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Communities in Maine are on edge this weekend as rumors grow about possible ICE enforcement in Lewiston and Portland.
Our reporters are making calls and finding out what they can, and we will be monitoring the situation as it develops. If you see or hear of anything you think our newsroom should know about, please get in touch.
In the meantime, we have a story today that dives into Maine’s new red flag law: how it will work, what is being done to prepare, and lessons from the yellow flag law, which will remain on the books. The law takes effect on February 21.
We also have a piece on building trails to weather climate change, a look at antipsychotic meds in nursing homes, an update on a police brutality case, a new episode of the Maine’s Black Future podcast, and more.
Also: If you have ideas or questions about our Western Maine coverage, we’d love for you to join Monitor Local editor Judy Meyer and some of our Monitor Local reporters for coffee and conversation at Twice Sold Tales, at 155 Main St. in Farmington, from 10 a.m. to noon, this Wednesday.
— Stephanie
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Maine’s red flag law goes live in February. What will that look like?
Two years after the Lewiston mass shootings, Maine voters approved a red flag law. Supporters say it’s a critical tool for preventing violence.
Read this story by Emily Bader |
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State police ‘is not a person,’ can’t be sued in police brutality case, attorney general argues: The state is responding to a lawsuit filed after a trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face. Read this story by Josh Keefe |
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Building trails with stronger storms in mind: The state saw more than 100 applicants for the first round of the Maine Trails Program, and awarded funds to 44 projects that will help communities better prepare trails for storms, protect against erosion, increase accessibility and more. Read this story by Julia Tilton |
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Use of antipsychotic meds in nursing homes remains flat: Maine has the 12th highest rate of long-term nursing home residents on antipsychotics, which carry health risks. Read this story by Rose Lundy |
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A compromise on school board recalls is moving through the Maine Legislature: The bill would specify that recalls could only be held in cases of board member misconduct, preventing recalls over mere political differences. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News |
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Maine lawyer charged with assaulting activist outside raucous school board meeting: Trevor Savage allegedly bumped into Augusta school board candidate Nicholas Blanchard, known by his online moniker “Corn Pop.” Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN |
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A story of Moses Green and an interview with Jordene and TJ Trueh: Episode 8 of the Maine's Black Future podcast begins with the story of Moses Samuel Green, a supporter of Portland’s early African Methodist Episcopal churches. Listen to this episode by Genius Black |
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January ‘radio hour’ discusses Monitor Local reporting initiative: The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at Maine Monitor reporting. Listen to this episode of The Maine Monitor Radio Hour |
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Note: Monitor Local publishes stories on Downeast and Western Maine every Saturday. Here are two highlights from this weekend. For more, visit our website. |
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Maine State Library Commission to start rulemaking process for new standards: After abandoning a set of controversial standards proposed last year, the board will take a new approach to revising its rules and criteria for public libraries. Read this story by Judith Meyer |
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Wilton-Jay Police Collaboration Committee reschedules presentations: The committee looking at joint policing has decided to present four options Feb. 3 to the Wilton Board of Selectpersons and Feb. 9 to the Jay Select Board. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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Portland and Lewiston are bracing for ICE to come to their cities: Carl Sheline urged residents and businesses to know their rights and have a plan if they’re contacted by agents. Read this story by Sawyer Loftus of the BDN |
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Immigrants prepare for their arrests and leave Lewiston ahead of ICE action: One property manager showed a reporter a form being passed around so undocumented parents could designate temporary guardians for their children in the event of their arrest. Read this story by Callie Ferguson of the BDN |
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Maine’s Border Patrol unit places ‘rapid’ order for cold-weather gear: The federal agents sought a contract with a Brooklyn-based tactical gear and apparel company, although the amount and dollar quantity remains unspecified. Read this story by Sawyer Loftus of the BDN |
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Democrats see a path to win the Senate. It’s narrow and has little room for error: Senate Democrats are expressing optimism they’ll be able to flip the chamber this year after it looked all but impossible last year. Read this story by Thomas Beaumont and Joey Cappelletti of the Associated Press |
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A longtime guard allegedly assaulted a 16-year-old at Maine’s youth prison: The former guard was charged with assault last year after allegedly putting a teenager in a headlock and lifting him off the ground. Read this story by Callie Ferguson of the BDN |
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Joe Baldacci launches bid for Maine Congressional seat: The Maine state senator is entering the race to replace Rep. Jared Golden. Read this story by Torrie Herrington of NOTUS for The Maine Monitor |
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Have feedback or a correction to send to Stephanie McFeeters? Send it to her directly via email: stephanie@themainemonitor.org.
The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support. |
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