Despite our aggressive efforts to hire more nurses — including offering free education and recruiting nurses from across the globe — Maine, like the rest of the nation, does not have enough nurses to meet our needs.
Alex Lear
Staff Writer
Alex Lear is a lifelong Mainer who has spent 25 years in journalism -- the first 20 as a reporter for newspapers in Damariscotta and Falmouth, then as Opinions section editor for the Sun Journal and now a digital producer with the Maine Trust for Local News. His long-running “Learics” column won first place in the Maine Press Association’s 2023 Better Newspaper Contest. He and his wife Lauren are kept young by their 9-year-old daughter Alaina. Send feedback and suggestions to Alex.
Ceana Robinson: Mainers should stop abortion bill in its tracks
As a Maine resident, I write in opposition to the late-term abortion bill, L.D. 1619. The bill would allow abortion at any time in pregnancy, even until birth (even though Maine’s current law already allows abortion past the age of viability), with a qualified medical professional’s approval. It would also decriminalize abortions done by someone […]
Natasha Collins: Take it from a student — teachers shouldn’t be armed
I don’t think guns should be in school, especially on teachers, an issue under consideration before the Maine Legislature. It’s unsafe and unneeded. Why bring the problem into school? Arming teachers is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet hole. It’s just treating the symptoms and not the sickness. Most shootings are with guns that […]
Cal Thomas: Trump never changes
People like me who rationalized that a vote for Trump was a vote for his policies and not his corrosive personality made the political equivalent of a bargain with the Devil.
Norman Ford: Abortion bill’s measures are ‘extreme in multiple ways’
I recently saw where Gov. Janet Mills has introduced bill L.D. 1619, which would allow abortions up to time of birth, with the approval of a qualified medical professional. This bill seems extreme in multiple ways, regardless of religious beliefs or non beliefs. It appears that society has turned a blind eye toward abortions and […]
Parivash Rohani: Tragedy’s anniversary provides opportunity for positive change
On June 18, 1983, 10 Bahá’í women were hanged in prison for their commitment to justice and equality. As the 40th anniversary of this heartbreaking event approaches, I reflect on my personal connection with these remarkable women. They were my friends, and the older women served as my mentors. I left Iran in 1979, just […]
LifeFlight of Maine leaders receive Maine EMS Governor’s Award
AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills and the Maine Emergency Medical Services Board have awarded the 2023 Maine EMS Governor’s Award to Tom Judge, founder and executive director of LifeFlight of Maine, and Dr. Norm Dinerman, founder and medical director of LifeFlight of Maine. LifeFlight is a nonprofit, statewide critical care medical transport service jointly owned […]
Bob Cappadona: Recycling is still the right decision for Maine municipalities
While the opportunity to serve recycling collection needs of the residents of Auburn through our municipal contract is ending, we are working with the city to establish drop-off locations for residents to continue putting their recyclables to a higher and better use. We will continue to serve the city for its trash collection services and, as such, will continue to partner with the city on its near and long-term materials management needs.