AUGUSTA — Lawmakers on Tuesday continued their debate over the best way to balance the rights of landlords with those of tenants who are receiving public housing subsidies and want to keep firearms. A new proposal offered by Sen. Andre Cushing, R-Hampden, would allow landlords who own and live in multiunit properties with four apartments […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Bates student voters take issue with Lewiston candidate Soule
LEWISTON — Mayoral candidate Charles Soule said he was trying to make a point about local elections when he challenged a group of Bates College students at the polls Tuesday. “I explained the facts, about how would they feel if I went to their family’s home district and started voting in their election without changing […]
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Posted inMaine
Collins and King take issue with bill to defund Planned Parenthood
WASHINGTON — Maine’s U.S. senators took similar positions Monday in a controversial debate over federal funding for Planned Parenthood following the release of a series of undercover videos by an anti-abortion group. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, a Republican, and Angus King, an independent, made speeches in the Senate urging their colleagues to oppose completely defunding […]
Posted inMaine
Maine legislators consider repeal of law prohibiting switchblades
AUGUSTA — State lawmakers are considering a bill that would repeal the prohibition on so-called “switchblade” and “Stiletto” knives. Supporters of the change said many knives, which were never intended to be prohibited by the decades-old law, are increasingly being targeted by law enforcement. On Monday, state Rep. Joel Stetkis, R-Canaan, was carrying a lockbox […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Protests erupt after cop cleared in chokehold death
NEW YORK (AP) — A grand jury cleared a white police officer Wednesday in the videotaped chokehold death of an unarmed black man stopped for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes, triggering protests in the streets by hundreds of New Yorkers who likened the case to the deadly police shooting in Ferguson, Missouri. As the demonstrations mounted, […]
Posted inMaine
Collins secures endorsement of national LGBT advocacy group
A national organization that advocates for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equal rights has endorsed U.S. Sen. Susan Collins in her re-election campaign. Collins, R-Maine, is facing Democratic challenger Shenna Bellows, former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. “Sen. Susan Collins has played a pivotal role in advancing support for LGBT […]
Posted inMaine
Gay-rights group endorses Michaud in governor’s race
LEWISTON — A group that successfully advocated for gay marriage in 2012 has endorsed the only gay candidate in the race for Maine governor. EqualityMaine announced Thursday its endorsement of U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud. The Democrat is seeking his party’s nomination in a race against incumbent Republican Gov. Paul LePage and independent candidate Eliot Cutler. […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
State investigator finds ground for claim of whistleblower at Norway auto shop
An investigator for a state agency sided with a former manager of a Norway auto repair shop who claims he was fired because he complained that he was underpaid. Michael W. Record filed a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission, saying he was fired for blowing the whistle on the owners of the Grease […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Gay rights legislation gains bipartisan support
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gay rights advocates from both parties are newly upbeat about the prospects for Senate passage of legislation that would bar employers from discriminating against workers on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The outlook for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act reflects the nation’s growing tolerance of homosexuality and the GOP’s political […]
Posted inNation / World, sj-web
Tens of thousands march for same-sex marriage in Taiwan
TAIPEI — Tens of thousands of demonstrators, many displaying rainbows and glitter, thronged the center of Taiwan’s capital on Saturday to press demands to legalize same-sex marriage amid an increasingly tolerant environment on the island nation. Organizers and participants said they were heartened by the prospect of same-sex marriage becoming a reality, despite enduring traditional […]