Maine newspapers to be read over radio

LEWISTON — Some Mainers who don’t see well enough to read the newspaper will soon get to hear it instead.

The Maine Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired is gathering volunteers to read the state’s papers every day from a studio in Brewer, since television news doesn’t cover enough of the local details needed for a sense of connection to the community, spokeswoman Meg Lane said.

Those can include high school sports, the activities of town government and smaller stories about their neighbors, she said. Classified and display ads contain important local information and will be read as well, she said.

“They may not know that Shop ‘n Save is having a sale this week on strawberries,” she said.

The programs are to be transmitted on a sound-only television channel by Maine Public Broadcasting starting April 26.

The format will likely be one-hour blocks for the biggest newspapers in the state, starting at 8 a.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. every other day, said Les Myers, director of Maine Audio Information and Reading Services, which is running the program.

Lane said not everyone will be able to pick up the channel, and those that need help are encouraged to call her organization at 1-800-715-0097.