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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Not everybody who buys a property at these levels, believe it or not, is truly wealthy.”
— Tom Landry, a Portland-based real estate broker, on a bill that would increase the transfer tax on properties that sell for more than $1 million with the proceeds going toward building affordable housing. Landry lauded the idea but said the threshold should be higher.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is freezing educational program funding to Maine. It’s the latest in a series of threats, investigations and penalties by the Trump administration seeking to change Maine’s rules for transgender athletes.
Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs, risking inflation and trade wars, but Canada could be spared after Susan Collins and three other Republicans tipped a Senate vote Wednesday night to halt the new taxes on Canadian imports.
Social Security’s acting leader is facing calls to resign over his decision to cut Maine contracts. Newly unearthed emails add color to the earlier revelation that Leland Dudek was looking for political payback to Gov. Janet Mills, who he called a “petulant child.”
Maine real estate agents are split on a Democratic idea to fund new housing. The proposal would raise the tax on higher value homes when they sell and eliminate that tax for some first-time buyers.
A 760-foot mural is coming to Bangor. Twenty-one local artists will be enlisted to fill the long wooden fence in front of the Maine Savings Amphitheater with images on the theme of “Maine.”
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Snow, sleet and rain predicted for Thursday
- Maine Republicans press for hearings on bills dealing with transgender athletes
- Janet Mills pays delinquent taxes on late husband’s property in rural Maine
- Maine AG asks judge to rule against Laurel Libby in suit against Ryan Fecteau
- Maine agencies alarmed by layoff of federal heating assistance staff
- Maine reproductive health care providers say freezing Title X funding will harm patients
- Former EMMC president will now lead St. Joseph Healthcare
- Feds stop enrollment at 2 Maine job training programs
- Bar Harbor hotel set to open new building after 2022 fire
- Jail inmate allegedly assaulted Ellsworth hospital worker
- Deer Isle restaurant makes Food & Wine top 10 list
- Floating wind turbine hull to be towed to Searsport in coming weeks
- As ferry service considers changes, island EMS faces lawmaker scrutiny
- Federal agents arrest 3 fugitives in Waldoboro
- Police investigating shooting in Sabattus
- Maine town rejects keeping its police force
- US Olympic and Paralympic officials fire coach accused of sexually abusing young biathlete in Maine
- UMaine’s Lynden Breen achieves dream of becoming a pro hockey player
- UMaine baseball ‘glad to be home’ after grueling road stretch to start season
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“I never thought I would see the day when a Republican president would impose tariffs (taxes) to the detriment of hard-working, innocent Maine consumers. But things have changed.”
Opinion: Trump tariffs jeopardize our ability to keep the lights on in northern Maine
LIFE IN MAINE
Suspicious Maine islanders exposed a longtime con artist nearly 70 years ago. Despite being unqualified, Ferdinand Waldo Demara was at various points a monk, a psychologist, a college professor, a naval surgeon, a prison warden and a high school teacher in Maine.
Maine trails could get some much-needed repairs through a $30 million bond. It’s the state’s first non-conservation-related bond for outdoor recreation infrastructure.
Every winter, Aislinn Sarnacki read about hikers who died on snowy mountains not far from her home. But this skill and a tiny tool could save your life.