Sen. Susan Collins deserves credit, not criticism, for her principled stand against the so-called “big, beautiful bill” and efforts to claw back already approved federal funding. As chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, she’s doing yeoman’s work balancing the need to rein in wasteful spending while protecting critical programs that benefit Maine communities. The […]

A 1953 sci-fi movie, “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” also applies to our current social climate. Those possessed by alien pods don’t realize their personalities have changed; they’ve become emotionally cold, indifferent to the needs and suffering of others. We hear friends and strangers voicing concerns for family members, in-laws and friends who are, individually, […]

I feel sorry for the girls who are suing Hyde School. They needed character education and obviously missed their chance for it. Our son, Drew, attended Hyde School in the 1990s. We chose Hyde over other private high schools for its policy of family involvement and also because it did not intend to break down […]

Regarding the nearly five and a half pages you devoted to a puff piece on Fore Street last Sunday (“Meet the workers who make Portland’s treasured Fore Street restaurant tick,” July 13) … really? With all that is happening in Maine these days, not to mention the wider world beyond Portland, this felt like a […]

We are disappointed at the one-sided reporting about Hyde School and the federal lawsuit filed against the school. The story felt under-researched and more a reflection of anonymous social media postings. Maybe if you had spoken to more families that have experience at the school you would have a more balanced reporting. If you would […]

My grandfather immigrated to this country with his surname spelled Jochmann. Donald Trump’s grandfather immigrated to this country with his surname spelled Drumpf. Like so many immigrants, their surnames were changed upon entry or shortly thereafter. Apparently this president finds it easy to forget his family’s past history and the opportunities afforded them upon acceptance. […]

I must politely disagree with the lead op-ed in last Sunday’s paper (July 13) that Sen. Susan Collins’ “belated courage” in voting against the Big Bad Bill was “better than nothing.” In my opinion, it’s worse than nothing, because it continues the senator’s practice of voting for the people’s interest only when it will mean […]