News

A showdown is looming today between Gov. Paul LePage and the Maine Legislature over the future of solar electric power.

ROCKLAND, Maine - Lobster lovers rejoice! The 70th annual Maine Lobster Festival gets underway Wednesday.
 
Festival goers are expected to put away some 20,000 pounds of lobster at the event in Rockland, which runs through Sunday.
 
Highlights include the coronation of the Maine Sea Goddess, a cod carrying contest and a parade down Maine Street. But the real star of the festival will no doubt be the lobster dinner.
 

PORTLAND, Maine - A key ocean management panel has shot down a plan to try to preserve southern New England's lobster population with new fishing regulations.
 
An arm of the interstate Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted against proposed new restrictions on Tuesday. Members of the panel say they don't feel the proposed measures would go far enough to rebuild the lobster population, which is suffering due to warming ocean temperatures.
 

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Legislature has a busy day ahead with solar, student debt relief and hands-free driving bills on the agenda.
 
Lawmakers are set to return for their final day of session to deal with bills, vetoes and bonds.
 
Republican Gov. Paul LePage has voiced support for a $40 million bond for student debt relief and a $55 million bond to help companies commercialize products through research and development.
 

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - Maine's U.S. senators say the federal government is giving Maine more than $300,000 to keep its pipelines safe.
 
Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King say the federal Department of Transportation is giving the money to the Maine Public Utilities Commission. It was awarded by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
 

AUGUSTA, Maine - Two recently enacted laws help the state's burgeoning aquaculture industry and those displaced by transportation projects in Maine.
 
One of the laws creates a framework for all individuals growing and selling marine organisms as part of the growing field of agriculture. Most commercial aquaculturists are growing shellfish, and a state marine resources representative said aquaculturists face a very confusing licensing process.
 
The new law shepherded by Democratic Rep. Mick Devin creates a separate new aquaculture license.
 

MILLINOCKET, Maine - Baxter State Park officials in Maine say the body of a man found in the park has been taken to a funeral home.
 
The man's body was discovered on Sunday. Park officials say he was a 60-year-old man from Connecticut who was hiking the Chimney Pond Trail and was found unresponsive by hikers.
 
Park Director Jensen Bissell says park officials are not releasing the name of the deceased, which is typical of search and rescue operations in Baxter State Park.
 

PORTLAND, Maine - A high-speed ferry in Maine known as the Cat is temporarily suspended after two of its four engines blew out in separate incidents.
 
The Canadian company Bay Ferries Limited canceled the ferry's next two scheduled trips after the Cat arrived in Portland Monday from Nova Scotia. The Portland Press Herald reports that it arrived with only two of its four engines in operation.
 

PORTLAND, Maine - Maine's Republican governor is vowing to fight for bonds aimed at attracting young people and supporting research and development.
 
Gov. Paul LePage on a Tuesday radio appearance expressed frustration with fellow Republicans opposed to such efforts.
 
A $40 million bond would help pay off student loans for those who agree to live and work in Maine for five years. A $55 million bond would help companies commercialize products through research and development.