Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel

Scott Thistle Portland Press Herald

Scott Thistle is the State House reporter for the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. He has covered politics and government in Maine since 2006. Prior to that he served as the State House reporter for the Duluth News Tribune in Duluth, Minnesota. A Maine native, Thistle has worked in journalism since 1990, when he got his start at a weekly newspaper in rural Oxford County, Maine. He is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and an active volunteer with the National Ski Patrol. He resides with his wife, Amy and his two sons Finn and Kai, in Auburn, Maine.

Latest

Published
August 26, 2016

‘Prove I’m a racist’: LePage challenges Westbrook lawmaker in obscenity-laced voice mail

The governor later says he wishes he and Rep. Drew Gattine could have a duel and ‘I would point (my gun) right between his eyes.’
Published
August 25, 2016

Gov. LePage stands by racially charged statements about drug dealers coming to Maine

In a Blaine House interview, he says ‘it’s not a matter of race, it’s a matter of fact’ that most dealers, who come from out of state, are black or Hispanic.
Published
August 24, 2016

LePage: Over 90 percent of drug dealers busted in Maine are black or Hispanic

Questioned at a town hall meeting in North Berwick, the governor says he has collected photos of all Maine trafficking suspects since January and ’90-plus percent … are black and Hispanic people.’
Published
August 22, 2016

Down-ticket candidates in Maine quiet on race for president

Many running for state office worry that widespread dislike for Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton could adversely affect their chances.
Published
August 19, 2016

State says officials didn’t disclose welfare information on Islamic State fighter

Federal law prohibits the release of personal information for those receiving federally funded welfare benefits.
Published
August 17, 2016

LePage argues with York legislator over long waits for state health services

Rep. Patricia Hymanson disagrees with the governor’s contention that the Legislature diverted state funds to help cities provide welfare to asylum-seeking immigrants.
Published
August 16, 2016

Gary Johnson, Libertarian candidate for president, to speak in Maine

The former New Mexico governor’s name is on the ballot in all 50 states, along with running mate Bill Weld, former governor of Massachusetts.
Published
August 16, 2016

LePage, Poliquin call for tougher immigrant screening to protect U.S.

The governor cites the case of an Iranian immigrant and former Freeport resident who was killed in Lebanon while fighting for the Islamic State in 2015.
Published
August 12, 2016

Lawmakers say DHHS plan to build a forensic unit at Riverview lacks clarity

The plan for the 21-bed unit for patients who have committed crimes is aimed at regaining federal certification for the state psychiatric hospital and the $20 million in annual funding that goes with it.
Published
August 9, 2016

Collins’ rebuke comes at bad time for troubled Trump campaign

It could worsen his recent slide in the presidential polls and add votes for Clinton, but Maine’s senior senator says her only intent was to do ‘the right thing.’