The volume of water in Auburn is less than a third of what it usually is this time of year, a sign of Maine’s worsening drought problem.
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inMaine
Yes, there really is more pollen, thanks to climate change
A new Maine study calls rising pollen levels a public health threat as respiratory problems worsen.
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Posted inMaine, Politics
Troy Jackson seeks transparency for online news sites trying to influence elections
The Allagash Democrat said sites that masquerade as news organizations ought to include a disclaimer so people know who paid to put them online.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Lewiston-Auburn, Schools & Education
Bates College to hold commencement Thursday — twice!
To limit exposure to COVID-19, seniors at the Lewiston college are graduating in two groups this year, half in the morning and half in the afternoon.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, River Valley
Upstream towns worry they’ll pay the price for a cleaner Androscoggin River
Rumford and other towns urge more testing, better communication before plunging ahead with controversial upgrade for river’s water quality.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Lewiston-Auburn
Turner voters back budget, pot stores and more
At Turner’s annual Town Meeting on Saturday, its first in two years, the $3.2 million budget was approved and the door was opened to the sale of recreational marijuana.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Bates graduate provides artwork for new children’s book with Memorial Day focus
Maine artist Matt Tavares illustrated a picture book about guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Nation / World
Minot native pleads not guilty of crimes at U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6
Federal agents seized Mitch Simon’s cellphone this month and intend to check it for potential incriminating evidence.
Posted inAndroscoggin County, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine
District attorney in Lewiston pushes to decriminalize prostitution for victims of sex trafficking
Some worry the move might spur more commercial sex in Maine as pimps tell young exploited women ‘you won’t get in trouble because it’s legal in Androscoggin.’
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Bates College shelled out more than $6 million for pandemic-related costs
Savings on wages, travel and more has college convinced it will end fiscal year in June in decent shape financially.