Author: Jon Fetherston

LEWISTON, Maine – Lewiston City Councilor and state Rep. Scott Harriman is facing a third formal censure by the City Council after allegedly interrupting a fellow councilor during a recent workshop and using obscene language during the exchange. The proposed resolution, requested for council consideration by Mayor Carl Sheline and Council President David Chittim, centers on Harriman’s conduct during the May 12 City Council workshop. According to the resolution, Councilor Susan Longchamps held the floor when Harriman interrupted her and engaged her directly without being recognized by the presiding officer. During that exchange, the resolution states, Harriman was heard using…

LEWISTON, Maine – Reports of gunfire on Bartlett Street late Thursday night are raising new concerns in a city already grappling with a recent string of shootings and public safety fears. Reports began coming into The Maine Wire around 9:45 p.m. Thursday that multiple gunshots had been heard near 256 Bartlett Street, in the parking lot area between MEIRS and the mosque. Sources familiar with the incident described a chaotic scene involving what they said was a high-speed chase that ended near the mosque. “High speed chase of kids in car that ran to mosque,” one source told The Maine…

AUBURN, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) joined Auburn officials and first responders Thursday for the groundbreaking of the city’s new public safety building, a project she said will strengthen emergency services and provide police and fire personnel with the modern facilities they need to serve the community. The new facility will replace one of Auburn’s outdated emergency response stations, which no longer meets modern safety, health, and accessibility standards. Auburn Fire Chief Robert Chase, Police Chief Jason Moen, City Manager Phil Crowell, members of the city’s Fire, Police, and EMS departments, and other local officials joined Collins at…

By Jon Fetherston Shenna Bellows wants to be governor of Maine. That ambition carries a simple question: Why should Maine people trust her with even more power? Is it because she respects voters? Because she values fairness? Because she believes ordinary Mainers deserve a voice in the decisions that affect their families, schools and daughters? Her handling of the Maine Girl Dads-backed ballot initiative has made those questions impossible to ignore. The initiative, formally titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex,” sought to let Maine voters decide whether public schools should reserve girls’ sports teams,…

American forces describe the latest operation as defensive as renewed military activity threatens to further complicate fragile U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. WASHINGTON – The United States military carried out a new defensive airstrike in southern Iran Wednesday night after American forces intercepted four Iranian one-way attack drones over the Strait of Hormuz, according to U.S. officials. https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2059794699523649942?s=20 The latest engagement comes as Washington and Tehran remain locked in highly sensitive negotiations aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire and potentially ending a wider conflict that has threatened commercial shipping and global energy markets. American forces shot down four Iranian attack drones near…

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland police responded to more than 100 calls involving 911 hang-ups and complaints of people bothering others during the previous week, according to service data released Tuesday as part of the department’s ongoing transparency initiative. In its May 26 weekly calls-for-service report, the Portland Police Department said officers responded to 125 reported 911 hang-up calls, making it the most common category of service call listed in the weekly summary. Police also responded to 113 calls involving a person or persons bothering others, along with 107 motor vehicle stops, 70 pedestrian checks, and 64 well-being checks. The department…

WATERVILLE, Maine – Waterville Police Chief Bill Bonney told The Maine Wire in an interview Tuesday morning that his opposition to a proposed sanctuary city ordinance is rooted in one concern above all others: officer safety. As the Waterville City Council prepares for a second vote on the ordinance next Tuesday, Bonney said uncertainty surrounding federal funding could have serious consequences for police operations, communications infrastructure, and public safety in the city. “This is not an us versus them issue,” Bonney said. “My job is the safety of my officers and public safety, and that’s what I’m laser focused on.”…

LEWISTON, Maine – In a wide-ranging interview with The Maine Wire, Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley painted a sobering picture of a city grappling with rising juvenile gun violence, repeat offenders, stolen vehicles, drug-related crime and growing strain on Maine’s juvenile justice system. Conley said the recent rise in shootings involving juveniles is among the most alarming trends she has seen during her more than two decades with the Lewiston Police Department. “We’re seeing an uptick in juvenile violence that is deeply concerning,” Conley said. According to Conley, Lewiston has recorded 15 shootings so far this year. Of those shootings,…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump is meeting with his Cabinet on Wednesday as his administration confronts a volatile turning point in the four-month-old U.S.-Iran war, following a new round of American airstrikes that has placed an already fragile ceasefire under renewed strain. Despite the military escalation, Washington and Tehran remain engaged in peace talks mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. Whether those negotiations can produce a final resolution remains uncertain, as Trump faces growing political resistance at home and significant disagreements with Iran over the terms of any agreement. On Monday, U.S. Central Command forces launched what the Pentagon described…

LEWISTON, Maine – Lewiston City Councilor Chrissy Noble is facing backlash after posting inflammatory comments on social media directed at fellow Councilor Bret Martel and Maine Wire reporter Jon Fetherston following their effort to promote an upcoming community forum on gun violence in the city. The controversy began after Martel and Fetherston spent part of Friday distributing flyers across Lewiston encouraging residents, business owners, and community leaders to attend a June 3 public forum focused on recent shootings, public safety, youth violence, and prevention efforts. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2057881836399820921?s=20 The outreach effort was largely uneventful until Martel and Fetherston arrived at the Maine…

BANGOR, Maine – Bangor residents will have another opportunity Wednesday night to address city councilors as debate intensifies over homelessness, public safety, encampments and the city’s proposed daytime shelter space. The Bangor City Council will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 73 Harlow Street. https://www.bangormaine.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05272026-801 The meeting comes just days after city officials advanced discussions over creating a daytime shelter space where homeless adults could spend time indoors, access meals and basic services, charge phones, use Wi-Fi and meet with health care providers and caseworkers. The proposed day center was reviewed during the…

SEARSMONT, Maine — The fire and explosion that devastated the Robbins Lumber mill complex in Searsmont is believed to have been accidental, according to preliminary findings released by the Office of State Fire Marshal. Investigators with the Fire Marshal’s Office and special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Response Team worked throughout Memorial Day weekend at the scene of the fire and explosion. During the investigation, personnel paused to honor Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross and remember military members who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. The Fire Marshal’s Office and ATF began…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Tickborne illnesses are rising sharply across Maine and much of the United States, with state health officials reporting record numbers of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis cases as residents face increasing exposure close to home. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 4,257 cases of Lyme disease in 2025, up from 3,218 cases in 2024. The increase represents a jump of more than 1,000 reported cases, or approximately 32 percent, in a single year. Other tickborne illnesses also reached record levels in Maine last year. Reported cases of anaplasmosis rose from 1,284 in 2024 to…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. military carried out what it described as “self-defense strikes” in southern Iran tonight, targeting Iranian boats allegedly attempting to lay mines and missile launch sites as a fragile ceasefire between the two nations remains in effect. https://twitter.com/AmericaSpoof/status/2059023167725899896?s=20 According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were conducted to protect American forces from immediate threats. Multiple explosions were reported near Bandar Abbas, Sirik and Jask, strategic coastal areas along the Strait of Hormuz. The military action comes at a highly sensitive moment in the nearly three-month-old war, as senior Iranian negotiators have arrived in Doha, Qatar, to…

PORTLAND, Maine – After a bruising week filled with controversy and growing scrutiny, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner appeared in Portland over Memorial Day weekend for a campaign rally alongside Bernie Sanders and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2059056421195428035?s=20 The event, billed as a major show of progressive momentum in Maine, often felt less like a rally for Platner and more like a traveling Bernie Sanders event, with Sanders dominating the crowd’s attention, applause, and messaging throughout much of the gathering. The rally came at a difficult moment for Platner’s campaign. In recent days, the Democratic candidate has faced…

SEARSMONT, Maine – Sen. Susan Collins joined residents in Searsmont on Memorial Day as the community gathered to honor members of the armed forces who gave their lives in service to the country, while also remembering the victims of the recent fire at Robbins Lumber. This year’s parade paid special tribute to local volunteer firefighter Andrew Cross of Morrill, who died while responding to the devastating fire at Robbins Lumber earlier this month. “Freedom is precious, and it comes at a tremendous price. On Memorial Day, and every day, we honor the brave men and women in uniform, as well…

LEWISTON, Maine — Three Massachusetts residents were arrested Friday night after Lewiston Police say a stolen dump truck rammed a cruiser, crashed into a school playground fence, and left one officer injured. On Friday, May 22, just before 8 p.m., Lewiston Police received a FLOCK alert indicating that a stolen vehicle out of Marlborough, Massachusetts, was operating in the downtown area. The vehicle was identified as a Ford dual-wheeled dump truck. Officers located the vehicle near Bartlett Street and Walnut Street. When police attempted to stop it, the truck pulled into the rear parking lot of 84 Walnut Street. Police…

MADISON, Maine — Tenants of a Madison rental property have been displaced following a fire that broke out in an attached garage Friday afternoon, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Madison Fire Department responded to 276 Main Street shortly after noon on Friday, May 22, for a reported structure fire. When crews arrived, firefighters found flames in the attached garage spreading into the walls and eaves of the building. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the blaze before requesting assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the cause. Investigators determined that the fire began in…

WASHINGTON – For many Americans, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, a long weekend filled with cookouts, travel and time with family. But the meaning of the day is far more solemn. Memorial Day is a federal holiday dedicated to honoring the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is distinct from Veterans Day, which recognizes all military veterans, both living and deceased. Memorial Day is reserved for remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. A Tradition Born from the Civil War The origins of Memorial…

WISCASSET, Maine – A Wiscasset mother says her 14-year-old son was strangled during a middle school PE class by an 18-year-old high school senior who should not have been allowed in the gym with younger students. The May 19 incident at Wiscasset Middle High School has now led to an aggravated assault charge, a protection from harassment filing, and serious questions about how school officials handled the aftermath. According to court documents and school records reviewed by The Maine Wire, Ashley James filed for a Protection from Harassment Order on behalf of her son, Gavin James, against D’antae Dawkins. A…

BOSTON – Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner’s effort to turn a Boston Red Sox-themed political advertisement into a populist campaign moment took an unexpected turn Saturday, after Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and a nationally recognized media personality with deep ties to New England sports culture, publicly questioned why Platner’s campaign believed he would help promote the candidate. Platner’s campaign said it began airing an advertisement during Friday night’s Red Sox game attacking private equity and Red Sox ownership, claiming the team had been “stripped for parts.” The ad ended with Platner saying he approved the message because…

MARIAVILLE, Maine — A home in Mariaville was destroyed Friday evening in a structure fire that investigators believe may have been caused by a lithium-ion battery. The Mariaville Fire Department responded to 266 Peninsula Drive just after 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22, after receiving a report of a structure fire. When firefighters arrived, they found the structure fully engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading into the surrounding wooded area. The State Fire Marshal’s Office was called to investigate the cause of the blaze. No occupants were home at the time of the fire. After reviewing camera footage, investigators…

WASHINGTON- President Donald Trump announced that a peace framework to end the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has been “largely lnegotiated” and is awaiting final approval, though major points of disagreement remain unresolved. Trump said a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding has been reached to extend the fragile April 7 ceasefire into a permanent resolution. He also cautioned that the chances of completing the deal remain a “solid 50/50.” The proposed framework would seek to end the 12-week-old war through a three-stage process negotiated by the United States, Iran, and regional mediators. Under the proposal, Iran would immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz,…

WASHINGTON — A gunman was shot and killed by U.S. Secret Service officers Saturday evening after authorities say he opened fire at a security checkpoint near the White House, triggering a temporary lockdown of the presidential complex and a massive law enforcement response in the nation’s capital. The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who allegedly approached a checkpoint near 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW shortly after 6 p.m. and pulled a firearm from a bag before firing toward officers. Secret Service Uniformed Division officers immediately returned fire, striking Best. He was transported to a local hospital, where…

LEWISTON, Maine – The Lewiston Police Department announced another troubling gun-related incident involving a juvenile this week, as concerns continue to grow over youth violence in the city. According to police, officers responded to the area of Horton Street on May 21 at approximately 4:15 p.m. after concerned residents reported seeing what they believed were two teenagers with a firearm. Officers quickly arrived in the neighborhood and located a 15-year-old male allegedly in possession of a handgun. Police said the teen was safely detained and the firearm was seized without incident. Investigators said the juvenile initially refused to identify himself, but…

WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has announced a major shift in immigration policy that will require most foreign nationals living in the United States on temporary visas to leave the country and pursue permanent residency through overseas consular processing. Under a policy memorandum issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, “adjustment of status”, the process allowing eligible applicants to seek a green card from inside the United States, will now be granted only in extraordinary circumstances. The change upends a decades-old practice that allowed many legally present foreign nationals, including temporary workers, international students and tourists, to transition…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump canceled plans to spend the weekend away from Washington and will skip his son Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding celebration in the Bahamas, citing urgent government responsibilities as his administration continues diplomatic efforts surrounding the war with Iran. Trump had originally planned to spend Friday night at his Bedminster golf club in New Jersey following an event in New York’s Hudson Valley before traveling to the Bahamas for the private family celebration. A change in the president’s public schedule released Friday afternoon instead showed Trump returning directly to the White House. “While I very much wanted…

Graham Platner wants to be a United States Senator. That alone should require judgment, discipline, character, and basic moral fitness. Instead, Maine voters are being asked to ignore a growing list of disturbing controversies, obscene comments, bizarre behavior, and disqualifying lapses in judgment, all because the radical socialist arm of today’s Democratic Party has decided that power matters more than standards. Gross. Creepy. Concerning. Disqualifying. This is not normal. It should never be treated as normal. Reports and resurfaced comments tied to Platner are not minor political disagreements. They are not old tax votes, awkward debate clips, or routine campaign…

CLINTON, Maine – A Clinton man was arrested Thursday afternoon in connection with a 2025 shooting death on Main Street in Clinton, according to Maine State Police. James Simonson, 66, of Clinton, was arrested at approximately 3:20 p.m. on May 21 by detectives with the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-Central. Simonson has been charged with murder and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person in connection with the late June 2025 shooting that killed 68-year-old William “Bill” Parent of Clinton. Parent died from injuries sustained in the shooting. An autopsy conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner…

WOOLWICH, Maine – A large pro-Trump sign that stood for years on a ledge overlooking Route 1 in Woolwich has been replaced with a new political message: DavidJones for Governor. The sign, visible to thousands of motorists traveling through the Midcoast community, had become a familiar landmark along the heavily traveled road. According to the Jones campaign, the Trump sign was repeatedly vandalized over the years, only to be repaired or replaced each time it was damaged. Jones, a Falmouth businessman running in Maine’s Republican gubernatorial primary, said he had long noticed the sign while driving Route 1 toward Wiscasset.…

PORTLAND, Maine – A federal judge on Thursday dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking Maine’s unredacted voter registration database, rejecting the Department of Justice’s argument that it needed sensitive voter information to determine whether the state was properly maintaining its voter rolls. Chief U.S. District Judge Lance Walker ruled that the federal government did not have the authority under the laws it cited to force Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to surrender the state’s computerized voter registration list with every data field included. The requested database contained personal information about Maine voters, including full names, residential and mailing addresses,…

LEWISTON, Maine – A Lewiston man who lived at 210 Blake Street with now-disgraced former Lewiston City Councilor Iman Osman pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to major drug trafficking and firearms charges. Muktar Abshir Aden, 27, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Portland to possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and more than 400 grams of fentanyl. He also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court records, Aden sold drugs to law enforcement confidential sources and undercover officers on six occasions in 2024. The…

AUGUSTA, Maine – A top official in Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ office has recommended invalidating a citizen initiative that would require public school athletic teams, bathrooms, locker rooms and showers to be designated by sex, placing the high-profile referendum in jeopardy just months before the November election. Chief Deputy Secretary of State Katherine McBrien, appointed as the presiding officer in the dispute, found that the Protect Girls Sports in Maine campaign submitted 67,150 valid signatures, 532 fewer than the 67,682 required to qualify a citizen initiative for the statewide ballot. McBrien’s recommended decision concluded that 12,542 signatures should…

BOSTON – Anyone who has ever had a frightening pop-up warning appear on their computer knows how convincing those messages can seem. Federal prosecutors say scammers used that fear to steal money from victims across the United States and abroad and two business executives have now admitted they helped keep those fraud schemes running. Former CEO Adam Young, 42, of Miami, Florida, and former CSO Harrison Gevirtz, 33, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pleaded guilty in federal court to misprision of a felony after admitting they operated a business that provided telecommunications services to customers they knew were engaged in tech-support…

WASHINGTON – Iran has hardened its position in fragile peace negotiations with the United States, with the country’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly ordering that Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade enriched uranium must remain inside the country. The directive, reported Thursday, directly challenges a core demand from the Trump administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: that Iran’s enriched uranium be removed from Iranian soil as part of any final agreement to end the ongoing war. The dispute now threatens to stall negotiations that had already been strained by mistrust, military threats, and a fragile ceasefire. According to the report,…

SULLIVAN, Maine – A Maine parents’ advocacy organization is calling for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) to be banned from school properties across the state following resurfaced online posts and a growing list of controversies that have engulfed his campaign. In a media release issued Wednesday, Parents’ Rights in Education Maine and RSU 9 District Leader Emma Enman said recent reports involving Platner’s alleged past conduct have raised serious concerns among parents and community members regarding his presence at school-related political events and activities. The controversy stems from resurfaced online posts allegedly tied to Platner that included graphic…

LEWISTON, Maine – In Maine politics, controversies that once might have ended political careers now seem to generate little more than a brief news cycle and a shrug. On one side is Lewiston City Councilor, School Committee member, and State Rep. Scott Harriman, who publicly admitted in 2024 that he had urinated in downtown alleys and parking garages “several times,” while defending the need for more public bathrooms in Lewiston. On the other is Graham Platner, Democrats’ presumptive U.S. Senate nominee, who is again facing scrutiny after resurfaced Reddit posts reportedly included graphic references to porta-potties, vulgar military humor, and…

BANGOR, Maine – Former Gov. Paul LePage joined Maine’s Morning News on WVOM Wednesday morning, telling host Ric Tyler that Maine’s welfare fraud problem is “even worse” than he previously believed. https://www.wvomfm.com/episode/rewind-05-20-paul-lepage-for-congress-945 LePage, a Republican candidate for Congress and one of Maine’s most consequential conservative political figures in recent history, served two terms as governor from 2011 to 2019. During his time in the Blaine House, LePage made welfare reform, Medicaid oversight, tax cuts, and fiscal restraint central pieces of his administration. Those same issues were front and center again Wednesday. LePage said he met with Vice President JD Vance…

LEWISTON, Maine — One week after Lewiston voters overwhelmingly rejected a proposed $129.71 million school budget, the Lewiston City Council moved forward Tuesday night with a series of major fiscal votes tied to the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget. The May 19 meeting centered heavily on final appropriations, utility spending, special revenue funds, and city support for local nonprofit and social service organizations as Lewiston continues to navigate public frustration over rising costs, taxes, and the broader financial direction of the city. The budget debate also comes as Lewiston residents continue to grapple with a controversial citywide revaluation of…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Gov. Janet Mills has ordered United States and State of Maine flags to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 21, and Friday, May 22, in honor of three fallen public servants. The flags will be lowered statewide from sunrise to sunset on the days of their respective memorial and funeral services. On Thursday, May 21, flags will be lowered in honor of the Honorable Gerald Talbot, Maine’s first Black legislator and a prominent civil rights leader, as well as Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, who died in the line of duty. Talbot’s legacy as a trailblazing…

SEARSMONT, Maine – State and federal investigators are continuing to treat the deadly fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont as an active and complex investigation, as crews work to safely clear debris from the damaged mill site. Maine State Fire Marshal Shawn Esler and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that heavy machinery and cranes are being used to remove what remains of a collapsed storage silo so investigators can safely examine the debris underneath. The initial fire on May 15, 2026, reportedly began in a wood shavings packaging area before spreading to a…

AUGUSTA, Maine – The U.S. Department of Justice is threatening legal action against the State of Maine over a Bureau of Motor Vehicles policy that allegedly blocks federal law enforcement agencies from obtaining undercover license plates if those vehicles are used for civil immigration enforcement operations. https://twitter.com/themainewire/status/2056854310449811749?s=46 In a sharply worded letter addressed to Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, federal officials argued the policy is both “deeply dangerous” and “blatantly unlawful,” warning that it undermines ongoing investigations and places federal agents and their families at risk. According to the letter, Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles has reportedly refused to issue undercover…

WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance used a White House press briefing Tuesday to highlight the Trump administration’s fraud crackdown while also outlining the White House’s position on Iran, immigration, fentanyl, artificial intelligence and several other issues. Vice President JD Vance joked during the White House press briefing that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt should replace him as Vice President when his wife, Usha, gives birth to their baby later this year, as he fills in for her while she is on maternity leave. Vance said federal officials have identified “millions upon billions of dollars” in fraud across several…

SULLIVAN, Maine – Just when it seemed Graham Platner’s controversies had reached what some at The Maine Wire jokingly call a “Platner plateau” — the point where keeping track of the reasons voters are being told not to trust him becomes exhausting — another story dropped. And once again, the campaign of Maine’s presumptive Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate is being dragged back into the national spotlight. Platner, the oyster farmer, Marine veteran, and progressive candidate seeking to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, is facing renewed scrutiny after Fox News reported on graphic posts allegedly tied to his since-deleted…

LEWSITON, Maine – Matthew Theriault of Mid Valley Motors Towing and Recovery filed a harassment order Friday against Lewiston community activist Melissa Dunn, adding another layer to a controversy that has already consumed significant attention from police, elected officials, activists, and residents in Maine’s second-largest city. According to Theriault, Dunn refused to take the order from the police on Friday. Dunn has been a visible figure in the ongoing dispute surrounding the parking lots near the mosque and Miers on Bartlett Street in Lewiston. She has led what has been described as a Friday “safety squadron,” a group that has…

AUGUSTA, Maine – As Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor moved to restrict cooperation with federal immigration authorities, the political battle over immigration enforcement in Maine is rapidly escalating, with several Democratic gubernatorial candidates and some city elected officials openly criticizing ICE operations and aligning themselves with sanctuary-style policies that federal officials say undermine public safety. Federal immigration officials are now warning that Maine’s political leadership is increasingly hostile toward immigration enforcement, creating dangerous divisions between local and federal law enforcement agencies. In a statement provided to the Maine Wire on Monday, ICE sharply condemned Maine politicians backing restrictions on cooperation with…

WATERVILLE, Maine – A Republican candidate for the Maine House says he was removed from an advisory role at a public technical school program after his campaign website listed his service on the committee, even though the information had reportedly been public for roughly seven months before anyone objected. Shawn Packard, a media professional and Republican candidate for State Representative, says he was dismissed from the Media Design Advisory Group at Mid-Maine Technical Center after serving officially on the committee for just over a year. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17fBR2716N But Packard’s relationship with MMTC goes back much further. Packard attended MMTC as a…

LEWISTON, Maine – The Lewiston School Committee met Monday night to take another run at its fiscal year 2027 budget after voters rejected the original proposal at the polls last week, forcing school officials to make deeper reductions before sending the spending plan back to taxpayers. The May 12 referendum failed 1,463 to 1,092, with Superintendent Jake Langlais noting that voters also indicated the budget was too high by a wide margin. “We know the initial budget was rejected, and so we have to keep that in mind,” School Committee Chair Phoenix McLaughlin said during the discussion. Langlais presented a…

PORTLAND, Maine – The City of Portland has selected Stantec to lead the development of Portland in Motion, a comprehensive long-range transportation plan intended to guide how people and goods move through the city over the next two decades. The project will be led by Stantec’s Urban Mobility team in Boston, with local support from the firm’s Portland office. City officials described the selection as a significant step toward developing a safer, more connected, and more sustainable mobility network for Portland residents, workers, businesses, and visitors. The plan is expected to create a citywide roadmap for transportation priorities over the…

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Fire Department is celebrating National Emergency Medical Services Week from May 17 through May 23, joining departments and agencies across the country in recognizing the lifesaving work of EMTs, paramedics, 911 dispatchers, and other pre-hospital care providers. This year marks the 52nd annual National EMS Week. The official 2026 theme is “Improving Outcomes, Together,” highlighting the critical role emergency medical personnel play in the broader continuum of health care and public safety. Portland’s Fire Department is the largest municipal EMS service in Maine. In 2025, the department responded to just under 15,000 emergency medical calls…

SEARSMONT, Maine – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has joined the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office in investigating the cause of the fatal explosion and mass-casualty fire at Robbins Lumber Inc. in Searsmont, a disaster that killed one firefighter, injured 11 others, and shut down the mill for the foreseeable future. Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal were joined Sunday morning by special agents from the ATF National Response Team. Fire investigators from both agencies will conduct a joint examination of the scene focused on determining the origin and cause of the fire and the…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday, declaring that the “clock is ticking” as peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war remain stalled. https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2056058474954436923?s=20 In a Truth Social post on May 17, 2026, Trump warned Tehran that it must move quickly or face devastating consequences. “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” Trump wrote. https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2056097796424442290?s=20 The president’s comments came after he rejected Iran’s latest peace proposal, calling it “garbage” and “totally unacceptable.” Tehran had reportedly…

For months, Mainers were told not to believe what they were seeing. Vacant offices. Questionable billing. Nonprofits refusing to fully answer where money went. Politically connected organizations receiving taxpayer dollars. Elected officials staying quiet. Journalists being threatened for asking questions. Then Homeland Security visited Lewiston. https://twitter.com/G_CURLEY/status/2007957118805221881?s=20 Now, after Vice President JD Vance traveled to Bangor to speak directly about fraud, waste, and abuse in government programs, Maine has been pushed into the center of a national anti-fraud crackdown. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2054973657915548127?s=20 For many residents, whistleblowers, and reporters who have been sounding the alarm, Vance’s visit did not create the controversy. It validated…

“We the People.” Those are not just the first three words of the United States Constitution. They are the foundation of the American experiment. They are a declaration that power in this country does not flow from a king, a ruling class, a bureaucracy, or a political machine. It flows from us. That is the point Maine people need to remember right now, because no one is coming to save us. Vice President JD Vance came to Maine on Thursday and did what too many state leaders, local officials, and legacy media outlets have refused to do: he validated the…

SEARSMONT, Maine – A firefighter was killed and multiple people were injured Friday morning after an explosion occurred during fire suppression efforts at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont. According to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office, multiple fire departments responded at approximately 10:05 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, to a reported fire in one of the silos at Robbins Lumber, located at 506 Main Street. The Searsmont Fire Department was the first agency to respond, with numerous mutual aid departments assisting at the scene. When firefighters arrived, they found a fire inside the silo at the mill. While crews were working…

PORTLAND, Maine — TPUSA Faith’s “Make Heaven Crowded Tour 2026” came to the Portland Expo Center Friday night, bringing a faith-based, family-friendly Christian gathering to a city where critics had spent weeks trying to cast the event as controversial. Hosted by Calvary Chapel Greater Portland, the event featured former White House Press Secretary and Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany, Pastor Lucas Miles, and Pastor Travis Johnson, among many others. The Portland stop was part of TPUSA Faith’s national “Make Heaven Crowded Tour,” a Christian outreach effort focused on worship, testimony, evangelism, and encouraging believers to speak openly about their faith.…

LEWISTON, Maine — As Lewiston residents continue to confront shootings, youth violence and growing fear over public safety, Mayor Carl Sheline used a recent opinion column in the Lewiston Sun Journal to insist that Maine’s second-largest city is not in decline. For many residents, that message may sound less like leadership and more like denial. Sheline’s column came in response to longtime Lewiston-Auburn columnist Mark LaFlamme, who recently asked whether residents are beginning to give up on Lewiston after repeated incidents of gun violence and mounting frustration over the direction of the city. The mayor’s answer was firm: NO. “Lewiston is facing real…

SEARSPORT, Maine – A reported silo explosion in Searsmont on Friday morning triggered a massive emergency response, with first responders from multiple departments rushing to the scene amid reports of numerous injuries and a mass casualty incident. https://twitter.com/thelukereport/status/2055320827122368808?s=46 According to information shared by the MidCoast Region Scanner Page, the incident was reported at approximately 11:06 a.m. Initial reports indicated that a silo had exploded, prompting emergency officials to call in extensive mutual aid resources from surrounding communities. Scanner traffic and early reports from the scene indicated that at least seven ambulances and two LifeFlight helicopters were dispatched as emergency crews…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump wrapped up a two-day diplomatic state visit to Beijing on Thursday, meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a high-stakes effort to stabilize relations between the world’s two largest economies after months of intense economic rivalry. The summit concluded with a clear message: America is again leading from a position of strength. https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/2055213171242086605?s=20 While long-running disputes between Washington and Beijing remain, Trump emerged from the visit touting progress on trade, energy, agriculture, and global security, while also pressing China on some of the most serious geopolitical challenges facing the United States and its allies. A…

BANGOR — Vice President JD Vance came to Bangor Thursday with a blunt message for Maine: the fraud problem is real, Washington is now watching, and taxpayers should demand accountability from every level of government. Speaking before a crowd in Bangor, Vance focused heavily on welfare fraud, Medicaid abuse, identity theft, illegal immigration, and what he described as a failure by state leaders to protect taxpayer-funded programs from exploitation. “This is about protecting the people who do things the right way,” Vance said, arguing that fraud does not just hurt taxpayers, but also the vulnerable Mainers who depend on public…

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed Kevin Warsh as the 17th chair of the Federal Reserve, approving President Donald Trump’s nominee in a 54–45 vote that marked the most divisive confirmation for a Fed chair in Senate history. Warsh is set to officially take over the central bank’s top post on Friday, May 15, when Jerome Powell’s term as chair expires. The final vote broke sharply along partisan lines, with Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania the only Democrat to join Republicans in backing Warsh’s confirmation. Wednesday’s vote followed a separate 51–45 vote on Tuesday confirming Warsh to a…

PORTLAND, Maine – TPUSA Faith is bringing its “Make Heaven Crowded Tour” to the Portland Expo Center on Friday, May 15, placing Portland in the middle of a national conversation over faith, free speech, public facilities, and conservative Christian outreach. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Portland Expo Center, 239 Park Ave., Portland, Maine, with doors opening at 5 p.m. The gathering is being co-hosted by Calvary Chapel Greater Portland and is described by organizers as a night of worship, preaching, prayer, and gospel outreach. TPUSA Faith has called the tour a “gospel-centered…

WASHINGTON – Vice President JD Vance announced a sweeping federal crackdown on Medicaid, Medicare, hospice and home health care fraud Wednesday, just hours before traveling to Maine, where he is expected to address fraud concerns during remarks at Bangor International Airport. Vance is scheduled to speak at 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bangor International Airport, where his comments are expected to focus on the fraud concerns that have drawn increasing attention in Maine. Vance was joined at Wednesday’s press conference by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Andrew Ferguson, executive director of the federal anti-fraud task force, as the Trump administration laid…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins pressed the heads of the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration during a federal budget hearing over the continued spread of illegal marijuana grow houses in Maine, warning that the operations are often tied to money laundering, transnational crime, human trafficking concerns, and the destruction of badly needed housing. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned FBI Director Kash Patel and DEA Administrator Terrance Cole during a hearing reviewing federal law enforcement agencies’ Fiscal Year 2027 budget requests. Collins said the problem remains serious in Maine, where local sheriffs and law enforcement officers…

Vice President JD Vance, welcome to Maine. Thank you for coming! Thank you for acknowledging what too many elected officials, bureaucrats, and legacy media outlets have tried to ignore: Maine has a fraud problem, and it is not small. For years, taxpayers have been forced to fund a broken system while politically protected operators, questionable providers, and paper-thin oversight have allowed abuse to grow in plain sight. Gateway Community Services. Paradise Residential. Luna Home Care. Legit Home Care. Autism services overbilling. These are not just names on paperwork. They are warnings. They are symptoms of a system that has failed…

LEWISTON, Maine – Lead Maine Founder and Executive Director Laurel Libby, a Republican state representative, hosted a ranked-choice voting forum Tuesday night aimed at helping Maine voters understand how to navigate the state’s complicated voting system ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial primary. More than 100 attendees took part in the forum, asking questions as speakers walked through the mechanics of ranked-choice voting, ballot-marking scenarios, exhausted ballots, recount concerns, and voter intent. The forum featured Trent England, founder and executive director of Save Our States and co-chairman of the Stop Ranked Choice Voting Coalition, along with Jason Savage, executive director of…

AUGUSTA, Maine – A contentious public hearing began Tuesday over a challenge to the Maine Girl Dads ballot initiative, a citizen-led referendum effort that could appear before Maine voters in November 2026. The initiative, officially titled “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex,” would require public schools to separate school sports participation, bathrooms, and locker rooms based on biological sex. The hearing, conducted by the Maine Secretary of State’s Office, began on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, after a Cumberland County Superior Court order directed the office to review a challenge to the validity of signatures gathered…

GORHAM — A growing controversy is unfolding in Gorham after absentee ballots for the June 9, 2026 school budget validation referendum were mailed to voters before the Gorham Town Council had even finalized or approved the budget amount appearing on the ballot. The issue surfaced Tuesday night after residents discovered absentee voters had already received official ballots referencing a May 12 Town Council meeting that, at the time the ballots were mailed, had not yet occurred. “This picture is an outrage,” one resident wrote after sending a copy of the ballot to The Maine Wire. “The voter received this in…

LEWISTON, Maine – Lewiston voters on Tuesday rejected a proposed $130 million school budget, sending district officials back to the table after a high-turnout election shaped by concerns over rising taxes, a recent citywide revaluation, and growing frustration over the direction of Maine’s second-largest city. The vote was 1,463 no to 1,092 yes. The proposed school budget failed at the ballot box despite already including significant reductions. The spending plan represented an 8 percent increase over the previous year and was driven by inflation, staffing costs, and specialized education needs. The rejection comes as Lewiston continues to face broader challenges,…

WASHINGTON – Multiple Maine airports will receive more than $13.6 million in federal funding for infrastructure improvements through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Improvement Program, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the $13,647,939 in funding will support runway, apron, planning, and land-acquisition projects at airports across the state. “As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to ensure we make investments that benefit the State of Maine, allowing airports across our state to make much-needed improvements, some of which are long overdue. Ensuring that transportation needs across…

LEWISTON, Maine – Lewiston voters head to the polls Tuesday to decide the fate of a $129.71 million public school budget in a city already struggling with crime, shootings, litter and rising pressure on taxpayers. The referendum vote, scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026, will determine whether the Lewiston Public Schools budget for the upcoming school year moves forward or is sent back to local officials for another round of cuts and revisions. All voting will take place at the Longley School gym, located at 145 Birch Street. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Parking is available…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Beijing Wednesday evening for a high-stakes three-day state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a trip that comes as the war in Iran threatens to overtake nearly every other item on the diplomatic agenda. The visit, set for May 13 through May 15, marks the first time a U.S. president has traveled to China in nearly a decade. Trump last visited Beijing during his first term in 2017. The summit was originally planned for April but was delayed as the war in Iran escalated and the administration struggled to keep…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston police have charged a 21-year-old man with multiple felonies after officers responded Sunday afternoon to reports of gunfire near Ash Street and Howe Street, the latest violent incident in a city already grappling with public safety concerns. According to the Lewiston Police Department, officers were called to the area at approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10, after gunfire was reported in the neighborhood. When officers arrived, they located numerous shell casings. Witnesses told police that two groups of teens and young adults had been shooting at one another. No injuries were reported in the shooting.…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Gerald Talbot, a major figure in Maine’s civil rights history and the first Black person ever elected to the Maine Legislature, died May 9, 2026. He was 94. Talbot leaves behind a legacy that reshaped Maine politics, civil rights advocacy, public education, and community leadership. Over the course of his life, he became known not only as a historic figure, but as a trailblazer whose work helped move Maine toward a broader promise of fairness and equal treatment under the law. Elected to the Maine House of Representatives in 1972, Talbot broke one of the state’s most…

AUGUSTA, Maine — The battle over girls’ sports, school bathrooms, locker rooms, and the meaning of sex under Maine law is headed back before state officials Tuesday, as opponents of the Maine Girl Dads ballot initiative seek to block the measure from reaching voters in November. A hearing is scheduled for May 12, 2026, on challenges to the citizen initiative known as “An Act to Designate School Sports Participation and Facilities by Sex.” The proposal was advanced by Protect Girls Sports in Maine, the ballot committee associated with the Maine Girl Dads movement. If approved by voters, the measure would…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump on Sunday rejected Iran’s latest response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the war, calling Tehran’s counteroffer “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” as negotiations over the conflict appeared to hit another wall. Trump said he “did not like” the response submitted by Iranian representatives, though he did not detail every provision he found objectionable. The rejection came after Iran reportedly delivered a lengthy counter-proposal through Pakistani intermediaries that demanded an end to the war, the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade, sanctions relief, the release of frozen Iranian assets, and recognition of Iranian control over the Strait…

LEWISTON, Maine — Another violent incident unfolded Sunday in Lewiston, where police are investigating what appears to be an intentional hit-and-run involving a stolen vehicle on Bartlett Street. According to information surrounding the case, one man allegedly used a stolen vehicle to intentionally run down another man before fleeing the area. Authorities believe the victim suffered serious injuries, but as of Sunday, police reportedly had not yet located him. The disturbing incident adds to growing public concern in a city already grappling with shootings, drug activity, violent crime, and ongoing public safety issues. Details remain limited, but early information indicates…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department will recognize National Police Week from May 12 through May 18, honoring law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty while recognizing the service, sacrifice, and commitment of those who continue to protect their communities. National Police Week is dedicated to honor, remembrance, and peer support, bringing together law enforcement officers, survivors, and citizens to pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. “Police Week is a time for our community and our profession to pause and reflect on the extraordinary dedication of our officers,” said Portland Police…

LEWISTON, Maine – Republican gubernatorial candidate David Jones brought his campaign to Lewiston on Saturday for a community cleanup aimed at improving areas of the city that residents say have been overwhelmed by trash, needles, discarded debris and public safety concerns. Jones, who is seeking to become Maine’s next governor, joined volunteers for the cleanup effort Saturday morning between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The event drew participation from groups including Rubbish Doctor and Town Farm Recovery’s Barriers to Bridges, according to the Jones campaign. https://twitter.com/LocalPoliticsis/status/2053208776228950114?s=20 By the end of the cleanup, volunteers had collected four truckloads of garbage, including…

CANARY ISLANDS –  Federal health officials are monitoring a rare hantavirus outbreak linked to the M/V Hondius cruise ship, but they are not treating the situation as a broad public health emergency or warning of an expanded outbreak. The ship is now located near Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands, where passengers are being screened and repatriated under strict public health protocols. Reuters reported Sunday that European health officials are treating all passengers aboard the vessel as high-risk contacts as a precaution while they disembark and return to their home countries through arranged transport rather than commercial travel. No one from…

NEW YORK – Andrew Ferguson, co-chair of President Donald Trump’s federal anti-fraud committee with Vice President JD Vance, appeared Saturday on Fox News’ Saturday in America with Kayleigh McEnany and hinted that a major announcement is coming this week in the administration’s war on fraud. https://twitter.com/SatAmericaFNC/status/2053121712007397688?s=20 Ferguson said next week would be a “big, big week on the anti-fraud front,” describing what appears to be a cross-agency, all-of-government approach to rooting out fraud across programs that have been bleeding taxpayer dollars. For Maine, that should set off alarms in Augusta. President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Ferguson have already identified…

LEWISTON, Maine — As gunfire continues to erupt across Lewiston and residents grow increasingly fearful for their safety, Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley is taking a far more visible and aggressive role in addressing the violence than many of the city’s elected leaders. Over the past several weeks, Lewiston has seen a troubling increase in shootings, including incidents involving juveniles and children. Residents have repeatedly packed city council meetings demanding answers, stronger policing, and immediate action as concerns over public safety intensify across the city. But while Mayor Carl Sheline and Scott Harriman, who simultaneously serves as a state representative,…

BANGOR, Maine – As Maine’s 2026 governor’s race heats up, one issue continues to loom over Augusta: MaineCare fraud, improper payments, overbilling, weak oversight, and whether taxpayer dollars are being protected. On Friday, WVOM’S The Maine’s Morning News with Ric Tyler and Paul Wolfe asked why Democratic candidates for governor are not being pressed harder on the issue during debates. That question has been at the center of months of reporting by The Maine Wire, which has aggressively covered alleged MaineCare fraud, provider overbilling, audit findings, internal DHHS communications, federal scrutiny, and growing concerns that Maine taxpayers may be footing…

LEWISTON, Maine – A survivor-led nonprofit organization says more than $84,000 has now been directly distributed to victims and survivors of the October 25, 2023 Lewiston mass shooting, following a donation effort sparked earlier this year by a local nonprofit organization. According to a statement released Thursday, VictimsFirst collected and disbursed a total of $84,772.82 to families of those killed, survivors who were wounded, and others impacted by the shootings at Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille. The effort began after decided on March 3 to transfer its $65,521.79 grant from the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund to …

PORTLAND, Maine – The 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary debate opened with two notable absences Thursday night, as CBS 13 moderator Greg Lagerquist said Robert Wessels did not meet the debate’s polling threshold and Bobby Charles qualified but chose not to attend. The candidates on stage were former Senate Majority Leader Garrett Mason, healthcare executive Jonathan Bush, former fitness executive Ben Midgley, tech entrepreneur Owen McCarthy, and real estate businessman David Jones. The debate quickly turned unpredictable when Jones used his opening statement to announce a ranked-choice voting alliance with Midgley. “If you are voting for me, please give me your…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston police are investigating after a 14-year-old boy was shot Thursday afternoon on Avon Street. The Lewiston Police Department responded to 4 Avon St. at approximately 4:30 p.m. on May 7, 2026, after receiving reports of screaming and multiple gunshots. According to witnesses, several teenagers were seen fleeing the area. When officers arrived, they located a 14-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where he remains in stable condition. Police have detained several teens and recovered three firearms so far. City councilor Bret Martel said…

LEWISTON, Maine – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Lewiston man from Angola during a targeted operation on May 6, ICE Boston said in a statement to The Maine Wire. ICE identified the man as Israel Gomes Pessoa-Amaral, whom the agency described as a criminal illegal alien from Angola. According to ICE, Pessoa-Amaral’s criminal history includes pending charges for failure to submit to arrest or detention and refusing to stop. He also has a prior arrest for failure to appear. ICE said Pessoa-Amaral entered the United States illegally on Aug. 10, 2024, during what the agency described as the Biden…

AUGUSTA, Maine – The Republican race for governor is heating up as the June 9 primary approaches, with Jonathan Bush, Ben Midgley and Garrett Mason trading fire with Bobby Charles over debates, records and who should face voters directly. Bush is challenging Charles to a one-on-one debate, arguing that Maine voters deserve to hear directly from both candidates before they cast ballots. Charles, described by the Bush campaign as the front-runner, has not agreed to the proposed one-on-one matchup and has instead been spending time with supporters. “This ain’t rocket science… will Bobby Charles say if he’s going to debate…

LEWISTON, Maine – For months, Lewiston residents have packed city council chambers demanding action over shootings, stolen firearms, juvenile violence, drug trafficking, and deteriorating public safety conditions across Maine’s second-largest city. Residents have and continue to speak emotionally about fear, frustration, and what many describe as a growing sense that parts of Lewiston are slipping out of control. Families have repeatedly voiced concerns about shootings, illegal firearms, drug activity, violence, public disorder, and deteriorating quality of life in neighborhoods throughout the city. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2050176421297872922?s=20 But many residents now say something unusual happened earlier this year when federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement…

SOUTH PORTLAND — In an unusual move in Maine’s Republican gubernatorial primary, Jonathan Bush announced that fellow GOP candidate Robert Wessels will serve as his Congressional District 2 Grassroots Chair, even as Wessels remains in the race for governor. The announcement came ahead of tonight’s WGME/BDN gubernatorial debate and before Wessels was set to hold an event with another rival in the race, Bobby Charles, adding another layer of intrigue to a primary that appears to be getting more interesting by the hour. Wessels, of Paris, said he is not ending his campaign, but will encourage his supporters to consider…

BANGOR, Maine — Collins for Senator released its first television advertisement of the 2026 campaign cycle, focusing on U.S. Sen. Susan Collins’ work to secure federal funding for the reconstruction of the Eastport Breakwater after its collapse in 2014. The ad features Chris Gardner, executive director of the Eastport Port Authority, who describes the impact of the breakwater’s collapse and Collins’ role in helping rebuild a critical piece of Washington County’s waterfront infrastructure. The Eastport Breakwater collapsed in December 2014, bringing much of the city’s waterfront economy to a halt and threatening the livelihoods of commercial fishermen, lobstermen, cargo workers,…

PORTLAND, Maine – The Portland Police Department released its latest weekly calls-for-service numbers as part of what the department described as a continued effort to provide transparency to the public. The department publishes weekly calls for service, select calls from the previous week, weekly arrest logs, and daily media logs through its online police statistics page at portlandmaine.gov/PDstats. According to the latest numbers, Portland officers conducted 204 motor vehicle stops last week, making traffic enforcement the most common call type reported by the department. The next highest category was 911 hang-up calls, with officers responding to 119 such incidents. Police…

BANGOR, Maine – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles pushed back forcefully against a Bangor Daily News report during an interview with Ric Tyler on Maine’s Morning News on WVOM, Thursday morning, accusing the paper of publishing a politically motivated “hit piece” as the 2026 Republican primary moves closer. Charles, who served from 2003 to 2005 as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, said the report relied on watchdog findings while ignoring the broader context of his work during wartime. “This is that funny season,” Charles said. “I’m going to call it the season of fake…

Do you understand ranked-choice voting? If not, LEAD Maine says you are not alone. LEWSITON, Maine – With Maine’s June 9 primary election approaching, LEAD Maine is planning a seminar next Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 p.m. aimed at helping voters better understand the ranked-choice voting system that will be used in the upcoming primary. The event, titled “Ranked-Choice Voting Decoded,” is being promoted by LEAD Maine and State Rep. Laurel Libby, (R-Auburn), who serves as the organization’s executive director. Libby posted an update encouraging Mainers to RSVP for the May 12 event. Ranked-choice voting, often referred to as RCV,…

PORTLAND, Maine – Republican candidates for governor squared off Tuesday night in a televised primary debate hosted by WMTW Maine’s Total Coverage, with anchor Jon Chrisos moderating the forum ahead of Maine’s June 9, 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary. The debate featured Jonathan Bush, David Jones, Garrett Mason, Owen McCarthy, Ben Midgley and Robert Wessels. One Republican candidate, Bobby Charles, did not appear — an absence that became a recurring issue as candidates discussed taxes, spending, welfare reform and childcare. The debate centered heavily on Maine’s affordability crisis, with candidates taking aim at Augusta’s growing budget, high taxes, welfare spending, DHHS…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department continued its push toward community-focused policing Tuesday morning, hosting a “Coffee with a Cop” event at the Portland Public Library, where residents had the opportunity to engage directly with officers and department leadership. The informal gathering, part of a broader outreach strategy, brought together community members, officers, and Chief Mark Dubois for open conversation about public safety, quality of life issues, and the department’s evolving role in the city. Speaking with the Maine Wire, Dubois emphasized the importance of face-to-face interaction between law enforcement and the public. “Community policing is critical,” Dubois said,…

President Donald Trump has temporarily paused a major U.S. naval operation in the Strait of Hormuz, citing “great progress” in negotiations toward a possible agreement with Iran, a move that sent stock markets higher Wednesday morning and pushed oil prices sharply lower. WASHINGTON – The operation, dubbed “Project Freedom,” was launched in early May as a U.S.-led effort to guide commercial and neutral vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy shipping lanes. Trump announced the pause on May 5, saying the United States would temporarily halt the active escort mission to allow diplomacy…

LEWISTON, Maine— Residents packed Lewiston City Hall chambers Tuesday night as public frustration over the city’s long-awaited property revaluation collided with a proposed school budget that would increase spending by 8 percent. Before the meeting, residents held a rally outside City Hall, where anger over the recent revaluation and the threat of higher tax bills spilled into the public square. Inside the council chambers, many residents used public comment to raise concerns about the impact of new property assessments, municipal spending, and the growing burden on homeowners. The revaluation, Lewiston’s first citywide reassessment in nearly 40 years, has sparked significant…

HAMPDEN, Maine – The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of 78-year-old Douglas Dunphy of Hampden, who has been missing since January. The Hampden Police Department began investigating Dunphy’s disappearance on Jan. 15, 2026, and requested assistance from the Maine State Police the following day. Due to the facts and circumstances of the case, Major Crimes Unit North was assigned to assist Hampden police. Over the following weeks, the Hampden Police Department, Bangor Police Department, Maine Warden Service, and Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit North worked together…

WARREN, Maine – Three people were transported to the hospital after an early-morning fire broke out Thursday at a multi-unit rental building in Warren. Warren Fire and Rescue responded to 288 Main Street at approximately 6:00 a.m. on April 30, 2026, for a reported structure fire. The building, which is divided into three rental units, is believed to be the oldest structure in that area of Warren. All three units were occupied at the time of the fire, but all occupants were able to escape. Three occupants from the unit affected by the fire were transported by ambulance to Pen…