The USDA ‘must immediately unfreeze and release to the state of Maine any federal funding that they have frozen or failed or refused to pay because of the state of Maine’s alleged failure to comply with the requirements of Title IX,’ the judge ruled.
Daniel Kool
Staff Writer
Daniel Kool is the Portland Press Herald's utilities reporter, covering electricity, gas, broadband - anything you get a bill for. He also covers the impact of tariffs on Maine and picks up the odd business story. He joined the Press Herald in 2024 as the night reporter. A graduate of Boston University, he previously covered city news, transportation and higher education for the Boston Globe. His work has also appeared in GBH News, the Boston Globe Magazine and Boston University's student newspaper, where he was the city news editor. A midwestern transplant, Daniel lives in Biddeford, where he plays with keyboards and little noise-making boxes.
Maine’s high court upholds Kingfish aquaculture permit for Jonesport
The project was first brought to the community in 2019 and has faced strong opposition from environmental groups in the years since.
Trump administration rejected idea of pausing Title IX actions to let Maine Legislature consider reforms
Two Republican-sponsored bills to exclude transgender girls from girls sports in Maine were a topic of conversations between the federal agency and the Mills administration.
Maine’s hospitals are in dire financial shape, report says
The state’s major hospitals rank near the bottom among 50 states in 3 metrics — operating margin, debt burden and age of facilities — according to an analysis done for the Maine Hospital Association.
Maine State Library lays off 13 workers, will restructure after losing federal funds
The library last received funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services on March 24 and has not gotten any updates on when — or whether — payments may resume.
Maine regulators investigating Versant Power’s management practices
The Public Utilities Commission says that Versant has regularly increased rates without improving service and questioned whether its Canadian parent company is providing sufficient oversight.
Maine sues Trump administration in 1st case involving Title IX dispute
The lawsuit, filed Monday by Attorney General Aaron Frey, challenges the USDA decision to halt federal funds because Maine allows transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.
In Maine and nationwide, rallies and protests are growing alongside anger, grievances
Maine, like much of the country, has seen a notable jump in the size and frequency of political demonstrations since President Donald Trump began his second term.
Trump administration cuts entire federal heating assistance staff
About 20 people in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program office, which serves thousands of Maine households, were among the roughly 10,000 DHHS staffers laid off.
Trump administration issues ‘final warning’ to Maine over transgender policy
Republican lawmakers urged Gov. Janet Mills and Democrats to fast-track legislation to comply with President Donald Trump’s demands.