Author: Seamus Othot

Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) penned a letter to U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi, signed by nearly every Republican in the Maine state legislature, calling for a review of they called the Maine’s burdensome, costly and unfair “clean energy” policies. [RELATED: Mainers Overflow Hearing to Speak Out on Both Sides of Proposed Net Energy Billing Repeal…] “I am writing to request a review of certain state-level laws and programs in Maine that may conflict with the principles outlined in President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order titled “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach,” issued on April 8, 2025. This Executive Order…

President Donald Trump’s administration issued stop-work orders earlier this month on three University of Maine (UMaine) offshore wind development projects, funded through a $12.6 million grant, for alleged violations of grant terms. [RELATED: Trump Places Indefinite Halt on Offshore Wind Development and New England Fisherman Celebrate…] “Here is the letter from the Trump Administration to the University of Maine to stop work orders to three University of Maine grants all surrounding offshore wind research,” said Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) on X. “It’s good to see the University of Maine on the radar. Remember that this floating offshore wind research project…

China may be integrating advanced artificial intelligence technology into its illicit bioweapons programs, according to the State Department’s 2025 report on international compliance with weapons agreements. [RELATED: Chinese Satellite Company Directly Helping Houthi Terrorists Attacks on U.S. Interests: State Department…] “China probably is unable to make complex scientific equipment without Westerninnovation. It probably is capable of using publicly available artificial intelligence andmachine learning (AI/ML) tools to advance efforts related to BW applications,” said the report. A signatory to the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention, China is barred under international law from developing a bioweapons capability. The annual “Adherence to and Compliance…

The federal jurist assigned to the federal lawsuit against Maine for refusing to bar transgender-identifying men from women’s sports, U.S. Magistrate Judge John Nivison, recused himself from the case on Friday after previously recusing himself from Rep. Laurel Libby’s (R-Auburn) lawsuit against her censure order. [RELATED: DOJ Files Civil Suit Against Maine, Rep. Libby and Two Maine Students Join AG Bondi in Live Presser…] Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a civil Title IX antidiscrimination lawsuit against Maine after the state obstinately refused to comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order “Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports.”…

The Winthrop and Monmouth Police Departments both rescinded their applications for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) partnership program on Saturday that would have allowed local police to detain people on suspected immigration violations. [RELATED: Wells Police Department Becomes First Local Maine Law Enforcement Agency to Participate in ICE Program…] “The Town of Winthrop has rescinded its application to participate in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program that uses local police officers to detain people suspected of being illegal immigrants due to the liabilities that could involve,” said the town in a statement on its website. “Under the…

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce confirmed on Thursday that the Chinese satellite company, Chang Guang Satellite Technology, is “directly” helping the Yemen-based Houthi terrorists target U.S. warships and interests in the Red Sea. [RELATED: Trump Executive Order Aims to Restore U.S. Maritime Dominance and Counter Chinese Shipbuilding…] “We can confirm the reporting that Chang Guang Satellite Technology Company Limited is directly supporting Iran-backed Houthi terrorist attacks on U.S. interests,” said Bruce, during a press briefing. “China consistently attempts … to frame itself as a global peacemaker … however, it is clear that Beijing and China-based companies provide key economic and…

Pope Francis passed away early Monday morning at the age of 88 after a 12-year pontificate, just hours after making his final public appearance for Easter and meeting with Vice President J.D. Vance. [RELATED: Pope Francis Appoints Liberal Cardinal To Head DC Archdiocese As Trump Takes Office…] Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7.35 this morning the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was devoted to service to the Lord and His Church. He taught us to live the values…

New Hampshire U.S. District Judge Joseph N. Laplante ruled on Wednesday that the Trump administration must give 72 hours’ notice before transferring a Guatemalan illegal immigrant arrested in Massachusetts out of the NH facility where he is currently held. [RELATED: Numerous Chinese Massage Parlors in Maine, Some Run By Illegal Aliens, Busted for Sex Trafficking…] The illegal immigrant, Juan Francisco Mendez, 29, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New Bedford, Massachusetts, last week and is currently being held in the Strafford County House of Corrections in Dover, NH. ICE agents smashed the windows of Mendez’s car…

Maine’s House Democrats slipped a surprise vote onto Thursday’s legislative calendar to force through a proposed equal rights amendment to the state constitution that would make transgender identity legally inviolable. [RELATED: Trans-Identifying Murderer Given Taxpayer-Funded Sex Change Drugs Alleges Mistreatment and Wants Sentence Reduction and Transfer to Women’s Prison…] “Today we voted on a Constitutional Amendment being brought to the people that would place “gender identity and gender expression” into the Maine Constitution in addition to adding sex and perceived race to give “equal rights” under the law. This would allow for women to be completely erased under Maine law,”…

President Donald Trump moved to reinvigorate the U.S. seafood industry and restore U.S. dominance on Thursday with an executive order that drew praise from Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine) as well as the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA). [RELATED: Trump Executive Order Aims to Restore U.S. Maritime Dominance and Counter Chinese Shipbuilding…] “The United States should be the world’s dominant seafood leader. But in addition to overregulation, unfair trade practices have put our seafood markets at a competitive disadvantage,” said President Trump in his order. “Nearly 90 percent of seafood on our shelves is now imported, and the seafood trade…

It’s been a busy week for law enforcement in the Paris area. On Thursday, a Maine State Police tactical team joined the Paris Police Department in a raid on a South Paris drug den, leading to drug seizures and the arrests of two repeat offenders. [RELATED: Rumford Police Arrest Fugitive, Domestic Violence Suspect After Standoff in Separate Incidents…] The Paris Police Department obtained and executed a warrant for 21 Park St. in South around 2 p.m. The tactical team joined based on information obtained prior to the warrant, suggesting that the raid could be dangerous. Authorities seized unspecified amounts of…

The Maine Rail Group (MRG), a pro-railway non-profit lobbying organization, is presenting survey data claiming that 58 percent of Mainers would “occasionally” ride a train line between Portland and Orono in order to push for a new taxpayer-funded passenger railway. [RELATED: Democrat Plan Naming Maine Railroad For Floridian Teeters on Derailment…] “This survey shows that Maine people support the vision we have for offering reliable, rapid passenger service to our three largest metro areas,” said MRG President Peter Cole. “This will bring the same benefits to the Second Congressional District now enjoyed by the First District, and forge a major…

Rep. Cheryl Golek (D-Harpswell) withdrew a bill from consideration on Monday that would have mandated LGBTQ education curriculum in all public schools across the state. [RELATED: Maine Democrats Now Want to Mandate LGBTQ Education Even As Schools Risk Funding Loss Over Ongoing Title IX Concerns…] Golek’s bill, LD 1482, drew strong support from her party, with nine co-sponsors, and would have mandated LGBTQ+ education in the mandatory Maine history and American history courses. Despite seemingly strong support from her party, Golek quietly requested leave to withdraw her bill, which was granted on Monday. She did not offer an explanation for…

Maine Republicans are working to end some of the new restrictions placed on gun ownership in the state last year with a trio of bills either to repeal the 72-hour waiting period for firearm purchases or the background check requirement for private sales. [RELATED: Federal Judge Issues Injunction Against Maine’s 72-Hour Waiting Period after Purchasing a Firearm…] The Judiciary Committee held public hearings on three bills on Wednesday, drawing a multitude of Mainers to testify on both sides of the issue. Two of the bills, LD 208 from House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) and LD 1230 from…

Yarmouth Police last week arrested a transgender-identifying man, Deserai Collins, 33, after he allegedly stole a van in Portland, led law enforcement on a multi-town chase, and crashed into two police cruisers, injuring two officers. [RELATED: Monson Man to Square Off Against Bill Belichick’s Squeeze in Miss Maine USA Beauty Pageant…] The owner of Portland’s Pedego Electric Bike store reported the theft of one of his company vans on April 10, claiming it had been stolen overnight. Yarmouth police officers eventually spotted the van driving north on Route 1. They attempted to stop the vehicle, but Collins allegedly refused to…

Mainers had the opportunity on Tuesday to testify on three Republican-led bills that aim to protect students from sexually explicit material and give parents more say in what happens to their children in school. [RELATED: Maine Democrats Now Want to Mandate LGBTQ Education Even As Schools Risk Funding Loss Over Ongoing Title IX Concerns…] “Parents should be the decision makers on all matters regarding their children,” said Rep. Sheila Lyman (R-Livermore Falls), presenting a bill to the committee. The two bills aimed at expanding parental rights came from Rep. Lyman, while Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) proposed a bill to protect children…

U.S. Attorney General (AG) Pam Bondi, joined by women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines, Maine Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn), Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, and two Maine female athletes who lost opportunities to male students, announced a lawsuit against Maine on Wednesday morning for refusing to bar men from women’s sports. “We believe they are failing to protect women, and it’s not only an issue in sports, it is a public safety issue. These boys are allowed to go in women’s restrooms, they are allowed to go in the women’s dressing rooms and get fully naked and change, biological boys, and…

Maine firearm dealers could be forced to hand out “public health brochures” with their firearms thanks to a bill from Rep. Holly Stover (D-Boothbay) proposed at the start of this month aimed at imposing public health warnings on gunsmiths and dealers. [RELATED: Maine’s Gun Grabbers Propose New Legislation to Crack-Down on Firearms, Including a Ban on Magazines That Hold Over 10 Rounds…] Rep. Stover’s LD 1379 drew support from eight Democratic co-sponsors and is set to be considered in the Judiciary Committee, though no date has been set for a public hearing or work session. Under the proposal, all firearms…

President Donald Trump’s administration is taking new steps to crack down on illegal immigration this month, with fines of nearly $1,000 per day for immigrants who ignore deportation orders and a deadline for illegal immigrants to register with the government. [RELATED: Trump Administration Repurposes Biden’s ‘CBP One’ Phone App to Encourage Illegal Aliens to Self-Deport…] “We are going to start fining illegal immigrants $1,000 a day if they remain in the country. The message is loud and clear,” said Department of Homeland Security (DHA) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin speaking on Newsmax. “If you don’t leave now, and…

Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 70’s school board voted unanimously on Monday night to defy the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) and the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) by adopting policies consistent with federal Title IX anti-discrimination laws and banning males from female school sports. The Hodgdon school board is the first to vote to accept President Donald Trump’s executive order “Keeping Men out of Women’s Sport,” based Title IX guidelines, in defiance of the state government’s position. [RELATED: U.S. Department of Education Refers Maine to Justice Department After AG’s Office Balks at Resolution Over Title IX Violations…] State legislators who…

Worcester, Massachusetts, is now mandating a new regimen of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training for firefighters, just months after declaring itself an official transgender sanctuary city, in an apparent rebuff of President Donald Trump’s various orders opposing both DEI and gender ideology. [RELATED: Massachusetts City Declares Itself a Sanctuary for Transgenderism in Wake of Misgendering Spat…] “Integrating DEI into firefighter training isn’t just about policy—it’s about building aculture of respect, inclusivity, awareness, and readiness to serve all members of ourdiverse community,” said Worcester Chief Equity Officer Kevin Lovaincy, “This curriculum equips recruits with the tools to navigate diverse environments,…

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) must resume federal education funding for Maine, according to a Friday ruling from George W. Bush-appointed U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock, granting a request from Maine Attorney General (AG) Aaron Frey. [RELATED: AG Frey Sues USDA Over Freeze on Federal Funding Following Maine’s Refusal to Ban Males from Girls’ Sports…] “This temporary restraining order confirms the Trump Administration did not follow the rule of law when it cut program funds that go to feed school children and vulnerable adults. This order preserves Maine’s access to certain congressionally appropriated funds by prohibiting an…

Maine State Rep. Michelle Meyer (D-Eliot) introduced legislation in February, and carried over into the current emergency session last month, that would expand Maine’s assisted suicide program through an amendment to the 2019 Maine Death with Dignity Act. If enacted, the measure would waive the current 17-day waiting period applicants currently face. On Friday, the legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee held a public hearing on her bill that would impact a controversial process. [RELATED: Toronto Academics Push Government-Assisted Suicide as Remedy to “Unjust Social Circumstances” Like Homelessness…] “After five years of successful implementation, Maine’s Death with Dignity act has…

Massachusetts State Rep. Chris Flanagan (D-Barnstable) was indicted by a Boston grand jury on Friday for an alleged fraud scheme that netted him tens of thousands of dollars, which he allegedly used for both personal and political expenses. [RELATED: Boston City Councilor Arrested on Corruption Charges…] “Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust. According to the indictment, Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve – allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars into his own pockets to pay off personal bills, buy luxury items and bankroll his political…

An Augusta father was silenced at a Wednesday public school board meeting when he used his testimony to criticize the Augusta school board’s interpretation of Title IX anti-discrimination laws that allow transgender-identifying males into girls’ sports. [RELATED: Mills’ Continued Defiance of Trump’s Deadline for Title IX Compliance Could Cost Maine Hugely…] “I’m sorry, but negative comments will not be allowed,” said Augusta School Board Chair Martha Witham. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/1910402614031757723 Augusta father Nick Blanchard began his testimony by praising the board members who voted in favor of an interpretation of Title IX that does not allow males in girls’ sports. When he…

President Donald Trump aims to restore U.S. maritime dominance with a Wednesday executive order promoting domestic shipbuilding in direct response to China ascendant position in the industry globally and a mounting trade war between the two superpowers. [RELATED: Jared Golden Urges Crackdown on Chinese Ship Manufacturing and Investments in the U.S…] “The commercial shipbuilding capacity and maritime workforce of the United States has been weakened by decades of Government neglect, leading to the decline of a once strong industrial base while simultaneously empowering our adversaries and eroding the United States’ national security,” said President Trump in his executive order. The…

Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) is poised to ignore the April 11 deadline set by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) for Maine to comply with Title IX anti-discrimination laws which the federal government found it to be breaking by refusing to prevent transgender-identifying males from competing in women’s sports or using women’s restrooms and locker rooms. [RELATED: Federal Department of Education Sends Maine DOE Final Warning on Transgender Athlete Policy…] “There have been no negotiations that I’m aware of. No negotiations,” said Mills on Thursday, speaking to Maine Total Coverage on the impending deadline. Mills told the outlet that Maine does…

A group of Maine Democrats, led by Sen. Craig Hickman (D-Kennebec), began a push last week to lower the state’s voting age to 16 years via a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds legislative majority and a statewide referendum vote in order to be enacted. [RELATED: Angus King Co-Sponsors Bill to Block Trump’s Election Integrity Executive Order…] The proposed resolution, LD 1446, drew support from eight Democratic co-sponsors, along with Rep. Bill Pluecker (I-Warren), who often sides with Democrats. If the proposal clears the daunting two-thirds majority requirement in the legislature, the Secretary of State will compose a…

Amidst President Donald Trump’s attempts to restore domestic manufacturing to the U.S. with his controversial tariffs, he took the time on Wednesday to fight for Americans’ small personal freedoms with an executive order ending the war on showers. “In my case, I like to take a nice shower to take care of my beautiful hair. I have to stand under the shower for 15 minutes till it gets wet. It comes out drip, drip, drip, it’s ridiculous,” explained President Trump while signing the order in front of press. “We’re going to open it up so people can live, and we’re…

While some Republicans work this legislative session to eliminate state vehicular inspections or at least make them less burdensome, Sen. Brad Farrin (R-Somerset) and Rep. Wayne Parry (R-Arundel) have each proposed bills to make inspections more expensive and invasive. [RELATED: Inspecting the Inspectors: Electronic Surveillance System for Vehicle Inspections, and Fee Hikes, Proposed…] Both legislators’ bills—considered during a Tuesday public hearing in the legislature’s Transportation Committee—would increase the price that mechanics are legally allowed to charge for state inspections and allow the Maine State Police to force mechanics to use an invasive electronic surveillance system to monitor inspections. The system…

Two Republican-led bills aimed at restoring religious exemptions for vaccine requirements for schools received a contentious joint public hearing in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs on Monday, drawing numerous passionate testimonies from both sides of the issue. [RELATED: Maine Court Says Doctor Who Injected 5-Year-Old with COVID-19 Vaccine Without Parental Consent Has Immunity…] “To deny a child the right to an education is nonsensical given the real world reality of exposure in non-school settings. I think of our college students who choose to attend in other states that allow exemptions. These students, most often, go on to secure…

The Maine Senate GOP unanimously opposed the reappointment of Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Chair Philip Bartlett on Tuesday, citing his suspicious dealings with solar companies and soaring energy costs under his leadership. [RELATED: Mainers Overflow Hearing to Speak Out on Both Sides of Proposed Net Energy Billing Repeal…] “Ratepayers and businesses are going to continue to suffer because of Chairman Bartlett’s refusal to acknowledge that massive solar companies are driving up energy costs,” said Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart (R–Aroostook). The Senate Republicans issued a press release discussing the vote and explaining the role of the PUC to ensure…

As Maine’s Department of Corrections (DoC) loses federal funding for transferring one transgender-identifying male murderer to a women’s prison, the question may arise: is too much being made out of a single case? Are the state’s prisons simply accommodating the special needs of inmates, or is the system itself being taken for a ride? [RELATED: DOJ Pulls Federal Funding from Maine’s Department of Corrections for Housing a Dangerous, Biological Male in a Women’s Prison…] Andrew Balcer, the individual cited on Tuesday morning by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is not the only transgender-identifying inmate catered to by Maine prisons. To better…

The White House’s Office of Management and Budget issued new policies on Monday intended to allow the federal government to take better advantage of rapidly improving artificial intelligence (AI) technology, following a January 23 executive order from President Donald Trump. [RELATED: AI Startup Reveals DEI-Related Language Embedded in Maine Education Laws…] “Under President Trump’s leadership, America is well-positioned to maintain its global dominance in AI. To better serve the public, the Federal Government must capitalize on the advantages of American innovation while maintaining strong protections for Americans’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties,” the White House said in a statement.…

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi pulled non-essential federal funding from the Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) on Monday in response to the state’s decision to house a male convicted multiple murderer in a women’s prison because he declared that he is transgender. [RELATED: Maine Man Who Murdered His Parents and Dog Moved to Women’s Prison…] Maine’s prisons are state-run and most of their funding comes from the state budget. In 2019, Maine spent $190,489,256 on prisons which, according to the Urban Institute, amounted to the state’s seventh costliest expenditure. According to Maine’s Department of Corrections, the U.S. Department of Justice…

Attorney General Aaron Frey joined the attorneys general of 20 other states on Friday in suing President Donald Trump’s administration to stop the closure of three federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). [RELATED: Maine AG Aaron Frey, Blue State Coalition Secures Preliminary Injunction Against Trump Admin, Halting NIH Cuts…] “The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) – one of the targeted agencies – has placed almost its entire staff on administrative leave and will cut hundreds of grants for state libraries and museums. The lawsuit filed by Attorney General Frey and the coalition seeks…

Maine Attorney General (AG) Aaron Frey added to his growing list of lawsuits against President Donald Trump’s administration on Monday when he announced the state has filed suit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for freezing some of its education funding to Maine. [RELATED: USDA Freezes Part of Maine’s Federal Funding over Transgender Athlete Policy…] “Under the banner of keeping children safe, the Trump Administration is illegally withholding grant funds that go to keeping children fed. This is just another example where no law or consequence appears to restrain the administration as it seeks capitulation to its lawlessness,” said…

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Department executed a massive drug bust on Gagnon Road in Fairfield early Friday morning, leading to the arrests of six people and the seizure of substantial quantities of illegal drugs. [RELATED: Police Seize Over Four Pounds of Crystal Meth and Make Three Arrests in Auburn Drug Bust…] The Sheriff’s Department secured a search warrant for the Gagnon Rd. residence based on suspicion that it was being used to sell and distribute illegal drugs. A large team of law enforcement agents led by Detective Lieutenant Gottardi, including five Sheriff’s Department detectives, five deputies, and assistance from the…

The Wells Police Department became the first local Maine law enforcement agency to join a partnership program with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, empowering the department to work as immigration enforcers. [RELATED: NH State Police Join List of Law Enforcement Partnering with ICE While Maine Agencies Remain Off the List…] Wells Police Chief Jo-Ann Putnam confirmed to the Maine Morning Star that Wells applied to participate in ICE’s 287(g) program two weeks ago, and their application was accepted. Wells is participating in the Task Force Model portion of the program, which “serves as a force multiplier for law…

Maine’s highways could soon be monitored by automated speed-tracking cameras that could be used to issue tickets without a driver ever interacting with police if Republican Sen. Brad Farrin’s (R-Somerset) recent resolution is successful. [RELATED: Inspecting the Inspectors: Electronic Surveillance System for Vehicle Inspections, and Fee Hikes, Proposed…] The proposed resolution, LD 1457, introduced on Thursday, drew support from three Democratic and two Republican co-sponsors. It was set to be referred to a committee that day and was expected to be sent to the Committee on Transportation, though it has not yet been officially referred because Thursday’s Senate session was…

As Maine’s Democrats resist efforts by the federal government to remove Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) ideology and radical gender education from schools, the Legislative Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs held a hearing on Wednesday for a bill that would increase transparency of public schools for parents seeking more information about what their children are being taught. [RELATED: Maine Democrats Now Want to Mandate LGBTQ Education Even As Schools Risk Funding Loss Over Ongoing Title IX Concerns…] “Like many of you, I have watched as parents across Maine——and the country——have become more engaged in their children’s education over the…

Democrat Reps. Chellie Pingree (ME-CD1) and Jared Golden (ME-CD2) had very different outlooks after President Donald Trump announced his controversial “Liberation Day” tariffs on Wednesday, causing stock markets to plummet. The ultimate goal was to restore U.S. economic independence and end the exploitation of the U.S. by other nations. [RELATED: Tariff Hikes Kick In Today, Trade War Looms…] Rep. Pingree sided with most Democrats in criticizing the new tariffs and claimed that they will do nothing to help struggling Americans. “Trump’s reckless use of tariffs will further escalate his global trade war and put extreme pressure on our economy—one that’s…

Attorneys from the Democrat Party-aligned Elias Law Group filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration’s new election integrity efforts on Monday on behalf of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), and others. [RELATED: Trump Signs Executive Order to Ensure Election Integrity Across the Country…] “Now, rather than trying to make it easier for American citizens to vote, the President wants to make it easier for DOGE to access their sensitive personal information. We will do everything in our power to hold the President and his administration accountable for this…

DeepAudit, a non-profit tech startup using artificial intelligence tools to root out Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and ideologically-charged language, published a report on Monday identifying 14 statutes in Maine education law that appear to use DEI-related language. [RELATED: Federal Department of Education Sends Maine DOE Final Warning on Transgender Athlete Policy…] “We looked at 1000+ Maine education statutes to demonstrate that ideologically driven policies can be implemented across a vast system by being embedded in a few statutes. The few sections containing DEI are concealed from public scrutiny by the 1,000+ statutes that obscure their existence.,” said DeepAudit on…

A group of Democrat Maine legislators, headed by Rep. Cheryl Golek (D-Harpswell), introduced a bill on Thursday that would require Maine students to take LGBTQ Studies in order to pass through the public school system. [RELATED: U.S. DOE Investigates Maine Schools Over Secret Gender Transitions…] Golek’s bill, LD 1482, drew strong support from her party, bringing in nine co-sponsors, including Rep. Nina Milliken (D-Blue Hill) and Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross (D-Cumberland). [RELATED: Nina Milliken’s Bill to Abolish Life Sentences in Maine Gets the Death Penalty After Prosecutor Testifies to Gruesome Assault Case…] As introduced, the bill inserts new language into…

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins sent a letter to Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) on Wednesday announcing a pause in federal education funding from the department due to Maine’s repeated refusal to comply with federal law removing males from girls’ sports. [RELATED: Trump Admin’s USDA Pauses Millions in Funding to Maine Universities…] “You cannot openly violate federal law against discrimination in education andexpect federal funding to continue unabated. Your defiance of federal law has cost your state, which is bound by Title IX in educational programming,” Sec. Rollins wrote to Gov. Mills, adding: “Today, I am freezing…

Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) joined a group of nine Democrats on Wednesday in co-sponsoring Sen. Alex Padilla’s (D-Calif.) bill to nullify the new election integrity measures implemented by President Donald Trump via executive order last week. [RELATED: Trump Signs Executive Order to Ensure Election Integrity Across the Country…] “The continued success of our unique experiment in self-government relies on each successive generation understanding our shared past, national values, and the framers’ careful – though imperfect – work. If we truly want a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we must make sure the people have…

Maine Republicans have put forward two bills in recent days to remove the language in the Maine Human Rights Act’s (MHRA) which lays the legal basis of Governor Janet Mills (D) pretext for refusing to comply with a White House executive order to protect girls’ school sports. The specific language in the MHRA includes “gender identity” as a class protected against discrimination, and was added to the state’s human rights law in 2005. [RELATED: Federal Department of Education Sends Maine DOE Final Warning on Transgender Athlete Policy…] “Every piece of legislation we brought forward, the argument’s always the Maine Human…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday intended to combat ticket scalpers and predatory practices by online concert and event ticket vendors, who impose numerous fees and make concerts unaffordable for many Americans. In the signing ceremony, President Trump appeared in the Oval Office with the musician Kid Rock who thanked him for the action. Last year the musician reached out to then Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to press for a tougher stance on scalpers. https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1906831242336559372 “America’s live concert and entertainment industry is the envy of the world. But it has become blighted by unscrupulous middlemen who…

Republicans on the Maine Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee reversed course on a bill last Tuesday that would have initially increased the number of charter schools in the state, but instead proposed an amendment to lower the cap to prevent the establishment of a school aimed primarily at “new Americans.” [RELATED: Illegal Alien Previously Hired by York County Jail Arrested by ICE After Jail Set Goal of Hiring ‘New Americans’…] The original bill, LD 282, submitted by Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R-Milford), would have indefinitely increased the maximum number of public state-funded charter schools in the state from the current…

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) issued its final warning to the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) on Monday for its continued violation of Title IX anti-discrimination laws by allowing males to compete in girls’ sports. “Under prior administrations, enforcement was an illusory proposition. No more. The Trump-McMahon Education Department is moving quickly to ensure that federal funds no longer support patently illegal practices that harm women and girls,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. Earlier this month, the DOE’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found the MDOE in violation of Title IX for allowing transgender-identifying males…

A new bill from Rep. Gary Drinkwater (R-Milford) could give Mainers a better sense of how much of their tax money is spent on healthcare for illegal immigrants by collecting data on medical expenditures for asylum seekers. [RELATED: Trump Admin Orders End to Cash Welfare Benefits for Illegal Immigrants…] “So the question is, how are we covering them [asylum seekers]? One would assume it’s under MaineCare. So is this one of the reasons that MaineCare has exploded, and we can no longer afford it as a state,” said Rep. Drinkwater speaking with The Maine Wire. The bill, LD 429, had…

Codee Houston, 33, of California, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges on Thursday at the U.S. District Court in Bangor, admitting to transporting drugs from his home state into Maine. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI worked in cooperation with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and multiple police departments in Penobscot and Hancock counties on the investigation that led to Houston’s arrest and indictment. [RELATED: Man Stabbed Multiple Times on Portland Street: Portland PD…] From May 2022 to May 2023, Houston, along with other unnamed conspirators, worked to traffic large amounts of methamphetamine from California to Maine. Houston…

New details have emerged about Ronald Joseph, 43, the illegal Haitian immigrant, who allegedly raped and impregnated his 14-year-old daughter while living at an illegal immigrant shelter in Marlborough, Massachusetts, including an earlier pregnancy and a forced abortion, in a shocking story broken last year by The Maine Wire. [RELATED: Illegal Alien Charged with Aggravated Child Rape at Healey Hotel Arrested 8 Months After Maine Wire Exposé…] Joseph was finally arrested eight months after The Maine Wire first reported on his alleged crimes. Last week, Massachusetts independent journalist Jessica Machado published official court documents from Joseph’s dangerousness hearing, also known…

U.S. law enforcement arrested an alleged top MS-13 gang leader and Salvadoran illegal immigrant, Henrry Josue Villatoro Santos, 24, on Thursday in a Virginia operation involving the FBI, along with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and local law enforcement agencies. [RELATED: FBI Extradites a Top MS-13 Narco-Terrorist on its Ten Most Wanted List Who Was Found in Mexico…] “I’m proud to announce that early this morning our brave law enforcement officers conducted a successful operation that captured a top MS-13 national leader. DOJ will not rest until we make America safe again,” said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on X.…

The Kennebec County Sheriff’s Department arrested Jason A. Rocque, 47, after he was allegedly found with multiple firearms in his Chelsea home on Friday morning, despite being prohibited from possessing guns. [RELATED: Maine’s Gun Grabbers Propose New Legislation to Crack-Down on Firearms, Including a Ban on Magazines That Hold Over 10 Rounds…] Deputy Brandon Van Wyk executed a search warrant at Rocque’s home at 274 Windsor Road following an investigation that began earlier this month. Van Wyk’s investigation allowed him to establish probable cause that Rocque was illegally in possession of firearms as a convicted felon, and on this basis,…

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who just this week announced her candidacy for governor, has “serious concerns” about the new election integrity measures imposed by President Donald Trump in an executive order. [RELATED: A Failed 2023 Bill Could Have Forced Bellows to Resign Before Running for Governor…] “I have serious concerns about the policies proposed in the Executive Order that would make it harder to vote for women, military and overseas voters and rural citizens,” said Bellows. Bellows, who previously drew national attention for a failed and unconstitutional attempt to strip Trump from Maine’s 2024 presidential ballots, expressed her…

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updated its guidelines on Wednesday to ensure that illegal immigrants and non-permanent residents aren’t receiving government-backed mortgages. [RELATED: Trump Admin Orders End to Cash Welfare Benefits for Illegal Immigrants…] “HUD-backed mortgages should benefit Americans who play by the rules and work hard, not those who enter our country illegally. Today, HUD acted to protect the American Dream of homeownership,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner on X. https://twitter.com/SecretaryTurner/status/1905009082085351595 The HUD has altered the requirements for its Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans, insured by the federal government, that help prospective homebuyers get low…

The Trump Administration’s multiple probes into Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) and her cabinet agencies have now expanded to include potential violations of federal law stemming from public school policies that allow school officials to keep secrets from parents about sex-change counseling for minors. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) initiated an investigation into the Maine Department of Education (MDOE) on Friday for concealing children’s gender transitions from parents in a potential violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). “We have heard disturbing reports that dozens of Maine school districts allow for schools to create “gender plans”…

Democrat Rep. Jared Golden (ME-CD2) urged U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to crack down on ascendant Chinese shipbuilding in a letter on Monday, accusing the Chinese government of predatory practices that seek to undermine the U.S. industry. [RELATED: Bath Iron Works Receives $34 Million from Navy for Six Workforce Initiatives…] “China’s discriminatory practices and cheating have forced U.S. shipbuilders, their suppliers, and workers to compete on an uneven playing field and have contributed to the decline of the U.S. shipbuilding industry,” said Rep. Golden. “While China has poured hundreds of billions of dollars of state funding into its shipbuilding…

Maine’s Democratic legislators have returned once again to one of their favorite legislative priorities: cracking down on Second Amendment rights. Multiple bills came before the Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, including a ban on magazines that hold more than ten rounds. [RELATED: Maine Liberals Seek New Second Amendment Restrictions, Including 5-Round Limit…] “From the Las Vegas Music Festival to the Pulse Night Club in Orlando, to Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut, to Lewiston, Maine, the common denominator connecting these and dozens of other mass shootings in the United States is that the gunmen loaded their firearms with large capacity…

The Legislative Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety voted unanimously on Monday in favor of a bill from Rep. Nina Milliken (D-Blue Hill) that would allow prisoners to opt into additional monetary restitution for their victims. [RELATED: Blue Hill Rep’s Bid to Restrict Coyote Hunting Season Fails in Committee, Regardless of Whether There Are Any Deer in Northern Maine…] “Many of the folks that I have met in the prisons in Maine are extremely remorseful for the various offenses that they have committed and many of them do work every day within the prison setting to do what they…

As Secretary of State Shenna Bellows launches her campaign to succeed Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) in 2026, she has not resigned from her current position. A failed 2023 bill could have forced her resignation to avoid a conflict of interest. [RELATED: The Audacity of Shenna Bellows…] “The sanctity of our elections is extremely important to me, as it should be to all of you on this committee. The Secretary of State oversees our elections here in Maine and l feel that it is a conflict of interest for the Secretary of State to be overseeing the ballots for their own…

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday cracking down on voter fraud through a slew of election integrity measures, including universal proof-of-citizenship requirements for anyone registering to vote and increased enforcement of election laws. [RELATED: Records Show Legal and Illegal Aliens Are Voting in Maine and Costing MaineCare a Fortune…] “Above all, elections must be honest and worthy of the public trust. That requires voting methods that produce a voter-verifiable paper record allowing voters to efficiently check their votes to protect against fraud or mistake. Election-integrity standards must be modified accordingly,” said President Trump in his order. The…

The legislature’s Committee on Labor held a public hearing on Tuesday for a bill from Rep. Valli Geiger (D-Rockland) to change the minimum wage to a living wage based on MIT’s calculator, which would set Portland’s wage at over $25 per hour. [RELATED: Maine Looks to Replace Statewide Minimum Wage with Regionally Based Living Wage…] “I have observed that Maine has seemed to take a perverse pride in being a low-wage state, however, this has created a problem that we are now forced to find a solution for. We have consistently had the lowest median income of New England states,”…

As U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pushes forward with his Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda, efforts are growing to stop food stamps from being used to buy soda, but soda lobbyists have paid online “conservative” personalities to sway public opinion on their behalf. [RELATED: A GOP Bill Could Stop People Using Food Stamps for Junk Food…] Over the weekend, popular online supporters of President Donald Trump, including independent media personalities Ian Miles Cheong and Eric Daugherty, began posting statements advocating for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—commonly called food stamps—recipients to be allowed to…

A group of Maine House Democrats is working to enshrine the commemoration of the January 2021 Capitol protests into law with a bill from Rep. Rafael Macias (D-Topsham), declaring a “day to remember” and educating the public about the protest. [RELATED: Bombshell DOJ Report Finds More Than Two Dozen FBI Informants Present, Breaking Laws at January 6th Riot…] “Eight months after January 6 I was on crutches when I met Representative Chellie Pingree [D-Maine] outside the Capitol in D.C. I asked her what her pain level she felt on January 6. She said an eight. Then I asked what she…

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) issued a memo on Monday for state-level administrators of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) welfare program reminding them that it is illegal to give TANF benefits to illegal immigrants. Because TANF is provided on Electronic Transfer Benefit (EBT) cards like the separate Food Stamps program, TANF balances can be withdrawn as cash from ATMs, meaning the government has little practical oversight as to how those dollars are spent. [RELATED: A GOP Bill Could Stop People Using Food Stamps for Junk Food…] “I will…

A multi-day Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in the Boston, Massachusetts area last week led to the arrests of 370 illegal immigrant criminals, including fugitives wanted for murder, child sexual predators, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals. [RELATED: Bay State Hotel Flop House Becomes Hub for Illegal Alien Rape and Domestic Violence on Maura Healey’s Watch…] “I made a promise at CPAC that I was going to Boston after reading about numerous illegal alien child rapists walking the streets of Boston and Massachusetts. ICE had to find and arrest these illegal alien rapists because Massachusetts and Boston are sanctuaries…

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has suspended funding for migrant shelters as it investigates possible misuse of the funds to support illegal immigrants involved in human smuggling, according to a letter from FEMA Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton. [RELATED: Trump Administration Removes Biden-Era Advisory Designating Gun Violence as a ‘Public Health Crisis’…] The letter, reviewed by the Associated Press earlier this month, stated that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has “significant concerns” that migrant shelters like those established by Gov. Maura Healey (D-Mass.) have illegally used taxpayer FEMA funds to aid in smuggling illegal immigrants into the U.S. [RELATED:…

Former President Joe Biden has offered to come back into politics after dropping out of the 2024 presidential race to campaign to fix the Democratic party following his historically unpopular presidency, according to an NBC report. [RELATED: Trump Declares Biden’s Pardons Void Because They Were Allegedly Signed with an Autopen…] Unnamed sources close to President Biden allegedly told NBC that Biden informed Democratic leaders he is willing to campaign, raise funds, or do anything else he can to help rebuild the party after its catastrophic loss to President Donald Trump. The 82-year-old former president reportedly met with Democratic National Committee…

President Donald Trump’s administration has removed the Biden-era Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advisory designating gun violence as a public health crisis, the first designation of its kind. [RELATED: Federal Judge Issues Injunction Against Maine’s 72-Hour Waiting Period after Purchasing a Firearm…] “HHS and the Office of the Surgeon General are complying with President Trump’s Executive Order on Protecting Second Amendment Rights,” said HHS Deputy Press Secretary Emily Hillard in a statement provided to The Epoch Times. The advisory, now deleted, advocated for a “public health approach” to combating gun violence, citing federal efforts against tobacco and drunk…

The Maine Legislature’s Committee on Environment and Natural Resources voted against two Republican-led bills that would prevent geo-engineering in the name of combating climate change during a work session on Wednesday. [RELATED: Public Advocate Pressed to Hold Solar Companies to Account for High Costs and Confusion…] Both bills would have prevented a slew of actual or theoretical methods of modifying the weather or other large-scale efforts to alter the Earth’s natural systems, such as cloud seeding to influence rainfall. “I submitted this bill on behalf of some of my constituents after they reached out to me regarding this issue. This…

Ryan McLaughlin, a sports reporter with The Ellsworth American, deleted his X account on Thursday following intense backlash after he posted a statement telling female athletes that they should simply train harder to win against transgender-identifying males. [RELATED: ‘Transgender Death Educator’ Tapped by Maine House Democrats to Deliver Invocation Celebrating Diversity and Ignoring God…] “There’s a concept in running… if you want to win, I don’t know, train harder? Do more speedwork? Trashing LGBTQ teenagers won’t win you races. Training FAST will,” said McLaughlin. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1902862220293230787 McLaughlin deleted the original post along with his entire account after the prominent Libs of…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed on Wednesday that the University of Maine system of state-funded schools will comply with an executive order preventing males from competing in women’s sports. In FY24, the USDA granted the University of Maine nearly $30 million in funding. Last week, funds were briefly frozen, though the hold was later lifted in likely anticipation of Wednesday’s announcement. “The University of Maine System (UMaine) has clearly communicated its compliance with Title IX’s requirement to protect equal opportunities for women and girls to compete in safe and fair sports, as articulated in President Donald J. Trump’s…

The Maine House Democrats selected self-described “Transgender Death Educator” Quinn Gormley, former executive director of the far-left transgender advocacy group Maine Trans Net, to deliver the prayer invocation starting Thursday’s legislative day. [RELATED: Board Member of LGBTQ+ Nonprofit Resigns After Complaining About Racism, Minors Crossing “Sexual Boundaries”…] “A great holiness I pray here for these leaders in our state, may they approach their work with regard for the dignity of all the people they serve. May they understand that diversity is the intent of the design, and may they have the wisdom to know that the path to justice begins…

A U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of Civil Rights (OCR) investigation found on Wednesday that the Maine DOE is in violation of Title IX anti-discrimination laws, joining the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in ruling against Maine for its transgender policies. [RELATED: Feds Rule Maine’s Transgender Policy Forcing Females to Compete Against Males Violates Title IX…] “Based on the evidence obtained, OCR has determined the evidence supports a conclusion of noncompliance with Title IX by MDOE. OCR notes that public school districts throughout the State of Maine that receive federal financial assistance and have policies or practices…

Sen. Joe Baldacci (D-Penobscot) wants the state to either purchase or use eminent domain to seize control of the Bangor Mall so it can be transformed into subsidized “affordable” housing units, and submitted a resolution to that effect which was met with a range of skepticism at a public hearing on Tuesday. [RELATED: Sen. Joe Baldacci Defends Censure of Laurel Libby During Debate with House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham…] “At this point the Bangor Mall is on its way to economic self-destruction. Ten years ago it was assessed at over $100 million. Today it’s $13 million,” said Sen. Baldacci.…

The transgender-identifying Waterville City Councilor Rien Finch—formerly known as Hannah Heidt—resigned from her position without warning on Monday, claiming that President Donald Trump’s election left her physically unable to breathe, requiring hospitalization. [RELATED: Feds Rule Maine’s Transgender Policy Forcing Females to Compete Against Males Violates Title IX…] “Mentally, I’ve taken a beating,” said Finch in an email reviewed by Central Maine. “I had taken a beating before getting sick and I’m absolutely certain it contributed to how physically ill I was. It didn’t start with the election, though that heavily contributed.” The former Ward Six councilor reportedly first became sick…

The FBI successfully extradited Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, 47, thought to be a key leader of the MS-13 terrorist gang, on Monday night, marking the third member of the FBI’s ten most wanted fugitives list apprehended under President Donald Trump. [RELATED: Cartel Terrorist Bomb Kills Texas Rancher…] “He was arrested in Mexico and is being transported within the U.S. as we speak, where he will face American justice. This is a major victory both for our law enforcement partners and for a safer America,” said FBI director Kash Patel on X. https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1902008572088909884 The White House also released a statement celebrating the…

As Maine faces a potentially substantial loss of federal education funding for refusing to comply with one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, the University of Maine has quietly changed the name of its Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) in an attempt to avoid a funding loss. On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at halting federally-funded Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. [RELATED: Just 5.5 Percent of Maine College Professors Are Registered GOP — UMaine Law Profs Include Zero Republicans…] “My words to people are ‘Try not focusing so much on the words, and focus…

Maine’s legislature held a public hearing on Monday for a bill from Rep. Chad Perkins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) that would expand Mainers’ right to self-defense, removing requirements for potential victims to either retreat or surrender property before defending themselves. [RELATED: Maine Democrats Push Bill to Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Criminal Sentences…] “Removal of the duty to retreat is not new, it’s not radical, and it surely is not without precedent,” said Rep. Perkins, presenting his bill to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety. “Duty to retreat laws subordinate the liberty interests of the law abiding person to the wishes of unlawful…

Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston) wants to put tampons in high school and middle school boys’ bathrooms with a new bill that would require free menstrual products in public school restrooms, even for male students who do not menstruate. The bill, LD 155, drew support from nine Democratic co-sponsors and will be considered in the Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs. The bill instructs Maine School Administrative Districts (MSAD) to provide menstrual products in all school restrooms in any schools with students from 6th to 12th grade, regardless of the gender designation of the bathroom. [RELATED: House Dems Strips Laurel Libby’s…

President Donald Trump made a bombshell announcement on Sunday night, declaring that all the pardons signed by former President Joe Biden for the members of the Select Committee on the January 6, 2021 are invalid because they were signed with an autopen. [RELATED: Biden Lashes Out at Press, Suffers Memory Lapse While Denying Senility…] “The “Pardons” that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen. In other words, Joe Biden did not…

The Oxford County Sheriff’s Department conducted a raid on a large-scale illegal marijuana operation in Dixfield on Friday, seizing over 1,600 illegally cultivated plants. The Sheriff’s Department procured a search warrant after receiving information that a house on Porter Rd. in Dixfield had been converted into an illegal marijuana grow site. The address — 142

Images from Houlton Sector Border Patrol

Update: After the publication of this article, Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) contacted The Maine Wire saying that she has reconsidered her bill, and is planning to urge others to vote against the bill because she believes that the language of the bill in its current form is not yet fully developed. “I am asking that my bill be voted out “ought not to pass” at this time, not because the idea lacks merit, but because the language is not yet fully developed. Given the urgency of addressing the mental health crisis in our schools, I believe the bill’s intent is…

The White House withdrew the nomination of President Donald Trump’s pick for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director, David Weldon, on Wednesday night, the day before his confirmation hearing was scheduled. [RELATED: Senate Confirms Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Next HHS Secretary…] After the withdrawal, Weldon, a medical doctor and former congressman from Florida, released a lengthy statement explaining why he believes he was withdrawn, suggesting that opposition from senators, including Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), and his past criticism of large pharmaceutical companies were to blame. “Twelve hours before my scheduled confirmation hearing in the Senate, I…

Lewiston’s Rep. Mana Abdi (D) has introduced a bill to allow state workers to get the Muslim holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha off from work, requiring the closure of all non-essential state offices on those days — which fall on different dates each year. [RELATED: Maine Department of Corrections to Pilot Prison Rehab Program Tailored to Muslim Inmates…] “For Muslims living in Maine, these holidays hold the same significance as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Yet, unlike these widely recognized holidays, Muslim Mainers often face the dilemma of choosing between their faith and work or school obligations,” explained Rep. Abdi…

The number of migrants crossing from South to North America through what had been a highly-trafficked corridor on Panama’s southern border drastically dropped in February to its lowest level since COVID lockdowns, suggesting a potential result of President Donald Trump’s tightened immigration policies. [RELATED: CBP Closes Temporary Processing Facilities after Historic Low Encounter Number Make Them Unnecessary…] The Darién Gap traverses the border between Panama and Colombia and more generally between North and South America. No roads connect the continents through the Gap, and any immigrants trying to cross into the U.S. by land starting in South American nations, such…

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun reducing the number of temporary soft-sided illegal immigrant processing facilities this month, as record-low border crossings and quick removals have rendered them unnecessary, the agency’s acting head said on Thursday. [RELATED: Pentagon Orders Mechanized Stryker Brigade with 5,000 Troops to the Southern Border…] “CBP no longer has a need for (the temporary processing facilities) as illegal aliens are being quickly removed. The U.S. Border Patrol has full capability to manage the detention of apprehended aliens in its permanent facilities,” said acting CBP commissioner Pete Flores. He added that the resources and…

Protecting Sears Island from exploitative development has been a mission of its Waldo County defenders for decades, and the latest leader in this effort wants to make sure that it is not turned into a port for controversial wind turbines. On Wednesday, the Maine’s Legislative Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held public hearings on Wednesday for two bills from Rep. Reagan Paul (R-Winterport) that would codify protections for Sears Island into law and prevent it from being developed for that offshore turbines that have raised the ire of fishermen up and down the coast. [RELATED: DOT Rejects Maine’s Request…

Maine’s Committee on Veterans and Legal Affairs voted in favor of a bill legalizing home alcohol distilling with a positive, “Ought to Pass as Amended,” recommendation on Wednesday, despite opposition from three committee Democrats and one Unenrolled representative. [RELATED: Maine Dems Demand Governor’s Weed Boss Stop Hiding Legally Required Report from Legislature…] The Republican-led bill, LD 631, sponsored by Rep. Tammy Schmersal-Burgess (R-Mexico) at the request of a constituent, drew support from nine Republican co-sponsors. Despite the lack of Democratic co-sponsors and the opposition from four committee members, the bill received strong bipartisan support with an ultimate 8-4 “Ought to…

The Portland Press Herald published the same unredacted photo of a transgender-identifying male minor on Tuesday that they slammed Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn) for posting, the same photo that led the Democrat Majority to strip her of her right to vote and speak on the House floor. [RELATED: Rep. Libby Files Federal Lawsuit Against Speaker Fecteau for Violating Her Constitutional Rights…] Rep. Libby posted a publicly available photo of a transgender-identifying minor standing victorious over girls at a high school pole vault competition in February, calling out the policies that continue to force female athletes to compete against males in…

Rep. Jared Golden (ME-CD2) explained why he was the only Democrat in the House to vote on Tuesday in favor of a Republican-led, seven-month Continuing Resolution (CR) spending package that would avert a government shutdown. [RELATED: 1,500-Plus Page Continuing Resolution Needed to Avoid Gov’t Shutdown Includes Billions in Storm Relief and Pay Raise for Lawmakers…] “At worst, Dems are adopting the same cynical GOP political tactics that we have rightfully denounced — using misdirection to justify a vote. This may seem politically expedient, but it only lowers us to a level we shouldn’t accept,” said Rep. Golden on X. https://twitter.com/RepGolden/status/1899582928293703951…

New Hampshire’s senior senator and former governor, Jeanne Shaheen (D), announced on Wednesday that she will not seek another term in the U.S. Senate in 2026, where she has served since 2009 after six years as the state’s governor. [RELATED: NH State Police Join List of Law Enforcement Partnering with ICE While Maine Agencies Remain Off the List…] “Today after careful consideration, I’m announcing that I have made the difficult decision not to seek reelection to the senate in 2026. It’s just time,” said Sen. Shaheen. “There are urgent challenges ahead, both here at home and around the world, and…

Maine Wire Editor-in-Chief Steve Robinson contributed to this report. UPDATE: The Maine Wire has learned the likely explanation for the recusal of Maine’s federal judges is a familial conflict with an employee of the court. Specifically, a parent of the male high school athlete featured in the image Rep. Laurel Libby was censured for posting to Facebook works for the court. https://twitter.com/TheMaineWire/status/1899908059801190747 In an unprecedented move that’s turning heads in the legal community, every single federal judge in the District of Maine has recused themselves from a first-of-its-kind lawsuit pitting a House Republican against the Democratic House Speaker who stripped…

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revoked the security clearance of a cadre of Democratic staffers, officials and lawyers associated with highly-politicized activities on Monday and barred former President Joe Biden from accessing the President’s Daily Briefing, following a directive from President Donald Trump. [RELATED: Senate Confirms Tulsi Gabbard As Director Of National Intelligence…] “Per @POTUS directive, I have revoked security clearances and barred access to classified information for Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Mark Zaid, Norman Eisen, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, and Andrew Weissman, along with the 51 signers of the Hunter Biden “disinformation” letter,” said Gabbard on…

Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser ordered the dismantling of the city’s Black Lives Matter (BLM) Plaza and the destruction of its mural—which she commissioned—with crews beginning demolition work on Monday following pressure from Republicans. [RELATED: State Department Orders Embassies to Stop Flying Pride, BLM Flags, in New Trump Era Rule…] “The mural inspired millions of people, and helped our people through a very painful period, but now we can’t afford to be distracted by meaningless congressional interference. The devastating impact of the federal job cuts must be our number one concern,” said Mayor Bowser. https://twitter.com/MayorBowser/status/1897039109434364388 Bowser’s announcement came just one…

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey celebrated a settlement with Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC that will cap Mainers’ insulin costs at $35 per month out-of-pocket on Tuesday, but the company had already been providing the drug at that cost for over a year. [RELATED: Instead of Cutting Fat from the Budget, Maine Democrats Want State-Funded Weight Loss Drugs…] “Under the settlement, Mainers who are uninsured or who have commercial health insurance will be eligible to purchase monthly supplies of Sanofi insulin products through 2029 for $35 cash,” said the Attorney General’s Office in a press release. According to Frey, Sanofi also agreed…