Author: Jon Fetherston

The temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran has collapsed, with President Donald Trump declaring the agreement over and ordering multiple waves of military strikes against targets across Iran. The conflict rapidly escalated over the weekend following a series of Iranian attacks on commercial shipping vessels and subsequent U.S. retaliation, sending global energy markets sharply higher and raising fears of a prolonged regional war. U.S. Strikes Roughly 140 Iranian Targets The latest round of fighting began after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps attacked a Cyprus-flagged container ship. In response, Trump directed U.S. Central Command to carry out severe retaliatory…

BANGOR, Maine — The Maine Democratic Party will convene an emergency nominating convention later this month, placing the power to choose its new U.S. Senate nominee in the hands of 601 party delegates following the dramatic collapse of Graham Platner’s campaign. The unprecedented convention will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The nominee selected there will have just two days before the party’s legally mandated 5 p.m. July 27 deadline to certify a replacement candidate to face Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in November. Platner won the June 9 Democratic primary…

LISBON, Maine — In an era dominated by television ads, social media videos, and digital fundraising, one of the oldest forms of political campaigning is still alive and well in Maine: walking a parade route and shaking hands with voters. That tradition was on full display Saturday as thousands of people packed the streets of Lisbon Falls for the annual Moxie Festival Parade, one of Maine’s largest and most recognizable summer celebrations. Among the political leaders and candidates greeting spectators were U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R) , former Governor Paul LePage (R), who is currently running for Congress, Republican congressional…

RANDOLPH, Maine — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) joined Randolph officials, firefighters and residents Saturday to celebrate the opening of the town’s new fire station, marking the completion of a project local leaders pursued for more than a decade. Collins attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony after marching earlier in the day in the Moxie Festival Parade in Lisbon. The new Randolph Volunteer Fire Station will serve not only the town’s residents but also surrounding communities through mutual-aid agreements. The department provides assistance to Pittston, Farmingdale, Chelsea, Gardiner, West Gardiner, Hallowell and the Togus VA Medical Center. Collins, who serves on the…

PORTLAND, Maine — A Portland police detective has received international recognition for solving an 11-year-old cold case involving the death of a South Korean national in Maine’s largest city. Detective Andjelko Napijalo was honored this week by the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York for his work bringing the long-unsolved investigation to a successful conclusion. During a ceremony at the Consulate General’s office in Manhattan, Consul General Kim Sang-ho presented Napijalo with a Letter of Appreciation recognizing his dedication, perseverance and commitment to securing justice for the victim and the victim’s family. Letters from the victim’s…

The Maine Democratic Party has launched an expedited nomination process to select a new candidate for the U.S. Senate, giving party members less than three weeks to choose a nominee who will face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in November. The unusual process must be completed by 5 p.m. on July 27, according to information released by the party. Under the plan, prospective candidates must formally declare their intention to run and collect the required signatures to qualify for consideration. The process will then move to a series of county nominating meetings scheduled for July 18 and 19. Democratic Party members…

For years, Mainers have been told everything is fine. If you question the direction of the state, you’re accused of being negative. If you point to declining rankings, you’re told the statistics are misleading. If you raise concerns about taxes, energy costs, education, crime, or the economy, you’re dismissed as being partisan. Enough. Maine has real problems, and pretending otherwise won’t solve them. A policy memo recently distributed by Common Sense for Maine compiles a series of statistics from publicly available sources that paint a troubling picture of where the state stands today. While every ranking has its own methodology…

The leaders of the Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine ballot initiative say their legal battle is far from over after the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, sitting as the Law Court, upheld the Secretary of State’s decision to invalidate the citizen petition. In a statement released Friday, the ballot committee said it “disagrees with the Law Court’s decision” and noted that it has already filed a lawsuit in federal court. According to the committee, it intends to seek clarification of a federal consent order that it believes could affect the validity of 1,520 petition signatures. “The Protect Girls Sports in Maine…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner officially withdrew his candidacy Friday afternoon, submitting a formal letter to the Maine Department of the Secretary of State ending a campaign that collapsed after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct led to a mass exodus of political support. The withdrawal, dated July 10, formally removes Platner from consideration for the office and clears the way for the Maine Democratic Party to begin selecting a replacement nominee through its recently announced convention process. In his letter, Platner reflected on the June Democratic primary, noting that 156,084 Mainers voted for his campaign and…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston has spent much of the past year grappling with an alarming rise in violent crime, juvenile shootings, illegal firearms, and growing concerns over public safety. Residents have repeatedly asked city leaders for one thing: leadership. What unfolded Friday outside the Bartlett Street mosque was not leadership. Instead, it was another example of how a volatile situation can become even more combustible when elected officials choose confrontation over calm. The afternoon began when Lewiston police responded to reports that a man walking his dog on the public sidewalk in front of the Bartlett Street mosque had been confronted…

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are set to return to Maine this weekend for the first time since 2021, headlining The Great State of Maine Air Show at Brunswick Executive Airport. The two-day event will take place Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, at the airport located at 15 Terminal Road in Brunswick. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. both days, with the same aerial performance schedule planned for Saturday and Sunday. This year’s air show features one of the largest aviation lineups in Maine history. The Blue Angels’ precision flight demonstration will serve as…

The State of Utah has concluded its presentation of evidence in the week-long preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old man accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk. State District Judge Tony Graf Jr. is expected to rule by the end of the week on whether prosecutors have established enough probable cause to send the capital murder case to trial. Robinson is charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. He has not yet entered a plea. The most significant development in the hearing came when prosecutors played a redacted investigative video and presented text messages from Robinson’s…

OLD ORCHARD BEACH, Maine – Maine residents across the state are continuing to report inconsistent and, in some cases, prolonged gaps in mail delivery, as the U.S. Postal Service struggles with staffing shortages, rising package volumes, and broader management reorganization. For many Mainers, the issue is no longer an occasional inconvenience. It has become a regular disruption affecting bills, prescriptions, retirement checks, Social Security payments, and other essential deliveries. This reporter, who lives in Saco, has experienced mail service that is, at best, inconsistent. Residents in neighboring Old Orchard Beach recently told this reporter at The Brunswick, in Old Orchard…

LISBON, Maine — One of Maine’s quirkiest and most beloved summer traditions returns this weekend as the annual Moxie Festival brings three days of parades, contests, live music and family-friendly events to Lisbon. https://www.moxiefestival.com Held each year on the second weekend in July, the festival celebrates Moxie, the distinctively flavored soda that has become a point of pride for generations of Mainers. Centered around Lisbon High School and Lisbon Falls, the event draws locals, longtime fans and curious visitors eager to experience one of the state’s most unusual celebrations. But Moxie is more than a soda. In Maine, it is…

The Maine Democratic Party has released the official rules governing how candidates may seek the party’s nomination for U.S. Senate following Graham Platner’s decision to suspend his campaign, offering the first detailed explanation of a process party leaders have repeatedly described as “transparent.” The release comes as Democrats race against the clock to replace their nominee before Maine’s statutory ballot deadlines. Although Platner announced earlier this week that he was suspending his campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct and the collapse of support from prominent Democrats, he has not yet filed the official paperwork with the Maine Secretary of State’s…

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the fragile ceasefire with Iran is “over,” plunging the United States and Tehran back into a dangerous cycle of direct military conflict after a major flare-up in the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed hostilities followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels traveling through one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. The escalation quickly rattled global markets, sending Brent crude sharply higher and raising new concerns about fuel prices for American consumers. Oil prices surged after the collapse of the truce, with Brent crude briefly climbing to $80.59 per barrel before settling at $78.02, a…

AUGUSTA, Maine – Maine voters were told the state needed a stronger red flag law for moments when warning signs were visible before tragedy struck. Now, after the political collapse of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner, the question is unavoidable: If the law was written to identify people who may pose a danger when firearms are involved, what exactly would qualify? Platner suspended his campaign this week after a sexual assault allegation surfaced, which he has denied. The allegation came after months of scrutiny over his past conduct, his online statements, his admitted struggles after military service, and a…

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a sweeping warning to election officials across the country, advising that state and local election administrators could face criminal prosecution if they knowingly allow noncitizens to remain on voter rolls or cast ballots in federal elections. According to multiple reports, the department sent nearly identical seven-page letters to election officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, demanding they explain within five days how they intend to comply with federal laws prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections. The letters were signed by Harmeet Dhillon, who serves as Assistant Attorney General…

Assistant House Republican Leader Rep. Katrina Smith has formally requested that the Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices review whether Speaker Ryan Fecteau’s continued service in the Maine House of Representatives, including as Speaker, is consistent with Maine’s legislative ethics and conflict-of-interest laws following his acceptance of employment as Executive Director of the Biddeford Housing Authority. Smith, a Republican representing Palermo and serving in House leadership as Assistant House Republican Leader, submitted the request pursuant to the commission’s authority under state law. In her letter, she emphasized that she is not alleging wrongdoing or presuming that Fecteau has…

I first met Graham Platner not as a supporter, not as an ally, and certainly not as someone who agreed with his politics. I met him as a reporter. From the beginning, I made one thing clear to him: I did not agree with much of anything that came out of his mouth, but I would treat him fairly and report on him honestly. To his credit, at least in those early encounters, Platner understood that. He shook my hand. He hugged me. He told me that was all he could ask, because if he was going to be successful,…

SULLIVAN, Maine – The stunning collapse of Democratic nominee Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign has plunged Maine Democrats into an unprecedented race against the clock, forcing party leaders to rapidly organize a nominating convention to select a new challenger to Republican incumbent Susan Collins. Platner suspended his campaign following high-profile sexual assault allegations, setting off a political firestorm that quickly unraveled what had been the Democratic Party’s effort to unseat Collins in one of the nation’s closely watched Senate races. The catalyst came when a former girlfriend publicly accused Platner of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in 2021.…

Graham Platner was supposed to be the Democrats’ answer to Susan Collins. Instead, he became a national embarrassment. The rise and fall of Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign is not merely the story of one candidate imploding under the weight of his own record. It is the story of a political party that ignored every warning sign until it became impossible to pretend anymore. It is the story of national Democrats, progressive activists, celebrity validators, and friendly media outlets convincing themselves that winning mattered more than judgment, character, or basic due diligence. Now Maine is left holding the bag. Platner, the…

After hearing passionate testimony from residents, elected officials and advocates, the Auburn City Council voted Monday night to table a proposed ordinance regulating syringe service programs until its next meeting, extending a debate that has drawn significant public attention across the Twin Cities. The proposed ordinance would establish new operating standards for syringe service providers, including limiting the number of approved programs, requiring certification through the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, mandating daily cleanup of areas surrounding program sites, and imposing additional reporting and operational requirements intended to address public safety and neighborhood concerns. The meeting drew speakers…

Politicians, progressive organizations and celebrity supporters are rushing to distance themselves from Graham Platner, raising questions about whether they were hypocrites, grossly uninformed or simply willing to overlook anything that might help defeat Susan Collins The politicians, progressive organizations and national personalities that helped transform Graham Platner from a little-known oyster farmer into Maine’s Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate are now scrambling to distance themselves from the candidate they spent months promoting. Some have formally withdrawn their endorsements. Others have called on Platner to leave the race without acknowledging the role they played in putting him at the top…

INDIAN ISLAND, Maine — The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an arson fire that caused significant damage to a building owned by the Penobscot Nation early Wednesday morning. The fire was reported shortly after 2 a.m. on July 8 at 4 Wabanaki Way on Indian Island, just outside Old Town. No injuries were reported. Investigators with the State Fire Marshal’s Office are working alongside the Penobscot Nation Police Department, Old Town Police Department, and Old Town Fire Department. The fire has been ruled arson. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Penobscot Nation Police Department…

KINGFIELD, Maine — The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a fire that destroyed the Carrabassett Valley Veterinary Clinic in Kingfield Tuesday afternoon after witnesses reported hearing explosions. The fire was reported at approximately 3:40 p.m. on July 7 while employees, animals and an upstairs resident were inside the large, two-story building. All veterinary clinic employees and animals were safely evacuated. The resident of an upstairs apartment also escaped, but two cats inside the apartment died in the fire. Fire Marshal investigators arrived while crews were still working to suppress the blaze. The metal-roofed and metal-sided building sustained…

In the wake of Graham Platner dropping out and potentially being replaced by Troy Jackson, Shenna Bellows or Nirav Shah, former State Rep. John Andrews said Maine voters deserve legislators who will confront what he described as corruption and tyranny at the state level. Andrews, now a candidate for the Maine State Senate, said he has already demonstrated his willingness to challenge powerful political figures. “I’ve always tried to do the right thing when it was the hard thing. I stood up and called out the misconduct of these very individuals long before any of this became a national story,”…

LEWISTON, Maine — Lewiston residents will have the final say on whether the city’s syringe exchange program should operate under significantly stricter rules after the Lewiston City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to send a citizen-led initiative to the November ballot. Rather than adopting the proposal outright, councilors voted 7-0 to place the measure before voters in a citywide referendum. The initiative, led by former Lewiston City Councilor Eryn Soule and resident Marcel LeClair, seeks to substantially amend the city’s existing Syringe Service Program ordinance. Supporters gathered 966 certified signatures, enough to require the City Council to either adopt the…

Embattled Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing mounting pressure to withdraw from the race following serious allegations of sexual assault and nonconsensual sexual behavior made by former partners. Platner has denied the allegations, but the political fallout has rapidly engulfed his campaign and left Maine Democrats scrambling to find a replacement before a fast-approaching legal deadline. The Maine Democratic Party, led by Executive Director Devon Murphy-Anderson, has publicly called on Platner to step aside. Party officials have also made clear that neither Platner nor members of his campaign will be permitted to influence the process of selecting a…

The battle over whether Maine voters will be allowed to decide the future of girls’ sports and private spaces is now in the hands of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. The state’s highest court heard oral arguments on July 1 in a fast-moving legal dispute over the Protect Girls’ Sports in Maine citizen initiative, which seeks to require public schools to designate athletic teams, bathrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities according to biological sex. The initiative would require school sports teams to be classified as male, female or coeducational. Female teams would be reserved for students whose biological sex is…

President Donald Trump declared Wednesday that the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran is effectively finished, following a dramatic overnight exchange of military strikes that has pushed the conflict back to the brink of full-scale war. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, Trump said the temporary agreement had run its course, adding that dealing with Tehran had become “a waste of time.” While the president indicated diplomatic discussions could technically continue, his remarks signaled a sharp departure from the ceasefire framework established just weeks ago. The latest escalation began early Wednesday…

At a time when Americans are marking the nation’s 250th anniversary, one of the country’s most recognizable television personalities has once again found herself at the center of a controversy over the American flag. During Monday’s broadcast of The View, co-host Sunny Hostin said neighborhoods displaying numerous American flags make her feel “unsafe.” https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/2074202828038459444?s=20 “There are times when I walk into a community and I see American flags all over the community and I suddenly feel unsafe,” Hostin said during a discussion about patriotism and extremist groups. Hostin argued that some white nationalist organizations have “co-opted” the American flag and…

U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell remains hospitalized weeks after suffering a medical emergency at his Washington, D.C., home, with his office continuing to release only limited information about his condition. The 84-year-old Republican has not appeared in public since June 14, when emergency dispatch audio indicated paramedics responded to his residence for an unconscious individual reported to be in cardiac arrest. According to the dispatch, first responders performed CPR before transporting McConnell to a hospital. Since then, McConnell’s office has provided few details beyond saying the senator “continues to improve” and remains engaged in Senate business by working remotely with his…

As audiences increasingly move away from traditional television broadcasts and printed newspapers in favor of digital news, Maine Wire TV has emerged over the past few months as one of Maine’s fastest-growing online news programs, bringing viewers live coverage of breaking news, investigative reporting, political analysis, and interviews with the people shaping public policy across the state. Built as a digital-first news platform, Maine Wire TV reaches viewers wherever they consume their news rather than relying on a traditional television broadcast schedule. The program streams live on YouTube, Facebook, X, Instagram, Substack, and is also available as a podcast on…

Why now? For months, Democratic leaders defended, endorsed, or remained silent as controversy after controversy engulfed their U.S. Senate nominee, Graham Platner. Now, following a newly reported sexual assault allegation made by former girlfriend Jenny Racicot, an allegation Platner has categorically denied, many of those same leaders are calling for him to end his campaign. The sudden reversal raises an unavoidable political question: What changed? The allegation reported this week is undeniably serious. But it did not emerge in a vacuum. Long before Monday’s calls for Platner to withdraw, his campaign had weathered months of public controversy. Resurfaced social media…

AUGUSTA, Maine — With mounting calls from Democratic leaders for U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner to withdraw from the race, attention is rapidly shifting to a question that seemed unlikely just days ago: who could replace him on the November ballot? The pressure on Platner intensified after new allegations of sexual assault became public. Platner has denied the allegations, calling them false, but acknowledged he is considering his next steps. National Democratic leaders, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chair Kirsten Gillibrand, have publicly urged Platner to end his campaign, and the DSCC has announced…

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Democrats may soon discover that their decision to rally around Graham Platner was not simply a political gamble, but a potentially devastating failure of judgment. The left leaning new outlet, POLITICO, Monday afternoon published a story stating that a woman who dated Maine U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner says he forced her to have sex with him nearly five years ago despite her repeated objections, an allegation Platner denies. The woman, a 41-year-old Maine resident named Jenny Racicot, detailed the alleged incident to POLITICO. The Maine Wire was aware of this story for more than a week, prior to it being published…

The Auburn City Council is scheduled to consider final approval Monday night of a new ordinance regulating syringe service programs, as neighboring Lewiston faces a renewed citizen-led effort to impose stricter limits on the distribution of clean needles. The Auburn council will hold a workshop at 5:30 p.m., followed by its regular meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Auburn Hall, located at 60 Court Street. Councilors gave initial approval to the syringe service ordinance on June 15. The proposal limits the city to no more than two licensed providers and requires each program to maintain certification from the Maine Center…

SEATTLE — President Donald Trump is drawing international attention after FIFA reversed the automatic suspension of U.S. Men’s National Team striker Folarin Balogun just hours before the Americans take the field Monday night against Belgium in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The decision, which allows the United States’ leading scorer to play in one of the biggest matches in the program’s history, has ignited criticism from international soccer officials, pundits, and the Belgian Football Association, with some questioning whether politics has influenced the world’s most prestigious sporting event. According to reports, Trump personally contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino…

A 27-year-old Presque Isle man has pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Bangor to multiple federal offenses involving the attempted sexual exploitation of minors. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine, Joseph Maile pleaded guilty to attempted sex trafficking of a minor, enticement of a minor, and attempted enticement of a minor. Court records state that in 2024, Maile used the social media platform Snap to proposition minors for sexual images and offered money in exchange for sex with minors. Maile faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a maximum…

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, a newly released Gallup poll suggests national pride has fallen to its lowest level in the survey’s history, highlighting deep political and generational divides over how Americans view their country. The poll found that only 33 percent of Americans say they are “extremely proud” to be American, while another 20 percent say they are “very proud.” Combined, just 53 percent of respondents describe themselves as either extremely or very proud of the United States—a decline from 58 percent one year ago and a sharp drop from the patriotic surge that followed the…

A new Preble Street report identified more than 100 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in a single section of Portland, raising questions about whether government counts are capturing the full scope of the city’s continuing homelessness crisis. Preble Street Health Services and the Preble Street Outreach Collaborative identified 104 people living outside during an informal count conducted between Nov. 10 and Nov. 28, 2025. Of those, 82 completed surveys, while another 22 were observed but declined or did not complete the questionnaire. The number far exceeded the approximately 20 unsheltered people recorded throughout Cumberland County in Maine’s federally required 2025 Point-in-Time…

GOP lawmakers say Gov. Janet Mills allowed political differences with President Donald Trump to cost Maine a valuable opportunity to promote its tourism industry on the national stage. Republican lawmakers and volunteers stepped in to represent Maine at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after Gov. Janet Mills’ administration declined to operate the state’s official pavilion during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart and State Rep. Reagan Paul criticized the decision, arguing that Maine missed a rare opportunity to promote its tourism industry, small businesses, outdoor recreation and coastal communities before a national audience.…

President Donald Trump delivered a 35-minute national address Friday night from the National Mall as part of the “Salute to America 250” celebration, commemorating the nation’s 250th Independence Day with a speech centered on patriotism, American history, military strength, and the country’s future. The event faced significant challenges before the president took the stage. Record-breaking temperatures reached 102 degrees before severe thunderstorms and lightning swept through Washington, forcing officials to evacuate the National Mall for approximately two hours. After the storms passed, attendees were re-screened before returning to the event, allowing Trump to begin his address at approximately 11:15 p.m.…

A Sullivan man was killed Friday morning after the motorcycle he was operating crossed the centerline on Route 1 and collided head-on with a pickup truck, according to the Maine State Police. The crash occurred at approximately 8:25 a.m. on Friday, July 3, near the Washington Junction in Hancock. The preliminary investigation indicates that a motorcycle traveling westbound crossed into the eastbound lane, where it struck an oncoming pickup truck head-on. The motorcycle operator, identified as 44-year-old Jim Hoyt of Sullivan, was pronounced dead at the scene. State police said Hoyt was wearing a helmet at the time of the…

As Americans prepared to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani used a nationally televised address Friday to present a dramatically different vision of the United States, delivering a speech that contrasted sharply with the patriotic messaging of President Donald Trump and drew immediate criticism from conservatives across the country. Speaking from New York City Hall while seated behind a historic desk once used by George Washington, Mamdani, a democratic socialist, delivered a 13-minute address surrounded by eight recently naturalized American citizens. https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/2073068774895366512?s=20 Throughout the speech, Mamdani challenged traditional expressions of American patriotism, arguing that the…

By Jon Fetherston Saturday, America turns 250 years old. Think about that for a moment. For a quarter of a millennium, this nation has stood as a beacon of freedom, hope, and opportunity unlike any other in history. Through wars, economic hardship, political division, and unimaginable challenges, the American experiment has endured.Happy Birthday, America.Despite what many in the national media would have you believe, the sky is not falling. Far from it. Yes, our country faces real challenges. Every generation has. But America has always been defined not by the problems we face, but by our ability to overcome them.…

The Robbins family has announced the death of Alden J. Robbins, who died on July 2, 2026, from injuries he sustained in the devastating explosion and fire at Robbins Lumber on May 15. In a statement released Friday through the Maine Department of Public Safety, the family said Robbins passed away peacefully while surrounded by loved ones after a weeks-long fight to recover from his injuries. “It is with profound sadness that the Robbins family announces the passing of Alden J. Robbins,” the family said. “We are heartbroken by the loss of a beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and…

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful, nationally televised rebuke of communism Friday during an Independence Day event at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, warning that the ideology represents a “mortal threat to American liberty.” Speaking one day before the nation marked its 250th anniversary, Trump described communism as a greater danger to the United States than the World Wars or the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The president used the July 3 address to warn of what he described as a resurgence of communist ideology in the United States. He tied that concern directly to immigration and newcomers who, he claimed, embrace…

Gasoline prices in Maine have continued to decline heading into the Independence Day weekend, offering drivers some relief at the pump after months of steep increases tied to the war with Iran. The statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline stood at $3.859 on Saturday, July 4, according to AAA. That was slightly higher than the national average of $3.810 per gallon. Maine’s average has fallen by nearly eight cents over the past week, down from $3.938. Despite the recent decline, drivers are still paying significantly more than they were one year ago, when the statewide average stood at…

Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing renewed scrutiny following a report from NBC News that multiple women who previously had personal relationships with him are now working with a progressive advocacy organization that is providing legal assistance and helping coordinate media communications. According to NBC News, attorney and progressive social media influencer Cheyenne Hunt is assisting several women from Platner’s past. Hunt’s organization, Reckoning Action, is reportedly providing the women with pro bono legal counsel while helping them navigate media attention. NBC attributed the information to two people familiar with Hunt’s plans. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/progressive-influencer-cheyenne-graham-platner-rcna352555 The development is notable because…

Nearly three years after the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history, Lewiston is once again confronting a public safety crisis…this time involving juveniles. Children are shooting children. The shootings have continued throughout 2026, alarming residents, law enforcement officials, educators, and community leaders. The Lewiston Police Department has repeatedly acknowledged staffing challenges while officers continue responding to a growing number of incidents involving juveniles carrying firearms and engaging in violent crime. In response to those concerns, the Maine Wire and Calvary Chapel of Lewiston recently hosted a community forum focused on youth gun violence. Residents, law enforcement officials, school leaders, elected…

Mainers planning to run errands, visit government offices, mail packages or travel over the Independence Day weekend should expect a split holiday schedule this year. Independence Day falls on Saturday, July 4, 2026. Because the holiday lands on a Saturday, the federal government and the State of Maine will officially observe it on Friday, July 3. That means many government offices will be closed Friday, while the U.S. Postal Service, banks, retailers and other businesses may remain open. Friday, July 3 Federal government offices and federal courts will generally be closed Friday in observance of Independence Day. Maine state government…

President Donald Trump took his inaugural flight aboard a newly designated interim Air Force One on Wednesday, traveling from Joint Base Andrews to North Dakota for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The aircraft is a modified Boeing 747-8 valued at approximately $400 million that was given to the U.S. government by the royal family of Qatar. The plane, designated the VC-25B Bridge by the U.S. Air Force, will temporarily transport the president while Boeing continues work on two permanent next-generation Air Force One aircraft that have been delayed until at least 2028. https://twitter.com/MAGAVoice/status/2072534241762796022?s=20 Trump’s first trip aboard…

Communities across Maine have opened cooling centers to provide relief from dangerously high temperatures and humidity expected to continue through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The National Weather Service has issued extreme heat warnings and heat advisories for large portions of the state. Heat index values could reach between 105 and 110 degrees in some areas, while communities under heat advisories could experience heat index values approaching 104 degrees. The heat is expected to peak Thursday and Friday, with widespread temperatures in the 90s outside Maine’s mountain regions. High humidity and warm overnight temperatures could provide little relief before…

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner continued his statewide campaign Wednesday with a well-attended rally in Cumberland, where supporters gathered despite oppressive summer heat to hear a speech centered on economic inequality, health care, housing, campaign finance reform and what he described as the need for sweeping political change. Speaking for roughly 40 minutes, Platner delivered remarks that echoed many of the themes he has emphasized throughout his Senate campaign, sharply criticizing President Donald Trump, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and incumbent U.S. Sen. Susan Collins while arguing that the nation’s political and economic systems increasingly favor wealthy interests over working…

WESTBROOK, Maine — A fire that caused significant damage to a two-story apartment building in Westbrook early Tuesday morning has been ruled accidental, according to the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Westbrook Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 23 Locust Street at approximately 2:46 a.m. on June 30. When firefighters arrived, they encountered heavy flames extending up the left exterior side of the building. The fire had spread from the first floor to the second floor. Due to the volume of fire, officials called for a second alarm, bringing mutual aid departments from surrounding communities to…

A 33-year-old Indiana man has been arrested on multiple charges in connection with a fatal June crash in Hancock County that claimed the life of his 5-year-old son. Dion Campbell of Elkhart, Indiana, was arrested Monday night and transported to the Hancock County Jail, where he remains held without bail pending his initial court appearance on Wednesday, July 1. Campbell faces charges of Class A manslaughter, Class B criminal operating under the influence, Class C aggravated driving to endanger and Class D endangering the welfare of a child. The charges stem from a single-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 11:26…

Buying a new car is becoming a financial burden many working Americans can no longer afford. New-vehicle prices are climbing again, but the sticker price is only the beginning. Higher interest rates, record monthly payments, longer loan terms, rising repair costs and expensive insurance premiums are driving the true cost of vehicle ownership far beyond the dealership lot. The average transaction price for a new vehicle reached $49,220 in May 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book. That was 1.2 percent higher than a year earlier, even after a slight decline from April. Prices rose even faster for several of the…

SACO, Maine  — U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) joined local, state and federal officials in Saco Tuesday to mark the official start of construction on the Camp Ellis Shore Damage Mitigation Project, a long-awaited effort aimed at reducing shoreline erosion and storm damage in one of Maine’s most vulnerable coastal neighborhoods. The event included remarks from Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail, U.S. Sen. Angus King (I), Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, and Col. Justin Pabis, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New England District. Collins, who serves as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee,…

The City of Portland will activate cooling centers this week as dangerous heat is expected to settle over the city from Wednesday through Friday. The downtown Portland Public Library, located at 5 Monument Square, will serve as the city’s cooling center on Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2, during its normal operating hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Friday, July 3, the Troubh Ice Arena, located at 225 Park Avenue, will serve as the city’s cooling center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. City officials said the cooling centers are being opened under Portland’s cooling center protocol…

A top Maine labor spokesman and vocal supporter of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner is facing backlash after using the phrase “first against the wall” in a social media comment aimed at a Democratic strategist who refused to support Platner. Andy O’Brien, the communications director for the Maine AFL-CIO, made the comment as Democrats continue to wrestle with divisions following Platner’s primary victory over a field that included Gov. Janet Mills and Brunswick Democrat David Costello. https://twitter.com/TexBork/status/2072002280627347585?s=20 The Maine AFL-CIO endorsed Platner earlier this year, calling him the strongest pro-worker candidate in the race and pledging to put union…

More than three hours of testimony from police, prosecutors, educators, juvenile justice officials and community leaders painted a sobering picture of a city struggling to contain a surge in youth gun violence. But when the special Lewiston City Council meeting adjourned Tuesday night at Lewiston High School, residents were left with one overriding takeaway: no plan had been adopted, no votes were taken, and no immediate action was approved. The meeting brought nearly every agency involved in Lewiston’s juvenile justice system as officials attempted to explain why the city has experienced a sharp increase in shootings involving young offenders. Throughout…

The Lewiston City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday night as Maine’s second-largest city faces a deepening youth violence crisis marked by shootings, stolen guns, repeat juvenile arrests, and growing frustration from residents who say the system is failing to protect the community. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in the Multi-Purpose Room at Lewiston High School, located at 156 East Avenue. According to the city’s agenda, the meeting will focus on “recent youth gun violence in Lewiston.” Scheduled presenters include Lewiston Police Chief Carly Conley, Androscoggin County District Attorney Neil McLean, Lewiston Superintendent…

The U.S. Supreme Court delivered a split-decision day for President Donald Trump on Monday, handing him a sweeping victory on executive authority while rejecting his position in three other high-profile disputes involving the Federal Reserve, mail-in ballots and the E. Jean Carroll civil judgment. The biggest win for Trump came in Trump v. Slaughter, a landmark 6–3 decision that expanded presidential control over independent federal agencies. The court’s conservative majority ruled that presidents may remove heads of independent regulatory agencies at will, striking down a 91-year-old precedent that had limited a president’s ability to fire certain agency officials without cause.…

Maine communities from York County to Aroostook County are preparing for a busy week of Independence Day celebrations, with fireworks displays scheduled across the state beginning Thursday and continuing through the Fourth of July weekend. This year’s celebrations carry added significance as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of American independence, with many towns pairing fireworks with parades, concerts, food trucks, road races and family events. In southern Maine, several of the state’s largest public fireworks shows are scheduled for Friday, July 3. Portland will hold its annual fireworks display from the Eastern Promenade, with the show expected to begin…

Maine – For years, Maine families have watched the cost of buying a home move further out of reach. Home prices have climbed to record levels. Rents have surged. First-time homebuyers increasingly find themselves competing against dozens of other buyers for a shrinking inventory of available homes, while renters face historically low vacancy rates and rapidly increasing monthly costs. Those increases coincided with one of the largest immigration surges in modern American history. Between 2022 and 2024, the Biden administration dramatically expanded several immigration pathways, including the CHNV humanitarian parole program, which allowed more than 530,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and…

President Donald Trump pointed to sharply lower oil prices Monday, arguing that energy markets have fully reversed the spike triggered by the war with Iran and predicting that American motorists will soon see lower gasoline prices at the pump. In a pair of social media posts, Trump said West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil had fallen to approximately $69 per barrel and was continuing to decline. “WTI CRUDE – $69, and heading down. This is less than it was prior to the start of the Denuclearization of Iran!” Trump wrote. Screenshot The decline means crude oil prices are now trading…

A disturbing video posted to a local Sanford Facebook page on June 26 appeared to show several young men assaulting an older man near Number One Pond, prompting outrage from residents and calls for witnesses to come forward with additional footage. The video, which was posted to “Sanford Maine, The Page” on Facebook before being removed within hours, appeared to show the man being held to the ground while multiple individuals kicked, stomped and beat him. The encounter was also filmed by members of the group, according to the original post. https://www.facebook.com/groups/405526816271757/posts/doesnt-matter-how-connected/3525322647625476 The circumstances leading up to the attack remain…

Riders using Greater Portland Metro and BSOOB Transit will soon pay more to use most bus services as both transit agencies implement a systemwide fare adjustment effective Aug. 1. The increase, approved by the Metro Board of Directors and the BSOOB Transit Committee, marks the first fare hike since late 2020. Transit officials said the additional revenue is needed to help maintain service levels and offset rising operating costs. Under the new fare structure, the base cash fare for local routes will increase from $2.00 to $2.25, affecting riders traveling throughout the Greater Portland region, including connecting routes between Portland,…

As Maine prepares to celebrate the nation’s 250th Independence Day, the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is reminding residents to enjoy consumer fireworks safely, responsibly, and within the state’s legal guidelines. Under Maine law, consumer fireworks may generally be used between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. However, extended holiday hours apply during the Fourth of July period. For the 2026 Independence Day holiday, consumer fireworks may be used from 9:00 a.m. until 12:30 a.m. the following day on the following dates: Friday, June 26: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Saturday, June 27: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 a.m. Sunday, June 28:…

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has spent more than four decades building what was once considered a fringe political movement into one that now influences elections from city halls to Congress—and increasingly, statewide campaigns. Founded in 1982 through the merger of several socialist organizations led by democratic socialist activist Michael Harrington, the DSA has become the nation’s largest socialist organization. Rather than operating as a traditional third party, the organization has focused on electing candidates through Democratic primaries, allowing its ideas to gain influence within the Democratic Party itself. Today, the movement’s platform has become increasingly visible in national…

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) joined Gov. Janet Mills (D), Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline, Auburn Mayor Jeffrey Harmon, and local community leaders Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new Maine Museum of Innovation, Learning, and Labor, known as Maine MILL, at the former Camden Yarns Mill along the Androscoggin River. The event also marked Mills’ first public appearance since suspending her campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, a race now led by Graham Platner, who secured the party’s nomination to challenge Collins in November. Mills dropped out of the race on April 30, citing a lack…

As Lewiston prepares for a special City Council meeting Tuesday night to address a surge in youth gun violence, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R) said federal law enforcement agencies stand ready to assist the city, telling The Maine Wire that local officials are “just a phone call away” from additional federal support. Collins made the remarks Saturday while attending the opening of the new Maine Mill, where she spoke with The Maine Wire about the recent violence that has shaken Maine’s second-largest city. The senator said she has been working with federal law enforcement officials and is prepared to help…

By Jon Fetherston Wait. What? Are we seriously expected to believe this? Democrats like Graham Platner, Hannah Pingree, and Chellie Pingree have settled on the same campaign message: Donald Trump is the problem. Everything is terrible. Elect us, and we’ll fix it. The audacity would be impressive if it weren’t so insulting. Who exactly do they think has been running Maine? Who has controlled the Governor’s Office? Who has dominated state government? Who has been writing the policies that have shaped this state for years? Now they want you to believe they’re riding in on white horses to save you…

Republican gubernatorial nominee Bobby Charles is challenging his Democratic opponents to publicly reject campaign contributions from Augusta lobbyists, Central Maine Power, and AI data center companies, setting the stage for what he says is a defining issue in Maine’s race for governor. Charles announced Thursday that he will hold a press conference Friday morning at the Maine State Capitol, where he plans to issue a direct public challenge to Democratic candidates Hannah Pingree and Rick Bennett. According to the campaign, Charles is asking both candidates to pledge they will refuse campaign money from Augusta lobbyists, CMP, and AI data center…

A landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling could dramatically reshape the future for thousands of Haitian migrants who were housed in Massachusetts taxpayer-funded emergency shelters before many transitioned into the state’s HomeBase housing assistance program. In a 6-3 decision Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration may move forward with ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Haitian immigrants, removing a major legal obstacle that had blocked the administration’s efforts to terminate the humanitarian program. The court concluded that federal law largely prevents judges from reviewing decisions by the Department of Homeland Security to end TPS…

Maine House candidate Austin Theriault (R) announced Thursday the launch of the People Over Politics PAC, a new leadership political action committee aimed at helping elect Republican candidates to the Maine House of Representatives. According to the campaign, the PAC has already secured more than $200,000 in fundraising commitments within a matter of weeks and will focus on supporting Republican House candidates across the state. The effort is intended to help GOP candidates who have historically been outspent in legislative races as Republicans seek to win control of the Maine House. The PAC will be chaired by Peter Prescott, president…

OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A 51-year-old Old Orchard Beach man died Thursday afternoon after being struck by an Amtrak train near Temple Avenue, according to police. Old Orchard Beach Police and Fire/Rescue were dispatched at approximately 2:18 p.m. on June 25 to the railroad tracks near 133 Temple Avenue following reports of a train incident. When first responders arrived, they determined that a male had been struck by a northbound Amtrak train. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Based on preliminary information gathered from witnesses, investigators believe the man was alone and walking near the railroad tracks in the…

The Lewiston City Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday, June 30, as the city continues to confront a wave of youth gun violence that has left residents frustrated, parents alarmed, and police officers repeatedly responding to scenes involving teenagers and firearms. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Lewiston High School, located at 156 East Avenue. According to the city’s agenda, the council will meet to discuss recent youth gun violence in Lewiston. The special session comes after weeks of mounting concern over teenage offenders, juvenile arrests, shootings, and alleged retaliatory violence across the…

Graham Platner has built his campaign for U.S. Senate around a carefully crafted image: the working-class Marine veteran, the man of the sea, the oyster farmer who understands coastal Maine because he lives it. But after spending Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on the ground in Sullivan, Ellsworth, and the surrounding communities, The Maine Wire found a very different story. The Maine Wire team spent three days in Hancock County speaking with fishermen, lobstermen, waterfront workers, small business owners, and local residents about Platner, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. The team also spent time on the water with a legitimate…

President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a scheduled Capitol Hill ceremony to sign the landmark, bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act into law, demanding that Congress first pass the controversial SAVE America Act. Trump upended the long-awaited signing event through a social media post, declaring the voting-ID overhaul a “National Emergency” that must take priority over the housing package. The move has placed one of Congress’ most significant housing bills in decades into a political standoff, despite overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed the House by a vote of 358–32 and cleared…

The Collins for Senator campaign announced the formation of a statewide coalition of Maine veterans supporting U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, highlighting what the campaign described as her longstanding record of supporting veterans, military families, and Maine’s defense community. The announcement comes as Collins seeks another term in the U.S. Senate and has drawn support from veterans representing communities across Maine and multiple branches of the Armed Forces. Collins, whose father was a World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, has frequently pointed to veterans’ issues as…

Maine has one billionaire. Her name is Susan Alfond. Alfond, a Scarborough resident and heiress to the Dexter Shoe fortune, is listed by Forbes as one of the richest people in the world, with an estimated net worth of roughly $3.5 billion. Her family’s fortune traces back to Harold Alfond, who built Dexter Shoe Co. into one of Maine’s best-known business success stories before the company was sold to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. But in Maine’s increasingly nationalized U.S. Senate race, the state’s lone billionaire has become part of a much larger political target. Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner has…

An individual arrested by Bangor Police on Saturday was found unresponsive inside a housing cell at the Penobscot County Jail later that same day and was pronounced dead after lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. According to a media release, the individual was arrested following an incident in the City of Bangor on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at approximately 11:50 a.m. The person was transported to the Penobscot County Jail, where medical staff conducted a screening and the individual completed the standard intake process. The individual was unable to post bail and remained in custody. After several hours, the person was assigned…

A Lewiston resident says a bullet struck his garage during a shooting Sunday evening near Walnut and Bradley streets, the latest in a string of gun-related incidents involving juveniles that has left many residents questioning whether city leaders and the state’s juvenile justice system are adequately addressing the growing public safety crisis. Dylan Newell described the frightening incident in a social media post Sunday night, saying his home security camera captured an individual near his truck around 5 p.m. who appeared to be armed. According to Newell, the individual then ran through his backyard, broke through a fence, and moments…

Susan Collins Campaign Manager Steve Abbott delivered an energetic and often pointed speech Saturday at the Maine GOP Unity Breakfast, praising Republican volunteers and candidates while directing some of his strongest criticism toward Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner. Speaking to a room filled with Republican activists, elected officials, candidates, campaign staff, and supporters, Abbott repeatedly stressed the importance of party unity heading into the general election and encouraged Republicans to work together across campaigns. Abbott began by thanking the Maine Republican Party for organizing the event and recognized the candidates who attended despite what he described as a long…

HALLOWELL, Maine — Republican leaders, candidates, activists, and volunteers gathered Saturday morning at the Maine GOP’s Unity Breakfast at Maple Hill Farm Inn & Conference Center, delivering a consistent message to supporters: the primary election is over, and the focus must now shift toward winning in November. The event brought together Republican candidates, party officials, legislative leaders, grassroots activists, and volunteers from across Maine less than two weeks after the Republican gubernatorial primary. While speakers addressed a variety of issues, from ranked-choice voting to campaign strategy, nearly every speaker returned to a common theme — party unity. Maine GOP Chairman…

On her final day as Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard released a trove of newly declassified documents and publicly accused Dr. Anthony Fauci of orchestrating a broad cover-up tied to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The document release came on June 19, 2026, as Gabbard executed President Donald Trump’s “maximum transparency mandate” by publishing hundreds of official emails and documents from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard accompanied the release with a video statement sharply criticizing Fauci’s actions related to COVID-19, including his handling of questions surrounding U.S.-funded viral research, gain-of-function experiments, and the origins…

Monument Square turned into the center of Maine’s soccer scene Friday as more than 1,000 fans packed downtown Portland for a free outdoor watch party hosted by the Portland Hearts of Pine, Maine’s new professional soccer club. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2068080760699895962?s=20 The June 19 event was part of the club’s “Maine Soccer Summer” series and brought together fans for a doubleheader soccer celebration in the heart of the city. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/2068059489278861797?s=20 The afternoon began with a World Cup watch party as fans gathered at 3 p.m. to watch the United States Men’s National Team defeat Australia 2-0 in its second group-stage match. The large…

By: Jon Fetherston Graham Platner wants Maine voters to send him to Washington as a United States senator. Think about that for a moment. A man seeking one of the highest offices in the country wants to help write the laws that govern 340 million Americans. Yet his own record raises a serious question: Does Graham Platner have any respect for law enforcement? His own words suggest he does not. These are not accusations from political opponents. They are not rumors. They are not anonymous allegations. They are Graham Platner’s own statements. When someone posted, “Cops are bastards,” Platner responded,…

I spent most of Wednesday at the Department of Public Safety building in Augusta watching Maine’s ranked-choice voting tabulation process unfold. Or perhaps more accurately, slowly unfold. To be clear, everyone involved was friendly and professional. Staff from the Secretary of State’s Office, Maine State Police personnel, campaign representatives, members of the media, and election observers all maintained positive attitudes despite being gathered eight days after Election Day with final results still unresolved. The process itself, however, raised more questions than it answered. The ranked-choice voting tabulation is being livestreamed on YouTube through the Secretary of State’s channel. Anyone curious…

President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have signed an interim ceasefire agreement to end the war that began in February 2026. The 14-point memorandum of understanding was signed electronically ahead of schedule on June 17, 2026. The agreement is now officially in effect, replacing a physical signing ceremony that had originally been scheduled to take place Friday in Geneva, Switzerland. The text of the agreement establishes an immediate pause in fighting and creates a 60-day window for both sides to negotiate a permanent peace treaty. https://twitter.com/FoxNews/status/2067397107233837350?s=20 Under the agreement, military operations are to halt immediately and permanently on…

Disgraced former Lewiston City Councilor Iman Osman is scheduled to return to Lewiston District Court on Wednesday, June 17, as the criminal case that ended his brief tenure on the City Council moves toward a possible trial. Osman’s next reported court appearance is expected to be a docket call, according to WMTW, meaning the hearing is not expected to be the trial itself. Instead, it will likely be used by the court to determine where the case stands, whether the prosecution and defense are ready to move forward, and whether a trial date should be scheduled. The hearing is expected…

PORTLAND, Maine — Portland Police are investigating a fatal crash Tuesday morning that claimed the life of a pedestrian near one of the city’s busiest intersections. Police said officers responded at 11:28 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to the intersection of Marginal Way and Preble Street for a crash involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. According to police, a 49-year-old Portland man was struck by a vehicle driven by an 82-year-old Portland man. The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Maine Medical Center, where he died shortly after arriving. The victim’s name is being withheld pending…

Seven days after Maine’s June primary election, questions are emerging about the handling of ranked-choice voting results after reporting issues surfaced in several communities across the state, raising concerns about transparency, chain of custody procedures, and public confidence in the vote-counting process. The Maine Wire began investigating the irregularities after receiving tips early Tuesday morning alleging problems with election results being processed by the Maine Secretary of State’s Office during the ongoing ranked-choice voting tabulation. The first report involved the City of Biddeford, where election results appeared to be missing from the state’s ranked-choice voting count. Seeking answers, we traveled…

The heartbreaking case of 10-year-old Braxtyn Smith of Bangor, who died in February 2024 after enduring severe and prolonged abuse, reached another major milestone this month as his father admitted responsibility for the child’s death. On June 11, Joshua Smith pleaded guilty to murdering his son. During the court proceeding, prosecutors spent nearly 18 minutes detailing the graphic evidence and extensive abuse Braxtyn suffered before Smith entered his guilty plea. The plea comes months after Braxtyn’s mother, Jem Bean, reached a separate agreement with prosecutors. In February, Bean pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter after originally being charged…

U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that 19 Maine organizations will receive more than $16 million in federal funding to support economic development projects across the state. The $16,201,188 funding comes through the Northern Border Regional Commission’s Fiscal Year 2026 Catalyst, Timber for Transit, and Forest Economy programs. “The NBRC has been an important partner in helping Maine’s rural communities make investments in projects that strengthen local economies and improve quality of life,” Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This funding will support critical infrastructure upgrades, workforce development, housing, childcare, transportation access, and forest economy projects…

The Portland City Council voted 7-2 on Monday night to reject a proposed Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program that supporters argued could have helped ease the city’s growing property tax burden by seeking voluntary contributions from some of Portland’s largest tax-exempt institutions. The proposal would have established a formal framework for requesting payments from major nonprofit organizations, hospitals, colleges, and other tax-exempt property owners that benefit from city services but do not pay property taxes on their properties. The debate comes as Portland continues to grapple with rising municipal costs, increasing demands on city services, and a growing…

Screenshot The Office of State Fire Marshal is investigating a structure fire in Stockton Springs that destroyed a home Sunday morning and has been determined to be incendiary in nature. On Sunday, June 14, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the Stockton Springs Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 23 Cross Lane. When firefighters arrived, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. Crews were able to extinguish the fire, but the home was destroyed. Following the fire, local officials requested assistance from the Office of State Fire Marshal to investigate the cause and origin of the blaze.…