MAIN STREET AMERICA

Apr 04 2026BUSINESS

The Bottle Bill Debate: Who Bears the Cost?

Maine’s bottle bill has kept millions of bottles out of trash for decades. It also built a system where people can return empty containers and get money back. The program costs a lot. Every year the state must collect, sort and process about 850 million containers. That work costs more than $70 mil

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Apr 03 2026OPINION

Cutting Maine’s Power Bills Without a Public Utility

Maine residents are feeling the pinch of high electricity costs, and many think only public power could solve it. In reality, there are several practical steps that can lower bills for users of the two main investor‑owned companies, Central Maine Power and Versant. These ideas are already in play fo

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Apr 03 2026POLITICS

Why Jordan Wood stands out in Maine’s political race

Maine’s District 2 House race has a candidate who’s turning heads—not with flashy promises, but by sticking to principles. Jordan Wood isn’t just another name on the ballot. He’s pushing for big changes, especially how money influences politics. Unlike many running for office, he refuses all donatio

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Apr 03 2026WEATHER

Weather changes for Easter in Maine: Wintry mix and rain ahead

Maine is about to get hit by two different weather systems over the next few days, starting with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain tonight that could mess up Friday morning drives. The worst of it will be in the northern and central parts of the state, where some areas might get several inches

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Mar 27 2026BUSINESS

American Airlines may bring back seat screens and upgrade Wi-Fi soon

American Airlines is thinking about putting screens back in front of seats on its smaller planes. This isn’t just about entertainment—it’s part of a bigger push to modernize flights and keep up with competitors. The airline is also exploring faster, more reliable Wi-Fi options by talking to companie

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Mar 23 2026POLITICS

The Bible and politics: can they ever really mix?

Americans often argue about where faith fits into public life, but the Constitution is clear: no official religion can be forced on anyone. Thomas Jefferson wrote laws to protect this idea back in the 1700s. Yet today, some candidates blend their religious beliefs into campaign messages, claiming th

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Mar 16 2026CRIME

Maine’s Low Crime Numbers: What the Stats Really Say

Maine stands out across the United States for having one of the lowest rates of violent crime. According to recent FBI statistics, only 100 people per 100, 000 residents were involved in violent offenses during 2024. In contrast, Washington, D. C. recorded more than a thousand violent incidents per

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Mar 05 2026CRYPTO

American Bitcoin’s Big BTC Grab While Banks Push Back on Crypto Yields

American Bitcoin, a mining firm linked to the Trump family, has added more than 6, 500 bitcoins to its treasury, pushing it into the upper tier of publicly listed companies that hold crypto on their books. The move came after the company bought 500 bitcoins in the last three weeks, valuing its holdi

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Mar 04 2026POLITICS

Science Money Keeps Maine’s Ocean Jobs Alive

Maine’s coastal economy depends on science money that comes from Washington. When federal agencies like the National Science Foundation, NOAA, and NASA receive cuts, the ripple effects hit fishermen in Portland, aquaculture farms in Brunswick, and towns such as Machias that rely on data to protect t

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Feb 28 2026BUSINESS

Big Airline Clash at Chicago O’Hare and FAA’s Plan to Cut Flights

American Airlines and United are fighting over gate space at Chicago O’Hare, a battle that has pushed the airport to its limits. The dispute began when American lost several gates because it didn’t rebuild its schedule quickly enough after the pandemic, a move that came sooner than lease agreemen

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