Voters will be deciding eight state referendum questions and electing mayors in Portland, Biddeford, Lewiston and Auburn.
Kelley Bouchard
Staff Writer
Kelley writes about Maine businesses large and small, focusing on economic development, workforce initiatives and the state’s leading business organizations. Her wider experience includes municipal and state government, immigration, education, transportation, history, human rights, health and elder care, the environment and the housing crisis. A Maine native and University of Maine graduate, she was a college intern for two summers at the former Lewiston Evening Journal. She previously worked at the Ipswich Chronicle, Beverly Times and Salem Evening News in Massachusetts. Favorite pastimes include gardening, cooking, streaming foreign TV series and kayaking at camp.
Maine adds 8 species to state’s endangered and threatened list
Four species were added to the list because they are endangered or threatened by environmental impacts of climate change.
Executive director resigns from Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center
Reza Jalali is credited with leading the center to financial and organizational stability and launching a host of programs to improve the lives of new Mainers.
Tuberculosis case reported on UMaine Machias campus
Tuberculosis is a preventable and curable disease that usually infects the lungs but also can affect the kidneys, spine and brain, according to the Maine CDC.
The Downs to break ground on new town center at former racetrack
The $130 million first phase will include businesses, boutiques, restaurants, housing, tree-lined sidewalks, walking trails and recreational greenspace.
Maine is named a forest bioproducts tech hub, opening door to investment
The highly competitive designation comes with a $500,000 planning grant and the opportunity to receive an additional $50 million-$75 million in federal funding for wood fiber bioproducts innovation.
UNH researchers study a prized buckwheat variety, and it’s growing in Maine
Crop scientists at the University of New Hampshire are studying tartary buckwheat, the highly nutritious and hardy variety grown in northern Maine that also is gluten-free.
National campaign launches to promote Pingree’s asylum seeker work bill
The campaign is rallying support for the bipartisan House Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, which would reduce wait times for work permits from at least 180 days to just 30 days.
Maine refugee resettlement numbers expected to double
The state’s 3 resettlement agencies expect to receive a total of 840 refugees from various countries in the next 12 months.
Betting on broccoli to boost Maine’s farming economy and food availability
Good Shepherd Food Bank has launched an innovative company that makes it the first among 200 food banks nationwide to address hunger by investing in for-profit farming and processing.