Maine field hockey announces 2026 schedule

Black Bears open regular season Aug. 28 at home

ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine field hockey program announced its schedule for the upcoming 2026 season on Wednesday.

The schedule features 16 regular season games, including nine at the Maine Field Hockey Complex, with five America East conference showdowns.

The Black Bears will open the season with four home matches including the season opener

Senator Collins’ Bipartisan Bill to Allow Early Childhood Educators to Deduct Out-of-Pocket Purchases of Classroom Supplies Passes Senate

Bill would expand tax credit available to K-12 teachers to include pre-K and other early childhood educators.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced today that the Senate passed the Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 86 to 11. This legislation, which Senator Collins introduced last year with Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), would ensure that early

Senator Collins Introduces Bill to Combat Medicare Home Health Fraud

Bill would protect the integrity of the Medicare home health care program by stopping fraud before payments are made and helping ensure legitimate providers are fairly reimbursed.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins introduced legislation today to protect the Medicare home health program from fraud and strengthen access to these important services for the Americans who need them. The Medicare Home Health Payment Integrity and Protection Act would give the Centers for Medicare and

Senator Collins Delivers Floor Remarks Ahead of Unanimous Senate Passage of Her Bill to Combat Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases

Bill passage follows a year in which Maine set another record for reported Lyme disease cases.

Click HERE for a full-resolution image.

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of her remarks.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that the bipartisan Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act she introduced with Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)—with Senator Angus King (I-ME) joining them as an original cosponsor—passed the Senate unanimously. Senator Collins spoke from the Senate floor prior to passage of the bill.

The bill reauthorizes initiatives and programs to combat tick-borne diseases first

King, Pingree Lead Push to Protect Federal Workforce at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

Lawmakers join New Hampshire officials to oppose proposed rule that could undermine recruitment, retention, and naval readiness

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and U.S Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), are urging the administration to withdraw a proposed rule that would weaken longstanding civil service protections for federal employees, including the nearly 8,000 civilian workers at

MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Advances New Regional Model for Women’s Health Care

Regional approach preserves local prenatal and postpartum care, expands gynecologic services and transitions inpatient Labor and Delivery services to MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital beginning Dec. 18, 2026.

Damariscotta, Maine – MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital will move forward with a new regional model for women’s health services that preserves comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care in Damariscotta, expands local gynecologic services and transitions inpatient Labor and Delivery services to MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital effective Dec. 18, 2026.

The model was endorsed by the local board overseeing MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital and

A Message on MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Labor and Delivery

What it takes to promise safe, reliable maternity care

By Andrew Mueller, MD, President and CEO, MaineHealth

Over the past several months, I have heard from many people deeply concerned about the future of Labor and Delivery services at MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital. I understand that concern.

As a physician, I know there are few healthcare services more personal than the place where

FAME Announces Billion-Dollar Milestone for College Savings Plan

Maine - The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) announced today that the number of Maine-based NextGen 529® accounts now exceeds 80,000, with more than $1 billion in education savings assets, marking a significant milestone for Maine families planning for education after high school. Those assets include family contributions, Alfond Grants, Maine Matching Grants and investment earnings on these accounts.

“FAME has been honored to administer Maine’s NextGen 529® plan since its inception 27

FAME Named One of Best Places to Work in Maine for 12th Consecutive Year

Maine - The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Best Companies Group and BridgeTower Media have recognized the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) as one of the 2026 Best Places to Work in Maine. The program honors companies that foster a positive environment that allows employees to thrive.

“This is the 12th straight year FAME has been honored with this recognition and we

Constant AI Named 2026 Finovate Awards Finalist for Best Fintech Partnership, Recognized Alongside Eltropy

Recognition highlights Constant AI's loan servicing sub-agent, Nia, embedded in Eltropy's Agentic AI Platform reaching more than 750 credit unions

A credit union using Eltropy can put Nia to work without a separate sales process, a separate contract, or a separate login. That type of functionality is only possible with a true partnership”

— Greg Palmer, Finovate VP and Director of Fintech Strategy

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, August 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Constant AI, the agentic AI company for credit union loan operations, today announced it has been named a finalist in the 2026 Finovate Awards in the Best Fintech Partnership category, recognized

Maine DHHS Releases $30 Million to Strengthen Rural Hospital Resiliency

Eleven rural hospitals invited to receive funding and technical assistance to strengthen long-term financial sustainability

AUGUSTA— The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in partnership with the Office of Affordable Health Care, today announced the release of $30 million in funding through Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to help strengthen the long-term financial health and sustainability of rural hospitals across Maine.

Maine DHHS has identified and invited 11 rural hospitals to participate in the initiative

Constant AI Names Kristin Evans VP of Marketing as Agentic AI Expands from Conversation to Regulated Transactions

Constant AI Names Kristin Evans VP of Marketing

Fintech marketing leader with a track record scaling credit union tech brands takes on go-to-market storytelling for Constant AI

What drew me to Constant AI is that they've built software that makes real, compliant decisions on real accounts at scale. It shows up where it counts, as real relief for a member in a hard month.”

— Kristin Evans, Vice President of Marketing, Constant AI

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, July 31, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As Constant AI moves agentic AI past customer-facing use cases into transactions that carry real regulatory weight, the company has named

Maine Rural Health Transformation Program Announces $12M Partnership with University of New England to Expand Rural Health Initiatives

Maine - The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is investing $190 million in the first year of Maine’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The five-year federal grant program is designed to improve health outcomes, expand access to care, strengthen health care workforce, advance innovation, and support sustainable rural health

MaineDOT to Perform Statewide Interstate Striping

Drivers should plan for delays.

AUGUSTA– July 31, 2026 — From August 3 to August 27, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will conduct night work between 7 P.M and 6 A.M. in Benton, Brunswick, Burnham, Clinton, Fairfield, Newport, Oakland, Palmyra, Pittsfield, West Bath, Bath and Waterville for striping operations on the interstate. 

The project locations include U.S. Route 1 in both the northbound and southbound directions,

Maine DOE Annual Summit Brings Maine Educators Together for a Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Inspiration

Maine - Educators, school leaders, and education partners from across Maine gathered at Thomas College in Waterville on July 29 for the 2026 Maine Department of Education (DOE) Annual Summit, kicking off the three-day ElevatED professional learning experience with a day centered on collaboration, innovation, and practical strategies to support students

New laws introduced by Senator Hickman take effect

AUGUSTA — Today, new laws introduced by Sen. Hickman, D-Winthrop, go into effect after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year, including:

• LD 14, “An Act to Provide Indigenous Peoples Free Access to State Parks”
• LD 1343, “An Act to Protect the Right to Harvest Fish and Wildlife”
• LD 1640, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission and to Reestablish the Gagetown Harmful Chemical Study Commission”

The 2026 Supplemental Budget, which includes funding that mirrors Sen. Hickman’s bill, LD

Sen. Brenner celebrates new healthcare, climate laws taking effect

AUGUSTA — Today, new laws introduced by Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, took effect after being passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Janet Mills earlier this year.

• LD 582, “An Act to Require Health Insurance Carriers to Provide Coverage for Blood Testing for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances,” will increase access to medical screening and preventative care by requiring coverage of medically necessary PFAS blood serum tests under all health plans offered in Maine.

New laws introduced by Sen. Reny take effect

AUGUSTA —Today, new laws introduced by Sen. Cameron Reny, D-Bristol, will go into effect after being passed by the 132nd Legislature. 

• LD 697, “An Act to Direct the Maine Prescription Drug Affordability Board to Assess Strategies to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs and to Take Steps to Implement Reference-based Pricing,” directs Maine’s Prescription Drug Affordability Board to develop and recommend strategies to lower prescription drug costs for Mainers and bolsters staffing resources to help meet the board’s goals.

New law introduced by Sen. Rafferty to protect student athletes takes effect

AUGUSTA — Today, a new law introduced by Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk, will go into effect after being passed by the Legislature last year. 

LD 587, “An Act to Require School Boards to Adopt a Policy on Automated External Defibrillator Access at School-sponsored Athletic Events,” requires school administrative units, beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, to develop cardiac emergency response plans,

Rockland Public Library: Aug 7th Fairy Lawn Party

Friday, Aug. 7th

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Fairy Lawn Party

at Rockland Public Library 

All ages are invited to a magical visit to the library lawn for wing and wand making, live music, fairy storytime, bubbles, and more.

We will be joined by the whimsical, live music of Castlebay! 

Storytime will start at 10:30 AM.

Summer Reading Award Ceremony will be at 11:45 AM.

Location: 80 Union St. Rockland, ME 

In case of rain, the program will continue inside. 

Sen. Lawrence celebrates new laws taking effect

AUGUSTA — Sen. Mark Lawrence, D-Eliot, is celebrating new laws taking effect today, July 29, after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year, including:

• LD 2224, “An Act to Reduce Certain Costs Associated with Residential Construction,” which will make housing more affordable for Maine people by cutting unnecessary regulations that drive up construction and housing costs.

MaineDOT to Work on I-295 in South Portland

SOUTH PORTLAND - July 30, 2026 - From August 9 to August 11, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will close Route 1 between Billy Vachon Avenue and the I295 southbound onramp at Exit 4, including the ramp from Veterans Memorial Bridge, from 8 P.M. to 6 A.M. each night as part of a highway construction project. Traffic will be detoured via Main Street, Westbrook Street, and Broadway to the I295 southbound onramp at Exit 3.

Drivers and pedestrians should follow the detour map and detour signs while on site.

Message boards are in place to warn drivers of the closure.

Motorists should expect delays and use caution when traveling through the detour zone.

The project work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled to the following night if the weather does not allow for work to be conducted.

Work is expected to be completed by Fall 2026.

The contractor for this project is Wyman & Simpson of Richmond, Maine.

The contract amount is $12,444,444.44.

Jacob McCurdy and His Large Adult Sons will perform in a lawn concert at the Rockland Public Library on Thursday, July 30 at 6 PM. (Now Aug. 4th)

Rockland, Maine - Mustachioed Mainer, Jacob McCurdy, blends folk, rock, and roots into his very own brand of indie-Americana. McCurdy wears his heart on his sleeve, captivating audiences with honest lyricism and soulful melodies. Through collaborative songwriting and a commitment to authenticity, he shares his songs with the hope that others can heal from his experiences and enjoy a glimpse of what the future might bring.

 

Currently His Large Adult Sons are:

Alex Calabrese (Old Tom & The Lookouts)- Bass/Vocals (Alex has writing and production

New laws introduced by Sen. Talbot Ross take effect

AUGUSTA — Today, new laws introduced by Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross, D-Portland, will go into effect after being passed by the Legislature earlier this year. 

• LD 395, “Resolve, Establishing the Working Group to Develop Recommendations for Extending Federal Beneficial Laws to the Wabanaki Nations,” creates a working group to study and recommend ways for the Legislature to extend federal laws to the Wabanaki Nations and advance tribal sovereignty.
• LD 785, “An Act to Amend Certain Tax Laws Regarding the Wabanaki Nations,” gives

Manufactured Housing Program joins MOCA

Today, the Maine Office of Community Affairs (MOCA) officially undertakes the responsibility of regulating manufactured housing in the state through the Manufactured Housing Program, formerly known as the Manufactured Housing Board.  

MOCA will regulate modular housing, manufactured homes, and manufactured housing

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Releases Significant Sales Report for First Half of 2026

Maine’s leading luxury real estate firm recorded 133 transaction sides over $1 million and 56 transaction sides over $2 million during the first half of 2026

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, July 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, Maine’s leading luxury and lifestyle real estate company, has released its Significant Sales