This really pisses me off. Letta is a friend of mine and a good human! Go join Elon on Mars haters, and leave folks that care to clean up the planet and live in peace with other humans!

Police Called to #GorhamME #Library as #DragQueen Event Sparks Public Access Clash

Jon FetherstonBy Jon FetherstonApril 5, 2026

https://www.themainewire.com/2026/04/police-called-to-gorham-library-as-drag-queen-event-sparks-public-access-clash/

#DragQueenStorytelling #MaineLibraries #MainePol #LibrariesRule!

Police Called to Gorham Library as Drag Queen Event Sparks Public Access Clash

GORHAM, Maine — A drag queen story time event at the Gorham Public Library on Saturday morning turned into a flashpoint over public access, transparency, and the role of taxpayer-funded institutions after protesters and members of the press were denied entry. The event featured a drag performer who goes by the name Letta Dicken and

The Maine Wire

#Maine - New testing identifies elevated #benzene emissions near #SouthPortland tank farms

“You might have been able to do this in the past, but we’re not going to let you do this in the future.”

by Norah Hogan, 4/14/2026

Excerpt: "Long-term exposure to benzene has been linked to dizziness, headaches, blood disorders and cancer.

"Reiner, who has lived near three of the sites for years, was diagnosed with bladder cancer last Thanksgiving. He underwent surgery in December and is now receiving treatment.

" 'The big question is, was it this exposure? You can’t say. But this exposure may have contributed,' he said. 'The more toxins and environmental hazards you encounter in your life, it all adds up. It’s the cumulative effect.'

"Concerns about emissions have persisted for years. Previously, oil companies were allowed to self-monitor their emissions and were subject to stricter regulations only if they reported elevated toxin levels.

"In 2019, #GlobalCompanies LLC entered into a legal settlement that required the installation of new technology to reduce emissions. The company’s benzene levels are now well below state thresholds.

" 'They don’t want to be forced to do something that would be the right thing for everybody,' Reiner said. 'Everybody in America could benefit if oil companies started cleaning their emissions before they leave the tank farms and facilities.' "

Read more:
https://www.wmtw.com/article/elevated-benzene-near-south-portland-tank-farms/71016200

#MainePol #MaineNews #BenzeneEmissions #AirIsLife #BigOilAndGas #AirPollution #Carcinogenic

New testing identifies elevated benzene emissions near South Portland tank farms

“You might have been able to do this in the past, but we’re not going to let you do this in the future.”

WMTW

Grrrr... So, pretty much, anyone who is #homeless in #PortlandME can just freeze in their tents, eh?

Portland proposes new budget with tax increase, job cuts, expanded parking enforcement

by Jon Chrisos and Ronnie Parrillo, April 14, 2026

Excerpt: "The budget eliminates 74 positions, mostly vacant but including some layoffs tied to the closure of the asylum seeker [and winter warming] shelter at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway, according to West."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/portland-proposes-new-budget-with-tax-increase-job-cuts-expanded-parking-enforcement/ar-AA20P5tf

cc: @newsbot @bob

#USPol #MainePol #Unhoused #Houseless #WinterShelters #PortlandMaine

MSN

More about #Maine's #PFASBan from July 2025.

Excerpt:
"The Department of Environmental Protection is also recommending the board reject exemptions for #KitchenAppliances, #coffeemakers, electric fragrance warmers, and components in #CleaningProducts and furniture.

"Maine passed an amended law to ban #PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in 2024. Starting next year, it will be illegal to sell a range of products from #SkiWax to #cosmetics, that include intentionally added PFAS.

PFAS are known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not easily break down in the natural environment or living tissue. The products have been linked to serious health problems in humans, including cancer, kidney disease and low birth weight."

Read more:
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/07/21/politics/state-politics/maine-regulations-pfas-forever-chemicals-nonstick-cookware-recommendations-ban/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/adI0c#selection-1435.4-1463.13

#MainePol #PFASBan #PFASPollution
#SaferChemicals #PFOS #Pollution #ForeverChemicals

Maine regulators recommends keeping PFAS ban on nonstick cookware

Regulators also recommend rejecting exemptions for kitchen appliances, coffeemakers, electric fragrance warmers, and components in cleaning products and furniture.

Bangor Daily News

So, I happened to tune into a local commercial radio station to hear the weather report, and there was an ad by some group talking about how #Maine Governor #JanetMills was taking away everyone's morning coffee! Of course, that was republican scaremongering, since the ban is on #CoffeeMakers that have #PFAS and other #Foreverchemicals as part of their parts and/or seals. Simple solution to that. BUY A STOVETOP COFFEE POT! That's what I grew up drinking, and that's what I use now. I wouldn't use an aluminum one, but the stainless steel ones aren't expensive, and if cleaned properly, produce great tasting coffee for YEARS!

Maine bans thousands of products containing toxic '#ForeverChemicals'

by Brad Rogers, WGME
Tue, December 30, 2025

Excerpt: "The new ban includes children's #toys, #cosmetics, #cookware, and #cleaning products [and some electric coffeemakers].

"It also includes reusable water bottles, #upholstery, #clothing, and feminine products.

" 'This is an important step in moving forward with eliminating unnecessary uses of intentionally added PFAS, to protect the public from exposure, as well as the environment,' said Kerri Farris, with the #MaineDEP #SaferChemicalsProgram."

Read more:
https://wgme.com/news/local/maine-expands-ban-on-forever-chemicals-in-consumer-products-starting-january-1-pfas-health-low-birth-weights-compromised-immune-systems-cancer

#MainePol #PFASBan #GOPScaremongering #SaferChemicals #PFOS #Pollution

Maine bans thousands of products containing toxic 'forever chemicals'

Many of the new products being banned in Maine are items you may already have in your home.

WGME

I saw this on the local news today... 177 acres of woods!!! WTF! Gorham Sand and Gravel doesn't care about environmentally sensitive areas, or areas with children! They pushed to get mining in nearby #LimingtonME, despite the objections of the residents (and it being next to a State of Maine Nature Preserve)!

Neighbors in #AlfredME discuss controversial quarry proposal

by Julia Simone,WGME
Tue, April 7, 2026

ALFRED (WGME) - "Alfred residents said they feel stuck between a rock and a hard place, voicing frustration to the town’s planning board Monday night over plans for a new quarry in their neighborhood.

"The entrance and exit of the proposed quarry would be off of Route 202 in Alfred and the site would be 177 acres.

"#GorhamSandAndGravel are the developers behind the project."

[...]

"If constructed, developers say the project would involve blasting and dozens of dump trucks operating six days a week.

"But the project was put on hold last summer after residents in the area voiced concerns about noise, dust, and environmental impacts.

"Now, the potential quarry and the concerns are back.

" 'The noise, the fly rock, the #SilicaDust, and we have an #ElementarySchool that is 1.6 miles away,' Alfred resident Ralph Dean said.

" 'Gorham Sand and Gravel is willing to risk our safety to make money, our kids safety, our families safety, our community's safety, and safety should never come second,' Alfred resident Shannon Stevens said.

"Another resident says a third-party review revealed holes in the quarry plan that haven't been addressed.

" 'These big company they take advantage of these small towns that don’t have good strong ordinances and a professional planning board. These guys are all volunteers and it’s a lot,' Alfred resident Lauren Carroll said."

Read more:
https://wgme.com/news/local/neighbors-in-alfred-discuss-controversy-quarry-proposal

#NoisePollution #MainePol #Mining #ProtectTheForest #Pollution

Neighbors in Alfred discuss controversial quarry proposal

Gorham Sand and Gravel are the developers behind the project.

WGME

Gah. Listening to a town meeting where folks are complaining about the cost of trash removal from #EcoMaine. THEN RECYCLE AND COMPOST MORE! At least my neighbor is the voice of reason (We all have backyards. Why aren't we all composting our food waste?")

#TownPolitics #MainePol #Compost #Composting

Looks like #JanetMills wants to stay in power as Senator Mills. She's been changing her tune on #IndigenousSovereignty and now this?

#Maine Governor backs #MillionaireTax, flipping from prior stance

By Greg Ryan Bloomberg,Updated April 2, 2026

"Maine Governor Janet Mills now supports increasing taxes on the state’s richest residents, reversing her past opposition after lagging in recent polls for a key Democratic Senate primary.

"Mills on Thursday endorsed a millionaire tax included in a budget proposal that passed a committee for the Democrat-controlled legislature. She vetoed a similar increase in 2024 and maintained that such a measure was short-sighted in an interview just a few weeks ago.

"Mills’ flip-flop comes as the 78-year-old trails political newcomer #GrahamPlatner in their contest to be the Democratic nominee to take on Republican #UselessSusanCollins in November. Platner, a 41-year-old oyster farmer, has called for higher taxes on the rich."

Read more:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/04/02/business/maine-governor-janet-mills-millionaires-tax/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/Erw1h

#MainePol #USPol #TaxTheRich #MillionairesTax

Maine Governor backs millionaire tax, flipping from prior stance

Maine lawmakers have proposed a 2 percent surtax that would kick in at $1 million for single filers and $1.5 million for married couples and other filers.

The Boston Globe

Judge limits records #Maine has to give federal government in #transgender athlete lawsuit

by Dan Lampariello, March 31, 2026

"The judge blocked the release of records that could identify transgender student athletes or reveal personal and medical details, calling them too sensitive.

"The ruling also denies access to internal discussions tied to individual cases, but allows broader complaints and communications, as long as all identifying information is removed."

Read more:
https://wgme.com/news/local/judge-limits-records-maine-has-to-give-federal-government-in-transgender-athlete-lawsuit-lgbtq-trump-administration-sports-students

#MainePol #TransgenderRights #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Judge limits records Maine has to give federal government in transgender athlete lawsuit

A judge is now limiting what records the state and the Maine Principals’ Association must turn over to the federal government.

WGME

#WabanakiWindows on #WMPG!

March 24, 2026: "This show features Evan Richert and Roger Milliken Jr., two longtime leaders in land use, planning, and conservation in Maine.

"They took a close look at the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act to answer a key question: who is right—the State or the #WabanakiNations?

"Their conclusion is clear—the Wabanaki Nations’ interpretation is correct, and the State’s position deserves closer scrutiny.

"We’ll talk about what they found, why Maine stands apart on Tribal sovereignty, and what it means for the future of justice in our state."

Audio archive:
https://www.wmpg.org/wmpg-podcasts/wabanaki-windows/

#CommunityRadio #CommunitySupportedRadio #CollegeRadio #WMPGFM #NativeAmericanNews #LandBack #SettlementAct #MainePol #Podcasts #NativeAmericanIssues #MaineTribes #WabanakiAlliance #Sovereignty #WabanakiNations #TribalRights #WabanakiConfederacy #IndigenousSovereignty #PassamaquoddyNation #PenobscotNation #HoultonBandOfMaliseetIndians #MikmaqNation