Author: Jon Fetherston

A coalition of 39 U.S. senators, including Maine Independent Angus King and 38 Democratic senators, is demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security following two fatal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shootings, including the July 13 death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford. In a letter sent to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the senators called for immediate changes to ICE vehicle stop policies, additional officer training, and greater transparency following the fatal shootings in Maine and Texas. The letter comes just days after White House Border Czar Tom Homan announced ICE will require agents conducting vehicle stops to…

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration announced Sunday that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers will soon be required to wear body cameras during vehicle stops, a significant policy shift that follows two fatal ICE shootings in less than a week, including the death of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Biddeford. White House border czar Tom Homan announced the change during appearances on Fox & Friends Weekend and CBS’s Face the Nation, saying body cameras provide greater transparency while protecting both law enforcement officers and the public. “They exonerate more law enforcement than they convict, and I want officers to…

A death investigation is underway in Boston after police discovered a deceased person Saturday afternoon at a multi-family rental property owned by Conan Harris, the husband of Massachusetts Democratic U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley. According to the Boston Police Department, officers responded to 25 Malta Street in the city’s Mattapan neighborhood at approximately 1:52 p.m. on July 18 after receiving a report to “investigate a person.” Upon arrival, officers located a deceased individual inside the property. The Boston Police Homicide Unit has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which is standard procedure in Boston for unattended or suspicious deaths until investigators determine…

AUGUSTA, Maine — A conservative advocacy organization founded, by state Rep. Laurel Libby, has released a detailed accounting of what it describes as 32 tax increases, new fees and other fiscal actions approved during Democratic Gov. Janet Mills’ eight years in office. The release comes as Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree, Mills’ former policy chief and hand-picked successor, campaigns on promises to make Maine more affordable. Lead Maine’s newly released “Mills Tax Tracker” raises a straightforward question for voters: After eight years of Mills administration policies, what would actually be different under Pingree? According to the organization, state spending has…

SCARBOURGH, Maine -U.S. Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) made an unannounced oversight inspection of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Scarborough on Friday, following the fatal ICE-involved shooting of a motorist in Biddeford that has sparked statewide protests and demands for greater transparency. The visit came just days after the death of 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national who was shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation in Biddeford. Federal officials have acknowledged Durán Guerrero was not the intended target of the investigation, and multiple state and federal investigations into the shooting remain…

The Lewiston City Council could remove Council President David Chittim from his leadership position Tuesday following months of controversy over his attempts to reverse council decisions, his suggestion that the council could ignore the city charter, and his response to survivors of the 2023 mass shooting. Two items on the council’s July 21 agenda could bring Chittim’s tenure as president to an early end. The first asks councilors to rescind Vote 12-2026, the Jan. 5 vote that elected Chittim as council president for 2026. If that measure passes, the council would immediately accept nominations and elect a new president to…

PORTLAND, Maine – A new community-driven pedestrian safety campaign is launching this summer in Portland, Lewiston and Auburn as state and local officials seek to reduce the growing number of fatal and serious pedestrian crashes in Maine’s urban communities. The campaign, developed in partnership with the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, will use messages created with input from residents, business owners, artists, commuters, neighborhood groups and community leaders. The campaign comes as pedestrian fatalities have increased across Maine in recent years, with Portland, Lewiston and Auburn accounting for a disproportionate share of the state’s serious and fatal pedestrian crashes. “As…

WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance have welcomed their fourth child, a baby boy named Alec Neel Vance, the family announced Sunday. The Vances shared the news on social media, saying both Usha and the newborn are healthy and doing well. They also said their three older children, Ewan, 9, Vivek, 6, and Mirabel, 4, are excited to welcome their new baby brother. Alec was born at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where the family said they received exceptional care from military medical staff and the White House Medical Unit. “We…

Former Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and former gubernatorial candidate Dr. Nirav Shah both suspended their campaigns for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, with Bellows announcing her decision first and Shah following later in the day. Both endorsed former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson, effectively clearing the path for Jackson to become the Democratic nominee at next weekend’s state convention. The announcements came less than 24 hours after Democrats across Maine held county caucuses to elect delegates to the July 25 nominating convention in Bangor. Jackson’s campaign emerged from those caucuses with a commanding delegate…

Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson emerged as the clear front-runner Saturday as Maine Democrats began the unprecedented process of selecting delegates who will choose the party’s replacement nominee for the U.S. Senate race following Graham Platner’s withdrawal. County Democratic committees across Maine held the first round of delegate caucuses Saturday, electing representatives who will attend the party’s special nominating convention on July 25 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. There, 601 delegates will decide who will become the Democratic nominee to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in November. By the end of Saturday’s caucuses, Jackson had built…

EDINBURGH, Maine – A 61-year-old Howland man was killed Saturday evening after losing control of his vehicle on Interstate 95 in Edinburg, according to the Maine State Police. Troopers were called to the scene at approximately 7:50 p.m. on July 18 following reports of a single-vehicle crash in the median near mile marker 210. When first responders arrived, they found the driver, identified as Bruce Ireland, 61, of Howland, deceased inside a 2012 Honda Accord. The crash remains under investigation, but preliminary findings indicate Ireland was traveling northbound on wet pavement at a high rate of speed when he lost…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) announced Sunday that she is ending her campaign for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, removing one of the party’s highest-profile candidates from the race to replace former Democratic nominee Graham Platner. In a statement released Sunday, Bellows said she was stepping aside to focus on her duties as Maine’s chief elections official amid what she described as increasing threats to democracy. “Today I am withdrawing from the U.S. Senate race,” Bellows said. “Donald Trump’s attacks on our democracy are only accelerating, and the best way that I can serve our state…

While Maine Democrats spent the weekend selecting delegates to replace former U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner following his withdrawal from the race amid allegations of sexual assault, Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was on the campaign trail in her home county, greeting voters at one of northern Maine’s signature summer traditions. Collins joined thousands of spectators Saturday at the 79th annual Maine Potato Blossom Festival in Fort Fairfield, walking in the festival’s signature parade through downtown as residents celebrated Aroostook County’s agricultural heritage. The nine-day festival, held each summer while potato fields are in bloom, honors the region’s farming tradition…

The conflict between the United States and Iran escalated sharply over the weekend after two American service members were killed in an Iranian missile and drone attack on a U.S. base in Jordan, prompting President Donald Trump to order an eighth consecutive night of retaliatory airstrikes against Iranian military targets. The latest developments mark another significant escalation in a conflict that has expanded rapidly since the collapse of a two-week ceasefire earlier this month. U.S. Central Command confirmed that two service members were killed in action while helping defend the Jordanian base from Iranian ballistic missiles and drones. A third…

A Biddeford man suffered critical injuries Friday afternoon after a three-vehicle crash at the intersection of Routes 25 and 11 in Limington, according to Maine State Police. Troopers responded to the crash at approximately 4:08 p.m. on July 17. An initial investigation determined that Robert Letellier, 85, of Biddeford, was driving a 1957 Ford truck when he failed to stop for a red light and entered the intersection. Police said Letellier’s truck collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Michael Simpson of Limington. The force of the crash caused Letellier, who investigators said was not wearing a seatbelt, to be…

The Maine chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is considering whether to endorse former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson as he seeks the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. Jackson is expected to meet with Maine DSA members on Monday for a question-and-answer session as the organization considers an endorsement petition related to the U.S. Senate contest. https://www.mainedsa.org/upcoming-maine-dsa-events/ The meeting does not mean Jackson has already received the organization’s support in the race. Maine DSA previously endorsed Jackson during his campaign for governor. Jackson ultimately lost that contest and is now seeking the Democratic nomination for…

More than 1,000 protesters gathered in Portland’s Monument Square on Saturday despite steady rain, calling for the abolition of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following last week’s fatal shooting of a Colombian immigrant during an enforcement operation in Biddeford. The demonstration was part of a nationwide “National Day of Action” held in cities across the country, with organizers focusing on the July 13 death of 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. The shooting has become a flashpoint in Maine, drawing calls from elected officials, civil rights advocates, and members of the public for an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding…

A fire that damaged a small camp in Montville was caused by the failure of a backup power bank being used to power office equipment, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Investigators responded to the property after the Montville Fire Department reported a structure fire involving the camp. The property owner was not home when the fire broke out, and a neighboring resident reported the blaze, officials said. Fire investigators interviewed witnesses and examined the scene before determining that the fire began on the first floor of the camp. Investigators learned that electrical service had recently been…

By Jon Fetherston A young man is dead. That is where this story begins, and that is where our focus should remain. Monday’s fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Biddeford has shaken Maine and drawn national attention. It is a tragedy that has left a family grieving, a community searching for answers, and a state demanding accountability. What happened? Was deadly force justified? Could the encounter have ended differently? Was there a failure in training, communication, or policy? Today, we simply do not know. That is why Governor Janet Mills, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and…

A sharp increase in illnesses caused by a microscopic intestinal parasite has spread across much of the United States, prompting federal health officials to warn doctors and consumers about prolonged symptoms that can last for weeks without treatment. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,645 confirmed domestically acquired cases of cyclosporiasis across 34 states as of July 14. Another 5,100 cases were awaiting further analysis to determine whether they were acquired inside the United States. At least 141 patients have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported. By comparison, only 249 confirmed cases had been reported…

The war between the United States and Iran escalated sharply Friday, with American forces launching a seventh consecutive night of airstrikes as Tehran fired missiles and drones toward U.S. military installations across the Middle East. The renewed fighting follows the collapse of an interim ceasefire that President Donald Trump declared “over” on July 8. Since then, both countries have expanded their operations, raising fears that the conflict could spread across the region and severely disrupt global energy supplies. U.S. Central Command said the latest American strikes targeted Iranian military logistics, surveillance systems, weapons-storage facilities and maritime operations. The bombing campaign…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump delivered a roughly 30-minute primetime address from the White House Thursday night, focusing on election security, alleged vulnerabilities in the nation’s voting systems, and what he described as newly declassified intelligence related to foreign interference. Rather than announcing any immediate executive action, the president used the nationally televised speech to urge Congress to pass the SAVE America Act and highlighted documents his administration says have been declassified for public review. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2077933559717732527?s=46 Trump alleged that the People’s Republic of China obtained approximately 220 million U.S. voter records during the 2020 election cycle, calling it…

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (I) are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to work closely with Maine state and local law enforcement as multiple investigations continue into Tuesday’s fatal officer-involved shooting in Biddeford involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. In a letter sent Tuesday to Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, the senators urged the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to fully cooperate with Maine authorities to ensure the investigation is thorough, transparent, and impartial. “We write to request that the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of…

Senate Democrats were largely absent Wednesday as the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee convened a hearing, on Wednesday, titled “Exposing Fraud in America,” leaving nearly the entire Democratic side of the committee room empty during testimony focused on alleged fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs and election integrity. The hearing, chaired by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), featured testimony from independent journalist Nick Shirley, O’Keefe Media Group CEO James O’Keefe, and Project on Government Oversight Acting Vice President Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette. Witnesses discussed a range of alleged fraud schemes, including daycare fraud in Minnesota and ballot collection practices in California. Michigan Sen. Gary Peters,…

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should temporarily suspend non-emergency vehicle stops while investigators determine exactly what happened in the fatal ICE-related shooting in Biddeford, but argued that calls to abolish the agency would make the country less safe. Collins made the remarks Thursday during an appearance on Maine’s Morning News with Ric. Tyler and Paul Wolfe on WVOM. The senator said she spoke directly with Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin following the Biddeford incident and recommended pausing routine vehicle stops until investigations into both the Maine shooting and a similar incident in Houston are complete. “After…

Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles said Thursday that Maine’s sanctuary policies have undermined cooperation between state, local, and federal law enforcement, arguing that the breakdown contributed to the circumstances surrounding this week’s fatal ICE shooting in Biddeford. Speaking on WVOM’s Maine’s Morning News with Ric Tyler and Paul Wolfe, Charles repeatedly cautioned that many facts surrounding the shooting remain unknown while calling for greater transparency from state officials and urging Mainers to allow the investigation to unfold. “We have to let facts unfold here,” Charles said. “I’ve read and reread all of the reporting, and there are gaps.” Charles said Gov. Janet…

President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a primetime address to the nation Thursday night, with the White House indicating the speech will focus on election security, voting integrity, and what the president has described as a “really, really big” announcement.  The address is set to begin at 9 p.m. Eastern Time and will be delivered from the White House. The speech comes as the administration continues to push election-related reforms ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and amid ongoing debate over federal voting policies. Speaking with reporters earlier this week in the Oval Office, Trump previewed the address without revealing specific…

Gov. Janet Mills traveled to Biddeford on Wednesday to meet with city officials, legislators and the family of the man killed during Monday’s fatal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation, describing the shooting as a tragedy that has shaken communities across Maine while renewing her call for Congress to reform the federal immigration agency. Following a private meeting at Biddeford City Hall with Mayor Liam LaFontaine, House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, members of the local legislative delegation and a representative of the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, Mills said her purpose was to express condolences and support a community struggling to…

A six-unit apartment building in Yarmouth was destroyed in an overnight fire that displaced all of its residents, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. The fire broke out shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, July 13, when the Yarmouth Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at the apartment building located at 18 Bridge Street. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke coming from the building’s soffits. As crews investigated further, they discovered an active fire burning in the attic space above the second-floor apartments. Firefighters worked throughout the night to bring the blaze under control and extinguish the…

ELLSWORTH, Maine — The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a propane explosion that seriously injured the occupant of a converted recreational vehicle in Ellsworth on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency responders were dispatched to 253 North Street at approximately 3 p.m. on July 14 following reports of a propane explosion involving a bus that had been converted into an RV. According to the preliminary investigation, the explosion originated inside a cabinet beneath the vehicle’s propane range. Fire investigators believe the most likely ignition source was the electric compressor motor of a nearby refrigerator. Investigators were unable to determine the exact…

The Maine Democratic Party’s accelerated effort to replace former U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is drawing intense interest from party activists across the state, with more than 5,500 people applying to participate as delegates or voters in the nomination process that will ultimately narrow to just 601 delegates selecting the party’s nominee.  The surge in participation comes as Democrats work against a tight legal deadline after Platner withdrew from the race. State law requires the party to nominate a replacement by July 27, prompting party leaders to schedule a special nominating convention for Saturday, July 25, in Bangor. Under the process adopted by the…

Three people were injured Monday afternoon in a four-vehicle crash involving two dump trucks and two passenger vehicles on Washington Avenue, according to Portland Police. Officers responded to the intersection of Washington Avenue and Byfield Road at approximately 12:44 p.m. on July 13. Investigators determined that an 82-year-old man driving a dump truck swerved to avoid traffic that had stopped in front of him. He then swerved back to avoid oncoming traffic, triggering a crash involving a second dump truck, a Toyota Tacoma and a Toyota Corolla. The Tacoma was occupied by a 56-year-old woman and a 79-year-old woman. The…

A Portland City Council candidate has suspended her campaign after a protection-from-abuse order involving a sitting councilor triggered an extraordinary political and legal controversy at City Hall. Jessica “Jess” Falero abandoned her campaign for an at-large council seat after District 1 Councilor Sarah Michniewicz publicly raised concerns about the possibility of serving alongside someone legally prohibited from contacting her. The dispute presented Portland with a situation that city officials may never have encountered before: two elected councilors potentially sharing meeting rooms, committee assignments and municipal responsibilities while one remained subject to a court order barring contact with the other. Falero,…

A Limerick man was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly fleeing from a Maine State Police trooper, ramming a police cruiser and leading authorities on a pursuit into New Hampshire. Shortly after midnight on July 12, a Maine State Police trooper stopped to investigate a suspicious vehicle parked outside the closed Alpha Sports Center in Limerick. The driver was reportedly slumped over the steering wheel when the trooper approached the vehicle. When the trooper knocked on the window, the driver woke up and sped out of the parking lot onto Route 5. The trooper initiated a pursuit, during which the…

The temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has collapsed, with President Donald Trump declaring the agreement over and ordering multiple waves of military strikes against targets across Iran. The conflict rapidly escalated over the weekend following a series of Iranian attacks on commercial shipping vessels and subsequent U.S. retaliation, sending global energy markets sharply higher and raising fears of a prolonged regional war. U.S. Strikes Roughly 140 Iranian Targets The latest round of fighting began after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship. In response, Trump directed U.S. Central Command to carry out severe retaliatory…

BANGOR, Maine — The Maine Democratic Party will convene an emergency nominating convention later this month, placing the power to choose its new U.S. Senate nominee in the hands of 601 party delegates following the dramatic collapse of Graham Platner’s campaign. The unprecedented convention will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The nominee selected there will have just two days before the party’s legally mandated 5 p.m. July 27 deadline to certify a replacement candidate to face Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in November. Platner won the June 9 Democratic primary…

LISBON, Maine — In an era dominated by television ads, social media videos, and digital fundraising, one of the oldest forms of political campaigning is still alive and well in Maine: walking a parade route and shaking hands with voters. That tradition was on full display Saturday as thousands of people packed the streets of Lisbon Falls for the annual Moxie Festival Parade, one of Maine’s largest and most recognizable summer celebrations. Among the political leaders and candidates greeting spectators were U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R) , former Governor Paul LePage (R), who is currently running for Congress, Republican congressional…

RANDOLPH, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) joined Randolph officials, firefighters and residents Saturday to celebrate the opening of the town’s new fire station, marking the completion of a project local leaders pursued for more than a decade. Collins attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony after marching earlier in the day in the Moxie Festival Parade in Lisbon. The new Randolph Volunteer Fire Station will serve not only the town’s residents but also surrounding communities through mutual-aid agreements. The department provides assistance to Pittston, Farmingdale, Chelsea, Gardiner, West Gardiner, Hallowell and the Togus VA Medical Center. Collins, who serves on the…

PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland police detective has received international recognition for solving an 11-year-old cold case involving the death of a South Korean national in Maine’s largest city. Detective Andjelko Napijalo was honored this week by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York for his work bringing the long-unsolved investigation to a successful conclusion. During a ceremony at the Consulate General’s office in Manhattan, Consul General Kim Sang-ho presented Napijalo with a Letter of Appreciation recognizing his dedication, perseverance and commitment to securing justice for the victim and the victim’s family. Letters from the victim’s…

The Maine Democratic Party has launched an expedited nomination process to select a new candidate for the U.S. Senate, giving party members less than three weeks to choose a nominee who will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. The unusual process must be completed by 5 p.m. on July 27, according to information released by the party. Under the plan, prospective candidates must formally declare their intention to run and collect the required signatures to qualify for consideration. The process will then move to a series of county nominating meetings scheduled for July 18 and 19. Democratic Party members…

For years, Mainers have been told everything is fine. If you question the direction of the state, you’re accused of being negative. If you point to declining rankings, you’re told the statistics are misleading. If you raise concerns about taxes, energy costs, education, crime, or the economy, you’re dismissed as being partisan. Enough. Maine has real problems, and pretending otherwise won’t solve them. A policy memo recently distributed by Common Sense for Maine compiles a series of statistics from publicly available sources that paint a troubling picture of where the state stands today. While every ranking has its own methodology…

The leaders of the Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine ballot initiative say their legal battle is far from over after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, sitting as the Law Court, upheld the Secretary of State’s decision to invalidate the citizen petition. In a statement released Friday, the ballot committee said it “disagrees with the Law Court’s decision” and noted that it has already filed a lawsuit in federal court. According to the committee, it intends to seek clarification of a federal consent order that it believes could affect the validity of 1,520 petition signatures. “The Protect Girls Sports in Maine…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner officially withdrew his candidacy Friday afternoon, submitting a formal letter to the Maine Department of the Secretary of State ending a campaign that collapsed after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct led to a mass exodus of political support. The withdrawal, dated July 10, formally removes Platner from consideration for the office and clears the way for the Maine Democratic Party to begin selecting a replacement nominee through its recently announced convention process. In his letter, Platner reflected on the June Democratic primary, noting that 156,084 Mainers voted for his campaign and…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston has spent much of the past year grappling with an alarming rise in violent crime, juvenile shootings, illegal firearms, and growing concerns over public safety. Residents have repeatedly asked city leaders for one thing: leadership. What unfolded Friday outside the Bartlett Street mosque was not leadership. Instead, it was another example of how a volatile situation can become even more combustible when elected officials choose confrontation over calm. The afternoon began when Lewiston police responded to reports that a man walking his dog on the public sidewalk in front of the Bartlett Street mosque had been confronted…

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are set to return to Maine this weekend for the first time since 2021, headlining The Great State of Maine Air Show at Brunswick Executive Airport. The two-day event will take place Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, at the airport located at 15 Terminal Road in Brunswick. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. both days, with the same aerial performance schedule planned for Saturday and Sunday. This year’s air show features one of the largest aviation lineups in Maine history. The Blue Angels’ precision flight demonstration will serve as…

The State of Utah has concluded its presentation of evidence in the week-long preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk. State District Judge Tony Graf Jr. is expected to rule by the end of the week on whether prosecutors have established enough probable cause to send the capital murder case to trial. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea. The most significant development in the hearing came when prosecutors played a redacted investigative video and presented text messages from Robinson’s…

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine – Maine residents across the state are continuing to report inconsistent and, in some cases, prolonged gaps in mail delivery, as the U.S. Postal Service struggles with staffing shortages, rising package volumes, and broader management reorganization. For many Mainers, the issue is no longer an occasional inconvenience. It has become a regular disruption affecting bills, prescriptions, retirement checks, Social Security payments, and other essential deliveries. This reporter, who lives in Saco, has experienced mail service that is, at best, inconsistent. Residents in neighboring Old Orchard Beach recently told this reporter at The Brunswick, in Old Orchard…

LISBON, Maine — One of Maine’s quirkiest and most beloved summer traditions returns this weekend as the annual Moxie Festival brings three days of parades, contests, live music and family-friendly events to Lisbon. https://www.moxiefestival.com Held each year on the second weekend in July, the festival celebrates Moxie, the distinctively flavored soda that has become a point of pride for generations of Mainers. Centered around Lisbon High School and Lisbon Falls, the event draws locals, longtime fans and curious visitors eager to experience one of the state’s most unusual celebrations. But Moxie is more than a soda. In Maine, it is…

The Maine Democratic Party has released the official rules governing how candidates may seek the party’s nomination for U.S. Senate following Graham Platner’s decision to suspend his campaign, offering the first detailed explanation of a process party leaders have repeatedly described as “transparent.” The release comes as Democrats race against the clock to replace their nominee before Maine’s statutory ballot deadlines. Although Platner announced earlier this week that he was suspending his campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct and the collapse of support from prominent Democrats, he has not yet filed the official paperwork with the Maine Secretary of State’s…

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the fragile ceasefire with Iran is “over,” plunging the United States and Tehran back into a dangerous cycle of direct military conflict after a major flare-up in the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed hostilities followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels traveling through one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. The escalation quickly rattled global markets, sending Brent crude sharply higher and raising new concerns about fuel prices for American consumers. Oil prices surged after the collapse of the truce, with Brent crude briefly climbing to $80.59 per barrel before settling at $78.02, a…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine voters were told the state needed a stronger red flag law for moments when warning signs were visible before tragedy struck. Now, after the political collapse of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner, the question is unavoidable: If the law was written to identify people who may pose a danger when firearms are involved, what exactly would qualify? Platner suspended his campaign this week after a sexual assault allegation surfaced, which he has denied. The allegation came after months of scrutiny over his past conduct, his online statements, his admitted struggles after military service, and a…

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a sweeping warning to election officials across the country, advising that state and local election administrators could face criminal prosecution if they knowingly allow noncitizens to remain on voter rolls or cast ballots in federal elections. According to multiple reports, the department sent nearly identical seven-page letters to election officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, demanding they explain within five days how they intend to comply with federal laws prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections. The letters were signed by Harmeet Dhillon, who serves as Assistant Attorney General…

Assistant House Republican Leader Rep. Katrina Smith has formally requested that the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices review whether Speaker Ryan Fecteau’s continued service in the Maine House of Representatives, including as Speaker, is consistent with Maine’s legislative ethics and conflict-of-interest laws following his acceptance of employment as Executive Director of the Biddeford Housing Authority. Smith, a Republican representing Palermo and serving in House leadership as Assistant House Republican Leader, submitted the request pursuant to the commission’s authority under state law. In her letter, she emphasized that she is not alleging wrongdoing or presuming that Fecteau has…

I first met Graham Platner not as a supporter, not as an ally, and certainly not as someone who agreed with his politics. I met him as a reporter. From the beginning, I made one thing clear to him: I did not agree with much of anything that came out of his mouth, but I would treat him fairly and report on him honestly. To his credit, at least in those early encounters, Platner understood that. He shook my hand. He hugged me. He told me that was all he could ask, because if he was going to be successful,…

SULLIVAN, Maine – The stunning collapse of Democratic nominee Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign has plunged Maine Democrats into an unprecedented race against the clock, forcing party leaders to rapidly organize a nominating convention to select a new challenger to Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Platner suspended his campaign following high-profile sexual assault allegations, setting off a political firestorm that quickly unraveled what had been the Democratic Party’s effort to unseat Collins in one of the nation’s closely watched Senate races. The catalyst came when a former girlfriend publicly accused Platner of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in 2021.…

Graham Platner was supposed to be the Democrats’ answer to Susan Collins. Instead, he became a national embarrassment. The rise and fall of Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign is not merely the story of one candidate imploding under the weight of his own record. It is the story of a political party that ignored every warning sign until it became impossible to pretend anymore. It is the story of national Democrats, progressive activists, celebrity validators, and friendly media outlets convincing themselves that winning mattered more than judgment, character, or basic due diligence. Now Maine is left holding the bag. Platner, the…

After hearing passionate testimony from residents, elected officials and advocates, the Auburn City Council voted Monday night to table a proposed ordinance regulating syringe service programs until its next meeting, extending a debate that has drawn significant public attention across the Twin Cities. The proposed ordinance would establish new operating standards for syringe service providers, including limiting the number of approved programs, requiring certification through the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, mandating daily cleanup of areas surrounding program sites, and imposing additional reporting and operational requirements intended to address public safety and neighborhood concerns. The meeting drew speakers…

Politicians, progressive organizations and celebrity supporters are rushing to distance themselves from Graham Platner, raising questions about whether they were hypocrites, grossly uninformed or simply willing to overlook anything that might help defeat Susan Collins The politicians, progressive organizations and national personalities that helped transform Graham Platner from a little-known oyster farmer into Maine’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate are now scrambling to distance themselves from the candidate they spent months promoting. Some have formally withdrawn their endorsements. Others have called on Platner to leave the race without acknowledging the role they played in putting him at the top…

INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an arson fire that caused significant damage to a building owned by the Penobscot Nation early Wednesday morning. The fire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. on July 8 at 4 Wabanaki Way on Indian Island, just outside Old Town. No injuries were reported. Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office are working alongside the Penobscot Nation Police Department, Old Town Police Department, and Old Town Fire Department. The fire has been ruled arson. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Penobscot Nation Police Department…

KINGFIELD, Maine — The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that destroyed the Carrabassett Valley Veterinary Clinic in Kingfield Tuesday afternoon after witnesses reported hearing explosions. The fire was reported at approximately 3:40 p.m. on July 7 while employees, animals and an upstairs resident were inside the large, two-story building. All veterinary clinic employees and animals were safely evacuated. The resident of an upstairs apartment also escaped, but two cats inside the apartment died in the fire. Fire Marshal investigators arrived while crews were still working to suppress the blaze. The metal-roofed and metal-sided building sustained…

In the wake of Graham Platner dropping out and potentially being replaced by Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows or Nirav Shah, former State Rep. John Andrews said Maine voters deserve legislators who will confront what he described as corruption and tyranny at the state level. Andrews, now a candidate for the Maine State Senate, said he has already demonstrated his willingness to challenge powerful political figures. “I’ve always tried to do the right thing when it was the hard thing. I stood up and called out the misconduct of these very individuals long before any of this became a national story,”…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston residents will have the final say on whether the city’s syringe exchange program should operate under significantly stricter rules after the Lewiston City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to send a citizen-led initiative to the November ballot. Rather than adopting the proposal outright, councilors voted 7-0 to place the measure before voters in a citywide referendum. The initiative, led by former Lewiston City Councilor Eryn Soule and resident Marcel LeClair, seeks to substantially amend the city’s existing Syringe Service Program ordinance. Supporters gathered 966 certified signatures, enough to require the City Council to either adopt the…

Embattled Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing mounting pressure to withdraw from the race following serious allegations of sexual assault and nonconsensual sexual behavior made by former partners. Platner has denied the allegations, but the political fallout has rapidly engulfed his campaign and left Maine Democrats scrambling to find a replacement before a fast-approaching legal deadline. The Maine Democratic Party, led by Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, has publicly called on Platner to step aside. Party officials have also made clear that neither Platner nor members of his campaign will be permitted to influence the process of selecting a…

The battle over whether Maine voters will be allowed to decide the future of girls’ sports and private spaces is now in the hands of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. The state’s highest court heard oral arguments on July 1 in a fast-moving legal dispute over the Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine citizen initiative, which seeks to require public schools to designate athletic teams, bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities according to biological sex. The initiative would require school sports teams to be classified as male, female or coeducational. Female teams would be reserved for students whose biological sex is…

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is effectively finished, following a dramatic overnight exchange of military strikes that has pushed the conflict back to the brink of full-scale war. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said the temporary agreement had run its course, adding that dealing with Tehran had become “a waste of time.” While the president indicated diplomatic discussions could technically continue, his remarks signaled a sharp departure from the ceasefire framework established just weeks ago. The latest escalation began early Wednesday…

At a time when Americans are marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, one of the country’s most recognizable television personalities has once again found herself at the center of a controversy over the American flag. During Monday’s broadcast of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin said neighborhoods displaying numerous American flags make her feel “unsafe.” https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2074202828038459444?s=20 “There are times when I walk into a community and I see American flags all over the community and I suddenly feel unsafe,” Hostin said during a discussion about patriotism and extremist groups. Hostin argued that some white nationalist organizations have “co-opted” the American flag and…

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized weeks after suffering a medical emergency at his Washington, D.C., home, with his office continuing to release only limited information about his condition. The 84-year-old Republican has not appeared in public since June 14, when emergency dispatch audio indicated paramedics responded to his residence for an unconscious individual reported to be in cardiac arrest. According to the dispatch, first responders performed CPR before transporting McConnell to a hospital. Since then, McConnell’s office has provided few details beyond saying the senator “continues to improve” and remains engaged in Senate business by working remotely with his…

As audiences increasingly move away from traditional television broadcasts and printed newspapers in favor of digital news, Maine Wire TV has emerged over the past few months as one of Maine’s fastest-growing online news programs, bringing viewers live coverage of breaking news, investigative reporting, political analysis, and interviews with the people shaping public policy across the state. Built as a digital-first news platform, Maine Wire TV reaches viewers wherever they consume their news rather than relying on a traditional television broadcast schedule. The program streams live on YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram, Substack, and is also available as a podcast on…

Why now? For months, Democratic leaders defended, endorsed, or remained silent as controversy after controversy engulfed their U.S. Senate nominee, Graham Platner. Now, following a newly reported sexual assault allegation made by former girlfriend Jenny Racicot, an allegation Platner has categorically denied, many of those same leaders are calling for him to end his campaign. The sudden reversal raises an unavoidable political question: What changed? The allegation reported this week is undeniably serious. But it did not emerge in a vacuum. Long before Monday’s calls for Platner to withdraw, his campaign had weathered months of public controversy. Resurfaced social media…

AUGUSTA, Maine — With mounting calls from Democratic leaders for U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from the race, attention is rapidly shifting to a question that seemed unlikely just days ago: who could replace him on the November ballot? The pressure on Platner intensified after new allegations of sexual assault became public. Platner has denied the allegations, calling them false, but acknowledged he is considering his next steps. National Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand, have publicly urged Platner to end his campaign, and the DSCC has announced…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Democrats may soon discover that their decision to rally around Graham Platner was not simply a political gamble, but a potentially devastating failure of judgment. The left leaning new outlet, POLITICO, Monday afternoon published a story stating that a woman who dated Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner says he forced her to have sex with him nearly five years ago despite her repeated objections, an allegation Platner denies. The woman, a 41-year-old Maine resident named Jenny Racicot, detailed the alleged incident to POLITICO. The Maine Wire was aware of this story for more than a week, prior to it being published…

The Auburn City Council is scheduled to consider final approval Monday night of a new ordinance regulating syringe service programs, as neighboring Lewiston faces a renewed citizen-led effort to impose stricter limits on the distribution of clean needles. The Auburn council will hold a workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Auburn Hall, located at 60 Court Street. Councilors gave initial approval to the syringe service ordinance on June 15. The proposal limits the city to no more than two licensed providers and requires each program to maintain certification from the Maine Center…

SEATTLE — President Donald Trump is drawing international attention after FIFA reversed the automatic suspension of U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun just hours before the Americans take the field Monday night against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The decision, which allows the United States’ leading scorer to play in one of the biggest matches in the program’s history, has ignited criticism from international soccer officials, pundits, and the Belgian Football Association, with some questioning whether politics has influenced the world’s most prestigious sporting event. According to reports, Trump personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino…

A 27-year-old Presque Isle man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to multiple federal offenses involving the attempted sexual exploitation of minors. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, Joseph Maile pleaded guilty to attempted sex trafficking of a minor, enticement of a minor, and attempted enticement of a minor. Court records state that in 2024, Maile used the social media platform Snap to proposition minors for sexual images and offered money in exchange for sex with minors. Maile faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum…

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, a newly released Gallup poll suggests national pride has fallen to its lowest level in the survey’s history, highlighting deep political and generational divides over how Americans view their country. The poll found that only 33 percent of Americans say they are “extremely proud” to be American, while another 20 percent say they are “very proud.” Combined, just 53 percent of respondents describe themselves as either extremely or very proud of the United States—a decline from 58 percent one year ago and a sharp drop from the patriotic surge that followed the…

A new Preble Street report identified more than 100 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in a single section of Portland, raising questions about whether government counts are capturing the full scope of the city’s continuing homelessness crisis. Preble Street Health Services and the Preble Street Outreach Collaborative identified 104 people living outside during an informal count conducted between Nov. 10 and Nov. 28, 2025. Of those, 82 completed surveys, while another 22 were observed but declined or did not complete the questionnaire. The number far exceeded the approximately 20 unsheltered people recorded throughout Cumberland County in Maine’s federally required 2025 Point-in-Time…

GOP lawmakers say Gov. Janet Mills allowed political differences with President Donald Trump to cost Maine a valuable opportunity to promote its tourism industry on the national stage. Republican lawmakers and volunteers stepped in to represent Maine at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after Gov. Janet Mills’ administration declined to operate the state’s official pavilion during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart and State Rep. Reagan Paul criticized the decision, arguing that Maine missed a rare opportunity to promote its tourism industry, small businesses, outdoor recreation and coastal communities before a national audience.…

President Donald Trump delivered a 35-minute national address Friday night from the National Mall as part of the “Salute to America 250” celebration, commemorating the nation’s 250th Independence Day with a speech centered on patriotism, American history, military strength, and the country’s future. The event faced significant challenges before the president took the stage. Record-breaking temperatures reached 102 degrees before severe thunderstorms and lightning swept through Washington, forcing officials to evacuate the National Mall for approximately two hours. After the storms passed, attendees were re-screened before returning to the event, allowing Trump to begin his address at approximately 11:15 p.m.…

A Sullivan man was killed Friday morning after the motorcycle he was operating crossed the centerline on Route 1 and collided head-on with a pickup truck, according to the Maine State Police. The crash occurred at approximately 8:25 a.m. on Friday, July 3, near the Washington Junction in Hancock. The preliminary investigation indicates that a motorcycle traveling westbound crossed into the eastbound lane, where it struck an oncoming pickup truck head-on. The motorcycle operator, identified as 44-year-old Jim Hoyt of Sullivan, was pronounced dead at the scene. State police said Hoyt was wearing a helmet at the time of the…

As Americans prepared to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used a nationally televised address Friday to present a dramatically different vision of the United States, delivering a speech that contrasted sharply with the patriotic messaging of President Donald Trump and drew immediate criticism from conservatives across the country. Speaking from New York City Hall while seated behind a historic desk once used by George Washington, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, delivered a 13-minute address surrounded by eight recently naturalized American citizens. https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/2073068774895366512?s=20 Throughout the speech, Mamdani challenged traditional expressions of American patriotism, arguing that the…

By Jon Fetherston Saturday, America turns 250 years old. Think about that for a moment. For a quarter of a millennium, this nation has stood as a beacon of freedom, hope, and opportunity unlike any other in history. Through wars, economic hardship, political division, and unimaginable challenges, the American experiment has endured.Happy Birthday, America.Despite what many in the national media would have you believe, the sky is not falling. Far from it. Yes, our country faces real challenges. Every generation has. But America has always been defined not by the problems we face, but by our ability to overcome them.…

The Robbins family has announced the death of Alden J. Robbins, who died on July 2, 2026, from injuries he sustained in the devastating explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber on May 15. In a statement released Friday through the Maine Department of Public Safety, the family said Robbins passed away peacefully while surrounded by loved ones after a weeks-long fight to recover from his injuries. “It is with profound sadness that the Robbins family announces the passing of Alden J. Robbins,” the family said. “We are heartbroken by the loss of a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and…

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful, nationally televised rebuke of communism Friday during an Independence Day event at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, warning that the ideology represents a “mortal threat to American liberty.” Speaking one day before the nation marked its 250th anniversary, Trump described communism as a greater danger to the United States than the World Wars or the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The president used the July 3 address to warn of what he described as a resurgence of communist ideology in the United States. He tied that concern directly to immigration and newcomers who, he claimed, embrace…

Gasoline prices in Maine have continued to decline heading into the Independence Day weekend, offering drivers some relief at the pump after months of steep increases tied to the war with Iran. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.859 on Saturday, July 4, according to AAA. That was slightly higher than the national average of $3.810 per gallon. Maine’s average has fallen by nearly eight cents over the past week, down from $3.938. Despite the recent decline, drivers are still paying significantly more than they were one year ago, when the statewide average stood at…

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing renewed scrutiny following a report from NBC News that multiple women who previously had personal relationships with him are now working with a progressive advocacy organization that is providing legal assistance and helping coordinate media communications. According to NBC News, attorney and progressive social media influencer Cheyenne Hunt is assisting several women from Platner’s past. Hunt’s organization, Reckoning Action, is reportedly providing the women with pro bono legal counsel while helping them navigate media attention. NBC attributed the information to two people familiar with Hunt’s plans. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/progressive-influencer-cheyenne-graham-platner-rcna352555 The development is notable because…

Nearly three years after the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history, Lewiston is once again confronting a public safety crisis…this time involving juveniles. Children are shooting children. The shootings have continued throughout 2026, alarming residents, law enforcement officials, educators, and community leaders. The Lewiston Police Department has repeatedly acknowledged staffing challenges while officers continue responding to a growing number of incidents involving juveniles carrying firearms and engaging in violent crime. In response to those concerns, the Maine Wire and Calvary Chapel of Lewiston recently hosted a community forum focused on youth gun violence. Residents, law enforcement officials, school leaders, elected…

Mainers planning to run errands, visit government offices, mail packages or travel over the Independence Day weekend should expect a split holiday schedule this year. Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Because the holiday lands on a Saturday, the federal government and the State of Maine will officially observe it on Friday, July 3. That means many government offices will be closed Friday, while the U.S. Postal Service, banks, retailers and other businesses may remain open. Friday, July 3 Federal government offices and federal courts will generally be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day. Maine state government…

President Donald Trump took his inaugural flight aboard a newly designated interim Air Force One on Wednesday, traveling from Joint Base Andrews to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The aircraft is a modified Boeing 747-8 valued at approximately $400 million that was given to the U.S. government by the royal family of Qatar. The plane, designated the VC-25B Bridge by the U.S. Air Force, will temporarily transport the president while Boeing continues work on two permanent next-generation Air Force One aircraft that have been delayed until at least 2028. https://twitter.com/MAGAVoice/status/2072534241762796022?s=20 Trump’s first trip aboard…

Communities across Maine have opened cooling centers to provide relief from dangerously high temperatures and humidity expected to continue through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings and heat advisories for large portions of the state. Heat index values could reach between 105 and 110 degrees in some areas, while communities under heat advisories could experience heat index values approaching 104 degrees. The heat is expected to peak Thursday and Friday, with widespread temperatures in the 90s outside Maine’s mountain regions. High humidity and warm overnight temperatures could provide little relief before…

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner continued his statewide campaign Wednesday with a well-attended rally in Cumberland, where supporters gathered despite oppressive summer heat to hear a speech centered on economic inequality, health care, housing, campaign finance reform and what he described as the need for sweeping political change. Speaking for roughly 40 minutes, Platner delivered remarks that echoed many of the themes he has emphasized throughout his Senate campaign, sharply criticizing President Donald Trump, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins while arguing that the nation’s political and economic systems increasingly favor wealthy interests over working…

WESTBROOK, Maine — A fire that caused significant damage to a two-story apartment building in Westbrook early Tuesday morning has been ruled accidental, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Westbrook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 23 Locust Street at approximately 2:46 a.m. on June 30. When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy flames extending up the left exterior side of the building. The fire had spread from the first floor to the second floor. Due to the volume of fire, officials called for a second alarm, bringing mutual aid departments from surrounding communities to…

A 33-year-old Indiana man has been arrested on multiple charges in connection with a fatal June crash in Hancock County that claimed the life of his 5-year-old son. Dion Campbell of Elkhart, Indiana, was arrested Monday night and transported to the Hancock County Jail, where he remains held without bail pending his initial court appearance on Wednesday, July 1. Campbell faces charges of Class A manslaughter, Class B criminal operating under the influence, Class C aggravated driving to endanger and Class D endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from a single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:26…

Buying a new car is becoming a financial burden many working Americans can no longer afford. New-vehicle prices are climbing again, but the sticker price is only the beginning. Higher interest rates, record monthly payments, longer loan terms, rising repair costs and expensive insurance premiums are driving the true cost of vehicle ownership far beyond the dealership lot. The average transaction price for a new vehicle reached $49,220 in May 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book. That was 1.2 percent higher than a year earlier, even after a slight decline from April. Prices rose even faster for several of the…

SACO, Maine  — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) joined local, state and federal officials in Saco Tuesday to mark the official start of construction on the Camp Ellis Shore Damage Mitigation Project, a long-awaited effort aimed at reducing shoreline erosion and storm damage in one of Maine’s most vulnerable coastal neighborhoods. The event included remarks from Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I), Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, and Col. Justin Pabis, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New England District. Collins, who serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee,…

The City of Portland will activate cooling centers this week as dangerous heat is expected to settle over the city from Wednesday through Friday. The downtown Portland Public Library, located at 5 Monument Square, will serve as the city’s cooling center on Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2, during its normal operating hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Friday, July 3, the Troubh Ice Arena, located at 225 Park Avenue, will serve as the city’s cooling center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. City officials said the cooling centers are being opened under Portland’s cooling center protocol…

A top Maine labor spokesman and vocal supporter of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing backlash after using the phrase “first against the wall” in a social media comment aimed at a Democratic strategist who refused to support Platner. Andy O’Brien, the communications director for the Maine AFL-CIO, made the comment as Democrats continue to wrestle with divisions following Platner’s primary victory over a field that included Gov. Janet Mills and Brunswick Democrat David Costello. https://twitter.com/TexBork/status/2072002280627347585?s=20 The Maine AFL-CIO endorsed Platner earlier this year, calling him the strongest pro-worker candidate in the race and pledging to put union…

More than three hours of testimony from police, prosecutors, educators, juvenile justice officials and community leaders painted a sobering picture of a city struggling to contain a surge in youth gun violence. But when the special Lewiston City Council meeting adjourned Tuesday night at Lewiston High School, residents were left with one overriding takeaway: no plan had been adopted, no votes were taken, and no immediate action was approved. The meeting brought nearly every agency involved in Lewiston’s juvenile justice system as officials attempted to explain why the city has experienced a sharp increase in shootings involving young offenders. Throughout…

The Lewiston City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday night as Maine’s second-largest city faces a deepening youth violence crisis marked by shootings, stolen guns, repeat juvenile arrests, and growing frustration from residents who say the system is failing to protect the community. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in the Multi-Purpose Room at Lewiston High School, located at 156 East Avenue. According to the city’s agenda, the meeting will focus on “recent youth gun violence in Lewiston.” Scheduled presenters include Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley, Androscoggin County District Attorney Neil McLean, Lewiston Superintendent…

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a split-decision day for President Donald Trump on Monday, handing him a sweeping victory on executive authority while rejecting his position in three other high-profile disputes involving the Federal Reserve, mail-in ballots and the E. Jean Carroll civil judgment. The biggest win for Trump came in Trump v. Slaughter, a landmark 6–3 decision that expanded presidential control over independent federal agencies. The court’s conservative majority ruled that presidents may remove heads of independent regulatory agencies at will, striking down a 91-year-old precedent that had limited a president’s ability to fire certain agency officials without cause.…

Maine communities from York County to Aroostook County are preparing for a busy week of Independence Day celebrations, with fireworks displays scheduled across the state beginning Thursday and continuing through the Fourth of July weekend. This year’s celebrations carry added significance as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, with many towns pairing fireworks with parades, concerts, food trucks, road races and family events. In southern Maine, several of the state’s largest public fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday, July 3. Portland will hold its annual fireworks display from the Eastern Promenade, with the show expected to begin…