Author: Jon Fetherston

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…

LIBSON, Maine – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner sought to push back against a negative ad from Gov. Janet Mills’ campaign by appearing at a press conference flanked by supporters, but the event did little to answer the central question now hanging over his candidacy. https://twitter.com/JanetMillsforME/status/2033861065289732184?s=20 Instead, Platner largely let allies do the talking. The press conference opened with Community Activist Sophia Khalid, who framed the Mills ad as the sort of politics that drives voters away from the process. She argued that Democrats should be focused on defeating Sen. Susan Collins, not tearing down fellow Democrats in a…

LEWISTON, Maine – Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley sharply criticized the Lewiston City Council on Monday, ahead of its Tuesday city council meeting, accusing councilors of sidelining police input and advancing immigration ordinance language that could create confusion for officers and undermine trust within the department. In a message addressed to Mayor Carl Sheline and members of the council, Conley said she was “disappointed” with how the immigration ordinance was handled and urged the council to reconsider a recent language change she said could complicate law enforcement operations. Conley said Council President David Chittim initially sought feedback from the police…

PORTLAND, Maine — Police and fire investigators are examining a possible arson after an early morning fire Monday at an apartment building on Bishop Street. According to authorities, the Portland Fire Department responded at approximately 2:43 a.m. on March 16, 2026, to a fire alarm at Huston Commons, located at 72 Bishop Street. When the first fire units arrived on scene, they observed smoke coming from a third-floor apartment unit inside the building. Firefighters located a small fire within the unit and were able to extinguish it quickly. Investigators from the Portland Fire Department responded to the scene and began…

LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston City Council is set to revisit the long-running issue of unmet needs among survivors and families affected by the October 25, 2023, mass shooting, with the City Council agenda posted online showing the Maine Resiliency Center is slated to appear before councilors at the Tuesday, March 17 meeting. At the center of the discussion is a resolution authorizing city staff, working with the council and community partners, to develop and carry out a survey or similar assessment of the outstanding shooting-related needs and financial burdens of known individuals affected by the massacre. Under the resolution,…

LEWISTON, Maine – Mid Valley Motors Towing and Recovery says it has had enough of ongoing illegal parking issues at 240 Bartlett St. and is now donating every dollar collected from parking enforcement to Victims First for the Lewiston shooting fund. In a public statement, the Lewiston business said the situation has become unmanageable and blamed local officials for making it worse. “Enough is enough,” the statement said. “The parking issues for 240 Bartlett St are absolutely out of hand.” https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1390347719563360&id=100057644341333&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=8kWIopPttU2I8Tkv# According to Mid Valley Motors Towing and Recovery, it has tried “every level of local government” to address the…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed an executive order at the White House on Monday establishing a new federal task force aimed at combating fraud in government programs, placing Vice President JD Vance in charge of the effort. The task force will take a “whole-of-government” approach to identifying fraud and recovering taxpayer dollars that Trump said could amount to billions, or even hundreds of billions, of dollars. “This executive order will establish a new task force on fraud returning potentially billions of tens of billions hundreds of billions of dollars to the American taxpayer,” Trump said before signing the order.…

AUGUSTA, Maine – A legislative effort to honor the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk cleared the Maine House without a roll call and without controversy, but it came to a halt in the Maine Senate, last week, after a majority of Democrats moved to indefinitely postpone it. Monday speaking on WVOM’s George Hill Ric Tyler Show, State Rep. Reagan Paul, (R-Winterport), said the resolution passed through the House smoothly before running into resistance in the upper chamber. https://www.wvomfm.com/episode/rewind-03-16-st-rep-reagan-paul-1400 Paul said that while some lawmakers question whether joint resolutions are the best use of legislative time, such measures are regularly…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s 2026 U.S. Senate race is moving from petition season into open combat, and the timing could hardly be worse for Gov. Janet Mills (D). Mills quietly submitted signatures on Wednesday, March 11, to qualify for the Democratic primary ballot, joining Sen. Susan Collins (R), who had already submitted signatures by late February, and Democratic challenger Graham Platner, whose filing was publicly reported on March 2. Collins’ filing itself drew little public fanfare; the state’s candidate lists show she was already on the board by early March, even as there was no widely visible public rollout tied…

President Donald J. Trump said the United States has beaten and “completely decimated” Iran militarily, economically, and “in every other way,” while also urging nations that depend on oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to take greater responsibility for protecting the vital global shipping lane. Trump made the remarks in a statement in which he said countries that receive oil through the narrow waterway must help ensure its security, adding that the United States would assist in coordinating those efforts. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116229058692001771 “The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other…

PORTLAND, Maine — The City of Portland will increase cruise ship tariff fees beginning January 1, 2027, under a new rate structure aimed at funding waterfront improvements and encouraging the use of cleaner fuels while ships are docked in the city. The new rates are outlined in the City’s Tariff 11, which will replace Tariff 10 in 2027. The tariff rates, rules, and regulations apply to the City-owned cruise ship facilities at the Portland Ocean Terminal at the Maine State Pier and the Ocean Gateway Terminal. Under Tariff 11, the per-passenger fee will increase annually through 2030, rising from the…

LEWISTON, Maine — A Lewiston property owner is challenging actions taken by the Lewiston Planning Board during its March 9, 2026 meeting, arguing that the board was formally adjourned before several agenda items were addressed and that any actions taken afterward are therefore “null and void.” In a notice dated Saturday, March 14, 2026, Denis L. Theriault, owner of 239-243-245 Bartlett Street in Lewiston, directed his concerns to the Lewiston Planning Board and city administration. Theriault argued that the City of Lewiston Charter operates under Robert’s Rules of Order, followed by the Planning Board Handbook revised February 9, 2026. According…

ELLWORTH, Maine — A 28-year-old Lamoine woman was arrested Thursday, March 12, 2026, after agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Downeast Drug Task Force, based in Ellsworth, conducted surveillance outside a local business and observed what they described as activity consistent with drug trafficking. According to an MDEA press release, agents, with assistance from the Ellsworth Police Department, conducted a motor vehicle stop on Bayside Road in Ellsworth. The woman, identified as Gabrielle Battis, was charged with Class A aggravated trafficking in Schedule W drugs and violation of conditions of release. At the time of the traffic stop, Battis…

FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Investigators with the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office arrested a juvenile male Friday in connection with the two arson fires that occurred on Park Street in Fort Fairfield earlier this week. According to the Fire Marshal’s Office, the arrest took place at about 11:30 a.m. on March 13, 2026. The juvenile was charged with arson in connection to the March 10 fires. Working with a Juvenile Community Corrections Officer, investigators placed the juvenile on conditions of release before releasing him to his guardians. Officials said the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges are still pending.

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department has released its latest weekly calls for service numbers as part of its ongoing effort to provide transparency to the public, offering a snapshot of the types of incidents officers handled over the previous week. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KrV7hZWLJ The department said weekly arrest logs and daily media logs are also available through its public statistics page. The newly released figures show that police made numerous arrests across a range of offenses, with the most common arrest charge for the week being Violating Condition of Release, which appeared 11 times. Warrant arrests followed close behind with…

President Donald Trump took to Truth Social early Friday morning to weigh in on the war with Iran, delivering a blunt message about what he said is the complete destruction of the Iranian regime’s military and leadership. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/116219996530067941 In the post, Trump said the United States is “totally destroying the terrorist regime of Iran, militarily, economically, and otherwise,” while accusing the New York Times of portraying the conflict inaccurately. He claimed Iran’s navy is “gone,” its air force is “no longer,” and that the country’s missiles, drones, and other capabilities are being “decimated.” Trump also said Iranian leaders “have been…

LEWISTON, Maine — After facing growing criticism over his handling of increasingly chaotic and long-winded Lewiston City Council meetings, Mayor Carl Sheline is now pushing rule changes that would cut public comment time and eliminate one of the public’s chances to speak altogether. The move is already drawing a sharper question from critics: is the problem really the rules, or is it Sheline’s inability to lead a public meeting? For weeks, frustration has been building in Lewiston over council meetings that drag late into the night, with residents and councilors alike complaining that meetings have become unfocused, disorganized, and difficult…

FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — State fire investigators are looking into two arson fires in Fort Fairfield that broke out on the evening of March 10, with one local man already arrested and the possibility of additional arrests still on the table. According to officials, Fort Fairfield Fire Rescue was called at about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday to a structure fire in the area of the park and ride on Park Street. When crews arrived, they determined that smoke was coming from the old Public Works garage at 61 Park Street. The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office was then asked to assist with…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine’s public defense system hit a stunning breaking point on Wednesday, March 11, as it was officially confirmed that the Maine Commission on Public Defense Services has run out of money to pay the private attorneys who represent the state’s poorest defendants. The development marks the culmination of what many are calling a perfect storm — a roughly $13 million budget shortfall, years of warnings, and a legislative deadlock in Augusta that now threatens to push the state deeper into an already fragile constitutional crisis. The commission has now notified hundreds of contracted private attorneys that its…

LEWISTON, Maine — The Lewiston Planning Board voted Monday night to approve an application from Masjidu Salaam Mosque to expand its existing parking lot at 240 Bartlett Street, clearing the way for additional parking and a higher occupancy limit at the building after a lengthy and often tense public hearing that also featured controversy over differing versions of the site plans. The application sought approval for an approximately 5,000-square-foot expansion of the existing parking lot on the 0.91-acre property. The project will allow for increased parking capacity and greater building occupancy. Planning staff told the board the site was previously…

AUBURN, Maine — Speaking at the Lincoln Dinner in Auburn, gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles delivered an energized and deeply personal speech Saturday night, telling Republicans that Maine is at a political breaking point and arguing that the state is ready for major change in 2026. Charles framed the moment in stark terms, saying frustration is building across Maine and comparing the political mood in the state to the national climate in 2016, when Donald Trump won the presidency. “Can you feel the thunder in the rails?” Charles asked the crowd. “Faith is coming alive. This state has had it.” Drawing…

LEWISTON, Maine — Federal agents descended on 95 Park St. in Lewiston on Tuesday, executing a search warrant at an address already familiar to anyone who has followed the growing questions surrounding interpreter billing, MaineCare-linked service networks, and alleged tax fraud in Maine. The search was led by agents with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, with assistance from other federal agencies and support from the Lewiston Police Department. The Park Street building is not just another commercial address. Prior reporting by The Maine Wire identified 95 Park St., Suite 412, as the head office for Reliable Language…

AUBURN, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Ben Midgley used his remarks at the Auburn Lincoln Day dinner to cast himself as an outsider to politics and a business executive prepared to lead Maine out of what he described as years of decline under Democratic control. Midgley told the audience he is not a career politician, but someone running for governor to bring what he called strong, common-sense leadership to Augusta. He framed his campaign around his personal story, his business background, and his belief that Maine needs an experienced executive rather than another traditional political figure. Midgley said his path…

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine — Republicans running for governor took the stage Tuesday evening at Dunegrass Country Club for the fourth Common Sense for Maine gubernatorial debate of the 2026 political season, offering voters a wide-ranging look at the candidates’ priorities, biographies, and competing visions for the future of the state. The event opened with remarks from Dov Sachs, who welcomed attendees, thanked moderator Ray Richardson, host Dominic Fuliere, Common Sense for Maine members, and Maine Wire for live streaming the debate. Richardson, the longtime morning host of The Ray Richardson Show on WLOB in Portland, moderated the event. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2031497988628201568?s=20…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) is pushing new legislation aimed at tightening oversight of MaineCare, reducing enrollment among able-bodied adults without dependents, and forcing greater accountability from the state as concerns continue to mount over fraud, overpayments, and the program’s rising cost. Stewart’s proposal comes as MaineCare remains under intense scrutiny after numerous fraud cases and millions of dollars in overpayments were uncovered, including $45.6 million identified in a recent audit by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. At the center of the proposal is a required third-party independent audit…

AUBURN, Maine — Robert Wessels used his Saturday night speech at the Androscoggin County Republicans’ Lincoln Dinner to deliver a blunt message about what he believes is holding Maine back: too much government, too many regulations, and a political class in Augusta that has lost sight of working families. Speaking to Republican activists in Auburn, Wessels thanked organizers for the event before launching into a wide-ranging speech focused on housing costs, healthcare regulation, education reform, government waste, and the need for stronger Republican organizing ahead of 2026. Wessels said Maine families are paying a steep price for what he called…

AUBURN, Maine — Owen McCarthy used his remarks Saturday at the Lincoln Dinner to deliver a forward-looking pitch for Maine’s future, arguing that the state is being crushed by bad policy decisions and needs a course correction built on opportunity, affordability, and discipline. Speaking to Republicans gathered in Auburn, McCarthy mixed personal stories about family, work, and growing up in Maine with a broader political message centered on economic reform, deregulation, energy costs, housing, education, and reviving the state’s traditional industries. McCarthy began by reflecting on his upbringing, saying he learned the value of hard work early by watching his…

LEWISTON, Maine — Disgraced former Lewiston City Councilor Iman Osman returned to court on Monday at the Lewiston Courthouse, where he is facing two gun charges, but the legal case is only one part of the turmoil that continues to follow him. The next step in the case is a docket call planned for early June, a pre-trial hearing where the court reviews whether a case is ready to move forward, needs to be continued, or could be resolved through a plea agreement. A docket call, sometimes called a docket sounding, is not the trial itself. Instead, it is a…

Maine gubernatorial candidate David Jones (R) is getting a different kind of campaign boost, this time from his daughter. Lauren Jones has launched a TikTok account, @MyDad4Maine, aimed at giving voters a more personal, behind-the-scenes look at her father as he runs for governor. Instead of relying on traditional campaign messaging, the account features short videos and stories from Lauren’s perspective as his daughter. The posts highlight decades of family life, fun facts, old photos, and everyday moments that she says reveal a side of David Jones many voters have not yet had the chance to see. Lauren said the…

LEWISTON, Maine — Frustration over the handling of Lewiston tragedy-related donations is continuing to grow, with musician Arlo West now publicly pressing for answers after nearly $7,000 raised at a benefit concert remains tied to a memorial effort that, more than two years later, has shown no visible progress. West, along with Dennis Breau and Mark Miller, organized a benefit concert at the Franco Center following the October 2023 Lewiston tragedy. With the help of supporters, the event raised nearly $7,000, which West said was presented directly to the Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for victims, survivors, and long-term community…

AUBURN, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Jonathan Bush delivered a wide-ranging and deeply personal speech Saturday night at the Androscoggin County Republican Committee’s annual Lincoln Dinner, presenting himself as a father, veteran, entrepreneur, and what he described as a “fanatic Maine optimist” determined to reverse what he says is the state’s economic decline. Speaking to a room filled with Republican activists and party leaders, Bush framed his campaign as an effort to spark what he called a long-overdue renaissance in Maine. He told attendees that the state’s future depends on reversing policies coming out of Augusta that he believes have…

AUBURN, Maine — Republican gubernatorial candidate Garrett Mason used a Saturday evening speech at the Androscoggin County Republican Lincoln Dinner to introduce himself in personal terms, highlight his background in both business and government, and urge Republicans to unify ahead of the election. Mason, a former Maine state senator who represented parts of Androscoggin County, began by speaking about his family and home life, describing the house he lives in as the one his father, Rick Mason, built. He said he and his wife later bought the home from his father and now live there with their young daughter, Piper.…

LEWISTON, Maine — More than two years after Maine’s deadliest mass shooting, public anger in Lewiston is no longer just about what happened on October 25, 2023. It is now also about what happened after: who got the money, who made the decisions, and why so many survivors and grieving families were left to watch nearly $2 million flow to nonprofits while they were still trying to rebuild their lives. That anger is now producing results. The Root Cellar has returned the full $65,521.79 it received from the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund’s nonprofit grant pool and redirected that money to…

LEWISTON, Maine — At last Tuesday’s meeting, the Lewiston City Council moved forward with a policy to limit how city employees cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, opening a new political front in a city already burdened by far more immediate and visible problems. That is now the question hanging over City Hall: with crime, blight, gun violence, addiction, and quality-of-life concerns still looming over Lewiston, is this really the issue Mayor Carl Sheline and the council should be prioritizing? The ordinance, pushed as a way to restrict city involvement in federal immigration enforcement, would apply broadly to municipal…

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland’s Finance Committee took up City Manager Danielle West’s recommended Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan on Thursday, as city officials worked through a proposal shaped by nearly $60 million in immediate capital needs and a broader five-year spending roadmap. The committee’s Thursday, March 5 meeting was scheduled as a public hearing and final review of the FY27 CIP, with the session held virtually on Zoom beginning at 5 p.m. According to the city, the capital improvement plan is intended to lay out Portland’s major public investment needs for the current year and future years, while also…

LEWISTON, Maine — Former Lewiston City Councilor Eryn Soule announced this week that she is launching an independent campaign for Maine State Senate in District 21, positioning her candidacy around public safety, mental health and addiction services, and education reform. Soule, who previously represented Lewiston’s Ward 5 on the city council, said her campaign will focus on practical solutions and community-centered leadership rather than partisan politics. “Serving as City Councilor for Ward 5 was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Soule said in announcing her campaign. “While I was elected to represent my ward, I always worked to…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department is inviting community members to attend a Community Q&A and Open House on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at department headquarters, located at 109 Middle Street. The event is intended to give residents an opportunity to connect directly with members of the department, including the police chief, command staff, and the Community Policing Unit. Department officials said the evening will focus on listening to residents, answering questions, and encouraging open conversation about public safety, policing in Portland, and efforts to strengthen relationships within the community. The evening will begin with a Community Q&A from…

AUBURN, Maine — Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage returned to familiar political ground Saturday night in Auburn, using a speech before the Androscoggin County Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day dinner to rally Republican voters, blast Democrats and frame the 2026 election as a make-or-break fight over fraud, welfare policy and Maine’s political future. Now running for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, LePage told the Republican crowd that the path to victory is simple: show up and vote. “You gotta vote early, vote often,” LePage said. “If we vote the 2nd District and we vote hard, we can overcome the 1st District. We…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Nicholas Blanchard, the Augusta activist known publicly as “Cornpop,” has officially launched a signature drive to secure a place on the ballot in his run for the Augusta School Committee, opening a new chapter in a long-running fight with school officials that has already spilled from the public-comment podium into federal court. Blanchard has become one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures in Augusta school politics over the past year, repeatedly confronting the Augusta Board of Education over public-comment rules, district leadership, and the school system’s handling of hot-button cultural issues. His campaign now turns that…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Gov. Janet Mills said late Friday that her administration has submitted a detailed response to a federal inquiry from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, defending the state’s oversight of its Medicaid program and accusing the Trump administration of using fraud allegations for political purposes. https://twitter.com/GovJanetMills/status/2030034981104329191?s=20 In a message posted to social media, Mills said former television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz, now serving as President Donald Trump’s administrator of CMS, sent her administration a letter on Feb. 6 containing 33 questions about how Maine manages its Medicaid program, known as MaineCare. She said the administration…

LEWISTON, Maine — Disgraced former Lewiston City Councilor Iman Osman is scheduled to return to Lewiston District Court on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., to face two felony charges tied to an alleged stolen firearm: receiving stolen property and theft by unauthorized taking of a gun. Osman has already pleaded not guilty to both counts and, since that court appearance, he has remained largely silent and out of the public eye, offering no public accountability after his rapid fall from office left Lewiston voters and taxpayers dealing with the wreckage. Not guilty — then silence Osman’s not-guilty plea…

AUSTIN, Texas — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. used a March 2026 “Eat Real Food” rally in Austin to take direct aim at the sugar content in popular coffee-chain beverages, singling out Dunkin’ iced drinks that can contain as much as 115 grams of sugar. Kennedy questioned how drinks with sugar totals that high can be considered safe and challenged Dunkin’ and Starbucks to provide “safety data” to justify the sugar loads, particularly for younger consumers, including teenage girls. https://twitter.com/WFLA/status/2029362777769259092?s=20 A Broader “MAHA” Push Beyond Dunkin’ The Dunkin’ critique is part of Kennedy’s wider “Make America…

AUBURN, Maine — The State Fire Marshal’s Office, working with the Auburn Police Department, is continuing an investigation into the death of a man found outside his tent on Washington Street North on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. On Wednesday, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in Augusta confirmed the man was identified as 47-year-old Jaime Jimino, formerly of Portland. Authorities said Jimino had recently been an unhoused individual in the Auburn area. The Office of Chief Medical Examiner will continue investigating to determine the cause and manner of death. Final results are expected to take several weeks. At this time,…

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) issued a statement following her vote on the Iran War Powers Resolution, arguing that the measure would undermine U.S. resolve at a time when the Iranian regime continues to pursue nuclear capabilities and expand its military arsenal. Collins said the United States “cannot tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran,” citing Tehran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities, ballistic missile development, and backing of terrorist proxies as “serious and longstanding threats” to U.S. national security and that of American allies. She emphasized Iran’s stockpiles of missiles and one-way attack drones, as well as what she described as the…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department held its annual awards ceremony at Ocean Gateway, handing out dozens of commendations to officers, civilian staff, and partner agencies as the department highlighted what it called “outstanding service, professionalism, and dedication” among its ranks. Police said the department presented 13 Distinguished Unit Commendations and five Life-Saving Awards, along with additional honors recognizing performance, teamwork, and commitment to the community. The annual ceremony, the department said, is intended to formally recognize efforts ranging from critical incident response to day-to-day work in the city. Detective Garrick Rogers was named the Portland Police Department’s 2025…