Maine State Prison investigation / RFK Jr. lawsuit / New potato chip factory

Maine investigates allegations of hazing and inappropriate relationships at state prison

Deputy Director of Operations James Hancox is now overseeing prison operations, taking over for Warden Matthew Magnusson.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sues over signature gathering rules at Maine polls

His attorneys called Secretary of State Shenna Bellows a “Democrat partisan hack” and claimed she implemented a “sudden ban” on collecting petition signatures at the polls.

Lawmakers unanimously back BEP nominees at center of Maine’s EV debate

Republicans and Democrats on the environment committee unanimously advanced the reappointment of Bob Duchesne, Robert Sanford and Steven Pelletier.

These old Maine churches are being transformed into homes

The unique buildings, once central to their communities, are hard to develop, but they are prime housing opportunities when done right. 

Orono is losing another longtime town employee

Rob Yerxa’s resignation comes four months after the Orono Town Council approved the departure of former manager Sophie Wilson.

Northern Light Health saw lower financial losses last year

Despite a deficit, the health care provider’s 2023 financial totals showed marked improvement from 2022.

For a brief period in 1814, all of Maine east of Hampden was a part of Canada

The incident that would put Hampden on the historical map would come 20 years after its founding, with the Battle of Hampden.

Company behind failed flagpole could be fined $250K for successful cabins

Worcester Resources built the Flagpole View Cabins Development over at least seven acres in Columbia Falls between 2019 and 2022.

Maine’s child care subsidy rules are hurting providers

Maine’s child care providers operate on razor thin margins, leaving little leeway for late payments and low reimbursement rates.

Developers plan $55M potato chip plant on former Aroostook air base

The Taste of Maine potato chip plant would employ 75 workers at Loring next year and eventually expand to 100.

Beachfront state park reopens after severe storm damage

The damages at Reid State Park on Maine’s midcoast totaled about $250,000, according to park manager Haylee Parsons.

Analysis: Runaway scoring dominated Tuesday tourney games

You can find the complete scores from the tournament here and read the latest game stories here:

• Hampden Academy boys handle Camden Hills in A North semifinal
• Bangor Christian beats Southern Aroostook to reach Class D North boys title game
• Unbeaten Ellsworth girls cruise past Caribou in B North semifinal
• Emerson lifts Old Town girls past MDI in Class B girls semifinal
• Cony defense stifles Hampden girls in A North semifinal
• Oxford Hills girls edge Bangor in overtime in AA North semifinal
• Orono boys advance after toppling Ellsworth in B North semifinal
• Old Town boys outlast MDI in tense B North semifinal

Several ice fishing derbies this weekend are free to kids

Derbies will be held in Norway, Waterford, South Paris, Alfred, Lincoln, Clifton, Wiscasset, Dover-Foxcroft, Monmouth and more.

I’m still pining for my Uncle Albert’s Marble’s ax

“It was the perfect size for me, and just as I was with Aunt Sandy’s cake and cookies, I became obsessed with the little ax,” BDN Outdoors contributor Chris Sargent writes.

In other Maine news …

Maine lawmakers call on Cabela’s and Kittery Trading Post to stop selling ‘assault rifles’

Maine would become 27th state to ban paramilitary training under bill passed by House

Bill seeks to require insurers to cover over-the-counter contraceptives in Maine

Maine’s chief justice cites progress and challenges for backlogged court system

Man charged with Bangor Walmart arson pleads not guilty

New Acadia visitor center starts to take shape

Maine restaurant owner accused of drug trafficking

Union representing Lewiston city workers calls for mayor’s impeachment

Bates College debate team resigns in protest of faculty director

Maine woman rescued after she was injured on New Hampshire mountain

A 14-year-old Parsonsfield girl is missing

Fort Kent teams win both Nordic and Alpine ski titles

Surging UMaine women’s basketball faces final 2 conference road games