AUGUSTA — Maine leads the nation in drug takeback efforts, in which citizens voluntarily return unused pharmaceuticals to keep them out of the environment and the hands of those who would sell or abuse them. Year after year, Mainers have handed in tens of thousands of pounds of drugs during federally sponsored national takeback days, more per capita than any other state.

Sen.-elect Angus King will work to reform filibuster rules, the banking sector and gun laws.

When U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe made her surprise announcement in February that she would not seek re-election, she condemned the “atmosphere of polarization and ‘my way or the highway’ ideologies” in Washington and stressed the “vital need for the political center in order for our democracy to flourish.”

A backlash against Gov. Paul LePage in the more populous regions of the state and an overwhelming spending advantage for Democrats in key races were largely responsible for ending Republican control of both State House chambers this month.