President Donald Trump’s unpredictable shifts in tariff policies threaten to drive up costs for consumers and taxpayers.
Business
Local, state and national business news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Maine’s hospitals are in dire financial shape, report says
The state’s major hospitals rank near the bottom among 50 states in 3 metrics — operating margin, debt burden and age of facilities — according to an analysis done for the Maine Hospital Association.
Halldale Manor to close in early May
The long-term residential care home in Farmingdale is the 26th residential care facility to close since 2019.
Single-occupancy bathrooms have multiplied in Maine. What a relief.
Since the last big debate about trans rights, private, gender-neutral bathrooms have proliferated at restaurants, schools and workplaces.
Bill would offer more accurate data on number of homes built in Maine
LD 1184 would help housing advocates track progress in building 84,000 new homes by 2030.
Trump pauses tariffs on most nations for 90 days, sending stocks soaring, but again raises taxes on Chinese imports
Facing a global market meltdown after his tariffs took effect Wednesday, the president abruptly backed down on most of the import taxes — except for those on China.
Maine regulators investigating Versant Power’s management practices
The Public Utilities Commission says that Versant has regularly increased rates without improving service and questioned whether its Canadian parent company is providing sufficient oversight.
What’s next for Madison’s TimberHP after Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing?
Those who have supported the Madison manufacturer said the bankruptcy was unfortunate, but not unexpected, and are cautiously optimistic that the restructuring will allow the company to succeed.
Trump policies expected to cause 25% drop in Canadian tourism to Maine
The state’s top tourism official told lawmakers her office is aggressively working to bring in more U.S. tourists to make up for the loss of international travelers, but so are other states.
Maine’s Catholic diocese is tapping into solar power
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland has leased land to solar developers to build what are believed to be the first arrays on church property in the state.