Author: Jon Fetherston

State fire investigators have determined that a Friday morning fire at Chasse Marine Company in Damariscotta was accidental and likely originated from one of two potential ignition sources. The Damariscotta Fire Department responded at approximately 10:09 a.m. on Friday, July 31, to a reported structure fire at 460 Main Street, home to Chasse Marine Company. When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy fire conditions and requested assistance from the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine the cause of the blaze. According to investigators, the fire originated in an area where a worker had been performing grinding operations. Officials said they…

By: Jon Fetherston What has happened to leadership in Maine? Somewhere along the way, we stopped expecting our elected officials to solve problems and started rewarding them for producing viral moments. Politics has become performance art. Press conferences, profanity, outrage, and social media videos now dominate the conversation, while many of Maine’s most pressing problems continue to worsen. Leadership has been replaced by likes, shares, and sound bites. Look no further than Lewiston. Maine’s second-largest city continues to struggle with violent crime, drug trafficking, homelessness, discarded needles, and an alarming rise in youth gun violence. Residents have watched neighborhoods change…

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation has selected JetBlue to continue providing Essential Air Service (EAS) between Presque Isle International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport for the next two years. Under the agreement, which runs from Sept. 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2028, JetBlue will operate seven round-trip flights each week between Presque Isle and Boston using a 140-passenger Airbus A220-300 aircraft. The Essential Air Service program provides federal support to ensure rural communities maintain access to commercial air travel, helping connect residents and businesses to the national transportation network. “Reliable access to…

Portland police will deploy additional officers throughout the city Monday as part of an enhanced traffic enforcement operation aimed at reducing crashes and improving safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists. The operation, scheduled for Monday Aug. 3, will focus on neighborhoods and roadways where police have received traffic complaints or identified patterns of crashes and unsafe driving, according to the Portland Police Department. Officers will target speeding, distracted and impaired driving, failure to yield, stop sign and traffic signal violations, and other behaviors that place people at risk. “Our goal is simple: to reduce crashes and make our streets safer…

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office is declining to determine whether Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Troy Jackson is eligible to appear on November’s ballot under Maine’s so-called “sore loser” law, leaving the increasingly contentious legal dispute to the political parties and potentially the courts. In a response to a challenge raised by State Rep. White, Deputy Secretary of State Kate O’Brien said the Secretary of State’s Office will not issue a legal opinion on Jackson’s eligibility. Instead, O’Brien wrote that the issue is one for the political parties to resolve, not the Secretary of State’s Office. She added that, as…

Legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) to prevent the Department of Education from transferring several major offices to other federal agencies advanced Thursday with bipartisan support. The bill cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee by a 13-9 vote and will now move forward for further consideration. Collins, a Maine Republican, introduced the legislation alongside Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. The measure would prohibit the Department of Education from transferring four offices to other federal agencies: the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the Office of Postsecondary Education, the Office of Elementary…

Elon Musk is preparing to put the financial power of the world’s largest personal fortune behind Republican candidates ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. America PAC, the super PAC founded and primarily funded by Musk, is reportedly planning to spend between $100 million and $120 million on an expansive voter-turnout operation designed to help Republicans maintain control of Congress. The planned effort would represent one of the largest outside political spending campaigns of the election cycle and mark Musk’s return as a major force in Republican politics following a brief retreat from political involvement. Rather than directing most of the…

Former Gov. Paul LePage’s congressional campaign fired back Thursday after Democratic candidate Matt Dunlap used a Bangor press conference to promote Medicare for All and attack LePage’s record on healthcare. Dunlap held the event to mark the 61st anniversary of the creation of Medicare and Medicaid, arguing that the federal government should expand Medicare into a universal healthcare system. He also accused LePage of supporting federal policies that would reduce Medicaid funding and threaten healthcare access in Maine. Brent Littlefield, a senior advisor to LePage’s campaign for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, dismissed the event as an attempt by Dunlap to…

Two people were arrested Thursday after state and federal law enforcement officers simultaneously raided properties in Harrington and Cherryfield following a month-long investigation into suspected methamphetamine trafficking. Agents with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency’s Downeast Task Force, assisted by the Maine State Police Tactical Team, executed search warrants on July 30 at 81 Wilson District Road in Harrington and 29 Campbell Hill Road in Cherryfield. The investigation included controlled purchases of methamphetamine at both properties, according to the MDEA. Matthew Small, 47, of Hancock, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated trafficking in Schedule W drugs, specifically methamphetamine,…

An 18-year-old Belfast man has been charged with arson after investigators determined that a basement fire at a City Point Road residence was intentionally set, according to the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal. The Belfast Fire Department responded to 53 City Point Road at approximately 8:10 p.m. on Wednesday following a report of a basement fire. When firefighters arrived, they found that the homeowner had already extinguished the small fire. The residence was filled with smoke, prompting crews to ventilate the building. Investigators from the Office of State Fire Marshal responded to determine the fire’s origin and cause. Authorities…

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration’s Board of Peace has reached what he described as a historic agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups operating in the Gaza Strip, marking what could become one of the most significant diplomatic developments in the region in decades. According to Trump, senior Hamas officials have agreed to a phased plan that would ultimately require the terrorist organization to surrender all of its weapons, dismantle its military infrastructure, and transfer civilian governance to a new Palestinian administration. If fully implemented, it would represent the first time…

During the reporting period, unlawful drug possession and violations of court-ordered release conditions topped the department’s arrest categories, while 911 hang-up calls remained the most common call for service. Police reported the following as the week’s most frequent arrest charges: PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department has released its latest weekly public safety statistics, providing a snapshot of arrests and calls for service as part of its ongoing transparency initiative. Unlawful Possession of Drugs: 14 Violating Condition of Release: 14 Warrants: 11 Criminal Trespass: 9 Assault: 9 The department also responded to a high volume of routine and proactive…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination Wednesday during a contentious Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing, refusing to answer more than 100 questions about the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the virus’s origins. The hearing, which lasted roughly three hours, was held under subpoena by committee chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who has spent years scrutinizing Fauci’s handling of the pandemic and federal funding tied to coronavirus research. Before questioning began, Fauci explained that he was invoking the Fifth Amendment on the advice of his attorneys, arguing…

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — The Scarborough Town Council unanimously approved a proclamation this week urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Maine’s congressional delegation to review, relocate or close the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility at 40 Manson Libby Road, adding another chapter to Maine’s increasingly contentious debate over federal immigration enforcement. While the vote was unanimous, it carries no legal authority. The ICE processing center is owned and operated by the federal government, leaving the town without the power to close the facility, terminate its lease or direct its operations. Instead, the proclamation asks federal officials to…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath has unveiled a new initiative aimed at curbing the city’s escalating youth gun violence while pursuing changes to Maine’s juvenile justice system that he says will help end the “revolving door” allowing repeat violent offenders to quickly return to the community. The initiative, known as C.E.A. — Community Engagement and Accountability, combines increased police enforcement with a legislative agenda designed to strengthen accountability for juveniles accused of serious violent crimes. “The people of Lewiston deserve better,” Kaenrath said in announcing the plan. “We deserve neighborhoods where children can play without fear. We…

Troy Jackson’s rapid elevation as the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate has brought renewed attention to a political record marked by mortgage questions, unpaid taxes, acknowledged outbursts, ideological reversals, and his continued support for former nominee Graham Platner despite a growing list of controversies. Jackson, a longtime Augusta insider who began his legislative career as a Republican before becoming an independent and eventually joining the Democratic Party, has increasingly aligned himself with the progressive wing of his party. That evolution has helped transform Jackson from a rural, pro-life, NRA-backed legislator into a Bernie Sanders-aligned candidate who supports abortion rights, expanded…

A brief pause in the five-month-old war between the United States and Iran has come to an abrupt end after Iran launched a surprise ballistic missile attack targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East, prompting a joint U.S.-Saudi military response. The renewed fighting follows President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt a 13-night U.S. bombing campaign in hopes of creating an opening for diplomacy. That effort unraveled after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) fired multiple ballistic missiles at U.S. military positions across the region. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), all of the incoming missiles were successfully intercepted, and…

Former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is scheduled to testify Wednesday morning before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, setting the stage for another high-profile confrontation with Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), one of Fauci’s most persistent congressional critics. The hearing is expected to focus on the origins of COVID-19, taxpayer-funded biomedical research, and allegations surrounding federal recordkeeping during the pandemic.  The hearing follows the release of more than 1,100 pages of Fauci’s personal pandemic-era journal entries, published over the weekend by Paul after the documents were turned over by the…

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — What began as a vacation for two Connecticut firefighters quickly turned into a life-saving rescue Tuesday afternoon when they pulled two sleeping brothers from a burning home before local crews arrived. According to the Scarborough Fire Department, Brandon Seney and Dylan Vincent of the East Putnam Fire Department were driving past a home at 4 Sea Meadows Lane around 12:25 p.m. on July 28 when they noticed smoke coming from the property. At first, the pair believed the smoke was coming from a backyard grill. But as it rapidly intensified, they stopped to investigate and discovered flames…

The wartime leaders traveled to Washington for the funeral of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham before holding separate meetings with President Donald Trump President Donald Trump is hosting separate, high-stakes Oval Office meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday as the White House confronts a rapidly converging series of global conflicts. Both wartime leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the funeral service of the late U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime champion of their respective causes. Their parallel visits come as the escalating war in Iran increasingly intersects with the ongoing…

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has endorsed Democrat Troy Jackson in Maine’s U.S. Senate race, drawing immediate comparisons between Jackson’s last-minute nomination and Harris’ own abbreviated campaign for president in 2024. Harris announced the endorsement in a fundraising email sent to supporters, emphasizing the limited amount of time Jackson has to build a statewide campaign before the November general election. Jackson now has fewer than 100 days to mount a statewide campaign after Maine Democrats selected him as their replacement nominee during a special party convention. The former Maine Senate president entered the race after Democratic primary winner Graham Platner…

The Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to reinstate a controversial executive order aimed at tightening mail-in voting procedures ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, setting up another major legal battle over federal authority in election administration. The administration is asking the nation’s highest court to lift a lower court injunction that has prevented key provisions of President Donald Trump’s March executive order, titled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” from taking effect in 23 states and the District of Columbia. Among its provisions, the executive order directs the Department of…

Another day, another shooting has shaken Lewiston, as police continue to grapple with a wave of gun violence that has plagued the city throughout the year. At approximately 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 27, Lewiston Police responded to the area of Bartlett Street and Walnut Street after receiving reports of gunfire. According to investigators, a brief altercation involving several males preceded the shooting. During the confrontation, a 21-year-old man was shot in the leg. His identity has not been released. The victim was transported to Central Maine Medical Center, where he remains in serious but non-life-threatening condition. Following interviews with dozens…

AUGUSTA, Maine — The latest campaign finance filings in Maine’s gubernatorial race are drawing renewed attention to the differing fundraising strategies employed by the state’s two major-party nominees. According to the Maine Republican Party, the 42-day post-primary campaign finance reports show Democratic nominee Hannah Pingree relying heavily on out-of-state financial support, while Republican nominee Bobby Charles is drawing a larger share of contributions from small-dollar donors within Maine. The Maine GOP said Pingree’s latest filing includes 66 out-of-state donors who contributed the maximum amount allowed under Maine law, arguing that her campaign is increasingly dependent on support from outside the…

For more than a decade, Jama Mohamed has been one of the most influential figures in Lewiston’s Somali immigrant community. He has served as Lewiston’s first Somali elected School Committee member, a city councilor, co-founded one of the city’s largest immigrant service organizations, sat on the board of the Bartlett Street mosque, and built a reputation as a community advocate whose voice has carried weight in City Hall and throughout Lewiston’s growing immigrant community. Today, that same community is confronting another difficult question. Early Sunday morning, Lewiston Police arrested Mohamed’s 20-year-old son, Zakaria Aden, after officers allegedly found him carrying…

A Swiss International Air Lines flight traveling from Zurich to New York City was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangor International Airport on Monday after the flight crew declared an in-flight emergency while crossing the Atlantic. Swiss International Air Lines Flight LX16, an Airbus A330-300 operating between Zurich Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, diverted to Bangor after the crew transmitted a 7700 squawk code, the internationally recognized signal indicating a general emergency requiring immediate assistance. The aircraft landed safely at Bangor International Airport at approximately 12:13 p.m., where emergency crews were already positioned along…

Dr. Anthony Fauci will return to Capitol Hill this week for what could become one of the most closely watched congressional hearings since the COVID-19 pandemic, as lawmakers prepare to question the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director about his handling of the pandemic, federal funding for coronavirus research, and newly released personal diary entries that have reignited political and legal scrutiny. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear Fauci’s testimony on Wednesday. The hearing comes as another controversy continues to build around former President Joe Biden’s preemptive pardon of Fauci, particularly…

Maine hospitals are facing an urgent need for blood donations after the American Red Cross declared a national emergency blood shortage and supplies fell nearly 25 percent in June. AUGUSTA, Maine – In Maine, approximately 61 percent of upcoming blood donation appointments remain unfilled, even as trauma centers across the state confront increased demand during the busy summer months. Type O blood — particularly O-negative and O-positive — and B-negative blood are critically needed, although donations from people with all blood types are welcome. The shortage comes as MaineHealth and other regional hospitals report a seasonal increase in serious accidents…

EAGLE LAKE, Maine — A structure fire that broke out Wednesday evening at a home on Albert Street has been ruled accidental, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Eagle Lake Fire Department responded to 67 Albert Street at approximately 6:50 p.m. on July 22 following a report of a structure fire. After the flames were extinguished, the department requested assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office to determine where and how the fire began. Investigators worked alongside Eagle Lake firefighters and determined that the blaze originated in the kitchen, specifically in the area around the stove. Officials…

Five children and two adults escaped injury after a residential fire caused significant damage to the second floor of an Oakland home early Sunday morning. The Oakland Fire Department responded to the fire at 87 Libby Hill Road before requesting assistance from investigators with the Office of State Fire Marshal at approximately 1 a.m. on July 26. Initial observations indicated the fire began inside a juvenile’s bedroom, according to state officials. The blaze caused extensive damage to the second floor of the residence. All seven people who were inside the home at the time of the fire were able to…

LEWISTON, Maine — Two Lewiston men were arrested early Sunday after police recovered three loaded 9mm handguns during a traffic stop on Sabattus Street, including one from a passenger who was prohibited from possessing firearms due to probation conditions stemming from a previous shooting conviction. According to the Lewiston Police Department, officers conducted the traffic stop at approximately 1:52 a.m. on July 26. Police identified the driver as Mohamed Abdi, 20, of Lewiston, and the passenger as Zakaria Aden, 20, of Lewiston. During the investigation, officers determined that Aden was on probation for a reckless conduct conviction related to a…

BOWDOIN, Maine— The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an apparent attempted arson after someone allegedly broke into an abandoned mobile home in Bowdoin and tried to set it on fire. According to investigators, the incident occurred at 243 John Tarr Road sometime between Sunday, July 19, and Saturday, July 25, 2026. The property owner discovered the break-in and apparent fire-setting attempt on Saturday before notifying authorities. The State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene on July 25 and determined that while the fire caused only minor damage, the case remains an active criminal investigation. Investigators are now…

An underground electrical vault exploded Sunday afternoon at a busy intersection in downtown Portland, blowing a manhole cover from the ground, sending sidewalk bricks flying and sparking a small fire. The explosion occurred shortly before 1 p.m. on July 26 at the intersection of Middle and Exchange streets in Portland’s heavily traveled Old Port district. Officials said the blast originated inside an underground Central Maine Power electrical manhole vault. The force of the explosion dislodged the manhole cover and scattered bricks from the surrounding pedestrian sidewalk. Despite the location’s popularity with tourists and pedestrians, no one was struck by the…

The federal government is reviewing Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s employee-vetting procedures following the fatal July 13 shooting of a Colombian immigrant in Biddeford and subsequent reports concerning the ICE agent involved. White House border czar Tom Homan announced the internal review after allegations surfaced that ICE agent David Brouillette had previously struggled with serious mental health issues and faced accusations of domestic violence. Brouillette has been identified as the agent involved in the shooting death of 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero. Speaking Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Homan said that, should the allegations concerning Brouillette’s past prove accurate,…

A 9-year-old boy suffered serious burn injuries Sunday after a dirt bike crash in Biddeford triggered a flash fire, according to investigators with the Maine Office of State Fire Marshal. The incident occurred on July 26 at 23 St. Joseph Street, where investigators responded at the request of the Biddeford Fire Department following a fire involving a small dirt bike. According to the investigation, the juvenile was operating a dirt bike with an engine displacement of less than 50cc in a parking lot when the crash occurred. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the dirt bike heavily damaged by fire,…

Maine ended the 2026 fiscal year with a General Fund revenue surplus of more than $148 million, delivering a major infusion of cash for delayed highway projects while temporarily restoring the state’s Rainy Day Fund to its statutory maximum. The Mills administration announced the year-end figures Friday, marking the fifth consecutive fiscal year in which state revenues exceeded budgeted spending. “Throughout my time in office, my administration has worked hard with the Legislature to produce responsible state budgets that invest in Maine people and improve our economy while living within our means,” Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement. The…

Former White House COVID-19 adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci is returning to Capitol Hill this week under subpoena, where he is expected to face some of the toughest questioning of his public career as Senate investigators revisit the origins of COVID-19, U.S. funding of coronavirus research in China, and whether Congress was misled during the pandemic. Fauci is scheduled to testify before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday, July 29, at 8:30 a.m., after Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) compelled his appearance. The hearing is expected to focus on the National Institutes of Health’s relationship with…

Before delegates formally handed former Senate President Troy Jackson the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate on Saturday, Maine Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Dingman began the state convention with a familiar progressive ritual: declaring that the event was being held on the ancestral homeland of Maine’s Indigenous people. The land acknowledgment lasted only moments, but it immediately became one of the most talked-about parts of the convention outside the nomination itself. Within hours, Dingman’s remarks were circulating online, where critics ridiculed what they described as yet another performative display from a Democratic Party that routinely speaks about “stolen land” while continuing…

Another overnight shooting has rattled Lewiston, adding to a growing series of gunfire incidents that continue to plague the city’s downtown neighborhoods and raise fresh concerns about public safety. At approximately 2:20 a.m. Saturday, July 25, Lewiston police officers patrolling the downtown area heard numerous gunshots coming from the Oak Street area. Officers immediately responded while additional 911 calls flooded dispatchers reporting shots fired. As officers searched the neighborhood, they discovered three unoccupied vehicles that had been struck by gunfire. Investigators also found bullet damage to two buildings at 75 Oak Street and 62 Oak Street, evidence that rounds traveled…

Maine State Police are assisting the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with an investigation after a woman was shot during a child pickup on Jobie Road in Avon. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call on July 24 from a man who reported that his mother had been shot while he was attempting to pick up his children from members of his ex-wife’s family, according to police. The man drove away from the scene and eventually stopped near 420 Avon Road, where he met responding law enforcement officers and emergency medical personnel. The woman was transported by LifeFlight of…

A 22-year-old Falmouth man has been charged with assault after Portland Police say he followed a woman walking along Forest Avenue before allegedly throwing bodily fluids on her in what the victim described as a disturbing, unprovoked attack. The incident occurred at approximately 6:12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, near 417 Forest Ave., at the corner of Dartmouth Street. According to the Portland Police Department, a 33-year-old woman reported that a man exited a pickup truck, followed her for a short distance, and threw a substance from a small container onto her. A witness corroborated the woman’s account, telling officers…

The general election campaign for Maine’s U.S. Senate seat officially shifted into high gear Sunday after Democrats nominated former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in November. Within hours of Jackson securing the nomination at the Maine Democratic Party’s convention in Bangor, the Collins campaign issued a sharply worded statement criticizing both the process that elevated Jackson to the ballot and his record during more than two decades in Augusta. The nomination comes after Democrats were forced to select a replacement candidate following the withdrawal of former nominee Graham Platner, setting the stage for…

Screenshot Former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson officially secured the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate on Sunday, capping off a fast-moving replacement process that began after Democratic nominee Graham Platner withdrew from the race earlier this month. Meeting at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Democratic delegates overwhelmingly selected Jackson as their nominee, giving him 566 votes to 5 votes for fellow candidate Saundra Pelletier. The decisive margin ended weeks of speculation over who would replace Platner on the November ballot and sets up a high-profile general election against six-term U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine). Jackson accepted the nomination…

President Donald Trump returned to the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Friday night, delivering an hour-long address that mixed tributes to the law enforcement officers who stopped an attempted assassin with sharp attacks on journalists, Democratic politicians and some of the president’s longtime critics. The July 24 dinner was held exactly three months after the association’s original April 25 gathering was disrupted by gunfire and abruptly evacuated. Federal prosecutors have charged 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of California with attempting to assassinate Trump after he allegedly opened fire near the security checkpoint outside the Washington Hilton. Friday’s make-up event was moved…

By Jon Fetherston Here is a nickel’s worth of free advice for every Republican running for office in Maine: Stop campaigning like Democrats deserve the benefit of the doubt. They do not. Every Republican candidate should spend the rest of this election reminding working Mainers exactly who fought to let them keep more of their own money—and who stood in the way. Talk directly to bartenders, waitresses, barbers, hairdressers, hotel employees, delivery drivers and every other Mainer who depends on tips to pay the bills. Remind them that President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans delivered a new federal income-tax deduction…

Just hours before Maine Democrats are scheduled to meet in Bangor to select a replacement nominee for the U.S. Senate, a Republican state lawmaker is asking Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to determine whether former Senate President Troy Jackson is legally eligible to receive the nomination at all. In a letter dated July 24, State Rep. James White (R-Guilford) formally requested that Bellows immediately investigate whether Jackson—or any candidate who sought and lost a race for another federal, state, or county office in Maine’s June primary, is legally eligible to become a replacement nominee under Maine election law. White argues…

The Maine Democratic Party will gather Saturday in Bangor to select a replacement for former U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner, but one question remains unanswered ahead of the closely watched convention: Will The Maine Wire be permitted to cover it? This reporter submitted a request for media credentials to attend the July 25 nominating convention. As of Friday, the Maine Democratic Party had not approved, denied or otherwise responded to the request. The lack of communication comes as party officials prepare to oversee what they have repeatedly described as a representative, transparent and inclusive process for replacing Platner on the…

Another late-night shooting has rattled a Lewiston neighborhood after gunfire struck an occupied apartment building on Pierce Street, underscoring the city’s continuing struggle with violent crime. According to the Lewiston Police Department, officers responded at approximately 11:19 p.m. Thursday to multiple reports of shots fired in the Blake Street area. As officers investigated, they determined that an apartment building at 119 Pierce Street had been struck by gunfire. Police said at least one round penetrated the exterior wall of the building and entered a second-floor apartment. Fortunately, no one inside the residence was injured, and all occupants were reported safe.…

Approximately 20 clergy members and faith leaders from across Maine gathered Thursday morning at Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse to condemn recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, call for increased federal oversight, and urge elected officials to oppose additional funding for the agency. The event, organized by the Greater Portland Multifaith Clergy Organizing Group in partnership with the national advocacy organization Faith in Us, was held in coordination with similar demonstrations in Texas and Florida following several recent immigration-related deaths. The rally centered on the July 13 fatal shooting of Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old Colombian national who was…

Conservative grassroots organization Common Sense for Maine gathered Republican activists, candidates and supporters Thursday afternoon at Dunegrass Country Club, where founder Domenic Pugliares welcomed the crowd, unveiled a new slate of campaign advertisements, and introduced Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles, who laid out his vision for Maine ahead of the November election. Pugliares, the owner of Dunegrass Country Club and founder of Common Sense for Maine, opened the event by thanking attendees and Republican candidates before outlining the organization’s grassroots efforts heading into the final months of the campaign. He also premiered several television and digital advertisements developed by Common…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is close to deciding whether to launch a major new attack against Iran, signaling that the United States could soon expand a military campaign that has already entered its sixth month and disrupted two of the world’s most important shipping corridors. In an interview with Axios, Trump said the potential operation would be “bigger than ever before” and suggested that Iran had not yet suffered enough damage to force its leaders to end their attacks on commercial shipping or accept an agreement with the United States. “They have not received…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump is rolling out a sweeping new round of tariffs against dozens of American trading partners, reinforcing a protectionist trade agenda that has become one of the defining policies of his second term. The latest action imposes tariffs of either 10 percent or 12.5 percent on imports from 60 trading partners following investigations into foreign governments’ failure to prohibit or effectively enforce bans against goods produced with forced labor. The tariffs replace a temporary global levy that expired Friday and cover the overwhelming majority of goods imported into the United States, subject to exemptions for…

A USA Today opinion column comparing the rhetoric surrounding WNBA star Caitlin Clark to the circumstances surrounding the 1955 lynching of Emmett Till has ignited a firestorm of criticism, prompting the newspaper to revise the article and its author to publicly acknowledge shortcomings in her argument. The controversy has fueled renewed scrutiny of sports media’s coverage of Clark, whose meteoric rise has transformed women’s basketball while also making her one of the most polarizing figures in American sports. https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2080445416458399848?s=20 A Superstar Who Changed Women’s Basketball Since entering the WNBA as the No. 1 overall draft pick, Caitlin Clark has become…

By allowing the deadline to challenge the Maine Department of Health and Human Services’ finding of a “credible allegation of fraud” to pass without filing an appeal, Gateway Community Services has left the state’s suspension of its MaineCare payments in place and moved one step closer to potentially being permanently excluded from the Medicaid program. The July 17 deadline came and went without an appeal from Gateway Community Services LLC, despite the company’s repeated public denials that it intentionally defrauded the MaineCare system. The decision is significant because it leaves DHHS’s fraud determination intact while state and federal investigations continue…

AUGUSTA, Maine – A software error that mistakenly registered thousands of noncitizens to vote in New Jersey is renewing debate over election security across the country and raising fresh questions in Maine, where election integrity has remained a politically charged issue following several high-profile controversies. New Jersey officials announced in July that approximately 6,600 noncitizens were improperly added to the state’s voter rolls between June 2023 and June 2024 after a software malfunction in the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) voter registration system. According to state officials, the individuals did not attempt to register illegally. During routine driver’s license or…

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is once again at the center of the national debate over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, saying this week that protecting girls’ athletics is simply “common sense” despite the backlash her comments have generated. Cunningham, one of the WNBA’s fastest-rising stars, reiterated her position after an ESPN profile sparked widespread discussion across the sports world. “I said what I said,” Cunningham told reporters. “I think it’s kind of common sense, and I think I’ll always believe in that.” She added that she believes it is important to protect children and opportunities for biological women…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree has built a commanding fundraising advantage over Republican Bobby Charles and Independent Rick Bennett, according to the latest campaign finance reports filed with the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices. The reports, covering campaign activity through July 14, show Pingree has raised more than $3 million since launching her campaign, compared with approximately $1.3 million for Charles and just under $800,000 for Bennett. During the latest reporting period, Pingree raised nearly $900,000, while Charles reported raising approximately $217,000 and Bennett about $114,000, widening the financial gap heading into the fall…

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is facing renewed criticism after declaring that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “not welcome in New York City,” saying the Israeli leader should face trial at The Hague under an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Mamdani made the remarks in a recently released video statement and podcast interview, where he described Netanyahu as a “war criminal” and argued that he belongs before the ICC over Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The comments come ahead of Netanyahu’s expected visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly this September.…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued one of his strongest warnings yet to Iran, declaring that any future attack by the Islamic Republic on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz will result in direct U.S. military strikes against Iranian infrastructure, including targets near Tehran. In a statement posted to his Truth Social account, Trump announced a new policy of immediate retaliation. “From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States…

CHINA, Maine — A Lewiston man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after allegedly stabbing a 47-year-old Oakland man in the town of China, according to Maine State Police. Troopers responded to a report of a stabbing at approximately 12:54 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21. Investigators determined that 36-year-old Jacob Hebert of Lewiston allegedly stabbed the victim before fleeing the scene in a black Jeep Cherokee. The victim was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. He was treated and later released. State Police said Hebert and the victim knew one another and that there was no…

BIDDEFORD, Maine — Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain called for a transparent investigation into the fatal shooting of Johann Sebastián Durán Guerrero during an emotional City Council meeting Tuesday, as residents filled the council chambers to demand accountability, stronger local safeguards, and an end to cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The July 21 meeting opened exactly one week after Durán Guerrero was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on a Biddeford street. LaFountain said he had met the previous day with Durán Guerrero’s partner, Carolina Rojas Alvarez, and his sister, Daniela, at the site of the shooting…

LEWISTON, Maine — In a dramatic reorganization of city leadership Tuesday night, the Lewiston City Council voted 6-1 to remove Councilor David Chittim as council president following weeks of controversy over his behind-the-scenes efforts to revisit the council’s decision to eliminate the city’s economic development director position. Chittim cast the lone vote against his removal. Moments later, the council unanimously elected Councilor Joshua Nagine to serve as council president for the remainder of the current term, which expires Jan. 4, 2027. The discussion among councilors and public testimony centered on whether Chittim and Mayor Carl Sheline improperly worked behind the…

Melissa Dunn has spent years presenting herself as a peace activist, tenant advocate and community organizer in Lewiston. But her increasingly visible role at political events, outside a Lewiston Mosque and during confrontations with reporters, residents and law enforcement has raised questions about whether Dunn’s activism is reducing tensions in Maine’s second-largest city, or contributing to them. Those concerns intensified last Friday when the Lewiston Police Department brought additional officers into the Bartlett Street area amid concerns about potential trouble between Dunn’s self-described safety team and members of the general public, according to information provided to The Maine Wire. The…

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Police Department reported warrants and violations of conditions of release as the city’s most common arrest charges during the past week, according to statistics released Tuesday. The department publishes weekly calls-for-service data as part of what it described as an ongoing effort to provide greater transparency. Weekly arrest logs and daily media logs are also available through the city’s police statistics webpage. Police recorded 19 warrant-related arrests during the reporting period, followed by 17 arrests for violating conditions of release. Unlawful possession of drugs was the third-most common charge, with 12 arrests. Criminal trespass and…

LEEDS, Maine — Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles is calling on Democratic nominee Hannah Pingree and independent candidate Rick Bennett to participate in a series of five issue-focused debates this fall, arguing that Maine voters deserve longer, more substantive discussions than the traditional televised debate format. In a challenge released Tuesday, Charles proposed holding each debate in a community directly affected by the issue under discussion, with questions coming primarily from local residents rather than media moderators. “Every election cycle, Mainers get the same thing. One or two debates in a studio somewhere, ninety-second answers, and a moderator more interested…

AUBURN, Maine — Following more hours of testimony from state officials, healthcare providers, city staff, addiction recovery advocates and residents, the Auburn City Council voted 5-2 Monday night to approve a new ordinance regulating syringe service programs, concluding months of debate over how the city should balance public health initiatives with growing concerns about public safety and quality of life. The ordinance establishes Auburn’s first local regulatory framework for syringe service providers and comes as neighboring Lewiston prepares for a November referendum that would impose significantly stricter restrictions on syringe exchange programs. Together, the Twin Cities have become the center…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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