WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon’s oft-criticized missile defense program has scored a triumph, destroying a mock warhead over the Pacific Ocean with an interceptor that is key to protecting U.S. territory from a North Korean attack. Vice Adm. Jim Syring, director of the Pentagon agency in charge of developing the missile defense system, called Tuesday’s […]
politics
Posted inNation / World
Michael Flynn agrees to give some documents to Senate intelligence committee
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn will provide documents to the Senate intelligence committee as part of its probe into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election, The Associated Press has learned. Flynn’s decision Tuesday came as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, rejected a House intelligence committee request for information, and […]
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Posted inMaine
Paul LePage accuses left of bombarding his office with FOAA requests
Gov. Paul LePage called the public records requests flooding his office “a form of intimidation” during a radio interview Tuesday. “I just find it outrageous” that opponents bombard his office with demands for records that “they never use” because they don’t find anything untoward, the governor said. The Associated Press reported this week that the […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage says state faces mountain of records requests
AUGUSTA — The governor’s office says it’s facing a mountain of public records requests, but one law firm isn’t waiting for its documents so patiently. Andrew Schmidt Law filed a lawsuit against the state, saying it’s been waiting for six months to get information behind Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s decision to withdraw from the refugee […]
Posted inNation / World
Mike Dubke resigns as White House communications director
WASHINGTON — Mike Dubke has resigned as White House communications director in the first of what could be a series of changes to President Donald Trump’s senior staff amid the growing Russia scandal. Dubke, who served in the post for three months, tendered his resignation May 18. He offered to stay on to help manage […]
Posted inNation / World
Suspected drug thefts persist at Veterans Affairs centers
WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal authorities are investigating dozens of new cases of possible opioid and other drug theft by employees at Veterans Affairs hospitals, a sign the problem isn’t going away as more prescriptions disappear. Data obtained by The Associated Press show 36 criminal investigations opened by the VA inspector general’s office from Oct. 1 […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump gets his intelligence in small bites
The Washington Post’s Philip Rucker and Ashley Parker explain how President Trump receives his daily intelligence briefing, and the techniques briefers use to give the president information. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post) WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump consumes classified intelligence like he does most everything else in life: ravenously and impatiently, eager to ingest glinting nuggets […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump lashes out at leaks, considers staff upheaval
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is assailing internal leaks as he considers an overhaul of his White House staff and grapples with a burgeoning crisis involving alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign. Frustrated with what he views as his team’s inability to push back against the drumbeat of new revelations, Trump is seeking […]
Posted inMaine
Gov. Paul LePage releases 17 prisoners with commutation plan
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage said Friday that he has granted conditional commutation orders for prisoners through a plan that he says won’t threaten public safety and will help offenders get jobs. The ACLU of Maine and state prisoner advocates have applauded the Republican governor’s idea to release lower-risk inmates, while some fellow Republicans have […]
Posted inMaine
Maine governor, many lawmakers at odds with 4 referendums
PORTLAND — Maine voters thought they approved sweeping changes to the state’s rules on marijuana, taxes, voting and the minimum wage when they went to the polls last year. But think again. The four referendums have hit roadblocks as Republican Gov. Paul LePage, the state Legislature and the courts have weighed in. The final rule […]