Author: Jon Fetherston

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…

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Police Department released its latest weekly crime statistics, detailing dozens of arrests, hundreds of calls for service, and several notable incidents that occurred between March 23 and March 29, 2026. According to police, officers responded to 1,294 calls for service during the week. The department reported 34 arrests, 52 vehicle crashes, 17 assaults, and 52 alarm calls. Additional activity included 46 thefts, 210 disturbance calls, 55 behavioral health-related incidents, and nine overdoses, none of which were fatal. Police also released data on the most common arrest charges during the reporting period. The leading charge was…

LEWISTON, Maine – A harassment complaint filed by Lewiston City Councilor, School Committee member, and newly elected State Representative Scott Harriman has collapsed under legal scrutiny after police rescinded a cease harassment notice and prosecutors declined to pursue charges, ruling that the conduct he reported amounted to protected speech, not criminal harassment. The failed complaint, revealed through Freedom of Access Act requests filed by Lewiston residents Andrew and Lisa Jones and shared with the Maine Wire, has reignited scrutiny of Harriman’s conduct and revived attention to a series of past controversies that have repeatedly placed him at the center of…

A 75-year-old woman was found dead early Saturday morning following a devastating house fire in Readfield that left her husband seriously injured and forced neighbors to assist in his escape. The Readfield Fire Department responded to reports of a structure fire at 421 Plains Road in Readfield on Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 9:51 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found the residence heavily involved in flames. Neighbors at the scene were assisting 74-year-old Jerrold Wentworth, who had escaped from a second-floor window as the fire spread through the home. Wentworth informed firefighters that his wife, 75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth, remained inside…

GORHAM, Maine — A drag queen story time event at the Gorham Public Library on Saturday morning turned into a flashpoint over public access, transparency, and the role of taxpayer-funded institutions after protesters and members of the press were denied entry. The event featured a drag performer who goes by the name Letta Dicken and had been publicly advertised as open to all ages. But tensions rose quickly as protesters gathered outside the library and were blocked from entering the room reserved for the event. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2040114977831321614?s=20 Police responded after an argument between event organizers and protesters became heated outside the…

A Vermont woman is facing charges after allegedly using an emergency-only crossover on Interstate 295 in Yarmouth, triggering a four-vehicle chain-reaction crash and leaving the scene, according to Maine State Police. Troopers responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 295 southbound in Yarmouth on Friday, April 3, 2026, at approximately 4:18 p.m. Following a preliminary investigation, troopers determined the crash began when a vehicle traveling southbound improperly used an “authorized vehicles only” crossover to enter the northbound lanes. The dangerous maneuver set off a chain-reaction crash involving four vehicles. According to police, the driver responsible for the crash…

President Donald J. Trump announced Saturday in a post on Truth Social that U.S. military forces successfully completed what he described as one of the most daring search-and-rescue operations in American history, recovering a U.S. military officer who had been stranded behind enemy lines in Iran. “WE GOT HIM!” Trump wrote at the start of the message, addressing what he called “my fellow Americans.” According to the president’s statement, the rescued service member is a highly respected U.S. Colonel who had been trapped in the mountainous terrain of Iran while being pursued by enemy forces. Trump said U.S. military leadership, including the…

CUMBERLAND, Maine – A Lewiston man has been cited after allegedly falling asleep behind the wheel and striking a Maine Turnpike Authority maintenance vehicle Friday morning on the Maine Turnpike, sending a roadside worker to the hospital with minor injuries. According to Maine State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 9:07 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, on southbound Interstate 95 near mile marker 57 in Cumberland. Authorities said a Maine Turnpike Authority maintenance employee had just completed roadside debris cleanup and had entered his truck when the collision occurred. Troopers responding to the scene found a 2023 white Toyota…

HOWLAND, Maine — Maine State Police are investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred early Friday morning on Interstate 95 in Howland, leaving a Bangor man injured and closing part of the highway for several hours. According to state police, troopers responded to the crash at approximately 5:02 a.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at mile marker 220 northbound. When authorities arrived, they found a 2024 Freightliner box truck overturned on its side roughly 50 feet off the roadway in a wooded area. The driver, 55-year-old Kwasi Baidu of Bangor, was trapped inside the cab and had to be extricated by…

When is anyone going to be held accountable? That is the question hanging over Maine’s home health and MaineCare scandals, and it is a question the public has every right to keep asking. When are we going to see someone from Gateway Community Services in handcuffs? When do the owners of Legit Home Health Care appear in court? When does Paradise Residential get raided by authorities? When do the people behind home health care companies accused of overbilling MaineCare, and, more importantly, failing to provide decent human services to some of the state’s most vulnerable people, face real consequences? Charged…

PORTLAND, Maine – The City of Portland is asking residents to weigh in on the future of four city-owned parcels in the Bayside neighborhood, a collection of properties officials are referring to as the “Midtown properties.” Before the sites are formally marketed for potential sale, city officials are opening a public feedback process that includes an online survey and two upcoming public meetings aimed at gathering community input on how the land should be used. The parcels are located in the B-3 zone, where a mix of housing, commercial, and community uses is allowed. Development on the sites can reach…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President JD Vance has been tapped to take a leading role in combating fraud nationwide, a move that could have significant implications for states like Maine that have faced mounting scrutiny over alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded programs. In a statemen, Friday morning on Truth Social, announcing the initiative, President Donald Trump said Vance will oversee a sweeping effort to identify and eliminate fraud across multiple government programs, particularly in states where federal officials believe oversight failures have allowed widespread abuse. “Vice President JD Vance is now in charge of ‘FRAUD’ in the United States,” Trump said.…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Thursday abruptly ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi and moved Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche into the role of acting attorney general, a high-level shakeup that comes amid growing fallout over Bondi’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and frustration inside Trump’s orbit over the pace of politically sensitive prosecutions. Trump announced the move in a Truth Social post, praising Bondi as a “Great American Patriot” while saying she would transition to a new private-sector role. The public message was warm. The underlying reality appears less so. According to Reuters, Trump had grown increasingly dissatisfied…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Democratic gubernatorial candidate Hannah Pingree took to social media Wednesday to weigh in on the child labor enforcement case involving State Representative Billy Bob Faulkingham, inserting herself into the growing controversy while declining to address claims from Faulkingham supporters that the case itself was politically motivated. In her Wednesday post, Pingree shared an image referencing a Bangor Daily News headline reading, “Child labor law case threatens Maine lobster industry,” along with a written statement defending Maine’s longstanding fishing traditions and criticizing enforcement actions tied to youth participation in the lobster industry. “For generations, Maine kids have learned about the fishing industry in the same…

LEWISTON, Maine — A community mixer hosted Wednesday evening by Lewiston Ward 5 City Councilor Chrissy Noble offered residents a chance to connect with city officials and neighbors, but for at least one attending reporter, the event delivered little in the way of actual public dialogue. Held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Bates Street, the April 1 gathering was billed as an informal community conversation for Ward 5 residents and others in Lewiston. This reporter attended on behalf of The Maine Wire to speak with residents, hear concerns from the community, and take part in what was presented as an…

PORTLAND, Maine – The City of Portland is now moving to fine property owners for vacant downtown storefronts, shifting the burden onto business and building owners while sidestepping a more uncomfortable question: what has City Hall actually done to make Portland a place where businesses want to open, invest, and stay? Under the city’s Vacant Storefront Ordinance, commercial property owners in the Pedestrian Activities District must register ground-floor spaces that have been vacant for 180 days and unoccupied since October 1, 2025. The registration deadline was April 1, 2026, though owners have until May 1, 2026, to comply. https://www.portlandmaine.gov/1648/News-Story?contentId=34b4aa1e-b6b8-4b17-95fa-5eca45b8397b&seeMoreWidgetId=8fcbe655-1b81-44fb-b28b-1bee72d7aace City…

WASHINGTON – President Donald J. Trump delivered a primetime address to the nation Wednesday night, providing an update on Operation Epic Fury and outlining what he described as significant military gains against Iran after one month of combat operations. Speaking from the White House, Trump highlighted what he characterized as swift and decisive battlefield victories by U.S. forces, describing widespread damage to Iran’s military infrastructure and leadership structure. “As we speak this evening, it has been just one month since the United States military began Operation Epic Fury targeting the world’s number one state sponsor of terror, Iran,” Trump said.…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine Democrats moved late Tuesday night to add a new “millionaire’s tax” to their supplemental budget proposal, prompting immediate backlash from Republicans who say the measure is just the latest example of rushed, partisan lawmaking in Augusta. The amendment came from the Democratic majority on the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee as lawmakers assembled the broader spending package for possible action on Wednesday, April 1. The proposal would impose an additional 2 percent income tax surcharge on wealthy Mainers, applying to the portion of a resident’s taxable income beyond $1 million for single filers, $1.5 million…

The Maine State Police Bomb Squad responded Saturday to two separate incidents involving military explosives discovered at private residences in Bowdoinham and Winslow. In Bowdoinham, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance at about 2:27 p.m. on March 21 after responding to a complaint from an individual who found a possible mortar round on their property on White Road. Maine State Police Bomb Technicians Wing and Pescitelli responded to the scene and identified the item as an 81MM M374 mortar round. X-ray analysis showed indicators that the item could be potentially hazardous. The round was removed from the residence and…

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Maine Department of Labor’s final enforcement action against House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham has already become about far more than paperwork on a lobster boat. Yes, the state ultimately upheld violations tied to record-keeping and pay statements involving a 14-year-old who worked four days on Faulkingham’s commercial fishing boat in 2024. And yes, the final penalty stood at $3,468 after being reduced on appeal. But the larger political story is no longer just about one Republican lawmaker, one minor, or one labor dispute. It is about power, silence, and a pattern that more and more…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a sweeping executive order from the Oval Office outlining new federal actions intended to strengthen election integrity, enhance citizenship verification, and establish uniform standards for mail-in and absentee ballots. The order cites constitutional authority as well as existing federal statutes, including the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, as the legal basis for the new directives. It states that the right to vote in federal elections is reserved exclusively for United States citizens under the Constitution and federal law, noting that existing statutes prohibit…

NEWPORT, Maine – A fatal crash late Tuesday night shut down portions of Interstate 95 in Newport after a passenger vehicle stopped in the northbound travel lane was struck by a tractor-trailer, according to Maine State Police. Police said the crash happened at approximately 11:36 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, near mile marker 157. Maine State Police received multiple reports of a vehicle stopped in the northbound lane before troopers arrived and learned a crash had occurred involving that same vehicle and a tractor-trailer. A preliminary investigation found that a 2013 Chevrolet Volt, operated by 33-year-old Juan Guallpa of…

SANFORD, Maine – A Sanford man is facing multiple felony charges after Maine investigators alleged he operated an unlicensed commercial driver training business, took thousands of dollars from students and employers, and failed to deliver the licensing pathway they were promised. Paul A. Rumery, 50, of Sanford, has been charged in York County with seven counts of theft by deception, each a Class C offense, along with one Class E driver education violation, according to court documents. The charges allege Rumery obtained more than $1,000 from each of seven people through deception and with the intent to deprive them of…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver a national address at 9:00 p.m. ET tonight, Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to provide what the White House has described as an “important update” on the war with Iran. https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/2039127824947183967?s=20 The address comes after several significant developments this week related to military operations, regional security concerns, and the broader geopolitical situation in the Middle East. On Tuesday, Trump outlined a potential timeline for the conclusion of U.S. military operations in Iran, stating that operations could end within two to three weeks. He said that “tremendous amounts” of Iranian missile-making facilities have…

LEWISTON, Maine – The future of Lewiston’s historic Colisée, home to one of the most famous boxing matches in Maine history featuring Muhammad Ali, will be decided Tuesday evening as the Lewiston City Council considers a proposal to provide financial support to a private buyer seeking to acquire and operate the facility. City councilors are scheduled to vote on an order approving a $250,000 loan to Mill Town Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the company advancing plans to purchase and operate the Colisée at 190 Birch Street as a regional hub for sports, entertainment, and community programming. The decision follows earlier…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Three Maine voters have filed a legal challenge seeking to overturn the Secretary of State’s certification of a citizen initiative that would require school sports teams and sex-separated facilities to be designated by biological sex, opening a new front in one of the state’s most contentious political and legal fights. The lawsuit, filed in Cumberland County Superior Court, on Friday, by Augusta resident Jane Gilbert, Portland resident Mark Sayre, and Lewiston resident Kaitlin Webber, targets Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ March 17 decision validating the petition for “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by…

BOSTON – Newly surfaced Jeffery Epstein-related records obtained by The Maine Wire are casting an ugly light on a Massachusetts political operative who claimed close ties to Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey while corresponding with Jeffrey Epstein and participating in political discussions tied to former Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed Hassan. The records do not show that Healey herself dealt with Epstein, but they do show that a man claiming to be part of her inner political circle was comfortable invoking her name while communicating with one of the most notorious sex offenders in modern history. At the center of the records…

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration announced Monday the launch of a new official White House mobile application designed to provide Americans with direct access to presidential news, executive orders, and administration updates. In remarks unveiling the platform, President Donald J. Trump said the app will give users what he described as “front row access” to official White House information and communications. The application is now available for download through both the Apple and Android app stores. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116318327451670661 According to the president, the new app will allow users to watch White House events, read executive orders, and follow updates related to…

BELFAST, Maine – Two 19-year-old Belfast men are facing arson charges after an early morning structure fire on Patterson Hill Road, according to authorities. On Friday, March 27, 2026, at about 2:45 a.m., the Belfast Fire and Police Department were dispatched to 81 Patterson Hill Road in Belfast for a reported structure fire. When officers arrived, Belfast Police found the structure fully involved in flames. Police also located two individuals nearby, identified as Isaac Cummings, 19, and Rowan Locke, 19, both of Belfast. Because of the circumstances at the scene, investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office were called in…

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Police Department is encouraging prospective officers to sign up for one-on-one virtual meetings with a department recruiter as it looks ahead to its August 2026 Police Academy hiring cycle. According to a department recruitment notice, Portland PD is offering 30-minute virtual appointments on April 8 with Recruitment Sergeant Castonguay for people interested in learning more about a career with the department. The meetings are intended to give applicants a chance to speak directly with a recruiter about the hiring process, qualifications, preparation tips, and what to expect as a Portland police officer. Portland PD said…

BIDDEFORD, Maine — Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Nirav Shah delivered a wide-ranging policy message Sunday during a town hall in Biddeford, acknowledging shortcomings within his own party on fraud oversight while outlining positions on immigration, taxes, climate preparedness, economic growth, tribal sovereignty, and government accountability. https://twitter.com/nirav_maine/status/2038399496468439310?s=20 Speaking before a large audience and fielding questions across a broad range of issues, Shah repeatedly emphasized his outsider message and willingness to confront difficult issues directly, even when doing so meant criticizing his own party. At one point during the extended question-and-answer session, Shah described himself to attendees as “a nobody that nobody…

TRENTON, Maine – An early morning fire heavily damaged the Open Hearth Inn in Trenton on Saturday, March 28, 2026. According to officials, the Trenton Fire Department responded at approximately 2:55 a.m. to a reported structure fire at the inn, located at 1147 Bar Harbor Road. When crews arrived, they encountered a well-involved fire that had spread rapidly throughout the building. Two individuals were inside the inn at the time of the fire and were able to get out safely. No injuries were reported. The Trenton Fire Department was assisted at the scene by numerous area departments, including Ellsworth, Lamoine,…

SACO, Maine — The Saco Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 13-year-old boy who was last seen earlier this week. Police said Levi Eastman was last seen around noontime on March 25 while walking on the Eastern Trail in Saco. Authorities have issued a request for information as efforts continue to locate the teenager. According to police, Levi was last seen wearing blue jeans, black sneakers, and a gray hooded sweatshirt with “USA Hockey” written on it. He is described as 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with brown hair and…

BREWER, Maine – U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R) delivered an extended address to attendees at the Penobscot Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day dinner, urging Republicans to stay engaged at every level of government while warning about what she described as coordinated political efforts by Democrats to reshape the country. Speaking to party activists and elected officials, Collins emphasized the importance of Republican involvement from the county level to Washington, D.C. “We need to work as hard as we can to counter the very organized threat from the radical left”, Collins said to the audience. Collins noted that she is now the…

VP JD Vance- “Fraud became a massive problem” WASHINGTON, D.C. — Vice President JD Vance convened the first meeting of the Trump administration’s new federal Fraud Task Force on Friday, bringing together senior officials from across the administration for what he described as an aggressive effort to crack down on fraud in government benefits and services. The meeting marked the formal launch of a multi-agency initiative aimed at identifying fraud, improving coordination across federal departments, and supporting prosecutions through the Department of Justice. The task force will be led by Andrew Ferguson, who addressed attendees following the Vice President’s opening…

LEWISTON, Maine – Federal immigration authorities made an arrest Monday morning in Lewiston during an enforcement operation in the parking lot of Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services, or MEIRS, on Bartlett Street. According to a statement attributed to an ICE spokesperson, ICE Boston arrested Christian Kalombo, described as an illegal alien from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during targeted enforcement operations in Lewiston on March 23. ICE said Kalombo entered the United States legally on Dec. 9, 2022, under a visitor visa that allowed him to remain in the country for six months. Authorities said he then remained in…

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the Senate’s passage of a Department of Homeland Security funding package marks a step toward ending what she described as a damaging shutdown triggered by Democrats. In a statement released from Washington, Collins said the package advances efforts to reopen the department after what she called five weeks of stalled negotiations. “Passage of this package brings us closer to ending the reckless and harmful shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that Democrats triggered when they walked away from the bipartisan funding bill for…

AUGUSTA, Maine – A new campaign ad released by Janet Mills’ (D) U.S. Senate campaign features an Army veteran and rape survivor delivering a blunt and emotional rebuke of Democrat candidate Graham Platner (D), marking the latest escalation in a race increasingly defined by Platner’s past online comments. In the ad, identified only as “Betsy E.,” the veteran speaks directly to the camera, recounting her personal experience and condemning Platner’s past remarks about rape survivors, comments that resurfaced from Reddit and have drawn sharp criticism from Mills and her allies in recent weeks. The Mills campaign has released a series…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice has formally notified Maine officials that it has launched a federal investigation into the state’s prison housing policies, marking the latest escalation in an ongoing political and legal fight between President Donald Trump’s administration and Gov. Janet Mills. According to a March 26 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, federal officials have opened investigations into both Maine and California to determine whether housing biological males in women’s prisons violates the constitutional rights of female inmates. The investigation will specifically examine conditions at the Maine Correctional Center, where federal officials say they…

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland Police issued a criminal summons for assault to 54-year-old Gregory Watson of Portland on March 18, 2026, stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred nearly a month earlier on Congress Street, according to information released by the department. Authorities say the summons relates to an incident reported on February 20, 2026, on Congress Street, one of Portland’s primary downtown corridors. Police have not released details about the nature of the alleged assault, the circumstances surrounding the incident, or whether any injuries were reported. Officials emphasized that the matter remains under active investigation. “This is an ongoing…

SANFORD, Maine — A Sanford man accused of running a fraudulent commercial driver’s license school in York County was allegedly training students for years before state investigators brought charges, according to a competing truck driving school owner who says he warned the DMV as far back as 2023. Paul Rumery of Sanford is now facing eight charges after authorities accused him of operating an unlicensed CDL training operation that investigators say took thousands of dollars from students who never received the licenses they were seeking. Rumery was arrested last week and later released on bail after investigators alleged he deceived…

LEWISTON — A cease harassment notice served through the Lewiston Police Department against a local resident was later voided after police determined the interactions in question involved communication with an elected official acting in his official capacity. Andrew Jones reported to the Maine Wire on Monday evening that he was served earlier in the day with a cease harassment notice issued by Ward 3 City Councilor and District 94 State Representative Scott Harriman. Jones said he was uncertain what prompted the notice, suggesting it could be related to his regular criticism of Harriman in his role as a city councilor.…

BATH, Maine – Bath Iron Works and the Bath Marine Draftsmen’s Association failed to reach a new collective bargaining agreement after weeks of negotiations, pushing the dispute to a strike as the union’s prior contract expired at midnight Sunday, March 22. BIW said BMDA planned to begin its strike at 12:01 a.m. Monday, March 23, after the company’s latest offer did not win ratification. The company said its proposal included annual wage increases of 10.1 percent, 4 percent, 4 percent, and 4 percent over a four-year contract, for total compounded wage growth of 23.8 percent. BIW also said the offer…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate on March 23, 2026, confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as the new United States Secretary of Homeland Security, approving his nomination in a 54–45 vote largely along party lines. Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, was nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), replacing Kristi Noem. Noem was removed from the position earlier in the month following a period of intense public and congressional scrutiny over the department’s immigration enforcement tactics. Two Democrats, John Fetterman (PA) and Martin Heinrich (NM), joined…

LEWISTON, Maine — Elise Bergeron, a 25-year-old resident of Lewiston, is facing a murder charge in connection with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Maliyah Powell. According to authorities, the shooting occurred at approximately 1:26 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, on Union Street in Lewiston. Officials report the incident followed a verbal altercation that escalated into a physical fight. Bergeron was arrested on the day of the shooting and charged with murder. On March 23, 2026, an Androscoggin County judge ordered that she be held without bail. If convicted, Bergeron could face a prison sentence ranging from 25 years to…

PORTLAND, Maine — The City of Portland has released the results of a community survey conducted in late 2025, giving residents a chance to review feedback on city programs, services, and long-term investments before a City Council workshop scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026. The survey was designed to gather opinions on city services and priorities, support decision-making that reflects community concerns, and create a benchmark for measuring progress over time. City staff worked with ETC Institute, a national survey research firm that specializes in municipal resident surveys, to conduct the effort. ETC compiled and analyzed the results and will…

TURNER, Maine — The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an early morning camper trailer fire in Turner that left two cats dead and destroyed the vehicle. Turner Fire Rescue responded to a call at approximately 2:23 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, reporting a camper trailer fire at 63 Blake Road. Upon arrival, crews found the camper trailer fully involved in flames. The Fire Marshal’s Office was called to assist in determining the origin and cause of the fire. Preliminary information indicates the fire may have started in one of the camper’s bedrooms, though investigators have not yet determined…

LEWISTON, Maine — Deborah Elwood, president and CEO of the Maine Community Foundation, is facing mounting criticism after releasing a social media video message that some survivors of the Lewiston mass shooting say missed the mark. The video, posted to social media, was intended to address ongoing concerns surrounding the distribution of funds raised in the aftermath of the October 2023 Lewiston shooting. However, several survivors and community members quickly responded online, describing the message as insensitive and long overdue. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EFvn1uozM Among those responding publicly, survivor Bobbi Nicholas wrote, “the revictimization continues,” while another commenter stated, “too little too late.”…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald J. Trump announced Monday morning that the United States and Iran have engaged in what he described as “very good and productive conversations” over the past two days, aimed at achieving what he called a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities in the Middle East. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that discussions between the two countries had been constructive and would continue throughout the week. “I am please to report that the United States of America, and the country of Iran, have had, over the last two days, very good and productive…

President Donald Trump on Saturday blasted Democrats over airport security and Department of Homeland Security funding, accusing them of endangering TSA officers and the country through what he described as reckless and uncaring policies. His comments came as the broader standoff over DHS funding continued and as he threatened to move ICE into a larger airport security role as early as Monday. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116268396341038197 In the statement, Trump said Democrats had harmed the Department of Homeland Security, TSA officers, and the American people by refusing to allow what he called “Just and Proper Security” at airports and elsewhere in the country.…

NEW YORK – A new report out of New York is offering Maine lawmakers a costly warning: homelessness policy can devour taxpayer dollars fast, especially when government spends heavily but cannot clearly show the results. According to New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York City’s Department of Homeless Services spent nearly $368 million in fiscal year 2025 on services for 4,504 unsheltered homeless individuals. That comes out to roughly $81,700 per unsheltered person in one year. Even more striking, spending on that population rose 262 percent since fiscal year 2019, while the unsheltered population itself increased 26 percent. City…

WASHINGTON – A new CBS News/YouGov poll found that 80 percent of Americans support requiring a valid photo ID to vote, giving Republicans fresh ammunition as the U.S. Senate takes up the SAVE Act in a sharply divided debate over election security and ballot access. The survey, conducted March 16 through March 19, found support for photo ID requirements across party lines, including 95 percent of Republicans, 65 percent of Democrats, and 79 percent of independents. The poll also found strong support among white, Black, and Hispanic Americans. https://twitter.com/IAPolls2022/status/2034762536126390318?s=20 The poll lands as the Senate continues consideration of the Republican-backed…

WINN, Maine — State fire investigators are looking into a fatal house fire that broke out early Thursday morning in Winn. According to officials, the Lincoln Fire Department responded at about 1:28 a.m. on March 19 to a reported house fire at 1115 Route 168. When firefighters arrived, they found the home heavily engulfed in flames. Five people were able to escape the residence before firefighters got there, but they told first responders that an elderly woman was still inside and unaccounted for. Because of the report of a missing occupant, the Lincoln Fire Department called in the Office of…

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Police Department has released its weekly calls for service data for March 9 through March 15 as part of what it described as an ongoing effort to provide transparency to the public. The department said weekly arrest logs and daily media logs are also available through its public statistics page. Among the top arrest charges during the reporting period were Violating Condition of Release with 15 cases, followed by Warrant with 14, Unlawful Possession of Drugs with 12, Criminal Trespass with 10, and Criminal Mischief with 5. The department also reported its top calls for…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House has passed legislation that would make fraud in federal benefits programs or the use of fake identification grounds for the automatic deportation of noncitizens, putting a renewed spotlight on abuse within taxpayer-funded programs. H.R. 1958, sponsored by Rep. Van Taylor, R-Ohio, passed by a 231-186 vote, with all voting Republicans in favor and 20 Democrats joining them. Under the bill, noncitizens found to have committed fraud involving federal benefits programs or fake IDs would be subject to deportation and barred from immigration relief, even if they admit the offense. Supporters framed the measure as part…

PORTLAND, Maine — Calvary Chapel Greater Portland Senior Pastor Travis Carey pushed back this Thursday against growing criticism surrounding the May 15 event planned for the Portland Expo Center, arguing that opponents have falsely portrayed the gathering as a political rally rather than what he described as a Christian outreach event. In a video message directed to supporters and “common sense Mainers,” Carey said the church has been hit with a wave of negative attention over the last 48 hours as controversy intensified around the event, which is now being promoted as part of TPUSA Faith’s “Make Heaven Crowded Tour.”…

WATERVILLE, Maine — While many candidates talk about Maine’s child welfare system from the outside, Shawn Packard says he has lived it and now he is running for State Representative in District 64 to advocate for change and strengthen the laws affecting Maine’s most vulnerable children. Packard entered Maine’s foster care system at age 12 and spent much of his childhood living with different foster families, an experience he says shaped both his perspective and his mission. In one defining moment, Packard represented himself in court without a guardian ad litem, speaking on his own behalf at an age when…

WASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve on Wednesday left interest rates unchanged, opting to hold its benchmark federal funds rate at 3.5 percent to 3.75 percent as policymakers weighed a softening labor market, persistent inflation, and growing uncertainty tied to the war in Iran. The decision came after the central bank held rates steady in January, following three straight 25-basis-point cuts in September, October, and December to close out last year. https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/federal-reserve-interest-rate-decision-march-18-2026 Federal Reserve policymakers said recent economic data pointed to a labor market that is losing steam, while inflation continues to run above the Fed’s 2 percent target. At the…

LEWISTON, Maine – The Lewiston City Council rejected two proposed changes to its meeting rules Tuesday night, voting down efforts to reduce public speaking time from three minutes to two minutes and to eliminate the second public comment period from council agendas. The proposed amendments came under Policy Manual No. 6, the rules governing the city council, and were presented as part of a broader discussion about the growing length of council meetings. Mayor Carl Sheline argued that meetings have been running too long and said the council should make a conscious effort to keep them shorter without rushing through…

LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston City Council voted 5–2 Tuesday night to give final passage to an amendment to the city’s administrative ordinance governing how municipal departments and employees may interact with federal immigration enforcement, capping off yet another heated debate over a measure that has deeply divided the council, residents, and city leadership. At the center of the dispute was a single word with major consequences: whether city employees could cooperate with federal immigration enforcement when such cooperation was “authorized,” or only when it was “required” by law. Councilors ultimately sided with the stricter language, approving an ordinance that…

LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston City Council on Tuesday night heard emotional testimony from survivors, family members, and community advocates still grappling with the fallout from the October 25, 2023 mass shooting, but by the end of the meeting, councilors appeared poised to move forward with a memorandum of understanding with the Maine Resiliency Center rather than confront the still-unresolved controversy over the $1.9 million in charitable donations that went to nonprofits instead of directly to victims and their families. The meeting, which centered on informational updates regarding services for families and survivors, quickly made clear that while counseling, support…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills (D) escalated Maine’s Democratic Senate primary on Tuesday with a sharp-edged campaign ad aimed directly at rival Graham Platner (D), reviving the controversy over his past online comments and signaling that the Democratic establishment is prepared to hit hard to protect its preferred candidate. The ad, released Tuesday morning, features women aligned with Mills reading Platner’s past Reddit comments back to voters. Among the remarks highlighted are posts in which Platner said women should “take some responsibility for themselves” and not get so intoxicated that they end up in situations they later regret, along…

AUGUSTA, Maine — A citizen-led initiative aimed at designating school sports participation and facilities by sex is officially headed to the November 2026 ballot after the Maine Secretary of State’s office confirmed the petition met the required signature threshold. According to the Secretary of State’s determination, 8,067 petition forms containing 79,692 signatures were submitted on February 2, 2026. Following a review, 71,033 signatures were deemed valid, exceeding the required 67,682 signatures by 3,351 and qualifying the measure for the ballot. The petition, titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex,” was backed by the Protect Girls…