AUGUSTA — Mark Eves, speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, said Friday the state is still lagging behind the rest of New England when it comes to job creation. Eves, D-North Berwick, was reacting to the last round of employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that shows employment levels for the […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
King, Pingree urge federal government to buy more Maine blueberries
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Angus King and Maine’s 1st District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree are urging the federal government to purchase more of their state’s blueberry crop. The lawmakers have written to the U.S. Department of Agriculture asking the department to buy 18 million pounds of frozen Maine wild blueberries to use in school lunch and […]
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Maine Democrat’s executive director resigns
AUGUSTA — The executive director of the Maine Democratic Party is stepping down. The party said Thursday that Mary Erin Casale is leaving her post and will be replaced by Finance Director Jeremy Kennedy until a new executive director is announced next month. Casale has been executive director since 2011. She said in a statement […]
Posted inBusiness
New data shows Maine foreign exports down about 12 percent
LEWISTON — New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show exports of Maine goods to other countries declined by 12 percent from 2012 to 2013. The data, released for all 50 states Thursday, show Maine exported about $2.68 billion worth of goods in 2013, a decline of $370 million from $3.05 billion in 2012. Exports […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Gov. Paul LePage spent least to win re-election
AUGUSTA — In the heated three-way race for Maine governor, Republican Paul LePage spent the least amount of money on his re-election bid and still came out on top, according to final campaign finance reports filed this week. LePage, who won with 48 percent of the vote last month, spent about $1.9 million over the course […]
Posted inMaine
LePage approves funds for domestic violence electronic monitoring program
AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage approved funding Thursday for a pilot program that will use electronic monitors to track those convicted of domestic violence crimes. “The programs are part of a pilot project that will research the use of electronic devices on offenders as a way to increase compliance, reduce recidivism and maintain public safety,” […]
Posted inMaine
State police want law allowing OUI test for marijuana
AUGUSTA — Maine State Police will ask state lawmakers to make it legal for police to test drivers who may be impaired by marijuana. A bill from the Department of Public Safety is seeking to establish a limit for legally operating a motor vehicle under the influence of marijuana similar to the state’s law against […]
Posted inMaine
State Police move to shield sensitive data in 911 calls
AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Public Safety hopes lawmakers will change the state’s public information law that would allow them to shield 911 call information of victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. A bill being proposed by the department also would strengthen provisions in state law that prohibit the release of personal medical […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
U.S., Cuba to renew diplomatic relationships; embargo still in effect
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations as well as an easing in economic and travel restrictions on Cuba Wednesday, declaring an end to America’s “outdated approach” to the communist island in a historic shift that aims to bring an end to a half-century of Cold War enmity. “Isolation has not worked,” […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Obama to sign bill authorizing new sanctions on Russia
WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama will sign congressional legislation slapping new sanctions on Russia and providing aid to Ukraine. Spokesman Josh Earnest says Obama continues to have concerns about the bill but believes the legislation still gives him the flexibility he needs. The president is expected to sign the bill this […]