Jim Billings will take over as executive director of the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services. Toby Jandreau will become the state’s new lead public defender.
Emily Allen
Staff Writer
Emily Allen covers courts for the Portland Press Herald. It's her favorite beat so far — before moving to Maine in 2022, she reported on a wide range of topics for public radio in West Virginia and was the City Hall reporter for the Grand Forks Herald in North Dakota. Emily is not a fan of the cold, but she puts up with Maine's challenging winters because she loves the state's beautiful hiking options ... once the snow has cleared.
Maine lawmakers reject expanded legal support for families in child protection system
The pilot sought to connect 30 families in central Maine with attorneys who could help them navigate the child protective system before losing custody of their children.
Tennessee hospital’s website drops name of former Maine priest working there as a chaplain
Anthony Cipolle, who has been a resident chaplain at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was removed from the program’s website this week after the Press Herald reported on a woman’s allegation that he coerced her into a sexual relationship.
Maine’s commission on indigent defense to make job offer to executive director candidate
The commission’s current director, Justin Andrus, announced this year that he will leave the position by June 30.
The priest broke his vows, she says. She’s breaking the silence.
Melissa Kearns says a Maine Catholic priest – newly ordained in 2017 – took advantage of her and abused her when she was vulnerable. She believes he could be a danger to others.
State leaders denounce white supremacist letters sent to lawmakers
At least 8 Democratic legislators received the letters Wednesday, leaders said. A former Portland City Council candidate read the same letter aloud at Monday’s council meeting.
Penobscot Nation members latest to sue Maine diocese for childhood sexual abuse
The four men are likely the first members of the Penobscot Nation to sue the diocese for childhood sexual abuse that occurred between the 1950s and late 1980s.
Maine woman accused of buying dozens of guns for California gang
Two of the guns that the U.S. Attorney’s Office says Jennifer Scruggs, 35, of Turner, illegally sold in California were recovered by Los Angeles police.
Eliot Cutler to change his plea in child porn case
The former Maine gubernatorial candidate is expected to plead to 4 counts of possession of images depicting child sexual abuse and prosecutors say the agreement will include “a period of incarceration.”
Lawmakers hear testimony on 2 bills designed to address problems in the child welfare system
One bill calls for the removal of a child from a home where there’s an adult who has been convicted of a violent crime. The other proposes a 2-year pilot program to connect parents with attorneys to help navigate civil aid resources that would make the home safer.