The state's education leaders said signing the letter would 'bind the Maine DOE to language of executive orders or other federal guidance without the force of law.'

Meanwhile, most Mainers surveyed said they expect prices to rise because of tariffs and two-thirds believe a recession is likely in the next year.

The lawsuit says the tariff policy has been subject to President Donald Trump’s ‘whims rather than the sound exercise of lawful authority.’

A bill before a legislative committee would test the use of cameras and sensors to identify and automatically ticket speeders in highway construction zones.

The Legislature's labor committee on Wednesday aired more than a dozen bills that would amend, delay or outright repeal the 2023 law.

The emergency bill makes it easier for judges to appoint lawyers for people who can't afford one themselves, and it authorizes the state to hire 5 new public defenders.

The state's higher education leaders say Republican-backed bills to raise endowment taxes would produce negligible benefits while forcing schools to slash financial aid and operating budgets.

Jordan Wood has experience as a congressional staff member and has worked as an advocate for campaign finance reform.

The University of Maine receives $26.3 million from the Department of Energy through 8 multiyear awards.

The presidents of Bowdoin, Bates, Colby and the University of New England joined more than 230 college leaders in rebuking the federal government's 'political interference' in higher education.

The bill includes a grant program to help residents safeguard their homes, provides a one-time dose of funding for the Maine Emergency Management Agency and establishes a new state office intended to reduce storm damage and protect infrastructure.

The way the Trump administration has approached the Title IX probes in Maine has been unusual, legal experts told The Maine Monitor, citing both the speed and lack of procedure.

Dozens of trans students have competed in high school sports in Maine since 2013, but such participation has suddenly become a flashpoint in a high-stake political and legal battle with the Trump administration.

The state antidiscrimination law has a 20-year history that long predates a nationwide debate over transgender athletes in sports.

The Auburn lawmaker, who was censured in February for a social media post about a transgender student, said she was disappointed with the decision but 'the fight is far from over.'

The meeting came after workers at the Kittery shipyard were initially targeted as part of the Trump administration's efforts to shrink the federal workforce.

The decision is being challenged in court by a group of public and private universities, including associations that represent University of Maine System schools.

The governor doubled down Thursday on her position that the federal government can't pull funding from Maine because the state allows transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.

While U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-2nd District, spoke at a private Colby College event Wednesday about his desire to engage voters, protesters along upper Main Street in Waterville criticized him and others for failing to hold town hall meetings.

Proposals before the Legislature come after the waiting period narrowly passed last year in the wake of the Lewiston mass shooting, and as it faces a challenge in federal court.

They showed up, on their tractors, to protest millions in cuts to federal grants, canceled support for school lunches and the termination of 20% of USDA workers who support Maine's farmers.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Wednesday that Maine's refusal to ban transgender athletes from girls sports violates federal antidiscrimination law, while Gov. Janet Mills said the state is fighting to uphold state and federal laws.

School districts say Title I and IDEA dollars pay for staff positions in critical areas like intervention, early literacy and special education, and fund other services for some of Maine's most vulnerable students.

The board of Hodgdon-based MSAD 70 approved a motion to 'align with federal Title IX by recognizing only two sexes,' in line with the administration's interpretation.

Supporters of the effort voiced concerns about privacy, but Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said the change would make Maine the only state not to offer the federally compliant ID.

About 100 people gathered to draw attention to cuts in government services that they argue are aimed at paying for tax cuts for the wealthy.

A spokesperson for Sen. Susan Collins said she supports efforts to deport terrorists and other criminals while urging all officials to obey court orders.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause at some of the questions and responses. One attendee was asked to leave after repeatedly demanding the congresswoman describe the Trump administration as 'Nazis.'

A bill from Rep. Adam Lee would end Maine's system of splitting electoral votes if Nebraska does the same, a move Lee said he hopes serves as a disincentive to partisan forces in both states.

The bill would prevent public and private colleges and universities in Maine from considering whether an applicant's parents went to or donated to the school in the admissions process.

The Maine governor went on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' to talk about the state's legal battles with the Trump administration.

A Maine bill would prevent pharmaceutical companies from restricting use of a federal discount program that save millions of dollars for hospitals and other providers.

The 39 counties and municipalities receiving a direct share of the opioid settlements would have to submit annual, publicly available reports.

Proposed Medicaid cuts could be devastating for Maine Veterans' Homes, which has locations throughout the state and has been around for over 40 years.

Economists say Maine is likely to fare similarly to the rest of the country, or perhaps marginally better, during a possible economic downturn.

The Portland museum is losing most of the grant funding it was awarded last year by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for a project that includes curricula support for teachers and programs for museum visitors.

A $34.5 million bill would fund home resiliency grants statewide, and a $75 million bond would invest in coastal resilience projects.

The USDA 'must immediately unfreeze and release to the state of Maine any federal funding that they have frozen or failed or refused to pay because of the state of Maine's alleged failure to comply with the requirements of Title IX,' the judge ruled.

The Republican state representative from Auburn was already the Legislature's biggest fundraiser and got a big boost after getting in hot water over a social media post.

States now have until April 24 to respond to a memo instructing them to remove all diversity, equity and inclusion programming in schools.

Matthew Smith is one of 2 people suing the administration over sanctions it imposed on the International Criminal Court following its warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Trump administration announced it would refer the case to the Department of Justice shortly after Maine said it wouldn't sign an agreement with the federal agency.

The proposal from Sen. Mike Tipping would ensure Maine continues funding school meals for all if federal funding is cut, though it's unclear exactly how much that could cost.

Maine lawmakers agreed to pay for more public defenders and make it easier for judges to appoint attorneys to cases where defendants can't afford their own. Gov. Janet Mills now has 10 days to act.

The town election will be held April 29.

Critics of the bill, including U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, said it will make it harder for some people to vote, especially those who have changed their names.

Democrats said the petition drive could force a government shutdown even if voters end up rejecting it in a referendum, but Republicans said that could be averted if Democrats agree to negotiate a new budget.

Joseph Kent, nominated to be the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, was one of the members of the unsecured conversation about a counterterrorism attack that has prompted calls for investigations.

The Maine Department of the Secretary of State supports the bill, saying an increasing number of people are being turned away from their municipality over the issue.

The ban was enacted last year amid reports that a neo-Nazi group was planning to establish a training camp in northern Maine.

Supporters of the veto, led by Republican Rep. Gary Drinkwater, have until June 18 to collect enough signatures to pause implementation of the budget and send it to voters.

The Democrat, who represents the solidly blue 1st District, is the only member of Maine's congressional delegation to schedule a town hall since President Donald Trump returned to office.

The proposed spending plan for 2025-26 is $607,542.36, or 9.88% more than the current budget, and it is estimated that voters will raise about $14,000 less for town services than last year.

During an appearance on 'Fox & Friends,' Pam Bondi said Maine is not following the Trump administration's priorities — an apparent reference to an executive order limiting transgender rights.

Republicans are seeking restrictions such as a 3-month limit on housing assistance, while Democrats have called for expanding the program to cover meals at emergency shelters.

Two bills being considered by the Legislature's Education Committee would restore religious exemptions for school vaccinations and roll back school immunization requirements broadly.

Maine's senior senator has twice voted against members of her party in recent days, including a vote against a budget resolution over the weekend.

The lawsuit, filed Monday by Attorney General Aaron Frey, challenges the USDA decision to halt federal funds because Maine allows transgender athletes to compete in girls sports.

In addition to a new federal lawsuit against the state, the new administration's actions include multiple efforts to pull funding over Maine's policies regarding transgender athletes, as well as unrelated cuts to health care funding and medical research grants.

At a Senate hearing last week, King used part of his allotted time to interrogate Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about the sudden change.

Maine, like much of the country, has seen a notable jump in the size and frequency of political demonstrations since President Donald Trump began his second term.

Thousands of protesters gathered both in Portland's Monument Square and near the State House in Augusta, while other 'Hands Off' protests were held in Auburn, Freeport, South Paris, South Portland and elsewhere.

Supporters of the bill say the charge could be easily weathered by the wealthy owners of the private, luxury vessels. But critics say it could serve as a deterrent to tourism.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey hasn't been shy about taking on the White House, filing one lawsuit and joining numerous multistate lawsuits against the Trump administration related to immigration, privacy rights and federal funding.

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.

In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services secretary, 92 Maine lawmakers asked for an explanation of how the LIHEAP program will run without its federal staff.

The Senate confirmed TV personality Mehmet Oz to lead the office that oversees health insurance programs for roughly half the country.

The censured Republican lawmaker from Auburn is asking a judge to let her vote on legislation while her lawsuit over the discipline proceeds.

The new plan aims to help solve what a many have called a constitutional crisis. Next up: A judge will hold a hearing Monday to lay out her plans for releasing or dropping charges against people who have been waiting for a lawyer.

In an interview with the Press Herald, Maine's 2nd District congressman criticizes those who say prices will automatically increase under Trump's tariffs — an argument U.S. Sen. Susan Collins put forward Wednesday.

The letter from the US Department of Education was sent to every state's K-12 education leaders asking them to sign a letter confirming compliance with a federal interpretation of Title VI and the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard ruling.

President Donald Trump's 25% tariff on imported vehicles and parts goes into effect Thursday. Dealers, mechanics and consumers could all take a hit.

The Auburn Republican sued Ryan Fecteau last month, arguing that he and House Democrats violated her constitutional rights by blocking her from voting or speaking on the floor.

The Republican's support for the Democratic effort came despite the president's social media post calling on her to 'get on the Republican bandwagon, for a change' and 'FINALLY adhere to Republican Values and Ideals.'

Emails show Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek ignored his own staff's warnings and briefly killed Maine contracts because he was upset that the governor publicly defied President Donald Trump.