The proposal is partly in response to the formation of the commission to investigate the Lewiston mass shooting, which some lawmakers felt should have involved their input.
Rachel Ohm
Staff Writer
Rachel covers state government and politics for the Portland Press Herald. It’s her third beat at the paper after stints covering City Hall and education. Prior to her arrival at the Press Herald in the summer of 2019, Rachel worked at the Morning Sentinel in Waterville, covering Franklin and Somerset counties, and the Knoxville News Sentinel in Knoxville, Tennessee, covering higher education. She has a master’s degree in journalism from New York University and when she’s not writing and reporting enjoys running, cooking and traveling to new places.
Maine cities, nonprofits ask lawmakers to reject proposed limit on housing assistance
Lawmakers are told that a proposal to limit General Assistance housing support would put hundreds of families at risk of eviction.
Gun safety advocates turn in signatures to force fall referendum on red flag law
The Maine Gun Safety Coalition says it collected more than 80,000 signatures in an effort to put the measure on the ballot in November.
Sen. King votes against Pete Hegseth for defense secretary
Maine’s independent senator joins Democrats in voting against the Trump nominee over concerns about his answers regarding the rules of international warfare.
Maine joins effort to block Trump’s order limiting birthright citizenship
Maine plaintiffs, including the attorney general, have joined a pair of federal lawsuits arguing that the president’s executive order violates the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of citizenship to anyone born in the US.
Republican proposal would repeal 72-hour wait on firearms purchases
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham is sponsoring a bill that would repeal the waiting period approved by lawmakers last year in the wake of the mass shooting in Lewiston.
Maine’s delegation welcomes Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement
The deal, which has yet to be finalized, calls for a 6-week end to fighting during which hostages and prisoners would be released and additional aid would come to Gaza.
Angus King questions Defense pick Pete Hegseth about past comments during contentious hearing
Maine’s independent senator asked President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Pentagon about his views on women in combat, torture and the war in Ukraine.
Proposal to increase Maine’s cigarette tax draws praise and concern
Health advocates have lauded Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal for a tax increase on cigarettes, though some businesses are concerned it could prompt people near the New Hampshire border to make purchases there instead.
Retired police officer selected as new chair of Maine Republican Party
Jim Deyermond of Sanford was selected as the next chair of the Maine GOP, and Scott Rocknak was picked as party vice chair in elections over the weekend.