Senators Collins, Shaheen Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Early Detection of Type 1 Diabetes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, led the reintroduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act to improve early detection and screening for Type 1 diabetes. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) and John Joyce (R-PA-13).

“Early detection of Type 1 diabetes can prevent life-threatening conditions like

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Encourages Preparedness for Atlantic Hurricane Season

AUGUSTA, MAINE — Today marks the beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which extends through November 30. The National Hurricane Center and NOAA outlook for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season predicts a below-normal season, citing the anticipated development of El Niño conditions that can suppress tropical activity. Forecasters predict 8

Town of Gray Awarded MMA Grant for Safety Equipment

Gray, Maine - The Town of Gray has been awarded a $3,000 safety grant by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) Workers’ Compensation Fund, which will be used to purchase a key piece of equipment for our Facilities and Parks Department.

The Ed MacDonald Safety Grants and Scholarships provide financial assistance to members of

Submarine Squadron TWO Holds Change of Command

PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, Maine – Commander, Submarine Squadron TWO (CSS 2) conducted a change of command ceremony at the shipyard Friday, May 29, during which Capt. Michael Poplawski relieved Capt. Jason Deichler as commodore, CSS 2.

“Partnering the skilled professionalism of the ships’ commanding officers and their crews

Summer Ecology Walk July 19th

Event Location: Merryspring Nature Center, Camden/Rockport, Maine

Event Date/Time: Friday, July 19, at 10:00 am

Photo Caption:  Lupine and daisies in early summer

Merryspring Nature Center will host a family Summer Ecology Walk as part of its Free Family Fridays series on Friday, July 19 at 10:00 am.

 

This easy walk through Merryspring’s meadows and forests is a great introduction to the Nature Center for children, families, and people of all ages. Attendees will discover evidence of animals, listen for birds, see blooming wildflowers, and learn about some of the

Announcing Soil Health Field Day at Meadowcroft Farm in Washington on June 9 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm.

Washington, Maine - The community is invited to join Matt Boucher, State Soil Scientist with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry, and Knox-Lincoln SWCD to hear about “Rotational grazing and a cover crop trial.” for the first of three Soil Health Field Days.

The Soil Health Field Day Series will feature three hands-on soil health trainings to support

Rejuva Fresh Enhances PicoPretty® Ultralight 300 with Advanced Optics & New 650nm Handpiece

Leading aesthetic developer introduces upgraded 650nm dye handpiece technology and Android-powered interface for advanced tattoo and pigment treatments.

The upgraded 650nm handpiece and Android-powered system help practices perform more advanced tattoo and pigment treatments with greater precision and workflow efficiency”

— Niki Wu, Clinical Expert at Rejuva Fresh

ELLSWORTH, ME, UNITED STATES, May 28, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Rejuva Fresh® has officially introduced major upgrades to the PicoPretty® Picosecond Laser Ultralight 300, expanding the platform’s

Maine DEP Announces Proposed Use of Aquatic Herbicide to Control Invasive Milfoil in Local Lakes

AUGUSTA, May 27, 2026 — The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is seeking permits to apply the aquatic herbicide ProcellaCOR EC, containing the active ingredient florpyrauxifen-benzyl, to combat the invasive variable-leaf water milfoil in Messalonskee, Androscoggin, and Little Sebago Lakes.

To inform the public about the proposed treatments, DEP will hold in-person informational

Second-Grade Students at Elm Street School Connect with Their Community Through Special Partnership with Mission Working Dogs

Mechanic Falls, Maine - Students at Elm Street School in RSU 16 (Mechanic Falls) have spent the school year learning an important lesson about community, kindness, and helping others — all with the support of some four-legged friends.

Through a special partnership with local

Governor Mills Directs Flags Lowered Statewide on Thursday

Flags to be lowered in concert with funeral services for the Honorable Gerald Talbot, Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts

Governor Janet Mills has directed that the United States and State of Maine flags be lowered statewide from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in honor of the Honorable Gerald Talbot and Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, both of whom will be laid to rest that day.

Talbot, Maine's first Black legislator and the founding president of the Maine NAACP, will be

Maine Awards $3 Million to Advance PFAS Solutions for Farmers

May 15, 2026
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) today announced $3 million in new PFAS Fund research grants to support Maine farms impacted by PFAS. While the vast majority of Maine farms are not impacted, DACF is

Local Student and Artist Gives Back to MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital’s Family Birth Center

MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital Family Birth Center care team members, artist Miles Merriam and his mother stand in front of one of the art pieces he created, titled Woodland Lullabies, installed in the department. Pictured from left: Amy Campbell, DMD; Miles Merriam, artist; Jennifer McKenna, MD, associate medical director of MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport; and Thomas O’Connor III, MD, MaineHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Rockport.

ROCKPORT, Maine – In April, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital’s Family Birth Center welcomed two new original art pieces by an artist with a personal connection to the hospital.

The artist, Miles Merriam, a 15-year-old student at Oceanside High School in Rockland, created the paintings as a way to give back to the place where

MaineHealth Update on Searsmont Patients

PORTLAND, Maine - MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Portland continues to treat eight patients who were injured in the Searsmont incident. 

Two patients who were taken to the hospital on Friday, May 15, were treated and transferred.

No further updates are planned for this evening, but updates will be provided on Sunday as they become available. Patient privacy laws limit what can be shared at this time, and we would defer to law enforcement and other officials involved in the investigation for any additional information.

BREAKING: Area Departments Responding To Fire & Possible Explosion at Searsmont Lumber Mill

Update: 4:04pm: Officials say at least 10 people, including firefighters, have been injured after an explosion and massive fire at a lumber mill in Searsmont. The Thorndike Fire Department says multiple fire trucks have also been destroyed.

According to WGME, the fire started in the wood shavings area where they are packaged in plastic bags than extended to a silo which caused a explosion.

Update 12:15pm: Statement from Rep. Chellie Pingree; My heart is with the Searsmont community as officials respond to a reported mass casualty incident at Robbins Lumber.

Details are still limited. Please follow updates from local authorities, avoid the area, and keep those impacted and the first responders in your thoughts.

Update: At least 7 people have been transported to area hospitals in critical condition. One of the people have been transported by LifeFlight.

BREAKING: Searsmont, Maine - We're getting word that multiple area departments are responding to fire and possible explosion at Searsmont lumber mill Robbins Lumber on Friday, May 15th, 2026 in Searsmont, Maine.

Fire departments from the region have responded to the scene including Knox departments Rockport, Camden, Rockland and Thomaston.

Multiple injuries reported.

Fire marshal units have been called to scene.

Stay with us for further updates.

USDA Distributes Oral Rabies Vaccine for Wildlife in Northern Maine

AUGUSTA-- In cooperation with the Maine Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC), officials from U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Wildlife Services will begin to distribute oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits this week. USDA Wildlife Services will distribute nearly 450,000 ORV baits in Aroostook County from May 13 through May 22.

This spring ORV bait distribution is in addition to the annual fall distribution and is in

'Maine Comfort Dog Baxter Honored May 30 with Portrait Unveiling, Community Tribute and Fundraiser'

'Maine Comfort Dog Baxter Honored May 30 with Portrait Unveiling, Community Tribute and Fundraiser', 25 %Sales this day to benefit Hero Pups

Baxter set the standard for what comfort dogs can do. Now it’s about making sure more communities have access to that same level of care.””

— Brad Sterl

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, May 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Maine Comfort Dog Baxter to Be Honored with Portrait Unveiling and Community Tribute Event in Portland, Maine at Woof Play Eat

Baxter, widely recognized as Maine’s first full-

University of New England and Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Announce Partnership

The partnership would expand pathways to Podiatric Medicine.

These collaborations provide clearer pathways, greater access, and meaningful opportunities for students to advance into careers in health care.”

— Beth Taylor-Nolan, Dean of UNE Online

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, May 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The University of New England (UNE), an independent university in Maine, and Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) have entered a new partnership that expands pathways for UNE students pursuing careers in health sciences.

Through this agreement, students enrolled in UNE’s

Governor Mills & Treasurer Perry Announce Affirmation of Maine's Strong Credit Ratings by Moody's, S&P Global

Ratings by top credit agencies demonstrate Maine's prudent budgeting and healthy reserves achieved under Governor Mills

Governor Janet Mills and State Treasurer Joseph Perry announced today that top international credit rating agencies Moody's and S&P Global Ratings have confirmed their strong bond credit ratings for the State of Maine.

In its affirmation statement, S&P credited Maine's AA rating to "its responsive budget

MaineDOT to Replace Crocker Brook Bridge in Dixmont

DIXMONT- May 7, 2026 - Starting May 18, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will begin replacing the Crocker Brook Bridge with a precast box culvert.

During the project, one-way alternating traffic will be in place on U.S. 202 (Western Avenue) in Dixmont near Crocker Brook.

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

The contract amount is $1,752,444.00.

MaineDOT to Replace Railroad Crossing in Rockland

ROCKLAND- May 5, 2026 - The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will conduct work to replace a railroad crossing with a new concrete crossing in Rockland from May 13 to May 15.

During this time, South Main Street in Rockland will be closed to traffic. Drivers should follow the detour signs on site.

Traffic will be detoured around local roads: Mechanic Street, Crescent Street, Scott Street, and Ocean Street.

Message boards will be used to warn drivers of the closure. This project will improve the current railroad crossing and allow for a smoother transition for vehicle traffic traveling through the crossing.

The contractor on this project is Maine Track Maintenance.

BREAKING: Firefighters Working To Put Out Warren Main Street Fire

9:49am Friday: Three people in yesterday's fire were taken to Pen Bay, largely as a precaution.

Cause has yet to be determined.

9:35am: One person had to jump from the second story to escape the fire according to a caller into 911 dispatch.

The fire was reported around 6am this morning, Thursday, April 30th, 2026.

Assisting Warren fire department were Thomaston, Waldoboro and Union.

Fire marshal was contacted.

8:40am: Firefighters are currently doing overhaul.

BREAKING: Firefighters are currently working to put out a fire at 288 Main Street in Warren, Maine.

By the scene, white smoke was coming from the structure.

Main Street by 4 Rod Rd. and Union street by the bridge is closed.

MaineHealth Pediatrics Belfast to Host Open House May 5

BELFAST, Maine – MaineHealth Pediatrics - Belfast, located at 9 Fahy St. will host an open house Tuesday, May 5, from 4 to 6 pm. 

The open house offers an opportunity to meet new pediatrician Carolyn Stwertka, MD and family nurse practitioner, Ellen Pileski. Activities for children will be available and light refreshments will be served. 

“We look forward to welcoming the community to meet our providers and learn more about the services we offer locally,” said Christina Matson, manager of practice operations for MaineHealth Pediatrics Belfast. 

MaineHealth Pediatrics Belfast is currently accepting new patients. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call the practice at 207-505-3600 or visit MaineHealth Pediatrics - Belfast. 

Senator Collins Announces Release of More than $4.3 Million in Additional Federal Home Heating Aid for Mainers

Release of funding follows bipartisan letter to OMB led by Senators Collins, Reed, and Murkowski urging immediate release of remaining LIHEAP funding.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that $427,400,000 million in Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding has been released, with $4,375,915 being allocated for the State of Maine. 

This release of funding follows a letter to OMB last week led by Senators Collins, Jack

Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine Named Featured Guest for the 24th Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations

Women in Need's annual greater Portland Festival of Nations returns on July 25, 2026, adding the Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine as featured guest.

We are honored to welcome the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine as a featured guest for this year’s festival”

— Michael Odokara-Okigbo

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, April 16, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- This summer, Deering Oaks Park will once again transform into a living tapestry of cultures, color, and community as the 24th Annual Greater Portland Festival of Nations returns on

Blue Marble Geographics Releases Global Mapper 27, Bringing Industry-Standard Geodetics Into Every Workflow

New release reduces reliance on separate tools, enabling more geospatial work to be completed in a single environment

HALLOWELL, ME, UNITED STATES, April 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Blue Marble Geographics, a leading developer of professional geospatial software that enables organizations to turn spatial data into real-world action, today announced the release of

BSides Maine Highlights Diverse Speaker Lineup, Hands-On Community Programming at Sold-Out Inaugural Conference

Sold-out BSides Maine debuts May 30 with expert talks, hands-on demos, and community programming, showcasing AI, ICS, IoT, and modern cyber threats.

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, April 14, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- BSides Maine, the state’s first community-driven cybersecurity conference, has announced a full day of technical presentations, hands-on activities, and community programming for its inaugural

GreenMars Real Estate Applauds Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature for Fast Action to Prevent Housing Delays

Funds keep modular housing projects like Stroudwater Commons on track despite setback for LD2229, a smart “critical fix” for affordable housing growth

PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GreenMars Real Estate, a Maine developer of quality, affordable housing, commends Governor Janet Mills and the Maine State Legislature for its quick action to address Maine’s housing crisis following the failure of LD2229, which sought to support multifamily modular housing. Immediately after LD2229’s failure, the Governor and the Legislature authorized $900,000 to support in-

Influential Women Highlights Cailyn Healy: Agency Manager at Comparion Insurance Agency

SOUTH PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, April 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Empowering Teams and Driving Innovation in the Insurance Industry

South Portland, Maine – Cailyn Healy is a highly accomplished insurance professional with over fifteen years of experience in Property & Casualty and Life Insurance. She currently serves as the Agency Manager at Comparion Insurance Agency, where she provides strategic

CardSight AI Deploys Full Slab Grade Identification Across Five Grading Companies, Launches Market Pricing Data in Beta

CardSight AI, Inc. Logo

Platform now identifies grading company and grade for PSA, Beckett, SGC, CGC, and TAG slabs; new pricing endpoints deliver raw market data to developers

Builders deploying our technology can now point a camera at a graded card and instantly know the card, the grading company, and the grade, in the blink of an eye.”

— Eric P. Nusbaum

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CardSight AI, Inc. today announced two major updates to its trading card API platform: full graded card identification supporting the five largest trading card grading companies, and the beta launch of real-time trading card price data endpoints for Baseball cards.

Graded slab identification now detects both the grading company and the assigned grade for

CampTek Announces CampTek.ai Evolution, Launches AI Coworker ‘Eli’ for Healthcare RCM

In partnership with AI venture lab ScaleUp Labs, CampTek.ai introduces collaborative intelligence to eliminate workflow friction and empower healthcare staff.

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, April 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CampTek, a trusted leader in intelligent automation and managed services, yesterday announced its official evolution to CampTek.ai. Accompanying the rebrand is the launch of the company’s new flagship technology: an AI coworker named Eli. Built

Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Achieves Record-Breaking Results Exceeding $1.12 Billion in Total Sales

The firm achieved an average sales price of $1,048,878, reinforcing its position as the highest-performing luxury real estate company in Maine.

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, April 1, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, Maine’s leading luxury property company, with offices in Portland, Kennebunk, Brunswick, Damariscotta, Camden, and Northeast Harbor, announced exceptional full-year results for 2025, continuing its long-standing tradition of industry leadership across all major performance metrics.

In 2025, Legacy Properties Sotheby’s International Realty closed 1,076 total transaction

Kittery Inn & Suites Launches Complimentary Room Upgrade Program to Enhance Guest Experience in Coastal Maine

Kittery Inn & Suites Hotel Exterior

Kittery Inn & Suites launches a complimentary room upgrade program, offering guests free premium room upgrades when available to enhance comfort and value.

KITTERY, ME, UNITED STATES, March 29, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Travelers visiting southern Maine may now enjoy an unexpected upgrade during their stay. Kittery Inn & Suites has introduced a Complimentary Room Upgrade Program, reinforcing the hotel’s commitment to delivering exceptional value and memorable guest experiences.

Under the new initiative, guests may receive free upgrades to premium rooms whenever

Two Ocean Science Opportunities from Bigelow Laboratory for Maine Students and Educators

Maine - The Maine Department of Education (DOE) is excited to share two engaging opportunities from the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, designed to deepen ocean science learning for both students and educators. From hands-on research experiences for high school juniors to immersive professional development workshops for teachers, these programs connect classroom learning with real-world science.

Keller BLOOM Program: Hands-On Ocean Science for High School Juniors

Educators are encouraged to help spread the word about the Keller BLOOM Program, a

BARR Spotlight: Dirigo Middle School Builds Stronger Connections and School Culture Through the BARR Model

At T.W. Kelly Dirigo Middle School in Dixfield, relationships have always been a strength. As part of a small, rural school serving about 170 students in grades 6-8 from Canton, Carthage, Dixfield, and Peru, staff have long prided themselves on knowing

Constant AI Launches Nia: The First AI Agent That Completes a Skip-A-Pay — From Call to Core

Constant AI Launches Nia

MSUFCU among first credit unions to deploy Nia, bringing fully governed Agentic AI to members across every channel

Skip-a-pay allows us to bring enterprise-ready AI into production safely and at scale. This is what next-generation agentic AI looks like when it's done right.”

— Ben Maxim, Chief Technology Officer, MSUFCU

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, March 23, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Constant AI, the agentic AI company for credit union loan operations, today announced the launch of Nia™, the first agentic AI Skip-A-Pay agent.

Governor Mills, MaineHousing Announce Award of $12 Million for Creation of 92 Housing Units to Address Homelessness

Three housing developments in Bangor, South Portland, and Portland will support community efforts to address chronic homelessness

Governor Janet Mills and MaineHousing March 18th announced the award of $12 million in grants through Maine's Home for Good program, which will create 92 new affordable apartments in three Maine communities that support efforts to address and prevent chronic homelessness.

The three selected developments -- in Bangor, Portland, and South Portland -- were chosen

STEAM PowerED Maine Ignites Creative Collaboration at Augusta Kickoff

Maine - What happens when creativity becomes the driving force of professional learning? That question sparked the inspiration behind STEAM PowerED Maine, a dynamic partnership between the Maine Department of Education (DOE) Office of Teaching and Learning and Creative Generation.

STEAM PowerED Maine reimagines interdisciplinary

King, Murphy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Small Farmers from Financial Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) have introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) programs, which help farmers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing, or conservation practices. The Agriculture Management Assistance Act would boost funding for the AMA to $30 million, increase funding limits for

BSides Maine Announces Internationally Acclaimed Cybersecurity Expert Jayson E. Street as 2026 Keynote

Internationally Acclaimed Cybersecurity Expert Jayson E. Street

BSides Maine, the first hacker conference in Maine debuts May 30, 2026 in Portland with keynote by Jayson E. Street. Tickets are just $25 and include lunch.

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, March 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- BSides Maine, the state’s first community-driven hacker conference, today announced that Jayson E. Street — globally recognized cybersecurity expert, author, and self-described “Hacker,

PROSEARCH ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGES

Ed McKersie, CEO/Co-Owner of ProSearch

Dave Vasconselos, President/Co-Owner of ProSearch

Dave has been integral to our success for more than 15 years. His ability to build strong relationships with our employer partners has made him the face of our firm.”

— ED McKersie, CEO of ProSearch

PORTLAND, ME, UNITED STATES, March 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- ProSearch, an employee-owned, Maine-based recruitment and staffing firm, announced that Ed McKersie will be stepping into the role of CEO/Co-