Maine Public | Maine's premier, independent public media resource.

Advocates Say That Possible Title X Changes Are A Threat To Mainers’ Health

A coalition of patients, providers and advocates rallied in Augusta Tuesday to publicly release a letter to the Trump administration, opposing what they call a proposed 'gag rule' on the Title X program .

Trump Walks Back Controversial Comments On Russian Election Interference

Protecting Land And Storing Carbon: Nature Conservancy Taps A New Market For Conservation Projects

Portland Approves Tax Breaks For Senior Housing

By Ed Morin • 5 hours ago

The Portland City Council has voted to approve tax breaks for two senior housing developments. The council had originally approved selling city land for one of the projects with the understanding that it would be open to all ages.

Councilor Kim Cook spoke against the developer's move to restrict the age of residents to 55 plus.

Friends Of Stabbing Victim Say She Was Stalked Before Her Death

By AP • 6 hours ago

Friends of a Maine woman who was stabbed to death outside a downtown Lewiston laundromat say she was stalked.

Police have charged 76-year-old Albert Flick with murder in the death of 48-year-old Kimberly Dobbie. Police say her 11-year-old twins witnessed the Sunday morning attack.

Two of Dobbie's friends tell the Sun Journal that Flick became upset and began stalking their friend when she turned down his romantic advances. It's not known if Flick has a lawyer. He's due for his first court appearance on Wednesday.

Portland Chosen For Self-Driving Car Pilot Program

By AP • 6 hours ago

A Maine city is among seven municipalities that have been selected to help test self-driving car technology.

The Portland Press Herald reports Washington-based technology firm INRIX announced Tuesday Portland would help pilot the AV Road Rules program.

INRIX says the software communicates local traffic rules to autonomous vehicles. The cars will also transfer information on things like potholes while human operators ride along.

Candidates Say LePage's Hold-Up Of Funds Defies Common Sense

By AP • 7 hours ago

Several candidates say the Maine governor's latest push to hold up over $1 million in budgeted public campaign funding "flies in the face of common sense" and legal precedent.

In briefs filed Monday, an advocacy group and 11 candidates argued that the governor is reducing political speech that will decide this November's election.

Gov. LePage and finance chief Alec Porteous are defending LePage's refusal to sign financial orders to release money due to over 120 legislative candidates and one gubernatorial hopeful through June.

Maine Author Explores The Changing American Border With Canada

By Nora Flaherty • 8 hours ago

For many in Maine, the border with Canada is an everyday fact of life. People cross the border for shopping, work or family.

But since September 11 — and, more recently, under the Trump administration — the border which used to be more porous is now hardened. For example, crossing is more formal. Stops within in the 100-mile "border zone" are increasing, and Trump administration policies have introduced a new friction into relationships between the two countries.

Heavy Rain Could Cause Flash Floods In Parts Of Maine

By AP • 8 hours ago

Heavy rain is making its way through much of northern New England.

The National Weather Service says there's a flash flood watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through the evening for the area of York, Maine, and in much of southeastern New Hampshire.

Storms were moving through the region Tuesday.

Updated 1:56 p.m.

'We've Been Through Darker Times': Barack Obama Speaks In South Africa

By Scott Horsley • 11 hours ago

Updated at 12:05 p.m. ET.

Former President Barack Obama celebrated Nelson Mandela's life and legacy in South Africa on Tuesday with a speech that focused not only on the freedom Mandela came to symbolize, but the long walk it took to get there.

NYPD Will Pursue Internal Charges Against Officers In Eric Garner's Death

By Bill Chappell • 13 hours ago

Four years after Eric Garner was put in a chokehold by a police officer on Staten Island and died, the New York Police Department says it will pursue disciplinary actions against officers involved in the case. Police had postponed the move out of deference to a Justice Department inquiry.

Man Arrested In Fatal Lewiston Stabbing Is A Convicted Murderer

By Susan Sharon • 15 hours ago

State police have arrested and charged 76-year-old Albert Flick of Auburn in the fatal stabbing of a woman in downtown Lewiston Sunday morning.

Police say 48-year-old Kimberly Dobbie was assaulted in front of a laundromat where she had been washing clothes with her twin 11-year-old sons who witnessed the attack. Bystanders tackled the suspect and held him down until police arrived

Canadian Ferry Firm Proposes 5-Year Lease, $1M Minimum Total Payment For Bar Harbor Site

By Bill Trotter - Bangor Daily News • 15 hours ago

In a proposal to base The CAT in Bar Harbor, the Canadian firm that operates high-speed ferry service between Maine and Nova Scotia says it will spend $3 million in infrastructure improvements to the idle Route 3 property and will pay the town at least $200,000 in annual rent for five years. Both dollar figures are in U.S. currency.