Explore

Maine Secretary of State Invalidates Signatures, Halts Transgender Sports Initiative

Maine Secretary of State Invalidates Signatures, Halts Transgender Sports Initiative

In Maine, a proposed initiative aimed at limiting transgender students' participation in sports has been removed from the ballot due to invalid signatures. The initiative, backed by the group Protect Girls Sports in Maine, sought to require public schools to restrict access to sports and bathrooms based on the gender listed on a student's birth certificate. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced that over 12,000 signatures on the petition were invalid, leaving the initiative short of the 67,682 required signatures. This decision is a setback for efforts to limit transgender participation in sports, a movement that has gained traction in several states. The group behind the initiative plans to seek judicial review of the decision.

Maine's transgender sports initiative halted by invalid signatures

Maine's transgender sports initiative halted by invalid signatures

Maine's secretary of state says an initiative intended to limit transgender students’ ability to participate in sports has been removed from the ballot because of invalid signatures

Maine Secretary of State Reverses Decision on Transgender Sports Referendum, Excludes from Ballot

Maine Secretary of State Reverses Decision on Transgender Sports Referendum, Excludes from Ballot

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced that a citizen initiative aimed at limiting the rights of transgender students will not appear on the November ballot. This decision reverses her previous ruling that the proposal had qualified. The initiative sought to mandate separate bathrooms and locker rooms based on birth sex and restrict transgender athletes from competing according to their gender identity. Bellows cited insufficient valid signatures as the reason for the reversal, following a detailed review that invalidated several signatures due to legal violations by out-of-state circulators. The Maine GOP criticized Bellows, accusing her of political bias, while the Campaign for Free and Fair Schools, opposing the referendum, supported the decision.

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. Increases Quarterly Dividend by 13.6%

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. Increases Quarterly Dividend by 13.6%

Katahdin Bankshares Corp. Increases Quarterly Dividend by 13.6%

Cornyn fights for political life against Trump-endorsed Paxton in Texas

Cornyn fights for political life against Trump-endorsed Paxton in Texas

By Nolan D. McCaskill WASHINGTON, May 26 (Reuters) - Even the elections are bigger in Texas. Voters will choose their nominee for U.S. Senate on Tuesday in a race that could help decide control of the chamber and may become one of the most expensive in history.

Investigators say fatal Maine lumber mill fire was accidental and started in silo

Investigators say fatal Maine lumber mill fire was accidental and started in silo

Authorities say the fire and subsequent explosion at a Maine lumber mill that killed a firefighter and injured a dozen other people was accidental and originated at the base of a silo

Sports Network Pulls Graham Platner's Campaign Ad During Red Sox Game Over Intellectual Property Concerns

Sports Network Pulls Graham Platner's Campaign Ad During Red Sox Game Over Intellectual Property Concerns

Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate from Maine, had his campaign ad removed from the New England Sports Network (NESN) during a Boston Red Sox game. The ad criticized the Red Sox's ownership and their handling of the team, which is currently struggling in the American League East. NESN, owned by the Red Sox's ownership group, pulled the ad citing unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property and non-compliance with advertising standards. Platner's ad accused private equity of negatively impacting the team and other aspects of life, referencing the trade of star player Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2020. The ad's removal coincided with the Red Sox losing a 4-0 lead in the game.

Maine's Wild Blueberry Industry Faces $28 Million Loss in 2025

Maine's Wild Blueberry Industry Faces $28 Million Loss in 2025

Maine's wild blueberry industry, a cornerstone of the state's agricultural economy, suffered a significant setback in 2025, losing $28 million. Known for their smaller size, sweeter taste, and higher nutritional value, wild blueberries have been a staple in Maine for over 10,000 years. Indigenous groups have traditionally hand-harvested these berries, making them culturally and economically vital. The poor harvest has raised concerns among farmers, processors, and scientists, who are now working to address the challenges threatening this $360 million industry.

Luxury campground files for bankruptcy, to head to auction

Luxury campground files for bankruptcy, to head to auction

Originating in the United Kingdom in the mid-2000s and officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2016, the term "glamping" is a portmanteau of "glamorous camping" that refers to a way of spending a few nights outdoors in a way that goes way beyond what one finds at a traditional ...

Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss Denies Endorsing Republican Senator Susan Collins Amid Controversy

Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss Denies Endorsing Republican Senator Susan Collins Amid Controversy

Democratic Representative Jake Auchincloss has refuted claims that he endorsed Republican Senator Susan Collins over Democrat Graham Platner in the Maine Senate race. The controversy arose after Auchincloss criticized Platner for having a tattoo resembling the Totenkopf, a symbol associated with the Nazi SS, which Platner has apologized for, claiming ignorance of its meaning. Auchincloss described the tattoo as 'personally disqualifying' and expressed his belief that Platner's brand of politics is not conducive to achieving durable Democratic majorities. His comments sparked backlash from fellow Democrats, who interpreted them as an implicit endorsement of Collins. Auchincloss responded by reiterating his commitment to supporting Democrats and criticized Collins as a 'rubber stamp' for unfavorable policies.

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner stands by ad slamming Red Sox over private equity

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner stands by ad slamming Red Sox over private equity

Graham Platner began Memorial Day weekend by releasing an ad on the cable station that airs Boston Red Sox games accusing team owners of ruining the storied franchise

Scientists Discover Massive Freshwater Reservoir Beneath Atlantic Seafloor, Potentially Easing Water Crisis

Scientists Discover Massive Freshwater Reservoir Beneath Atlantic Seafloor, Potentially Easing Water Crisis

In early 2026, a team of scientists confirmed the existence of a massive freshwater reservoir beneath the Atlantic seafloor, stretching from offshore New Jersey to Maine. This discovery was made during a drilling expedition near Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, where researchers recovered low-salinity water from sediments up to 1,300 feet below the seafloor. The reservoir is estimated to hold enough water to supply a population the size of New York City for approximately 800 years. The water is believed to date back to the last ice age, trapped in sediments as sea levels shifted. While this discovery could significantly address the global water crisis, accessing the reservoir is complex and costly, with potential environmental impacts. Researchers are currently focused on understanding the reservoir's size, connection to land aquifers, and natural replenishment.