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In The Arena Maine

@inthearenamaine.bsky.social

110 followers 43 following 29 posts

In The Arena, a podcast on Maine politics. Produced at @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social. Moderated by veteran anchor @PatCallaghan6.bsky.social w/ State Sen. Phil Harriman & Portland Mayor @strim.bsky.social. wmtw.com/inthearena/ [email protected]

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · Dec 11

Welcome to "In The Arena," Maine's foremost political podcast. Hosted by longtime news anchor Pat Callaghan, with former Portland Mayor Democrat Ethan Strimling and former Yarmouth State Senator Republican Phil Harriman. Produced at the studios of WMTW. New episodes every week posted right here.

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · 3d

Is Sen. Susan Collins using her power as Chair of Appropriations to resolve the budget crisis? Get the full episode of In The Arena at WMTW.com/inthearena.com @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social #mainepolitics

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · 12d

New episode of ITA is up. Find it at WMTW.com/inthearena Charlie Kirk, @jimmykimmel.com @grahamformaine.bsky.social Janet Mills, Susan Collins all on the agenda where we play “Fishy or Fragrant”

@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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Maine Beacon @mainebeacon.bsky.social · 19d

Earlier this summer, Pres. Donald Trump took to Truth Social to tell Republicans to “vote the opposite of Susan Collins” in a hidden attempt to make her appear to be moderate. The truth? Collins has voted with Trump 96% of the time.

Click the link below to read @strim.bsky.social's full column!

Opinion: Susan Collins is no moderate and Trump knows it - Maine Beacon

This summer, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Pres. Donald Trump told Republicans to “vote the exact opposite of Senator Susan Collins.” I couldn't agree with him more. Because if ...

mainebeacon.com

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · Sep 5

In The Arena is back! Ep. 55 dropped. We deep dive on the Collins race, do a lightning round catching up on recent news, and pay tribute to Bill Diamond. go to wmtw.com/inthearena for full episode. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · Jun 21

Professors Harriman & Strimling issue report cards for the 132nd Maine Legislature on Ep. 54 of In The Arena. They also note when their own parties earned an F.
Full episode here: youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4 and wherever you listen to podcasts. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · Jun 20

Ep 54 of In The Arena is here:
youtu.be/Q07P8Pe4ua4
@strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman offer grades to the 132nd Maine Legislature, and award at least one "A" to the "other side." @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · Jun 14

Ep. 53 of In The Arena Maine digs into the flurry of activity in Augusta as the session winds down.
youtu.be/9wcV-jhrOQQ
And a look back to the dawn of Maine's cutting-edge laptops in schools program. Has it lived up to the goals set by advocates? @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · Jun 20

Ep 54 is up where @strim.bsky.social and Phil grade the legislature. Toward the end, @patcallaghan6.bsky.social asked each to find their better angels and give the opposing party an A for something. Here is a tease. Go to www.wmtw.com/inthearena for the full episode. @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · Jun 12

Tuesday's municipal elections across Maine brought some interesting results. In the soon-to-drop Ep. 53 of In The Arena, @strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman ponder what messages are being sent by voters. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · Jun 6

Ep. 52 of In The Arena is coming shortly.
Lots to talk about this week, including the '26 gubernatorial race, minimum wage rules for farm workers, and the county fair kerfuffle. Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social sort it out! @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · May 31

It was 60 years ago this week that a recently crowned champion came to Lewiston to retain his heavyweight crown. This week, in our WABAC machine, @patcallaghan6.bsky.social reflects on that iconic moment. Full podcast at wmtw.com/inthearena @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · May 29

As the Senate takes up the House budget bill, some Republicans, such as our Phil Harriman, say this is not the direction Trump voters wanted. We'll dive in on Ep. 51 of In The Arena, dropping soon. @strim.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · May 25

Sure, we cover the evolving 2026 race for Maine governor on Ep. 50 of In The Arena. But we also look at this week in Maine history, when a King came to Maine 48 years ago!
Full episode here: youtu.be/7GlKtK0SI5k
@strim.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social That's all right Mama!

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · May 22

The 2026 race for governor of Maine is still a year and a half away, but there is a LOT of activity.
Ep. 50 of In The Arena is here: youtu.be/7GlKtK0SI5k
@strim.bsky.social & Phil Harriman look at the candidates and what they bring to the race. @wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · May 22

This week's ITA focuses on the emerging governor's race and all of those who have jumped in & those who are thinking about putting a toe in the water. Full episode wherever you get your podcasts. Just type "In The Arena Maine" @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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Christian Ricci @cricci.pro · May 16

Just found out the $400 million 747 was in Bangor a few weeks ago on @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

I wish the crossovers between my interests of Maine, politics, and aviation were less corrupt

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · May 16

On the latest In The Arena, our lightning round focuses on a lawsuit to ballot language, GOP AG's backing Libby, & potential cuts to health care subsidies. Go to wmtw.com/inthearena for full episode. Meantime, enjoy this clip. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · May 16

This week, ITA takes a deep dive into the trans rights debate. Phil and @strim.bsky.social put their legislative hats on and try to see if they can find common ground. Plus, a lightning round of all the latest hot topics. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social youtu.be/OT8DLKdaAok

In the Arena E49 - Trans Rights in Maine

YouTube video by WMTW-TV

youtu.be

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · May 15

Ep. 49 of In The Arena drops soon. As Maine lawmakers consider bills on transgender rights, our former legislators Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social look at the challenges of finding common ground on such emotional issues.
@wmtw.bsky.social @inthearenamaine.bsky.social

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · May 9

Ep. 48 is up. We talk about the recent deportations and their impact on Maine, but also the possible cuts to AmeriCorps and PBS, as seen in this clip. For the full episode, go to wmtw.com/inthearena @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · May 8

Ep. 48 of In The Arena is here: youtu.be/evJJOFaS-8w
Phil & @strim.bsky.social tackle the return of Paul LePage, another Angus King running for office, federal cuts to Maine programs and more.
@inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social
Here's a preview:

IN THE ARENA Ep 48

YouTube video by WMTW-TV

youtu.be

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · May 4

Ep 47, where we analyze President 47, is up! From the economy, to immigration, to federal cuts, we look at the impact Pres. Trump's first 100 days have had on Maine. @patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social

storystudio.wmtw.com/inthearena/

In The Arena

Visit the post for more.

storystudio.wmtw.com

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · May 2

In The Arena is back from Spring break! In Ep. 47, Phil Harriman & @strim.bsky.social look at how Maine has fared during President Trump's 1st 100 days. We also dig into the latest poll numbers and what they mean for figures such as Sen. Susan Collins.
youtu.be/ICWarMB_hAc @wmtw.bsky.social

In the Arena E47 100 days; The impact on Maine 0430

YouTube video by WMTW-TV

youtu.be

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Pat Callaghan @patcallaghan6.bsky.social · Mar 12

So much to catch up on in In The Arena Ep. 45, which drops Thursday morning, from freezing funds for @UMaine to a censured state rep filing suit against the speaker to the start of Maine's 2026 campaign chatter. @phil6_2 & @mayorstrim try to keep up. @inthearenamaine.bsky.social @wmtw.bsky.social

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In The Arena Maine @inthearenamaine.bsky.social · Mar 12

Ep. 45 is coming soon where we try to analyze the political events coming at us like a firehose... go to wmtw.com/inthearena to be the first to watch or listen wherever you get your podcasts.
@patcallaghan6.bsky.social @strim.bsky.social @wmtwchannel8.bsky.social @terrystackhouse.bsky.social

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