Expanded gun background checks / Disappearing payphones / Rainy June

June will be one of Maine’s rainiest in a quarter century

The damp, unsettled weather is slated to continue all week as one of the rainiest Junes on record comes to an end.

Janet Mills’ 1st veto of 2023 prompts fight with labor over offshore wind

Janet Mills urged lawmakers to fix the bill’s language. When they declined, she said she had no choice but to veto it.

Janet Mills signs off on law partially decriminalizing prostitution in Maine

The support of Janet Mills, a former attorney general and prosecutor, is a surprise given that she vetoed a similar bill in 2021.

Gun control bid that Maine voters opposed in 2016 clears House by 1 vote

A similar proposal to expand gun background checks was rejected by 52 percent of Maine voters in 2016.

Maine House passes expansion of health coverage to more undocumented immigrants

The bill would allow undocumented residents, refugees and asylum seekers under age 21 to quality for the state’s Medicaid program.

Police investigating anti-abortion messages left near Maine House speaker’s home

The incendiary messages were publicized on Monday by abortion-rights groups aligned with Rachel Talbot Ross.

Accused leader of Maine medical pot ring claims federal law protects him

Lucas Sirois, 43, is asking a judge to drop the charges.

There are fewer than 50 payphones left in Maine

Just a few decades ago, you could find a payphone at many Maine street corners, shopping centers, gas stations and hotels.

Bangor approves new $123.2M city and school budget

While the new budget has a lower tax rate, Bangor residents’ tax bills will likely increase due to rising residential property values.

Orono residents can expect a slight increase in their tax bills next year

An Orono home worth $200,000 will see its tax bill increase $12 in 2024.

Orono’s library wants to expand with proposed $3.6M in federal funds

The free-standing Orono Public Library opened in 2009. Now it has a chance to grow and better accommodate the town.

Cruise ship line agrees to get reservations for future Bar Harbor visits

All cruise ships still must have advance reservations to visit Bar Harbor, regardless of the daily passenger limit.

Limestone’s new manager will donate entire $80,000 salary back to the town

Limestone chose Alvin Lam over one other candidate to lead the town after he offered to do the job for nothing.

We took a remote fishing trip to Maine’s North Woods

A group of four fishing buddies, including Outdoors writer Pete Warner, loaded up the trucks and a couple of boats and headed to remote area recently.

Paddlers witnessed an osprey battle eagles over the Sebasticook River

The Sebasticook River below Clinton boasts one of the highest concentration of eagles than any other area in the continental U.S.

Meet the rare Maine bug that’s equal parts Frankenstein and Dracula

This critter isn’t just an accomplished hunter, but also part vampire — on other insects.

In other Maine news …

Maine wants to curb violence against health care workers

ACLU and state closer to settlement over legal defense for poor Mainers

Monticello man accused of killing his girlfriend 

Local chef brings casual dining to Presque Isle Country Club

2 Houlton girls are heading to soap box derby championship in Ohio

2 more towns are joining Down East public broadband utility

Man killed in Lincolnville fire lived alone

Feds consider a new wildlife refuge in western Maine

Accused Bowdoin killer’s jail interviews detail murders but elude motive

Escaped ram finally captured in Cape Elizabeth