Supporters say axing the fees will make it easier for people to find housing in a tight rental market
Steve Collins
Columnist
Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn
Bates College workers reject proposed union
National Labor Relations Board staffers who counted the ballots said 254 voted against the union while 186 favored it.
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Franco Center rebranding compromise in the works
Nonprofit’s leaders hope board will approve name and logo that will resolve controversy.
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn
Union ballots at Bates College will be counted soon
LEWISTON — The National Labor Relations Board decided Friday that ballots cast 14 months ago on whether to create a union for Bates College support staff and non-tenured faculty will soon be counted. Bates President Clayton Spencer said in an open letter that the college heard the news Friday and is waiting for details. The […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Franco Center leaders hope to tone down dispute over new name
Officials eye a public forum to answer questions about Riverfront Performing Arts and Events at the Franco Center.
Posted inBusiness, Lewiston-Auburn
Bid for a union at Bates College remains stalled in Washington
National Labor Relations Board has yet to rule on Bates’ contention that support staff and faculty should not be in the same union.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
End of an era: Jay’s last paper mill shutters for good
A town that relied on paper mills faces a future without them for the first time in more than 130 years.
Posted inLocal & State, Schools and Education
Bill would require audits of private schools that receive public tuition
Legislators weigh whether to mandate annual audits of many Maine private schools whose finances are mostly secret.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Schools and Education
‘Overjoyed’ incoming president speaks at Bates for first time
Garry Jenkins hails the magic and transformative power of a liberal arts education.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State
Bill would hide home addresses of congressional candidates
Maine lawmakers consider measure to keep residential addresses off campaign paperwork for contenders for U.S. House and U.S. Senate.