Local & State - Centralmaine.com

Local & State, News, Schools and Education

Small fire forces evacuation of Farmington classroom

by Donna M. Perry January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

A piece of clothing going through a print screening dryer catches fire at Foster Career and Technical Education Center.

Business, Community, Local & State

Residents to buy Jay mobile home park, citing rising rents and missed maintenance

by Rebecca Richard January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

An offer by residents to purchase the Hidden Circle mobile home park in Jay has been accepted, securing local control from out-of-state ownership.

Local & State, News

Skowhegan officials work to ‘untangle’ their books

by Jake Freudberg January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Like many towns, Skowhegan is several years behind on audits, although the town manager said there are no signs of issues with municipal finances.

Business, Food & Dining, Local & State, News

More than 200 Maine businesses are participating in Friday’s strike. Here’s a list.

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Shops, restaurants and others are closing their doors or making donations to organizations that support people affected by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge in Maine.

Local & State, News

Live updates: Maine’s Chief U.S. District Court judge orders ICE to release asylum seeker who was arrested without warrant

by Staff Report January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said the increased operation that has gripped the state for more than a week has ended, but protests and demonstrations remain and the aftermath could last months.

Local & State, News

Awards in Augusta, snow, ice fishing, high school sports focus of this week in photos

by Rich Abrahamson, Anna Chadwick and Joe Phelan January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Central Maine photographers share their favorite shots from Jan. 23-29, 2026. View more Week in Photos galleries Purchase photos from the Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel Sign up for Maine Lens our monthly photo newsletter.

Business, Local & State, News

Maine volunteers form human wall to protect immigrant workers

by Salomé Cloteaux and Abigail Driscoll January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

Immigrant workers at American Roots in Westbrook remain fearful of federal immigration enforcement, despite reports that ICE has scaled down its operations in Maine.

Local & State, News, Politics

Gov. Janet Mills backs bill to keep ICE out of schools, hospitals

by Rachel Ohm January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Mainers largely spoke out in favor of a bill that would protect certain nonpublic areas from access by federal immigration officers, but some have questions.