AUGUSTA (AP) — GOP Gov. Paul LePage has nominated former Democratic lawmaker Barry Hobbins to serve as public advocate, a position that represents the interests of Maine ratepayers in electricity and natural gas prices and other proceedings before the state Public Utilities Commission. The position also supports residents on matters related to telecommunications, including accessibility […]
Maine
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Heating oil prices drop as temperature climbs in Maine
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Governor’s Energy Office says the price of heating oil in Maine has dropped 9 cents since the middle of March. The statewide average cash price for No. 2 heating oil was $2.17 per gallon this week. The statewide price of kerosene was also down 7 cents, to $2.72. Propane prices have […]
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Maine House votes to make Maine comply with federal ID law
AUGUSTA (AP) — The Maine House is supporting a bill to make the state comply with a federal ID law. The 115-30 vote on Tuesday followed Senate approval earlier this month. Further votes are needed but no further obstacles are anticipated. Republican Gov. Paul LePage supports the bill. The federal Real ID law was passed […]
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‘I’m a goner’: El Faro’s last hours as ship sails into storm
This undated image made from a video released April 26, 2016, by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the stern of the sunken ship El Faro. Amid howling winds, blinding squalls and massive waves, the freighter El Faro and its crew struggled for survival _ unaware that their course was taking them directly into the […]
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El Faro’s tragic ending ‘burned’ in investigator’s mind
This April 11, 2017 photo provided by the NTSB shows investigator Brian Young at an undisclosed location. Young is the chief investigator for the NTSB into the sinking of the freighter El Faro in the Bahamas on Oct. 1, 2015. The 790- foot ship sank after losing propulsion in Hurricane Joaquin. The bodies of the […]
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Bill would require hand-washing facilities for petting areas
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine Democrat’s bill would require hand-washing facilities or disinfectant at areas where the public can touch livestock and other animals. Roger Fuller’s bill is set for a Thursday hearing. Fuller’s bill doesn’t apply to domestic pets and requires signs emphasizing hand-washing’s importance. Fuller says his bill follows health officials’ 2015 […]
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Maine recovers jobs after recession; aging workers a concern
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The state’s economy is back to where it was before the recession when it comes to jobs, a feat some economists thought might be impossible because of its shrinking workforce. The state has returned to the pre-recession peak of about 620,800 jobs, meaning it has made up the 25,000 or so […]
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Rain, snowmelt could cause flooding in Maine
The latest storm to hit New England brought the threat of flooding, instead of snow, as heavy rain swept across the region on Thursday. The National Weather Service issued flood advisories and watches for portions of the region as the rain began falling across the six states. There were a few flood warnings but it […]
Posted inbPlus, Lewiston-Auburn
Bliss Thru Shopping: You say Easter, we say mmm
We here at Bliss applaud innovation. For example, we take note and give a standing O when it involves the marriage of chocolate, almonds and hedgehogs, white chocolate and asparagus, and a 1.5-pound chocolate Bean boot with a peanut butter tread. We’re not even making these up. Today we’re off on a virtual road trip […]
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UMaine wants to train more lawyers for rural parts of state
PORTLAND (AP) — The University of Maine School of Law is looking to train more lawyers for the vast rural parts of the state. The school is launching the Rural Lawyer Pilot Project, which is kicking off with a workshop for attorneys and law students on Saturday. It will be a three-year project to place […]