AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s governor is urging people to report suspected child abuse in the wake of the high-profile deaths of two young girls. At a news conference Tuesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage said anyone who suspects child abuse should speak up, especially doctors, teachers and other people who are required by law to report possible […]
politics
Posted inNation / World
Utah’s ‘free-range parenting’ law said to be first in the nation
It all started when Lenore Skenazy let her 9-year-old ride the subway home alone. She gave him a map, a MetroCard, a $20 bill and – just in case – some quarters for a pay phone call, and left him in the handbag section in New York’s original Bloomingdale’s. It was all his idea. He […]
advertisement
Posted inMaine, sj-web
State seeks public input on dropping proficiency-based graduation standards
AUGUSTA — The public will get the chance to weigh in on a proposal to eliminate proficiency-based diplomas, state lawmakers said Tuesday. The idea, which surfaced as an amendment to a bill that would delay the diplomas a year, will be brought forward as its own bill so there can be a public hearing, said […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump suggests paying for U.S. border wall with Pentagon funds
WASHINGTON (AP) — Still angry about the budget deal he signed last week, President Donald Trump has floated the idea of using the Pentagon budget to pay for his long-promised border wall with Mexico, despite the fact that such spending would likely require approval from Congress. Trump raised the funding plan with House Speaker Paul […]
Posted inNation / World
Man who tried to marry his laptop pushes anti-porn bill
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A man who tried to marry his laptop in a legal fight against same-sex marriage is promoting legislation across the country to require a filter to block pornography and human trafficking websites that would be lifted if a user pays $20. The measure pushed by Chris Sevier has been described as […]
Posted inMaine
Sides poised for battle over $111 million state tax cut
AUGUSTA – A political battle is heating up in the State House over whether Maine should conform the state income tax with new federal tax law, a move that would bring a wave of tax cuts valued at about $111 million. The Legislature’s Taxation Committee on Monday began a close examination of Gov. Paul LePage’s tax […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
At odds with Bolton on North Korea, Defense Secretary Mattis appears isolated
WASHINGTON (AP) — Of the issues that divide Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and President Donald Trump’s incoming national security adviser, John Bolton, one stands out: North Korea. Bolton, who will replace Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster on April 9, has publicly advocated for overthrowing the North Korean government. Mattis, a retired Marine general who knows […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Tax breaks go to the big guys
My congressman, Bruce Poliquin, is always talking about wanting to help small business owners. What my small business in rural Maine needs is customers, not tax breaks. Few small businesses, such as mine, pay much in corporate taxes because we are making very little in profit. Almost everything goes back into the business. The biggest, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine Senate president Mike Thibodeau drops out of governor’s race
AUGUSTA — Senate President Mike Thibodeau said Monday that he is withdrawing from the Republican primary race for governor in order to focus more of his time on his legislative leadership position and his business. Thibodeau said in a statement posted on his campaign’s website and Facebook page that “there simply aren’t enough hours in […]
Posted inBusiness
FTC confirms Facebook investigation on privacy
NEW YORK (AP) — The Federal Trade Commission is investigating Facebook’s privacy practices following a week of privacy scandals including whether the company engaged in “unfair acts” that cause “substantial injury” to consumers. Facebook’s stock, which already took a big hit last week, plunged as a result. Facebook said in a statement on Monday that […]