Local news
Augusta
Kennebec County, Maine
Ad
Maine Attorney General joins veterans abortion care lawsuit
Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey has joined a multistate lawsuit challenging a Department of Veterans Affairs rule restricting abortion care for veterans and their families. The rule, finalized in December 2025…
Hannah Pingree says there’s ‘no easy solution’ to Maine’s $1B budget gap
Maine governor-elect Hannah Pingree said the state faces no easy fix for a projected $1 billion gap in her first two-year budget. She declined to say whether tax increases or the rainy day fund could be used, pointing…
French speakers gather at UMA for annual immersion weekend
More than 65 French speakers gathered at the University of Maine at Augusta on Nov. 7 for the annual French Immersion Weekend. Students, educators and community members took part in conversation, cultural activities and…
Janet Mills calls for $3B increase in federal heating assistance
Maine Governor Janet Mills is urging Congress to provide $3 billion in additional federal heating assistance as oil prices rise ahead of winter. Maine’s average heating oil price is 79% higher than a year ago, and…
Maine Democrats pick up seats in the state legislature
Maine Democrats have retained their legislative majorities and flipped nearly two dozen seats, according to WMTW. The party now holds 86 seats in the House, with two races still uncalled, and has a 23-seat Senate…
Ad
See which parts of Maine flipped hardest in last week’s historic election
A Bangor Daily News analysis found that Democrats made substantial gains in competitive Maine legislative races, with 39 of 42 Democratic winners outperforming their party’s 2024 margins. Elizabeth Bosworth’s 50-vote…
Maine joined a pledge to ditch the Electoral College. Dems’ national wins could make it reality.
Maine joined the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact in 2024, pledging to award its presidential electors to the national popular-vote winner once participating states reach 270 electoral votes. The compact…
Ranked choice voting counting process underway in Augusta
Maine officials are verifying ballots in the 2nd Congressional District after Republican Paul LePage finished just short of a majority in the first-round count. Democrat Matt Dunlap has conceded, but the state must…
Mills joins New England governors in seeking $3 billion more for home heating aid
Maine Gov. Janet Mills joined the other New England governors in asking Congress for an additional $3 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, bringing proposed funding to $7 billion. The governors say…
Cheverus, Foxcroft Academy defend state field hockey titles; Nokomis wins first since 2013
Cheverus and Foxcroft Academy successfully defended their state field hockey titles in recent championship matches. Meanwhile, Nokomis secured their first state championship victory since 2013. These results mark a…
Ad
Uplifting sign at Red Barn in Augusta leads to misconception over political message
A roadside sign at The Red Barn in Augusta, Maine, sparked an unintended controversy after locals misinterpreted an uplifting message as a political statement regarding the recent midterm elections. Owner Trever…
How to keep your game meat from spoiling, starting the moment you pull the trigger
With Maine's hunting season underway, experts are reminding hunters of the critical importance of proper game meat handling to prevent spoilage. Timely field dressing and cooling are essential, especially during warmer…
Wrong to undo protections for Maine children with disabilities
University of Maine professor Alan Cobo-Lewis argues against potential federal policy shifts regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act. He highlights a 2024 settlement between the Department of Justice and Maine…
Maine needs Hannah Pingree to take the lead on the environment
Maine is currently holding nearly $400 million in unclaimed property, including forgotten bank accounts and uncashed checks. Despite the state's responsibility to reunite owners with these funds, the Office of the State…
There’s no need to feel bad for Susan Collins
This opinion piece reflects on the recent electoral defeat of Senator Susan Collins by Troy Jackson. The author expresses satisfaction with the result, citing Collins' past voting record on Supreme Court nominations as…
Ad
Maine Lobstermen's Association welcomes change in federal whale policy
The Maine Lobstermen’s Association has welcomed a major shift in federal whale protection policy following a successful court challenge against the National Marine Fisheries Service. New scientific analyses now indicate…
French Immersion Weekend brings language and culture to life in Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta hosted its annual French Immersion Weekend, drawing about 80 participants ranging from novice to native speakers. The event, which has been running for 30 years, featured workshops on…
Maine voters cap mobile home rent increases in 8 communities
Voters in eight Maine communities, including Augusta and Eliot, have approved referendums to cap annual rent increases for mobile home parks. The new ordinances aim to stabilize housing costs for over 1,700 families by…
Voters in 8 Maine towns approved measures capping or freezing mobile home lot rents
Voters in eight Maine towns, including Augusta and Wells, approved measures on Election Day to cap or freeze lot rent increases for mobile home park residents. The move comes as residents face rising costs from…
Ken Fredette wins back his old job leading Maine House Republicans
Maine House Republicans have elected Ken Fredette as their new Minority Leader, returning him to the role he held during the Paul LePage administration. Fredette, a lawyer from Newport, defeated two other candidates in…
Ad
Anderson Noyes’ return gives Cony football a playmaker
Cony High School football player Anderson Noyes made a triumphant return to the field following a severe leg injury sustained in August. In a Class B North semifinal victory over Skowhegan, Noyes accounted for 202 total…
Maine’s CD2 ranked choice process moves forward after concession; Bellows outlines cost-saving plan
The ranked choice voting process for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District will proceed starting Monday in Augusta, despite Democrat Matt Dunlap’s concession to Republican Paul LePage. State law requires the tabulation…
Maine sets midterm turnout record as more than 730,000 voters cast ballots
Maine has set a new record for midterm election voter turnout, with over 730,000 ballots cast in Tuesday's election. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows confirmed the figures, noting that the turnout surpassed the 2022…
Troy Jackson begins building Senate team after defeating Susan Collins
Senator-elect Troy Jackson has officially begun his transition to the United States Senate following his victory over five-term incumbent Susan Collins. Jackson is currently focused on establishing his Senate offices…
Maine governor-elect Pingree meets with Gov. Mills on transition
Maine Governor-elect Hannah Pingree met with outgoing Governor Janet Mills at the State House on Friday to initiate the transition of power. Pingree announced the appointment of Roger Katz and Maulian Bryant as…
Ad
Maine gas prices continue to fall but remain above $4 a gallon
Maine gas and diesel prices are continuing a downward trend, though costs remain above $4 per gallon. AAA reports the average gas price at $4.20, a decrease of 7 cents over the past week. Diesel is currently averaging…
Maine gas, diesel prices continue to drop, AAA says
Gas and diesel prices in Maine continue to decline, according to AAA. The average price for a gallon of gas is now $4.20, down 7 cents from last week and 20 cents from last month. Diesel prices have also dropped…
Heating oil prices drop slightly in Maine
Maine heating oil prices saw a marginal decline to $6.01 per gallon this week, though costs remain 79% higher than last year. Global supply disruptions, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the Strait…
How Medicare for All would work in practice
Senator-elect Troy Jackson has identified the implementation of a Medicare for All program as a primary legislative goal. Based on frameworks introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders, the proposed system would establish…