Author: Libby Palanza

Several lawsuits have been filed against OpenAI — the developer behind ChatGPT — and Microsoft for their allegedly unlawful use of copyrighted work to train generative artificial intelligence (AI). Generative AI is a technology that is able to produce content such as prose, images, and audio files. To do this, generative AI programs rely upon large-language models (LLMs) that are trained using vast amounts of existing data until it is able to correctly predict what comes next in a given piece of source material with a high rate of accuracy. Whether or not the use of copyrighted materials in this…

Rep. John Andrews (R-Paris) has filed a resolution that, if approved, would initiate an impeachment inquiry against Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows on account of her ruling last week to bar former President Donald Trump from the state’s presidential primary ballot. Sponsored by Rep. Andrews, the resolution states that impeachment action is being brought against Secretary Bellows due to “grave and serious allegations” concerning her conduct. The resolution orders that a House Special Investigative Committee be “established to investigate allegations of misfeasance, malfeasance, nonfeasance and other misconduct” by Bellows. “The committee shall conduct a comprehensive review of allegations of…

As of January 1, private health insurance providers in Maine were no longer allowed to subject abortion coverage to cost-sharing requirements such as deductibles and co-pays. Signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills (D) over the summer — alongside a number of other abortion-related bills — LD 935 prohibits private insurers from imposing “deductible, copayment, coinsurance or other cost-sharing requirement” on those seeking an abortion. Sponsored by Rep. Matt Moonen (D-Portland), LD 935 was approved by a roll call vote of 75-67 in the House and 22-12 in the Senate. “The reality is that few people have the savings to…

Former President Donald Trump has appealed the ruling issued last week by Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to remove his name from the state’s primary ballot in 2024. Secretary Bellows argued in her decision that former President Trump engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021 and is thereby disqualified from serving as President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment. Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment reads: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who,…

The United States Navy has appropriated $34 million for six new workforce initiatives at Bath Iron Works (BIW) as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Defense Appropriations bill. This inclusion came at the request of Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) as part of a larger effort to improve the infrastructure at shipyards responsible for building the Navy’s destroyers. “The crews of the Bath-built DDG-51 destroyers defending commercial shipping in the Red Sea today serve as vivid reminders of how important it is that the United States maintain a robust shipbuilding capability to support the U.S. Navy,” Sen. Collins said in a…

The Republican candidates vying for a chance to run against U.S. Rep. Jared Golden in Maine’s conservative 2nd Congressional District are calling on Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows to resign or be impeached following her controversial decision to rule former President Donald Trump ineligible for election in Maine. Rep. Michael Soboleski (R-Phillips) and Rep. Austin L. Theriault (R-Fort Kent) have both come out in staunch opposition to Secretary Bellows for her ruling on the challenges to former President’s Trump’s eligibility to appear on Maine’s ballot, as both look to capitalize on a decision that angered Trump voters through northern…

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (Maine DEP) has told the Maine Wire that reporting from the Portland Press Herald about a pending emissions mandate is inaccurate. According to the Maine DEP — and contrary to Wednesday’s report from the Press Herald — Maine lawmakers will not have the opportunity to vote on whether Maine should adopt a set of controversial rules that will mandate electric vehicle sales in Maine. Deputy Commissioner of the Maine DEP David R. Madore told the Maine Wire that, “regretfully,” the article published by the Press Herald earlier this week “is inaccurate.” “The Board of…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has blocked former President Donald Trump from appearing on Maine’s primary ballot next year. Secretary Bellows argues in her decision that former President Trump engaged in insurrection on January 6, 2021 and is thereby disqualified from serving as President under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment. On these grounds, the Secretary concluded that the former president’s “primary petition is invalid,” consequently preventing him from appearing on the 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot in Maine. “Specifically, the Secretary ruled that the declaration on his candidate consent form is false because he is not qualified to…

The Colorado Republican Party has officially asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the Colorado Republican primary ballot next year, a request that sets the table for the highest court to settle a debate unfolding in several states, including Maine. The Colorado Republican Party filed a writ of certiorari Thursday asking the SCOTUS to overturn the state Supreme Court’s decision to block former President Trump from appearing on the ballot in the Colorado presidential primary. As a result of this appeal, the Colorado Supreme Court’s decision has been stayed — meaning that…

The South Portland Board of Education is considering ways to improve “diversity” and reduce racial and socioeconomic “segregation” across the City’s five elementary schools. During a Board meeting earlier this month, the Elementary Boundaries and Configurations Steering Committee presented several suggestions aimed at achieving this goal, most of which would involve a significant restructuring of the City’s elementary school system. At the beginning of this year, the Committee was tasked by the School Board with conducting “a transparent, collaborative community process to review current school grade-level configurations, school catchment areas, and the possibility of Pre-K expansion.” Meeting for the first…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has delayed issuing a decision on former President Donald Trump’s eligibility to appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot following the Colorado Supreme Court decision earlier this week. Originally, Secretary Bellows was expected to make a determination by the end of the day on Friday, December 22, but according to a statement shared with the press, she will now be announcing her decision early next week. During an eight-hour hearing held this past Friday, the Secretary heard arguments from the three parties challenging the former Pres. Trump’s ability to appear on Maine’s presidential primary…

The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (Maine BEP) has delayed voting on the set of controversial California-style vehicle emissions regulations until sometime next year. These rules — known as the Advanced Clean Cars II Program — were set to mandate that 43 percent of new cars sold in Maine be electric vehicles (EVs) by model year 2027 and 82 percent by model year 2032. Wednesday night, the BEP announced that it would be postponing their meeting Thursday — during which they were scheduled to vote on the proposed EV mandate — due to Gov. Janet Mills’ Civil State of Emergency…

Almost half of Mainers — 44 percent — say they will spend less on Christmas presents this year than they did last year, according to a new poll from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center. The gloomy survey result is yet another indication that Maine’s economy, despite the persistently low unemployment rate, isn’t exactly prospering. Forty-three percent of respondents indicated that they would be spending about the same as last year, while only 8 percent of Mainers said they would be spending more this Christmas. Southern Mainers had the most positive expectations for spending this season — with…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced this week that six educational institutions in Maine will be receiving a combined total of nearly $1 million to “recruit, train and retain” educators. The institutions set to receive these grants include: Brunswick School Department ($105,000); MSAD 1 ($75,000); RSU 34 ($249,000); Portland Public Schools ($250,000); University of Maine Farmington ($144,000); and University of Southern Maine ($162,000). All together, these six schools were given a total of $985,000. $375,000 of this was funded by the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan — Gov. Mills’ plan to invest nearly $1 billion in federal funding that was intended…

The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (Maine BEP) has postponed its expected vote on the controversial California-style vehicle emissions regulations, a package of rules that would eventually all but ban the sale of new traditional gas-powered cars and trucks in Maine. This comes as a direct result of Gov. Janet Mills’ (D) Civil State of Emergency declaration on December 19 that was issued in response to the deadly and destructive storm that took place on Monday. Originally scheduled for Thursday, December 21, the Maine BEP has postponed its meeting to an as-of-yet unknown date. More information on the new date…

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled 4-3 Tuesday that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot in 2024, marking the first time in United States history that Section Three of the 14th Amendment has been used to disqualify a presidential candidate. Section Three of the 14th Amendment states: No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of…

Google has reached a settlement in a lawsuit filed by all of the attorneys general in the U.S. — including Maine’s Attorney General Aaron Frey — concerning allegations of anti-competitive policies surrounding the Google Play Store, the company announced Monday. Although the parties reached this settlement back in September, the details of the agreement are only now being made public as the result of filings submitted by Alphabet, Google’s parent company. The $700 million settlement with the tech giant consists of $630 million in restitution payments to customers who were impacted by the practices under scrutiny in the lawsuit. An…

Maine has received more than $17 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve data on the North American Right Whale (NARW) that is used to set industry regulations, according to a press release published earlier in December. This federal funding comes just months after the federal court of appeals ruled in favor of the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) in their lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) — a subagency of NOAA — for adopting improperly-founded regulations against the industry. In September of 2021, the MLA filed a lawsuit against the agency alleging that their…

The Maine Secretary of State’s Office held an eight-hour hearing last Friday concerning former President Donald Trump’s (R) ability to appear on the state ballot in 2024 after receiving three challenges last week, including one from former Portland Mayor Ethan Strimling. Also challenging the former president’s ability to appear on Maine’s primary ballot in 2024 were Portland attorney Paul Gordon and resident Mary Anne Royal. In response to these challenges, Rep. Mike Sobeleski (R-Phillips) filed a letter of intervention in defense of the former president, allowing him to speak at Friday’s hearing in favor of former President Trump’s eligibility to…

Following a period of public confusion, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officially announced on Friday that the “winter energy relief payments” received by Mainers earlier this year will be exempt from federal taxation. During a scheduled phone call between the IRS and the Maine Revenue Service (MRS) on December 7, the IRS reportedly indicated that these $450 payments would be subjected to federal tax — an apparent reversal of their previous guidance. Several months earlier, the MRS submitted Ruling Requests to the IRS while these payments were still being deliberated by the legislature in order to better understand whether or…

The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (Maine BEP) has now officially responded to the thousand-plus public comments it received on the controversial, California-style vehicle emissions regulations currently up for adoption by the Board. Known as the Advanced Clean Cars II Program, these rules would require that 43 percent of new cars sold in Maine be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) by model year 2027 and 82 percent by model year 2032. After receiving 1,084 pieces of public comment concerning these proposed regulations, the Maine BEP published an extensive 36-page document responding to all the arguments that were made and the concerns that…

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes (WAMITS) — a non-profit founded by former Democratic state senator Bill Diamond — released an extensive report Tuesday detailing how the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine DHHS) is failing the state’s most vulnerable children — and what can be done about it. This report is the culmination of a series of listening sessions held throughout the state in recent months with those know first hand what’s happening on the ground in these situations — including “current and former caseworkers, foster parents, childcare providers, educators, law enforcement officials, and others who interact…

Both members of Maine’s delegation to the House of Representatives have signed onto a partisan letter requesting a $1.6 billion increase in funding for the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Signed by Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), alongside 113 other members of Congress, the letter asks the House leadership to include an extra $1.6 billion in funding for LIHEAP “in any government funding package, to reflect the President’s FY24 emergency supplemental funding request.” No Republican members of the House signed their name to the request. Managed by…

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has signed onto an amicus brief in favor of upholding California’s long-controversial ban on large-capacity magazines. As part of the most recent development in a legal saga dating back to 2017, Attorney General Frey has joined a cohort of nineteen states, plus the District of Columbia, in advocating for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of California’s ban. California’s Large-Capacity Magazine Ban The California state law at the heart of this legal controversy creates a “criminal liability” for “any person…who manufacturers or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale,…

Last night, the United States House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at limiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to regulate emissions standards for new vehicles — and Maine’s delegation was split. The bill approved by a margin of 221 to 197 would specifically prohibit the EPA from (1) mandating the use of any specific technology and (2) approving rules that would result in the limitation of new vehicles based on engine type. The EPA would also be blocked from “finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule titled Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and…

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Maine PUC) is scheduled to hold two public witness hearings this month concerning Central Maine Power’s (CMP’s) alleged overspending on storm cleanup efforts in 2022. According to testimony filed earlier this year by the Office of the Public Advocate, CMP has been accused of overspending on staffing for twelve of the twenty-three storms that took place last year. By failing to follow the staffing guidelines in its Emergency Response Plan when managing storm costs in 2022, CMP “imprudently incurred” excessive costs that should not need to be reimbursed by ratepayers, Jesse Houck — an economic…

The Supreme Court is currently considering a case that has the potential to stop the implementation of a “wealth tax,” as well as to reshape certain aspects of the existing United States tax code. Oral arguments in the case of Moore v. United States — which asks whether Congress has the power to tax unrealized sums of money — were presented before the Court on Tuesday. Back in 2005, the defendants in this case — Charles G. Moore and Kathleen F. Moore — invested around $40,000 in an India-based company called KisanKraft in exchange for 11 percent of their shares.…

The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (Maine BEP) is expected to discuss the proposed controversial, California-style vehicle emissions regulations at a meeting held four days before Christmas, on December 21. Earlier this fall, the Maine BEP took a straw vote of 4-2 in favor of adopting California’s Advanced Clear Car Program — a set of rules requiring that 43% of new cars sold in Maine be ZEVs by model year 2027 and 82% by model year 2032. A final vote could not be taken by the board until members had officially responded to the more than a thousand public comments…

The Supreme Court will not be settling the Circuit Court dispute over the legal standing of self-proclaimed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) “testers,” leaving unresolved the Circuit Court split on the issue. On Tuesday, the Court released its decision to vacate judgement in the case of Acheson Hotels, LLC v. Laufer and direct the lower court to dismiss the case as moot in light of the plaintiff’s voluntary dismissal of the case due to the misconduct of an attorney with whom she has worked on other lawsuits. Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson each offered separate concurring opinions.…

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has officially come to Maine. The Imagination Library — first founded by Parton in 1995 — “is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five, no matter their family’s income.” To date, the Imagination Library has given more than two-hundred million books to young children around the world. During an event today at the Bangor Public Library, Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced the program’s recent expansion and played a pre-recorded video from Parton. “My mother introduced me to the library, encouraged me to read books of every kind,…

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council has voted to approve a slate of changes to bring their zoning ordinances into compliance with the state’s new affordable housing mandates. Originally passed in 2022, LD 2003 — An Act To Implement the Recommendations of the Commission To Increase Housing Opportunities in Maine by Studying Zoning and Land Use Restrictions — required that municipalities across the state make a number of amendments to their local ordinances in the name of improving access to affordable housing. One of the most notable changes imposed upon municipalities by LD 2003 was the unconditional allowance of accessory dwelling…

A Maine woman has sued Dollar Tree over injuries she suffered when a pick-up truck crashed through the front entrance last December. Diane Martin, a 67-year-old woman from the Sullivan, was shopping at the Dollar Tree located in on Route 3 in Ellsworth when Joseph LaFrance — an 80-year-old man from Ellsworth — crashed into the building after accidentally hitting the accelerator in his pick-up truck. Four other shoppers also suffered non-life-threatening injuries as a result of the incident. Martin alleges in the lawsuit that Dollar Tree was aware prior to the crash that the bollards installed outside of the…

Last week, Sen. Angus King (I) announced that he intends to push Congressional leaders to include a provision in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would help prevent foreign entities — and the Chinese government in particular — from obtaining access to sensitive American technologies. Sen. King explained in a November 21 press release that he — alongside a number of his colleagues — hopes to convince members of the Congressional leadership to include language in this year’s NDAA addressing the acquisition of “dual-use” American technologies by our adversaries as a result of business investments. Dual-use technologies are…

The University of Maine System (UMS) announced Wednesday that they will be offering free tuition to those who were physically injured in the Lewiston mass shooting, as well as to the surviving family members of those who lost their lives. The Lewiston Strong Tuition Waiver will allow those eligible to pursue a bachelor’s degree for free at any school within the UMS. The new program also establishes the Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund which will be used to help cover these students’ non-tuition costs associated with obtaining their degree. The Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund will be managed by the University of…

Maine is set to receive millions of more dollars in federal funding to continue making eco-friendly changes to the Lincolnville and Isleboro ferry terminals. A $7.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Ferry Service for Rural Communities Grant Program has been awarded to the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) for the purpose of upgrading and updating the terminals. This money comes in addition to a $33 million federal grant received by the Maine DOT in January for the same project. Current estimates suggest that each year, roughly 180,000 passengers use this route to travel between the…

Americans on average now need an additional $11,434 a year to afford the same standard of living they enjoyed in January 2021, according to CBS News. While government data has shown that the average hourly rate of pay has increased 13.6 percent since January 2021, inflation has risen a whopping 17 percent during this same time period. The impact of this wage-inflation gap is especially pronounced for low- and middle-income Americans, who spend a higher portion of their paycheck on basic necessities in comparison to those from higher income brackets. Although the rate of inflation has slowed to 3.2 percent…

When the Legislature reconvenes early next, lawmakers are poised to consider several bills related to Mainers’ property taxes. According to Wallet Hub — a personal finance website — Mainers have the highest property tax burden nationwide, coming in at 5.33 percent of personal income. Recently, several cities and towns throughout the state have announced their intentions to raise residents’ property taxes, primarily as a direct result of increased municipal and local school spending. [RELATED: Property Taxes Have Been at The Top of Mainer’s Minds Recently — Here’s A Taste of What’s Been Going On] Earlier this month, the Legislative Council…

The Director of Maine’s Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS) — Todd Landry — has resigned amidst scrutiny over the agency’s repeated failure to protect Maine’s most vulnerable children. In an all-staff email to employees at the Department of Health and Human Services, Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew said Landry was making his exit for “personal reasons.” Landry is the first official associated with the child welfare crisis to resign. According to state payroll records, Landry’s total compensation for 2022 was worth $172,620.74. For more than a decade, the number of child fatalities that have occurred on the Department of Health…

Several brands of cinnamon apple sauce pouches — typically served to children — have been recalled by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) due to potential lead contamination. The FDA has officially recalled: WanaBana Apple Cinnamon Fruit Puree Pouches Schnucks-Brand Cinnamon-Flavored Applesauce Pouches and Variety Pack Weis-Brand Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches Image from the FDA Press Release Concerning Elevated Levels of Lead in the Depicted Products WanaBana pouches are available through multiple retailers, including Amazon, Dollar Tree, and other online outlets. Schnucks-brand pouches may have been purchased at Schnucks or Eatwell Markets grocery stores. Weis-brand pouches are found at Weis…

With the Maine Wire’s recent investigative reporting on the “Triad Weed” operations that have overtaken rural Maine, there has been an increased interest in developing a better understanding of the state’s cannabis industry and how it has evolved. [RELATED: Triad Weed — How Chinese Marijuana Grows Took Over Rural Maine] Although medical marijuana has been available in Maine for more than a decade, the legalization of recreational marijuana is relatively new. On election day in 2016, Maine voters approved a referendum question legalizing the sale, use, and taxation of recreational cannabis throughout the state. Following a lengthy rule making process…

The Mainer who won $1.35 billion Mega Millions jackpot earlier this year has now filed a lawsuit against his daughter’s mother for violating a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). The winner — identified only as John Doe in the filing — has accused his minor daughter’s mother of breaking the terms of an NDA she signed on February 8, 2023. It is alleged in the lawsuit that by violating the NDA, the mother has caused “immediate and imminent danger” for the winner. According to the NDA, which was attached as an exhibit to the lawsuit, the mother was only allowed to disclose…

Go. Janet Mills (D) and Maine State Attorney General Aaron Frey announced Monday that they will work with the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy, the government committee investigating the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston, to secure them subpoena power. This announcement came the same day that the Commission announced its request for the administration to secure them the power to issue subpoenas during the course of their investigation. Established by Gov. Mills via an executive order on November 9, 2023, the Commission was charged with the responsibility of determining “the facts surrounding the tragedy in…

With the Maine Wire’s recent investigative reporting into the “Triad Weed” operations that have overtaken rural Maine, there has been an increased interest in the regulatory regime governing the growth, sale, and use of cannabis in the state. Understanding the state’s statutory landscape for recreational marijuana cultivation and consumption is a key starting point for understanding how such a sprawling operation was able to develop relatively uninhibited for so long throughout rural Maine. [RELATED: Triad Weed — How Chinese Marijuana Grows Took Over Rural Maine] When it comes to the regulation of marijuana production, possession, and consumption in Maine, the…

The Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy met publicly today for the first time. Established by Gov. Janet Mills (D) via an executive order on November 9, 2023, the Commission was charged with the responsibility of determining “the facts surrounding the tragedy in Lewiston on October 25th, including relevant facts and circumstances leading up to it and the police response to it.” They are also directed to investigate the shooter’s mental health history and access to firearms, as well as any contact he had with State, Federal, or military authorities. In a joint letter to the Commission…

Today, the Legislative Council considered appeal requests from a handful of Democrat lawmakers who had proposed bills concerning the homelessness crisis impacting municipalities throughout the state. Upon second consideration, three of the five appealed bills were approved by the Council — all along party lines. [RELATED: Legislative Council Rejects Dem Lawmakers’ Bills Aimed At Funding Homeless Shelters and Legalizing Encampments] One of the lawmakers who appealed the Council’s initial decision was Sen. Ben Chipman (D-Cumberland). One of the bills he appealed at yesterday’s hearing was titled “An Act to Address Mental Health, Substance Use Disorder and Homelessness.” According to Sen.…

Housing availability and affordability was a common theme at today’s Legislative Council appeals hearing. Last week, the Council voted down a number of bills geared toward increasing access to housing — and affordable housing in particular — throughout Maine, but some lawmakers went the extra step of appealing their decisions in hopes that Council members would change their minds. One such legislator was Sen. Ben Chipman (D-Cumberland), who appealed the Council’s rejection of his bill titled “An Act to Address Maine’s Affordable Housing Crisis.” According to Sen. Chipman’s comments at the hearing, this bill would have prohibited municipalities from setting…

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) announced today that she has introduced a bill alongside Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) titled the “Supporting Seniors with Opioid Use Disorder Act.” According to Sen. Collins’ press release, the legislation would implement the recommendations set forth in a 2021 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, as well as those from a follow up report published in 2022. Both of these reports found that Medicare beneficiaries face substantial challenges when attempting to access treatment for opioid use disorders. “While many perceive the face of opioid addiction to be young,…

Rep. Joshua Morris (R-Turner) appealed the Legislative Council’s decision to reject his proposed bill requiring legislative oversight of electric vehicle regulation, only to have Council members vote it down yet again at today’s appeal hearing. Titled “An Act to Enhance Legislative Oversight of Rules Regulating Electric Vehicles,” Rep. Morris introduced this bill in response to the new rules adopted by the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (Maine BEP) restricting the sale of new traditional internal combustion vehicles over the next several years. After the Council rejected Morris’ proposal last week, he moved to appeal their decision in hopes that he…

A proposal by Rep. Barbara Bagshaw (R-Windham) of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee to lift the enrollment cap on Maine’s virtual charter schools was again rejected by the Legislative Council along party lines. After members of the Council voted down her bill earlier this month, Rep. Bagshaw moved to appeal the decision, arguing that the legislature and the public ought to have the opportunity to have a meaningful discussion on the issue. Maine’s two virtual charter schools — Maine’s Virtual Academy and Maine Connections Academy — are currently capped at a combined enrollment of 1,000 students. This restriction was…

Just over a week ago, mobile sports betting apps went live. Mainers have already bet almost four million dollars — and have won nearly three million. Last Friday, DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook — working in collaboration with the state’s four federally-recognized tribes — launched their operations in Maine. Three of the four tribes have partnered with Caesars Sportsbook to run apps on their behalf — the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, the Mi’kmaq Nation, and the Penobscot Nation. The Passamaquoddy alone has partnered with DraftKings. More than a year earlier, lawmakers voted to legalize sports betting, but a protracted rulemaking…

Legislators are poised to consider a bill concerning the purchase and sale of single-use plastic water bottles by state and municipal governments — as well as the mandated installation of free-to-use water refill stations in certain facilities — at some point during the next legislative session. LD 1418 — An Act Concerning Single-use Disposable Water Bottles and Water Refill Stations — was introduced last session by Rep. Lori K. Gramlich (D-Old Orchard Beach) and was referred to the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources before being carried over to next session. There are two primary aims of this bill: (1)…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced yesterday that she, alongside twenty-five other governors, is asking Congress to provide additional funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in November of 2021, the ACP represented a $14.2 billion modification to the existing Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBB Program). Eligible low-income households can receive up to $30 per month off of their internet bill, while households on qualifying Tribal Lands may receive as much as $75 per month. One-time grants are also available for the purchase of laptops, desktop computers, or tablets. As of this…

Maine Senators Susan Collins (R) and Angus King (I) have co-sponsored legislation aimed at boosting export opportunities for the state’s blueberry and potato farmers. The Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act (Specialty CROP Act) is designed to identify and address trade barriers that exist in foreign markets for American farmers. Under this legislation, the annual U.S. Specialty Crops Trade Issues Report would be required to include a publicly available analysis of any “acts, policies, or practices of foreign countries that constitute significant barriers to, or distortions of United States exports of specialty crops.” Also included in the report…

The Cape Elizabeth Town Council voted unanimously to dismiss without prejudice the lawsuit filed more than a year ago against Lumbery — a small business located in the center of town on Route 77 that sells locally sourced wood, garden beds, and tools — and it’s part-owner Mike Friedland. The Council’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice means that they are free to bring this same issue to court in the future should their attempts to resolve disputes with Lumbery outside of the legal system be unsuccessful. Over the summer, the Council voted to direct the town attorney to…

Although homelessness featured prominently among the list of legislative requests made by lawmakers in advance of next session, none of the proposed bills will make it before legislators in early 2024. Last week, the Maine State Legislative Council voted to either approve or reject the 280-plus working titles submitted by legislators for consideration going into next year. Of these bills, the Council approved just 58, voting down the other 225. Among those 225 rejected working titles are a handful of solutions proposed by Democrat lawmakers aimed at addressing various aspects of the homelessness crisis plaguing metropolitan areas across Maine. The…

The Supreme Court has — for the first time — officially adopted a Code of Conduct in light of recent allegations that Justices have engaged in unethical behavior. The fifteen-page document — signed by all nine Justices — includes a brief introduction, five canons, and a lengthy commentary. According to the Justices, these standards of conduct are nothing new for Justicies, but in light of recent allegations, they have decided to put them down in writing to “dispel” misunderstandings and preserve the integrity of the Court. “For the most part these rules and principles are not new: The Court has…

The Maine State Legislative Council rejected a bill proposed by Rep. Barbara A. Bagshaw (R-Windham) of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee to lift the enrollment cap for virtual charter schools in the state. Rep. Bagshaw’s bill was one of 225 that the Council rejected ahead of next session — just 58 of the bills proposed by lawmakers received the Council’s approval. The Legislative Council is the State Legislature’s administrative body, comprised of ten elected members of legislative leadership, including the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Republican and Democratic Floor Leaders for both the Senate…

The Maine State Legislative Council voted Thursday to reject a bill proposed by Rep. Joshua Morris (R-Turner) that would have required legislative oversight for state electric vehicle regulation. Rep. Morris’ bill was one of 225 working titles that were shot down by the Council ahead of next year’s legislative session. The Council voted to approve just 58 of the bills that had been proposed by legislators for debate next year. The Legislative Council is the State Legislature’s administrative body, comprised of ten elected members of legislative leadership, including the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Republican…

The federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) may become the subject of yet another lawsuit if it moves forward with its planned expansion of a restricted fishing zone. The New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) announced this week that should NOAA finalize an expansion of the Massachusetts Restricted Area (MRA), the organization will challenge the agency’s decision in court. NOAA is proposing to make permanent the closure of the “wedge” sector — a 200 square mile area located between two sections of the MRA. Up until this point, closures of the wedge have only ever been temporary. Currently the…

Mainers resoundingly voted to approve a citizens’ initiative instituting an automotive “right to repair” in the state in Tuesday’s elections. Under the newly approved measure, vehicle manufacturers will be required to standardize on-board diagnostic systems, as well as allow both owners and non-dealership repair facilities remote access to these systems and mechanical data. On Tuesday, 84.3 percent of Maine voters cast their ballots in favor of Question 4, expressing their support for the automotive “right to repair” loudly and clearly. The only other question to receive such a unified response from voters at the polls was Question 2, which asked…

Polls have closed, and the results are in. Maine voters have officially rejected the establishment of Pine Tree Power. The automotive right to repair has been cemented in state law. Foreign governments have been banned from campaigning in local and state elections. These are just a few of the changes that voters wrought at the ballot box on election day this year. Mainers went to the polls today to make their voices heard on a series of eight statewide referendum questions in addition to voting for their municipal representatives. Below is a complete breakdown of what the voters have decided.…

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) has agreed to provide financial relief to businesses that were directly impacted by the October 25th mass shooting in Lewiston and related lockdowns. Last week, Gov. Janet Mills (D) asked the SBA to issue an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Declaration that would allow affected businesses to apply for loan of up to $2 million. On Monday, the SBA opened up these low-interest loans to eligible businesses in Androscoggin and Sagadahoc counties, as well as the adjacent counties of Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, and Oxford. Businesses are eligible to receive these loans if they closed…

Mainers will go to the polls Tuesday to make their voices heard on a series of eight ballot questions — four citizens’ initiatives and four proposed amendments to the state constitution. The University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center conducted a statewide poll in advance of election day revealing where voters are at on these issues. Click Here To Read The Maine Wire’s Guide to the Ballot Referendum Questions According to the survey, Questions 3 and 4 — the establishment of Pine Tree Power and the automotive “right to repair” measure, respectively — have dominated discussions, while the other six…

More than a year after being approved by lawmakers, legalized sports betting in Maine officially launched this past Friday, with the first bets being placed just after 9am. The bill signed into law by Gov. Janet Mills (D) last August granted Maine’s four federally recognized tribes exclusive operating rights to run mobile sports betting apps in the state. Part of the reason for the lengthy roll-out process was the implementation of an extended public hearing timeline, as well as a drawn out rule making process. According to Maine Public, three of the four tribes have partnered with Caesars Sportsbook to…

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced a $14 million “port improvement project” at the Portland International Marine Terminal (IMT). Funding for the project comes from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), a more than $663 million “discretionary grant program administered by the Maritime Administration.” Projects eligible for PIDP grants “improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port.” According to this morning’s press release from MARAD, $172.8 million worth of the total grants awarded went to twenty-six small ports “to continue to improve and expand their capacity…

Chipotle and McDonald’s locations in California will be raising their menu prices next year to offset a minimum wage increase set to take place for many fast-food workers in the state. Beginning next April, California fast-food workers will be making at least $20 an hour as a result of a compromise agreement reached by the industry and labor groups, according to CNBC. McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski told reporters that the company has not yet decided how much of a price increase its California customers are likely to see next year. Chipotle’s Chief Financial Officer Jack Hartung told the press last…

Mainers’ data privacy is once again set to be a focal point for lawmakers in Augusta. Next Wednesday, members of the Maine State Legislature’s Judiciary Committee are scheduled to hold work sessions for a number of bills related to data privacy. On the docket for the morning session are LD 1056 and LD 1576, a pair of bills that were marked up earlier this fall. LD 1056 — An Act Restricting State Assistance in Federal Collection of Personal Electronic Data and Metadata — was introduced by Sen. Eric Brakey (R-Androscoggin) and aims to prevent Maine officials from effectively circumventing state…

A Newcastle woman who discovered that public school officials were facilitating the social transition of her 13-year-old daughter behind her back was in federal district court Wednesday for the first hearing in her lawsuit against the school district. In December, Amber Lavigne — the mother of a student at Great Salt Bay Community School (GSBCS) — discovered that a 26-year-old social worker by the name of Samuel Roy had given her 13-year-old daughter two breast binders — garments designed to conceal the appearance of a female’s breasts — and instructed her on their use. While chest binders are not classified…

On November 7, Mainers will be asked to go to the ballot box to weigh in on eight referendum questions with a series of simple “yes” or “no” answers. The first four questions that voters will see on election day are citizens’ initiatives — or legislative changes drafted and proposed by non-governmental entities. Questions five through eight, on the other hand, are potential amendments to Maine’s state constitution that have been approved by the legislature but still require voter sign-off before they can be finalized. To determine the order in which the eight questions would appear on the ballot, Maine’s…

Last Wednesday, eighteen people between the ages of 14 and 76 were killed in a mass shooting in Lewiston. Thirteen others were injured, and three remain in critical condition. After a more than 48 hour manhunt, law enforcement found the suspected shooter dead of an apparently self-inflicted gun shot wound inside of a trailer located in the overflow lot of Maine Recycling Corporation in Lisbon. Since then, Mainers have begun to cope with this unthinkable tragedy and grieve for those who lost their lives. Sunday night, more than a thousand people attended a vigil held at the Basilica of Saint…

Wednesday night in Lewiston, eighteen people between the ages of 14 and 76 were killed in the worst mass shooting in Maine’s history. After a two-day manhunt, the suspected shooter was found dead at 7:45pm Friday night — apparently by a self-inflicted gunshot wound — inside a trailer located in the overflow parking lot of the Maine Recycling Corporation (MRC). Mike Sauschuck — Maine Commissioner of Public Safety — spoke to the press shortly after 10am Saturday morning to provide the public with additional information on the suspect’s death, as well as the investigation into the mass shootings more broadly.…

Last week’s mass murder in Lewiston claimed the lives of eighteen Mainers and injured thirteen more, three of whom are still in critical condition. The impact of this tragedy has been devastating for the victims and their families, as well as for the Lewiston and Maine communities more broadly. As everyone statewide embarks upon the long road toward healing, there are a number of resources available to those who are in need of emotional support. Direct and practical support has also been made available for victims and their families, as well as for those who were present during the mass…

The Maine State Police lifted the stay-at-home-order for southern Maine counties and disclosed the names of the remaining victims of the mass shooting that took place in Lewiston Wednesday, but little additional information was given concerning the state of the manhunt for the suspect. All eighteen of the victims have now been identified, and their names and ages have been shared with the public alongside photos provided by their family members. As of Friday night, the shelter in place orders have been lifted, but hunting will be prohibited until further notice in Lewiston, Lisbon, Bowdoin, and Monmouth while search efforts…

Although law enforcement officials have yet to confirm any specific details, preliminary information about the note found in the residence of Lewiston mass shooting suspect Robert Card is slowly beginning to come to light. During this morning’s press conference, Mike Sauschuck — State Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety — verified reports that a note had been found in the suspect’s residence but declined to divulge anything about its contents. “I’m not prepared to really talk about what that included,” Sauschuck said. “And I think that’s probably, again, a common sense answer because that does involve: Is there a…

Shortly after 10am Friday morning, law enforcement officials in Lewiston held a press conference to update the public with the latest information pertaining to Wednesday’s mass shooting in Lewiston. According to Mike Sauschuck — State Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety — these morning briefings will now become a daily occurrence until the suspect — Robert Card, 40 — is apprehended. Afternoon briefings may also be held on occasion should additional information become available throughout the day. Sauschuck did, however, condition this announcement by reminding the public that certain information must be kept confidential in the name of public…

Wednesday night Lewiston saw the worst mass shooting in Maine’s history. As of Thursday afternoon, the suspect in the murders — Robert Card, age 40 of Bowdoin — is still at large, and he is considered to be armed and dangerous. [RELATED: State Police Name Army Vet Robert Card as Person of Interest in Lewiston Terror Spree, Worst Mass Shooting in Maine History] Shelter in place advisories remain in effect for Lewiston, Lisbon, and Bowdoin as law enforcement officials continue their search for Card. Due to the ongoing manhunt, many public and private schools, colleges, businesses, and municipal facilities are…

Maine Gov. Janet Mills confirmed Thursday that 18 people were killed and 13 injured in Wednesday night’s mass shooting in Lewiston. Eight of the eighteen victims have been identified. At this time, the person of interest — Robert R. Card II, 40, of Bowdoin — still remains at large. Law enforcement officials were joined by Gov. Mills at 10:45am this morning to update the public as to what is currently known about last night’s tragedy. Gov. Mills opened the press conference by offering her condolences for the victims and describing her communications thus far with officials from the federal government,…

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected as the new Speaker of the House with unanimous support from the Republican caucus. Today’s vote ended a roughly three-week period in which the House of Representatives has been operating without a Speaker. Before landing on Rep. Johnson, the Republican caucus cycled through three other nominees — Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), and Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN). “The people’s House is back in business,” Johnson said to his fellow representatives prior to being sworn in, according to CBS. [RELATED: Mike Johnson Nominated For Speaker of the House, Chamber-Wide Vote Expected This…

Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed one of the least restrictive abortion laws in the nation — as of today, that law is now officially in effect. Signed by Gov. Janet Mills (D) on July 17, LD 1619 dramatically expanded access to late-term abortion in Maine by allowing women to abort their baby “after viability” if it is deemed “necessary in the professional judgment of a physician.” This language replaced a provision prohibiting abortion after the point of viability except in cases where the life or health of the mother was in jeopardy. LD 1619 was the product of…

House Republicans have nominated Rep. Mike Johnson for the Speakership, making him the caucus’ fourth nominee for the position in the past three weeks. A chamber-wide vote is expected to begin around 12:30pm this afternoon, at which point both the Republican and Democrat caucuses will officially nominate their selected representatives and a roll call vote will commence. If every member of Congress is in the chamber for today’s vote — and no one opts to vote “present” — a candidate will need to receive at least 217 votes to successfully be installed as Speaker of the House. Prior to Rep.…

Maine is soon to join California in the adoption of stringent mandates requiring a hefty percentage of new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the near future. The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (Maine BEP) voted 4-2 earlier today in favor of adopting California’s Advanced Clear Car Program, requiring that 43% of new cars sold in Maine be ZEVs by model year 2027 and 82% by model year 2032. Rejected by the Maine BEP, however, was California’s Advanced Clean Truck Program — a set of rules that would have meant that anywhere from 40% to 75% of new…

Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced earlier this week that Madison will be getting a new 36 unit affordable housing development funded by a variety of state programs, according to a press release published by the governor’s office. Located at 55 Weston Avenue, the development is geared toward providing housing accommodations for employees of companies such as New Balance and TimberHP, both of which have recently expanded their operations in Maine. The first 18 units — spread across two separate buildings — are expected to be completed by late next Spring. Going forward, the plan is to construct another 18 units,…

Maine’s community colleges saw historically high enrollment this fall, surpassing the previous record which had been set in 2011, according to a press release from the Maine Community College System (MCCS). 19,477 students enrolled in the MCCS this fall, representing a 16% increase compared to last year’s enrollment of 16,792. The record-setting enrollment in 2011 came in at a total of 17,911 students. The MCCS credits several new programs and initiatives for the uptick in enrollment this year, including: “A new tuition-free scholarship for recent high school graduates” “Expanded nursing programs statewide” “More than 700 short-term workforce students moving into…

Two more of Portland’s homeless encampments are set to be cleared on November 1 in addition to the one located in the Marginal Way Park and Ride. The city has now posted removal notices at the encampments located by Somerset Street and near Noyes self-storage. The Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) announced earlier this month that they planned to clear the Park and Ride encampment — which is situated on state-owned land — by November 1. [RELATED: Portland Park and Ride Homeless Encampment Sweep Date Set for Nov. 1] Homeless encampments throughout Portland — but especially in the Park…

Municipalities throughout Maine have been struggling to accommodate the state’s rapidly growing refugee and asylum seeker populations — and things are about to get a lot harder. The Office of Maine Refugee Services (OMRS) — managed by Catholic Charities — expects to see twice as many refugees come to the state in fiscal year (FY) 2024 compared to FY 2023, which ended on October 1. Maine is planning to accept 840 refugees in FY 2024, while the state only saw a total of 419 refugees in FY 2023. The majority of those who came in 2023 were relocated to Portland,…

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is officially no longer in the running for Speakership after failing to prevail in three chamber-wide votes over the past several days. The Republican caucus decided earlier today to oust Rep. Jordan as the speaker designee in a closed-door secret ballot vote. Ultimately, 112 members of the GOP caucus voted against moving forward with Jordan as the nominee, while only 86 representatives continued to support his bid for the Speakership. According to reporting from NBC, Jordan himself said after the vote that he would remove his name from the race. Since then, several other GOP representatives…

Chick-fil-A has agreed to pay out $4.4 million to customers after facing accusations of covertly inflating food prices on their delivery app. Less than a month ago, several individuals filed a federal lawsuit alleging that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fast food chain advertised “free” and “low-cost” delivery, only to “secretly” mark up the price of individual food items on these orders by 25% to 30% compared to regular menu prices. “On delivery orders only, Chick-fil-A secretly marks up food prices for delivery orders by a hefty 25-30%,” the lawsuit claims, according to Insider. “In other words,…

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is currently accepting public comment on its revised learning standards for Science as part of a routine process required by state law. Public comment is being accepted from October 11 through November 14 and can be submitted here or via email to [email protected]. A public hearing will also be held on October 30 at 3pm at the Burton Cross Office Building — located at 111 Sewall Street in Augusta — in Room 600. The hearing can also be accessed via Zoom here. Overview of the Changes The content of Maine’s Science standards has remained…

Maine is expected to continue doling out 207 area codes until September of 2032 — three and a half years longer than was previously expected — according to a press release published today by the Maine Public Utilities Commission (Maine PUC). Earlier this year in April, the Maine PUC announced that Maine would likely need to roll out a second area code for the state beginning as soon as 2029. Although only about 38% of telephone numbering resources are currently in use, the state is in danger of running out of 207 numbers in the near future as a result…

York County now has plans to spend $45 million in an effort to address Maine’s opioid epidemic through the construction of a 58-bed regional recovery center, a public safety training facility, and a 30-unit apartment building. The aim of the project is to take a holistic approach to this crisis by addressing three of its component parts: addiction, housing, and public safety. According to the Bangor Daily News, the regional recovery center will consist of 8 detoxification beds, 36 residential and outpatient treatment beds, and 8 “observation beds” — or beds where people can be brought by first responders or…

The Maine Department of Education (MDOE) is currently accepting public comment on its revised Social Studies learning standards as part of a routine process required by state law. Public comment is being accepted from October 11 through November 14 and can be submitted here or via email to [email protected]. A public hearing will also be held on October 30 at 3pm at the Burton Cross Office Building — located at 111 Sewall Street in Augusta — in Room 600. The hearing can also be accessed via Zoom here. Overview of the Changes One of the major changes visible throughout the…

Throughout the country, most people saw increased earnings this past spring — except for in Maine. Nationwide, personal income reportedly grew by 5.3%. In Maine, this same figure dropped 2.7%, according to data published in late September by U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (U.S. BEA). Personal income is defined by the U.S. BEA as the income that individuals earn from a range of sources, including their wages and salary, government benefits, interest and dividends, and business ownership. Realized or unrealized capital gains or losses are not included in the U.S. BEA’s personal income estimations. Between April and June of this…

Drug store chain Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy on Sunday and announced plans to close a number of its locations amidst intense legal battles and declining sales. The 60 year old company has experienced annual losses for several years now and expects to see a net loss of $680 million this fiscal year. The company is also facing an onslaught of more than a thousand lawsuits concerning the pharmacy’s illegal prescription of opioids. Rite Aid currently plans to continue operations as it moves through the voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy process, which allows for the restructuring of the company’s debts via…

The Maine State Legislature’s Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss two pieces of data privacy legislation up for consideration next year. A public hearing is being held for LD 1977 — An Act to Create the Data Privacy and Protection Act, while a work session is set for LD 1705 — An Act to Give Consumers Control over Sensitive Personal Data by Requiring Consumer Consent Prior to Collection of Data. Public hearings offer an opportunity for any interested parties to offer comment on legislation that is under consideration by lawmakers. Work sessions, on the other hand, are…

All four members of Maine’s Congressional delegation have issued public statements in recent days concerning Hamas’ attacks on Israel, strongly condemning the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) called out Hamas’ brutality and firmly asserted that the United States stands by Israel. “I condemn the horrific, coordinated attacks against Israel by the terrorist group Hamas,” Sen. Collins said. “Thousands of rockets have targeted Israeli cities, killing and injuring Israeli civilians.” “The United States stands with Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, as it defends its citizens against Iranian-backed terrorists who have demonstrated no interest…

The House GOP caucus has officially nominated Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the Speakership over Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA). An official tally for the caucus’ vote has not been released, so it is not known for sure at this time how many Republican representatives voted in Rep. Jordan’s favor. According to reporting from NBC, however, sources have confirmed that Rep. Scott received 81 votes, while 124 members of the caucus opted to support Jordan. Scott announced his intentions to run for Speaker of the House earlier this afternoon, posting on X: “I have filed to be Speaker of the House.…

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) officially withdrew his bid for Speaker of the House just over twenty-four hours after the Republican caucus nominated him for the position. Although Rep. Scalise won the nomination over Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) in a closed-door vote of 113 to 99, it quickly became apparent that the nominee would face significant hurdles in garnering enough support to prevail in a chamber-wide vote. Several members of the House GOP caucus announced shortly after the nomination that they would not be supporting Scalise on the House floor, with some explicitly stating their intentions to vote in favor of…

Maine lawmakers are poised to once again consider increasing the state minimum wage during their next legislative session. This past Friday, the Legislature released a list of bill requests slated for screening going into their second regular session, which is scheduled to begin January 3, 2024. The preliminary list is comprised of each request’s working title and sponsor. No additional information is yet available concerning the specific contents of these potential bills. Rep. Valli D. Geiger (D-Rockland) proposed a bill with the working title of “An Act to Change the Minimum Wage to a Living Wage.” Other working titles submitted…

School board meetings have become a source of heated and highly contentious debate in recent years with parents and community members raising concerns over any number of issues. When speaking, some public commenters may veer into territory where they wish to reference the conduct of specific teachers or staff members. Depending on the district, however, doing so is not always permissible. Policies prohibiting this are likely to become more widespread in light of guidance from the Maine School Management Association (MSMA) recommending that school boards adopt rules blocking comments calling out particular employees. “Personnel performance is not something that should…

Charter schools may once again be a topic of discussion in Augusta next year. A bill lifting the enrollment cap on Maine’s virtual charter schools — sponsored by Rep. Barbara A. Bagshaw (R-Windham) of the Education and Cultural Affairs Committee — was listed among the 60-plus working titles released by the Legislature last week. This past Friday, the Legislature released its list of bill requests that are slated for screening going into the second regular session, which is scheduled to begin January 3, 2024. The preliminary list is comprised of each request’s working title and sponsor. No additional information is…