At least 83,000 Maine households lack the broadband internet experts say is necessary for economic success.
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 inElections, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Politics
Republican congressional primary heats up in final days
Three candidates are vying in a potentially close race to see which of them will take on Jared Golden in November.
advertisement
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Republican congressional hopefuls seek changes in Social Security
The three contenders for Maine’s 2nd District say they worry about the future of the retirement program unless revisions are made.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
How John Dunjee escaped slavery and came to Bates College in 1866
The first African-American student to attend Bates College may have been a president’s son. John William Dunjee, who escaped from slavery just before the Civil War, began taking classes in Lewiston in 1866 because it cost less than Oberlin College in Ohio, where he had started his studies. Bates at the time had just barely […]
Posted inElections, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Politics
In search of a bigger stage, Eric Brakey eyes congressional seat
Brakey gave up acting for politics almost a decade ago and, mostly, hasn’t regretted it.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
Dale Crafts aiming for U.S. House seat
Determination marks life of Lisbon businessman, former Republican state lawmaker.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Schools and Education
Bates College eyes big changes on campus for returning students
To combat COVID-19, the Lewiston college calls for testing, masks, social distancing and more to keep its community safe.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
In her quest for Congress, Adrienne Bennett touts her ‘unique set of skills’
Gov. Paul LePage’s former press secretary, now a Bangor real estate agent, faces two foes in the July 14 Republican primary in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Critics: Bates College is ‘a white place’
Accused of racism by, among others, two former employees, the Lewiston college vows to renew its historic pursuit of racial and social justice.
Posted inElections, Local & State, Politics
U.S. Senate hopeful Tiffany Bond calls on state to put her on ballot
A Portland independent filed a civil rights suit claims that because of the pandemic, Maine should ‘do the right thing’ and waive its normal signature collection requirements.