Author: Jon Fetherston

PORTLAND, Maine – A dispute over next week’s WGME-TV Republican gubernatorial debate is intensifying after candidate Robert Wessels said he was excluded from the stage, prompting fellow Republican Ben Midgley to call for his inclusion and candidate Bobby Charles to announce he will boycott the event. Wessels accused the Portland-based station of sidelining his campaign after, according to Wessels, WGME labeled him “not significant enough” to participate. “WGME is trying to silence my campaign,” Wessels wrote on social media. “Either way, they’ve labeled my campaign as ‘Not significant enough’ to participate in their upcoming debate.” Wessels also suggested the decision…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner issued a statement Thursday praising Gov. Janet Mills’ public service and signaling his intention to unify Democrats following her decision to suspend her campaign for U.S. Senate. In a written statement released shortly after Mills announced she was stepping aside from the race due to financial constraints, Platner thanked the governor for her decades of service to Maine. “Janet Mills has dedicated her career to this beautiful state. We are all eternally grateful for her service to Maine as Governor, Attorney General, district attorney, and in the legislature,” Platner said. Platner…

Hours before two of Maine’s leading Democratic candidates were prepared to speak with supporters on Lisbon St. in downtown Lewiston, a Bartlett St. shooting sent shockwaves through the community leading to a lockdown at the public school system. It was a shooting in a city where gun violence — the majority of it committed by youths who are never charged or named — has become common place. Lewiston Public Schools Superintendent Jake Langlais notified families Thursday afternoon that a firearm had been discharged on Bartlett Street, the latest in a long-running string of shooting incidents on what police data show…

AUBURN, Maine – Former Lewiston City Councilor Iman Osman, whose brief time in elected office collapsed under the weight of criminal charges and questions over whether he actually lived in the ward he was elected to represent, is scheduled to appear Friday morning in Androscoggin County Superior Court. Osman is expected in court on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., where his attorney has filed a motion to dismiss the case. Motions to dismiss are common pretrial filings in criminal cases and do not, by themselves, determine guilt or innocence. Osman was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Democratic gubernatorial front-runner Dr. Nirav Shah wasted little time Thursday morning throwing his support behind Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, issuing an endorsement just minutes after Gov. Janet Mills announced she was suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate, citing a lack of financial resources. Mills revealed Thursday that her Senate campaign could not continue due to funding shortfalls, saying she lacked “the one thing that political campaigns unfortunately require today: the financial resources.” Within minutes of that announcement, Shah took to social media to publicly endorse Platner, signaling a rapid consolidation among Democrats following Mills’…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Nicholas “Cornpop” Blanchard just scored a major First Amendment victory over the Augusta School Board. After roughly a year of being cut off, restricted, and silenced during public comment, Blanchard took the fight to federal court , and won. https://twitter.com/pwa1776/status/2049474784631595077?s=46 “This wasn’t just a win for me, it was a win for every parent in Maine who has been silenced for advocating for their children,” Blanchard said in a statement to The Maine Wire. “I only hope one of my heroes, who helped shape me early in my activism, Shawn McBride, is looking down proud. It’s men…

AUGUSTA, Maine— State Rep. Deqa Dhalac’s time in Augusta politics is effectively winding down, but the questions surrounding her past ties to Gateway Community Services are not going away. Wednesday marked the final day of regular State House business for the South Portland Democrat, who announced earlier this year that she would not seek reelection. Dhalac, a former South Portland mayor and two-term member of the Maine House, still technically remains in office until the end of her term, but her days as an active lawmaker in Augusta are nearing their end as the legislative process is over for the…

PORTLAND, Maine – As Maine Democrats prepare to welcome Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as the keynote speaker at this weekend’s Democratic convention in Portland, explosive new allegations from a Minnesota whistleblower, coupled with sweeping federal raids, are intensifying scrutiny of fraud scandals that have rocked Walz’s home state. According to reporting by the New York Post, a former Minnesota state trooper turned fraud investigator testified that state officials attempted to suppress findings related to widespread childcare assistance fraud, and that the investigative unit he worked in was ultimately shut down after Walz took office in 2019. The whistleblower, identified as…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Senate Democrats voted Wednesday to adjourn sine die, ending the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature before 5 p.m. and effectively killing bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening legislative oversight of state agencies and programs. The move brought the session to a close “without day,” meaning lawmakers declared their work complete and ended the session. In doing so, the Senate’s procedural maneuver left LD 127 in the possession of the House, preventing the bill from reaching final enactment. LD 127, “An Act to Strengthen Legislative Oversight of Government Agencies and Programs by Reaffirming the Legislature’s Access…

Are you angry yet? Are you paying attention? Because you should be. The Maine Democratic Party is bringing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to Maine as the featured speaker for its Victory Banquet during the party’s May 1–2 state convention in Portland. That is not just a political booking. It is a message. And Maine taxpayers ought to understand exactly what that message says. Walz is not arriving from some model of clean government and competent oversight. He is coming from Minnesota, a state now synonymous with sprawling public-benefit fraud scandals, federal raids, Medicaid scrutiny, childcare fraud investigations, autism-service investigations, and…

PORTLAND, Maine – The four Democrats running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District nomination took the debate stage Tuesday night, televised on WMTW, offering voters a clear look at a primary field running sharply to the left on health care, foreign policy, and trade. With just six weeks until primary day, Jordan Wood, Joe Baldacci, Matt Dunlop, and Paige Loud used the televised debate to argue who would be best positioned to take on former Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who is unopposed for the GOP nomination. The seat is open after Democratic Congressman Jared Golden announced he would not seek reelection,…

LEWISTON, Maine – Lewiston taxpayers are furious after receiving new property revaluation notices showing massive increases in assessed values, setting off a political firestorm just as the City Council prepares to take up the city budget. For many homeowners, the numbers were staggering. One property owner shared a city notice showing a proposed new assessment of $474,100, up from a 2025 assessment of $198,500. Another resident said their reassessment “MORE than tripled,” warning that if the city’s mill rate remains near $20, their tax bill could jump by $2,571. The notices have triggered immediate backlash from residents who say the…

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland police released their latest weekly calls for service numbers Tuesday as part of the department’s ongoing effort to provide greater public transparency. The department’s April 28 report included top arrest charges, top calls for service, and several selected incidents from the previous week. Weekly arrest logs and daily media logs are also available through the city’s police statistics page. According to the department, the top arrest charge for the week was warrants, with seven arrests. Criminal trespass accounted for six arrests, followed by unlawful possession of drugs and violating conditions of release, each with five. Assault…

PORTLAND, Maine – After more than a year of planning, controversy, and mounting public opposition, the Portland City Council voted Monday night to expand the required buffer between large music venues, a decision that appears likely to halt the proposed 3,300-seat Portland Music Hall project and could set the stage for legal challenges. The marathon meeting stretched late into the evening and included roughly three hours of public comment before councilors approved a 750-foot buffer between large entertainment venues by a narrow 5-4 vote. City staff previously warned that a buffer of that size would effectively kill the proposed venue,…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Following his fiery, no-holds-barred address at the Maine Republican Party Convention, businessman David Jones is entering the final weeks of the GOP gubernatorial primary with a direct message to voters: the race is not about elected officials or political insiders in Augusta, but about the Maine families who pay their salaries and bear the cost of their policies. With the June 9 primary just weeks away, Jones is seeking to frame himself as the outsider candidate in the race, arguing that the same political establishment he says has failed Maine families does not want him in the…

AUGUSTA — Two firefighters were injured Monday morning after an accidental fire that began while someone was working on a generator spread to a nearby home and barn on Church Hill Road in Augusta. The Augusta Fire Department responded to the reported structure fire at approximately 9:18 a.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026. According to the initial investigation, the fire began while an individual was working on a generator next to the residence. While attempting to start the generator, a spark ignited the fuel, causing the fire to spread to the nearby home and barn. The fire has been determined…

BREWER, Maine – A Brewer man was arrested Sunday morning after Maine State Police said he fled the scene of a two-vehicle crash on I-395 in Bangor that sent a young woman to the hospital. Troopers responded Saturday, April 25, at approximately 11:49 a.m. to I-395 westbound near the Main Street overpass for a reported crash involving two vehicles. According to witnesses, a black Ford Mustang struck a Volkswagen coupe, causing the coupe to spin out, leave the roadway, enter the grass gore, cross the Main Street on-ramp, roll over a guardrail, and travel down an embankment into the woods.…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles delivered a forceful address Saturday to delegates at the Maine GOP convention, warning that the state is “in a state of peril” and pledging sweeping reforms if elected governor. Charles opened his remarks by thanking supporters and describing attendees as “citizen warriors,” framing the political moment as one requiring courage and determination. “This state we love is in a state of peril. There is no other word,” Charles said. “Today we need the patience to find and fix the problems, the wisdom to solve them, and the courage to pursue them fearlessly…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush delivered a forceful speech to delegates at the Maine Republican Party convention Saturday, laying out an aggressive plan to eliminate what he described as burdensome laws, unnecessary government programs, and taxpayer-funded initiatives that he said have driven up costs and slowed economic growth. Central to Bush’s remarks was his promise to “shred” legislation and programs he believes fall outside the core mission of government, a message that resonated strongly with convention attendees. “When I am elected, we will bring to every agency of state government three things right into the front door,”…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate David Jones delivered an energetic address Saturday at the Maine GOP Convention, urging delegates to rally behind what he described as a fight to “take the state back” and reverse policies he said have harmed Maine families and businesses. Jones was introduced to the crowd following remarks from Rick Savage, former owner of Sunday River Brewing Company, who sharply criticized state leadership and endorsed Jones for governor. Savage told delegates he believed state policies during the COVID-19 pandemic led to the loss of his business and accused state officials of targeting him after he…

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland city councilors are set for a busy Monday evening at City Hall, with several high-profile issues scheduled for consideration, including the city’s immigration enforcement policy, proposed buffer-zone restrictions affecting large entertainment venues, and the future of a moratorium on major theater and performance hall projects. The meeting also comes after an executive session tied to a possible new location for a shelter, adding another major policy issue to an already crowded night at City Hall. One of the most closely watched items on Monday’s agenda is Order 180-25/26, an amendment to Portland City Code Chapter 2…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Owen McCarthy addressed the Maine GOP convention Saturday, casting himself as a northern Maine outsider with a written plan to reverse what he described as seven years of failed Democratic control in Augusta. McCarthy, a native of Patten, said his upbringing in a working-class family shaped his view of government, work, and opportunity. “I grew up in a trailer on my grandfather’s land,” McCarthy said, describing himself as the son of a third-generation logger and a second-generation lunch lady. McCarthy told convention attendees he is the only candidate in the race with roots north of Augusta and…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Mason delivered a wide-ranging speech to delegates at the Maine Republican Party convention, presenting himself as a tested conservative with a legislative record and contrasting his experience with other candidates in the race. Mason introduced himself as a husband, father, small business owner, former legislator, and lifelong Mainer before arguing that his past accomplishments set him apart from competitors seeking the party’s nomination for governor. “When people ask me what makes me different in this race, the answer is simple,” Mason told the crowd. “I’m not a newly converted Republican, and I’m not…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Republican gubernatorial candidate Ben Midgley addressed supporters Saturday morning at the Maine GOP Convention, delivering a speech centered on his business background, criticism of state spending, and promises to cut taxes and reform welfare programs if elected governor. Midgley opened by thanking convention organizers and introducing his family to the crowd, highlighting their role in supporting his campaign over the past eight months. “Thank you, Matt and Billybob, for that very generous introduction,” Midgley told attendees. “It is great to be in front of so many proud Maine Republicans.” He introduced his wife Sonia and their children,…

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Police Department issued an urgent public safety alert Sunday after the city experienced seven suspected overdoses in less than 20 hours, prompting officials to warn residents about increasingly potent drugs circulating in the area. As of 3 p.m. Sunday, police said the rapid succession of overdoses had triggered an immediate warning to the public, with authorities cautioning that drugs entering the city appear to be “more potent than ever.” Officials urged residents to take immediate precautions, emphasizing that the safest course of action is not to use drugs at all. For those who do, police stressed…

AUGUSTA, Maine — In a rare show of unity at the Maine Republican Convention on Saturday, all seven Republican candidates for governor stood shoulder to shoulder to record a joint video message to President Donald Trump, calling for federal assistance as Maine faces mounting scandals tied to MaineCare fraud, autism service billing, and illegal “Triad weed” operations. The candidates, Jonathan Bush, Garrett Mason, Bobby Charles, David Jones, Owen McCarthy, Robert Wessels, and Ben Midgley also made fraud a central theme of their individual convention speeches, warning that taxpayer abuse has reached crisis levels and arguing that state leadership, and what…

HIRAM, Maine — A woman is dead and a man was seriously injured after a late-night house fire Friday in the Oxford County town of Hiram, according to fire officials. The Hiram Fire Department received a report of a structure fire at 8 Bobbin Mill Road at approximately 11:38 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2026. When firefighters arrived, they found a 2½-story residential structure with active fire conditions in both the basement and the second floor. While crews were working at the rear of the building, responders located an adult male suffering from serious burn injuries. He was transported by…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump was evacuated unharmed from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday night after a gunman attempted to breach security at the high-profile event. The shooting occurred around 8:36 p.m. at a security checkpoint in the hotel lobby, near the entrance to the ballroom where the dinner was being held. The Washington Hilton is the same hotel where President Ronald Reagan was shot and wounded during a 1981 assassination attempt after leaving a speaking engagement. Reagan was shot outside the hotel, not inside the ballroom or lobby. Authorities identified the suspect as…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Robert Wessels told Maine GOP Convention delegates Friday afternoon that Republicans cannot afford to think small in 2026, warning that winning the Blaine House alone will not be enough to reverse course in Augusta. Wessels, a South Paris businessman, church elder, former selectman, husband, and father, delivered a grassroots-heavy speech focused on family, school choice, fiscal restraint, fraud, and the need to elect Republicans up and down the ballot. “When I look around this room, I see people who love Maine, who believe in freedom, and who know that our state is worth fighting…

AUGUSTA, Maine – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins addressed the crowd Friday at the Maine GOP Convention, urging Republicans to unite behind her campaign and the party’s candidates heading into November while taking direct aim at Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and the national Democratic effort to defeat her. Collins was introduced after remarks emphasizing her long voting record in Washington and the importance of keeping Maine’s U.S. Senate seat in Republican hands. Collins thanked party leaders, staff, supporters, her Senate staff, and her husband, Tom Daffron, before opening her remarks by honoring members of the military, veterans, firefighters, EMTs, and…

AUGUSTA — Former Maine Gov. and U.S. congressional candidate Paul LePage spoke Friday at the Maine GOP Convention in Augusta, telling Republicans he is coming out of retirement because “Maine needs jobs” and needs to “get rid of fraud and corruption.” LePage, who served two terms as Maine’s governor, framed his congressional campaign as a return to public service rather than a search for another political title. “I’m not running for Congress because I need a job,” LePage said. “I’m running for Congress because Maine needs jobs.” The former governor opened his remarks by thanking supporters, including Steve Robinson, who…

PITTSFIELD, Maine — Two Pittsfield residents were arrested Wednesday night following a months-long Maine Drug Enforcement Agency investigation into fentanyl trafficking in the Pittsfield and Canaan area. The MDEA and Bath Police Department announced Thursday that Joshua Johnson, 44, of Pittsfield, was arrested on charges of aggravated trafficking in Schedule W drugs. Samantha Quimby, 28, also of Pittsfield, was arrested on outstanding warrants. According to the MDEA, agents from the South-Central Task Force had been investigating drug trafficking in the area for several months. On April 22, agents obtained an arrest warrant for Johnson, of 128 Canaan Road in Pittsfield,…

WASHINGTON – The military standoff between the United States and Iran escalated Thursday as President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to “shoot and kill” Iranian small boats suspected of laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane that remains at the center of the widening conflict. The order comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to clear mines from the strait and force the reopening of one of the world’s most important energy corridors. The waterway, which normally carries a major share of global oil and gas traffic, has been effectively closed amid Iranian mining operations,…

SOUTH PORTLAND — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush has raised more than $2.1 million in his campaign for Maine governor, according to new figures released by his campaign, a total the campaign says sets a new fundraising mark for a GOP candidate at this stage of the race. The Bush campaign said the latest total follows another strong fundraising period, with the candidate raising just under $350,000 from donors while personally investing another $500,000 before the reporting period closed Tuesday at midnight. “Jonathan’s simple message, shrink Augusta and cut taxes, is resonating statewide and we are seeing significant support and…

LEWISTON, Maine – A Lewiston-area resident is calling on city officials to reconsider public comment rules to ensure survivors of the October 25, 2023 mass shooting are allowed to address elected leaders, as tensions continue to rise over how victims and survivors are treated during recent City Council meetings. In an email sent Wednesday to Lewiston officials, Lisa Jones questioned what steps would be necessary to modify existing rules governing public participation, particularly for individuals who survived the mass shooting but live outside Lewiston city limits. “What steps to need to be taken to ensure that people who survived attempted…

LEWISTON, Maine – The families and survivors of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting are once again being forced to do what Maine’s most powerful institutions have refused to do: fight for the truth. Fifty-seven survivors and family members affected by the Lewiston mass shooting are now demanding that the Maine Attorney General’s Office reopen and complete its probe into the Maine Community Foundation and its handling of the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund, a fund they say was sold to the public as direct relief for victims, only for a large share of that money to be steered elsewhere. At the center…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston Police responded to reports of multiple gunshots early Tuesday morning, quickly apprehending several individuals and charging three men following what investigators believe was a targeted shooting. According to police, officers were dispatched to the area of Walnut Street and Pierce Street at approximately 1:45 a.m. on April 22, 2026, after receiving reports of multiple gunshots in the neighborhood. Officers arrived within seconds and observed a group of young adults fleeing the area. Police quickly apprehended the individuals and began investigating the scene, where officers located numerous shell casings scattered in and around the roadway. Authorities reported…

Standish, Maine – Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush spoke Tuesday at the Cumberland County GOP meeting, where he introduced himself to attendees, outlined his background in healthcare and business, and fielded a series of questions on issues ranging from taxes and education to healthcare costs, border security, and transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Bush opened by thanking the group and joking about the limited time he had to deliver his “dog and pony show” before taking questions. He identified himself as a veteran, a father of seven, an entrepreneur, and a former CEO who said he managed billions in healthcare…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended the ceasefire between the United States and Iran indefinitely, buying more time for negotiations even as Tehran faces mounting financial strain and the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint in the broader conflict. The extension was announced as the White House awaited what Trump described as a “unified proposal” from Iranian leaders, a sign that the regime may still be struggling to settle on a single negotiating position after weeks of war, economic disruption, and internal pressure. CBS and other outlets reported that U.S. officials believe Iran’s leadership is fractured, helping explain…

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins ® used a Senate hearing on the Department of Health and Human Services’ fiscal year 2027 budget request to challenge Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over declining support for women’s health research and the administration’s renewed push to cap indirect costs tied to biomedical grants. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, pointed to a reported 31 percent decline in the number of NIH-funded research projects in 2025 that included the word “women,” raising concerns that the administration’s crackdown on diversity-related grants is having a direct effect on research focused on women’s health. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGFj0YhWcK4…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday announced an 11-count federal indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, accusing the organization of using donor funds to secretly pay leaders of extremist groups while telling donors that same money would be used to dismantle those organizations. The indictment, returned by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Alabama, charges the SPLC with six counts of wire fraud, four counts of false statements to a federally insured bank, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. https://twitter.com/SteveRob/status/2046752324849160526?s=20 Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department released its latest weekly calls for service report on April 21, 2026, outlining arrest trends and a summary of notable incidents from the previous week as part of the department’s ongoing transparency efforts. According to the report, officers made arrests across several common categories, with warrants topping the list at 15 arrests, followed by criminal trespass with 12 arrests, and violating condition of release with 9 arrests. Police also reported 8 arrests for unlawful possession of drugs and 5 arrests for theft during the reporting period. Police also tracked the most frequent calls…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston City Hall was hit from both sides Tuesday night, as former Mayor Robert Macdonald blasted the city’s anti-ICE ordinance as an obvious driver of budget pressure and City Council President David Chittim, presiding in Mayor Carl Sheline’s absence, initially tried to stop a Lewiston mass shooting survivor from speaking, despite her having been a frequent speaker at recent council meetings. The result was a meeting that laid bare a city government under growing public fire, accused of putting political signaling ahead of fiscal discipline while treating survivors of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting as an inconvenience. Macdonald…

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland Mayor Mark Dion opened Tuesday’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week press conference at Portland City Hall, welcoming the crowd and setting the tone for an event centered on victims, survivors, and the advocates who work to support them. Dion, the first speaker at the event, reflected on how the criminal justice system has evolved over the decades. He said that when he first entered law enforcement, the system was overwhelmingly focused on crimes, investigations, and prosecutions, with little attention paid to the needs of victims. Over time, he said, that began to change as advocates and…

WASHINGTON – Negotiations to end the war between the United States and Iran have hit a critical impasse as a fragile two-week ceasefire is set to expire Wednesday evening, April 22, 2026, with President Donald Trump signaling he is “highly unlikely” to extend the truce if no final agreement is reached. While the White House has projected optimism, the actual status of direct talks remains uncertain. Trump has sent a high-level U.S. delegation to Islamabad, Pakistan, for what could be a second round of negotiations. The delegation is led by Vice President JD Vance and includes Jared Kushner and special…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that $427.4 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding has been released, including $4,375,915 for the State of Maine. The funding release comes after a letter sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget last week, led by Collins, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, along with a bipartisan group of 35 other senators. The letter urged OMB to immediately release the roughly $400 million in remaining LIHEAP funds approved by Congress for Fiscal Year 2026. “It is welcome news…

PORTLAND, Maine — A man formerly from Lewiston has been sentenced in federal court after admitting to a stalking campaign that included posting sexually explicit images of his victim online without consent. Brent Ouellette, 34, was sentenced on April 16 in U.S. District Court in Portland to 18 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Stacey D. Neumann handed down the sentence. https://twitter.com/FBIBoston/status/2046178367355953634?s=20 Ouellette previously pleaded guilty on August 20, 2025. https://www.themainewire.com/2025/08/fbi-celebrates-guilty-plea-of-lewiston-cyberstalker/ According to court records, Ouellette engaged in a course of conduct against the victim that included posting sexually explicit videos or pictures…

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland Police have made an arrest following Saturday’s stabbing incident on Congress Street, providing new details in a case that drew a significant police response and left one man hospitalized. According to the Portland Police Department, officers responded at approximately 5:25 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, to the 600 block of Congress Street after receiving reports of a man covered in blood. When officers arrived on scene, they located a 45-year-old male who reported he had been stabbed. The victim was transported to Maine Medical Center with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. Following an on-scene…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department and the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office will commemorate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week with a press conference and community gathering focused on resources available to victims of crime in southern Maine. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Portland City Hall in the State of Maine Room. It is open exclusively to those working in victim services and members of the media. The observance comes as many Portland residents remain increasingly concerned about the state of the city, including recent open-air drug use and dealing, homelessness,…

SIDNEY, Maine — Maine State Police are investigating a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred Saturday evening on Interstate 95 in Sidney. According to officials, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at approximately 5:36 p.m., Maine State Police received multiple reports of a crash involving two motorcycles traveling northbound on I-95 near mile marker 120. Preliminary findings indicate that a 2006 Harley Davidson operated by 61-year-old Adam Robinson of Sangerville and a 2008 Harley Davidson operated by 28-year-old Jayson Lancaster of Carmel were traveling together in the northbound lane. After passing another vehicle, both motorcycles merged back into the right lane. Investigators…

AUBURN, Maine — The man whose actions triggered a massive manhunt across Lewiston and Auburn on Thursday forcing schools, hospitals, and other institutions into lockdown or shelter-in-place mode, was arrested Friday night in Auburn. Ryan Lizotte, 34, was taken into custody at about 7:30 p.m. after police tracked him to a residence on Turner Street. He was arrested on an earlier domestic violence assault charge. The arrest came one day after a sweeping search across the Twin Cities put much of Lewiston on edge and disrupted normal life for students, hospital staff, patients, and residents throughout the area. https://www.themainewire.com/2026/04/auburn-man-triggers-lockdowns-across-lewiston-before-police-say-no-gun-was-observed/ Police…

WASHINGTON – President Donald J. Trump issued a stark warning, Sunday morning, following what he described as a ceasefire violation by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming Iranian forces fired on international vessels and signaling the potential for significant U.S. military retaliation if negotiations fail. In a public statement posted to social media, Trump said Iran fired weapons in the Strait of Hormuz, describing the incident as a “total violation” of an existing ceasefire agreement. According to the president, multiple shots were reportedly aimed at a French vessel and a freight ship from the United Kingdom. “My Representatives are…

PORTLAND, Maine — Graham Platner (D) closed out his Saturday night campaign rally at the Holiday Inn in downtown Portland with Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) by his side and a gesture that, to many watching, appeared strikingly similar to the salute that sparked national outrage when Elon Musk made a comparable motion. https://twitter.com/SteveRob/status/2045869878725210392?s=20 But this time, the outrage is nowhere to be found. And everyone knows why. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2045892073207869803?s=20 If Platner were a Republican, the media would already be in full meltdown mode. There would be cable news panels, screaming headlines, demands for apologies, and endless lectures about extremism, decency, and…

They call you a racist. But you are not. It is one of the oldest moves in the modern political playbook: play the race card when the questions get too uncomfortable, when the scrutiny gets too close, and when the facts start pointing in a direction powerful people do not want the public to follow. It is the card they play when fraud is exposed. It is the card they play when answers are demanded. It is the card they play when legitimate questions begin making the right people nervous. For years, that tactic worked. Accuse the person asking the…

AUGUSTA, Maine – New results from a Maine GOP straw poll confirmed what many readers across the state have known for some time: The Maine Wire has become the most important news source in Maine for a growing share of politically engaged voters. According to the straw poll, 40.2 percent of respondents identified The Maine Wire as their top news source. That put The Maine Wire far ahead of television news broadcasts at 13 percent, social media from traditional media outlets at 9.7 percent, and social media from friends and influencers at 7.2 percent. Among nearly 700 respondents, the message…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order aimed at accelerating federal review of psychedelic drugs for medical use, marking a significant shift in how Washington approaches treatment for serious mental illness. The order, titled “Accelerating Medical Treatments for Serious Mental Illnesses,” is designed to speed research and potential access to psychedelic-based therapies for Americans suffering from severe psychiatric conditions. Trump said the order is meant to confront what the administration described as the growing burden of suicide and serious mental illness in the United States. He told reporters during the signing that the measure would help…

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins is leading a bipartisan push to have the White House Office of Management and Budget release the remaining roughly $400 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding approved by Congress for Fiscal Year 2026. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined U.S. Sens. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, in leading a group of 35 senators urging OMB Director Russell Vought to swiftly release the remaining funds. LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households cover utility bills, respond to energy emergencies, and reduce long-term costs through home weatherization…

PORTLAND – Another violent scene unfolded in downtown Portland on Saturday, when police responded to a stabbing near Joe’s Super Variety on Congress Street, across from Longfellow Square. Officers shut down the area and cordoned off the scene with police tape as investigators worked the alley and sidewalk outside one of the city’s most recognizable downtown corners. The stabbing happened near 665 Congress Street, in the area of Joe’s Super Variety and the nearby alley, according to multiple sources who spoke with the Maine Wire at the Graham Platner and Elizabeth Warren event just steps away. https://twitter.com/SteveRob/status/2045682671506915821?s=20 So far, the…

PORTLAND, Maine – When Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) came to Maine on Saturday night at the Holiday Inn in Portland, to rally support for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, she came armed with a message tailor-made for a frustrated political base: the system is corrupt, working people are getting crushed, and Platner is the fighter who can help clean it up. But inside the event, the clearest image of the night undercut that message almost instantly. Sitting in the VIP section was State Rep. Deqa Dhalac (D), a Democratic lawmaker whose name has become closely associated with the…

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) on Thursday welcomed the creation of the new USDA Office of Seafood, calling it a long-overdue move that will expand federal support for fishermen, seafood harvesters, small businesses, and coastal communities in Maine and across the country. In a statement announcing the new office, Collins said Maine’s fishing industry remains central to the state’s economy, identity, and way of life. “Fishing is the very foundation of Maine’s heritage. Today, the seafood industry in our region generates more than $5 billion in income and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, in addition to providing…

WASHINGTON – -Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons has submitted his resignation to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, according to reporting from Fox News. Fox News reported Thursday that Lyons submitted his resignation letter and intends to remain in the role through May 31 to assist with the leadership transition. According to sources familiar with the matter, Lyons cited a desire to spend more time with his family, noting that his sons are “reaching a pivotal point in their lives.” Lyons, who has served in ICE for approximately 20 years and previously served in U.S. Air…

LEWISTON, Maine  — A large-scale police search for an Auburn man believed to be armed and in crisis triggered lockdowns Thursday across parts of Lewiston and Auburn, including near St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, before authorities later said no firearm had been observed by family members or other witnesses and that no threats had been made against the public. According to an Auburn Police Department crime bulletin, authorities were searching for Ryan Lizotte, 34, of 514 Turner Street in Auburn, after his wife reported him missing at approximately 4:00 a.m. on April 16. Police said Lizotte had allegedly grabbed a…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins brought the story of one Maine mother’s long struggle to get help for her dyslexic son before a national audience this week, using a Senate roundtable to spotlight the obstacles families face when trying to secure early diagnosis and meaningful support in public schools. During a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee roundtable on dyslexia, Collins introduced Jessica Belvill of Union, a special educator at St. George Municipal School Unit in Tenants Harbor, who took part in a panel of teachers and parents of students with dyslexia. Belvill then described what she…

LEWISTON, Maine – A long-awaited refund tied to a Lewiston benefit concert has now been received and is being deposited, clearing the way for funds to finally reach the VictimsFirst fund, but the development is unfolding against the backdrop of a still-simmering controversy surrounding the Maine Community Foundation and the handling of millions raised after Maine’s deadliest mass shooting. Organizers confirmed that the refund check tied to the Franco Center benefit has officially been received. The next step is for Penny Drumm at the Franco Center to issue a check, or complete a direct deposit, to the VictimsFirst fund. Once…

WASHINGTON – As of April 2026, the Strait of Hormuz is under a dual blockade involving both Iranian and U.S. forces, a confrontation that has placed one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints at the center of a growing international crisis. In 2024, roughly 20 million barrels per day of oil moved through the strait, equal to about one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption, while about 20 percent of global LNG trade also passed through Hormuz. That matters far beyond the Persian Gulf. It matters in Maine. Iran’s shutdown of shipping traffic since late February 2026, combined with the…

AUGUSTA, Maine – As Maine’s 2026 governor’s race takes shape, one dividing line is becoming increasingly clear: Democratic candidates are largely proposing new or expanded taxes — particularly on high earners and property, while Republican candidates are campaigning on cutting taxes, and in some cases eliminating them entirely. A review of policy rollouts, campaign platforms, and public statements shows the stark contrast now defining the race. While not every candidate has released a fully detailed tax package, enough proposals have emerged to reveal two sharply different approaches to Maine’s tax future. Democratic Field Centers Plans on New or Expanded Taxes…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush rolled out his tax plan Wednesday morning at a press conference in Augusta, drawing a sharp contrast with Gov. Janet Mills and the Democratic field he says is pushing Maine even deeper into a high-tax, anti-growth hole. Bush framed his proposal as a direct rebuke of what he described as the tax-and-spend direction of Democratic leadership in Maine. “Janet Mills is so addicted to raising taxes, she just raised another one in the last week, and she couldn’t be more wrong,” Bush said. “We already have among the least competitive tax rates…

AUGUSTA, Maine – A controversy that is still not widely known to many Mainers is beginning to break into public view, as concerns grow over whether Maine’s sweeping PFAS law could make some coffee makers harder to buy in the state. What had largely been a little-known regulatory issue is now starting to reach a broader audience. Local radio ads have recently been running on the controversy, bringing new attention to a policy fight that until now had mostly played out in legal filings, agency interpretations, and industry warnings. This reporter first heard about the issue on WVOM’s “Maine’s Morning…

MANCHESTER, Maine – A large fire destroyed a metal building owned by B & S Paving in Manchester on Monday evening, with state investigators later determining the blaze was accidental. The Manchester Fire Department responded at about 6:54 p.m. on April 13, 2026, to a reported structure fire at 10 Sylvester Drive. When firefighters arrived, they found the building heavily involved in flames. A vehicle and trailer that were partially inside the structure were also burned in the fire. The building was destroyed, according to officials. No injuries were reported. The Office of the State Fire Marshal was called in…

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Legislature is, for all practical purposes, done for the year. After racing to the statutory adjournment date of April 15, 2026, lawmakers closed out the Second Regular Session of the 132nd Legislature by passing a controversial supplemental budget, leaving Augusta with the usual end-of-session talking points but with many of Maine’s biggest problems still plainly unresolved. https://legislature.maine.gov/calendar/#Weekly/2026-04-12 The Legislature’s own website lists April 15, 2026 as the statutory adjournment date for the second regular session. A joint order on the April 14 House calendar says the chambers would stand adjourned until Wednesday, April 29, 2026,…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump said the war is “very close to being over,” signaling optimism even as the U.S. military said it has “completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea” as its blockade in the Strait of Hormuz continued for a second day. In an interview with Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo, Trump said, “I think it’s close to over, yeah. I view it as very close to being over.” He also said, “We’ll see what happens. I think they want to make a deal very badly.” Trump’s comments came as peace talks between…

PORTLAND, Maine — As part of its ongoing effort to provide transparency to the public, the Portland Police Department released its latest weekly calls for service report, highlighting the most common arrest charges, frequent calls handled by officers, and several notable incidents from the previous week. According to the department, the most frequent arrest charges during the reporting period were Warrant (12) and Criminal Trespass (12), followed by Violating Condition of Release (8), Theft (8), and Unlawful Possession of Drugs (7). Police also reported a high volume of service calls across the city. The most common calls included Motor Vehicle…

A New Hampshire man is facing charges after investigators determined that a fire that destroyed four vehicles on a wooded lot in Lebanon was intentionally set. According to officials, the Lebanon Fire Department requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office at about 2 p.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026, at 158 Upper Barley Road in Lebanon. Fire crews responded to the property and found that four vehicles had been destroyed by fire. Following an investigation, the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fires were the result of arson and later issued an arrest warrant for 27-year-old Jayce Racicot…

STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine – A woman from Old Orchard Beach was killed Monday evening in a head-on crash on Route 1 in Stockton Springs, according to Maine State Police. Troopers from the Central Field Troop responded to the scene at about 6:08 p.m. on April 13, 2026, after receiving a report of a two-vehicle crash. A preliminary investigation found that a truck driven by 42-year-old Adam Sorrentino of Belfast was traveling westbound when it collided with an eastbound Subaru Forester driven by 77-year-old Anne Pomroy of Old Orchard Beach. Pomroy suffered serious injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.…

Portland city officials are proposing to eliminate 74 staff positions in a $363.9 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, even as taxpayers are still being asked to absorb a higher property tax bill. City Manager Danielle West said the recommended spending plan is designed to limit the impact on homeowners. Even so, the proposal would still raise the tax rate by about 4.2 percent, adding roughly $130 a year in property taxes for a median homeowner. West said the city faced several budget pressures, including rising employee health insurance costs, increasing wages, higher county taxes, and reduced state funding.…

Augusta, Maine – Republican lawmakers gathered to voice support for a citizen-initiated referendum aimed at restricting participation in girls’ sports and access to female-only spaces based on biological sex, while also criticizing the wording of the ballot question introduced by Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D). They also urged the public to take part in a hearing on the issue scheduled for tomorrow. Speaking at the event, Assistant House Republican Leader Katrina Smith said lawmakers assembled to address what she described as a growing concern over protecting girls in Maine. Smith focused her remarks on the referendum language drafted by…

BILL HILL, Maine – A structure fire at a home on Kingdom Road in Blue Hill on Saturday evening was caused by the careless disposal of smoking materials, according to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Blue Hill Fire Department responded to the reported fire at 76 Kingdom Road at approximately 5:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was later asked to investigate the origin and cause of the fire. Investigators returned to the scene during daylight hours on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Following that investigation, officials determined the fire was accidental and caused by…

PORTLAND, Maine – Portland’s City Council is set for a packed Monday agenda, with one of the most closely watched items being a proposal to tighten limits on how city employees and officials may cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The measure, Order 180-25/26, is scheduled for consideration at the council’s April 13 meeting. https://portlandme.portal.civicclerk.com/event/8378/files/agenda/19712 The proposal, sponsored by Councilors Pious Ali and Regina Phillips, would amend Chapter 2 of the Portland City Code to clarify that city employees and officials are generally barred from assisting federal agencies in immigration enforcement operations, except when such assistance is required by law. The…

WINDHAM, Maine – A Windham police cruiser was involved in a traffic collision Saturday evening that left two drivers with non-life-threatening injuries and prompted an ongoing investigation by local authorities. According to the Windham Police Department, officers responded to the crash on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:13 p.m. The collision involved a red 2016 Nissan Pathfinder operated by Juan Yupangui, 45, of Auburn, and a black 2023 Ford Interceptor Utility patrol vehicle driven by Windham Police Officer Samuel Pattee. Officials said Officer Pattee was on duty and responding to another call at the time of the crash. Both drivers…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced plans to initiate a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, citing Iran’s failure to reach a peace agreement over the weekend. The announcement came in a post shared on Truth Social, where the president said the decision followed Iran’s failure to uphold commitments related to reopening the critical international waterway. In the post, Trump stated that Iran had promised to open the Strait of Hormuz but failed to follow through, which he said caused anxiety, dislocation, and hardship for people and nations worldwide. He also referenced…

BATH,Maine – A Brunswick man has been charged with murder after a reported disturbance in Bath on Friday evening led investigators to a deceased adult male at a Brunswick residence. According to Maine State Police, the Bath Police Department responded to the disturbance at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026. During that investigation, 45-year-old Tanner Dostie of Brunswick allegedly made statements to responding officers that prompted further investigation. Investigators then searched a residence in Brunswick, where they located a deceased adult male. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an autopsy…

AUGUSTA, Maine – After nearly eight years of Janet Mills in office and years of Democratic control in Augusta, Maine’s economy is no longer merely trailing by perception. The latest federal data shows Maine posted just 0.3 percent real GDP growth year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2025, one of the weakest performances in the country and the weakest in New England. Neighboring New Hampshire came in at 2.7 percent, Massachusetts at 3.3 percent, and Connecticut at2.8 percent. https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/gdp-second-estimate-4th-quarter-and-year-2025 That is not a small gap. That is a glaring warning sign. For years, Mainers have been told that bigger government,…

AUGUSTA, Maine – State Rep. Barbara Bagshaw, (R-Windham) is raising concerns about LD 2226, warning that proposed changes to Maine’s Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula could carry long-term consequences for taxpayers if approved in its current form. Bagshaw has focused much of her criticism on what she describes as the bill’s most problematic provision: a six-year “hold-harmless” structure that would delay reductions in state subsidies for certain school administrative units, even as enrollment and demographic conditions change. The bill is expected to go before the House on Monday, placing lawmakers in position to weigh what Bagshaw described as…

LEWISTON, Maine — Pressure is continuing to build on the Maine Community Foundation as national survivor advocates, local victims, and family members demand that money donated in the name of Lewiston mass shooting victims be directed to the people who suffered most. In a sharply worded public statement, VictimsFirst, a national organization made up of mass shooting survivors and victims’ families, called on the Maine Community Foundation to replace the $1.9 million distributed to nonprofits and redirect that money to Lewiston victims and survivors. https://www.victimsfirst.org/post/victimsfirst-s-position-on-lewiston-response-fund?fbclid=IwY2xjawRIUXFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEedRwD-R8SHvBJ5EumqYfMglWTgtrkBVKG2gm2KAXHWgEc1f79LvIlK4sQik0_aem_P8w7DQAwDQ2c9-6JtcG0ZQ The group’s message was direct, money raised in the name of victims should go to…

BATH, Maine – A Brunswick man has been charged with murder after a reported disturbance in Bath on Friday evening led investigators to a deceased adult male at a Brunswick residence. According to Maine State Police, the Bath Police Department responded to the disturbance at about 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026. During that investigation, 45-year-old Tanner Dostie of Brunswick allegedly made statements to responding officers that prompted further investigation. Investigators then searched a residence in Brunswick, where they located a deceased adult male. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta, where an…

PORTLAND, Maine — Officials with Portland Metro presented a series of proposed fare increases and policy changes as part of a 2026 Fare Policy Update, outlining plans to raise base fares, adjust fare caps, and introduce new payment methods aimed at increasing revenue and supporting future transit operations. An informational session on the proposed changes was held Thursday at the Portland Public Library, where some attendees also raised concerns about public safety on buses and in bus shelters. According to the presentation, Metro officials said the purpose of the proposed fare updates is to reflect Metro’s needs over the next…

WESTFIELD, Maine – A fatal structure fire in Westfield remains under investigation after emergency crews discovered a deceased man inside the burned residence Thursday evening. According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Mars Hill Fire Department received a report of the fire at 1197 Houlton Road in Westfield at approximately 3:38 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026. When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy fire conditions. Family members at the scene told first responders that a person was likely trapped inside the home. Investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office remained at the property alongside the Mars Hill Fire Department throughout…

BATH, Maine — Maine’s two U.S. senators made a coordinated push Thursday to secure continued Pentagon funding for additional Navy destroyers at Bath Iron Works, warning that inconsistent federal contracts could threaten one of Maine’s most critical industries and weaken America’s naval readiness at a time of growing global instability. Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Independent Sen. Angus King visited the Bath shipyard alongside Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle, where they toured manufacturing and training facilities and met with shipyard employees and leadership to discuss the long-term priorities of the yard and its workforce. Throughout the visit, the…

WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance is taking on another major assignment for the Trump administration, this time leading a U.S. delegation to Pakistan for high-stakes peace talks with Iran. As of April 2026, Vance is scheduled to lead the American delegation to Islamabad, where the first round of in-person negotiations is set to begin Saturday morning, April 11, 2026, local time. He will be joined by Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Vance has played a key role in the discussions and will now serve as the president’s lead…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine Republicans on Wednesday tore into Democrats over what they described as a late-night budget dump that gave lawmakers and the public virtually no time to review a major supplemental spending package before revisions were due. Their message was blunt: Where is the transparency? At a State House press conference held Wednesday morning, Republican leaders said they received the supplemental budget after 8 p.m. Tuesday night, only to face an 8 a.m. Wednesday deadline for revisions. That gave lawmakers roughly 12 overnight hours, outside normal business hours and while most Mainers were asleep, to review a document…

Lewiston – Maine. Bobbi Nichols, a survivor of the Lewiston mass shooting who lost her sister, Tricia Asselin, in the attack, has filed a federal lawsuit against the United States alleging the massacre could have been prevented. The suit, filed Monday, April 6, in U.S. District Court in Portland, argues that federal officials failed to act despite repeated warning signs about gunman Robert Card in the months before the Oct. 25, 2023 shootings. Card, an Army Reservist, opened fire at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar & Grille in Lewiston, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others before he was later…

LEWISTON, Maine – A Lewiston City Council meeting Tuesday night erupted into one of the most emotionally charged public comment sessions in recent memory, as residents delivered pointed criticism of city leadership on issues ranging from free speech and public safety to taxes, needle policies, and the ongoing controversy surrounding funds raised after the Oct. 25, 2023 mass shooting. The packed chamber saw speaker after speaker step to the podium, many voicing frustration with what they described as growing distance between elected officials and the public. The most dramatic moment came when Lewiston shooting survivor Destiny Johnson was nearly prevented…

AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate on Monday passed legislation that would create a $450,000 taxpayer-funded pool to pay for the installation and monitoring of home security systems for state lawmakers, advancing a proposal introduced by Senate Majority Leader Teresa Pierce (D-Falmouth). The measure, LD 695, titled “An Act to Improve Safety in Public Service,” was approved by a 19–12 vote after the Senate accepted Report “A” as amended. The bill establishes the Legislator Residential Security Fund, which would provide state-funded home security systems for sitting lawmakers at their primary residences. Under the proposal, the $450,000 fund would cover the…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump agreed Tuesday to suspend additional U.S. bombing and military attacks on Iran for two weeks, offering what appears to be a temporary diplomatic off-ramp after days of escalating pressure on Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and move toward a broader peace deal. The pause came after Pakistan stepped in to urge both sides to accept a short ceasefire while negotiations continue. Trump announced the decision after conversations with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir, making clear that the suspension of military action is conditional. According to Trump’s statement and…

AUGUSTA – Republican lawmakers are intensifying criticism of Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) following new developments in the case of one-year-old Eleanora McLaughlin, the Milford infant who died of hypothermia late last year. According to information released Tuesday by Senate Republicans, McLaughlin’s siblings are now in DHHS custody following a custodial dispute involving their grandmother, Michele Dupuis. Dupuis has been arrested and charged with criminal restraint after allegedly refusing visitation to the children’s father due to concerns about their safety. The siblings had been living with Dupuis following Eleanora’s death. The renewed scrutiny comes months after McLaughlin…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Secretary of State Shenna Bellows is now accepting public comment on the draft wording of a citizen initiative backed by a Maine father known publicly as the “Maine Girls’ Dad,” whose referendum aims to restrict school sports participation and access to certain school facilities based on a student’s original birth certificate. The proposed question is tied to a referendum effort titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex.” Unless the Maine Legislature enacts the bill as written, the measure will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The draft ballot question reads:“Do you…

LEWISTON, Maine – Former Lewiston City Councilor and State Senate candidate Ryn Soule was stuck by a discarded needle Monday morning while taking out trash at a Lewiston property, an incident that sent her to the hospital and has now intensified criticism of the city’s harm reduction policies and proposed taxpayer-funded syringe distribution efforts. Soule later received hospital treatment and is now on prescription medication intended to help prevent HIV infection following the needle stick, adding a stark human cost to a policy fight that has already divided residents, elected officials, and advocacy groups. Soule shared the incident publicly, saying…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has issued what the White House says is a final ultimatum to Iran, setting an 8:00 p.m. Eastern deadline Tuesday, April 7, 2026, for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face what Trump warned would be the “complete demolition” of Iran’s national infrastructure. The warning comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate and global energy markets react to the growing possibility of a wider conflict. For Americans watching from home, and especially for working families in Maine, the consequences could be immediate. If the Strait of Hormuz remains closed or…

LEWISTON, Maine – The Lewiston Police Department handled 3,506 calls for service in March, a month that also saw dozens of crashes, hundreds of traffic stops, 21 confirmed overdoses, two confirmed shooting incidents, and 186 arrests, according to the department’s latest “Neighborhood First” public snapshot. The department’s March numbers paint a picture of a city where police are balancing routine enforcement with more serious public safety concerns. In addition to the 3,506 calls for service, Lewiston police reported 545 motor vehicle stops, 131 motor vehicle accidents, 187 wellbeing calls, 83 written citations, 65 written warnings, 397 verbal warnings, 141 custodial…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued a measured but pointed response to the president’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request, warning that several proposed funding cuts could have significant consequences for national security programs and key services relied upon by Maine residents. In her statement, Collins emphasized that the president’s proposal marks the beginning, not the end, of the federal budgeting process, underscoring Congress’s constitutional authority to ultimately determine federal spending priorities. “The President’s Budget Request is just that, a request,” Collins said, noting that the administration has proposed a significant increase…