The SMCC Beacon

The SMCC Beacon News and Information compiled by the students, for the students. We are Southern Maine Community College's student run newspaper.

Our offices are located in the Captain's House on Fort Rd. We are always looking to hear from our students, if you'd like to get involved contact the Managing Editor, Clayton Hoyle, at [email protected] or contact our adviser, Tim Gillis, at [email protected]

Navigating the Commuter Squeeze at SMCCFor students at Southern Maine Community College, getting a degree is about more ...
09/08/2026

Navigating the Commuter Squeeze at SMCC

For students at Southern Maine Community College, getting a degree is about more than just juggling textbooks and class schedules. With the cost of living staying high in Southern Maine, everyday tasks—like finding a budget-friendly apartment or making it to campus on time—are crucial for student success. Recent changes in local public transit and the ongoing housing shortage in Greater Portland have highlighted these issues for both local students and the college's large commuter population....

For students at Southern Maine Community College, getting a degree is about more than just juggling textbooks and class schedules. With the cost of living staying high in Southern Maine, everyday t…

Spreading Joy One Street Corner at a Time: Inside Portland’s Love FactoryYou might have seen a group of people dancing a...
09/08/2026

Spreading Joy One Street Corner at a Time: Inside Portland’s Love Factory

You might have seen a group of people dancing around and holding up heart signs as you were passing through Longfellow Square. You may have honked or rolled your window down to show some support to the cause. Well, they’re on a mission to spread positivity one location at a time. These events are referred to as Love Signs and they are held by The Love Factory, a group of locals that blast happy music and flaunt colorful signs in various places throughout Portland’s downtown area and even as far south as New Hampshire....

You might have seen a group of people dancing around and holding up heart signs as you were passing through Longfellow Square. You may have honked or rolled your window down to show some support to…

Tri For a Cure Celebrates 19 Years In South PortlandTri For a Cure is the single largest fundraising triathlon in Maine ...
07/10/2026

Tri For a Cure Celebrates 19 Years In South Portland

Tri For a Cure is the single largest fundraising triathlon in Maine in its 18th year. On July 12 Tri For a Cure will be hosted once again on the SMCC campus to celebrate 18 years and over $26 million raised in cancer research. Every dollar is given to the Maine Cancer Research foundation and focuses on prevention, early detection, and improved patient outcomes....

Tri For a Cure is the single largest fundraising triathlon in Maine in its 18th year. On July 12 Tri For a Cure will be hosted once again on the SMCC campus to celebrate 18 years and over $26 milli…

Push For Platner to Drop Out as Disturbing Allegations AriseResident of Maine and ex-partner to senate candidate Graham ...
07/07/2026

Push For Platner to Drop Out as Disturbing Allegations Arise

Resident of Maine and ex-partner to senate candidate Graham Platner, Jenny Racicot as of yesterday accused the senate hopeful of an incident of sexual assault and r**e 5 years ago in 2021. According to a Politico interview with Racicot, “I remember the specific moment where I thought to myself, like, ‘This is no longer my choice.’” She also added a reason for not stepping forward sooner was that she agrees with Platners general message and campaign promises adding, “One of the reasons I didn’t come forward sooner was, the huge moral conflict that I had between supporting his politics but not supporting him as a person.”...

Resident of Maine and ex-partner to senate candidate Graham Platner, Jenny Racicot as of yesterday accused the senate hopeful of an incident of sexual assault and r**e 5 years ago in 2021. Accordin…

Birthright Citizenship Saved in Landmark Supreme Court VoteThe decision boiled down to a 6-3 Vote to uphold the 14th Ame...
06/30/2026

Birthright Citizenship Saved in Landmark Supreme Court Vote

The decision boiled down to a 6-3 Vote to uphold the 14th Amendment. Chief Justice Roberts delivered the majority opinion stating, “Citizenship then and now, was the right to have rights – to freely participate in our political community.” The 14th Amendment guarantees those born on US soil citizenship by stating, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.” This amendment was passed after the civil war to help guarantee those rights to former slaves and their children....

The decision boiled down to a 6-3 Vote to uphold the 14th Amendment. Chief Justice Roberts delivered the majority opinion stating, “Citizenship then and now, was the right to have rights – to freel…

The United States Culture Flop (Opinion)“Be prepared for a culture shock!” Is something you often hear before traveling ...
06/29/2026

The United States Culture Flop (Opinion)

“Be prepared for a culture shock!” Is something you often hear before traveling abroad for the first time. It makes sense, you could be suddenly surrounded by a culture you’ve never seen before, a religion you’ve only ever heard about, or food that intimidates you. The other popular saying we’ve all heard is, “When in Rome!” Suggesting that we should jump right in and fully embrace the new lands we’re exploring....

“Be prepared for a culture shock!” Is something you often hear before traveling abroad for the first time. It makes sense, you could be suddenly surrounded by a culture you’ve never seen before, a …

Fighting Oligarchy in MaineOn Monday night Vermont state senator Bernie Sanders rallied in Portland for his Fight Oligar...
05/26/2026

Fighting Oligarchy in Maine

On Monday night Vermont state senator Bernie Sanders rallied in Portland for his Fight Oligarchy tour. Joined by senate hopeful Graham Platner and candidate for governor Troy Jackson, the three discussed the problems facing Mainers and the country at large. The speeches included the topics of healthcare, affordable housing, education, egregious wealth inequality, and other politicians being bought by corporate interests instead of the interests of working class families....

On Monday night Vermont state senator Bernie Sanders rallied in Portland for his Fight Oligarchy tour. Joined by senate hopeful Graham Platner and candidate for governor Troy Jackson, the three dis…

Either You Have It In You or You Don’t (Opinion)We've heard the phrase "he has that dog in him," or seen someone extreme...
05/19/2026

Either You Have It In You or You Don’t (Opinion)

We've heard the phrase "he has that dog in him," or seen someone extremely driven and wondered where they got that from. There are people you see who work hard, and you admire them from a far and think it is just in them. Then there is me right now, thinking I might just be doomed because after a hard year, I do not have that much drive, grit, or motivation for much or to succeed....

We’ve heard the phrase “he has that dog in him,” or seen someone extremely driven and wondered where they got that from. There are people you see who work hard, and you admire the…

Mills Drops Out, Out of State Influences Fund Attack Ads on PlatnerGovernor Janet Mills suspended her campaign on April ...
05/11/2026

Mills Drops Out, Out of State Influences Fund Attack Ads on Platner

Governor Janet Mills suspended her campaign on April 30 after weeks of attack ads against her primary election opponent Graham Platner, but some attack ads are expected to continue due to funding from conservative political action committees. In March of this year, Mills ran a series of ads focusing on her opponent Platner’s past social media comments that focused on her opponent Platner’s past comments from social media....

Governor Janet Mills suspended her campaign on April 30 after weeks of attack ads against her primary election opponent Graham Platner, but some attack ads are expected to continue due to funding f…

Eliot Cutlers Fifth Probation ViolationFormer gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler has been accused of a fifth probation...
05/06/2026

Eliot Cutlers Fifth Probation Violation

Former gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler has been accused of a fifth probation violation after allegedly refusing to allow investigators into his private electronic devices. Probation officer Sam Payson signed a motion accusing Cutler of keeping encrypted files on his devices which would violate his probation. According to WGME, Cutler was originally convicted of being in possession of child sexual abuse material (or CSAM) in 2023....

Former gubernatorial candidate Eliot Cutler has been accused of a fifth probation violation after allegedly refusing to allow investigators into his private electronic devices. Probation officer Sa…

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