How the Wabanaki coalition is fighting for tribal sovereignty
Tribal leaders are pushing to secure funding for an education bill this session, but keeping sovereignty top of mind as the gubernatorial race gets underway.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Sun Journal.
We read 750 mentions of Maine in the latest Epstein files. Here’s what we found.
Maine and former Sen. George Mitchell appear hundreds of times in the latest batch of files about Jeffrey Epstein, the powerful child sex trafficker.
Gov. Mills called for a bell-to-bell school cellphone ban. What does that mean?
Maine would join more than 20 states that ban cellphones for the entire school day. Several districts have already adopted their own policies, but statewide mandates of any kid often meet resistance here.
Why Maine could soon vote on transgender athletes in girls sports
Supporters of a ballot referendum on the topic delivered more than 82,000 signatures to the Maine secretary of state Monday afternoon.
Who’s raised the most money in the race for Maine’s 2nd District?
Multiple Democrats and former Gov. Paul LePage are hoping to succeed U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine.
Why Jared Golden’s potential successors are running to the left of him on ICE
The three chief Democratic contenders are all positioning themselves as more progressive than U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who is not seeking reelection to the 2nd-District seat representing Maine in the House of Representatives.
US-Ireland Alliance removes George Mitchell’s name from scholarship
The decision follows the release of millions of documents related to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on Friday, the alliance said.
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Randy Billings
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Billy Kobin
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Rachel Ohm
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Platner raises $4.6M in 4th quarter of 2025 for US Senate race; Mills $2.7M
Both Democrats are out-raising US Sen. Susan Collins, who gathered $2.2M but has more than $10M since her campaign began.
Gov. Janet Mills backs bill to keep ICE out of schools, hospitals
Mainers largely spoke out in favor of a bill that would protect certain nonpublic areas from access by federal immigration officers, but some have questions.
Maine school buses may soon change after deaths of 2 students
Maine lawmakers heard testimony Thursday on a proposal to require and fund crossing arms on all school buses.
How Donald Trump handed Susan Collins a political win over ICE
Maine’s senior senator says the Department of Homeland Security ended ‘Operation Catch of the Day’ after she expressed her concerns about the sweeping operation.
Maine Democratic Party faces ethics probe tied to voter ID referendum
The Maine Ethics Commission will investigate the party’s spending against last year’s Question 1 after a complaint from The Dinner Table leader Alex Titcomb.
Somali American lawmaker in Maine cites threats, racism in not seeking reelection
Rep. Deqa Dhalac, D-South Portland, had made history in 2021 as the first Somali American mayor in the country.
Could ICE be barred from non-public areas in Maine?
The Legislature’s Judiciary Committee is hearing testimony Thursday on Rep. Ellie Sato’s bill to block federal agents from certain places.
Why Republicans walked out on Gov. Janet Mills’ State of the State address
At times, Maine’s two-term governor seemed to be speaking to primary voters as she seeks the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against progressive firebrand Graham Platner.
Here are the major proposals from Gov. Mills’ State of the State address
A statewide ban on cellphones in schools, $300 relief checks, investments in housing and more.
Gov. Janet Mills proposes $300 ‘affordability checks’ in her final State of the State
The governor focuses on affordability in her speech Tuesday night, also calling for a $70 million investment in housing and continuation of Maine’s free community college program.
Maine schools react to increased ICE enforcement
Thousands of students have been absent as a federal immigration enforcement operation descended on Maine, and the state’s largest district is considering a remote learning plans for different grade levels.
Susan Collins wants ICE surge to stop for now in Maine, Minnesota
Maine’s senior senator said she made her appeal directly to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday.
Gov. Mills proposes $2.25M for Planned Parenthood, family planning to offset cuts passed by Congress
The Democratic governor said the supplemental funding will offset cuts signed into law by President Donald Trump last year.
Maine AG asks to join in support of Minnesota lawsuit against DHS
The Portland City Council is expected to discuss the lawsuit in a meeting Monday night.
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