AUGUSTA — Maine officials can have a child in their custody vaccinated over the objections of a parent, the state’s highest court ruled this week. In a 3-1 decision, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court upheld a lower court decision that ordered the state’s Department of Health and Human Services to vaccinate a child against the wishes […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Feds say Maine missed chance to appeal Riverview decision
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Gov. Paul LePage’s administration missed its chance to challenge the federal government’s decision to strip the Riverview Psychiatric Recovery Center of its federal certification, a judge ruled Tuesday. U.S. District Judge Jon Levy ruled that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services waived its right to challenge the June 2013 […]
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Hillary Clinton plans to campaign in Portland
PORTLAND — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is planning to swing through Maine next month. A Clinton campaign official said Wednesday that the former secretary of state and first lady will hold a grassroots organizing meeting Sept. 18 in Portland. Clinton is looking to continue building her network of volunteers and plans to urge supporters […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Drug testing for welfare recipients off to slow start in Maine
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage hailed drug screenings for certain welfare recipients as a way to protect taxpayer dollars. But since the program was launched a few months ago, only a handful of recipients have been ordered to take tests and most people who have lost their assistance have done so because they failed to show […]
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Collins, King urge feds to increase access for opioid treatment
The same day Republican Gov. Paul LePage reiterated his intent to use National Guard troops to fight Maine’s growing heroin problem, the state’s U.S. senators called on the federal government to increase access to treatment programs for painkiller addicts. Those addicted to prescription painkillers often use heroin as a substitute when they can no longer […]
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Latest Paul LePage missive could trigger 18,000 new pen pals for governor
AUGUSTA — In the latest in a series of handwritten messages, Republican Gov. Paul LePage denied he’s among a group of plaintiffs suing President Barack Obama. “I believe you mistake me for someone else,” LePage wrote in his note to Murshed Zaheed, an activist with the national group CREDO Action. “I do not have a lawsuit […]
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Gov. Paul LePage considers using National Guard against drug epidemic
BANGOR — Maine Gov. Paul LePage says he’d use the Maine National Guard “if necessary” to help fight an epidemic of heroin and other drugs. LePage told WVOM-FM in Bangor that he has the authority to use the National Guard if the Legislature refuses to provide the resources he’s sought. His remark was an apparent […]
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Maine monitoring avian flu viruses, preparing for outbreak
AUGUSTA — Maine’s governor and other officials say the state is preparing for the possibility of an avian flu outbreak and readying residents about how to minimize any impact on domestic poultry. Gov. Paul LePage says the state is being “proactive” about its precautions about the disease. The disease has not been detected in Maine. […]
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Mark Eves accuses Paul LePage of contributing to drug problem
AUGUSTA — Legislative leaders Friday endorsed Gov. Paul LePage’s plan to hold a drug summit at the end of the month, but Democratic House Speaker Mark Eves quickly turned to accusing the governor of contributing to the problem through his policy positions. Eves and Republican Senate President Mike Thibodeau requested that they and other members […]
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U.S. Senate OKs Lobster Day resolution pushed by King, Collins
PORTLAND (AP) — The U.S. Senate has approved a resolution introduced by Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King granting the lobster a national day of celebration. The resolution approved this week designates Sept. 25, 2015, as National Lobster Day. King and Collins say National Lobster Day will highlight the significant role that the crustacean […]