The Republican candidate from Maine’s 2nd Congressional District gained newfound appreciation for freedom in a failed business.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inElection 2020, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics
Presidential debate outsiders still ready to rumble for Maine votes
A trio of presidential contenders on Maine’s ballot said voters deserve to hear from more than just Trump and Biden.
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Posted inBusiness, Maine
Poland Spring seeks new packaging materials derived from Maine’s woods
The Poland-based bottler is collaborating with the University of Maine to find alternative packaging that would lessen its use of petroleum-based products.
Posted inbPlus, Local Sports, Maine colleges
Maine’s first football game took place at Bates College 145 years ago
In 1875, Bates and Tufts enthusiastically competed in the brand new sport of football, not quite ready for prime time. Among the rules during the raucous game: No projecting nails allowed.
Posted inElection 2020, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics
Donald Trump Jr. fires up a crowd in Auburn
The president’s eldest son made a quick campaign stop Thursday at Rolly’s Diner.
Posted inElection 2020, Maine, Politics
Sister’s book offers a glimpse into Sara Gideon’s past
A thin memoir from 2009 by Melanie Gideon drops some inside scoop about the U.S. Senate contender before she got into politics.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
New trails eyed for Lewiston’s Garcelon Bog
City eyes $50,000 project to make the ancient bog more accessible to adjoining neighborhoods.
Posted inElection 2020, Elections, Maine, Politics
Pandemic relief lands front and center in 2nd District congressional race
Jared Golden and Dale Crafts each want more relief for those struggling, but they differ on how best to do it.
Posted inHealth, Lewiston-Auburn
Four COVID-19 cases discovered at Buffalo Wild Wings in Auburn
Buffalo Wild Wings at 648 Turner St. shut down for deep cleaning, and its ill employees are in isolation, officials said.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Astronomer discusses what Earth would be like if it never had a moon
University of Maine’s Neil Comins said the moon helped create longer days, seasons and the building blocks for life to evolve.