Gov. Janet Mills, a top recruitment target for Democrats, has effectively frozen the field of prospective challengers to Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins. Mills says she has no timetable to make a decision.

Maine Sen. Angus King, an independent, called Israel's conduct in Gaza "an affront to human decency" and said he would advocate for ending any U.S. support for the country until Israeli policies change.

Millions across the U.S. are expected to lose benefits, including tens of thousands of people in Maine.

Maine will receive more than $20 million originally withheld by the federal Department of Education on July 1.

The provision doesn't fully eliminate the tax on tips but allows up to a $25,000 deduction of tips from federal taxes. The tax break is available through 2028.

King, who caucuses with Democrats, has a long record as a defender of abortion rights. His vote this week to confirm Missouri Solicitor General Josh Divine puzzled abortion rights advocates. The independent senator says he wasn't fully aware of Divine's record on the issue.

Private attorneys assigned to defendants who can't afford an attorney take on about 40% of federal cases, but they stopped getting paid July 3 because of systemwide funding shortfall. Public defender offices around the country say that could create a backlog of cases and infringe on defendants' constitutional right to a speedy trial.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine has been the focus of national attention — and scorn among Democrats — as Republicans dutifully carried out President Donald Trump’s controversial plans for tax cuts while slashing billions of dollars from Medicaid, foreign aid and public broadcasting. While Collins ultimately opposed both measures, the intense Democratic response signals the 2026 election has officially arrived in Maine.

An estimated $25 million in grant funding is being withheld from Maine public schools for six programs supporting teacher development, adult literacy, after-school programs and more.

Beloved poet, performer, activist and Maine native Andrea Gibson died from cancer on July 14, at age 49. Gibson's vulnerable poetry about gender identity, queer politics, love, and death inspired fans to accept themselves and embrace life.