Timeline: Gender identity in Maine’s Human Rights Act

2005: Maine state lawmakers approve a bill sponsored by Democratic Gov. John Baldacci to prohibit discrimination under the Maine Human Rights Act based on sexual orientation. Gender identity is included within the definition: “Sexual orientation means a …

Commercial fishermen in Maine are being put to the test | Opinion

When I got my first fishing job as a sternman on a Maine lobster boat more than 40 years ago, one of the first lessons I learned was that nothing stays the same. Even when the fishing was good, the best fishermen were always thinking ahead. It wasn’t just …

There’s plenty of Ace Flagg hype in Maine

Ace Flagg is excited to come home to Maine, and the feeling is mutual here in the Pine Tree State. The basketball world may be waiting to hear for sure whether his twin brother, Cooper Flagg, will declare for the NBA draft or return to Duke University, but …

Maine's end-of-life care policy deserves closer inspection

“Live and let live” is a principle of democracy that most people accept. We embrace this principle because living is as much an experiment as it is a right. People need and want freedom to express themselves and grow as individuals, even as they …

Many birds return to Maine in April. Here’s what to look and listen for.

This column was originally published on April 14, 2021. This is the week the floodgates open. Up until now, there has been a steady trickle of birds migrating back into Maine. From here on, all heck breaks loose. Common grackles, red-winged blackbirds and …

Maine Baseball Beats UMBC 9-1 Saturday

After losing to the UMBC Terriers 16-12 on Friday, the Maine Black Bears rallied to beat the Terriers 9-1 on Saturday afternoon at Mahaney Diamond in Orono. Maine out hit UMBC 15-6 Damon Gaither, the designated hitter hit 2 home runs, going 2-4 and driving …

Maine transfer defensive back Shakur Smalls signs with Arkansas football

FAYETTEVILLE —Maine defensive back transfer Shakur Smalls planned to visit other schools after his trip to Arkansas, but he canceled them and signed with the Razorbacks on Saturday.  "It was a no-brainer just getting on campus,” Smalls said. “Once I …

This Midcoast Maine preserve is ideal for spotting spring wildlife

We entered the forest on a soggy trail edged with beds of soft moss, creeping winterberry and bunches of Christmas ferns flattened from months under snow. It was early afternoon on a Monday in April, and my car stood alone in the gravel parking lot for …

UAlbany softball sweeps Maine in doubleheader

Thousands return to Portland as part of another day of rallies across Maine

Thousands of people gathered in Monument Square in Portland Saturday to protest what they say are threats to democracy, human rights and the U.S. Constitution from the Trump administration. The rally was one of many that took place in more than a dozen …