Lawmakers aim to replace language considered stigmatizing with gentler alternatives such as ‘resident of a jail.’
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Bates College tells students they must wear high-quality masks
As Bates College shifts back to in-person classes, it mandates mask upgrades to help thwart COVID-19.
advertisement
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Lewiston’s best restaurant refused to serve Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘spiritual mentor’
Fearing a racist response from other diners in 1945, the DeWitt Hotel refused to allow Benjamin Mays, a prominent Bates College graduate who had come to speak in the city, to eat in its public dining room.
Posted inLocal & State
New report says Maine’s goal of ending hunger by 2030 is ‘within reach’
A legislative hearing will get an update on the draft report next week as officials eye solutions to address ‘a breathtaking level of suffering’ by hungry Mainers
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Politics
Clerks seek to shift municipal campaign finance filings to Maine Ethics Commission
Municipal officers say the state agency has the expertise to deal with reports required for local political campaigns.
Posted inLocal & State
Jeff Timberlake backs off from proposal to ease way for police to take people into temporary custody
Lawmakers appear to agree that more mental health training and personnel would help in responding to crises like the one that preceded a double murder in Turner.
Posted inLocal & State, Maine Crime, News
Varney daughters detail a harrowing scene on night of their parents’ murder
Officers held one of them for hours in a room next door while a suspect chanted, vomited and asked police ‘disturbing questions’
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Schools and Education
Paul LePage says Lewiston students may need to stay in school into July
Former governor said he is opposed to lowering the number of required school days for Lewiston because students are already falling behind due to COVID-19.
Posted inHealth, Local & State
Hundreds press Maine lawmakers to ban COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Legislators hear from fearful residents who want to block mandates on COVID-19 vaccines, which have been proven to be safe and to prevent more serious illness.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
State Republican leader calls for more transparency from congressional hopeful Tiffany Bond
Independent Tiffany Bond views criticism as a sign the GOP is worried about the support she’s gaining among 2nd District voters.