Jacob Posik

Jacob Posik, of Turner, is the director of communications at Maine Policy Institute and the editor of The Maine Wire. He formerly served as a policy analyst at Maine Policy. Posik can be reached at jposik@mainepolicy.org.
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Inside Augusta
Disagreement between Speaker Fecteau, Senate President Jackson prevents hearing on gas tax suspension
A disagreement between the presiding officers of the Maine Legislature––House Speaker Ryan Fecteau...
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News
Read Gov. Mills’ State of the State Address
The following is Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ State of the State Address as...
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Commentary
What is an ‘advocacy journalist’ and why was the Maine CDC restricting access to its briefings?
That darn First Amendment. This week, The Maine Wire learned that the Maine...
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Regulations
Maine lobster industry rocked by new, unworkable federal regulations
New federal regulations created to protect the endangered right whale will close off...
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Inside Augusta
Lawmakers pen letter in opposition to Gov. Mills’ vaccine mandate
Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced a new vaccine requirement for healthcare workers on...
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Inside Augusta
Seven lawmakers stripped of committee assignments after entering State House without masks
Seven Maine lawmakers were stripped of their committee assignments on Monday by House...
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Biennial Budget
Why should Mainers pay more for closed government schools?
Governor Janet Mills unveiled a new supplemental budget last week that would grow...
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Commentary
The problems with Governor Mills’ giveaways for vaccines
On Tuesday, Maine Governor Janet Mills joined President Joe Biden and a small...
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Coronavirus
Sen. Collins slams CDC for ‘confusing, conflicting guidance’
Maine Sen. Susan Collins grilled US CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Tuesday...
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Inside Augusta
Democrats oppose emergency power reform bills along party line votes
Governor Janet Mills’ reign over Maine people doesn’t appear to be ending anytime...
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Citizens' Initiative
Transparency and good governance a casualty of the majority budget
In late March, the 130th Maine Legislature met in-person at the Augusta Civic...
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Biennial Budget
Democrats approve Maine’s next biennial budget on majority vote
Maine lawmakers convened at the Augusta Civic Center on Tuesday to tackle the...
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Biennial Budget
Majority budget showdown set for Tuesday in Augusta
Maine’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee met on Thursday to hold a work...
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Biennial Budget
Democrats confirm plan to approve majority budget by April 1
The Maine Legislature will convene in person on Tuesday to approve the state’s...
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Biennial Budget
Are Maine Democrats moving ahead with a majority budget?
It appears Maine Democrats are looking to advance a majority budget in the...
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Biennial Budget
New analysis shows Mainers can’t keep up with government spending
State government spending has rapidly outpaced population growth in Maine over the last...
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Inside Augusta
Potential budget deal reached in Senate, House rejects terminating Mills’ state of emergency
The Maine Legislature convened in person on Wednesday at the Augusta Civic Center...
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Inside Augusta
Lawmakers convening Wednesday to debate supplemental budget, state of emergency
Maine lawmakers will convene in-person in Augusta this week for the first time...
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Coronavirus
Teachers don’t need to be vaccinated for Maine schools to reopen safely
Governor Janet Mills updated Maine’s statewide vaccination plan Wednesday to make teachers and...
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Citizens' Initiative
Bangor area residents launch ballot initiative to reform governor’s emergency powers
A new citizens initiative was approved for circulation in Maine on January 25,...
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Inside Augusta
After trying to oust Maine Capitol Police chief, Senate Democrats defend free speech on social media
More than 70 elected Maine Democrats, including 13 of 21 Democratic senators, signed...
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National
Watch Secretary of State Bellows’ uncomfortable exchange with Congressman Steil on HR 1
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows testified before Congress on Thursday in support...
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Taxes
After a difficult 2020, some lawmakers want to raise taxes on struggling Mainers
The last year has been challenging for most people in the country and...
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Commentary
Which New England state will be first to enact Right to Work?
New Hampshire has a lot going for it compared to the rest of...
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Energy & Environment
Baker’s climate official resigns after controversial statements: ‘Turn the screws’ on ‘seniors on fixed income’
David Ismay, the Undersecretary for Climate Change within Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s Executive...
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Inside Augusta
Mills unveils new compromise on PPP issue, tax conformity
Maine Governor Janet Mills issued a press release Tuesday outlining a proposed path...
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Election Center
Effort to expand ranked-choice in Maine voting receives hearing this week
Advocates of ranked-choice voting again seek to expand the use of the voting...
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Inside Augusta
Fake concept drafts don’t belong in a virtual legislative session
Much of the Maine Legislature’s regular business looks different this year. The Clerk...
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Education
School choice in Maine amid the pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic and our collective response to it has changed (for better...
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Taxes
After closing Maine businesses, Mills wants them to pay state taxes on their PPP loans
Governor Janet Mills wants to balance her bloated budget on the backs of...
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Inside Augusta
New letter defends Chief Gauvin’s free speech rights
After Maine Democrats sent a letter to the state’s top public safety official...
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Commentary
Threats of violence and thoughtcrimes: Selective speech standards at the State House
Maine’s Capitol Police Chief Russ Gauvin is on trial in the court of...
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Labor
After a tough year for restaurants, Biden wants to eliminate the tip credit
It’s no secret that restaurants have been particularly impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and...
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Coronavirus
Maine to prioritize vulnerable populations in vaccine rollout
Since the first COVID-19 vaccine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug...
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Inside Augusta
First bills of the 130th Legislature released for public consumption
Last week our team offered a preview of the First Session of the...
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Commentary
The good, the bad and the ugly bills that could be debated this session
Just before the holidays, the legislature released a list of all legislator and...
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Commentary
Lawmakers submit more than a dozen bill requests to reform emergency executive power
After nearly a year with one person unilaterally dictating public policy in Maine,...
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Transportation
Gov. Mills keeps Maine out of regional gas tax scheme, at least for now
Last week, the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) released its final Memorandum of Understanding...
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Education
Pandemic reveals parents want more choice in their child’s education
The pandemic has revealed something many of us have believed for a long...
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Economy
One-in-four small businesses expect to close if economic conditions don’t improve
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Research Center released a new survey...
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Commentary
Some lawmakers propose reining in Mills’ emergency power, assuming control of virus response
Some members of the Maine Legislature are speaking out against Gov. Janet Mills’...
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Commentary
Maine not out of the woods despite rosier revenue projections
Though Maine’s response to the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly taken a toll on...
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Coronavirus
Brunswick father says social isolation drove his son to kill himself
Maine is mourning the loss of Spencer Smith, a 16-year-old sophomore at Brunswick...
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Commentary
Bellows wastes $74,150 in taxpayer funds to take over as secretary of state
It’s the start of a new term of the Maine Legislature, which means...
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Transportation
Maine’s transportation infrastructure needs work
The Reason Foundation’s 25th Annual Highway Report highlights something Mainers of all political...
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Commentary
What to be thankful for in this dreadful year of 2020
If you like individual liberty, economic freedom and self-determination, 2020 probably wasn’t the...
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Commentary
AG Frey warns Mainers about enforcement of Gov. Mills’ unscientific mask mandate
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey used his bully pulpit this week to remind...
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Commentary
Gov. Mills suggests Mainers call the cops on violators of coronavirus mandates
Last week, Governor Janet Mills joined Maine Public to shed crocodile tears for...
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Labor
Portland businesses worried about city’s new minimum wage ordinance
Portland voters approved Question A on their local ballots last week, an initiative...
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Commentary
What issues will Maine Democrats resurrect in 2021?
With Maine’s 2020 statewide general election behind us, it’s time to look ahead...
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Coronavirus
Mainers acknowledge lack of science behind Mills’ new mask mandate
When Gov. Janet Mills updated her mask mandate last week to require Mainers...
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Coronavirus
Wearing a mask alone in public defies science
Science, science science. It’s all about the science. Is it really, though? From...
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Commentary
California hates the holidays
Thinking about getting together with family for the holiday season? Think again. Just...
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Election Center
In-person voting remains a safe, secure way to vote
COVID-19 has changed a lot about our lives in 2020, including how we...
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Coronavirus
What Governor Mills can learn from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem
Maine Gov. Janet Mills joined Maine CDC director Dr. Nirav Shah on Wednesday...
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Election Center
Maine’s high court denies effort to keep counting absentee ballots after Election Day
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled late last week that absentee ballots must...
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Transportation
Deadline coming on Maine’s decision to participate in new gas tax scheme
Maine Policy Institute and a coalition of 17 other organizations sent letters to...
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Economy
Maine finally sends support to small businesses months after their forced closure
Better late than never, I suppose. Maine finally began disbursing grants to struggling...
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Election Center
Press Herald editorial board opposes local initiatives advanced by Democratic Socialists
The Portland Press Herald’s editorial board isn’t buying what the Southern Maine Democratic...
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Fiscal
Governor Mills among the most fiscally irresponsible governors in America
Last week, the Cato Institute released the newest edition of its Fiscal Policy...
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Coronavirus
Thousands of doctors and scientists agree: Lockdowns are making public health matters worse
Three leading epidemiologists gathered in Massachusetts on Sunday to sign the Great Barrington...
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Economy
New survey shows 1 in 5 small businesses anticipate layoffs in next 6 months
The National Federation of Independent Business Research Center released a new nationwide survey...
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Biennial Budget
One-time gimmicks can’t fix Maine’s long-term budget woes
Maine Gov. Janet Mills recently signed a curtailment order to keep the state’s...
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Labor
Pro-union state senator opposed her brewery employees’ unionization efforts
Rising Tide Brewing, a popular brewery located in Portland, faces a national labor...
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Election Center
Maine’s high court rules RCV must be used in presidential election
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled Tuesday that ranked-choice voting must be used...
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Education
Maine school choice lawsuit replicated in New Hampshire, Vermont
A pair of lawsuits that mirror a Maine-based legal challenge (currently pending in...
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Labor
How will Maine’s struggling small businesses survive the next unfunded mandate?
The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) issued a press release Monday raising...
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Coronavirus
Shutdown Stories: Aquaboggan
Aquaboggan in Saco was forced to close in late August after receiving a...
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Education
Mills administration and MPA conclude football, volleyball cannot be played this fall
Bowing to pressure from the Mills administration, the Maine Principals’ Association announced Thursday...
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Commentary
Governor Mills moves the goalposts on high school sports
After telling the public that the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) would have the...
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Election Center
SoS Dunlap asks Maine’s high court to strike RCV people’s veto from November ballot
Secretary of State Matt Dunlap is challenging a decision issued last week by...
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In Depth
How will the University of Maine System enforce its new social distancing rules?
Do you remember this spring when we were told to stay home to...
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Education
Mills administration appears destined to halt high school sports this fall
The Maine Principals’ Association’s (MPA) Interscholastic Management Committee voted unanimously on Thursday to...
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In Depth
Survey shows 1 in 5 small businesses will close soon if economic conditions do not improve
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released a new survey Monday of...
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Election Center
Court overturns SoS Dunlap’s decision to keep RCV veto off November ballot
A judge ruled late Monday that the Maine Republican Party collected enough valid...
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Coronavirus
Gov. Mills’ business relief package too little, too late for many small businesses
Maine Gov. Janet Mills announced Thursday the creation of a new small business...
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Education
USM president’s BLM statement and ‘antiracism pledge’ troubling for many reasons
Last week, Reason covered a story about the new “Black Lives Matter Statement...
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Coronavirus
The effects of Maine’s economic, societal shutdown from COVID-19
Maine Policy Institute today released a new report that sheds light on the...
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Election Center
Secretary of State misses 13,000 ballots in initial July primary RCV tabulation
Maine’s ranked-choice voting woes continue. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap announced Monday his...
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Election Center
New lawsuit seeks to end the use of ranked-choice voting in Maine
Four Maine citizens filed a lawsuit late last week against Secretary of State...
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Election Center
New nationwide campaign to educate voters on pitfalls of ranked-choice voting
A coalition of state-based think tanks launched a new nationwide campaign Friday to...
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Coronavirus
Shutdown Stories: Maine Indoor Karting
In November 2003, Maine Indoor Karting (MIK) opened its doors, becoming the first...
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Coronavirus
Governor Mills and selective science
This piece was originally published in the Portland Press Herald Businesses throughout Maine...
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Inside Augusta
Maine Senate Republicans ask the presiding officers to convene the Legislative Council
The leaders of the minority Republicans in the Maine Senate on Wednesday sent...
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Coronavirus
Shutdown Stories: Yankee Lanes
On March 17, Nelson Moody, owner of Yankee Lanes bowling alley in Brunswick,...
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Coronavirus
Bipartisan pair of lawmakers call for a more expansive rural reopening
A bipartisan pair of lawmakers representing rural towns in Androscoggin and Cumberland counties...
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Coronavirus
Shutdown Stories: Live Well Farm
Patty and Scott Ruppert own Live Well Farm, a destination wedding venue in...
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Inside Augusta
New legislative proposal would curb emergency powers of Maine’s chief executive
In a press statement released late Monday afternoon, House Minority Leader Rep. Kathleen...
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Daily Catch
Tourism and hospitality groups urge Gov. Mills to nix quarantine restriction, reopen Maine’s economy
Seven groups representing different facets of Maine’s tourism and hospitality industry sent an...
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Inside Augusta
Gov. Mills announces changes to her plan to reopen Maine
Governor Janet Mills announced changes to her plan to reopen Maine’s economy Friday...
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Inside Augusta
For how long will Maine be under a civil state of emergency?
On March 15, Maine Governor Janet Mills declared a civil state of emergency enabling her...
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Inside Augusta
Governor Mills signals changes are coming to her plan to reopen Maine’s economy
Governor Janet Mills alluded to forthcoming changes to her plan to reopen Maine’s...
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Commentary
Gov. Mills’ multi-phase ‘recovery’ plan is a blueprint for a prolonged economic depression
Governor Mills unveiled her multi-phase plan for slowly reopening the Maine economy on...
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Daily Catch
Auburn mayor Jason Levesque asks Gov. Mills to lift statewide stay at home order
Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque sent Maine Governor Janet Mills a letter Tuesday requesting...
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Daily Catch
A plan for reopening Maine’s economy
Maine Policy Institute on Monday sent to Governor Janet Mills a list of...
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Fiscal
Frivolous spending leaves Maine ill-equipped to weather economic slowdown
Unnecessary spending in Governor Janet Mills’ biennial budget, approved by Maine lawmakers in...
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Election Center
Lawsuit aims to halt people’s veto effort to repeal ranked-choice voting in presidential elections
The Committee on Ranked Choice Voting, one of the primary proponents of the...
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Inside Augusta
Governor Mills issues order to stop evictions, foreclosures during coronavirus shutdown
Maine Governor Janet Mills signed an executive order Thursday that effectively prevents the...
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Daily Catch
Four new deaths, 770 confirmed cases of coronavirus statewide
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting Wednesday an additional...
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Daily Catch
Governor Mills extends Maine’s civil emergency order to May 15
Governor Janet Mills announced Tuesday she signed a proclamation extending until May 15...