Maine Public | Maine's premier, independent public media resource.

Maine Releases New Draft Rules For Recreational Marijuana Market

The state has released new draft rules for the recreational marijuana program Maine voters approved two years ago. The 74-page document contains proposed rules for how the new market will be monitored, regulated and launched by the Office of Marijuana Policy.

Maine House Votes To Strike Down Nonmedical Vaccination Exemptions

Robert F. Bukaty / Associated Press file

Jared Golden Tells NOAA He Has 'Grave Concerns' About Lobster Gear Proposals

Legislature Will Continue Taking Emailed Public Testimony — For Now

By Ed Morin • 1 hour ago

Administrative officials with the Maine Legislature have decided to continue accepting public testimony submitted to legislative committees by email for the time being.

Drowning In Parenting Advice? Here's Some Advice For That

By Selena Simmons-Duffin • 1 hour ago

At my baby's six-month appointment a few months back, I got a one-pager from the pediatrician titled "Starting Solid Foods."

"It is critical that the baby develop a taste for rice cereal at the beginning, to offset the loss of iron from formula or breast milk," it reads.

Sounds serious. Then come the all caps: "THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF FEEDING GIVE RICE CEREAL ONLY." That is followed by advice to introduce pureed vegetables before fruits so the baby doesn't develop a sweet tooth.

I obediently went out and bought some sand-textured baby cereal. (Organic, of course.)

Maine House Approves Ban On Native American School Mascots

By Mal Leary • 1 hour ago

On a mostly party line vote, the Maine House voted 88-49 on Tuesday to ban the use of Native American names, imagery and mascots in public schools.

UMaine System: A Quarter Of Undergrads Didn’t Spend Anything Out Of Pocket On Tuition And Fees

By Robbie Feinberg • 1 hour ago

The University of Maine System announced on Tuesday that nearly a quarter of in-state undergrads at its public universities are receiving enough grants and scholarships to entirely cover their tuition and fees this semester.

Maine Environmentalists, Retailers And Grocers Back Bill Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags By 2022

By Steve Mistler • 3 hours ago

Maine's largest environmental group, and organizations representing retailers and grocers, are backing a bill that would ban most single-use plastic bags by 2022.

Caribou Had Snow On The Ground For A Record 163 Consecutive Days

By AP • 5 hours ago

CARIBOU, Maine - It's another overcast day in Maine, but there's reason for cheer in Caribou. The National Weather Service reports that the city is mostly snow-free after setting a record for longest stretch with at least an inch of snow on the ground.

President Trump To Pay A State Visit To U.K. In June, At Queen's Invitation

By Bill Chappell • 9 hours ago

President Trump will pay a state visit to the U.K. in early June, according to Buckingham Palace, which says Trump has accepted an invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to visit America's closest ally.

The visit will take place "from Monday 3rd June to Wednesday 5th June," the palace announced Tuesday.

The White House says the state visit "will reaffirm the steadfast and special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."