Author: Libby Palanza

After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order ending automatic citizenship for those born on American soil, the White House issued two new orders seeking to narrow the scope of birthright citizenship. Rather than broadly denying citizenship to children whose “mother was unlawfully present in the United States and [whose] father was not a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident at the time of said person’s birth,” the new orders take a more targeted approach. The president’s latest executive order, issued earlier this month, denies automatic citizenship to children of an “alien enemy,” someone who…

Maine regulators have approved the merger between York Hospital and MaineHealth that was first announced last year. York Hospital announced in the fall of 2025 that financial struggles left it unable to operate independently. According to Maine Public, the hospital reported an $11 million operating loss in 2023. “Like many hospitals in Maine and across the country, rising labor costs, escalating pharmaceutical and supply expenses, and increasing payer denials have forced the hospital to review its options regarding its future,” York Hospital said last October. “As efficient and agile as we are, we can no longer navigate the challenging health…

The Ellsworth City Council is poised to vote Monday on a proposed preemptive AI data center moratorium following a public hearing on the matter. Amy Kenney, the city’s communications director, told the Bangor Daily News that the city has not yet received any data center construction applications. Although state lawmakers approved a bill that would have temporarily halted construction of AI data centers across Maine during the most recent legislative session, Gov. Janet Mills vetoed the measure in April. Lawmakers attempted to override the veto but fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to advance the legislation over the governor’s…

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday on social media that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will step down from her position at the end of August. “Our wonderful White House Press Secretary, and one of my most trusted aides, Karoline Leavitt, will be departing her role at the end of the month so she can spend more time with her beautiful young children and family, a decision I totally understand and respect!” President Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. Trump added that Leavitt will now serve as a “top outside adviser” and be “an influential voice within the Republican…

Roughly three in five Mainers view President Donald Trump’s job performance negatively, according to the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Approval of the president’s job performance, however, varied sharply by political affiliation, as 90 percent of Republicans approved of his job performance, compared with just 4 percent of Democrats. Meanwhile, 34 percent of independent respondents said they support President Trump’s performance in office. Those figures remained largely unchanged when respondents were asked about Trump’s handling of the economy and foreign affairs. Mainers were also asked for…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) announced Friday that a bipartisan bill she introduced allowing early childhood educators to obtain the same classroom supplies deduction as K-12 teachers was approved in the Senate by an overwhelming margin of 86 to 11. This legislation, known as the Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act, will now head to the House for further consideration by lawmakers in that chamber. Introducing the bill alongside Maine’s senator was Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO). According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), current law provides that “certain primary- and secondary-school educators may claim an income tax deduction of up to…

The Maine State Housing Authority has awarded a total of more than $2 million to seven school districts in an effort to reduce and prevent student homelessness. As part of the Student Homelessness Prevention Program, these awards will be used to support local efforts serving nearly 1,300 students and their families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This program was created by the State Legislature in 2025 for the purpose of “identifying students and families of students who are at risk of homelessness and providing direct financial assistance to help them maintain stable permanent housing.” Prior to…

The MaineHealth Board of Trustees voted Thursday to approve what is being referred to as a regional model for women’s health care, a change that involves the closure of the existing labor and delivery unit at the Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta. As part of this decision, however, MaineHealth has committed to not shuttering any more of its labor and delivery units over the next two years. After December 18, 2026, inpatient labor and delivery services at Lincoln will be fully transitioned to MaineHealth’s Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick. According to a press release shared by MaineHealth, the new model “preserves…

Maine lobsterman Frank Thompson has asked the United States Supreme Court to weigh in on his challenge of a regulation requiring that tracking devices on lobstering vessels be operated 24/7 while in the water. The mandated devices identify a vessel’s location every sixty seconds while in motion and once every six hours when stationary. Using one of these devices, a boat’s position can be accurately determined within 100 meters, or 328.1 feet. It is argued in the lawsuit that this new requirement violates the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments because it allegedly jeopardizes constitutionally protected rights to privacy and due process.…

During an anti-fraud roundtable Wednesday, White House Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley outlined ten proposals aimed at combating fraud in welfare programs. “Fraud steals taxpayer dollars, but such corruption steals something even more precious. It steals the blessings and benefits of work,” Haley said. “The greater injustice is not stealing money from taxpayers,” he added. “It is taking purpose from another human being and diverting resources from the truly needy.” Haley’s recommendations included proactive verification measures targeting both welfare beneficiaries and the establishments that accept government benefits. Among his proposals, Haley called for ensuring that every Medicaid provider and…

The South Portland City Council voted 5-1 Tuesday to ask voters for approval of an $88 million bond to fund the construction of new police and fire stations. If approved, the city would build a new police station at Cash Corner, as well as a new fire station to replace what has been identified as an aging facility. This comes after the City Council rejected a $194 million bond to renovate the former Mahoney Middle School property into a comprehensive City Center complex, including a renovated theater, gym and community space. Earlier this year, the City entered into a contract…

Maine voters can now begin requesting absentee ballots for the general election scheduled for November 3. No-excuse, absentee voting will be available to voters through October 29. Ballots will begin being mailed to voters 30 days ahead of the election. Absentee ballots may be requested online here, but they must be completed and received at your local town hall by 8pm on election day, November 3. Maine voters may also go in person to request an absentee ballot with a paper application. Once completed, absentee ballots must be returned to your local town hall. Most municipalities have a secure drop…

Hannaford has issued a recall for store brand 81% lean and 19% fat ground beef sold at the Farmington location over the weekend due for potentially containing foreign material. According to the Portland Press Herald, the recall was announced by the company Monday. The impacted universal product code numbers are 21129100000, 21128700000, and 21128800000 and have a sell-by date of August 2. The store has said that no injuries or illnesses had been reported as of Monday, and the recall is only applicable to purchases made in Farmington. Affected customers may return the product or its packaging to the store…

Last week, all non-emergency measures approved by the Legislature during the most recent session went into effect, including the $500 million supplemental budget. While lawmakers in the House were divided along strict partisan lines, one Democrat in the Senate, Sen. Nicole Grohoski (D-Hancock), broke ranks to join the Republicans in opposition to the measure. Among the provisions included in the final version of the budget are a new tax on Mainers earning over $1 million, free community college, funding for “reproductive health care” providers, as well as a plan to send $300 checks to many Maine residents, among other things.…

Nearly three-quarters of Mainers perceive the state as unaffordable, and 30 percent plan to move away at some point in the next five years. Of that 30 percent, two-thirds cite housing and the cost of living as the driving factor for their decision to leave the state. Over half of respondents pointed toward a desire for a different political or social environment, including 71 percent of Republicans and 40 percent of Democrats. 50 percent of those who plan to leave the state mentioned lower taxes as a reason for their plan to move away from Maine in the near future.…

The First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston heard arguments Wednesday in a case out of Maine concerning the state’s new regulations on Super PAC contributions as approved by voters at the ballot box in 2024. This comes after Maine State Attorney General Aaron Frey, alongside a number of other defendants, appealed a lower court ruling that nixed the measure last year. Brought by the Dinner Table — a Maine PAC focused on “faith, family, and freedom” and dedicated to supporting “conservative candidates” — and its founder, Alex Titcomb, the ongoing lawsuit now headed to the federal First Circuit Court…

Sen. Angus King (I) has introduced legislation that would expand access to mental health services in rural areas, including the more remote parts of Maine. Known as the Compacts, Access, and Responsible Expansion (CARE) for Mental Health Professionals Act, this bill would create incentives for interstate provider networks via federally funded grant opportunities. As explained by the senator, interstate networks allow providers to practice across state lines while avoiding duplicative registration processes, thereby allowing them to bring mental health resources more easily to rural areas. The National Institutes of Health reports that over 60 percent of rural Americans live in…

Maine’s Congressional delegation has asked the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to clarify federal guidance that could potentially result in new costs for Maine emergency medical services (EMS) agencies. In a letter sent to DEA Administrator Terrance Cole, all four members of Maine’s delegation explained the confusion that currently exists surrounding the agency’s implementation of a 2017 law. Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), along with related DEA regulations, any practice that dispenses controlled substances must register with the government. Prior to 2017, EMS agencies were not specifically mentioned, meaning that they were able to procure and dispense controlled substances…

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) announced Tuesday that it will be moving forward with projects that were temporarily delayed following the promise of $136 million in funding to address projected shortfalls. Gov. Janet Mills (D) said last week that the state would be directing $136 million to the MaineDOT so that the department can continue its work uninterrupted by the anticipated lack of funding. A full list of projects and their updated schedules in light of this new funding can be found here. In a press release shared Tuesday, the MaineDOT warned that although this influx of funding will…

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has announced that it will be splitting up the purchase of the state’s electricity amidst pricing uncertainty. Typically, the PUC chooses an electrical supplier through a competitive bidding process once a year to provide a fixed “standard offer” price for power throughout the year. This year, however, the state will be purchasing half the upcoming year’s supply this month and then buying the remainder of what is projected to be needed next year at some point this fall. “There’s a concern that by going and procuring the entire thing all at once, you could…

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Pete Buttigieg are enjoying an early lead in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary in New Hampshire. These figures come from the latest Granite State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. As the first state in the nation to conduct presidential primary elections, how things turn out in New Hampshire can often set the tone going into the rest of the election cycle, indicating up front which candidates have a real chance of taking their party’s nomination. Compared to earlier this year, the lead enjoyed by Ocasio-Cortez has…

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio currently sit as frontrunners for the 2028 Republican presidential primary in New Hampshire. These figures come from the latest Granite State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. As the first state in the nation to conduct presidential primary elections, how things turn out in New Hampshire can often set the tone going into the rest of the election cycle, indicating up front which candidates have a real chance of taking their party’s nomination. Although Vice President Vance enjoyed prospective backing from…

Sen. Susan Collins announced Wednesday that the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved with bipartisan support a slate of five measures that, taken together, are designed to cap insulin costs and strengthen the health care workforce. While three of the bills were advanced as standalone legislation, two were rolled into the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act, supported by a committee vote of 21 to 1. Among these provisions were funding reauthorizations for the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program and the Geriatrics Academic Career Awards and the Bio-Preparedness Workforce Loan Repayment Program…

A slim majority of Independents in Maine are opposed to the use of ranked choice voting in the state, according to the Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Mainers took the first step toward using ranked choice voting in 2016 when voters approved a citizens initiative by a margin of about 32,000 votes or 4.2 percent, with 388,273 voting in support of the measure and 356,621 in opposition. Under ranked choice voting, if a candidate does not receive at least 50 percent of the votes cast in a…

Although both Republicans and Democrats in Maine appear to be largely in lockstep with the other members of their party, Independents remain divided over who they intend to support at the polls this November. As found by the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, however, Democratic candidates do enjoy a slight lead among unaffiliated Mainers in both the senatorial and gubernatorial races. Despite large majorities indicating that they plan to vote for their party’s chosen candidate later this year, none of the candidates for governor enjoy a…

Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins (R) announced Monday that Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub — an economic development initiative led by the University of Maine — will be receiving $20 million in federal funding. This award comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration and was personally announced to Sen. Collins by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Although the Tech Hub was already selected for an award in January of last year, funding was withdrawn and the group was required to re-compete. Collins explains in her press release that following this withdrawal she worked closely with the University…

In-person tax assistance will be made available to Mainers in Bangor this week, according to a press release shared by Rep. Jared Golden (D) of the Second Congressional District. The IRS is scheduled to be in Bangor this week to help with tax law, refunds, payments, transcripts, and forms. Staff will be available in Suite 20300 of the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building, located at 202 Harlow Street from July 21 to July 23 between 8:30am to 4:30pm. Attendees have been asked to bring valid state or federal photo ID. Tax payments will not be accepted. Appointments may be made…

Mainers will have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed natural gas rate hike by Northern Utilities, better known in the state as Unitil. The Maine Public Advocate has explained that the company requested a distribution rate increase from the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Unitil filed its request with the Maine PUC on June 1, indicating that on average customers could see an $11 per month increase in distribution fees. Amanda Vicinanzo, spokesperson for Unitil, said in an interview reported by Maine Public that the hike was intended to help keep up with rising business costs. “Anything that…

Children in Maine were found to have some of the worst education outcomes in the nation according to the latest edition of the Kids Count Data Book. Health outcomes were middling, while economic and family and community metrics were some of the strongest in the country. Taken together, Maine children were found to have the 21st best overall well-being in comparison to kids in other states, a drop from last year’s ranking of 17. Maine was found to have the steepest decline since 2019 of any state in the nation in overall well-being, followed by Nebraska, North Dakota, Iowa, and…

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved a bill proposed by Rep. Jared Golden (D) making the moratorium on new regulations pertaining to North Atlantic Right Whale valid through 2035. The original moratorium, set to expire in 2028, was secured in 2022 while former President Joe Biden was in office, due in part to the urging of Maine’s congressional delegation alongside Gov. Janet Mills (D). The Maine Lobstermen’s Association has indicated that adopting ropeless gear would cost at least $45 million in total due to the expense of trawling up, acquiring and adding weak points, purchasing specialized rope, lengthening groundlines,…

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a State Department spending bill that includes language for an election integrity measure that has been a focus for many congressional Republicans, as well as for President Donald Trump. Known as the SAVE America Act, this measure looks to bar states from accepting and processing a federal voter registration application unless the applicant presents documentation proving U.S. citizenship. This version of the spending bill was passed by a margin of 217-209, with one Democrat voting in support of it and one Republican voting in opposition. It is expected, however, that attempts will be…

As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins was among the lawmakers to question Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan during their rare appearance before Congress Tuesday. This marks the first time since 2019 that Supreme Court justices have spoken to members of Congress in this capacity. “It’s appalling to me that some of the rhetoric is coming from public officials on both sides of the aisle who should know better than to levy personal and political attacks against the judiciary and the Court specifically,” Sen. Collins said in her introductory remarks. She went on to…

Justices on the United States Supreme Court are asking Congress for increased security amidst a rise in threats of violence and intimidation. Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett are scheduled to make a rare appearance before lawmakers Tuesday to testify on the justices’ need for elevated protection. This marks the first time since 2019 that Supreme Court justices have spoken to members of Congress. Justice Barrett has recounted needing to wear a bulletproof vest in her own home, which she said was difficult to explain to her then-12-year-old son. “I didn’t expect that performing this service would put me…

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows shared a statement Friday responding to the Maine Supreme Court’s ruling in a case challenging a lower court’s decision blocking Protect Girls Sports in Maine’s citizens’ initiative from appearing on the November ballot. Under the proposed legislation, students would only be eligible to play on sports teams and access protected spaces such as locker rooms and bathrooms that align with their biological sex, regardless of whether or not they identify as transgender. Although the petition to place this measure on the ballot was originally successful, receiving validation from the Secretary of State’s Office in March,…

The United States House of Representatives passed a bill by a wide margin that would make Daylight Saving Time permanent nationwide. In a bipartisan vote of 308-117, the House passed a bill that would leave clocks set to the time currently observed between March and November year-round. Despite this, the measure’s future in the Senate remains uncertain. President Donald Trump has expressed support for ending the changing of the clocks, saying in May that he was “going to work very hard” to see a law doing so get passed. “It’s time that people can stop worrying about the ‘Clock,’ not…

Median home sale prices in Maine reached an historic high last month, coming in at $436,000. Home sale volume has also increased significantly since this same time last year, rising by 7.31 percent. Homes were sold for about a 2.56 percent higher price this June compared to June of 2025. Both of these increases outpace nationwide statistics. Across the country, home sale volume increased by 3.3 percent year-over-year as prices rose by 1.8 percent to $446,400. Maine’s median sale price is significantly lower than that of New England, which came in at $564,800 for June. “Though market conditions do vary…

President Donald Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide to honor Senator Lindsey Graham who has passed away at the age of 71. Flags will remain at half-staff until July 18, 2026 at 6pm. “In honor of the remarkable life and achievements of Senator Lindsey Graham, a dear friend of mine, and a truly great man, who achieved so much for our Country, and his beloved Home State of South Carolina, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Saturday evening at 6 P.M.,” said President Trump in a statement posted…

A bipartisan housing bill is set to become law without President Donald Trump’s signature. His decision to not sign the bill comes in protest to the fact that Congress has yet to pass a major piece of election integrity legislation of which he has been a vocal supporter. The ten-day period in which the president could sign or veto the bill came to end Friday, locking in his choice to allow the bill to enter into law without his signature. Known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, this bipartisan measure seeks to lower the cost of housing and…

Maine will be the recipient of more than $338,000 as part of a $45 million multi-state settlement with peer-to-peer payments app Cash App. 46 states joined together to sue Block, Inc., the company that owns Cash App, for allegedly misleading consumers about the platform’s security and failing to protect users from fraud. Despite the settlement, Block, Inc. has denied wrongdoing. “Cash App recklessly prioritized growth of their business over basic consumer protections, often at the expense of customers who were needlessly left open to fraud,” said Attorney General Aaron Frey in a statement Wednesday. “This settlement provides compensation to address…

The First Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against a Christian school in Bangor in a lawsuit against the State of Maine for allegedly violating their freedom of religion. The plaintiffs in this case, Crosspoint Church and Bangor Christian Schools, announced this week that they intend to appeal the decision. The controversy at the center of this case surrounds a 2021 amendment to the Maine Human Rights Act that did away with certain exemptions for religious schools that receive funding through the state’s longstanding Town Tuitioning program. Town Tuitioning, first launched in 1873, allows students residing in districts without a…

Graham Platner announced in a video shared Wednesday night that he would be filing paperwork to withdraw from the race for Maine’s seat in the United States Senate. So what happens next? The Maine Democratic Party announced following an emergency meeting held in anticipation of Platner’s announcement that they would be selecting a new candidate to take his place via a special nominating convention. According to the Portland Press Herald, an anonymous source revealed that the party is planning to hold a 600-person convention to select Platner’s replacement. Details of when or where this convention will be held, however, have…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) announced Monday that the recently closed Tax Assistance Centers (TACs) in Bangor and Augusta have now been reopened by the federal government. TACs are physical offices offering support to those who lack stable internet access, need help navigating technology, or otherwise require in-person assistance with their taxes. Had these closures remained permanent, the only remaining TAC in Maine would have been located in South Portland. Earlier this year, Sen. Collins joined forces with Sen. Angus King (I) and Rep. Jared Golden (D) in urging the IRS to avoid keeping these centers closed. “TACs provide critical services…

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office has announced the results of the two remaining recounts from the June 9 primary election. In ranked choice elections, only candidates who emerge in the top three at the end of the next-to-last round of tabulation are eligible to request a recount, unlike non-ranked choice elections where any unsuccessful candidate may do so. A recount was requested for the House District 49 Republican primary by Nicolas Hamlin of West Bath after Suzanne Andresen of West Bath was declared the winner by an 8-vote margin. Andresen remained the winner of the race with 608 votes,…

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has responded to the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold state laws barring biological males from playing on female-only sports teams. “Today’s ruling, while predictable, is yet another disturbing affront to personal liberties by providing states with a license to discriminate,” wrote Attorney General Frey in a statement Tuesday. “The Court was clear that this decision had no bearing with respect to a state’s choice to include transgender athletes and as such, will not implicate the Department of Justice’s case against Maine,” he said. “We will continue to defend Maine’s law.” Click Here to…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Monday to restrict the use of geofence warrants that allow law enforcement to see who was near the scene of a crime using information collected by tech companies. Authored by Justice Elena Kagan, the majority explained that it was sending the case back to the lower court to determine if the search conducted was “reasonable” under the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. “The Fourth Amendment must, as ever, protect against unjustified government intrusion on the privacy of the individual,” Justice Kagan wrote. “An individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in records about…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 Tuesday that limitations on “coordinated party expenditures,” or money spent by a political party at the direction of a particular candidate, violate the First Amendment. Dissenting from the majority were Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Authored by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the majority opinion stated that because there are alternative measures in place to prevent the kind of corruption that these restrictions purported to protect against, extraordinary, speech-infringing measures are not needed. It is also pointed out that there is no significant evidence of such corruption in states where these…

The United States Supreme Court voted 6-3 Tuesday to uphold state laws barring biological males from playing on female-only sports teams. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson concurred in part and dissented in part from the majority’s opinion. The case brought before the Court stemmed from challenges filed by two students who were barred from playing on female sports teams under state law in West Virginia and Idaho because they are biologically male. According to Map Research, 25 additional states have similar bans already in place. In light of this ruling, these laws requiring that eligibility for…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Tuesday to uphold the country’s current understanding of birthright citizenship, striking down President Donald Trump’s Executive Order seeking to redefine who qualifies for citizenship at birth. This was the final ruling released on the last day of the Court’s term, unsurprising given the contentious nature of the case. “Children born in the United States to parents unlawfully or temporarily present are ‘subject to the jurisdiction’ of the United States and are citizens at birth under the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts for the majority. “Citizenship, then and now, was…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Monday morning that ballots received up to five days after an election may be counted so long as they were postmarked on time. This decision marks a loss for Republicans who challenged the policy ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. According to the majority opinion, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, federal election-day laws do not prevent states from adopting this type of so-called “grace period” policy. Signing onto this opinion were Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Originating in Mississippi, the case…

The United States Supreme Court upheld the federal government’s authority to turn away people at the border before they have physically entered the country in a 6-3 ruling Thursday. Known as “metering,” this policy calls for agents to stand along the nation’s southern border to turn away non-citizens without valid travel documents, including those who claim to be seeking asylum. First adopted by Customs and Boarder Patrol (CBP) in 2016 as the nation faced a surge of aliens seeking entry at the border, metering was ultimately discontinued by the federal government in 2021. An immigrants rights group and 13 people…

A federal judge in Boston has blocked key aspects of President Donald Trump’s 2025 election integrity Executive Order from taking effect. The new ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper of Boston effectively served to convert a preliminary injunction issued last year into a more permanent ban. President Trump’s Executive Order sought to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and require that only mail-in ballot received by election day be counted. In April of last year, a group of state Attorneys General, including Maine’s, filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration seeking to block this order from…

A federal judge ruled Monday that voter registration records cannot be run through the recently overhauled Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to verify eligibility. U.S. District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan in Washington, D.C. found that the federal government’s new system, which includes citizenship data, is in violation of several key laws. “All in all, the federal government has knowingly trampled on the privacy rights of American citizens in a manner that threatens the sacred right to vote,” the Biden-appointed judge wrote in her 75-page opinion. According to Judge Sooknanan, the system violates protections afforded by the Social Security Act…

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office has announced the results of the Senate District 30 recount, impacting residents of Gorham and parts of Scarborough. A recount was requested by Rep. Ellie Sato of Gorham after Rep. Sophia Warren of Scarborough won the Democratic primary by a margin of just 29 votes. Senate District 30 is currently represented by Sen. Stacy Brenner who did not seek reelection this year. After the recount, Rep. Warren was still found to be the winner, this time by a margin of 31 votes. The final vote tallies were 3,838 for Warren and 3,807 for Rep.…

The United States Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the Trump Administration Tuesday in a case concerning the federal government’s power over green card holders accused of crimes. The case brought before the Court centered around a 2012 decision made by an immigration officer to put lawful permanent resident Muk Choi Lau on immigration parole after returning from China with allegations of counterfeiting. According to Lau, the federal government overstepped its authority in doing so. After later pleading guilty to selling counterfeit clothes in New Jersey, the Obama Administration began deportation proceedings immediately against Lau, something that was only…

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) voted unanimously this past Tuesday to launch an investigation into the Casco Bay Ferry’s latest passenger rate hikes. This comes after 50 islanders submitted a petition to the PUC raising concerns that the increased prices would have a negative impact on low- and middle-income families, as well as seniors and students. In acknowledging their petition, the PUC noted that ratepayers raised “sufficient concerns regarding the affordability of ferry travel.” Mary Lou Wendell, the lead petitioner, argued that the ferry’s board of directors has not been acting in the best interest of noncommuting Peaks Island…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) led a small group of lawmakers in urging Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz to make the adjustments necessary to support the successful implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). According to the senators, current guidance from the agency may “unintentionally disadvantage” many rural hospitals and clinics, the intended targets of this legislation. Authorized as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA), RHTP will distribute $50 billion in funding to states nationwide over the course of five years. Money awarded through this program may be used for a…

The United States Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday to block a federal ban on gun ownership for marijuana users. According to the Justices, a law prohibiting anyone who regularly uses marijuana from owning a firearm is in violation of the Second Amendment. Ali Hemani, the defendant in this case, is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Pakistan and was under surveillance by the FBI for alleged ties to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. During a 2022 search of his home in Texas, Hemani admitted to having a Glock 9mm pistol, as well as to using marijuana “about every other day.”…

The United States Supreme Court has revived a case challenging Biden-era regulations on certain appliances in a decision that has been seen as a win for those opposed to the policies. Under the rule in question, it would become illegal to manufacture non-condensing furnaces beginning in 2028. In a brief order shared last week, the Justices tossed out a lower court ruling and sent it back down for further consideration, a procedural move known as GVR, or grant, vacate, remand. Challenged in this case are efficiency regulations on commercial water heaters and consumer furnaces that were enacted in 2021 under…

Protect Girls Sports in Maine has filed an appeal with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court challenging a lower court’s decision blocking the group’s referendum question from appearing on the ballot this November. Leyland Streiff of the organization indicated the group’s intent to appeal the ruling in a statement obtained by the Maine Wire last week. Under the proposed legislation, students would only be eligible to play on sports teams and access protected spaces such as locker rooms and bathrooms that align with their biological sex, regardless of whether or not they identify as transgender. Although the petition to place this…

Two primary races for seats in the Maine State Legislature will now be moving on to ranked choice voting tabulations. Three recounts have also been announced. Immediately following the June 9 primary election, the Maine Secretary of State’s Office issued a press release explaining that both the Democrat and Republican primaries for governor, as well as the Democrat primary in District 2, would be tallied using ranked choice voting. Tuesday morning, the Secretary of State’s Office indicated that the Republican primary elections for House District 58 and Senate District 4 will also be moving on to ranked choice voting tabulations.…

Maine will reportedly not be participating in the upcoming Great American State Fair, a sixteen-day event held as part of the country’s ongoing 250th anniversary celebrations. The Great American State Fair is described by Freedom 250 as “an opportunity for visitors from across America to experience an unforgettable celebration of the people and traditions that define our nation.” The event is scheduled to take place from June 25 through July 10. Eight states, including Maine, have indicated that they will not be sending a delegation to the event scheduled for later this month. According to NOTUS, other states that have…

Maine Community College System (MCCS) President David Daigler has announced that he plans to step down from his position by the end of the 2026-27 academic year. Daigler has been president since 2019 and has been working for the system since 2003. Daigler notified the MCCS Board of Trustees on Wednesday during their regular meeting held at Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC). “It’s the right time for the system, the state, and me personally,” said Daigler. “We have new state leadership coming in, we have successfully made the Maine Free College scholarship permanent, our workforce programming is incredibly robust, and…

A Maine Superior Court judge has upheld Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ decision to block the citizens initiative brought forward by Protect Girls Sports in Maine from appearing on the ballot this November. Under the proposed legislation, students would only be eligible to play on sports teams and access protected spaces such as locker rooms and bathrooms that align with their biological sex, regardless of whether or not they identify as transgender. Although the petition to place this measure on the ballot was originally successful, receiving validation from the Secretary of State’s Office in March, three individuals sued alleging that…

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office announced Thursday morning that three races are officially moving on to ranked choice voting tabulation, including both the Democrat and Republican primaries for governor, as well as the Democrat primary in District 2. Given the wide field of candidates running in each of these races, it is not unexpected that they will be subject to ranked choice tabulation. All three of these races are progressing to ranked choice tabulation because no one candidate received over 50 percent of the vote. Once tabulation commences, the candidate with the fewest number of votes will be knocked…

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced that it will be completely phasing out the issuance of paper checks by the end of this year. Last September, all four members of Maine’s congressional delegation joined together in urging the SSA to delay the implementation of this policy, citing concerns over the impact it would have on people who live in rural areas, particularly those who may be elderly, disabled, or low-income. President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive order in March of 2025 with the intention of “modernizing payments to and from America’s bank accounts.” According to the order, issuing…

On Tuesday, voters in Portland overwhelmingly approved the district’s proposed $179 million school budget, which will be accompanied by a 5.68 percent property tax hike. Nearly half of registered voters in the city cast a ballot in Tuesday’s election. Held during an off-cycle election, the previous budget referendum saw just a ten percent turnout rate. The now-approved budget will result in a roughly $200 annual hike on a median-priced $566,600 home. [RELATED: Portland Teachers Union Urges Voters to Reject Proposed School Budget] While the comfortable approval margin for this year’s budget keeps with the pattern established in prior years, this…

President Donald Trump has signed a $70 billion spending package into law that will fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the end of his term in office. This comes after House lawmakers narrowly approved the measure in a vote Wednesday by a vote of 214 to 212, according to NPR. Signing this bill into law has brought an end to the 115-day stalemate over ICE and Border Patrol funding that has prevented the agency from being fully funded despite shutdown negotiations reaching a resolution with respect to the rest of the federal government. Known as the Secure America Act,…

Roughly three out of five Mainers believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will have a negative effect on the country over the next decade, according to the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. Just 22 percent feel that AI will have a positive effect on the nation in the next ten years. This is up from 16 percent in October 2025. Source: Pine Tree State Poll, State of Opinion Project from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center An even larger share of Mainers, however, have indicated that they…

Since 2022, independent voters in Maine have had the ability to participate in a political party’s primary election for congressional and state offices. Voters who have formalized their political affiliation are only permitted to cast a ballot selecting candidates for their own political party. Maine is one of ten states to make use of this kind of primary system, alongside Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Wyoming. After receiving bipartisan approval in both the House and Senate, the bill establishing open primaries went into law without a signature from Gov. Janet Mills (D) in…

The National Parks Service (NPS) is now accepting public comment on President Donald Trump’s proposed “Independence Arch” — a 250-foot commemorative arch in Washington, D.C. across from the Lincoln Memorial — from now until June 15, 2026. The president announced his intention to pursue building “Independence Arch” during an October gathering at the White House for those who provided financial support to the $400 million ballroom project. “We really need it,” President Trump said of the arch. “The United States is the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, and American presidents need to be able to host events at…

Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins was among the four Republicans to vote against a proposal to attach a version of the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act to a $70 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol (CBP). Later in the day Friday, the Senate voted 52-47 in support of the funding without receiving any Democratic support. The House is not expected to consider this spending package until next week at the soonest. Earlier this year, lawmakers partially funded DHS but deliberately excluded ICE and CBP after they failed to garner enough support to advance.…

Maine’s Sen. Susan Collins (R) cast her 10,000th consecutive roll call vote Thursday, marking a major milestone in her unbroken streak which began in 1997. “Mainers are known for their work ethic, and they deserve a Senator who works just as hard for them,” Collins said in a statement celebrating the achievement. “Growing up in Aroostook County, I learned the value of hard work, perseverance, and honoring your commitments,” said Collins. “I am proud to bring those Maine values with me to the Senate every day.” “Representing the State of Maine is the honor of a lifetime, and I will…

The United States Supreme Court has ruled to allow Alabama to use a congressional map favoring Republicans for the upcoming primary election in August. In an unsigned order, the justices overturned a district court’s ruling which blocked the map for allegedly being “tainted by intentional race-based discrimination.” As a result of this ruling, backed by six of the nine justices, Alabama’s primary election will feature six Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning one. The alternative map would have included five predominately red districts and two blue ones. After a three-judge appeals court panel ruled that this secondary map, created by a…

Seven states, including Maine, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over one of its deals to end an offshore wind project, alleging that the move is “illegal,” calling it a “sham deal.” Led by New York attorney general Letitia James, the complaint argues that the multi-million dollar deal between TotalEnergies and the Trump Administration “threatens to erase over a thousand union jobs and cheat millions of New Yorkers out of clean, affordable energy.” Last March, the federal government announced that it would be reimbursing TotalEnergies $928 million for offshore wind leases it had purchased under the Biden Administration.…

The Portland Teachers Union has reversed course and is now urging voters to support the city’s proposed school budget when they go to the polls next week. This comes after district leaders vowed to add back five educational technician positions next year, as well as make an effort to reduce administrative costs. Late last month, the union made history by coming out in opposition to the school budget for the first time in the city’s history. The Portland City Council had unanimously approved sending the $179.3 million school budget to the ballot for ratification just several days prior. [RELATED: Portland…

The majority of Mainers report that their financial situation is worse now compared to a year ago, according to a new Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project from the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. 35 percent of respondents said that things have remained the same for them over the past twelve months, while just 9 percent said that their household finances have improved. This represents a reversal of where Mainers were around the beginning of 2025 and is an exacerbation of the trend that has been taking shape ever since. Despite these changes, however, the share…

Ranked choice voting is set to be used for the upcoming June 9 primary election for which a number of key races will be on the ballot. Although ranked choice voting has proven to be a point of significant controversy since its initial implementation several years ago, it is nonetheless the system in place for this month’s election. Consequently, it is critical that Mainers understand how best to approach filling out their ballot so that their vote is able to be as effective as possible and can be counted in accordance with their desires. On the ballot this cycle are…

Although the upcoming primary election is scheduled for June 9, Mainers can already start casting their ballots. Up for a vote this cycle are several critical races, including for the governorship, as well as for one of Maine’s seats in the United States Congress and both of the state’s seats in the United States House of Representatives. Both Democrats and Republicans will be asked to weigh in on primary races for the gubernatorial election and the senatorial election, but only Republicans will be faced with a choice at the ballot box for the House seat. Maine citizens who are not…

Over 60 percent of Mainers have expressed concern over gas prices in the state, although there is a distinct divide based on political affiliation. According to the latest Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, the majority of Democrats and independents in Maine are worried about the price at the pump, while Republicans are mostly unconcerned. When asked if they were worried about paying for gas over the next twelve months, 79 percent of Democrats and 70 percent of independents said that they were either very or somewhat worried,…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) held an event at Westbrook High School earlier this week celebrating a new policy that was signed into law as part of the supplemental budget which bars students from having cell phones in public schools during the day. The statewide bell-to-bell ban represents a departure from the policy adopted by lawmakers this past summer which directed school boards to develop their own approach to regulating student cell phone use during the school day. Although that measure originated as a statewide cell phone ban, it was later amended to preserve local control. All members of the Education…

Alabama has filed an emergency appeal at the United States Supreme Court seeking permission to use its new congressional map expected to favor Republicans in the upcoming primary election. This comes after a lower court ruled that the state’s proposed map is discriminatory against Black residents. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court decided in a case out of Louisiana that compliance with §2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which “prohibits racial discrimination in voting practices or procedures,” does not warrant an exception to the Constitution’s prohibition on race-based discrimination with respect to voting. Alabama’s appeal was filed immediately after…

According to a new Pine Tree State Poll, a States of Opinion Project conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, Graham Platner has a 73 percent favorability rating among likely voters in Maine’s Democratic primary. Incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R), on the other hand, has a 65 percent favorability rating among those who are likely to vote in Maine’s Republican primary election. In a head-to-head match up, Platner holds a several point lead over Sen. Collins, albeit by a slightly smaller margin than several months ago, as more undecided voters have moved to support the sitting senator, as…

The Portland teachers union is urging voters to reject the $179.3 million school budget that was sent to the ballot unanimously by the City Council last week. As reported by the Portland Press Herald, the union has argued that the proposed budget favors administrative positions over those which are based in schools. Never before has the union called for residents to vote against the budget to the knowledge of Portland Education Association President Kerrie Dowdy. Generally speaking, voters support the budget by a wide margin. Although there was originally talk of cutting 20 positions from the budget, several were restored…

Portland voters are being asked to weigh in on a $179.3 million school budget at the ballot box this June. As proposed, the school budget would carry a 5.68 percent school-side property tax increase, equating to a roughly $200 annual hike on a median-priced $566,600 home. Due to declining enrollment, the state subsidy received by the school district is set to go down next year, amplifying the budget’s 2.6 percent spending increase. Estimates project that state funding will drop by $4.1 million. That said, the Legislature approved some changes to the state’s school funding formula this year that the City…

Last week, the United States Department of Justice threatened legal action against the State of Maine over a policy that allegedly blocks federal law enforcement agencies from obtaining undercover license plates if those vehicles are to be used for civil immigration enforcement operations. Maine’s Attorney General now appears to have rejected this request in a letter responding to the DOJ in which he pushes back on the arguments made by the federal government against the state’s policy. In a sharply worded letter addressed to Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey, federal officials argued the policy is both “deeply dangerous” and “blatantly…

President Donald Trump spoke to the press from the Oval Office Thursday ahead of an expected ruling from the United States Supreme Court concerning the Administration’s proposed changes to birthright citizenship. “It would be a disgrace if the Supreme Court of the United States allows that to happen,” the president said in the Oval Office Thursday, referring to the possibility of the Court allowing the nation’s current birthright citizenship policy to stand. “Remember what I said, 20 to 25% of the people coming into our country will come in through birthright citizenship,” said President Trump. “They’ll become citizens through birthright…

On June 3, 2026, the Maine Data Center Advisory Council, established via executive order by Gov. Janet Mills (D) earlier this year, will hold its first meeting. The council will continue to meet throughout the year before delivering a report to the governor and legislature at the end of January 2027. In April, Gov. Mills created the Data Center Advisory Council in the wake of backlash from fellow Democrats over her decision to veto a controversial moratorium on data center construction. “It is necessary, important and urgent that the State plan for potential impacts of large-scale data centers on our…

A Maine church has filed a lawsuit against the federal government over alleged interference with members’ use of a hallucinogenic substance during its services. Pachamama Sanctuary argues in its lawsuit against the federal government that it uses ayahuasca tea during certain ceremonies. A South American ceremonial tea, ayahuasca contains DMT, a Schedule I controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Named in the lawsuit as defendants are the U.S. Attorney General, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), as reported by the Bangor Daily News. Although ayahuasca tea is…

Tulsi Gabbard has announced that she is preparing to step down as the nation’s Director of National Intelligence at the end of next month, citing her husband’s severe cancer diagnosis. As first reported by Fox News, Director Gabbard explained that her husband has “an extremely rare form of bone cancer” so she will be stepping away from her position in the cabinet. Gabbard notified President Trump of her intent to step away from the position during an Oval Office meeting Friday. Her resignation is set to be effective as of June 30, 2026. “At this time, I must step away…

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts moved Thursday to approve President Donald Trump’s plan to construct a 250-foot commemorative arch in Washington, D.C. across from the Lincoln Memorial. The president announced his intention to pursue building “Independence Arch” during an October gathering at the White House for those who provided financial support to the $400 million ballroom project. “We really need it,” President Trump said of the arch. “The United States is the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, and American presidents need to be able to host events at the White House that reflect the demands of the…

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case during their next term concerning whether all school employees can bring sex discrimination lawsuits under a law governing educational institutions receiving federal funding. A judge for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the statutory language does not provide a “private right of action to employees of educational institutions.” The employees bringing this consolidated case, however, disagreed with this interpretation and hope to see the decision reversed by the nation’s highest court. The 11th Circuit’s ruling represents a departure from the viewpoint that has been adopted by eight…

Both of Maine’s delegates in the United States Senate, Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Sen. Angus King (I), have joined forces with a primarily Democratic group of lawmakers to advocate for the release of nearly $360 million in federal funding for weatherization assistance through the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). The coalition is also calling for the federal government to send out roughly $66 million worth of funding for the State Energy Program (SEP). Although weatherization funding has traditionally been insulated from the effects of appropriations delays, the federal government is currently very far behind schedule for the 2026 funding process.…

Sen. Susan Collins (R) released a statement Monday reacting to the confirmation of Andrew B. Benson as the United States Attorney for the District of Maine and David St. Pierre as the U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine. These nominees were approved “en bloc” alongside 47 others, meaning that senators did not consider each candidate individually but rather voted to approve or reject the slate of nominees as a whole. Despite bipartisan support for both of Maine’s nominees, Sen. Angus King (I) voted alongside Democratic lawmakers in voting against the entire group’s confirmation. U.S. Attorney Benson was nominated by…

The United States Supreme Court has rejected a request from Virginia officials to review a decision issued by the state’s supreme court blocking use of a new congressional map strongly favoring Democrats. The justices’ decision came in a brief, unsigned order Friday evening, just fifteen minutes after reply briefs were shared publicly. As is often the case, the Court did not provide any insight into their reasoning behind rejecting the appeal. Source: CBS News Earlier this month, the Virginia Supreme Court blocked the state from using a map drawn up by the state’s Democrat-controlled legislature after finding that it did…

The United States Senate confirmed Andrew B. Benson as the United States Attorney for the District of Maine and David St. Pierre as the U.S. Marshal for the District of Maine in a party-line vote Monday evening. These nominees were approved “en bloc” alongside 47 others, meaning that senators did not consider each candidate individually but rather voted to approve or reject the slate of nominees as a whole. Despite bipartisan support for both of Maine’s nominees, Sen. Angus King (I) voted alongside Democratic lawmakers in voting against the entire group’s confirmation. U.S. Attorney Benson was nominated by then-Attorney General…

The United States Senate unanimously approved a resolution Thursday agreeing to withhold their own pay during future government shutdowns. Under the new policy, whenever one or more government agencies are affected by a shutdown, pay would be withheld for members of the Senate until the government reopens. This change will take effect the day after the November 3, 2026 general election and will not impact members of the House of Representatives. “Shutting down government should not be our default solution to our refusal to work out our issues and our differences,” said bill sponsor Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) in a…

The United States Supreme Court has moved to continue allowing women access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication-induced abortions, by mail while a challenge to the FDA’s policies winds its way through the lower courts. This comes after the Supreme Court issued two temporary stays earlier this month while they reviewed briefs submitted by parties on both sides. The Court’s order halted a 5th Circuit ruling temporarily banning mifepristone from being distributed by mail nationwide, regardless of how individual states have chosen to regulate access to abortions and abortion medication. Thursday’s order does not provide any additional insight into…

The Maine Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission against Eversource Energy Service Company, or Eversource, for allegedly “mischaracterizing” a major transmission line project. The X-178 transmission project involves reconstructing 49 miles worth of transmission facilities and roughly 580 poles in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire and is expected to cost New England ratepayers $360 million. In a statement announcing the complaint, OPA explained that Eversource’s own analysis showed that only 41 of the poles needed to be replaced. The $360 million price tag will be borne by ratepayers…

Vice President J.D. Vance took questions from Maine Wire reporters Jon Fetherston and Seamus Othot Thursday afternoon at his appearance in Bangor. Cheers erupted in the venue at Fetherston’s introduction at the start of the question-and-answer period, prompting the Vice President to remark that “we like this guy.” Fetherston asked Vance to give advice to the people of Maine for holding their elected leaders accountable when it comes to fraud in the state. Vance responded by first emphasizing the role of the federal government in addressing fraud, saying that they need to “show up and arrest [someone committing fraud] and…

The United States Supreme Court has paved the way for Alabama’s new congressional map, drawn up in 2023, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented from the majority, resulting in a 6-3 decision. In light of the Court’s ruling last week in a redistricting case out of Louisiana, the majority vacated a lower court’s ruling concerning the Alabama map and sent it back down for further proceedings. In deciding the Louisiana case, the majority of the Court ruled that compliance with §2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which “prohibits racial…