Talbot Ross Set To Become Next Maine House Speaker In Historic Win

The nomination paves the way for the Portland progressive to become the first Black Mainer to lead the legislative chamber.

Mana Abdi On Historic Election: ‘The Want To Make Our Community Better Is Within Reach For All Of Us'

Two Democrats made history last week by becoming the first Somali-Americans to win seats in the state legislature.

Bill Protecting Same-Sex Marriage Gains Bipartisan Support In U.S. Senate

Maine’s Susan Collins was among the 12 Republicans who backed Wednesday's Senate procedural vote.

Pingree Wins Reelection While Maine's 2nd District Race May Be Heading To RCV Runoff

A runoff is triggered in Maine when no candidate in a federal race with more than two contenders gets over 50% in the initial vote count.

Mills Elected For Second Term As Mainers Reject LePage's Comeback Bid

Mills, a Democrat who was first elected in 2019, won comfortably, receiving 55.2% of the vote.

Fox News spotlights Maine

Penquis CEO on national news

Maine Officials Confident In Security, Accuracy Of November Elections

Elections for Maine’s two congressional representatives and for every seat in the state legislature will be held Nov. 8.

More Than 100 Maine GOP Candidates Endorsed By Extreme Anti-Abortion, Anti-LGBT Group

The Christian Civic League of Maine endorsed Republicans in 25 of the 35 Senate races.

Manchin's Energy Permitting Plan Roils U.S. Senate And House Democrats

Congressional Democrats are deeply divided over the Manchin permitting bill.

Beacon Podcast: Do You Want To Fund Schools Or Ban Books?

Hosts discuss competing priorities on education in the governor's race and Maine's record decrease in residents without health insurance.

Bill Codifying Same-Sex Marriage Nears Critical Vote In U.S. Senate

An amendment would "make crystal clear that it does not in any way infringe upon religious liberties," Gov. Collins said.

Abortion Rights Supporters Protest Outside LePage-Youngkin Campaign Event

Around 50 people rallied Wednesday outside a campaign event in Lewiston held by former Gov. Paul LePage and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Maine Advocates Praise Democrats' Climate Bill But Worry About Fossil Fuel Components

Some advocates in Maine say the bill falls short of what is ultimately needed to avert the worst impacts of climate change.

Biden Cancels $10K In Student Loan Debt For Some Maine Borrowers

President Biden also announced the final extension of an existing pause on federal student loan payments.

Here's How Your State Legislator Voted On Environmental Issues This Year

Maine Conservation Voters on Tuesday released its legislative scorecard for 2022.

Collins' PAC Donated To Republicans Who Pushed Trump Election Fraud Conspiracy

The Maine Republican’s Dirigo PAC has made $180,000 in contributions to federal candidates in the 2021-2022 election cycle.

Maine Med Nurses Defeat Union Decertification Campaign In Landslide Vote

The results of the vote were announced Thursday and showed landslide support for the union.

Maine Among 20 States Opposing Texas Lawsuit On Emergency Abortion Care

Twenty attorneys general filed a brief stating "emergency abortion care is necessary to avoid serious harmful outcomes."

Podcast: Desmond Meade On Prison, Politics And Preserving Democracy

The executive director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and the author of "Let My People Vote" joins the Beacon Podcast.

Opponents Say CMP ‘Profiteering' As Mainers' Power Bills Spike

Opponents say Central Maine Power's earnings are proof of corporate profiteering as Mainers are facing rising energy costs.

U.S. House Democrats Send Sweeping Climate, Health And Tax Legislation To Biden

Debate on the bill Friday was part of a brief, one-day session for House members, who now will continue their August recess.

Beacon Podcast: Fairer Taxes, Climate Investment And More Health Care; What The IRA Means For Maine

Hosts discuss the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and its impacts in the state.

Report: Millionaires Didn't Flee When Tax Rates Increased In Certain States

A new study examines two recent events in an effort to determine whether tax flight should be of significant concern to policymakers.

Lawmakers Expanded Dental Coverage But Mainers Are Still Struggling To Find Providers

Nearly 220,000 low-income adults in Maine, became eligible for comprehensive dental coverage through the state’s Medicaid program.

Senate Democrats Pass Landmark Health, Tax And Climate Bill

The 755-page bill was passed after Vice President Kamala Harris broke a 50-50 tie in the evenly divided Senate.

Expanded Good Samaritan Law Increasing Protections At Scene Of Overdose Now In Effect

The updated law protects people from arrest or prosecution for most non-violent crimes and all drug crimes.

Mills Saw Jump In Donors After Supreme Court Ended Right To Abortion

The incumbent governor is averaging about 80 donations per day.

Jackson Praises Federal Drug Pricing Reforms In Inflation Reduction Act

The bill could impact more than a million Medicare recipients.

Podcast: A Grassroots Process To Endorse Candidates For State Legislature

Plus: Beacon hosts discuss what’s in the new Inflation Reduction Act set to be passed by reconciliation in Congress.

Maine Youth Leaders Question Candidates About Abortion, Climate, Housing

Activists held a forum Tuesday for young Mainers to pose questions to elected leaders and those seeking state office.

Maine Communities Work To Become More Age-Friendly

Eleven projects in Maine have been awarded grants from AARP to make communities more livable, especially for older residents.

Collins Unveils Bipartisan Abortion Bill Unlikely To Pass Senate

The bill is a response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

CourtWatch Program Seeks To Gather Data To Reform Maine's Punitive Legal System

CourtWatch leaders will be analyzing data collected during the summer soon and will likely put out a report in mid-September.

Bipartisan Support For Same-Sex Marriage Protections Builds In U.S. Senate

“I think we’re very close,” Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said Tuesday of efforts to get at least 10 GOP senators on board.

Warning That Abortion Is On November Ballot, Maine Planned Parenthood Endorses Gov. Mills

Mills pledged to block any attempts to curb reproductive health care in Maine.

With Redbank Purchase, Housing Advocates Warn Of Rise Of Corporate Landlords In Maine

Advocates warn that a growing category of landlord has made displacing tenants part of their business model.

Activists Protest Outside Maine Mansion Of Conservative Supreme Court Architect

Leonard Leo is the co-chairman of the Federalist Society who has played a leading role in building the conservative Supreme Court majority.

U.S. House Passes Bill Guaranteeing Contraception Access

The legislation is Democrats’ response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the constitutional right to an abortion.

Maine Election Officials Sound Alarm On ‘Independent State Legislature Theory'

The U.S. Supreme Court plans to consider a case which could have major implications on the power of state legislatures to control elections.

Podcast: Pushing For Paid Family And Medical Leave In Maine, One Way Or Another

Beacon hosts also discuss South Portland mayor Deqa Dhalac’s candidacy for state representative and union busting by Chipotle.