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.
Bonnie Aleck joins Farmington firm
FARMINGTON — Financial consultant Bonnie Aleck has joined the Western Mountain Financial Services team. Aleck brings over 36 years of professional experience in the financial services industry, serving communities in the River Valley. Western Mountain Financial Services is locally owned and located at 189 Main St. The firm offers services such as investment and retirement […]
Palliative medicine center appoints two for Nurse Practitioner Fellowship
LEWISTON — The Maine Center for Palliative Medicine, an offering of Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice, has appointed two people for this year’s Nurse Practitioner Fellowship. The fellowship aims to provide specialized training in hospice and palliative care, equipping nurse practitioners with the skills and knowledge needed to deliver compassionate and effective patient-centered care. Amy […]
Ben Lounsbury: Will Lake Auburn suffer the China Lake syndrome?
We should be restoring Lake Auburn watershed to forest, not building housing in its watershed.
Clarence Page: Against AI, political punditry can still do the write thing
In an age that has seen astounding acceleration in the output of scientific and technological innovations, we suddenly look up and see artificial intelligence is upon us, producing new wonders by the day, as well as new and troubling questions.
Froma Harrop: Are Republicans giving up on investors, too?
There should not be a vote on the debt limit. It represents spending already on the country’s credit card. You don’t call American Express and say, “Hey, I don’t want to pay for the trip to Belize that I put on the card. I didn’t like the hotel.” American Express would not be amused. If you stiffed it in any way, your credit score would take a dive, and lenders would promptly raise the interest rates they charge you.
Austin Bay: Memorial Day in contemporary America
Military service is the most difficult duty in a democracy. Military sacrifice protects rights — the real rights to life and liberty.
Cal Thomas: Tim Scott: The new Reagan
It’s been a while since we’ve heard the kind of optimism contained in Sen. Tim Scott’s (R-S.C.) announcement of a presidential run.
Emma Hargreaves: Wabanaki studies is for Maine’s democracy
I call for compliance with required teaching and I reject an approach to the law that suggests white people do not benefit; Wabanaki Studies is the most relevant synthesis of American democratic values for all Maine students.