The cuts come after the president vowed to end the Digital Equity Act, a Biden-era law aimed at ensuring underserved communities have access to the internet and digital technology.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Under federal pressure, some of Maine’s colleges are renaming DEI offices
Maine colleges are joining a national trend or scrubbing words like ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ from department websites in favor of more neutral terms like ‘community’ and ‘belonging.’
Maine voter ID supporters challenge state’s ballot language
In addition to requiring a photo ID while casting a ballot, the initiative would make it harder to vote absentee and add requirements for municipal elections workers.
Dam safety reforms considered by Maine lawmakers
The measures include bolstering the state’s enforcement actions, expanding mapping efforts and updating the pay scale for Maine’s chief dam inspector.
15 state attorneys general condemn Rep. Libby’s censure as ‘attack on Legislature’ in letter
The group, led by West Virginia Attorney General John McCuskey, charges that the Auburn Republican’s censure impedes the Legislature’s ability to function and represent Mainers.
Lawmaker, advocates say Maine needs new Office of the Child Advocate
If approved, the office would be an independent watchdog agency and work with state departments overseeing health and human services, education, law enforcement police and corrections.
Maine attorney general urges Supreme Court to deny Libby’s request in censure suit
Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, is asking the high court to restore her voting and speaking rights while her lawsuit against the House speaker plays out.
Collins says Canadian students entering Maine face ‘excessive searches’
The Republican questioned top Trump administrations officials Thursday about tighter security at the northern border and called for a stronger federal response to illegal marijuana growing operations in Maine.
Lawmakers want to combat illegal Chinese weed grows
But industry advocates testify against 4 bills that would target illicit cannabis operations allegedly associated with Chinese organized crime that have obtained licenses to grow and sell in Maine’s medical market amid a recent law enforcement crackdown.
Rep. Jared Golden says ‘dark money’ group is partly why he won’t hold town halls
Indivisible, a progressive 501(c)(4) organization based in Washington, D.C., has more than a dozen local chapters in Maine.