Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Second Hit-and-Run Victim Succumbs to Injuries
(Albion) The second child injured in that tragic hit and run crash last Friday has died. Public Safety Officer Shannon Moss reports to Star 97.7 Mollie Egold remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The 33 yo was walking with her twins on Hussey Road in Albion shortly after 5 pm last Friday when 44 yo Benjamin Lancaster allegedly struck the three and then fled. One child died at the scene. Lancaster was later taken into custody and is being held in the Kennebec County Jail on charges including OUI and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Flags Mysteriously Removed from Camden Cemetery
(Camden) If only the dead could reveal secrets. Authorities report sometime between Friday afternoon and Sunday evening, more than 216 American flags and markers that had been placed on the graves of US veterans were removed and stolen from the Mount View Cemetery in Camden. The Pen Bay Pilot reports the large American flag on the pole at the cemetery was also removed. About a fourth of the flags and markers were left in neat piles, and the flags marking the graves of local firefighters remained on their graves. Legion Post 30 places the flags – at a cost of about $15 each – on the graves just before Memorial Day, and they typically remain in place until Veterans’ Day in November. Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to call Camden Police.
Local Politics
Foreign Funds in Elections Law Likely Unconstitutional
(Augusta) Two years ago, a large majority of Maine voters – 86% – supported an initiative that aimed to ban foreign governments from influencing candidate elections or referendums in Maine by pouring money into such campaigns. A federal appeals court this week agreed that the law is unconstitutional. The initiative was challenged by CMP, Hydro Quebec, and Versant Power; and a US District Court judge blocked its enforcement early last year. The utilities are owned by entities in Spain, Qatar, and Canada, respectively. The case now goes back to the District Court for further consideration.
Federal Judge Reverses Medical Debt Rule
(AP) A federal judge in Texas has reversed a rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that would have removed medical debt from credit reports. The Associated Press reports the Trump-appointed judge found the rule exceeded the CFPB’s authority according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which protects information collected by consumer reporting agencies. The CFPB’s rule was projected to ban all outstanding medical bills from appearing on credit reports and prohibit lenders from using the information. The Trump Administration earlier this year requested the agency halt nearly all its operations, effectively shutting it down.
Voter ID Ballot Wording Upheld
(Augusta) The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has upheld the wording of a referendum appearing on ballots this November. Among other things, it would require a photo I-D to vote, if passed. WABI reports the group Voter I-D for ME challenged the wording of the referendum. They argued the question isn’t concise and understandable to a reasonable voter. The court ruled that while the wording may be complex, it isn’t complicated.
Maine One of Two Dozen States Suing to Restore Education Funding
(Maine) Maine is one of two dozen states that has sued the Trump Administration hoping to force federal officials to release $7B in education funding. The promised funding was earmarked for after school activities and other such programs. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Rhode Island, accuses the Trump administration of violating the Constitution and exceeding executive authority by overruling Congress’s spending power. Schools expected the monies to be distributed July 1, but the Education Department instead notified states the money that was earmarked for such programs was under review for compliance with President Trump’s priorities.
Another Familiar Political Name Could Join Race for Maine Governor
(Augusta) First, Hannah Pingree threw her hat into the ring. Then Angus King III joined the Democratic field. Now a member of another well-known political family is reportedly exploring a run for Governor of Maine. Sources say Jonathan Bush has formed an exploratory committee, looking into a possible run on the Republican side. Bush is the nephew of the late George H.W. Bush and cousin of former President George W. The Bush family has, in the past, indicated concern about the current President, and Donald Trump has made no secret he’s not a fan of the Bushes – though the need for political allies could change that.
Supreme Court Allows Mass Firings at U.S. Department of Education
(Washington, DC) Speaking of Education, the Supreme Court on Monday gave the Administration the authority to begin dismantling the Department of Education, beginning with mass layoffs. Within two hours, emails were sent, notifying employees of their termination as of August 1st. According to the Constitution, Departments such as the Department of Education cannot be dismantled without the approval of Congress. Monday’s ruling is not the final word, as the case continues to work its way through the lower courts.
Rural State Republican Senators Defend Public Media
(Washington, DC) Public Broadcasting has secured a perhaps unlikely ally as the Senate this week is set to vote on President Trump’s proposal to rescind $9.4B, including more than a billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Inside Audio reports many rural state Republican Senators oppose the cuts, pointing out that local stations rely on such funds for emergency alerts and community news. One Republican said in many parts of rural America, those stations are their lifeline. Trump is reportedly working to convince on-the-fence Senators to go along with the package of recissions, which will expire this Friday if Congress doesn’t act.
Economy
Funding for Airport Improvements
(Bangor) Bangor International, Machias Valley, and Presque Isle International are among six airports across Maine that will share $2.2M in funding for improvements. Senator Susan Collins was one of ten senators who negotiated for monies as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act. Bangor plans to use its just over $500K to rehabilitate runway pavement and support the installation of a precision approach path indicator system and flight check.
Wild Blueberry Weekend
(Maine) Feeling kind of blue these days? We sure hope so! Governor Janet Mills tomorrow will join Maine’s wild blueberry industry for the ceremonial “First Rake” of the season. As part of the ceremony, the Governor will issue an official proclamation declaring 2025 the “Year of Youth in Agriculture.” Wild Blueberry Weekend returns for a fifth year August 2nd and 3rd, Created by the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, the statewide event brings residents and visitors onto working wild blueberry farms throughout the state to connect the people and places of Maine’s official berry. In 2023 and 24, more than 10K people joined in the Weekend’s festivities.
Environment
Belfast Acreage Listed as Development Property is Protected Wetland
(Belfast) A 24-acre lot listed for sale in Belfast is reportedly being advertised as “ideal for retail, office, or mixed use development”. The Maine Monitor reports the problem with that promotion is the acreage was part of a permitting deal that required the property to be forever protected from development. The stipulation was to compensate for wetlands that credit card giant MBNA filled while building its campus just across Route 3. Bank of America, which bought the property from MBNA, promptly listed it for $295K – with reportedly no mention of its wetlands mitigation status, because that apparently was never appended to the deed. A DEP spokesperson said the agency is investigating the matter.
Human Interest
Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference
(Augusta) From firefighters, to food pantry workers, to those who step up to serve those summer meals to school age children – much of Maine runs on volunteers. Since 1986, organizers of Maine community volunteer efforts have gathered to learn and network at The Maine Volunteer Leadership Conference – Maine’s only statewide educational event focused on engaging citizens in volunteer service. Registration is now open for the August 6th, 2025 event in Augusta, featuring powerful keynote speakers and breakout sessions. Take advantage of early bird registration through July 28th at volunteer maine dot gov.
Calais Native Andrea Gibson Dies
(AP) Calais native Andrea Gibson has died, following a four-year battle with ovarian cancer. Though born in Maine, the celebrated poet moved to Colorado in the late 1990’s and served the past two years as the state’s poet laureate. Gibson and wife Megan Falley are the main subjects of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light”, which the Associated Press reports won the festival Favorite Award this year at the Sundance Film Festival. Gibson was also a performance artist who explored gender identity and politics, and was candid about the battle with cancer.
Messenger Fundraiser Nets $11K
(Harrington) A huge thank you to everyone who came out last weekend to support the second annual fundraiser for the Messenger Animal Rescue in Harrington. Founder Sarah Strout reports they raised more than $11K to help fund the stand alone shelter that will soon allow even more lives to be saved in rural Washington County. If you missed it and still want to donate, you’ll find information – and some awfully special animals up for adoption – on The Messenger’s FB page.
Maine Author on Time 100 Creators List
(PPH) Maine Author Heather Cox Richardson has been named to Time Magazine’s Time 100 Creators list. The list honors digital creators such as podcasters and other digital entrepreneurs who are seen as important influencers. The Portland Press Herald reports Richardson has more than 2.6M subscribers to her “Letters from an American” newsletter on Substack. The newsletter focuses on current events and politics with context from American history.
Tarantulas Found at German Airport
(Cologne Bonn, Germany) And finally, here’s one to make your skin crawl. Customs officials at Cologne Bonn airport in Germany recently seized some 1500 young tarantulas found inside plastic containers that were hidden in chocolate sponge cake boxes. The Guardian reports the package had been shipped from Vietnam, with many of the “contents” not surviving the trip, in a suspected violation of German animal welfare rules. The tip-off was a strange smell officials say didn’t smack of any confectionary delight. The tarantulas were discovered about three weeks ago, but customs officials only made the images public this week. Criminal proceedings against the intended recipient are underway.