To get better broadband information than the Federal Communications Commission could provide, the state asked providers in Maine for more details about the service they offer. Companies generally agreed to let the state see more data than they had any legal obligation to provide, officials said, but only if ConnectMaine, the state agency involved, signed […]
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 inLocal & State
Controversial power line plan includes fiber optic line through western Maine
State broadband officials hope the proposed hydropower transmission project will boost efforts to bring high-speed internet to unserved areas.
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Posted inLocal & State
Maine lawmakers debate over allowing people to kill nuisance beavers
Lawmakers are discussing whether to drop or revise a law that makes it a felony to kill a nuisance beaver in Maine.
Posted inLocal & State
Maine lagging on road to high-speed broadband
State’s bid for better access has been stymied by high cost, misleading maps and Maine’s rural nature.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Maine senator calls for crackdown on ‘snake oil and fine print’ payday loans
State Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford calls for limits on how much lenders can charge for short-term loans to hard-pressed Mainers.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Schools and Education
Bates College plans a traditional graduation ceremony in May
After canceling commencement last year because of COVID-19, college officials happy to see seniors off in person this semester.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Bates College suspends security officer after complaints of mishandling incident
The officer, a 25-year veteran, also told students that Black students ‘get way with a lot more’ because security is afraid to deal with them.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
‘Completely changed my life:’ A year of COVID
We talk to area residents about the losses and the lessons one year after COVID hit Maine.
Posted inLocal & State
New bill that targets press is part of a nationwide push
Proposed Stop Guilt by Accusation Act introduced in Augusta follows failed efforts to pass the measure in other states.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Bates College optimistic that fall semester 2021 may be almost normal
With more vaccines available, the Lewiston-based college hopes student life will no longer have so many COVID-19-related restrictions.