Federal lawsuit asks a district court to rule Janet Mills’ restrictions on commerce are unconstitutional.
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.
New Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer program offers cash to help feed Maine’s children
Families whose children get free or reduced-price meals will get $382 per child to compensate them for what they missed after schools closed.
Bethel brew pub owner says ‘things are happening’ as customers wait for reopening
It is not clear what plans, if any, may be in the works in the state capital for revisions to the orders related to small businesses and restaurants.
State issues citations as Bethel brew pub reopens again Tuesday
Sunday River Brewing Co. has tried to reopen twice in defiance of state pandemic restrictions.
Bethel brew pub owner says he will reopen again in defiance of state order
Rick Savage plans to begin serving customers Tuesday.
Gov. Mills becomes a target for Republicans aiming at U.S. House seat
Three congressional contenders in Maine’s 2nd District call for state to reopen more quickly than the governor’s plan envisions.
COVID-19 has already cost Bates College up to $2 million
It is likely to sock the Lewiston college for millions more in the months ahead, despite the school’s efforts to control costs — including pay and hiring freezes.
Max Linn may wind up on this year’s U.S. Senate ballot
Retired Bar Habor financial planner, Max Linn, filed paperwork Friday to try to secure a spot as an independent in the state’s hotly contested U.S. Senate race against Republican Sen. Susan Collins.
Evicted in Maine, purported cult leader arrested 1,700 miles away
From a jail cell in South Dakota, Gary Blankenship, whose activities in St. Agatha created a furor over the winter, is awaiting extradition to Tennessee.
Jared Golden says Congress should stay in session
Lewiston congressman says there’s too much critical work for him to do everything at his kitchen table.