Former state senator from Auburn says sexual misconduct charges shook his faith in the leadership of the libertarian group that employs him as a policy advisor.
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, Politics
Legislators weigh measure that would allow nicknames on ballots
Governor worries some might choose nicknames like “The Greatest” or “The People’s Hero” instead of the names they really use.
advertisement
Posted inElection 2020, Local & State
Max Linn was among ‘happy, joyful’ crowd in Washington as insurgents stormed U.S. Capitol
Failed U.S. Senate candidate from Bar Harbor said he thought it would be a “victory party.”
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Politics
Bates president says Capitol assault laid bare ‘ugly truths’ nation must face
Bates College President Clayton Spencer said higher education depends on truth, evidence and ‘a culture of persuasion rather than violence.’
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine Crime
Public asked to help find marijuana thieves in Turner
$15,000 worth of processed product taken
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Maine People’s Party plans to start enrolling members this week
A new, progressive political party hopes to become a force in state and national politics.
Posted inLocal & State, Nation & World, Politics
Jared Golden unhappy with ‘out of touch,’ partisan leadership on Capitol Hill
Maine’s 2nd District Democratic congressman blocked a $4,500 pay hike for colleagues, but went along with $2.4 trillion spending package this week.
Posted inLocal & State
Congress backs Sen. Collins’ measure for women’s history museum
Two new Smithsonian museums for the nation’s capital included in year-end funding bill, including one Collins has sought since 2003.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, Schools and Education
Jay mill’s 177 laid-off employees eligible for free college education
177 ex-employees are eligible for retraining at two area community colleges.
Posted inLocal & State, Politics
Angus King calls on streaming services to help Americans binge-watch through the holidays
Maine’s senator calls on Netflix, HBO, Disney, Amazon and Apple to offer free streaming to encourage people to stay home for Christmas.