Seven Maine hospitals have closed their birthing centers in the past decade, and 2 more will do so this year.
Politics
Political news and information from the Sun Journal.
Maine lawmakers advance budget but without support to enact it immediately
Democrats and Republicans said they will have ongoing conversations before final votes on the budget in 2 weeks, though areas of compromise seemed hard to come by.
Sen. Susan Collins will support RFK Jr. as US health secretary
The Maine Republican, considered a key swing vote for many Cabinet picks, did not respond to questions about why she thinks Kennedy is qualified for the role despite his history of criticizing vaccines.
Maine, 21 other states get restraining order to halt medical research funding cuts
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the National Institutes of Health directive, which Sen. Susan Collins also opposes, calling it ‘poorly conceived.’
Maine group wins court order pausing Trump restrictions on birthright citizenship
A judge in New Hampshire has agreed to block enforcement while he considers a challenge from advocates, including the ACLU of Maine, who argue the order is unconstitutional.
Federal judge blocks Elon Musk’s DOGE from accessing sensitive Treasury material
U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer issued the preliminary injunction early Saturday after 19 Democratic attorneys general — including Maine’s — sued President Donald Trump.
Maine public health experts worry about federal data removed from websites
Some public health data related to AIDS, substance use and avian flu went missing from federal websites, although some was later restored.
Republican lawmaker dissents over bipartisan deal on Maine budget
A $121 million supplemental budget proposal was approved 11-0 by the Legislature’s budget committee, but Rep. Ken Fredette wants his party to oppose it because it does not include emergency housing limits and MaineCare reforms.
Legislative committee recommends rule changes for Maine teens facing adult charges
The Legislature’s criminal justice and public safety committee approved the bill, with some amendments, on Wednesday.
Susan Collins heads to Mar-a-Lago with Republican senators to meet with Trump
Maine’s senior senator has been more critical of the Trump administration than most of her Republican colleagues, and will play a key role in any budget deals.