AUGUSTA (AP) — Citing an “ alarming” rate of prescription drug abuse in the state, Gov. Paul LePage has created a task force to fight the problem. The Republican signed an executive order Wednesday creating the 17-member task force, which will include medical and law enforcement representatives. The order says nearly 1,400 residents of Maine […]

BANGOR ( AP) — A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with a Molotov cocktail attack on a Maine home. Alex Glossian of Meriden, Conn., pleaded guilty in federal court in Bangor on Wednesday to possession of an unregistered destructive device. Prosecutors say the 25-yearold Glossian and another person made Molotov cocktails […]

BOSTON (AP) — A trip to Logan International Airport is about to become more expensive. The Massachusetts Port Authority announced Wednesday it wants to raise parking rates at the airport while at the same time lowering rates at satellite lots. The goal is to ease traffic at the airport while also raising revenues. Under the […]

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — An annual sled dog race in New Hampshire has been postponed as organizers wait for more snow. The Laconia Sled Dog Derby had been scheduled for the weekend of Feb. 10-12. The Citizen reports the Lakes Region Sled Dog Club, which manages the derby, decided Wednesday to move the event to […]

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Southern California woman took Honda to small claims court and won in a big way. Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Douglas Carnahan ruled Wednesday that the automaker misled Heather Peters about the potential fuel economy of her hybrid car and awarded her $9,867 — much more than the couple hundred […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Archives is preparing to unveil its 715-year-old copy of the Magna Carta after a conservation effort removed old patches and repaired weak spots in the paper that holds the English declaration of human rights. A $ 13.5 million gift from philanthropist David Rubenstein funded conservation of the only original Magna […]

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his lair to “see” his shadow today, in the process predicting six more weeks of winter. But, at this rate, that might not be so bad. The groundhog made his “ prediction” on Gobbler’s Knob, a tiny hill in the town for which he’s named about […]

CAIRO ( AP) — Egypt’s prime minister has dissolved the Egyptian Soccer Federation’s board and referred its members for questioning by prosecutors after post-match clashes that left 74 dead. Prime Minister Kamal el- Ganzouri announced the decision during today’s emergency parliamentary session, a day after a match between Al-Ahly and Al-Masry soccer teams in the […]

BEIRUT (AP) — Russia will not stop selling arms to Syria, a top defense official said today, as Moscow stands by its longtime ally despite mounting international condemnation over the Syrian regime’s bloody crackdown on a 10- month-old uprising. Russia’s Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said his country is not violating any international obligations by […]

LEWISTON ( AP) — The Maine Turnpike Authority is expected to close this week on the purchase of a closed motel in Lewiston that will be knocked down to create a park-and-ride lot with at least 75 spots. Executive Director Peter Mills says the purchase is part of a $24 million project to overhaul Exit […]