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.

Election 2020, Maine, Politics

Golden leads in bid for second term in U.S. House

by Steve Collins November 4, 2020November 4, 2020

Preliminary results show Democrat Jared Golden ahead of Republican Dale Crafts.

Election 2020, Elections, Maine

Maskless GOP candidate faces firestorm after Trump rally

by Steve Collins October 28, 2020October 29, 2020

Michelle Kaplan said she’s a firm believer in science and masks.

Election 2020, Maine

Trump rally brings complaints, quarantine after rules on masks, distancing ignored

by Steve Collins October 27, 2020October 29, 2020

A medical professional who posed beside prominent politicians is self-quarantining for 14 days as a precaution.

Election 2020, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics

In final 2nd District debates, Dale Crafts takes jabs at Jared Golden

by Steve Collins October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

Maine’s junior congressman duels with his Republican challenger in televised debates.

Election 2020, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics

Green Party’s Howie Hawkins hopes nation chooses ranked-choice voting

by Steve Collins October 21, 2020October 22, 2020

Greens are optimistic that Lisa Savage may do well in Maine’s four-way U.S. Senate race.

Election 2020, Maine

First debate between Jared Golden, challenger Dale Crafts a civil event

by Steve Collins October 15, 2020October 16, 2020

Maine’s 2nd District congressional candidates sparred gently in a televised exchange, agreed on the need to end partisan warfare but disagreed on health care.

Maine, News, Schools and Education

Bates students told to pack as if they might not come back in January

by Steve Collins October 14, 2020October 15, 2020

In case COVID-19 makes it impossible to reopen the campus in January, students are asked to take care of their belongings before leaving for the extended Thanksgiving break.