CONCORD, N.H Massachusetts abandoned plans Wednesday to get its clean energy from a $1.6 billion hydropower project, dealing a blow to a proposal that has sparked controversy in New Hampshire over plans to deliver the power through nearly 200 miles of transmission lines across the state. The Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs said […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine election officials have submitted proposed rules for the first use of ranked-choice voting in statewide primary elections in June. The emergency rules posted Wednesday cover everything from the ballot layout to security. Notably absent is any sort of timetable for declaring winners. Election officials have said it could take a week […]

PORTLAND (AP) — A Maine couple has donated $15,000 to a Portland elementary school. The Portland Press Herald reports Portland Public Schools announced Wednesday Catherine and Todd Alexander had established the Annetta Weatherhead Fund at Reiche Elementary School. The district says money will be used for scholarships to the Maine School of Science and Mathematics […]

SOUTH PORTLAND (AP) — Police in Maine are searching for a man who they say burglarized eight small businesses. The Portland Press Herald reports South Portland police released surveillance footage of the suspect Wednesday. Police say the man broke into eight businesses and took cash between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Police don’t believe the […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers will get an update on the roll-out of a new ranked voting system that election officials are racing to implement in time for the June primary. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap is set to brief lawmakers on the roll-out of implementation Thursday. He’s said he plans to submit proposed rules […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — A Republican hoping to unseat U.S. Sen. Angus King is facing challenges about the veracity of his signatures he collected to qualify for the June primary. Maine Secretary of State Matt Dunlap says the state will hold a public hearing Thursday on the challenge against financial planner Max Linn filed by opponent […]

AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine’s governor is urging people to report suspected child abuse in the wake of the high-profile deaths of two young girls. At a news conference Tuesday, Republican Gov. Paul LePage said anyone who suspects child abuse should speak up, especially doctors, teachers and other people who are required by law to report […]

PORTLAND (AP) — The Portland Planning Board has voted unanimously to approve a $512 million expansion for Maine Medical Center’s campus in the city. The project is expected to get underway in May and will require a section of a busy street to close for two months. The project approved Tuesday will relocate the hospital’s […]

PORTLAND (AP) — A celebrated chef says she is not guilty of a charge that accuses her of writing nearly $9,000 in bad checks. Shannon Bard, who was the chef and co-owner of Zapoteca in Portland and Toroso in Kennebunk, Maine, was released on personal recognizance after making her initial court appearance Tuesday. The Portland […]

PARIS (AP) — A former sheriff in Maine who resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations is now accused of sexual assault. The Sun Journal reports that a pending lawsuit notice against former Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant by a man from Jay contends sexual abuse and harassment began in 1999 and continued through this year. The […]