Coronavirus deaths reach 50, new cases push total to 990

Three new deaths from COVID-19 have pushed the state’s total to 50, with 25 new confirmed cases bringing Maine’s total to 990.

Maine expediting unemployment claims, which topped 100,000

Maine Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman said Friday that the state is streamlining the processing of nearly 20,000 unemployment claims, and that means skipping fact-finding interviews for many of them.

South Thomaston woman pleads guilty to murder in bludgeoning death of elderly woman

ROCKLAND, MAINE (AP) A South Thomaston woman has pleaded guilty to killing an elderly woman who was found unresponsive in her home in Owls Head.

NAMI Maine launches teen text support line

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The National Alliance of Mental Illness has launched a new mental health support line to provide young people support during the coronavirus outbreak and beyond.

Scammers target those seeking loan from Paycheck Protection Program

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Scammers are targeting small businesses with a promise of access to paycheck protection loans.

Governor announces guidelines for re-opening Maine’s economy

Governor Janet Mills spoke Thursday about a phased re-opening of Maine’s economy.

Paper mill is back in business after dramatic explosion

A paper mill disabled by an explosion last week is resuming production in two of its three paper machines in Jay.

New jobless claims in Maine dip again amid COVID-19 pandemic

New jobless claims in Maine declined again last week, but still remain well higher than where they were before the coronavirus pandemic.

5% of coronavirus tests are positive in Maine, official says

The director of the Maine Center for Disease Control said it’s likely there are more coronavirus cases that the state doesn’t know about, but he said he’s heartened that only 5% of tests are positive.

Secretary of state decides order of bond questions on ballot

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has announced the order of the two bond questions that’ll be on the July 14 ballot.