Featured Stories
Release of Summary on Shooting of Nottingham Police Officer Lister, Suicide of Massey in Raymond, N.H.
CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 29 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
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Release of Summary on Regarding the April 4, 2026 Shooting of Nottingham Police Officer Joseph Lister and the Suicide of Matthew Massey in Raymond, New Hampshire
Attorney General John M. Formella announces the release of a summary of facts regarding the April 4, 2026 Shooting of Nottingham Police Officer Joseph Lister in Raymond, New Hampshire, and the subsequent suicide of the individual who shot Officer Lister, Mr. Matthew Massey.
On the afternoon of April
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CONCORD, New Hampshire, Aug. 29 -- New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
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Release of Summary on Regarding the April 4, 2026 Shooting of Nottingham Police Officer Joseph Lister and the Suicide of Matthew Massey in Raymond, New Hampshire
Attorney General John M. Formella announces the release of a summary of facts regarding the April 4, 2026 Shooting of Nottingham Police Officer Joseph Lister in Raymond, New Hampshire, and the subsequent suicide of the individual who shot Officer Lister, Mr. Matthew Massey.
On the afternoon of April4, 2025, police officers responded to a home in Raymond for a report that Matthew Massey (age 38) was shooting at several people including family members. During his subsequent interaction with officers, Mr. Massey shot at multiple police officers, striking and wounding Nottingham Police Officer Joseph Lister. Officer Lister was able to be evacuated to a nearby hospital, later released, and is still recovering from his injuries. Mr. Massey then ran into a heavily wooded area.
Several hours later, Mr. Massey was surrounded by officers from the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit and the New Hampshire State Police Special Weapons and Tactics Unit as they attempted to take him into custody pursuant to a warrant. In response to officers calling for him to surrender peacefully, Mr. Massey began firing at officers with his rifle from his concealed position. Several officers returned fire, but their rounds did not strike Mr. Massey directly or cause any serious bodily injury. The exchange of gunfire ended when Mr. Massey committed suicide with his rifle.
The summary attached highlights the pertinent facts of this event relevant to the uses of deadly force by law enforcement that day.
Raymond Officer-Involved Shooting Summary 8-28-26 (https://www.doj.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt721/files/media/media_document/raymond-officer-involved-shooting-summary-corrected-8-28-26.pdf)
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Original text here: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news-and-media/release-summary-regarding-april-4-2026-shooting-nottingham-police-officer-joseph
Maine State Rep. Webb Issues Commentary: Working to Lower the Cost of Living for State Families
AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 29 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following commentary by Maine State Rep. Kilton Webb:
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Working to lower the cost of living for Maine families
One of my favorite parts of being a state representative is getting to connect with community members. This summer, I have had the chance to speak with over 600 neighbors across Bowdoin, Durham, Lisbon, Pownal and Topsham. Each town, although unique in many ways, faces many of the same issues - including the rising costs of groceries and unaffordable housing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there
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AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 29 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following commentary by Maine State Rep. Kilton Webb:
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Working to lower the cost of living for Maine families
One of my favorite parts of being a state representative is getting to connect with community members. This summer, I have had the chance to speak with over 600 neighbors across Bowdoin, Durham, Lisbon, Pownal and Topsham. Each town, although unique in many ways, faces many of the same issues - including the rising costs of groceries and unaffordable housing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, therehas been a nearly 30% increase in grocery prices since 2020. As a result, many Mainers have had to change where and how they shop, forced to decide which items to cut from their downsized lists. It's put a lot of families in a difficult position, and some have had to pick between paying for food or other essentials like medicine or utilities.
That's why this session, I worked with my colleagues to pass legislation that will help alleviate some of the pressure of rising costs. This included $300 direct relief checks through the Affordability Payment Program in the supplemental budget. This July, Mainers began receiving the checks, and more are expected to be delivered in the coming weeks. In total, over 500,000 Mainers will receive these checks, which, for families who are barely making ends meet, will hopefully help cushion some of the inflated prices of everyday goods and services.
To be eligible, you must file a 2025 Maine individual income tax return by October 15 as a full-year Maine resident, not be claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's 2025 individual income tax return and have a federal adjusted gross income of less than: $100,000 if married filing a joint return or as a qualifying surviving spouse, $75,000 if filing as head of household or $50,000 if single or married filing separately. Find more information on the Maine Revenue Services website to see if you are eligible.
For our kids, the budget has expanded Maine's free school meals program for all students in public schools, making sure that breakfast and lunch are regularly available to them, saving families an estimated $160 per month, per child.
Further, the Legislature invested $500,000 to help our neighbors purchase locally produced food while supporting Maine farmers through public and private matching funds.
Along with investing in our food system, finding ways to improve Maine's housing system was a big focus of this legislative session.
One of the last options for more affordable housing - mobile homes - has been becoming increasingly expensive as private developers threaten to buy up mobile home parks as investments and increase lot rent prices. To combat this, the Legislature passed a bill to limit lot rent increases to once per year and make it easier to develop new homes in mobile home parks.
Additionally, the budget invests $37.5 million to create more than 400 new affordable homes and the Legislature extended the Affordable Housing Income Tax Credit for eight more years to support the continued construction of affordable housing. Further, the budget expands the Property Tax Fairness Credit from $1,000 to $1,500 for Mainers under 65. Check your eligibility for tax programs here.
These investments in our communities aim to help ease the ever-increasing costs that Mainers are facing. There is, of course, still much more to do. As I work to develop new legislation for the upcoming Legislature, I welcome your input.
If you see me out in our community, please stop to say hello or feel welcome to reach out to me at Kilton.Webb@legislature.maine.gov if you have any policy ideas, questions or need assistance accessing state programs. I look forward to hearing from you.
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Rep. Kilton Webb is serving his first term in the Maine House and represents House District 98, which includes Durham, Pownal and portions of Lisbon, Bowdoin and Topsham. He serves on the Legislature's Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/housedems/news/working-lower-cost-living-maine-families
Gov. Mills Radio Address: Maine's Annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign
AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 29 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following text of a radio address:
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Maine's Annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
You know, one of the great privileges of serving as your Governor is working with so many veterans to make sure they have all the opportunities that they deserve in our state. Our state is proud that we have one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. And we're here to serve them.
I am proud to have the benefit of a number of veterans in my Administration,
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AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 29 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following text of a radio address:
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Maine's Annual Hire-A-Vet Campaign
Hello, this is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
You know, one of the great privileges of serving as your Governor is working with so many veterans to make sure they have all the opportunities that they deserve in our state. Our state is proud that we have one of the highest number of veterans per capita of any state in the country. And we're here to serve them.
I am proud to have the benefit of a number of veterans in my Administration,including members of the Cabinet like Commissioner Randy Liberty, Commissioner Mike Sauschuck, Commissioner and Adjutant General Diane Dunn, as well as a wonderful group of Aide de Camp who advised me and my Administration on issues relating to veterans.
I also come from a proud military family. Two uncles who fought in the Pacific in World War II. My brother who served three tours of duty in Vietnam, and my father who served in the Pacific during World War II at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. So I know that when our friends and family members come home from serving on the front lines, they deserve every opportunity to find rewarding careers in the civil sector that utilize their extensive skills, diverse experiences, and their unique training.
Maine's Hire-A-Vet Campaign is a key part of expanding those opportunities. The campaign had ambitious goals last year: 100 days, 100 employers, and 100 veterans hired. And thanks to everyone's hard work, we achieved those goals, and we place veterans in good-paying jobs in every county in Maine. The employers hiring the most veterans included the State of Maine itself, Bonney Staffing, Northern Light Health, and Bath Iron Works.
Since its inception in 2015, the Hire-A-Vet Campaign has connected more than 2,000 employers with over 2,200 veterans hired. That's incredible.
And to all the businesses who helped make that happen, I say thank you. You folks hired Maine veterans because you recognized what we all know to be true. Veterans know what it means to work as a team and to leave no one behind. They know how to serve with integrity and commitment to a mission while adapting to dangers known and unknown. They have a great work ethic. That sounds like a pretty good employee to me.
Right now, skilled veterans have another chance to find high-quality jobs through our 2026 Hire-A-Vet Campaign. Once again, the goal of the campaign is to get at least 100 veterans hired by Maine employers within 100 days.
Whether you're a veteran returning to Maine or choosing Maine as your new home, or you're a longtime Maine resident making a career change or reentering the workforce, our Hire-A-Vet Campaign can help you with your job search. Just last month, nearly 50 employers participated in a virtual job fair, which included nearly 40 veterans and their family members. Some candidates attended from as far as Florida and Tennessee because, you know, Maine is where people want to be.
We have hiring fairs coming up in Bangor on September 24th, in Alfred on October 15th, and in Norway on November 12th. All jobseekers are invited.
The Maine Department of Labor also has Veterans' Representatives located across the state year-round to serve you. I strongly encourage veterans who want to take the next step in their career to connect with a local Veterans' Representative at one of the statewide CareerCenters. Both veterans and employers can also take advantage of the online CareerCenter at 207-623-7981 or at myworksourcemaine.gov.
My Administration will continue to partner with employers, big and small, through the Hire-A-Vet Campaign to make sure every veteran has the opportunity to live, work, and raise a family right here in Maine.
This is Governor Janet Mills, and thank you for listening.
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Original text here: https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/node/4031
Funding Directed to Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court Under Maine State Sen. Carney Bill
AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 29 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth:
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Funding directed to Aroostook County drug treatment court under Sen. Carney bill
On July 1, funding for the Aroostook County drug treatment court became available, approved last year through the passage of a bill sponsored by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth. LD 779, "An Act to Fund the Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court," represents another step forward in Maine's response to the opioid crisis, funding staff and services at the new Aroostook
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AUGUSTA, Maine, Aug. 29 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth:
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Funding directed to Aroostook County drug treatment court under Sen. Carney bill
On July 1, funding for the Aroostook County drug treatment court became available, approved last year through the passage of a bill sponsored by Sen. Anne Carney, D-Cape Elizabeth. LD 779, "An Act to Fund the Aroostook County Drug Treatment Court," represents another step forward in Maine's response to the opioid crisis, funding staff and services at the new AroostookCounty drug treatment court created by the 131st Maine State Legislature.
"The mark of a successful interaction with our criminal justice system is not only a just resolution to the case at hand, but also rehabilitation - giving Mainers the tools they need to contribute positively to their community moving forward," said Sen. Carney. "For Mainers with substance use disorder who interact with the criminal justice system, treatment and recovery courts are a crucial rehabilitative resource. I am thrilled to see this investment in Aroostook County make treatment and support services accessible to defendants in need statewide."
The launch of the Aroostook County Adult Treatment and Recovery Court fills a critical service gap in northern Maine, expanding access to treatment and recovery services for those whose substance use contributes to involvement in the justice system.
LD 779 funds individualized support services at the Aroostook County Adult Treatment and Recovery Court, promoting long-term recovery and enhancing public safety. It also expands staffing resources, funding a new Assistant District Attorney position and the provision of public defense services at the court.
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Sen. Carney is serving her third term in the Maine Senate, representing South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and part of Scarborough. She serves as Senate Chair of the Judiciary Committee and the Joint Rules Committee and as a member of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee.
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Original text here: https://www.mainesenate.org/funding-directed-to-aroostook-county-drug-treatment-court-under-sen-carney-bill/
Del. Gov. Meyer Signs Energy Consumer Protection Legislation
DOVER, Delaware, Aug. 29 -- Gov. Matt Meyer, D-Delaware, issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
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Governor Matt Meyer Signs Energy Consumer Protection Legislation
WILMINGTON, Del. - Governor Matt Meyer today signed a package of energy consumer protection bills and delivered remarks, with state legislators, to address the rising utility costs for Delaware families and businesses.
"Together, the bills require data centers and other large energy users to pay for their own infrastructure costs, protect the power grid, and strengthen rate caps and consumer protections against utility
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DOVER, Delaware, Aug. 29 -- Gov. Matt Meyer, D-Delaware, issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
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Governor Matt Meyer Signs Energy Consumer Protection Legislation
WILMINGTON, Del. - Governor Matt Meyer today signed a package of energy consumer protection bills and delivered remarks, with state legislators, to address the rising utility costs for Delaware families and businesses.
"Together, the bills require data centers and other large energy users to pay for their own infrastructure costs, protect the power grid, and strengthen rate caps and consumer protections against utilityrate hikes," said Governor Matt Meyer. "This bill package is about protecting people. It is about making sure the rules are fair. And it is about standing up for Delawareans when powerful interests have the resources to stand up for themselves. Some of the wealthiest companies and billionaires in the world are building technologies that require extraordinary amounts of energy and infrastructure. Delaware is not going to ask working people, seniors and small businesses to pick up their tab."
Held at the Delaware AARP state office in Wilmington, lawmakers joined the Governor to speak about the critical need to advocate for vulnerable Delawareans who are consistently burdened with the rising, untenable energy costs.
"Here in Delaware, our small size makes us disproportionately susceptible to the actions that neighboring states, the federal government, and business interests take regarding energy policy. That's why my colleagues and I passed more than a dozen pieces of legislation during these past two years to curb rising energy costs - especially as we grapple with the rising prominence of data centers," said Sen. Stephanie Hansen, chair of the Senate Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee. "Crafting responsible energy policy requires balancing the needs of ratepayers - the constituents that we as lawmakers represent - while ensuring that there is long-term energy reliability on the grid that serves those same constituents. I'm proud to be able to work closely with my colleagues in the House, in the Governor's office, at DNREC and out in the community to develop responsible and responsive policies that will protect our constituents for years to come."
"By now, we have enough data and evidence from communities across the country to know what can happen when data centers move in without guardrails in place. Often times, residents are left with exponentially higher energy bills and the entire grid becomes strained," said Rep. Debra Heffernan, sponsor of HB 445 and HB 310. "I am proud that today Delaware became the first state to legislatively enact a 'Bring Your Own Generation' policy for large energy use facilities and that we've taken an important step to ensure data centers aren't able to receive taxpayer funded credits tied to job creation for jobs they didn't create. Together, these measures will ensure that our grid remains reliable and that everyday Delawareans aren't left shouldering the costs of increased energy demands down the road."
The bills today included:
* House Bill 233: Creates a separate utility rate class specifically for large energy-use facilities, like data centers, so that massive projects pay the full cost of infrastructure upgrades rather than shifting those expenses onto residential and small business customers. It also prioritizes cutting off these large users first during grid emergencies or blackouts unless they supply their own generation.
* House Bill 445: Enforces a "bring your own generation" requirement for large energy-use facilities to ensure they produce or secure 100 percent of their required power including a share of clean/renewable energy to prevent straining the public grid.
* House Bill 310: Prohibits large energy-use facilities from qualifying for job-creation business tax credits and license fee reductions.
* Senate Bill 326: Focuses on broader utility accountability by placing limits and enhanced oversight on non-mandatory capital expenditures that for-profit monopoly utilities like Delmarva Power can recover from standard residential ratepayers.
All bills will take effect immediately.
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Original text here: https://news.delaware.gov/2026/08/28/governor-matt-meyer-signs-energy-consumer-protection-legislation/
Colorado State Officials Working With Produce Growers on the Arkansas River to Mitigate Potential Sewage Spill Impacts
DENVER, Colorado, Aug. 29 -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the following news release:
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Colorado State Officials Working with Produce Growers on the Arkansas River to Mitigate Potential Sewage Spill Impacts
Pueblo, Colo. -- The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and the Colorado Department Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are working with the City of Pueblo, Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment as well as other local, state and federal partners to mitigate potential impacts from an accidental release of approximately 4.25 million
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DENVER, Colorado, Aug. 29 -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued the following news release:
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Colorado State Officials Working with Produce Growers on the Arkansas River to Mitigate Potential Sewage Spill Impacts
Pueblo, Colo. -- The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) and the Colorado Department Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are working with the City of Pueblo, Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment as well as other local, state and federal partners to mitigate potential impacts from an accidental release of approximately 4.25 milliongallons of untreated sewage from the City of Pueblo's wastewater treatment plant into the Arkansas River just east of I-25 in Pueblo.
According to current information, the spill began on August 26, and operators stopped it on August 27 upon discovery. At the time the State was notified of the spill, the City of Pueblo had already taken steps to notify Coloradans impacted. The State continues working to ensure all proper parties are notified.
The Arkansas River provides water to many farms and ranches between Pueblo and the state line in southeastern Colorado. Laboratory results for water samples collected by Pueblo County yesterday from areas impacted by the spill are expected later today.
CDA notified registered produce growers along the Arkansas River Valley of the spill upon learning the extent of the situation from the City of Pueblo. We will be working to provide more information as details about the impacts of the spill become available.
Discharges of raw sewage into waterways contain harmful bacteria that present risks to human health. Produce growers who fall under the FDA's Produce Safety Rule must ensure any water they use before, during or after harvest is of adequate quality.
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Original text here: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/press-release/colorado-state-officials-working-with-produce-growers-on-the-arkansas-river-to
Ariz. A.G. Mayes Vows to Defend Prop 308 Against Federal Lawsuit
PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 29 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Vows to Defend Prop 308 Against Federal Lawsuit
Attorney General Mayes today responded to a lawsuit filed by the federal government against Arizona over Proposition 308, the 2022 voter-approved law that allows Arizona high school graduates -- regardless of immigration status -- to qualify for in-state tuition at Arizona's public universities and community colleges.
"The federal government has now sued 21 states for letting Dreamers who attended school
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PHOENIX, Arizona, Aug. 29 -- Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued the following news release on Aug. 28, 2026:
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Attorney General Mayes Vows to Defend Prop 308 Against Federal Lawsuit
Attorney General Mayes today responded to a lawsuit filed by the federal government against Arizona over Proposition 308, the 2022 voter-approved law that allows Arizona high school graduates -- regardless of immigration status -- to qualify for in-state tuition at Arizona's public universities and community colleges.
"The federal government has now sued 21 states for letting Dreamers who attended schoolin places like Arizona be able to afford a college education at our state's community colleges and universities" said Attorney General Mayes. "Fundamentally, this is about state's rights and I will vigorously defend Arizona's right to set its own rules, especially ones that are passed by voters themselves."
Mayes argues the government's complaint rests on a faulty premise. Proposition 308, as written and approved by Arizona voters, doesn't condition eligibility on residence, which is what the government alleges. It conditions eligibility on whether a student attended and graduated from an Arizona high school (or homeschool equivalent). That's the standard voters wrote into law -- tied to where a student attended school and where they graduated, not their residency. As such, it falls outside the scope of 8 U.S.C Sec. 1623 and is consistent with federal law.
Attorney General Mayes anticipated this exact challenge. In an August 2025 formal opinion, she concluded that because Proposition 308 does not confer eligibility on the basis of residence -- but instead on educational criteria:
"Proposition 308 is also consistent with 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1623, which prohibits a noncitizen not lawfully present in the United States from being 'eligible on the basis of residence within a State ... for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit' in equal amount 'without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident.'
That statute restricts eligibility for some benefits offered on the basis of state residence to a noncitizen who is not lawfully present unless certain conditions are met. It creates no restrictions if eligibility is conditioned not on state residence, but instead on other criteria. Because Proposition 308 confers no eligibility for a postsecondary education benefit on the basis of residence -- and instead uses other criteria -- it is consistent with Sec. 1623."
Arizona is one of 21 states now facing DOJ lawsuits over similar in-state tuition laws for Dreamers, part of a coordinated effort following an executive order directing the U.S. Attorney General to challenge these state policies nationwide.
Arizona voters passed Proposition 308 in 2022. Under Proposition 308, a student qualifies for in-state tuition rates if they attended an Arizona high school for at least two years and graduated from an Arizona high school or received an equivalent credential in the state -- regardless of their immigration status or current residence.
The full text of Attorney General Mayes' August 2025 opinion (https://us.list-manage.com/7DrSQJ_DmdT?e=9153ff6c96&c2id=9a759fc70c6d734a91a2647ef652fab2) is available.
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Original text here: https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-vows-defend-prop-308-against-federal-lawsuit
