Happy birthday, Maine! At 205 years, you’re still young. Still strong. Still fun. Still beautiful. No public fanfare again, eh? And, too bad it went unnoticed (again) by the Maine Trust for Local News (March 15). We always remember to toast our beloved great state of Maine (“Dirigo”). Cheers and best wishes. Carolyn Clifton Smith […]

I am asking our Maine state representatives and senators to vote “No” on L.D. 303, “An Act to Repeal the Law Prohibiting Unauthorized Paramilitary Training.” The ban that passed last year should remain in place. When paramilitary groups are allowed to take hold, they spread fear, causing a chilling effect on the free speech of […]

Funding cuts to Medicaid and massive tax breaks for the wealthy are on the table.

Are Mainers aware that our beautiful state has become a dumping ground for New England? Over the past several years, Maine has taken in significant amounts of waste from other states. Although voters in Maine thought they successfully banned the import of out-of-state waste, our legislators are currently considering L.D. 297, “An Act Regarding the […]

I can’t begin to describe how outraged I am to have Donald Trump and JD Vance as our president and vice president. Their public bullying of the Ukrainian president was beyond shameful. I have never been a believer in American exceptionalism. Our nation has done too much that is unconscionable, including the disenfranchisement of Native […]

I join the Maine Trust for Local News editorial board in condemning the recent actions of Rep. Laurel Libby of District 64 in attacking a transgender student. There is no place in Maine for an attack upon a child by an adult. The attack in question is made more heinous because it is centered on […]

I played sports up until high school level. What a joy it was to participate. Winning is the ultimate goal we strive for. I had four brothers and played sports with boys all along. It only made the competition better and more fun. Sports are not always about winning. It is how we play that […]

A monster venue, owned and operated by Live Nation (the national music industry’s monopolistic Megalodon), will cripple Portland’s incredible local music community forever. This won’t only affect the larger venues, such as the State and the Cross, but will affect local traffic, parking, all nearby restaurants and any smaller venues immensely as well. Portland is […]

The Trump administration is threatening two life-saving programs: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Medicaid. This is a current and future medical emergency. But for NIH, our adult daughter with cystic fibrosis (CF) and many Mainers with diseases common and uncommon might not be alive today. In Maine, 49% of children and 37% of […]