But no one is more excited than 29 students from northern Maine will help kick off inaugural events Thursday evening in Washington, D.C. Ben Meiklejohn, conductor of the “Pride of Madawaska,” said his middle and high school musicians are ready to represent Maine – and small-town America. The event at the Lincoln Memorial will feature […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
EPA nominee Scott Pruitt testifies climate change isn’t hoax
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s choice to head the Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that climate change is real, breaking with both the president-elect and his own past statements. In response to questions from Democrats during his Senate confirmation hearing, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said he disagreed with Trump’s earlier claims that global warming is […]
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Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Supreme Court justices raise doubts over law barring offensive trademarks
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court raised doubts Wednesday about a law that bars the government from registering trademarks that are deemed offensive. The justices heard arguments in a dispute involving an Asian-American band called the Slants that was denied a trademark because the U.S. Patent and Trademark office says the name disparages Asians. The band […]
Posted inBusiness
Collins, King, Poliquin testify for Auburn Manufacturing in trade case
On Wednesday morning, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin had Kathie Leonard’s back. The three of four members of Maine’s congressional delegation testified in front of the U.S. International Trade Commission in support of Leonard’s claims that unfairly subsidized Chinese material is hurting her business at Auburn Manufacturing Inc. AMI […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Employers seem happy to share job creation credit with Donald Trump
WASHINGTON — From Wal-Mart to General Motors to Amazon, a growing number of the world’s largest companies appear to be trying to get in step with President-elect Donald Trump’s demand that employers hire and keep jobs at home. Trump, in response, has taken to Twitter to signal his approval. “Thank you to General Motors and […]
Posted inBusiness, sj-web
Analysis: The mistake Maine and other states made with legal marijuana
The arrival of 2017 will bring many changes to the country, including falling marijuana prices in states that have legalized a recreational market. Cannabis users may cheer this news, but it heralds the start of an enduring budgetary headache for states that tax legal marijuana sales based solely on price. New data from one legalization […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Congressional analyst warns 18 million would lose insurance after ACA repeal
WASHINGTON — Insurance premiums would soar for millions of Americans and 18 million more would be uninsured in just one year if Republicans scuttle much of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul without a replacement, Congress’ budget analysts said Tuesday. Spotlighting potential perils for Republicans, the report immediately became a flashing hazard light for this […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Analysis: Outrage continues to bounce off Gov. Paul LePage
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage catapulted himself into the national media spotlight again Tuesday with controversial comments widely viewed as racially insensitive. On Tuesday, one day after the nation celebrated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday, LePage on WVOM radio echoed criticisms that President-elect Donald Trump has leveled at U.S. […]
Posted inMaine
Legislature eyes earlier time zone for Maine
AUGUSTA — Though it may sound peculiar, some Maine lawmakers are aiming to make the winter sun set later in the Pine Tree State. A measure under consideration by the Committee on State and Local Government would begin the process of shifting Maine into a new time zone that would put it an hour ahead […]
Posted inMaine
Susan Collins backs health care plan that allows Obamacare to survive
A week after casting a vote that may spell doom for the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins proposed a replacement plan that would allow states to keep President Barack Obama’s signature program alive. Collins said she will introduce legislation soon with a Louisiana colleague that “would allow states to have more choices” than […]