The life of Samuel Wasgatt, who performed under the name of Lulu in the 1870s, is just as odd as it sounds.
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 inElections, Local & State, Politics
Crafts, a former state lawmaker, plans to seek 2nd Congressional District seat
Dale Crafts of Lisbon said he will make a formal announcement Oct. 10.
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Posted inBusiness
Looming shortage of qualified workers poses threat to Maine’s economy
Business and education leaders call for greater efforts to offer post-secondary opportunities for students to boost their skills and credentials.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Local & State, News
Amish community plans to farm in tiny Wales
The Androscoggin County town is thrilled to have a dozen Amish families moving in to grow vegetables and make cheese.
Posted inElections, Local & State, News, Politics
Elizabeth Warren’s campaign puts Maine’s Frances Perkins at center stage
The Mainer who helped create the New Deal has become a staple of Democrat Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign speeches.
Posted inLocal & State
The climate crisis hits home in Maine
From moose to farmers to lobsters, the state is seeing the effects of a warming planet.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News, Politics
Poliquin picked by Trump to head firm that recovers money for investors
The former Maine congressman is tapped to lead the Board of Securities Investor Protection Corp., which has recovered billions over the years from failed Wall Street firms.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Jared Golden pursues $12 billion solution to lead paint problem
Maine’s 2nd District congressman says it would be ‘more expensive to do nothing’ because removing lead paint everywhere would lead to big savings in health care and education.
Posted inElections, Lewiston-Auburn, Local & State, News, Politics
Paul LePage’s former press secretary eyes 2nd District U.S. House seat
Adrienne Bennett, who sounds like a sure-fire candidate, said Tuesday she’s made a decision about whether to jump into a GOP primary for the seat and will announce soon.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Sen. King had ‘very, very direct’ talk with Saudi crown prince about journalist’s murder
During a trip to the Middle East, U.S. Sen. Angus King and another senator met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to talk about a range of issues, including the war in Yemen and the slaying of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey last fall.