Posted inMaine

Brothers indicted for alleged welfare fraud at halal market

If guilty, Ali Ratib Daham and Abdul Kareem Daham face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Two brothers from Westbrook, Maine, are facing federal charges for operating massive welfare fraud at a grocery market. Acting U.S. attorney Richard Murphy said Tuesday that 40-year-old Ali Ratib Daham and […]

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Sally Schofield, convicted in death of foster child, released from prison

PORTLAND (AP) — A former Maine health official accused of binding her 5-year-old foster child in a high chair with duct tape and convicted of manslaughter in the child’s death has been released from prison. WCSH-TV reports ex-Department of Health and Human Services supervisor Sally Schofield left prison Tuesday. Schofield was sentenced to 17 years […]

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Maine lawmakers consider ballot initiatives, clean elections

AUGUSTA (AP) — Lawmakers are considering bills to change the way that citizen initiatives get on the ballot. Republicans like Gov. Paul LePage argue Maine’s constitution and state law allow millions of out-of-state dollars to fund costly campaigns that mislead voters. More than a dozen bills that would make it harder for citizen initiatives to […]

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Sen. Libby’s bill would give citizens oversight of welfare programs

AUGUSTA (AP) — Citizens would monitor the success and progress of the state-run welfare-to-work program under a democratic lawmaker’s bill. Assistant Senate Democratic Leader Nathan Libby is sponsoring a bill that would create an independent citizens oversight committee. The committee would require the state Department of Health and Human Services to collect data about topics […]

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Maine Democrats, Republicans at odds over sick leave bill

AUGUSTA (AP) — Democrats want to advance a universal sick leave bill despite opposition from Republicans on a legislative committee. The Legislature’s Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development Committee this week voted 5-4 in favor of the bill. Two other Republicans and two Democrats who weren’t present have until Thursday to cast their votes. The […]

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Maine naturopaths rally behind bill to guarantee insurance

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Naturopaths in Maine are rallying behind a bill designed to prevent insurers from discriminating against health care providers who are licensed by the state. Sen. Justin Chenette, a Saco Democrat, submitted the bill on behalf of the Maine Association of Naturopathic Doctors. He says patients in Maine are being denied access […]

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‘All lives matter,’ LePage tells protesters at USM

Gov. Paul LePage looks on as protesters chant during a student-organized town hall at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus. PORTLAND, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage calmly weathered a torrent of disruptions during a student-organized town hall at the University of Southern Maine’s Portland campus Tuesday evening. LePage was interrupted repeatedly during the hourlong […]