station on Election Day, Tuesday.

Politics

Mark Dion will be sworn in as Portland's new mayor

Nicole Ogrysko

Mark Dion will begin a four-year term as Portland's mayor Monday night. He replaces Kate Snyder, who did not seek reelection for a second term.

Politics

Your Vote 2018 Primary Candidate Profiles: Shawn Moody and Mark Dion

Maine Public staff

Monday, June 4 at 2:00 pmBetween now and Thursday, June 7, Maine Public Radio will present a series of special Your Vote 2018 primary candidate profiles…

Politics

Primary Election Profile: Mark Dion

Maine Public staff

Mark Dion, a state senator, is one of seven Democrats vying for a chance at the Blaine House this fall.Dion was a Portland police officer who was first…

Maine

USM Students Rally to Protest Police Violence in Wake of Eric Garner Decision

PORTLAND, Maine - A New York grand jury's decision not to indict a white police officer in connection with the death of a black man who'd been put in a…