AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s education system is moving in the right direction, the state’s schools chief said Wednesday as his tenure wound down, adding that the governor’s administration will continue working to advance the sweeping education policy changes he spearheaded. Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen steps down this week to work at a national nonprofit organization. […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Conservation officials are expecting a colorful fall foliage season in Maine. Bill Ostrofsky of the Maine Forest Service says he’s expecting vibrant colors given the vigorous healthy foliage on the state’s maple trees and the moderate summer weather. In its first weekly foliage report of the season, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation […]

FAIRFIELD (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union is asking Fairfield officials to back off a town policy that restricts what municipal employees can post on personal social media sites. The ACLU of Maine Foundation sent Fairfield a fourpage letter Tuesday, in which the civil liberties group claims the town’s rules violate the First Amendment […]

SACO (AP) — The Saco Drive-In, in danger of closing because it could not afford to convert to digital technology, has been saved by its loyal customers. The 74-year-old drive-in movie theater on Wednesday was named a winner of an online contest launched by Honda that will enable it to buy the expensive digital projection […]

SCARBOROUGH (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed fining the town of Scarborough $12,000 after an unleashed dog killed a protected piping plover chick at a town beach. The agency says in a letter Wednesday that Scarborough has ignored repeated warnings about allowing unleashed dogs on town beaches during nesting season. The […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Gold lights will shine on the Blaine House this month in honor of childhood cancer awareness. Gov. Paul LePage and first lady Ann LePage’s residence will be illuminated with gold lights on Friday night. Gold is the color of childhood cancer awareness. The Republican governor has also proclaimed September as Childhood Cancer […]

OXBOW PLANTATION (AP) — The National Weather Service says a possible tornado touched down in remote northeastern Maine, nearest a town with a population of about 70 people. Meteorologist Richard Norton said the weather service radar indicated a possible tornado Wednesday evening near Oxbow Plantation and the agency issued a tornado warning.

AUGUSTA (AP) — Several pharmacy groups are suing Maine over a new law that allows residents to import prescription drugs from foreign countries through the mail. The Maine Pharmacy Association, Retail Association of Maine and Maine Society of Health System Pharmacists Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and several pharmacists filed the suit Tuesday in […]