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.

Local & State, Politics

Critics question a proposed ‘right to food’ amendment

by Steve Collins February 24, 2021February 24, 2021

Maine lawmakers are weighing arguments about a resolution that would add a ‘right to food’ to the state constitution.

Local & State

‘One easy, simple step’ to protect Maine’s lakes from invasive species

by Steve Collins February 21, 2021February 20, 2021

Legislature considers a ‘Pull the Plug Law’ to require boaters to drain out any water before they leave an inland waterway.

Local & State

Lawmakers urged to yank state investments from fossil fuel companies

by Steve Collins February 11, 2021

Legislature weighs measure that proponents say would help combat a growing climate crisis.

Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Schools and Education

Sen. King gives students a Zoom primer on why the Arctic matters – especially to Maine

by Steve Collins February 5, 2021February 5, 2021

Maine’s junior senator said new shipping lanes opening in the north may boost the state’s three major ports as trade routes change.

Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Schools and Education

Expecting new COVID-19 cases to arrive with students, Bates College will add rapid tests to screenings

by Steve Collins February 3, 2021February 3, 2021

Bates students will begin to file back onto campus this week, and with the crowd will come increased risk of COVID-19 transmission, say campus officials.

Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, Politics

Lewiston’s Nate Libby stepping down as Senate majority leader

by Steve Collins January 25, 2021January 26, 2021

The four-term Democrat said he’ll remain in the Legislature.

Business, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State

Controversial power project gets final permit, plans may have to wait for construction to start

by Steve Collins January 15, 2021January 16, 2021

A federal appeals court called a halt to some work pending further review of a legal case brought by foes of the hydropower transmission line through western Maine.