WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate debate over health care has made it painfully clear: behind their self-confident “repeal and replace” slogan, Republicans were never united around an alternative to “Obamacare.” Rolling back a government program that’s benefiting millions of people is hard enough — maybe next to impossible — but Republicans compounded their own difficulties […]
politics
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump shows the Boy Scouts how to start a political fire
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — No knot-tying demonstrations. No wood-carving advice. President Donald Trump went straight to starting a fire in a speech at a national Boy Scout gathering. Parents, former Scouts and others were furious after Trump railed against his enemies, promoted his political agenda and underlined his insistence on loyalty before an audience of […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump message manager ready to clean house to stop leaks
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s new communications director says he’s prepared to clean house in order to stop information leaks which have plagued the administration. Anthony Scaramucci, the Wall Street financier tapped for the role last week, said Tuesday that he was prepared to “fire everybody” to stop information leaks from the press office. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins on hot mic about Donald Trump: 'I'm worried'
At the end of a Senate subcommittee hearing on Tuesday morning, Chairman Susan Collins, R-Maine, didn’t switch off her microphone. Apparently speaking to Sen. Jack Reed, R.I., the ranking Democrat of the committee, Collins discussed the federal budget – and President Donald Trump’s lack of familiarity with the details of governing. After Reed praises Collins’ […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins less than impressed by Texan who talked of a duel
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins isn’t exactly wowed by the Texas congressman “that challenged me to a duel.” Caught on a hot microphone talking Tuesday with U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., the Maine Republican called Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Texas, huge and unattractive. According to a recording posted by The Hill, Reed told Collins “Trust me, you know […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Donald Trump asks about firing Jeff Sessions, calls his position 'weak'
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has spoken with advisers about firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions, officials say, and launched a fresh Twitter tirade Tuesday against the man who was the first U.S. senator to endorse his candidacy. “Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Dog Gov. Paul LePage tried to pardon will live, receive training
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A dog that Maine’s governor tried to rescue from a euthanasia sentence will live. The Kennebec Journal reports that a judge on Monday agreed to a deal to send an Alaskan husky named Dakota to a veterinary hospital for training after it attacked two other dogs, killing one. A judge had […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Susan Collins: Trump should stop talking about Mueller probe
PORTLAND (AP) — Republican Sen. Susan Collins says President Donald Trump needs to stop publicly commenting on the investigation into coordination between the Russian government and his campaign. Collins’ comments concerned Robert Mueller, who has been appointed as special counsel to investigate Russian election interference. Trump recently told the New York Times it would be […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine legislative panel mulls levying 10 percent tax on marijuana
AUGUSTA (AP) — As the legalization of recreational marijuana sales in Maine nears, a legislative panel has spent months pondering the best way to tax pot to bring in state revenue, fund regulatory enforcement and discourage the illicit market. In November, legalization of recreational marijuana was approved. Possession of recreational marijuana became legal this year, […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Due to Trump actions, Maine to see fewest refugees resettled in 7 years
PORTLAND, Maine — The organization that helps refugees first transition to life in Maine is expecting half the number of people it originally planned to resettle in the state this year. Catholic Charities of Maine had planned to help resettle 685 refugees from around the world by the end of September, but now expects about […]