Judge dismisses trespass complaints against white nationalists for banners on overpass
June 6, 2023 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire judge has dismissed trespassing complaints against white nationalist extremists who prosecutors say displayed “Keep New England White” banners without a permit from an overpass last July.
Canadian company pleads guilty to shipping banned seal oil to US
June 6, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Canadian company has pleaded guilty to violating federal law by illegally selling seal oil capsules to American customers.
The oil is made from the blubber of seals and sold as a nutritional supplement with a promise of containing healthy fats.
Rob Refsnyder gets deal with Boston adding $2 million for 2024
June 3, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Outfielder Rob Refsnyder and the Boston Red Sox agreed Saturday to a $2 million, one-year contract for the 2024 season, a deal that includes a club option for 2025.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A frantic 911 call to report at least one person had been fatally shot led law enforcement to discover four bodies at a home in Maine and eventually to arrest a man who fired at vehicles on a nearby highway before confessing to police that he was behind the killings.
Independent review finds no problems in workplace culture of attorney general’s office
June 2, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — An independent review launched after the disclosure of a relationship between Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey and a worker whom he supervises concluded the complaint was brought by a “disgruntled” family member, and that the episode provides an opportunity to strengthen policy and awareness surrounding interoffice relationships.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's chickadee and pine cone license plates are poised to fly away, replaced by a retro design inspired by the original state flag which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
Bipartisan bill would allow tribes in Maine to benefit from federal law, stops short of sovereignty
May 31, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — New legislation would allow Native Americans in Maine to benefit from federal laws despite terms of a land claims settlement, providing help to Wabanaki tribes while stopping short of full sovereignty that they've long sought.
Bus driver accused of stalking boy, 8, agrees to plea deal
May 31, 2023 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A former school bus driver accused of threatening and stalking an 8-year-old boy in New Hampshire has agreed to a plea deal with prosecutors under which he would serve a six-year prison sentence, according to documents filed in federal court.
Troopers: 2 killed when wrong-way driver causes head-on collision on busy holiday in Maine
May 29, 2023 GMTFALMOUTH, Maine (AP) — Two motorists were killed and a passenger critically injured on Interstate 295 on Monday when a motorist traveled the wrong way, causing a head-on collision, state police said.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Fishermen in the U.S.'s only commercial-scale fishing industry for valuable baby eels once again had a productive season searching for the tiny fish.
Baby eels, called elvers, are often worth more than $2,000 per pound because of how valuable they are to Asian aquaculture companies.
BOSTON (AP) — Ten lighthouses that for generations have stood like sentinels along America's shorelines protecting mariners from peril and guiding them to safety are being given away at no cost or sold at auction by the federal government.
America aged rapidly in the last decade as baby boomers grew older and births dropped
May 25, 2023 GMTThe United States grew older, faster, last decade.
The share of residents 65 or older grew by more than a third from 2010 to 2020 and at the fastest rate of any decade in 130 years, while the share of children declined, according to new figures from the most recent census.
Major Massachusetts health insurer hit by ransomware attack, member data may be compromised
May 24, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — The second-largest health insurer in Massachusetts was the victim of a ransomware attack in which sensitive personal information as well as health information of current and past members may have been compromised, company officials said.
Maine’s top gambling regulator on paid leave following tweets
May 24, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's top gambling regulator has been placed on paid administrative leave following tweets posted from his personal account about women and a white nationalist group, spokesperson for the state's Department of Public Safety said Tuesday.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Recent shark bites in Florida and Hawaii and a suspected case in New Jersey have piqued interest in an age-old summer question for beachgoers — is it safe to go in the water?
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A privately funded visitor center is emerging from the wilderness at the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in Maine that will tell the story of the region through the eyes of Native Americans.
The U.S. Border Patrol has agreed in a legal settlement to not set up interior checkpoints in a northern New Hampshire town just under 100 miles from the Canadian border before Jan. 1, 2025.
KITTERY, Maine (AP) — The body of a person was found during a fire investigation after a fierce blaze destroyed a hotel in southern Maine, fire officials said Thursday.
The fire destroyed the Days Inn in Kittery, a town along the New Hampshire line, on Wednesday.
KITTERY, Maine (AP) — A fire destroyed a Days Inn hotel in Kittery Wednesday afternoon, and firefighters worked to find one to two people unaccounted for in the blaze.
Kittery Fire Chief David O’Brien said the call on the fire came in at 12:03 p.m.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A staple seafood species caught by East Coast fishers for centuries is experiencing overfishing, and regulators have cut catch quotas by more than 80% to prevent the fish's population from collapse.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's largest city started removing a sprawling homeless encampment outside of its downtown area on Tuesday that was home to dozens of people living in tents.
Officials in Portland began notifying people living in the camp in recent days that it would be removed, and the process began early Tuesday morning.
Man sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually abusing autistic girl, sharing images
May 15, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A former special education technician who sexually abused a 6-year-old autistic girl and recorded it was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison on Monday.
Benjamin Conroy, who pleaded guilty last year to sexual exploitation of a minor, must serve 15 years of probation when he's released from prison, the judge said.
Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela has record-breaking 6 stolen bases for his Double-A team
May 14, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Red Sox Double-A prospect Ceddanne Rafaela broke a Portland Sea Dogs franchise record by stealing six bases — among the team’s franchise-record nine steals — in a 6-2 loss to the Somerset Patriots on Saturday.
BOSTON (AP) — Nolan Gorman hit a go-ahead, two-run homer off Kenley Jansen in the ninth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Boston Red Sox 8-6 on Friday night to win their second straight series opener after losing their first 11 this season.
Maine to petition federal government to let asylum seekers work
May 12, 2023 GMTDemocratic Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill directing Maine's labor commissioner to petition the federal government for a waiver allowing asylum seekers to work while awaiting final determinations on their claims.
HAMPDEN, Maine (AP) — David Bishop spends the school day as a mild-mannered custodian, but before the final bell rings, he grabs his chess boards and pieces and begins his second role.
“The Queen’s Gambit” is playing out in real life in Maine, where this custodian is coaching his schools' chess teams to acclaim.
ATLANTA (AP) — Kenley Jansen became the seventh player in major league history to earn 400 saves, pinch-hitter Raimel Tapia hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 5-2 on Wednesday night.
New Hampshire utility proposes transmission line from Canada to carry renewable power to New England
May 10, 2023 GMTThe newest proposal for a major electrical transmission line from Canada that would be able to carry power to New England from Canada, would also be able to send to Quebec renewable energy produced by future power generators off the New England coast or other sources.
Maine Gov. Janet Mills proposes $887M in additional spending, including urgent needs
May 10, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Democratic Gov. Janet Mills on Wednesday proposed nearly $900 million for a supplemental budget, with the additional spending intended to tackle urgent problems including affordable housing, shelter for homeless people and emergency medical services.
Maine to consider major changes to state constitution
May 8, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are set to consider a raft of potential changes to the state constitution that would have major ramifications for politics and government in the state.
A proposal to create a commission to study the state constitution came before a committee of the Maine Legislature on Monday.
A list of recent high-profile shootings in the United States
May 7, 2023 GMTThe latest high-profile mass shooting in the United States happened Saturday in Allen, Texas, where eight people were killed and seven were wounded at a busy outdoor shopping center before police killed the gunman.
Maine Legislature lets voters have say on utility referendum
May 5, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature is sending a referendum question on whether to dismantle the state's two largest electric utilities to voters.
Supporters of the proposal to replace Central Maine Power and Versant Power with a nonprofit utility gathered enough petitions for a referendum vote, but the matter had to first be considered by the Legislature.
Red Sox win 6th straight, complete 4-game sweep of Blue Jays
May 5, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Masataka Yoshida and Rafael Devers each homered, and the Boston Red Sox completed a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with an 11-5 victory Thursday night.
Boston won its sixth straight overall to jump over Toronto for third place in the AL East.
Ex-governor candidate pleads guilty to child porn charges
May 4, 2023 GMTELLSWORTH, Maine (AP) — A wealthy attorney who made a name for himself in the nation’s capital before returning home to Maine to run for governor vowed to seek redemption Thursday after he pleaded guilty to possession of thousands of images of child sexual abuse.
Heavy rains damage railroad tracks across Maine
May 4, 2023 GMTBELGRADE, Maine (AP) — Heavy rainfall in Maine caused damage to railroad tracks, which crews and contractors were in the process of cleaning up on Thursday.
Red Sox extend winning streak to 5 with 8-3 win over Jays
May 4, 2023 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Enmanuel Valdez, Triston Casas and Masataka Yoshida each drove in two runs and the Boston Red Sox extended their winning streak to five games with an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
Nebraska Democrats look to 2024 after Tuesday election wins
May 3, 2023 GMTOMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A decisive win by Democrats in hotly-contested local races in Lincoln could be indicative of the party’s chances next year, including in a presidential election where Nebraska’s Omaha-centered 2nd Congressional District has twice given an electoral vote to Democratic presidential candidates.
Ex-Maine governor hopeful to plead guilty in child porn case
May 2, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A wealthy attorney who came close to being elected governor of Maine in 2010 is expected to plead guilty to possessing videos and images of child sexual abuse and to serve nine months in prison, according to a court document.
Tornadoes in Virginia and Florida, flooding in other states
May 2, 2023 GMTVIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) — A rare and powerful tornado sent residents of a coastal city in Virginia fleeing for cover over the weekend as it peeled roofs from buildings and pushed homes from their foundations.
Maine expanded abortion access up for debate, passage likely
May 1, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A proposal that would give Maine one of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country came up for debate Monday while passage seemed all but assured because of Democratic control of the state's legislature.
Driver whose crash killed 4 fellow students appears in court
May 1, 2023 GMTELLSWORTH, Maine (AP) — A former Maine Maritime Academy student whose SUV crashed, killing four fellow students, pleaded not guilty Monday to manslaughter and other charges.
Joshua Goncalves-Radding, 20, of North Babylon, New York, did not speak, except to answer “not guilty” 17 times, once for each charge, during his first court appearance since December's fiery crash in Castine.
Justices to consider case involving fishing boat monitor pay
May 1, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court will take up the subject of who pays for workers who gather valuable data aboard commercial fishing boats.
Justices announced Monday that they will take the case, which stems from a lawsuit by a group of fishermen who want to stop the federal government from making them pay for the workers.
Winds, heavy rain cause outages in Maine, wash out NH roads
May 1, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A storm with heavy rain and gusts knocked out power for tens of thousands of homes and businesses in Maine and washed out some roads there and in neighboring New Hampshire as some rivers continued to rise Monday, officials said.
Man arrested after $3M worth of drugs shipped to restaurant
April 30, 2023 GMTAUBURN, Maine (AP) — Employees of a Maine restaurant got a surprise when they opened a large wooden crate that they thought was a shipment of mugs they had recently ordered.
Instead, they found a plastic tote that contained what law enforcement suspect is 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl with an estimated street value of $3 million, Auburn police Deputy Chief Timothy Cougle said in a statement Saturday.
Maine asks railroad to fix roads, culverts after derailment
April 29, 2023 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine environmental regulators have asked a railroad cleaning up a freight train derailment site to repair forest management roads and culverts damaged by heavy equipment and that led to the discharge of sediment into area waters.
What to know about tick, Lyme season following a mild winter
April 28, 2023 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — After a mild winter in the U.S., will there be an uptick in ticks this year?
Researchers say it is hard to predict how the tick season will play out. This year’s mild winter and early snow melt, though, could mean more ticks earlier than usual and a wider spread of Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, scientists said.