The government keeps saying it’s running into financial problems. Lots of people are out of work, so unemployment is running out of money. There’s only one way to start solving this financial problem we’re facing, and that’s bringing back jobs. That way, people can stop taking unemployment money, and the unemployment fund can start building […]
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.
Mary Sanchez: Biden’s HHS pick offers promising path forward for all Americans
Because bible-pounding has become a favored tactic of politicians, it was only a matter of time before one of the cabinet choices of the incoming Biden administration would set off screeds of fire and brimstone. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra has become the target. Becerra has been nominated to be the Secretary of Health and […]
Bob Neal: The Countryman: COVID confusion: ‘A tense present’
Uncertainty, ever worse numbers, vanished structures that had organized our lives, a smaller cast of characters in our lives. It just wears you down. And adds up to confusion.
Harrison woman named Deertrees Theatre artistic, executive director
HARRISON — Gail Phaneuf – a playwright, educator, composer, actor and director and a 40-year summer resident of Harrison – has been named the artistic and executive director of the historic Deertrees Theatre, providing performing arts entertainment to the Greater Maine region since 1936. Phaneuf recently relocated permanently to Harrison from Boston, where she will […]
Froma Harrop: Hunter Biden tax probes need to happen
Hunter Biden says his tax affairs are under investigation. The president-elect’s son says he is “confident” the probe by the U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware will find no wrongdoing.
Fine. We shall see.
In rebuttal: Robert Casimiro: Rampell’s column offered ‘mindless ramblings’
Catherine Rampell’s Dec. 16 opinion piece, “The GOP reckoning that never came,” asserts that the Republican Party has been taken over by a radical group, and that the party should use the alleged presidential victory of Joe Biden as a signal to expunge this radical influence. If Ms. Rampell had presented a reasoned argument, this […]
Elaine Makas: Food for thought this holiday season
This holiday season continues to be difficult for all of us, but for many of our neighbors, the challenges have been particularly severe. Among the most affected are those experiencing food insecurity, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture defines as a lack of adequate and consistent access to nutritious food. Pre-COVID, the U.S.D.A. estimated that […]
Well done news for Saturday, Dec. 26
ELMIRA, N.Y. — Eliza Beaudin of Lewiston has been named to the Elmira College dean’s list for the fall 2020 term. Full-time undergraduate students registered for at least 12 computable credit hours and earning a term grade point average of 3.6 or higher at the end of Term I or Term II are placed on […]
Auburn library new year classes to begin with ‘Slow Flow Yoga’
AUBURN — The Auburn Public Library announces a Slow Flow Yoga class, led by instructor Tisha Bremner. This is a moderately challenging class where pose variations will be offered to help everyone find their level of success. Have a yoga mat, a yoga block or two and wear comfortable clothes that will allow movement. The […]