Maine News Wednesday

Newsweek -   Maine Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, trailed Democratic challenger Graham Platner in two polls of the state’s 2026 race released this week.

Collins could face her toughest reelection bid yet in Maine, a generally Democratic-leaning state where her popularity has helped the Republican incumbent win tough races in the past. She is one of the Democrats’ top targets; Vice President Kamala Harris won the state by seven points in 2024.

Democrats are hoping a favorable national environment, fueled by President Donald Trump’s declining approval rating, will boost their chances against Collins. But Republicans hope Collins’ long tenure and bipartisan appeal will keep the seat in their hands even amid a blue wave.

Maine’s race is a must-win for Democrats hoping to win control of the Senate in November. Forecasters like the Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball view the race as a pure toss-up three months ahead of the primary.

But Democrats are facing a competitive primary between Platner, a progressive oyster farmer and political newcomer, and Mills, the state’s two-term governor. The most recent polls give Platner an advantage in the primary, though Mills has received support from many in the party’s establishment, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York.
 
Press Herald
- If Maine’s real estate market got off to a sluggish start in January, it slowed to a snail’s pace in February. Last month, Maine real estate agents sold the fewest number of homes since at least the pandemic (and possibly ever), despite an overall increase in inventory and prices that are showing signs of leveling out. Just 691 homes were bought and sold last month, while the median price was $395,000, a slight increase over last year.

The University of Maine has identified the remains of at least 26 Indigenous people and 532 burial objects held in its collection that are now slated to be returned to the Wabanaki Nations. The items — including human bone fragments, stone tools and charcoal samples — were collected by archaeologists affiliated with the university at nine sites across Maine. The items were excavated starting in the 1960s and as late as 1995.

The Fryeburg Fair says it will return to an eight-day program this fall after a controversial decision to begin a day early in 2025 caused tensions with the Cumberland Fair. Friction over the Fryeburg fair's extended schedule rose in the months leading up to the two historic agricultural fairs, with Cumberland officials arguing that Fryeburg organizers were encroaching on their last — and busiest — day.


In Maine, a Democrat-led crackdown on ‘deepfake’ AI campaign ads

Gov. Mills skeptical of new data privacy measure opposed by businesses

Search of Waterboro home is connected to California investigation, officials say

Record-breaking warmth in northern Maine to be followed by another dose of snow
Lewiston health care provider raided by federal agents

Maine Morning Star -   In an effort to help alleviate the state’s child care shortage, Maine lawmakers passed legislation aiming to increase the availability of care, particularly for infants and toddlers. The legislation, LD 1414, was introduced by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) after she toured child care facilities across the state and is part of a suite of bills to support working parents.Specifically, the bill would provide an additional $120 monthly salary supplement for providers that employ educators specifically to care for infants and toddlers. It also directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to develop a grant program for providers to develop a plan to provide child care during typical off-hours. 

Maine Morning Star -   Maine lawmakers advanced a proposal on Tuesday that would require political campaigns and political action committees to provide a disclosure label for any content significantly altered by artificial intelligence. Supporters argue such a requirement would provide needed clarity to ensure fair elections as high-quality “deepfakes” become easier to create and circulate. Opponents voiced apprehension about free speech and practicality, though were outnumbered in the initial Maine House of Representatives vote on Tuesday. 

With a 73-65 vote in favor, largely along party lines with the support of the Democratic majority, LD 517 now heads to the upper chamber, after which additional enactment votes and the governor’s sign off would still be needed. 

Maine Morning Star -   In an effort to help alleviate the state’s child care shortage, Maine lawmakers passed legislation aiming to increase the availability of care, particularly for infants and toddlers. The legislation, LD 1414, was introduced by Senate President Mattie Daughtry (D-Brunswick) after she toured child care facilities across the state and is part of a suite of bills to support working parents.Specifically, the bill would provide an additional $120 monthly salary supplement for providers that employ educators specifically to care for infants and toddlers. It also directs the Maine Department of Health and Human Services to develop a grant program for providers to develop a plan to provide child care during typical off-hours. 

Maine Morning Star -   Maine lawmakers advanced a proposal on Tuesday that would require political campaigns and political action committees to provide a disclosure label for any content significantly altered by artificial intelligence. Supporters argue such a requirement would provide needed clarity to ensure fair elections as high-quality “deepfakes” become easier to create and circulate. Opponents voiced apprehension about free speech and practicality, though were outnumbered in the initial Maine House of Representatives vote on Tuesday. 

With a 73-65 vote in favor, largely along party lines with the support of the Democratic majority, LD 517 now heads to the upper chamber, after which additional enactment votes and the governor’s sign off would still be needed. 

Stephen King - You probably know me as the horror writer behind books like The Shining, Pet Sematary, or Carrie. But long before the books, I was a kid growing up in Maine. I went to school here, I taught high school English in Hampden, and Tabitha and I raised our family in Bangor.....

We need leaders who bring people together, get things done, and defend the values that make our state, and our country, great. Hannah was the youngest woman to serve as Speaker of the House in the country. She took on big fights against the chemical companies who were putting toxic chemicals in everyday products, and where she stood up to those in her own party as the lead co-sponsor of gay marriage in 2009. I know she’ll be the leader that stands up for Maine against bullies like Donald Trump.

[We publish stories by and about good Maine gubentorial candidatdes including Shenna Bellow, Troy Jackson and Angus King III]