Maine businesses look for three things when they grow: skilled workers, good roads and steady power. The electricity that lights factories and offices is the first on their list. Energy prices have jumped in recent years. A higher cost for a factory means more money spent on each product. A small
Maine voters often see candidates in everyday places—school games, diners, or town meetings. That closeness can make politics feel personal, even cozy. But when it comes to healthcare, being likable isn’t the same as being effective. A candidate’s charm doesn’t heal a sick patient or pay a surprise
Western Europe is experiencing an extreme heat event that has pushed temperatures to new highs. London recently recorded a May temperature of about 95°F, while parts of France reached nearly 99°F and Spain exceeded 100°F. The cause is a high‑pressure “heat dome” that traps hot air over the region, s
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
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,
Western Massachusetts is losing one of its few detox centers this week, as the Carlson Recovery Center moves away from round-the-clock medical care for severe withdrawal cases. Instead, it will focus on stabilization services—less intense but still supportive treatment for most people seeking recove
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
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.
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
Western Montana’s Republican voters now have a tough choice to make in June. After Congressman Ryan Zinke announced a surprise retirement, a pack of candidates rushed to claim his spot in the House. The district covers 16 counties, stretching from the Idaho border to the Canadian line. What started
