Refugees

The directive, issued on Friday, said the federal government will no longer reimburse resettlement agencies for certain basic needs including housing and food.

An executive order issued earlier this week put the decades-old program on ice for at least 90 days.

The state's three resettlement agencies resettled nearly 700 people through the federal refugee admissions program during the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30.

Some in Lewiston's Somali community said the shooting brought back traumatic memories of the violence that had forced them to flee home decades ago.

Maine's three resettlement agencies are preparing to welcome up to 840 refugees in fiscal year 2024, which began this month. That's twice as many as they resettled in the previous fiscal year.

The Somali Bantu Community Association and Mi'lmaq Nation are exchanging farmed African flint corn and brook trout in a first-of-its kind exchange.

Soubanh Phanthay is originally from Laos, and has served as Brewer's deputy mayor for the last two years.

The organization says it expects to resettle 20 to 50 individuals in Bangor over the next year.

One Ukrainian-born Mainer in Pownal has taken in two families, with plans to welcome more.

Pingree called the Biden Administration's plan to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians an important step.