AUGUSTA (AP) — A spokeswoman for Gov. Paul LePage says the Republican’s recent comment that Maine students are “looked down upon” in the rest of the country was based on his own experiences and not on any specific data or study. Spokeswoman Adrienne Bennett tells the Bangor Daily News that as a businessman LePage formed […]

AUBURN (AP) — The Maine fire marshal’s office says a stove burner that was left on was the cause of a fire that left a 51-year-old woman dead in Auburn. Sgt. Timothy York said Monday that investigators believe the burner, with a pot on it, was left on by Nicole Lagasse, who went to bed […]

SACO (AP) — A proposal to ban dogs from Saco’s public beaches is getting so much attention that city councilors have scheduled a public hearing on the matter . The council was scheduled to hold a first hearing on the ordinance Monday, but about 100 people showed up to the meeting. Under the proposal, dogs […]

CARIBOU (AP) — Northern Mainers are being given a chance to offer suggestions, comments and ideas about the upcoming merger of the state departments of Agriculture and Conservation. Agriculture Commissioner Walt Whitcomb and Conservation Commissioner Bill Beardsley will be on hand during today’s public forum at Caribou High School. Two other public forums were previously […]

SHIN POND (AP) — Authorities are investigating an ATV accident in northern Maine that resulted in severe injuries to a 4-year-old boy. The Warden Service says the Searsport boy was operating the all-terrain vehicle near his grandfather’s home in Shin Pond at about 6 p.m. on Monday. It appears he was driving up an incline […]

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen fire on a worship service in a church in central Nigeria, killing at least 19 people — including the pastor — and wounding others in a nation often divided by religion, the military said today. The attack targeted a Deeper Life church in the town of Otite in Kogi state, […]

SAN FRANCISCO A fire at one of the country’s largest refineries spewed thick black smoke over cities in the San Francisco Bay area, sending scores of residents to hospitals complaining of breathing problems early today. Doctors Medical Center in San Pablo, a town near the Chevron refinery in Richmond, said about 200 people had sought […]

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (AP) — A woman disguised in scrubs was caught trying to steal a newborn girl from a Southern California hospital in a tote bag after sensors attached to the baby alerted employees, Garden Grove police said. Grisel Ramirez, 48, was arrested Monday at Garden Grove Medical Center after a hospital staffer stopped […]

AKRON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man suspected of shooting his wife in the head in her hospital bed is scheduled for his first court appearance as police await autopsy results that could affect the charge against him in the possible mercy killing. A prosecutor says 65-yearold Barbara Wise was incapacitated before John Wise stood […]