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Maine struggling to get homeowners to test and treat private wells for arsenic

Maine struggling to get homeowners to test and treat private wells for arsenic

Maine officials are trying to get more residents who rely on private wells for water to test for arsenic

Congresswoman says target of ICE operation in fatal Maine shooting wasn't up for removal

Congresswoman says target of ICE operation in fatal Maine shooting wasn't up for removal

A Democratic congresswoman says the person Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeted in Maine last month when an officer shot and killed a motorist was not subject to a final removal order

U.S. Representative Pingree Contradicts DHS Account of Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine

U.S. Representative Pingree Contradicts DHS Account of Fatal ICE Shooting in Maine

U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) stated that the man fatally shot by an ICE officer in Biddeford, Maine, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, did not have a final removal order and was not the intended target of the operation. Pingree also indicated that the apparent target, Durán Guerrero's roommate, who owned the car Durán Guerrero was driving, also lacked a final removal order. This contradicts the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) initial statement that ICE was conducting 'targeted surveillance on the last known address of an illegal alien with a final order of removal.' According to Pingree, Durán Guerrero had a pending asylum case and a valid work permit. Attorney Ben Gideon, representing Durán Guerrero's family, argued that if neither individual had final removal orders, there was no lawful justification for stopping the vehicle. Maine Governor Janet Mills also criticized broader ICE enforcement tactics, calling for agents to wear body cameras, identify themselves, and face liability f...

Senator Shaheen Advocates for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Jobs Amidst Departure from Senate

Senator Shaheen Advocates for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Jobs Amidst Departure from Senate

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), who is not seeking re-election, is actively advocating for federal government and Pentagon support for hiring initiatives at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. The shipyard, which has been in operation for 226 years, is crucial for maintaining, repairing, and modernizing the Navy’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Both the Maine and New Hampshire congressional delegations have consistently championed the shipyard's work. Senator Shaheen's efforts come as she prepares to conclude her political career, emphasizing the importance of securing jobs and continued federal investment in this vital defense facility. Her advocacy highlights the ongoing need for skilled labor and resources to support national defense infrastructure.

Maine Opens First Recovery High School to Combat Teen Substance Abuse

Maine Opens First Recovery High School to Combat Teen Substance Abuse

Maine has opened its first recovery high school, the Upper St. John Valley Recovery High School, located on the University of Maine at Fort Kent campus. This initiative aims to provide a supportive educational environment for teenagers struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. The school is primarily funded by opioid settlement funds received by the state and is notable for being the only rural recovery high school in the U.S., according to the Association of Recovery Schools. The inaugural class consists of four students who will live on campus five nights a week, a unique feature among recovery high schools. Students will attend trade classes in the mornings and online academic classes in the afternoons, alongside developing coping skills and participating in physical activities. The program is free for families, with funding secured for the first two years and plans for future legislative support.

Maine Housing Leaders Optimistic as New Data Shows Progress Towards Meeting Housing Goals

Maine Housing Leaders Optimistic as New Data Shows Progress Towards Meeting Housing Goals

Maine housing leaders are expressing optimism regarding the state's progress in addressing its housing deficit, as new data from the Maine Housing Data Portal indicates an increase in housing production. A state-commissioned study previously identified a need for over 84,000 new housing units by 2030. The portal, which collects data from towns and cities with populations of 4,000 or more, tracks the quantity, type, and location of new housing, as well as affordability. Greg Payne, senior advisor on housing policy to Governor Janet Mills, noted that building permit and certificate of occupancy data released in June provides insight into the speed of construction. Maine exceeded its 2025 goal of 6,900 new building permits, issuing nearly 7,500, with benchmarks increasing to 7,600 for 2026 and 8,800 for 2027. Single-family homes constituted 67% of new permits in 2025, followed by large multi-unit apartments (20%) and accessory dwelling units (7%).

Westchester County Journal News

New York ranks among the best states for women's equality

New York ranks among the best states for women's equality

New York ranked No. 11 nationally for women's equality, according to a new study examining workplace, education, health and political disparities.

Bangor Apartment Project Stalled by Decades-Old Sewer Infrastructure

Bangor Apartment Project Stalled by Decades-Old Sewer Infrastructure

A proposed apartment complex in Bangor, Maine, planned by local developers Justin and Nicole Freeman, is currently on hold due to the city's outdated sewer infrastructure. The project, initially envisioned for up to 500 units but scaled back to at least 300, would be located off Stillwater Avenue and aims to provide workforce housing with rents ranging from $1,100 to $1,400 per month. The developers have completed the site plan and are gathering bids from contractors, but cannot proceed with construction until the city upgrades the existing pump station and sewer lines in the area. According to David Warren, a spokesperson for the city, the current pump station is at capacity and operating beyond its anticipated service life, with much of the infrastructure dating back to the late 1960s and early 1970s. The city requires construction to begin within one year of Planning Board approval and be completed within two, a timeline that cannot be met given the current sewer limitations.

New Hampshire Driver Charged With OUI and Criminal Speed After Reports of 100+ MPH Driving in Maine

New Hampshire Driver Charged With OUI and Criminal Speed After Reports of 100+ MPH Driving in Maine

A New Hampshire driver, 22-year-old Alexandre Forsythe of Jaffrey, has been charged with criminal OUI (Operating Under the Influence) and criminal speed following a high-speed chase on I-95 in central Maine. On Saturday afternoon, Maine State Police dispatchers received approximately 14 calls reporting a driver traveling over 100 mph and driving erratically on I-295 in the Bowdoinham area. Troopers were able to track the vehicle's progress through mile marker reports from callers. The vehicle was eventually located on I-95 in Waterville, where troopers successfully pulled over the driver. Forsythe was subsequently arrested and charged.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Seeks Information on Property Owners Leasing Parking to ICE Amid Opposition to Expansion

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu Seeks Information on Property Owners Leasing Parking to ICE Amid Opposition to Expansion

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is actively working to identify private property owners who may have responded to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) notice seeking to lease parking spaces in the city. In late July, ICE published a notice on a government procurement website indicating a need for 249 parking spaces in Boston, stating it was for 'market research and information-gathering purposes' to identify sources near existing or planned ICE facilities. Mayor Wu has expressed strong opposition to any potential expansion or relocation of ICE's regional field office into Boston, which is currently located in Burlington. The Wu administration plans to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to ICE to obtain details about any responses from the Boston area. Additionally, the city intends to contact private property owners to inform them of the administration's stance on the potential dangers of such leases for residents and community safety. This action follows earlier measures taken by Wu t...

Four States Offer Enhanced Medigap Protections Beyond Federal Standards

Four States Offer Enhanced Medigap Protections Beyond Federal Standards

Federal law provides a six-month protected enrollment period for Medigap policies when individuals turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B, during which insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more due to health conditions. However, outside this window, most states allow insurers to medically underwrite policies, potentially denying coverage or increasing costs for individuals with pre-existing conditions like diabetes. Only four states—Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Maine—offer significant Medigap protections that extend beyond this federal window. Connecticut and New York provide continuous guaranteed access to Medigap. Massachusetts offers broad protections throughout the year, while Maine mandates insurers to offer at least Plan A during an annual guaranteed-issue period. Other states may offer narrower opportunities, such as 'birthday windows' for existing Medigap policyholders, but these generally do not provide unrestricted access for all Medicare Advantage members seeking to switch to a su...

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

New York women's equality ranking: See how the state compares

New York women's equality ranking: See how the state compares

New York ranked No. 11 among the 50 states for women's equality, according to a new study examining workplace, education, health and political factors.