91�� in the News – 91�� News

News Center interviews Newell-Caito on new dye for red snappers

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:09:23 +0000

interviewed Jennifer Newell-Caito, senior lecturer in biochemistry at the University of Maine, on Red Dye No. 3, which the Food and Drug Administration has banned and W.A. Bean & Sons no longer uses for coloring Maine’s iconic red snapper. The replacement ingredient used by the company is carmine powder, a widely used dye derived from cochineal, a scale insect. “It’s a purified, safe natural form of a red dye that has the FDA approval for use in food,” Newell-Caito said.

Maine media feature 91��, state research on understaffing in Maine fire departments

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:10:33 +0000

, The , , , and the reported on a study that Alexander Rezk and Dominic Piacentini, researchers with the University of Maine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, conducted with the Office of the State Fire Marshal detailing the staffing shortages and rising call volumes facing fire departments across the state. “These are incredibly resilient organizations. They are coming up with creative solutions to meet their communities’ needs and often with very limited resources,” said Piacentini to News Center Maine. “In many cases, these local solutions are working, but they just need more support.”

Northern Woodlands magazine features Everett on ash tree protection

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:08:58 +0000

magazine interviewed Tyler Everett, Ph.D. candidate in forestry at the University of Maine and a citizen of Mi’kmaq Nation, on emerald ash borer management and the protection of Tribal ash tree resources. “It’s been really great to connect my forestry work and research to my cultural identity and being Mi’kmaq,” said Everett. “I have learned so much through classes and professors, webinars and textbooks, but also so much that can only be shared in the forest and walking with people who know the land.”

WABI interviews Agrrawal on Social Security check increase

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:08:05 +0000

interviewed University of Maine finance professor Pankaj Agrrawal, on the increase in Social Security checks due to the cost-of-living adjustment, which is expected to affect 388,000 Mainers in 2027. “Because of the slightly higher increase in medical costs, health care costs, it will actually be harder for people receiving Social Security benefits,” said Agrrawal.

Maine media report on study showing baby lobster decline foreshadows broader population losses

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:07:10 +0000

, , and , interviewed Robert Jarrett II, recent University of Maine doctoral graduate, on his research which showed that a steep drop in baby lobsters provided an early warning of the sharp decline in adult lobsters along Maine’s midcoast, “Because of the differences in Eastern and Western Maine, we’re probably going to have different habitats that lobsters can continue to use into the future, but that might result in changes in what the fishery looks like,” Jarrett said. “We might have more fishermen fishing offshore or have better success in, say, Western Maine than Eastern Maine as the Gulf of Maine changes.”

The World interviews Glover on drug decriminalization in Portugal

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:04:58 +0000

interviewed Rob Glover, an associate professor of political science and honors at the University of Maine, on the 25th anniversary of Portugal’s landmark decision to decriminalize the possession of all drugs for personal use. “These measures do not treat drug use as harmless, nor do they abandon recovery as a goal,” said Glover. “Instead, they recognize that reducing harm has value in itself, and that keeping people alive and healthy can be the first step on a path away from disordered use.”

Martha Stewart highlights Singh in story on raised plant beds

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:00:03 +0000

Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, was featured in for his expertise in the use of pea gravel versus mulch. “Organic mulch generally does a better job of moderating soil temperature over pea gravel, particularly during hot summer weather,” said Singh.

WABI reports on march against domestic violence at 91��

marcus.wolf — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:59:39 +0000

interviewed Sophie Lauritano, president of Triota’s Epsilon Psi chapter, about the 14th annual March Against Domestic Violence at the University of Maine. “A question that I would like everyone to keep in mind and consider and sit with is, ‘What do we owe victims of domestic violence when we witness or become aware of their abuse? How can we shift from passive bystanders to active allies?’” said Lauritano.

Al Jazeera features Allan on fraternity culture and hazing

marcus.wolf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:21:25 +0000

interviewed Elizabeth Allan, professor at the University of Maine and director of its Hazing Prevention Research Lab, on fraternity hazing and coercive tactics to ensure commitment. “The [social] stratification that we see in the larger society is going to be reflected, in large part, in many of these organisations, unless they’re actively working to disrupt it,” she said.

Maine Public features Crittenden on grandparenting segment

marcus.wolf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:21:01 +0000

interviewed Jennifer Crittenden, a University of Maine associate professor of social work and associate director for research at the University of Maine Center on Aging, for a segment of the show “Maine Calling” on the role of grandparents in today’s changing societal norms and family dynamics.

Media interview Howorth on free tuition offering for special education degree

marcus.wolf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:13:12 +0000

and interviewed Sarah Howorth, associate professor of special education and Project MAINEd co-director, on a brand new initiative to help aspiring special educators in rural communities earn master’s degrees that lead to state certification, with tuition fully covered.. “Our goal is to help people who are already living and working in rural Maine become fully certified special educators so they can stay in their communities and fill critical positions in local schools,” said Howorth.

Maine media highlight Ranco in Indigenous Peoples’ Day film festival segments

marcus.wolf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:12:25 +0000

and featured Darren Ranco, a member of the Penobscot Nation, an anthropologist and chair of the University of Maine’s Native American Programs in segments on the Indigenous Peoples’ Day film festival in Bangor. “Obviously people want to learn these stories in a more accurate fashion, and also just the deep understanding of the ongoing effects of colonization, how we connect these histories together as indigenous people and tell our story,” said Ranco.

Portland Press Herald interviews Socolow on ‘The Maine Independent’

marcus.wolf — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:08:18 +0000

The featured Michael Socolow, journalism professor at the University of Maine and board member of the Maine Press Association, discussing “The Maine Independent” and its role in a growing dark-money campaign to spread partisan news across swing states. “It’s an attempt to mimic journalism by providing information that might, in fact, be accurate, but is framed in a partisan manner,” said Socolow.

News Center highlights free program to address rural special education teacher shortage

marcus.wolf — Fri, 09 Oct 2026 14:55:58 +0000

reported on the University of Maine aiming to address this shortfall by helping aspiring special educators in rural communities earn master’s degrees that lead to state certification, with tuition fully covered.

Financial Post interviews Tijerina on economic ties between Maine and Canada

marcus.wolf — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:27:27 +0000

The featured Stefano Tijerina, a University of Maine senior lecturer in management who studies the history of Canada-U.S. economic relations, discussing how tariffs are impacting the economic ties between Maine and New Brunswick and a deeply integrated regional economy. “The integration of the two regions has already happened,” said Tijerina. “You cannot tear it apart.”

Down East speaks with Wason and Weiskittel on the future of Maine’s forests

marcus.wolf — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:26:23 +0000

interviewed Jay Wason, associate professor in the University of Maine’s School of Forest Resources, and Aaron Weiskittel, director of the 91��’s Center for Advanced Forestry Systems on what the future may hold for the state’s forests. “People often wonder, ‘What are my woods going to look like?’” said Wason. “The most important factor that’s going to determine what your woods look like in your lifetime, or even your children’s lifetime, is you.”

Martha Stewart highlights Singh in story on shrubs to plant in October

marcus.wolf — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:25:36 +0000

Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, was featured in for his expertise in planting Spirea, a type of shrub. Singh notes that spirea is low-maintenance because it’s highly adaptable and handles poor soil, drought, pests and cold weather exceptionally well.

The Art Newspaper speaks with Sandweiss on the strongest El Niño in decades

marcus.wolf — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:25:01 +0000

interviewed Daniel Sandweiss, a University of Maine professor of anthropology and interim director of the Climate Change Institute, on threats posed by this year’s El Niño toward Peru’s adobe heritage. Sandweiss noted that erosion from heavy rainfall and flooding is the primary concern, particularly for Peru’s coastal ancient adobe structures located on cliffs or near waterways. “Climate models predict that this will possibly be the strongest on record,” said Sandweiss.

BDN interviews Brewer on roots of candidates for U.S. Senate race in Maine

marcus.wolf — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:24:27 +0000

The featured Mark Brewer, chair of the political science department at the University of Maine on how both U.S. Sen. Susan Collins and Democratic candidate Troy Jackson are using their Aroostook County roots to shape their U.S. Senate race. “I don’t remember anything quite like this before in terms of a son and daughter of The County squaring off against each other in a high-level race,” said Brewer.

Associated Press interviews Allan on preventing student violence, misconduct

marcus.wolf — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:00:20 +0000

The interviewed Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education at the University of Maine, about combating violence and misconduct among college students for an article titled “Cornell’s reckonings with fraternities haven’t prevented misconduct.” “The lack of understanding around consent issues are broad-reaching and we have to be taking a public health approach to change behavior, change attitudes” in more sustainable ways, Allan said. The article was shared by more than 550 outlets worldwide.

Martha Stewart interviews Singh on using paper bags as mulch

marcus.wolf — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 15:00:02 +0000

interviewed Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in a guide to using paper bags as mulch in gardens. Singh said that he recommends plain brown paper grocery bags and advises gardeners to remove labels, handles, tape and staples before applying them to garden beds. “Avoid bags with laminated surfaces, metallic inks, plastic windows, or other non-paper components,” Singh said.

Fox Bangor discusses upcoming social security changes with Agrrawal

marcus.wolf — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:59:19 +0000

featured Pankaj Agrrawal, professor of finance at the University of Maine, in a segment on the upcoming Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) and whether it will keep pace with retirees’ expenses. “The COLA adjustment may not be sufficient to cover their costs because their costs are different,” Agrrawal said.

News Center interviews Lee on reducing food waste

marcus.wolf — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 14:57:15 +0000

Susanne Lee, Faculty Fellow at the University of Maine Center for Sustainability Solutions and program lead for Food Rescue MAINE, spoke with , about the importance of reducing food waste at an event celebrating Maine Wasted Food Prevention Week. ““It’s a massive loss for our economy, and our neighbors, and our environment,” Lee said. “We’re wasting the hard work of Maine farmers, we’re wasting our family food dollars, and good and edible food while 1 in 7 Mainers go hungry.”

News Center interviews Mike DeVito on student-athletes

marcus.wolf — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 15:15:04 +0000

featured Mike DeVito, former NFL player, director of player development and alumni relations for the University of Maine’s football team, and lecturer in philosophy on guiding student-athletes navigate life, career planning and personal development post-graduation and after their football careers end. “The most difficult time in my career … was when I retired from football,” said Devito. “I take that part of my role very seriously, because I do recognize the burden that is on the guys that are leaving the game.”

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