Mandates to reduce COVID-19 spread are about public health, not politics. The group Mainers Against Mask Mandates misrepresents public health facts. It claims the inside of masks are germ-ridden, but isn’t that the point — to stop the mask-wearer’s germs from spreading to other people? They use early CDC statements that masks were unnecessary, before […]
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.
Posted inConnections
UMF students receive holiday assistance from campus, local community
FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington’s Thrifty Beaver and local communities are reaching out to UMF students who may need a little extra this year to help make ends meet. The Thrifty Beaver is a student-run campus food pantry and co-op whose mission is to help provide food and other essentials to students […]
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Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Rich Lowry: The embarrassing Russian disinformation canard
We don’t know where the Hunter Biden story ends up. But if he gets indicted, it’s at least going to be a significant distraction for President Joe Biden and raise questions about how much he knew about his son’s sketchy dealings.
Posted inConnections
Hammond named Monmouth Academy student of month
MONMOUTH — Rylee Hammond, Class of 2021, was selected as Monmouth Academy’s October student of the month. Hammond is a helpful, kind person who has exhibited incredible growth and achievement in his academics, according to his school. In addition to his studies at Monmouth Academy, he also is enrolled at the machine tool program at […]
Posted inConnections
Community briefs for Tuesday, Dec. 22
Durham snowmobile club to hold session DURHAM — The Tri-Town Penguins Snowmobile Club of Durham, Freeport and Pownal will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, at Acacia Masonic Lodge, Route 136. Members should note the new location. Masks and social distancing are required. New members are always welcome. For more information, contact Duncan Daly […]
Posted inLetters, Opinion
Jamie Beaulieu: CMP corridor is no ‘environmental crisis’
There are about 4,000 miles of electrical corridor in Maine today. We barely notice it. Wildlife moves along it without harm, which is more than can said of our roadways, and yet some among us are convinced an additional 53 miles of corridor constitutes an environmental crisis. It does not. While the “No CMP Corridor” […]
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Steve Wight: Funding Land for Maine’s Future will ensure state’s outdoor recreation economy
As Mainers who stand to benefit, we need to support these leaders to ensure a focus on conserving biodiversity, enhancing climate adaptation and resilience for wildlife and people, while supporting outdoor recreation, a robust forest products industry and an agricultural economy for our children’s children. In these divided times, this is something we can agree on.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Reed Foster: The environment: Lost in our national discourse
When did we stop talking about the environment? The environment used to be a part of our political discourse. We used to care, or at the very least we used to act like we cared, about reducing our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Cal Thomas: After Trump, what (and who) for the GOP?
Republicans can continue to embrace Trump’s policies while getting behind someone without his baggage. Who might that be? My view of the perfect candidate is Vice President Mike Pence, who has been loyal to the president without the name-calling, while preserving his own personality, dignity, Christian faith and kindness.