The individuals arrested in fiscal 2025 came from 46 countries, according to Houlton Sector Maine of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Kelley Bouchard
Staff Writer
Kelley writes about some of the most critical aspects of Maine’s economy and future growth, including transportation, immigration, retail and small business, commercial development and tourism, with emphasis on consumer issues, sustainability and minority ownership. Her wider experience includes municipal and state government, education, history, human rights, health and elder care, the environment and the housing crisis. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. She previously worked at the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking for family and friends, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.
Holiday gatherings offer a chance to talk about scams
It’s a complicated subject, but having a frank discussion now could prevent heartbreak, trauma and serious financial losses in the future.
How a Maine couple gave their $1.3 million retirement savings to bitcoin scammers
Larry and Barbara Cook are risking public embarrassment to spare others from a similar trauma. In the process, they’re helping to rewrite federal and state income tax laws related to fraud losses.
Maine will resettle only 50 refugees this year, all white South Africans
Reductions by the Trump administration continue after Maine was allowed to resettle about half of the 950 refugees allocated last year.
Maine travelers anxious over nationwide flight cancellations
At Portland International Jetport, at least 96% of flights are connected to 15 major airports directly impacted by FAA-required cancellations.
Portland jetport warns of flight cancellations after FAA cuts air traffic at 40 airports
The Federal Aviation Administration is reducing air traffic by 10% at 40 ‘high-volume’ airports across the country, including Boston’s Logan, potentially impacting thousands of flights.
New business-based coalition forms to address Maine’s housing shortage
Build Homes Build Community is a statewide group of business leaders, nonprofits, trade associations and others that will advocate for pro-housing policies and encourage Mainers to support home construction in their communities.
Turnout strong as Mainers weigh in on state referendums, local races
Mainers on Tuesday braved high winds on a crisp fall day to make their voices heard on as Question 1, which would have required voter ID and made other changes to Maine’s elections, and Question 2, a so-called red flag law. Many towns also held municipal elections.
Taylor Swift otter T-shirt auction will help fight hunger in Midcoast Maine
United Midcoast Charities will auction an early copy of the sea otter T-shirt Taylor Swift wore in the “Showgirl” film that is being reissued by a Maine company.
Mainers worry about loved ones in Jamaica caught in hurricane’s path
The catastrophic Category 5 Hurricane Melissa tore across the island nation on Tuesday, leaving destruction and worry in its wake for many in the U.S. with family members there.