USM cutting ties with Chinese government-funded program

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The University of Southern Maine is closing a program that gets funding from the Chinese government and provides Mandarin Chinese language classes and other cultural programs on campus, officials said.

Maine House Speaker takes lawmaker to task over ‘Chinese virus’ email

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) House Speaker Ryan Fecteau criticized a Republican lawmaker for calling the coronavirus the “Chinese virus” but he has no plans for formal reprimand.

Law enforcement leaders in Maine want to keep intelligence unit

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Law enforcement leaders are pushing back against a proposal to eliminate a center created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to collect, analyze and share intelligence between the state and federal government.

Maine college fines students $50 for not wearing masks

(AP) A college in Maine is giving students $50 tickets if they violate its mask-wearing requirement.

Maine tells health care providers to pause J&J vaccine

OXFORD, Maine (AP) Maine officials told health care providers Tuesday to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine following new guidance from federal officials.

Maine lawmaker looks to limit spam political texts

A Maine lawmaker has introduced a proposal to limit annoying text messages from political campaigns and advocacy groups.

Legislative committee considers allowing semi-open primaries

Maine lawmakers on Monday took up a pair of bills to allow unenrolled voters, not just party members, to vote in primary elections.

Amtrak seeks to extend rail service on the coast, not inland

Amtrak is asking Congress for funds as a part of the president’s infrastructure bill to extend passenger rail service up the coast to Rockland, but cities in central Maine, including the state capital, would be left out.

Portland Public Library to close again due to COVID-19

After reopening for a little more than a week, the Portland Public Library is closing back down due to a recent rise in COVID-19 cases in Maine.

Maine man accused of attacking man with ax, running over his leg

Police say a Livermore Falls man hit another man with an ax and then ran him over.