MAIN STREET AMERICA

May 27 2026POLITICS

Why California’s Rules Are Making Food Pricier for Maine

Maine families have watched their grocery bills climb for years, and one big reason sits thousands of miles away in California. A state rule called Proposition 12 forces stores to sell only pork and eggs from animals kept in special pens. That sounds nice, but it costs farms more to follow the rules

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May 25 2026OPINION

Homeowner Tax Plans: A Legal Tightrope Walk

Maine faces a clear housing squeeze. Many locals struggle to buy homes while empty second homes sit unused for most of the year. One candidate proposed a quick fix: lower property taxes for Mainers while charging extra to out-of-state owners of vacation or rental properties. The idea sounds simple,

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May 22 2026HEALTH

New Ebola rules for travelers coming from Africa

Americans who recently traveled in parts of Central Africa now face stricter rules when returning to the U. S. The State Department says anyone from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last three weeks must land at Washington Dulles Airport. Extra health checks will happe

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May 20 2026POLITICS

Why Maine’s Spending Habits Aren’t Fixing Its Cost Problems

Maine keeps raising taxes and throwing cash at problems, but the state still struggles with high costs. Over the last few years, spending jumped from $7. 2 billion to over $12 billion. That’s a massive jump, but most people aren’t feeling the benefits. Instead of cutting waste or helping regular fam

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May 18 2026HEALTH

Getting Care Fast: Why Maine Needs a New Primary Health Plan

Maine’s people often wait too long to see a doctor. When small problems slip past, they can grow into bigger emergencies that push hospitals and urgent‑care centers to the front line. This chain reaction costs money, hurts health, and makes it harder for families to get the help they need on time.

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May 15 2026FINANCE

Maine’s 25‑Year Journey of Helping People Own Homes and Grow Businesses

MaineStream Finance, a nonprofit rooted in Penquis, has marked a quarter‑century of making money more reachable for Mainers. From the start in 2001, its goal has been simple: give people who don’t fit traditional bank rules a chance to buy homes, start or grow businesses, and build solid financial f

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May 08 2026POLITICS

How Maine's Climate Plans Hold Up Nationally

Maine's governor leaves behind a strong green track record. Her policies helped push clean energy jobs and cut oil use in homes. That matters because Maine’s fishing industry, worth over $600 million, depends on stable weather. The state’s tourism also relies on clean air and water. Clean energy is

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May 06 2026POLITICS

Shining a Scientific Light on Maine’s Future

Maine’s bees buzz not only for honey but also for the health of our land. They act like tiny detectives, gathering pollen and nectar that reveal hidden chemicals in soil, water, and air. Because of this role, a beekeeper from Portland who measures dangerous PFAS levels in his own hives sees the urge

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May 05 2026POLITICS

Fixing Maine's Government: Why Change Matters

Maine's government has a long-standing problem that few people discuss openly. Over the past few years, the state legislature has shifted from working together to pushing through decisions with minimal input from opposing views. This shift started when the budget process became controlled by a singl

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May 04 2026POLITICS

Tech Money Meets Politics: Why AI and Crypto Are Changing Elections

Americans are spending record amounts on politics this cycle, but they're not happy about two rising players: AI and crypto. Fundraising reports show super PACs tied to these industries flooding races with cash to push their agendas. In some cases, their spending already matches what traditional par

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