Seafood biz braces for losses of jobs, fish due to sanctions

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The worldwide seafood industry is steeling itself for price hikes, supply disruptions and potential job losses as new rounds of economic sanctions on Russia make key species such as cod and crab harder to come by.

Legislators endorse higher classification for Androscoggin

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine lawmakers have unanimously endorsed a proposal to upgrade a 14-mile stretch of the Androscoggin River to a higher environmental classification in an acknowledgment of cleanup efforts.

Fire that destroyed Belfast potato plant ruled accidental

The Maine Fire Marshal’s Office says a fire that destroyed a potato processing plant on the Belfast waterfront has been ruled accidental.

Fire marshal says Bar Harbor hotel fire was electrical in nature

Maine fire investigators say a blaze that broke out at a Bar Harbor hotel was caused by an electrical issue.

Maine lawmakers OK bill to ensure student transcript access

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) The Maine Legislature has enacted a proposal to make sure students and graduates in the state are able to get access to their own transcripts.

Maine close to approving education cost stabilization fund

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine lawmakers are closer to approving a proposal to try to ensure education funding in future years.

Maine politicians ask for time to comply with whale rules

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Maine’s congressional delegation and governor said Wednesday that the state’s lobster fishermen need more time to comply with new rules designed to protect rare whales.

Maine Sen. Collins to support confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court

WASHINGTON (AP) Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday she will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, giving Democrats at least one Republican vote and all but assuring that Jackson will become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

Retired judges will hear divorce cases to clear backlog

The Maine court system will assign retired judges to divorce proceedings to clear a growing backlog of more than 6,000 cases that have been delayed since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers emphatic about keeping open 2 veterans’ homes

The Maine Legislature on Tuesday gave initial approval to a bill aimed at preventing the closure of Maine Veterans’ Homes in Caribou and Machias.