Two years ago, a Kennebec Journal carrier delivering papers in Augusta early one morning spotted something shimmering in her headlights. So Donna Keller stopped to take a look. It turned out to be a beautiful old ring with “five white stone diamonds,” as Keeler told her newspaper at the time. That ring, it turned out, […]
politics
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump: ‘I’d run in there even if I didn’t have a weapon’
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump told the nation’s governors on Monday that he would have rushed in to aid students and teachers during the deadly mass shooting at a Florida high school. “You don’t know until you’re tested but I think I really believe I’d run in there even if I didn’t have a […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Jessica Corbett rejects polygraph challenge from ex-Trump speechwriter
Two weeks after quitting as a White House speechwriter in the wake of allegations of domestic abuse, former Maine political operative David Sorensen released polygraph results that he says prove the accusations false. Sorensen called on his ex-wife, Jessica Corbett, to take one as well or retract her claims that he abused her during their two-and-a-half year marriage. Corbett […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
New bills would require Maine officials to show up for meetings
AUGUSTA (AP) — Some lawmakers want to make sure elected officials show up in person to public meetings. Two bills set for a Tuesday public hearing would no longer allow some officials to use phones or other technology to remotely participate in public meetings. The Legislature’s Right to Know Advisory Committee has expressed concern that […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Candidates for Maine governor weigh in on gun reform
AUGUSTA — As the national debate over mass shootings intensifies, candidates hoping to become Maine’s next governor fall largely along ideological lines – with some nuances and non-answers – on several oft-discussed policy responses to gun violence. Most Democratic candidates for governor support measures such as banning assault weapons and larger-capacity ammunition clips or requiring […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congress returns amid pressure to act on gun violence
WASHINGTON (AP) — After a 10-day break, members of Congress are returning to work under hefty pressure to respond to the outcry over gun violence. But no plan appears ready to take off despite a long list of proposals, including many from President Donald Trump. Republican leaders have kept quiet for days as Trump tossed […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
State teachers' union head against arming teachers
AUGUSTA — The president of the Maine Education Association said the union representing teachers has many reasons to oppose guns in classrooms. “We hear stories about accidents that happen,” said Lois Kilby-Chesley. “This morning a Utah teacher had a gun and holster.” The teacher shot his own foot. Earlier this month in another state a […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. companies distance themselves from NRA as pressure mounts
NEW YORK (AP) — Three more companies said Friday they had ended discount programs with the National Rifle Association, as U.S. corporations take a closer look at investments, co-branding deals and other ties to the gun industry after the latest school massacre. Petitions are circulating online targeting companies that offer discounts to NRA members on […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S. tightens sanctions on North Korean shipping
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration escalated pressure on North Korea Friday by slapping sanctions on scores of companies and ships accused of illicit trading with the pariah nation. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the U.S. has now blacklisted virtually all ships being used by the North. The administration billed it as the largest installment […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump calls for arming many teachers, more guards at schools
WASHINGTON (AP) — Urging the arming of many teachers and school security guards, President Donald Trump said Friday the armed officer who didn’t stop the gunman who carried out last week’s Florida massacre was either a “coward” or “didn’t react properly under pressure.” Departing the White House for the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump told […]