Author: Jon Fetherston

Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines told a large crowd in Maine that allowing transgender women to compete in girls’ and women’s sports is unfair, unsafe and a betrayal of the female athletes those categories were created to protect. Speaking at Calvary Chapel Greater Portland during a rally for the Protect Girls Sports Maine ballot initiative, Gaines mixed humor with pointed criticism of college sports officials, campus leaders and state politicians as she recounted how competing against Lia Thomas, whom she repeatedly identified as “Will Thomas,” a male, turned her into a prominent activist. “Oh my gosh. I hope…

More than 700 people turned out Sunday for the first annual “Tailgate for Common Sense,” the event held at Aquaboggan Water Park and Drive-In that combined football, food, and a live auction as supporters looked ahead to the 2026 election cycle. The event featured the New England Patriots vs the Cincinnati Bengals game broadcast on multiple large screen televisions, drawing attendees into tents and seating areas as organizers described a high-energy, family-friendly atmosphere. Football fans, concerned citizens and candidates mingled throughout the afternoon. Several Republican candidates for governor, David Jones (R), Ben Midgley(R) and Jim Libby (R) attended the tailgate,…

Maine’s northern border continues to see elevated levels of illegal crossings and apprehensions, marking a historic trend that began during the Biden administration, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. While overall illegal entries are down nationwide, officials say an increased number of Border Patrol agents deployed to the field is leading to higher apprehension rates between ports of entry. In Maine, Border Patrol agents recorded a 24-year high in apprehensions during fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 1 through September 30. During the first six months, agents in the Houlton Sector apprehended 113 people entering illegally from…

Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) on Saturday called for the abolition of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded that its agents be brought before congressional hearings and held accountable, saying “people need to go to prison.”  Speaking at a town-hall event in the southern Maine town of Windham, Platner said the American public deserves transparency and accountability from federal enforcement agencies. “We need to have public hearings, public, frankly, probably trials down the road,” Platner told attendees. “Because the American people deserve to know what the hell is going on right now, and how the people doing…

President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is ending deportation protections for Somali nationals living in Minnesota, effective immediately. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the protections were being terminated because Minnesota had become, in his words, a hub of fraudulent financial activity, alleging that Somali criminal networks were operating in the state. The protections stemmed from the federal Temporary Protected Status program, which allowed certain Somali nationals to live and work legally in the United States due to instability in their home country. According to the announcement, the decision followed an investigation that alleged millions of dollars…

President Donald Trump faced sharp pushback from Maine’s congressional delegation after he accused several Democratic lawmakers of “seditious behavior … punishable by death,” the latest in a series of statements that critics say pushed the boundaries of political rhetoric. First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) offered the sharpest criticism calling Trump’s comments both “disgusting” and “terrifying.” Earlier this week, two U.S. senators and four members of Congress released a video entitled ‘Don’t Give Up the Ship’ directed to active duty military personnel and intelligence officers suggesting they follow no order they believe violates the Constitution. WATCH: https://youtube.com/shorts/Fk9Gh3qwW4I?si=5J44dwmI_kej_AbN In doing so,…

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has enacted a major regulatory change that will bar undocumented immigrants and other non-qualified foreign nationals from receiving several key refundable income-tax credits beginning in the 2026 tax year, according to documents released Thursday. The rule reclassifies the refundable portions of the Earned Income Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, American Opportunity Tax Credit, and Saver’s Match Credit as federal public benefits a designation that makes them unavailable to individuals who lack lawful immigration status. The move follows a legal opinion from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel determining the credits fall…

A 75-year-old woman has died after being struck by a vehicle at a busy crossing in Portland, police said Friday.  The incident occurred about 7:10 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Franklin Street and Marginal Way, when the woman was crossing the street and was hit by a vehicle driven by a 48-year-old Portland man. According to witnesses, the woman was running with a group of people and they all crossed the street against the signal just prior to the crash. The woman was taken to Maine Medical Center with life-threatening injuries and later died, though authorities have not yet…

A panel of education researchers, clinicians and attorneys warned Thursday that Maine’s school-based health centers may be facilitating gender-related services for minors without parental consent, and blamed state laws that grant broad medical autonomy to adolescents with what they described as limited oversight. The forum, hosted by former state Rep. Heidi Sampson and the Maine Education Initiative, drew parents, school board members and elected officials. Republican gubernatorial candidates Jim Libby and David Jones were among those in attendance. Presenters included child psychologist Dr. Tom Moyer, Maine Policy Institute research fellow Jonah Davids and Children’s Health Defense general counsel Kim Mack…

A Cumberland County judge is now deciding whether the state can force a longtime street preacher to stay 500 feet away from Portland’s Planned Parenthood clinic – a request critics say amounts to an extraordinary restriction on free speech and peaceful protest in a public space. For six years, street minister John Andrade Jr. has stood outside the Congress Street clinic, preaching with a microphone as part of his pro-life outreach. His presence has drawn complaints from Planned Parenthood and its supporters, prompting the Maine Attorney General’s Office to take the unusual step of seeking a court-ordered buffer zone. Prosecutors…

Maine’s Democratic leadership slammed the brakes Thursday on a slate of Republican proposals aimed at cutting taxes, improving public safety, and expanding educational opportunity, including a high-profile push to force Maine into full conformity with the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Gov. Janet Mills (D) has already refused to honor. In a series of party-line votes, the Legislative Council rejected multiple bills sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Trey Stewart (R-Aroostook) and Sen. Jeff Timberlake (R-Androscoggin). Republicans called the move a clear demonstration that top Democrats will not even consider broadly popular, low-cost reforms if they originate from the…

Republican candidate for governor David Jones announced Thursday on Facebook that he is filing a federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Maine’s newly passed “red flag” law. The law, approved by voters in the November election and recently certified by Gov. Janet Mills (D), has become a flashpoint in the early stages of the 2026 governor’s race. Jones told The Maine Wire that he has retained attorney Steve Smith to handle the case. The measure creates what is known as an extreme risk protection order (ERPO) process, under which law enforcement officers or certain family or household members can petition a…

A Guatemalan national and convicted sex offender who illegally returned to the United States after deportation was taken into custody in Maine last month, even as some Maine lawmakers continue pushing legislation that would limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Esteban Chavez-Gonzalez, 35, was arrested on October 30 in Gray by the Maine Violent Offender Task Force on a federal warrant for unlawful reentry. He was extradited to Massachusetts and later released on a $10,000 unsecured bond after an initial appearance in federal court on November 6. Federal charging documents state Chavez-Gonzalez was deported in 2013 but unlawfully reentered the…

U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, a Hancock County oyster farmer and combat veteran, filed his overdue federal financial disclosure last week, yet the document provides only very limited insight into his personal finances.  Platner, who is seeking the Democratic nomination in next year’s Senate race, waited until last week to submit the disclosure that was supposed to be filed in September.  In the filing, Platner reported that he receives a $3,000 annual stipend for serving as harbormaster in the town of Sullivan, a role he has held since January 2024, and noted that he sat on the town’s planning board from…

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed legislation requiring the Department of Justice to make public a vast trove of internal documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, ending months of resistance and capitulating to bipartisan pressure.  The law compels the Justice Department to release all “unclassified records, communications and investigative materials” connected to Epstein’s offences and his 2019 death in federal custody within 30 days, though it allows redactions to protect victims or ongoing investigations. Congress moved quickly on the legislation. The House of Representatives approved the bill Tuesday by a final margin of 427-1, with only Rep. Clay…

Two adults were killed and four children were injured early Wednesday in a two-vehicle crash on the Maine Turnpike, authorities said. Maine State Police said the crash was reported around 4:26 a.m. on I-95 southbound near mile marker 71 in New Gloucester. Troopers arrived to find a 2017 GMC Acadia that had been towing a U-Haul trailer and a 2015 Audi SUV heavily damaged. According to the preliminary investigation, the GMC had been traveling south when its trailer detached from the trailer ball but remained connected to the vehicle by safety chains. The driver pulled onto the right shoulder and…

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a house fire that heavily damaged a residence on Red Oak Drive late Monday afternoon. The Falmouth Fire Department requested assistance after crews arrived around 4:11 p.m. to find the home fully engulfed. No one was inside the residence when firefighters arrived, and no injuries were reported. Smoke was visible from miles away, and nearby witnesses reported hearing what sounded like explosions. Two streets in the vicinity of Blackstrap Road were temporarily closed as firefighters fought the blaze. Investigators interviewed individuals who had been staying at the home. They told officials that…

A Lewiston resident is calling for an independent, third-party investigation into both city officials’ handling of a school committee appointment as well as the expanding residency controversy surrounding the subject of that appointment, Ward 5 Councilor-elect Iman Osman. These questions stem from the fact that Osman’s address of record has been tied to a federal drug investigation and was condemned by city officials in October 2024. During the Lewiston City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, Lewiston resident Lisa Jones asked the City Council to authorize an outside review of what she described as procedural and oversight failures connected to Osman’s…

Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner drew nearly 800 people to a town hall in Biddeford on Wednesday night, delivering an aggressive, populist message that targeted President Donald Trump (R), Sen. Susan Collins (R), corporate power, and the political establishment in both parties. Campaign staff said more than 1,200 people RSVP’d for the event at Biddeford Middle School. Platner, who is challenging Gov. Janet Mills (D) from the left in the Democratic primary, leaned heavily into a working-class, anti-establishment pitch. He argued that Washington has abandoned ordinary Mainers while enriching corporate interests, and he tied Trump and Collins directly to what…

Lewiston officials say the city is days away from naming its next police chief, ending a months-long search that began in September when longtime Chief David St. Pierre retired, ending more than three decades with the department. At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath announced that Lewiston will introduce its new chief at a public ceremony at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 24 inside City Hall. The city has narrowed the field to four finalists after reviewing a far-reaching field of roughly 18 applicants from across New England, the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest. The search process, launched…

A federal jury on Tuesday found 45-year-old Lucas Sirois of Rangeley guilty on all charges connected to the operation of his large-scale marijuana business after a four-day trial in U.S. District Court in Bangor. Sirois was convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, bank fraud, conspiracy to defraud the United States and impede and impair the IRS, tax evasion, and three counts of maintaining drug-involved premises in Farmington and Avon. [RELATED: Maine Marijuana Magnate Denied Review by U.S. Supreme Court, Now Faces Added Federal Charges] His father, 71-year-old Robert Sirois of Farmington, previously…

WASHINGTON — The Office of Management and Budget has released nearly $4.3 million for the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency following pressure from Sens. Susan Collins (R) of Maine and Chuck Grassley (R) of Iowa. The senators, who chair the Senate Appropriations and Judiciary committees, welcomed OMB’s decision to apportion $4,287,000 for CIGIE, allowing the oversight body to operate through Jan. 30 under the current continuing resolution. OMB will also conduct a programmatic review of CIGIE’s activities. The move comes after Collins and Grassley sent a letter to OMB Director Russell Vought urging the release of…

A Bangor physician was subjected to a barrage of verbal threats connected to his race inside Timber Kitchen and Bar last Saturday, an incident captured on video that has since spread widely across social media and intensified public scrutiny of how the city handles harassment and intimidation in public spaces. The encounter, recorded by a witness and shared repeatedly online, shows a man aggressively confronting the doctor inside the Bass Park Blvd. restaurant. Viewers quickly identified the offending individual as Robert “Bobby” Jordan. As backlash intensified across multiple platforms, Jordan deleted his Facebook account, though screenshots of past posts circulated…

 The United States House of Representatives voted Tuesday to advance a measure compelling the U.S. Department of Justice to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein, following a sharp, politically charged debate on the House floor.  The vote numbers in the House were 427 in favor and 1 against, the one no vote was from Rep. Clay Higgins, a Louisiana Republican. The action comes after Donald Trump signaled he would no longer block the vote. Supporters, including Republican and Democratic lawmakers who helped force the floor vote via a bipartisan discharge petition, said the move is about accountability for Epstein’s victims…

The Portland City Council nixed a proposal by the Portland Police Department to purchase its first drone, dealing a setback to the department’s efforts to expand its aerial capabilities for operations. On Monday night, council members rejected the acquisition of a roughly $45,000 drone from Axon, a company whose products integrate with existing law-enforcement systems. The department argued that the device could be used for missing-person searches, suspect standoffs and crime scene reconstruction. Police Chief Mark Dubois noted that the drone would integrate seamlessly with current Axon body-camera and cruiser-camera systems already in use by the department. But during the public…

Maine’s top housing and public health officials issued an extraordinary warning Monday about how a new federal mcap would affect the state. A sweeping federal policy shift from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could dismantle Maine’s permanent housing programs and force more than 1,200 elderly, disabled, and formerly homeless residents back onto the streets, they said. At the center of the controversy is a newly released HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) directive that dramatically rewrites decades of federal homelessness policy. HUD is now capping permanent housing, including permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing at just 30…

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal house fire in Washington County after firefighters discovered a body inside the burned structure Sunday evening. Officials were called at about 5:58 p.m. to 624 Main Street in Meddybemps, where the local fire chief reported the homeowner was likely still inside. Fire crews arrived to find the home fully engulfed, with flames spreading to a vehicle in the driveway. More than a half-dozen departments responded and worked in heavy snow conditions to bring the fire under control. A team of four State Fire Marshal investigators located the remains of an…

Cumberland County leaders on Monday rejected a proposal that would have ended a federal contract allowing the county jail to house detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), maintaining a long-running agreement that has drawn sustained criticism from immigrant advocates. The 3-2 vote followed years of debate and came after about 100 people attended the commission meeting, many urging officials to sever the arrangement. After hearing public comment, commissioners deliberated over the financial and operational implications of terminating the contract before voting to keep it in place. Councilors Jean Marie Caterina and Patricia Smith voted to void the contract.…

With the City of Lewiston facing crises on multiple fronts, from homelessness to gun violence and drug addiction to lingering questions over how charitable funds for mass-shooting victims were distributed, residents are now asking the same question: Where is the leadership? That question has only intensified as the controversy surrounding Councilor-elect and School Committee member Iman Osman continues to grow. [RELATED: Lewiston Residency Scandal Explodes as Citizen Prepares Challenge Against Councilor-Elect Osman] Osman’s shifting residential history, including addresses linked to a federal drug investigation and properties currently condemned, has raised doubts about whether he was legally qualified to run for…

Former Saco Mayor Bill Doyle is one of two candidates vying for the vacant Ward 3 City Council seat in a special election now set for January 2026. The seat opened up in early October following the resignation of former Councilor Joe Gunn. Candidates were required to submit completed nomination papers to the city clerk’s office by 1 p.m. on November 14th. According to the city, Doyle, a former mayor, and Robert Henry are the two candidates officially on the ballot. A third Ward 3 resident, Emily McElveen, had taken out nomination papers but did not return them by the…

A special election is likely on the horizon for Maine House District 94 in Lewiston after longtime Democratic Rep. Kristen Cloutier resigned Oct. 31 to become chief of staff to Senate President Mattie Daughtry.   The Lewiston City Council is scheduled to vote on Tuesday on a formal request to the governor to call the special election. If approved, the request will go to the governor’s office and be followed by a proclamation from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows declaring the vacancy and setting the election date. Cloutier’s departure narrows the Democratic majority in the Maine House to just one…

A long-running and divisive fight over whether the Cumberland County Jail should continue holding Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees is back before county commissioners Monday evening, but members of the public will not be permitted to speak as the board revisits one of its most contentious agenda items of the year. The proposal, listed as agenda item 25-112F, seeks to amend the county’s contract with the U.S. Marshals Service by explicitly prohibiting the jail from detaining ICE detainees and relinquishing the federal reimbursement associated with that population. The issue has sharply divided commissioners, the sheriff’s office, and community groups since…

Maine’s administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is receiving renewed attention as federal officials enforce stricter data-reporting requirements and program recipients prepare for a broad reapplication process. The scrutiny comes as the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reviewing data from states as part of a nationwide compliance effort. Earlier this year, the USDA directed all states to provide full access to SNAP records tied to eligibility and benefit distribution. Federal officials said the data is necessary for oversight and program integrity and warned that states failing to comply could face the loss of federal reimbursement for administrative costs,…

A sprawling national black-market for renting and selling DoorDash accounts has quietly become one of the most widespread and least acknowledged gig-economy abuses in the country. With similar patterns now emerging in Maine, the issue is raising new questions about safety, accountability, and whether delivery apps have any meaningful control over who is showing up at residents’ front doors. Across the United States, a shadow industry has taken shape in which verified DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, and rideshare accounts are leased to unvetted workers for monthly fees. Investigators have identified dozens of large social-media groups, some topping tens of thousands of…

An 18-year-old from South Portland was arrested Friday after deputies say he placed a false 911 call reporting an active shooter inside the Hannaford grocery store in Standish. According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Pather Joyce, formerly of Windham, was taken into custody at the store and booked at the Cumberland County Jail on a charge of false public alarm or report. The incident began shortly before 11:20 a.m., when the Cumberland County Communications Center received a 911 call from a deactivated phone located inside the Hannaford. The caller claimed an active shooter was in the building. Deputies and…

Newly elected Ward 5 City Councilor-read elect and current School Committee member Iman Osman is facing increasing scrutiny over his residency, his eligibility to hold office, and new questions about his judgement after a police report showed his handgun was stolen from his unlocked car last weekend. Meanwhile, Lewiston resident Lisa Jones says she is now preparing to file an official complaint in court alleging Osman was not a legal resident of Ward 5 and was therefore an ineligible candidate on the November ballot. Residents have also indicated they plan to speak about the matter during citizen participation at Monday’s…

A 27-year-old Vassalboro man was arrested Thursday night after police say he forced his way into a Fairfield home, fled in a vehicle, and led officers on a chase through Waterville before crashing and attempting to run from the scene. Maine State Police, along with officers from the Fairfield and Waterville police departments, responded around 9:21 p.m. to a reported burglary in progress at a residence on Dyer Court. Authorities said an armed man who appeared to be under the influence of drugs had broken into the home, acted erratically and damaged property. A State Police trooper arrived to find…

The Internal Revenue Service announced new contribution limits for key retirement plans for tax year 2026, offering increased opportunities for Americans to save. Under the new guidelines, workers contributing to tax-favored plans such as 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 and the federal Thrift Savings Plan will see their elective deferral limit rise to $24,500 from $23,500 in 2025. Individual Retirement Account (IRA) contribution limits are increasing to $7,500, up from $7,000 this year. For those age 50 and over, the catch-up contribution limit for the workplace plans listed above will increase to $8,000 (from $7,500), bringing the total possible contribution to $32,500…

Maine’s electricity costs have risen faster than those of any other state in the nation, and the trend has become impossible to ignore. Should you question whether this is really the case, consult with your most recent CMP bill. During Tuesday’s Common Sense Maine gubernatorial debate, all four Republican candidates, Jim Libby, David Jones, Owen McCarthy and Robert Wessels, highlighted the issue, emphasizing that the state’s surge in energy costs is harming families, small businesses and long-term economic growth. Their shared concern reflects what many Mainers already know: the state’s 36 percent year-over-year residential electricity price spikes did not happen…

A 40-foot red spruce from a Portland Housing Authority property will become this year’s Monument Square holiday tree, with crews set to cut, transport and install it early on Wednesday, November 19. The tree, located at 9 Boyd Street, was selected for the 2025 display following the city’s evaluation process, which considers aesthetic appeal along with One Climate Future guidelines such as transportation distance, site logistics and the social and ecological value of trees. “The Portland Housing Authority is honored to see this tree rooted in one of our neighborhoods for decades become part of Portland’s holiday season,” said Leah…

The House of Representatives is poised to vote next week on legislation that would compel the Department of Justice to release the complete Jeffrey Epstein files, a move Speaker Mike Johnson announced despite his long opposition to the discharge petition that forced the issue to the floor. Johnson told reporters Wednesday night that the House will move ahead with a vote. “It’s a totally pointless exercise,” he said, adding that the petition had already secured enough signatures. “It is completely moot now. We might as well just do it.” House Republican leaders have not said exactly when the vote will…

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) has secured nearly $35 million in federal funding for 20 projects across Maine, her office announced. Earlier this week, Collins’ legislation to end the government shutdown included a slate of Congressionally Directed Spending items aimed at public safety, education and local infrastructure. Collins, a Republican and chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the investments will deliver “real and direct benefits” to communities statewide. “From supporting Maine’s first responders, law enforcement, and servicemembers to increasing access to educational opportunities and generating economic development, these targeted investments will provide real and direct benefits to communities throughout…

The board of directors at grocery chain Market Basket is locked in a legal dispute with former CEO Arthur T. Demoulas as both sides prepare for a civil trial in Delaware set for mid-December 2025.  According to court filings and company statements, the board has requested critical documents pertaining to budgeting, capital expenditures and succession planning, but says it has only received a single page from a handwritten notebook – despite Demoulas telling the court he does not use email and instead keeps handwritten notes. Demoulas was placed on leave in May while an investigation was conducted into allegations that…

A new federal restriction on commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) is poised to disrupt public transit across southern Maine, leaving Greater Portland Metro scrambling to find new jobs for several of its current bus operators as Washington tightens rules on who is allowed to hold a CDL. A directive from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) now limits CDL eligibility to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or a small handful of visa categories. That sweeping change immediately cuts off access for many work-authorized immigrants who have legally held Maine CDLs for years. The rule affects asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and…

A sweeping new federal restriction buried deep in Congress’s latest spending bill is poised to wipe out most of America’s hemp-derived THC industry, closing a loophole that lawmakers say has allowed intoxicating cannabis products to flood gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops with virtually no oversight. The legislation signed into law this week, bans any product containing more than 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, a threshold so low that industry groups say more than 90 percent of hemp-derived gummies, beverages, vapes, and topicals will be effectively outlawed overnight. Supporters of the measure argue that manufacturers have spent years…

Graham Platner’s U.S. Senate campaign failed to file his personal financial disclosure with the Secretary of the Senate, a requirement under the Ethics in Government Act that must be completed within 30 days of launching a campaign. Platner filed his Statement of Candidacy on August 18, setting a deadline of September 17 for submitting the disclosure. The campaign is now eight weeks overdue in complying. The public online database maintained by the Secretary of the Senate shows no filings from Platner. “He must not have filed it yet because it’s not in our system,” a phone operator with the Senate…

State Sen. Joe Rafferty, a Democrat from Kennebunk who has represented Maine’s District 34 for the past five years, announced on November 12 that he will not seek reelection in 2026. District 34 includes North Berwick, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Berwick and Wells. Rafferty’s decision marks the end of a legislative tenure shaped by his long career in public service – first in education and later in politics. Before entering the Legislature, he spent decades as a teacher and head football coach at Kennebunk High School. He also served as president of the teachers’ union, roles highlighted in the release as part…

Human remains discovered last month in northern Maine have been identified as those of a woman missing since July, authorities said. A local resident found the remains of 39-year-old Tomis Hoyt on October 30 in the town of Blaine, Maine, just south of Mars Hill, according to the Maine Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The office confirmed her identity on Wednesday. Hoyt was last seen on July 13 on Robinson Road in Mars Hill. Her family told authorities she was believed to be barefoot and without any money at the time. The circumstances that led to her disappearance and death…

Conservative activist Nicholas Blanchard, widely known by his online persona “Corn Pop,” has entered the race for the Augusta School Board, stepping directly into a district roiled by months of protests, public clashes and rising distrust between parents and school officials. “I’m ripping out every last woke policy they force fed us, starting day one.“ Blanchard has been a central figure in the escalating turmoil at Augusta School Board meetings, which have repeatedly erupted into controversy over transparency, curriculum oversight and gender-related policies. What began as a dispute over transgender athlete rules has widened into a larger ideological conflict over…

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed legislation to reopen the federal government, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history after a weeks-long standoff between the House and Senate over spending and health-care provisions. The measure, approved by Congress earlier in the day, restores full federal operations after a funding lapse that began October 1. The stopgap bill keeps government spending at fiscal year 2025 levels through January 30 while lawmakers continue negotiations on a broader 2026 agreement. The shutdown strained federal agencies, disrupted travel because of staffing shortages, and halted pay for thousands of government employees. The newly signed law…

Iman Osman, recently elected to represent Ward 5 on the Lewiston City Council and currently serving on the Lewiston School Committee, has told city officials that he cannot disclose his current home address because his life is in danger, according to multiple sources who spoke with The Maine Wire. In a letter dated November 3, City Clerk Kathleen Montejo asked Osman to clarify his current residence to ensure compliance with the Lewiston City Charter, which requires School Committee members and city councilors to live in the ward they represent. Montejo wrote that Osman’s listed address, 210 Blake Street, had been…

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner’s campaign has been paying his wife a biweekly salary, according to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission. On Sept. 15, Platner’s committee, Graham For Maine, paid Amy Gertner $1,799.81, and two weeks later issued another payment of $1,799.82, labeling both transactions as “salary.” A former campaign staffer who requested anonymity told The Judge Street Journal that Gertner was initially brought on as a volunteer coordinator to help with early campaign efforts. The staffer said the campaign decided to pay Gertner for several reasons, including concerns about the optics of Platner drawing a salary…

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote Wednesday late afternoon on legislation that could end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, even as Democrats — including Maine’s First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree — condemn a Senate-brokered compromise that omits an extension of expiring healthcare subsidies. House Speaker Mike Johnson recalled lawmakers to Washington after keeping the chamber out of session for more than 50 days. On Monday, a small group of seven Senate Democrats and Maine Independent Sen. Angus King joined Republicans to advance a short-term spending bill that funds the government through January without renewing Affordable…

A new grassroots movement calling itself Common Sense for Maine is kicking off its first annual “Tailgate for Common Sense” later this month, an event blending football, food, and political activism in support of what organizers call “Common Sense values.” The event is set for Sunday, November 23, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Aquaboggan located at 980 Portland Road in Saco, and will feature a live broadcast of the New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals game on a massive 50-by-100-foot drive-in movie screen. According to organizers, the tailgate will include live music, cornhole tournaments, silent and live auctions,…

Jordan Wood, a Bristol Democrat who had been seeking to challenge Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in next year’s election, announced Wednesday that he is suspending his Senate campaign to pursue Maine’s 2nd Congressional District seat instead. Wood, 36, said the decision came after learning that Rep. Jared Golden, a three-term Democrat representing the 2nd District, will not seek reelection in 2026. In a statement, Wood said he believes his campaign’s resources and grassroots network would be “better spent working to keep the 2nd District blue.” A former Capitol Hill staffer and head of an advocacy group, Wood was among…

Four of the eight Republican candidates for governor marked Veterans Day with a spirited debate Monday night, trading views on jobs, energy policy, immigration enforcement and the state’s drug crisis at an event hosted by Common Sense for Maine at Dunegrass Country Club in Old Orchard Beach. The forum opened with ceremony fitting for the day of commemoration. Dr. Rev. Gary Nguyen, a retired captain in the 82nd Airborne, led the National Anthem. The Rev. David Porter of Oak Ridge Bible Church in Milford delivered an invocation that called on candidates and voters to “turn to the Almighty and ask…

Portland’s City Council on Monday approved an ordinance requiring owners of vacant storefronts in the city’s pedestrian district to register those spaces with the city. The rule applies to commercial storefronts that have been empty for six months or more. City officials said the registration requirement is intended to help track unused properties and connect them with artists, entrepreneurs, and cultural groups seeking space. This latest action follows an earlier city regulation that allows Portland to fine owners of empty storefronts if their spaces remain vacant after three months, unless owners agree to display city-approved artwork in the windows. The…

Despite dozens of approved projects and strong demand for new housing, several major developments in Portland are stalled as rising construction and financing costs collide with the city’s inclusionary zoning ordinance, developers and city officials said during a November 6 panel hosted by the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce. The ordinance, approved by voter referendum in 2020, requires housing projects with 10 units or more to set aside 25 percent of units for lower- to middle-income households or pay an in-lieu fee of $182,830 per unit. Combined with higher construction prices and interest rates, panelists said the mandate has made…

A chimney fire early Monday left a single-family home on Wolff Farm Lane in this York County coastal town as a total loss, fire officials say.  The blaze broke out overnight and completely destroyed the residence, according to the Kennebunk Fire‑Rescue. No injuries were reported and the three adult occupants were displaced.  Fire crews found the structure engulfed in flames when they arrived. Although the origin was narrowed down to the chimney, the home sustained such heavy damage that officials deemed it a “total loss.”  The residents are now staying elsewhere while investigators with the Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office…

A Saco physical education teacher has cinched his third Guinness World Record, this time for the most high school three-pointers made in one hour, marking another milestone in a career that has combined teaching, athletics, and community motivation. Ryan Martin, a former college basketball player who now teaches physical education at Saco Middle School, took on the challenge Monday night in front of a packed gym of students, staff, and families. Martin is no stranger to high-volume shooting feats, and with two previous Guinness World Records already to his name, expectations were high as the attempt began. To set the…

The U.S. Senate approved legislation authored by Sen. Susan Collins (R) to reopen the federal government, advancing a package that combines a short-term funding measure with three full-year appropriations bills. The vote was 60 to 40, sending the measure to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration. Collins, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, led negotiations between Republicans, Democrats, House members and administration officials to reach the agreement. The continuing resolution included in the package would immediately reopen the government, extend funding through January 30, and provide back pay to federal workers who have been furloughed or working without pay…

In the wake of the October 25, 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston, thousands of Mainers and donors across the country collectively contributed more than $6.6 million to support victims, families, and the community. More than two years later, questions persist about where almost a third of those funds have gone. The Maine Community Foundation (MCF) was identified as the primary organization to collect and distribute the relief funds, which were promoted as a way to directly help those most affected by the tragedy. Its distribution of this money is what has led many to wonder aloud why a portion of…

Republican attorney and U.S. Marine veteran John Deaton has formally launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democratic Senator Ed Markey, entering the race with a message centered on affordability and a call for what he described as more active leadership from Massachusetts’ congressional delegation. Deaton, who previously ran against Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in 2024 and garnered roughly 40 percent of the vote, said his experience in that contest reinforced his belief that a sizable share of Massachusetts voters is open to sending a new kind of voice to Washington. He pointed to economic strain…

President Donald Trump has granted “full, complete and unconditional” pardons to several high-profile allies accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election, U.S. Pardon Attorney Ed Martin announced Sunday night. In a post on X, Martin shared Trump’s formal proclamation extending pardons to dozens of individuals, including former New York City mayor and personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, and attorney Sidney Powell. https://twitter.com/EdMartinDOJ/status/1987777635741569239?s=20 The proclamation stated that the pardons apply “to all United States citizens for conduct relating to the advice, creation, organization, execution, submission, support, voting, activities, participation in, or advocacy…

The reports of ballots turning up in unexpected places during elections are often described by officials as isolated and unlikely to influence results. Yet during the 2025 election cycle, at least three documented incidents in Maine, Arizona, and California involved ballots being discovered outside standard custody procedures. Each case was resolved, and election officials maintain that no votes were lost or counted improperly. Still, the incidents have continued to raise broader questions about ballot handling, chain-of-custody safeguards, and voter confidence. In Maine, a Newburgh resident reported receiving 250 blank absentee ballots inside an Amazon delivery box. The ballots matched a shipment…

Valerie Adams, a former Assistant District Attorney in Cumberland County, confirmed she will run for District Attorney in 2026, days after her departure from the office drew public attention and questions about internal working conditions. Adams said she plans to formally launch her campaign at the start of the new year. Her announcement comes amid reporting that she was dismissed from the office immediately after informing District Attorney Jackie Sartoris on November 4 that she intended to run for the position. The Maine Wire first reported that Adams’ departure followed what sources described as a “toxic” work environment within the…

The Wells Police Department is investigating a series of overnight motor-vehicle burglaries in the northern part of town that appear to have occurred between 10 p.m. Friday evening and 2 a.m. Saturday morning. Police say the incidents targeted vehicles parked along the stretch from the Wells post office heading north toward neighboring Kennebunk. The department is asking residents and businesses in the area to review any home-security, door-bell camera or dash-cam footage from that timeframe and to report any suspicious activity. “We are investigating multiple motor-vehicle burglaries and need the public’s help,” the police department posted in a public notice. …

President Donald Trump on Sunday described critics of his tariff strategy as “fools” and pledged that the government will distribute $2,000 dividends to most Americans, paid for by the tariff revenue.  In a post on his social-media platform, Trump wrote: “People that are against tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the richest, most respected country in the world, with almost no inflation and a record stock market price,” adding that “A dividend of at least $2000 a person (“not including high-income people!”) will be paid to everyone.” According to data from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, tariff revenue for…

Governor Janet Mills (D) said Sunday she expects full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to begin Monday, condemning what she described as the Trump administration’s attempt to block the distribution of full benefits during the federal government shutdown. Mills said the action is “callous and cruel,” noting that SNAP supports about 170,000 people in Maine, including children, seniors and people with disabilities. She said Maine acted quickly based on federal guidance pledging full benefits and criticized the administration for later moving to halt them. “That the president would then petition the highest court to deny food to hungry families…

The United States Senate took the first step Sunday toward ending the government shutdown after a group of moderate Democrats agreed to advance a funding measure without securing a guaranteed extension of health-care subsidies, sparking backlash from within their own caucus.  In a procedural test vote, the Senate approved by a 60-40 margin moving forward with a compromise that would fund government operations and set aside a separate vote for extending the tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that expire January 1.  The agreement does not ensure the tax credits will be extended — a key demand of…

A closely watched race for an at-large seat on the Westbrook City Council is headed for a recount after a razor-thin margin of just seven votes separated the top two contenders.  On election night, former councilor Gary Rairdon was reported to have received 2,742 votes, while community advocate Elizabeth Eisele McLellan won 2,735.  McLellan formally requested the recount Wednesday, and according to city clerk Ellis Ledoux it is scheduled for Friday, November 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westbrook Community Center.  McLellan, 48, who coordinates an eviction-prevention program and manages marketing for a local firm, described the outcome…

A federal grand jury has issued subpoenas to former CIA Director John Brennan and former senior FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page as part of a renewed review into how the 2016 Trump–Russia investigation was launched, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. Roughly 30 subpoenas were issued in recent weeks. The investigation is being overseen by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida. Prosecutors have requested documents related to the drafting of the early 2017 intelligence community assessment that concluded Russia interfered in the 2016 election in favor of then-candidate Donald Trump. Strzok and…

Governor Janet Mills (D) has directed the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to issue full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in November to eligible households, following multiple federal court rulings and updated guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the ongoing federal shutdown. The directive comes after federal court orders compelled the USDA to release contingency funding for SNAP, reversing earlier notices that benefits would not be distributed in November. New guidance issued Friday indicated the agency intends to make full funding available to comply with the court orders. Mills said the state will move forward with…

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food-aid program for about 42 million Americans is caught in fresh legal and funding uncertainty amid the U.S. government shutdown. Late Friday, Ketanji Brown Jackson, a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, issued an administrative stay temporarily blocking a lower-court order that required the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to disburse full November benefits under SNAP by Friday. Earlier this week, a federal judge in Rhode Island, John J. McConnell Jr., ruled the administration must fully fund the program—ordering it to use contingency funds or other sources to ensure no-benefit…

A senior prosecutor has departed the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office amid allegations of internal conflict and concerns about workplace culture under District Attorney Jackie Sartoris, sources told the Maine Wire. An office spokesperson confirmed that Assistant District Attorney Valerie Adams is no longer employed with the office. The confirmation followed information provided to the Maine Wire by a source familiar with the situation, who said Adams confronted Sartoris regarding what the source described as a “toxic work environment” and indicated she was considering a campaign for district attorney. The DA’s office did not comment on the circumstances of Adams’…

U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner (D) held a town hall at the Chocolate Church Arts Center in Bath Thursday evening, where he fielded a range of questions about his campaign, his personal background and the recent departure of former political director Genevieve McDonald. Platner, who grew up in Eastern Maine and later served deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan before returning home to become an oyster farmer, used the event to frame his campaign around working-class issues. He argued that Maine politics has drifted toward partisan messaging and away from the daily needs of residents struggling with housing costs, health care…

A Cape Elizabeth man was arrested Wednesday after police say he fired a gun at a repossession agent who was attempting to take his vehicle. Police responded to a report of a shooting at 21 Longfellow Drive, where a repossession agent had arrived to collect a vehicle. As the agent was removing the vehicle, police said a man inside the home, identified as 61-year-old Roger Dickinson, fired at least one shot at the tow truck. According to the report, a woman and a 4-month-old child were inside the truck at the time. No injuries were reported. Law enforcement surrounded the…

U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation Wednesday aimed at protecting American specialty crop farmers from unfair foreign trade practices. The bill, called the Fairness for Fruits and Vegetables Act, would create new mechanisms to monitor trade data and address market conditions that lawmakers say disadvantage U.S. producers. The measure is focused on specialty crops such as blueberries, potatoes, apples, cherries, asparagus and maple products. Sen. Collins said farmers who grow these crops play a significant role in state and regional economies and are at risk of being undercut by unfair market disruptions. Sen. Slotkin…

California voters have approved Proposition 50, a redistricting measure that temporarily removes congressional map-drawing authority from the state’s independent redistricting commission and grants that power to the Legislature for the 2026, 2028 and 2030 election cycles. Given the partisan breakdown in the state capital of Sacramento, the resulting maps are expected to favor Democratic candidates and reduce the number of competitive congressional districts in the nation’s largest state. Supporters framed the change as necessary to counter partisan map-drawing elsewhere. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said, “California will not sit back while other states use gerrymandering and voter suppression to undermine democracy.” Opponents…

A federal appeals court on Tuesday allowed Florida to begin enforcing a state law that restricts real estate purchases by Chinese citizens, a decision that could shape how other states – including Maine – respond to foreign-linked property ownership and land use. The 2-1 ruling from the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals found that challengers backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) did not have standing because they have lived in Florida for years and are not considered “domiciled” in China under the statute. The law, passed in 2023, bars most Chinese citizens who are not U.S. citizens…

State Rep. Tiffany D. Roberts (D-South Berwick) launched her campaign for Maine’s First District Congressional seat in her home town of South Berwick Wednesday evening. Surrounded by family, friends and community members, Roberts said her campaign will focus on rebuilding trust in government, strengthening the economy and ensuring that working families have a voice in Washington – an implicit criticism of the woman she is challenging incumbent, U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME). Roberts told attendees that her bid is centered on “respect, responsibility, and results,” and emphasized that her candidacy is about advocating for Maine’s future rather than opposing any specific…

The public health and safety threat posed by discarded needles used most likely for intravenous drug use has been a persistent problem for Maine’s largest city, and one recent case illustrates the ambiguity of who is responsible for removing the sharp and dangerous hazards they present. A source contacted the Maine Wire on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, reporting discarded needles along railroad tracks near 185 Rand Road in Portland. The source said the syringes were first noticed the previous day and were found scattered along the tracks that run parallel to several commercial buildings in the area. According to this…

Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday that voters delivered a clear rebuke to proposed changes to Maine’s absentee voting laws, rejecting Question 1 by a decisive margin in Tuesday’s statewide election. The measure sought to create a requirement for voters to present identification at the polls and to tighten access to absentee ballots by shortening the period during which voters could request them and by eliminating ongoing absentee status for seniors, people with disabilities, and others who have relied on the system for years. Supporters of the proposal argued it was needed to strengthen election safeguards, while opponents said it would…

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a major challenge to President Donald Trump’s global tariff program, a case that could reshape the balance of power between the White House and Congress on trade and economic policy. The dispute centers on Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) to levy sweeping tariffs on imports from dozens of countries. Under the policy, Chinese goods faced duties as high as 145 percent, while products from Canada and Mexico saw 25–35 percent tariffs. Most other countries faced at least 10 percent. The administration said the tariffs were…

Maine litigator Joshua Dunlap has been confirmed to the U.S .Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, becoming the only active Republican-appointed judge on the Boston-based court. The Senate approved his nomination Tuesday in a 52-46 party-line vote. Dunlap will fill the seat vacated by Judge William Kayatta Jr., a Barack Obama appointee who previously mentored Dunlap when both worked at the Maine law firm Pierce Atwood. Dunlap has spent nearly his entire career at the firm, where he co-chairs its Appellate and Amici team and focuses on commercial litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. Opponents of his…

State Rep. Tiffany Roberts (D-South Berwick) has formally filed paperwork to run for Maine’s First Congressional District, setting up a Democratic primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree in 2026. Roberts, now serving her fourth term in the Maine House, submitted her campaign-finance filing Tuesday ahead of a planned campaign launch in her hometown. She had announced the formation of an exploratory committee in September to determine whether Democratic voters were open to “a different voice in Congress.” U.S. Rep. Pingree has held the seat since 2009 and has not previously faced a primary challenge while in office. The congresswoman…

Lucas Sirois, the Franklin County businessman accused of leading a multimillion-dollar marijuana conspiracy in western Maine, is now facing new federal charges. Sirois effort to challenge the government’s conspiracy case at the highest level has come to an end. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear his appeal, leaving a lower court ruling against him in place. But his legal problems appear to be compounding. Sirois, 45, alleged by prosecutors to be the head of the “Sirois organization,” was charged in October 2020 in a case centered on industrial cultivation and distribution of marijuana that authorities valued at $13…

Biddeford voters have approved the formation of a charter commission, signaling support for a formal review of the city’s governing document. The measure passed by a wide margin on Tuesday with 3,457 votes in favor and 2,305 opposed. The approval sets in motion a multi-step process to examine the city charter, which outlines the structure of municipal government, the roles of elected officials, and how local decisions are made. Supporters of the commission have argued that a review could help clarify city procedures and update language in the charter, while opponents expressed concern that the process could lead to major…

For the second year in a row, voters in Kennebunkport rejected a proposal to construct a new town hall, defeating the $8.3 million bond question during the November 4 election.  The rejected plan would have funded the construction of a new facility to replace the existing municipal offices, but town voters once again opted against committing to the project. Last year, residents turned down a similar measure an $8.8 million proposal for a new town hall, which had led the town to rethink its approach. If Tuesday’s result was any indication, a half-million dollar haircut wasn’t enough. Now the town faces renewed…

Two contenders emerged victorious Tuesday in the only contested race of the season for the Sanford City Council, as voters elected six-year terms at large. Charlene “Cheeny” Plante, known for her appearances on “Naked and Afraid reality television program, and Pete Tranchemontagne won the seats in Tuesday’s municipal election.  The two successful candidates prevailed over three other contenders for the open seats.  Brian Stackpole, an incumbent, and Logan Laughlin were among the unsuccessful challengers.  Plante, a self-employed homeowner, campaigned on improving safety, reducing taxes and voting down nonessential spending. Tranchemontagne, a long-time Sanford resident and small-business owner, emphasized economic development, infrastructure upgrades…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows appeared at the polls in Bangor on Tuesday evening, where she offered remarks on the ongoing investigation into 250 absentee ballots that a Newburgh woman reported finding in an Amazon package about a month ago. The update came as voters were still casting ballots, an unusual time for new public comments on an active election-related inquiry. “No one wants the truth more than I do, and I’m sure the truth will come out,” Bellows said to WABI TV. She added that she trusts law enforcement to complete a thorough review. “So UPS has not…

Liam LaFountain was elected the next mayor of Biddeford on Tuesday, winning a three-way race to lead one of southern Maine’s fastest-growing cities. LaFountain, 28, received 2,626 votes, defeating incumbent Mayor Martin Grohman, who received 2,414, and City Councilor Norman Belanger, who received 1,273, according to unofficial results. City Council President LaFountain campaigned on affordability and government transparency, focusing on concerns from residents about the pace of development and the rising cost of living in the city. Biddeford needed a “course correction,” he said on the stump. The newly-elected mayor said his priorities include restoring public trust in City Hall…

Voters in Maine’s largest city decisively approved a minimum wage increase on Tuesday, endorsing a city councilor’s proposal to raise the current $15.50 per hour to $19 per hour in increments over the next couple years. Nearly 63 percent voted in favor of the hike, versus only 35.5 percent who opposed it. Portland businesses had expressed serious concerns about the impact of such a move. “This is not good for business, not good for jobs,” Steve DeMillo, owner of the iconic floating restaurant DeMillo’s said. At the same time, incumbent at-large councilor Pious Ali secured a fourth term on the…

President Donald Trump’s long-standing battle over tariffs — a defining element of his presidency and economic worldview — will face its greatest test Wednesday when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments over whether his sweeping trade levies are lawful. Trump, who briefly considered attending the hearing himself, called the matter “the most important case in the history of the Supreme Court.” He ultimately decided against going, saying he did not want to distract from the proceedings. In April, Trump declared trade deficits a national emergency and imposed a 10 percent tariff on nearly every major trading partner, with higher “reciprocal”…

The Portland City Council voted Monday night to raise the penalty for parking during a snow ban from $40 to $130, approving an amendment intended to keep streets clear for plows and emergency vehicles while easing the financial burden from an initially proposed higher fine. The measure updates Chapter 28 of the Portland City Code, expanding snow-ban enforcement areas and clarifying penalties for vehicles parked in restricted zones during winter storms. The goal, councilors said, is to make snow removal faster and safer for residents, pedestrians and emergency responders navigating the city’s narrow streets. “It’s so important for our snow…

Voters across Maine head to the polls Tuesday, November 4, to decide two major statewide ballot questions and several local races that could redefine economic and political priorities in the state. At least one proposed measure specifically impacts Portland, and Biddeford’s city leadership is at stake. A number of school districts throughout the state also have key seats in contention. The election comes exactly one year before the 2026 midterms, when the winner of the Democratic Senate primary between Gov. Janet Mills and challenger Graham Platner is expected to face Republican Sen. Susan Collins in one of the nation’s most…

The Trump administration said Monday it will partially fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after two federal judges ordered the government to keep the food aid program running despite the ongoing shutdown. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had planned to freeze payments starting November 1, citing an inability to continue funding during the federal shutdown. SNAP serves about one in eight Americans and costs roughly $8 billion per month nationwide. Officials have not said how much recipients will receive or when benefits will appear on their EBT cards, which can take up to two weeks to process in…

The principal of Mt. Blue Middle School in Farmington is under fire after dressing as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent for a Halloween event, prompting a backlash on social media and sparking a broader debate about political expressions in schools. A post that circulated widely on X, formerly known as Twitter, alleged that Principal James Black wore a costume resembling that of an ICE officer during the school’s Halloween festivities. The post, which questioned how a school leader could “encourage the kidnapping of children,” drew hundreds of reactions from parents and community members. “The district is aware of…

A computer system error at MaineHealth resulted in 531 patients being mistakenly notified of their own deaths, the health-care system announced.  According to MaineHealth, the malfunction occurred on October 20 during the generation of estate-vendor letters. The letters incorrectly informed the affected patients that they were deceased and included details for next-of-kin about resolving their estates.  “MaineHealth sincerely regrets this error and has sent apology letters to all patients who have been affected,” the health-system spokesperson said. They noted that “at no time were these patients listed as deceased in their medical records and the issue has been fully resolved.” …

Football franchise the New England Patriots may owe some fans more than $100 following approval of a tentative settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit alleging the team’s mobile app improperly collected and shared users’ location and video-viewing data. Under the settlement, the Patriots will pay $2.16 million to resolve allegations that a portion of their smartphone application—in particular tools integrated via the Anvato API and Rover SDK—shared users’ precise geolocation and video-viewing activity with third parties without their consent. An estimated 90,000 to 105,000 users may be eligible to file claims, depending on how many meet the criteria and participate…