“In Maine, there is a bridge that is in such bad shape that pieces of it were literally falling off the other day.”

WASHINGTON — Doris Demers, the nutrition program director for York and Kittery schools, had a blunt response Wednesday when asked about proposed guidelines limiting servings of white potatoes as part of the federally funded school lunch program.

WASHINGTON — The for-profit college company chaired by former Maine Gov. John McKernan asked a federal court Wednesday to dismiss a Department of Justice lawsuit alleging the company illegally compensated employees who recruit students.

Among its claims, Education Management says the Justice Department’s lawsuit is “a groundless grab for money.”

Sen. Susan Collins threatens legislative action if the USDA doesn’t revise proposed guidelines that limit white potato servings in school lunches.

WASHINGTON — On Monday, it was Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine taking to the Senate floor to make the case for a bill aimed at penalizing China for undervaluing its currency.

The most successful drives to create new national parks come with “strong community support,” U.S. Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar said Thursday during a swing through Maine that included a public forum in Millinocket on the proposed North Woods National Park.

WASHINGTON — There was no tone of triumph or sense of satisfaction in the voice of Sen. Susan Collins when the Maine Republican said in a phone interview Tuesday morning that she would vote later that day for the federal debt ceiling deal.