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Parents' Concerns Driving Both Sides Of Maine's Vaccination Referendum Debate

Next week, Mainers vote on a People's Veto referendum that will affect vaccination requirements. Question 1 seeks to overturn a new state law that prevents parents from refusing to have their children vaccinated, except for medical reasons. The Yes on 1 campaign says the new law is unnecessary and infringes on personal freedom. The No side says the law is needed to preserve public health.

5 Things To Watch For In Tuesday's South Carolina Democratic Debate

The Fundraising Gap Is Narrowing In Maine’s Vaccination Campaign. But Who’s Behind The Spending?

Green Candidate Leaves Party To Remove Barrier To Ballot

By AP • 1 hour ago

SOLON, Maine - A U.S. Senate hopeful is leaving the Maine Green Independent Party to make it easier to get onto the November ballot.

H1N1 Was The Last Pandemic. Here's Why COVID-19 Isn't Yet In That Category

By Richard Harris • 1 hour ago

Despite worrisome new outbreaks in Iran, Italy and South Korea, the coronavirus disease called COVID-19 is not currently a pandemic, the World Health Organization said today.

In fact, there are some encouraging trends, especially in Hubei Province, where most of the cases have been reported.

The epidemic there appears to have plateaued in late January and is continuing on a good trajectory. Dr. Bruce Aylward led a WHO trip to China with a scientific delegation that just concluded. On Sunday, he told reporters in Beijing that trend is real.

The Fundraising Gap Is Narrowing In Maine’s Vaccination Campaign. But Who’s Behind The Spending?

By Steve Mistler • 13 hours ago

A people’s veto referendum that will determine the fate of a new Maine vaccination law is generating less campaign cash and fanfare than other recent ballot initiatives, but the sources behind the money and the messaging highlight a deep rift between the state’s leading health organizations and individuals who distrust vaccines.

Maine’s Low-Income Students Have Fallen Further Behind Their Peers Over The Past 4 Years

By Eesha Pendharkar - Bangor Daily News • 16 hours ago

An achievement gap between Maine’s low-income students and all the rest hasn’t gone away over the past four years and has even widened slightly, an analysis of the latest year of Maine students’ standardized test scores shows.

Maine Lawmakers Consider Bill That Would Shift Mental Health Funds To Crisis Intervention Programs

By Willis Ryder Arnold • 16 hours ago

The Maine Legislature is considering a measure that would bolster funding for mental health crisis intervention programs. The proposal before the Health and Human Services Committee would redirect funds that had been dedicated to build four new mental health centers.

Police Trying To Identify Man Found Dead Near Railroad Tracks In Portland

By Ed Morin • 17 hours ago

Police are working to identify a man found dead Sunday afternoon near railroad tracks in Portland. Portland Police Lt. Robert Martin says officials believe the man was homeless, in his 50s and was struck by a train.

Maine Proposal To Help Homeless Students Graduate Moves Ahead

By AP • Feb 24, 2020

AUGUSTA, Maine - A proposal designed to improve high school graduation rates in Maine for students who are homeless or in foster care has received the approval of a legislative committee.

Off The Record: Trump Administration Criticized For How It Keeps Documents

By Brian Naylor • Feb 24, 2020

The Trump administration is being criticized for its handling of certain government records.

Historians and activists charge that the White House has failed to keep notes of the president's meetings with foreign leaders, including with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and that other papers, including records of alleged abuses of undocumented immigrants, could be destroyed.

Judge Rejects Roger Stone's Attempt To Remove Her From His Case

By Emma Bowman • Feb 24, 2020

The U.S. district judge presiding over Roger Stone's case swatted down his request to disqualify herself over further proceedings because of alleged bias.

In a strongly worded order issued Sunday, Judge Amy Berman Jackson dismissed the Stone defense team's claims, arguing that the motion to have her recuse herself lacked "any factual or legal support."