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QUOTE OF THE DAY
— Jon Chalmers, director of administration at the Hatch Hill Solid Waste Disposal Facility in Augusta, on single-use propane canisters. A new bill in the Maine Legislature aims to create a better system for disposing of the common and explodable cans.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
President Donald Trump ordered a plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Trump blamed the department for America’s lagging academic performance and said states will do a better job. Advocates for public schools said it would leave children behind in a fundamentally unequal education system.
Heated debate over the censure of a lawmaker delayed budget votes in the Legislature. Democrats who lead the chamber censured Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, last month for social media posts identifying a transgender student athlete. Democrats enacted an $11.3 billion budget over Republican opposition in a series of late-night votes.
A Maine lawmaker wants a better system for throwing out propane canisters. Single-use canisters often still contain enough propane to cause an explosion if punctured, yet finding safe disposal is difficult in Maine.
An $8.1 million plan could completely transform a busy Brewer street. Recommendations in a new study aim to improve safety for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians while also relieving congestion.
This billionaire is putting up more buildings on his MDI compound. He acquired the property, the former home of the late David Rockefeller Sr., for $19 million in 2018.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Former Bangor doctor pleads not guilty to sexual assault
- Bangor residents near broken main told to boil water
- Maine DEP says Mallinckrodt isn’t cleaning up toxic Orrington site fast enough
- Penobscot County HIV outbreak grows to 22 cases
- Train catches on fire in Lincoln
- Fort Fairfield one of 14 Maine towns to get energy efficiency help
- 8 Acadia National Park probationary workers reinstated
- 20-year-old and 7-month-old die after Maine crash
- Skeletal remains found by Maine psychic have been identified
- Man accused of operating an illegal marijuana grow house in St. Albans
- Maine woman led police on a chase right to her driveway
- Freshman star Cooper Flagg says he’ll be back on the court for NCAA Tournament opener
- Another accomplishment for Cooper Flagg: Making Duke less hated
- UMaine Hockey wins double overtime thriller on way to Hockey East final
- Photos: UMaine overtakes Northeastern in drive toward Hockey East title
- Underachieving UMaine baseball opens America East season at Binghamton Friday
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“MaineCare is a lifeline for over 350,000 Mainers, including 133,431 children. It provides essential services: doctor’s visits, prescription medications, mental health treatment, and hospital care. For elderly individuals, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and low-income families, MaineCare is the safety net that keeps them afloat.”
Opinion: Proposed Republican budget cuts could devastate health care in Maine
LIFE IN MAINE
An Aroostook County tavern offers a respite from seasonal blues. When days are short and near arctic temperatures keep people indoors for months, Bastions is open.
The Cooper Flagg effect is real at Maine sports bars. “You know when Cooper’s playing, there’s going to be more of a crowd.”
In just a matter of days, the song sparrows will start singing and soon after songbirds will return to Maine. Until then, we’ll just have to listen to a bunch of weird bird sounds.
