Bruce Poliquin wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Maine's 2nd Congressional District.

Rep. Gifford becomes 4th sitting legislator to die in 2022

LINCOLN, Maine (AP) — State Rep. Jeffery A. Gifford, a retired paper mill worker who served five terms in the Maine Legislature, has died at age 75. Gifford, R-Lincoln, served four terms from 2006 to 2014 and was elected to another term in 2020. He was unopposed on the Republican...

Many Maine schools need to test for lead in drinking water

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine health authorities are extending a deadline for schools to test for lead in drinking water. Lead exposure can cause health and behavioral problems, especially in young children. It can enter drinking water through lead pipes. The Maine...

Maine now offering free community college for recent grads

BANGOR, Maine (AP) — Maine's plan to provide two years of free community college is going into effect. The Maine Legislature approved a plan backed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to provide free community college to students who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program...

$850 checks to most Mainers soon despite envelope shortage

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Most Maine residents will soon receive $850 checks to help them cope with inflation after a shortage of envelopes and paper products threatened to slow delivery. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Wednesday her administration will send the first round of the...

Francis Quinn, longtime State House reporter, dies at 70

MEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — Francis X. Quinn, a former Associated Press reporter who covered Maine government and politics with fairness and integrity for more than a quarter century, has died. He was 70. From 1981 to 2009, Quinn was a fixture in Maine where lawmakers and others...

Lawmakers want money for National Park maintenance

BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Lawmakers from Maine and Colorado are calling on senators to increase funding for infrastructure maintenance on federal lands. Independent Sen. Angus King of Maine and Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado chair the National Parks Subcommittee in their...

Maine clarifies marijuana rules to try to aid medical users

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has clarified some of its marijuana rulemaking procedures in a move supporters said would protect medical users and growers. The bill to clarify new rulemaking parameters for the state Office of Marijuana Policy went into effect late last month as an...

Maine lawmakers sustain vetoes as they finish their work

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature sustained five vetoes by Gov. Janet Mills on Monday as lawmakers wrapped up their work. Bills that were vetoed focused on governance of the University of Maine System; electric transmission lines; probation and conditions of release;...

Maine to make abuse protection laws easier to understand

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine has changed its protection from abuse laws in an attempt to make them more accessible and understandable for survivors of domestic violence. Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, has signed a bill passed by the Maine Legislature that sought to clarify the laws....