Press Herald - Libraries
across the United States are cutting back on e-books, audiobooks and
loan programs after the Trump administration suspended millions of
dollars in federal grants as it tries to dissolve the Institute of
Museum and Library Services. Federal judges have issued temporary orders to block the Trump
administration from taking any further steps toward gutting the agency.
But the unexpected slashing of grants has delivered a significant blow
to many libraries, which are reshuffling budgets and looking at
different ways to raise money. Maine has laid off a fifth of its staff and temporarily closed its
state library after not receiving the remainder of its annual funding.
Maine Beacon - Nearly every Republican lawmaker in the
Maine House and Senate voted in favor of rolling back the state’s
long-standing child labor protections by supporting LD 644, a bill that
would repeal nearly all state-level work-hour limits for 16- and
17-year-olds.
Maine Beacon - Severe cuts to Medicaid could exacerbate what is already a critical shortage of obstetric care in rural Maine, according to a new report. At least eight hospitals in Maine have closed their maternity wards over the past fifteen years, including five closures since 2020. Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said it limits families’ ability to grow in rural communities and puts the health of both mothers and babies at risk.
Press Herald - Just a month after the Trump administration canceled a popular grant program and millions of dollars for local Maine climate resilience projects along with it, Maine municipal officials are facing yet another potential federal funding setback.
This time the administration is downsizing the Hazard Mitigation and Grant Program, a multibillion-dollar program that states have long used to protect vulnerable homes and infrastructure from floods and other disasters, according to Politico’s E&E News.
News Center Maine - Communities across Maine are recognizing "No Mow May." It’s an initiative to encourage residents to let grass grow and flowers bloom to attract pollinators. Cities like Bangor, Auburn, Rockland, and more are encouraging people to put their lawn mowers away for the month. Bangor, for example, is relaxing its regulations on how long grass can grow in an effort to give bees an extra boost.
Press Herald - Immigrants rights advocates urged Maine lawmakers Monday to restrict the ability of police departments to work with federal immigration authorities. Two proposals before the Legislature come as the Department of Homeland Security is working to expand its partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to carry out the mass deportations President Donald Trump promised throughout his campaign.
Press Herald - U.S. Rep. Jared Golden said Tuesday that he will seek another term representing Maine’s 2nd District in Congress. Golden, a Lewiston Democrat who has represented the district since 2019, may face a primary challenge from State Auditor Matthew Dunlap. Former Republican Gov. Paul LePage announced earlier this month that he is running for the seat. Golden, 42, has been raising money for another reelection campaign for Congress, but has also been mentioned as a possible gubernatorial or U.S. Senate candidate.