With an official investigation of the Maine Department of Labor looming, state legislators say they are still hearing from constituents that the new unemployment filing system is leaving them in the dark without their benefits. Rep. Ryan Fecteau, D-Biddeford, and Sen. Shenna Bellows, D-Manchester, both members of the legislative committee that has called for the […]
politics
Posted inNation / World
Barbara Bush’s health is failing, and she won’t seek more care
Former first lady Barbara Bush, who celebrated her 92nd birthday last June at the family’s seaside home in Kennebunkport, is in “failing health” and won’t seek more medical treatment, the Bush family spokesman said Sunday. “Following a recent series of hospitalizations, and after consulting her family and doctors, Mrs. Bush … has decided not to […]
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Posted inMaine, Nation / World
Maine delegation members say Congress needs to play more active role on Syria
After the United States, Britain and France launched airstrikes Friday night against Syria for its alleged use of banned chemical weapons, three members of Maine’s congressional delegation called on Congress to play a more active role in putting pressure on the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Independent Sen. Angus King and Reps. Chellie Pingree […]
Posted inMaine
Flag-bearing Second Amendment supporters rally at State House
AUGUSTA — Hundreds of flag-holding, sign-carrying people rallied Saturday at the plaza between the State House and the Burton M. Cross State Office Building in support of maintaining their right to bear arms and warning politicians against interfering with that. The Second Amendment Rights Rally was peaceful but cold, and filled with cheers for those […]
Posted inMaine
Legislative panel divided on ‘red flag’ gun bill
AUGUSTA — Lawmakers struggled Friday to find a compromise on a proposal to allow police to temporarily confiscate the guns of individuals deemed to pose an “immediate and present danger.” After discussing the issue for several hours, members of the Judiciary Committee appeared to be heading down two paths on the only major gun-related bill […]
Posted inMaine
Bill that allows over-the-counter naloxone for people younger than 21 clears Maine Senate
AUGUSTA — A bill that would remove age restrictions on Mainers who want to buy the anti-overdose drug naloxone without a prescription is on its way to the desk of Gov. Paul LePage after the Republican-controlled Maine Senate unanimously endorsed the measure Friday. Sponsored by Speaker of the House Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, the bill is […]
Posted inNation / World
U.S. launches missile strikes against Syria
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump ordered a military attack against Syrian President Bashar Assad on Friday, joining allies Britain and France in launching missile strikes in retaliation for what Western nations said was the deliberate gassing of Syrian civilians. The coordinated strike marked the second time in a year that Trump has used force against […]
Posted inNation / World
Trump pardons Scooter Libby — ex-White House aide who leaked info
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump issued a full pardon Friday to I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, a former top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. Trump said he does not know Libby, but “for years I have heard that he has been treated unfairly. Hopefully, this full pardon will help rectify a very sad portion […]
Posted inMaine
Tempers flare as Maine House approves ban on conversion therapy
AUGUSTA — A House debate over legislation to ban conversion therapy in Maine devolved Thursday into an emotional and, at times, personal display of the lingering cultural divide at the State House over sexual orientation and religion. House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, sternly warned several speakers against “impugning the motives” of other lawmakers and even […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Former FBI director James Comey compares Donald Trump to mob boss
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former FBI Director James Comey blasts President Donald Trump as unethical and “untethered to truth” in a sharply critical new book that describes Trump as fixated in the early days of his administration on having the FBI debunk salacious rumors he insisted were untrue but could distress his wife. In the forthcoming […]