Today, Morgan Womack and Jake Freudberg report on which Maine county jails have contracts to hold federal detainees. We also have stories on the federal government releasing nearly $40 million in heating assistance for Mainers, and on the first significant snowfall of the season.
COUNTY JAIL AGREEMENTS
Several of Maine’s county jails have contracts to hold federal detainees, including, under some agreements, those taken into custody by immigration authorities. Agreements with the U.S. Marshals Service are common — the federal agency contracts with about 1,200 state and local governments nationwide to rent jail space because it doesn’t have facilities of its own, according to its website. Six of Maine’s 15 jails told the Press Herald they have agreements. Read more.
HEATING ASSISTANCE FUNDS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released almost $40 million in low-income heating assistance for Maine households. Federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, had been delayed for weeks by the government shutdown, which ended last month after spanning a record 43 days. Without that support, the state reshuffled some money to get benefits to the program’s most vulnerable participants, but it warned that the move wasn’t sustainable. Read more.
“I know I had one, because they gave me one after it was first printed. I think I ended up tossing it because it was just taking up space. I thought if I could find the shirt I could prove I did it. And maybe I’d throw it on eBay.”
Chris Van Dusen, a nationally known children’s author and illustrator who lives in Camden
Van Dusen created the sea otter shirt that Taylor Swift made famous in October in a film promoting her latest album. Read more from reporter Ray Routhier: A Maine children’s author drew Taylor Swift’s otter shirt
MORE NEWS
Head to Maine theaters for movies that run the gamut from whimsical to dark
Also, a classic favorite that takes place at Christmas is back on the big screen.
Maine country band 12/OC on the rise to headline Portland show
Brothers Reid and Will Nichols, who form the core of the band, will headline a holiday concert at Cross Insurance Arena and soon announce a major tour.
L.L.Bean’s Winter Spectacular projects holiday spirit
A Maine-made holiday-themed animation is being projected on Camp L.L.Bean’s tent leading up to Christmas Eve.
Maine secretary of state opposes using federal immigration database to determine voter eligibility
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows joined Democratic officials from 11 other states in criticizing the Trump administration’s proposed expansion of its use.
