News

The state transportation department has released a study of options for a new Portland train station. Currently, Amtrak’s Downeaster trains between Boston and Brunswick must get off the main line track to reach the existing Portland station, which adds 15 minutes to every run.

Maine CDC Director Dr. Nirav Shah says more than 103,000 people 70 and older in Maine have received at least a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The House is scheduled to vote this week on nearly $2 trillion in pandemic relief, but Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine’s 2nd District says there are urgent needs that can’t wait the weeks it will take to finalize the package.

The Maine Center for Disease Control has added 130 more cases of COVID-19 on Sunday. No new fatalities were reported.

In Maine, smoking costs more than $800 million a year in health care costs and contributes to nearly 30% of cancer deaths. Health advocates say it’s a serious problem, and they say Gov. Janet Mills is making a mistake by cutting $5 million a year from state smoking cessation programs.

Low- to moderate-income Mainers can receive a tablet and internet access for free as part of a new initiative from the state and the Machias-based National Digital Equity Center.

The kerfuffle between the Maine Republican Party and U.S. Sen. Susan Collins over her vote to convict former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection largely resembled the backlash experienced by the six other Republicans who joined her.

A record high number of people died from drug overdoses in Maine last year as the coronavirus pandemic made it harder for them to safely use drugs or seek addiction treatment.

The leader of Maine’s Catholic church says Gov. Janet Mills’ new executive order on gathering size limits for churches is “unacceptable and does nothing to provide relief to our parishes and parishioners.”