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QUOTE OF THE DAY
— Matt MacKenzie, longtime player development coach to basketball phenom and Newport native Cooper Flagg, who has recently been compared to Larry Bird, Kevin Durant and other all-time greats.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
Maine said it wouldn’t break state law to follow President Donald Trump’s transgender athletes order. Then came a barrage of investigations and threats targeting the state’s federal funding. Now, more federal agencies are pressing down on Maine than there are transgender girls competing in girls’ sports in the state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture froze funding to the University of Maine System following Trump’s threats. During the last fiscal year, the USDA provided nearly $30 million to the UMaine System. Here’s how Maine farmers could be affected by the freeze.
Congress may cut hundreds of millions in earmarks for Maine to avert a government shutdown. The Trump-endorsed deal would increase spending on defense and immigration enforcement while decreasing non-defense spending by $13 billion.
Another Medicaid bailout failed after meeting opposition from Maine Senate Republicans. Timing remains a problem, since the money earmarked for health care providers will not go into effect until June.
The Republican lawmaker censured for her posts about a transgender high-schooler is suing the Maine House speaker to get her vote back. Rep. Laurel Libby’s social media posts kicked off Maine’s war with Trump.
Vinalhaven’s only stone home is on the market for the first time. The property spans nearly a half-mile of shorefront and includes four structures with commanding views of Winter Harbor.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Jared Golden is lone Democrat to support Republican bill to avert shutdown
- Fairfield needs more help with water contamination as funding dries up
- Regulators approve 23 percent distribution rate hike for Versant Power customers
- Law firm to review if Bangor city councilor can also serve as commissioner
- Job cuts hit Katahdin Valley health care provider
- Boy killed in Aroostook tractor accident had ‘zest for life’
- Woman rescued after 25-foot fall in Acadia
- Top court finds Maine town erred by clearing firewood business of violations
- Controversy unfolded when a midcoast man tried to buy a cemetery
- Stockton Springs urged to hold earlier vote on solar project pause
- Man dies in custody of Maine sheriff’s office
- Maine art teacher charged with sexual exploitation of a minor
- UMaine women’s basketball has bright future after rollercoaster season
- Analysis: UMaine hockey moves up in Pairwise Rankings despite underwhelming weekend at UMass
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Proposals to cut or make other structural changes to Medicaid could have grave consequences for patients and families in Maine.”
Opinion: Family physicians say cutting Medicaid will harm health and economy of Maine
LIFE IN MAINE
These new nets could change lake trout management in Moosehead. The pilot study comes after a successful three-year effort to reduce the lake trout population through increased catch limits.
Plenty of former and current college coaches are enamored with Cooper Flagg’s game. The Newport native has been compared to Larry Bird, Kevin Durant and other all-time greats.
The UMaine men’s basketball team is heading into the American East Conference finals for the first time in 20 years. The Black Bears have been cultivating a relentless defense, and that translated into a hard-fought win for UMaine on Tuesday night.