Stacy Kess, tired editor
@stacykess.bsky.social
• Editor of @equalaccesspublicmedia.org.
• Woman on a mission to make news accessible.
• Journalist with 25-plus yrs experience.
• Former RN.
• View from Boston.
• No filter.
• Cusses too much.
• Makes typos on social media.
• Woman on a mission to make news accessible.
• Journalist with 25-plus yrs experience.
• Former RN.
• View from Boston.
• No filter.
• Cusses too much.
• Makes typos on social media.
Pinned
Going to pause here to say, I'm taking time outta my work to pull all this Maine news and blast it. Which means that work I need to get done for @equalaccesspublicmedia.org isn't getting done. So, if you love that I am bringing you this aggregated Maine ICE news because you wouldn't...
1/
1/
Reposted by Stacy Kess, tired editor
Rejecting Decades of Science, Vaccine Panel Chair Says Polio and Other Shots Should Be Optional
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Going to pause here to say, I'm taking time outta my work to pull all this Maine news and blast it. Which means that work I need to get done for @equalaccesspublicmedia.org isn't getting done. So, if you love that I am bringing you this aggregated Maine ICE news because you wouldn't...
1/
1/
January 24, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Going to pause here to say, I'm taking time outta my work to pull all this Maine news and blast it. Which means that work I need to get done for @equalaccesspublicmedia.org isn't getting done. So, if you love that I am bringing you this aggregated Maine ICE news because you wouldn't...
1/
1/
"The manager said the agents requested proof of citizenship from everyone present and did not offer a specific explanation for the arrests. Among those taken were immigrants from China and Latin America, she said.
'All we know is that they are legal to work,' she said."
'All we know is that they are legal to work,' she said."
Biddeford, South Portland restaurant workers taken by ICE
Staff from Kobe Japanese Restaurant's Biddeford and South Portland locations were arrested Thursday morning, a manager said.
www.centralmaine.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:47 PM
"The manager said the agents requested proof of citizenship from everyone present and did not offer a specific explanation for the arrests. Among those taken were immigrants from China and Latin America, she said.
'All we know is that they are legal to work,' she said."
'All we know is that they are legal to work,' she said."
Reposted by Stacy Kess, tired editor
This is one of the hardest articles I've ever read. Remember when I said a couple days ago that these communities are small, people know each other — and yes, one person or family gone makes a difference?
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
The Mainers detained by ICE
What we know about the people swept up in a federal immigration crackdown that began Jan. 20.
www.pressherald.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:32 PM
This is one of the hardest articles I've ever read. Remember when I said a couple days ago that these communities are small, people know each other — and yes, one person or family gone makes a difference?
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
“They should all resign and join the protesters, sit down and block ICE officers from getting out of hotels or driving their cars.”
— Brendan McQuade, University of Southern Maine associate professor of sociology and criminology, regarding local law enforcement in light of the leaked ICE memo
— Brendan McQuade, University of Southern Maine associate professor of sociology and criminology, regarding local law enforcement in light of the leaked ICE memo
Maine law enforcement grapples with leaked ICE memo
'This is a foundational part of the American system that they’re saying to disregard,' one expert said. 'This is not a little tweak — this is a big deal.'
www.sunjournal.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:42 PM
“They should all resign and join the protesters, sit down and block ICE officers from getting out of hotels or driving their cars.”
— Brendan McQuade, University of Southern Maine associate professor of sociology and criminology, regarding local law enforcement in light of the leaked ICE memo
— Brendan McQuade, University of Southern Maine associate professor of sociology and criminology, regarding local law enforcement in light of the leaked ICE memo
This is one of the hardest articles I've ever read. Remember when I said a couple days ago that these communities are small, people know each other — and yes, one person or family gone makes a difference?
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
The Mainers detained by ICE
What we know about the people swept up in a federal immigration crackdown that began Jan. 20.
www.pressherald.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:32 PM
This is one of the hardest articles I've ever read. Remember when I said a couple days ago that these communities are small, people know each other — and yes, one person or family gone makes a difference?
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
The @pressherald.com tries to tell us about the Mainers detained by ICE so far.
"They whistled and honked urgently. But the agents worked fast, and the conflicts were fleeting.
Left in their wake: eerie city streets returning to their normal rhythm. The abandoned cars, engines left running and various belongings inside, were shuttled by generous Mainers to nearby lots."
Left in their wake: eerie city streets returning to their normal rhythm. The abandoned cars, engines left running and various belongings inside, were shuttled by generous Mainers to nearby lots."
Empty vehicles, dropped calls: The eerie scenes as ICE came to Maine
ICE agents have swiftly whisked people away this week, leaving uneasy feelings in their wake.
www.pressherald.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:28 PM
"They whistled and honked urgently. But the agents worked fast, and the conflicts were fleeting.
Left in their wake: eerie city streets returning to their normal rhythm. The abandoned cars, engines left running and various belongings inside, were shuttled by generous Mainers to nearby lots."
Left in their wake: eerie city streets returning to their normal rhythm. The abandoned cars, engines left running and various belongings inside, were shuttled by generous Mainers to nearby lots."
You wanna know what's happening? Ask the old lady who knows everything happening in her 55-plus neighborhood.
fox23maine.com/newsletter-d...
fox23maine.com/newsletter-d...
Witness: Construction workers detained by ICE in Windham
There are more reports of ICE detainments across Maine Friday.
fox23maine.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:19 PM
You wanna know what's happening? Ask the old lady who knows everything happening in her 55-plus neighborhood.
fox23maine.com/newsletter-d...
fox23maine.com/newsletter-d...
This timing, as the kids would say, is "sus."
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alleging that as services increased to children with autism under MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program), many were improper payments. Republicans cry fraud.
1/
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alleging that as services increased to children with autism under MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program), many were improper payments. Republicans cry fraud.
1/
Report: Maine made roughly $45 million in improper Medicaid payments for autism services
The state of Maine made roughly $45 million in improper Medicaid payments for autism services.
wgme.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:11 PM
This timing, as the kids would say, is "sus."
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alleging that as services increased to children with autism under MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program), many were improper payments. Republicans cry fraud.
1/
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alleging that as services increased to children with autism under MaineCare (Maine's Medicaid program), many were improper payments. Republicans cry fraud.
1/
Woman: Why are you taking my information down?
ICE: Because we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist.
Watch the video.
wgme.com/news/local/r...
ICE: Because we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist.
Watch the video.
wgme.com/news/local/r...
Rep. Pingree shares video of ICE agent calling woman 'domestic terrorist' for filming him
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is sharing video of an ICE agent calling someone taking a video of him a "domestic terrorist" for doing so.
wgme.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:02 PM
Woman: Why are you taking my information down?
ICE: Because we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist.
Watch the video.
wgme.com/news/local/r...
ICE: Because we have a nice little database and now you're considered a domestic terrorist.
Watch the video.
wgme.com/news/local/r...
I just want to pause for a moment from ICE news to post this obituary. The Lobster Lady, Maine's oldest lobster trapper has died. Ginny Oliver was 105.
#LobstehLady
www.mainepublic.org/maine/2026-0...
#LobstehLady
www.mainepublic.org/maine/2026-0...
Maine's "Lobster Lady" Virginia Oliver has died at 105
Oliver was a female pioneer in the lobster industry who started hauling traps at the age of eight and worked with her son on the water until she was 103.
www.mainepublic.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:58 AM
I just want to pause for a moment from ICE news to post this obituary. The Lobster Lady, Maine's oldest lobster trapper has died. Ginny Oliver was 105.
#LobstehLady
www.mainepublic.org/maine/2026-0...
#LobstehLady
www.mainepublic.org/maine/2026-0...
About 1,200 people marched along Congress Street in Portland on Friday night in frigid temperatures to protest an immigration enforcement surge in Maine this week. (Population of Portland just over 68,000 and just over 550,000 in the greater Portland area.)
www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/23/p...
www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/23/p...
More than 1,000 people protest ICE surge in downtown Portland
The protests blocked a lane of traffic from Monument Square to Longfellow Square and back, chanting against U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.
www.bangordailynews.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:52 AM
About 1,200 people marched along Congress Street in Portland on Friday night in frigid temperatures to protest an immigration enforcement surge in Maine this week. (Population of Portland just over 68,000 and just over 550,000 in the greater Portland area.)
www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/23/p...
www.bangordailynews.com/2026/01/23/p...
And ICE took another Maine Corrections officer.
I dunno, but it seems like a bad idea to piss off Maine Sheriffs...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
I dunno, but it seems like a bad idea to piss off Maine Sheriffs...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
York County Jail corrections officer detained by ICE after routine immigration appointment
A York County Jail corrections officer was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement following a routine immigration appointment in Scarborough, according to York County Sheriff William King.
www.mainepublic.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:46 AM
And ICE took another Maine Corrections officer.
I dunno, but it seems like a bad idea to piss off Maine Sheriffs...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
I dunno, but it seems like a bad idea to piss off Maine Sheriffs...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
Remember how the Sheriff Joyce was pissed about his guy being detained?
Well, suddenly, ICE decided to transfer anyone they could outta the Cumberland County Jail...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
Well, suddenly, ICE decided to transfer anyone they could outta the Cumberland County Jail...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
ICE suddenly transfers all detainees out of Cumberland County Jail
The detainees had apparently been held there since before the current ICE surge.
www.mainepublic.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Remember how the Sheriff Joyce was pissed about his guy being detained?
Well, suddenly, ICE decided to transfer anyone they could outta the Cumberland County Jail...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
Well, suddenly, ICE decided to transfer anyone they could outta the Cumberland County Jail...
www.mainepublic.org/immigration/...
More from Maine: Hey ICE! Don't mess with Maine's attorneys
Maine lawyers hold 'emergency' protest, decry 'unconstitutional' ICE tactics
As Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers continue to ramp up operations in cities and towns throughout the state, a group of Maine lawyers led a protest through Portland's Bayside neighborhood ...
www.mainepublic.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:37 AM
More from Maine: Hey ICE! Don't mess with Maine's attorneys
Aight. Let's start the Morning Maine News Blast, Arctic Air Edition. (It's currently -9 in Caribou, the most northern city in Maine.)
Maine ICE observer reports intimidation at home
Maine ICE observer reports intimidation at home
Maine ICE observer reports agent intimidation at their home
A Westbrook school committee member says agents she was following led her directly to the front door of her house.
www.mainepublic.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Aight. Let's start the Morning Maine News Blast, Arctic Air Edition. (It's currently -9 in Caribou, the most northern city in Maine.)
Maine ICE observer reports intimidation at home
Maine ICE observer reports intimidation at home
Ok, first, an apology. I lost almost all of Friday fighting with health insurance. Because UHC is the evil empire. (And I know I say that about certain other tech behemoths, but I really mean it about UHC.)
So, yes, I'm behind on blasting news outta Maine. But I will catch up.
And I'm sorry.
So, yes, I'm behind on blasting news outta Maine. But I will catch up.
And I'm sorry.
January 24, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Ok, first, an apology. I lost almost all of Friday fighting with health insurance. Because UHC is the evil empire. (And I know I say that about certain other tech behemoths, but I really mean it about UHC.)
So, yes, I'm behind on blasting news outta Maine. But I will catch up.
And I'm sorry.
So, yes, I'm behind on blasting news outta Maine. But I will catch up.
And I'm sorry.
When everything about your insurance plan changes, but your insurance forgets to tell you. Weeeeeee.
January 23, 2026 at 2:08 PM
When everything about your insurance plan changes, but your insurance forgets to tell you. Weeeeeee.
Maura may not be ready.
Beacon Hill may not be ready.
But the people of this great Commonwealth are ready.
Beacon Hill may not be ready.
But the people of this great Commonwealth are ready.
In Maura Healey's State of the Commonwealth address, she devoted a paragraph to talking about how terrible ICE is but nary a single word to what she might actually do in response.
January 23, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Maura may not be ready.
Beacon Hill may not be ready.
But the people of this great Commonwealth are ready.
Beacon Hill may not be ready.
But the people of this great Commonwealth are ready.
Juan Sebastian Carvajal-Munoz, a civil engineer, is in Maine legally on a work visa. He has worked at GEI Consultants in Portland, Maine, for two-and-a-half years.
This is who ICE is taking.
www.wabi.tv/2026/01/22/m...
This is who ICE is taking.
www.wabi.tv/2026/01/22/m...
Masked agents detain civil engineer in Portland, leave his car running in the street with a smashed window
The man is in the country on a work visa after receiving a master’s degree at UMaine, his colleagues said.
www.wabi.tv
January 23, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Juan Sebastian Carvajal-Munoz, a civil engineer, is in Maine legally on a work visa. He has worked at GEI Consultants in Portland, Maine, for two-and-a-half years.
This is who ICE is taking.
www.wabi.tv/2026/01/22/m...
This is who ICE is taking.
www.wabi.tv/2026/01/22/m...
Protests outside a Portland, Maine, Residence Inn (Marriott) where ICE was suspected of staying.
www.newscentermaine.com/article/news...
www.newscentermaine.com/article/news...
Protesters rally outside Portland hotel over ICE presence concerns
Those in attendance said they believed ICE agents were staying at the hotel. NEWS CENTER Maine is working to independently confirm that claim.
www.newscentermaine.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Protests outside a Portland, Maine, Residence Inn (Marriott) where ICE was suspected of staying.
www.newscentermaine.com/article/news...
www.newscentermaine.com/article/news...
Scant details, but a mother of 4 children from Portland, Maine, is in ICE custody.
wgme.com/news/local/r...
wgme.com/news/local/r...
Report: Single mother of 4 in ICE custody
The post says she is the sole caregiver for her four children and is now ICE custody but doing "ok."
wgme.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Scant details, but a mother of 4 children from Portland, Maine, is in ICE custody.
wgme.com/news/local/r...
wgme.com/news/local/r...