PORTLAND (AP) – Maine retailers and consumers are being reassured that households who heat their homes with fuel pellets will have an adequate supply this winter.

The state’s pellet fuel manufacturers issued a statement Tuesday to allay fears about current shortages. It said those shortages came about when many consumers stockpiled their entire winter supply in the fall.

The manufacturers say production is up fivefold over the same time a year ago, and they plan to double production again within six months.

Many Maine households shifted to pellet stoves following last winter’s big spike in heating oil prices.

Trade topic of Maine hearing

AUGUSTA (AP) – Mainers whose lives have been affected by international trade agreements will have a chance to air their comments next week at a hearing before the Maine Citizen Trade Policy Commission.

The Dec. 4 session at Husson College in Bangor will help the commission provide input to Maine’s congressional delegation and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The commission says it’s looking for specific examples of both good and bad aspects of trade agreements in regard to business, labor, health care and the environment and municipal governance.

LeBron no longer with Microsoft

CLEVELAND (AP) – LeBron James and Microsoft Corp. have lost their Internet connection.

The NBA superstar and the software giant have ended a two-year marketing partnership. James’ spokesman Keith Estabrook confirmed Wednesday the contract between the Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star and Microsoft is not being renewed.

James appeared in TV ads for Microsoft’s launch of its Windows Vista operating system in early 2007, but aside from the commercials and the Web site no other marketing efforts developed.

The partnership faltered when Microsoft executive Joanne Bradford, who struck the deal with James, resigned as head of the company’s media network this year.

Microsoft officials were not immediately available for comment.