AUGUSTA — The Maine House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly endorsed banning the chemical bisphenol-A from children’s products such as sippy cups and baby bottles.

AUGUSTA — The legislative panel that is working to reform Maine’s regulatory environment issued a draft proposal Wednesday that avoids controversial proposals made by Gov. Paul LePage in January.

AUGUSTA — The Maine Turnpike Authority is reducing the number of credit cards issued to its staff, from 51 to 15, as part of an effort to improve financial oversight.

AUGUSTA — Ten puppies rescued from a crowded Alabama shelter where they would have been euthanized are available, starting today, to be adopted at Kennebec Valley Humane Society.

More than 300 girls from across Maine are expected to participate in Girls Rock! events this weekend in Waterville, Augusta, Portland and Bangor.

GARDINER — Officials plan to overhaul municipal licensing fees to make up for lost state revenue and take the strain off city services.

MONMOUTH — Despite selectmen approving a 2011-12 budget Wednesday that would scale back property taxes, residents chided the board for not making even greater cuts.

CHELSEA — The state plans to issue the town a permit to restore a Windsor Road wetland without permission from an abutter.

WINTHROP — They came for a cut. They left with a trim.