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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The tariffs were a real concern because they basically would raise our wood costs by 25 percent, which is pretty significant. The wood manufacturing business is not a high margin or high profitability business.”

— Simon Varney, co-owner of Wells Wood Turning & Finishing in Buckfield, on the impact that tariffs on Canadian hardwood can have on Maine’s traditional wood-turning companies.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

President Donald Trump’s tariffs are testing what’s left of Maine’s traditional wood-turning companies. In 1970, Maine had 40 such companies, but the remaining three commercial mills are coping with economic uncertainty because of the stop and start of trade policies.

The Regional Medical Center at Lubec terminated the Northern Maine HIV Program. That has left nearly 150 people with HIV at risk of losing access to vital resources.

House Republicans are ramping up an investigation in Bowdoin College’s handling of pro-Palestine protests. Over the winter, students camped out in a campus building to pressure the college to divest from arms companies that support Israel’s war in Gaza, a move Bowdoin declined to take.

Maine lawmakers proposed a bill to cap rent increases for mobile home park residents. But that provision was struck from the bill, leaving them with the option to request mediation with park owners over rent hikes.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Billings Falls is one of several waterfalls visited by the trails of Gulf Hagas. Credit: Courtesy of Aislinn Sarnacki

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 25, 2024. Credit: J. Scott Applewhite / AP

“Together, we have the power to promote and defend our Constitution and dedicate ourselves to making America a ‘more perfect union,’ with liberty and justice for all.”

Opinion: On July 4, remember America’s promise of liberty and justice for all

LIFE IN MAINE

Maine writer “from away” has advice for people new to the state. “I may never be a Mainer, but I am happy to be a part of and contribute to what makes this place so special.” explains writer RJ Heller.

How to get rid of earwigs, one of the scariest bugs of lore. It all began with an Old English myth claiming that earwigs intentionally crawl into people’s ears while they are sleeping.

Maine’s black fly season is now all summer long. Maine is now somewhat notorious for its black fly population and towns have held events to pay homage to the nuisance pest.