WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate narrowly voted down a resolution on Wednesday to repeal an Obama-era rule regulating methane emissions from drilling on public lands – with three Republicans joining every Democrat to preserve the rule. The 51 to 49 vote marked the first time since President Donald Trump’s election that Republicans have failed in […]
politics
Posted inMaine
Maine Senate kills college voter verification bill
The Senate killed a Republican bill on Tuesday that would have increased scrutiny on voting college students in Maine. Five Republicans helped Democrats kill a bill from House Minority Leader Ken Fredette, R-Newport, that would have made cities and towns verify the residence of voters registered at a college dormitory. Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap’s […]
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Analysis: Does Maine have $150 million of unspent federal cash?
House Speaker Sara Gideon, D-Freeport, this week unveiled her wide-ranging Leveraging Investments in Families Today bill, which aims to expand and enhance social service programs with federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant money that she says has gone unspent. Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Tuesday that Gideon and the Democrats are wrong about the availability of the […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump defends Comey firing, says both parties will thank him
In this photo taken May 8, 2017, FBI Director James Comey speaks in Washington. President Donald Trump has fired Comey. In a statement on Tuesday, May 9, Trump says Comey’s firing “will mark a new beginning” for the FBI. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump defended his firing of FBI Director James Comey, […]
Posted inNation / World
Donald Trump fires FBI Director James Comey
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly fired FBI Director James Comey Tuesday, ousting the nation’s top law enforcement official in the midst of an investigation by the agency into whether Trump’s campaign had ties to Russia’s election meddling. In a letter to Comey, Trump said the firing was necessary to restore “public trust and confidence” […]
Posted inMaine
State Senate votes down Nate Libby’s lead paint bill
AUGUSTA — A Maine bill reinforcing federal requirements for training and certification to do renovation work on buildings containing lead is dead, leaving unresolved questions about the safety of renovating homes in Maine that contain lead paint or plumbing. The Maine House and Senate failed to come to agreement on the measure, with the Democrat-led House voting in favor of the […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Lewiston mayor assures legal immigrants there is no ICE threat
LEWISTON — On Tuesday Mayor Robert Macdonald issued a statement of concern about the contents of a postcard he received in the mail at his home on Friday. According to the statement, the postcard related to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be coming into a community and deporting people. Macdonald said he was “concerned […]
Posted inNation / World
Sources say James Comey misstated key Clinton email evidence at hearing
FBI Director James Comey overstated key findings involving the Hillary Clinton email investigation during testimony to Congress last week, according to people close to the inquiry. In defending the probe, Comey offered seemingly new details to underscore the seriousness of the situation FBI agents faced last fall when they discovered thousands of Clinton aide Huma […]
Posted inMaine
Paul LePage: It’s unfair Narcan is free but allergy pens aren’t
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor says people on opiates who get free shots of Narcan have an advantage over people with allergies who have to pay for their own medication. Gov. Paul LePage said during a Tuesday radio call-in that he got a letter from a dad whose family members have to carry allergy pens […]
Posted inMaine
LePage bill wants health care workers to report substance abuse by pregnant women
AUGUSTA — Maine’s Republican governor wants to require everyone from a school bus driver to camp counselors to report a pregnant woman’s suspected substance abuse. The state says 8 percent of babies born in 2015 were affected by drugs, alcohol, or both. Currently, under state law, certain health care providers have to tell the state […]