Steve Collins

Columnist

Steve Collins became an opinion columnist for the Maine Trust for Local News in April of 2025. A journalist since 1987, Steve has worked for daily newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Maine and served as the State House reporter for the Sun Journal since 2016. The Maine Press Association named him Maine's Journalist of the Year in 2022. Among his other awards are the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2016 Ethics in Journalism Award, the I.F. Stone Whistle-Blower Award in 2015 and the Bob Wallack Community Journalism Award from the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Steve is a founder and board president of Youth Journalism International, a charity that teaches students around the globe about news writing, media literacy and issues of the day. His wife, Jackie Majerus, serves as its executive director. Born in Massachusetts, he grew up in a military family that took him to Norway, Ohio and Virginia, where he earned a degree in history from the University of Virginia. He and Jackie live in Auburn. They have two adult children, two collies and not enough time.

Lewiston-Auburn, News

New president welcomes new class at Bates College

by Steve Collins September 5, 2023September 6, 2023

Garry Jenkins, the new president of Bates college, delivers a speech during the annual convocation.

Lewiston-Auburn, Nation & World, Politics

White House silent as Auburn lawmaker pleads for prisoner’s release

by Steve Collins September 3, 2023September 2, 2023

State Sen. Eric Brakey hopes Biden will pardon a man the lawmaker called ‘the Nelson Mandela of Bitcoin.’

News

Seth Carey seeks access to secret grand jury testimony

by Steve Collins August 28, 2023August 29, 2023

Former DA contender claims testimony may prove his allegation he was targeted for a ‘politically-motivated prosecution’

Lewiston-Auburn, Maine

Seth Carey claims ‘malicious prosecution,’ seeks sanctions for police, prosecutor

by Steve Collins August 24, 2023August 24, 2023

After a five-year battle to clear his name, one-time district attorney candidate Seth Carey of Rumford filed suit in Oxford County this week accusing the Maine State Police of malicious prosecution. Carey said in legal papers that police filed “completely false criminal charges” against him that led to the loss of his law license and […]

Lewiston-Auburn, Maine

Jared Golden criticized for vehemence of his opposition to student debt relief

by Steve Collins August 18, 2023August 19, 2023

Golden issued a controversial statement on the issue Friday that drew sharp retorts from those who favor student loan forgiveness.

Maine

Wildfires remain a long-term threat to almost two-thirds of the properties in Maine

by Steve Collins August 14, 2023August 14, 2023

Maine has a history of major wildfires that have over the years left towns in ruins.

Maine, Politics

Our live updates from Biden’s visit to Maine

by Staff Report July 28, 2023July 29, 2023

5:54 p.m. BRUNSWICK — Air Force One has taken off from the Brunswick Executive Airport to take President Biden to Delaware. He is set to land in Dover and then head to Rehoboth Beach. As the plane prepared for takeoff, a group of protesters on motorcycles drove down Orion Street chanting “(expletive) Joe Biden.” — […]