Reporter @MaineMorninStar. Previously @mebeacon. Likes include running, hiking, skiing and maple syrup
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Articles by Evan Popp
Pingree launches congressional caucus to push back against 'fast fashion' • Maine Morning Star Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star July 2, 2024 U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree last week announced the formation of a “slow fashion caucus” meant to develop policies to curb pollution from “fast fashion.” Pingree’s office said in a news release that fast fashion involves cheaply manufactured, frequently-bought clothing items that have a short life span. The Maine Democrat, who represents the state’s 1st Congressional District, said this type of fashion takes a huge toll on the environment.
More Maine workers can now receive overtime pay under new federal rule Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star July 1, 2024 More Maine workers will be eligible for overtime pay beginning Monday when a new federal rule takes effect. The rule, finalized by the Biden administration in April, increases the salary threshold above which a worker can be exempt from overtime pay, meaning such compensation will be extended to about 4.3 million additional employees around the nation. The previous salary threshold at which a Maine employee from overtime pay was $42,450 a year.
‘Open season on anyone with a tent’: Maine advocates react to Supreme Court homelessness ruling Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 28, 2024 The ACLU of Maine is urging local communities not to punish unhoused people for trying to survive after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upheld an Oregon city’s ordinance that bans sleeping and camping on municipal property In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority decided that the camping rules put in place by Grants Pass, Oregon, do not violate the Constitution.
State, counties not following all requirements for boards overseeing jails and prisons Original
In 2023, Maine policymakers updated the requirements for county jail and state prison boards of visitors. But even though the law was enacted in July, some of its provisions are still not being followed, including a mandate that each state prison board of visitors have a formerly incarcerated member. Boards of visitors are panels tasked with inspecting and reviewing the management of correctional facilities across Maine and providing recommendations for their operations.
Warmer temps, more extreme weather forecasted in latest assessment of Maine climate Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 24, 2024 Warmer temperatures and more extreme weather. That is the forecast outlined in a recently-released assessment of climate change and its impacts on Maine. In the study, the Maine Climate Council’s Scientific and Technical Subcommittee found that the state’s climate is getting warmer. According to the subcommittee, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 have all ranked among the ten warmest years on record in Maine.
Maine AG asks court to dismiss suit alleging lack of action to address climate change Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 21, 2024 Attorneys for the state of Maine on Friday filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by youth groups and environmental advocates that argues officials have failed to take the necessary steps to cut carbon emissions as required by law.
Angus King challenged to series of debates ahead of November election Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 20, 2024 The Democratic candidate in Maine’s upcoming U.S. Senate election is challenging independent Sen. Angus King and the race’s other contenders to a series of debates beginning this summer. November’s election will pit King, an independent who caucuses with the Democratic Senate majority, against Democrat David Costello, Republican Demi Kouzounas and independent Jason Cherry.
Here are some ways you can celebrate Juneteenth in Maine Original
In 2021, Maine made Juneteenth an official holiday, designating June 19 as a day of commemoration. The holiday celebrates the end of slavery after the Civil War and was marked in the African American community long before President Joe Biden signed a bill declaring it a federal holiday in 2021. Here are some events taking place around Maine this Juneteenth.
Advocates reiterate call for Maine to pass bump stock ban after Supreme Court ruling
Evan Popp June 14, 2024 at 2:25 PM·4 min read A 7.62X39mm round sits next a a 30-round magazine and an AK-47 with a bump stock installed at Good Guys Gun and Range in Orem, Utah, on Feb. 21, 2018. The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a 2018 rule to ban bump stocks, which allow semiautomatic rifles to fire at a rapid rate similar to fully automatic guns.
Advocates reiterate call for Maine to pass bump stock ban after Supreme Court ruling
After the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday struck down a ban on bump stocks, a local gun safety group reiterated that Maine should ban such devices at the state level — an effort that was blocked by Gov. Janet Mills after passing the Legislature last session. The high court overturned a rule enacted under the Trump administration that defined a semiautomatic rifle equipped with a bump stock attachment as a machine gun, which are generally prohibited under federal law.
Three incumbent Maine lawmakers defeated in legislative primaries Original
Three incumbent Maine lawmakers are set to lose their legislative seats after being defeated in Tuesday’s primary election, including a Democratic House member who faced opposition from a major reproductive health care group. There were 17 contested legislative primaries on Tuesday. One was in Waterville’s House District 65, where community advocate and planning board member Cassie Julia knocked off incumbent Rep. Bruce White in the Democratic primary, receiving about 64% of the vote.
Here's how Maine's contested state legislative primaries turned out • Maine Morning Star Original
Mainers on Tuesday chose candidates in over a dozen contested legislative primaries across the state, setting the stage for November’s general election, when every seat in the House and Senate will be up for grabs. Tuesday’s election featured contested primaries for 17 seats, with eight of those races taking place on the Democratic side and nine on the Republican side. Here are the results of those races.
Regulators approve deal to reduce CMP storm charges to ratepayers by $850,000 Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 11, 2024 Utility regulators on Tuesday approved a settlement that will reduce the amount Central Maine Power can recover from ratepayers for the cost of major storms in 2022. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) greenlit the deal between CMP — Maine’s largest utility company — and the Office of the Public Advocate, which represents customers in utility matters.
Sec. Bellows: Maine’s primary contests looks smooth and secure but turnout appears low Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 11, 2024 Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said turnout is looking light for Tuesday’s primary election and also sought to remind voters of the security processes in places to protect the legitimacy of the contest. Bellows, who is criss-crossing the state Tuesday, with visits to polling places ranging from Biddeford to Bangor, said one indication of the light turnout is early voting numbers.
Pingree bill would aid coastal homeowners amid increasingly frequent storms Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 7, 2024 U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree of Maine introduced legislation this week designed to aid coastal homeowners amid increasingly frequent storms. Pingree, a Democrat representing Maine’s 1st Congressional District, and U.S. Rep Greg Murphy, a Republican from North Carolina, put forward the Prevent Environmental Hazards Act on Wednesday.
Dept. of Labor report confirms rapid rise of remote work in Maine Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 6, 2024 The growth in the number of worksites in Maine outpaced the increase in the number of jobs between 2018 and 2023, a trend that stems from the rise of remote work during and after the pandemic, according to a new report from the state’s Department of Labor. The report stated that prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of jobs and the amount of worksites grew at similar rates.
Ahead of primary, Democratic legislative candidates share top issues and priorities Original
On June 11, voters across Maine will head to the polls for the state’s primary election. The election will feature contested primaries for 17 seats in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives, with eight of those races taking place on the Democratic side. The winners of those contests will be the Democratic candidate for their district in the November general election, when every seat in the Maine Legislature is up for grabs.
Maine Democrats double down support of abortion, LGBTQ rights
By Evan Popp | BANGOR, Me. – Maine Democrats unveiled and adopted their 2024 party platform over the weekend, pledging to safeguard democracy, defend reproductive health rights, push for more affordable housing and combat the growing threat of climate change, among other stances. The platform was presented at the party’s convention in Bangor, where participants heard from political leaders and mobilized supporters for the upcoming 2024 election cycle.
Interior Sec. Deb Haaland to deliver keynote at Maine Democratic Party convention Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 30, 2024 Interior Secretary Deb Haaland will deliver the keynote address at the Maine Democratic Party convention on June 1, the party announced Thursday. Haaland, a former U.S. representative from New Mexico, was one of the first Native American women elected to Congress.
King running for re-election because ‘we’re losing the middle in the Senate’ Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 30, 2024 U.S. Sen Angus King officially launched his reelection campaign on Wednesday, emphasizing his centrist political views and arguing for the need for compromise in the Senate. King, an 80-year-old independent who caucuses with the Democrats, has served two terms in the Senate so far. He was also governor of Maine for eight years. “I’m running for Senate again for two main reasons. One is there is a lot left to do.
Conservative activist launches campaign for people’s veto of national popular vote law Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 22, 2024 Citizens and Republican lawmakers have launched a “people’s veto” campaign in an attempt to repeal a measure that would pledge Maine’s Electoral College votes to the winner of the national popular vote for president. Organizers will now need to collect a little over 67,000 signatures by early August to put the issue on the ballot.
Wading into Democratic primary, Planned Parenthood backs Rep. Bruce White's challenger • Maine Morning Star Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 20, 2024 One of the last Democrats in the Maine Legislature to regularly take votes against pro-abortion bills is facing a challenger backed by a major reproductive health advocacy group, with the upcoming primary centering on the schism between the two candidates on that issue. Democratic Rep. Bruce White has served in the Maine Legislature since 2018, winning handily each time in his blue-leaning Waterville district.
Maine’s maximum unemployment benefit to increase June 1
The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Maine is going up beginning June 1, the Department of Labor announced Monday. The highest weekly benefit a person can receive through the state’s unemployment program between June 1 and May 31, 2025, will be $595, up from $573, the department said. Maine’s unemployment rate as of April was 3.1%. The increase in the maximum unemployment benefit is due to the average weekly wage in Maine increasing 3.7% from $1,103.71 to $1,144.67.
Maine had one of the largest decreases in overdose deaths in the nation last year Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 15, 2024 Data released by the federal government on Wednesday shows that Maine had the fifth largest reduction in drug overdose deaths from December 2022 to December 2023 compared to the previous 12-month period. Still, even with that 16.1% drop in deaths, advocates say far too many Mainers are dying from overdoses, with fatalities in 2023 alone estimated at slightly over 600.
‘Worse by the day’: ACLU report highlights growing number of Mainers without legal defense Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 14, 2024 The number of Mainers charged with a crime but lacking an attorney has skyrocketed over the last six months, according to a new report from the ACLU of Maine, which continues to raise concerns about the violation of bedrock constitutional rights by the state. The report, released by the ACLU on Tuesday, paints a stark picture of access to legal representation for those accused of a crime.
Gov. Mills decides not to remove Oxford County sheriff accused of misconduct Original
Gov. Janet Mills on Monday announced that she would not remove the Oxford County sheriff from office, concurring with an advisory opinion from a retired judge. The decision comes after the Oxford County Commissioners in February filed a complaint against Sheriff Christopher Wainwright and asked Mills to remove him from office. The complaint revolved around several allegations against Wainwright.
From farmworker wage bill to raising taxes on wealthy, legislators sustain Gov. Mills’ vetoes Original
Lawmakers on Friday sustained six vetoes by Gov. Janet Mills, failing to override her objections to a bill that would have granted farmworkers minimum wage rights, a measure seeking to tighten gun restrictions, and several other proposals. Mills, a Democrat, vetoed eight bills passed by legislators this session, several of which drew pointed rebukes from members of her own party.
Report: With over 15,000 jobs, Maine’s green energy workforce fastest growing in New England Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 8, 2024 Maine has surpassed 15,000 jobs in the clean energy industry, with that sector contributing over $2 billion to the state’s economy in 2022, according to a report commissioned by the Maine Governor’s Energy Office.
Pushing back on veto, farmworker advocates say Mills’ proposal scaled back labor rights Original
Supporters of a bill vetoed by Gov. Janet Mills that would have established a minimum wage for farmworkers say changes the governor wanted would have significantly scaled back existing labor rights and reduced farmworkers’ ability to recoup unpaid wages. Legislators will vote on whether or not to override that veto on Friday.
DHHS chief who oversaw MaineCare expansion, pandemic response to step down Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 7, 2024 Jeanne Lambrew, commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, is stepping down from her position at the end of the month, Gov. Janet Mills announced Tuesday.
Sec. of State reminds Mainers that REAL ID enforcement begins in one year Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 7, 2024 Starting a year from today, U.S. travelers boarding domestic flights will need to provide a REAL ID, a valid passport or passport card, or another federally-issued form of identification, the Maine Secretary of State’s Office said Tuesday. The requirement is due to the REAL ID Act, which was signed into law back in 2005 in response to a .
Are Maine prisoners being held in solitary confinement? Without a definition, it’s hard to say Original
An effort to define solitary confinement in Maine law failed to receive a vote in the Legislature this session amid disagreements about how the term should be understood and amendments that criminal justice reform advocates viewed as unacceptable. The Maine Department of Corrections (DOC) has argued that it no longer uses solitary confinement, despite numerous accounts from people behind bars who say they’ve been subject to the practice.
At campuses across Maine, students protest, question college investments in Israel defense Original
by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star May 1, 2024 As protests over Israel’s war in Gaza sweep college campuses around the country, students in Maine are also engaging in demonstrations and actions. Protests featuring student encampments have sprung up at institutions ranging from Columbia University in New York City to Washington University in St. Louis, among others, leading to arrests in some cases.
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