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.

Maine

The climate crisis hits home in Maine

by Steve Collins September 22, 2019September 21, 2019

From moose to farmers to lobsters, the state is seeing the effects of a warming planet.

Business, Maine, News, Politics

Poliquin picked by Trump to head firm that recovers money for investors

by Steve Collins Sun Journal September 20, 2019September 20, 2019

The former Maine congressman is tapped to lead the Board of Securities Investor Protection Corp., which has recovered billions over the years from failed Wall Street firms.

Maine, News, Politics

Jared Golden pursues $12 billion solution to lead paint problem

by Steve Collins September 19, 2019September 18, 2019

Maine’s 2nd District congressman says it would be ‘more expensive to do nothing’ because removing lead paint everywhere would lead to big savings in health care and education.

Elections, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, News, Politics

Paul LePage’s former press secretary eyes 2nd District U.S. House seat

by Steve Collins September 17, 2019November 5, 2019

Adrienne Bennett, who sounds like a sure-fire candidate, said Tuesday she’s made a decision about whether to jump into a GOP primary for the seat and will announce soon.

Maine, News, Politics

Sen. King had ‘very, very direct’ talk with Saudi crown prince about journalist’s murder

by Steve Collins September 11, 2019September 12, 2019

During a trip to the Middle East, U.S. Sen. Angus King and another senator met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to talk about a range of issues, including the war in Yemen and the slaying of Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey last fall.

Elections, Maine, News, Politics

Sole Republican challenger to Sen. Collins quits under party pressure

by Steve Collins September 9, 2019September 10, 2019

Fairfield’s Derek Levasseur said heavy pressure from Maine Republican leaders squelched his effort to snatch party backing from the 4-term senator in next June’s primary.

Elections, Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Politics

Jared Golden vows to remain neutral in Susan Collins’ US Senate race

by Steve Collins September 4, 2019November 5, 2019

Maine’s 2nd District Democratic congressman said Wednesday he won’t take sides in the heated 2020 Senate race so he can preserve personal relationships important to serving Maine in Washington.

Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Schools and Education

Labor leader tells incoming Bates students to ‘become the missionaries of truth’

by Steve Collins September 3, 2019September 3, 2019

‘You are the ones who are going to have to clean up this mess,’ Dolores Huerta tells freshmen during the Lewiston college’s convocation ceremony Tuesday.