WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Portland International Jetport (PWM) is urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to revise its regulations, citing unnecessary complexity and increased costs. In a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Paul Bradbury, Airport Director for the Portland, Maine-based airport, criticized the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). Bradbury stated, "The complicated FAA AIP Handbook (FAA Order 5100.38D) creates eligibility rules  more

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, May 14 (TNSLrpt) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics - Mid-Atlantic Regional Information Office issued the following report on May 13, 2025, entitled "Consumer Price Index, Northeast Region - April 2025": * * * Regional prices were up 0.3 percent in April, up 3.1 percent over the year * * * The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) in the Northeast region increased 0.3 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics re  more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make Veterans' Benefit Claims Process Fairer WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jim Banks (R-ID), members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, have introduced bipartisan legislation to make the veteran benefit claims process more streamlined and fair. The Review Every Veteran's Claims Act would reform the Department of Vetera  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 14 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has found Katahdin Contracting in default and ordered the company to pay a $1,000 penalty for violations of the state's "Dig Safe Law." The PUC's order, issued on May 13, 2025, follows an investigation into damage to underground facilities. According to the PUC, the investigation was initiated after an incident (NOEI #23-396) where Katahdin Contracting allegedly failed to adhere to damage prevention regulations. The company i  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 14 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has found Lyon Construction in default and ordered the company to pay a $1,000 penalty for multiple violations of the state's "Dig Safe Law." The PUC's order, issued on May 13, 2025, follows an investigation into damage to underground facilities. The PUC's investigation (NOEI #23-326) cited Lyon Construction for several violations, including: * Failure to submit an incident report within 10 days of the incident. * Failure t  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 14 -- The Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has found Turf Prep in default and ordered the company to pay a $1,000 penalty for violations of the state's "Dig Safe Law." The PUC's order, issued on May 13, 2025, follows an investigation into damage to underground facilities. The PUC's investigation (NOEI #23-290) cited Turf Prep for failing to comply with regulations. Specifically, Turf Prep failed to submit an incident report within 10 days of the incident and failed to  more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Connecticut, issued the following news release: * * * Murphy, Blumenthal, 36 Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation To Ban Conversion Therapy WASHINGTON-- U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) joined 36 of their Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act, legislation that would ban so-called "conversion therapy," a practice fraudulently claiming to change an individual's sexual orientatio  more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10713) on May 12, 2025, by education policy specialist Rebecca R. Skinner and research assistant Isobel Sorenson: * * * School choice generally refers to the opportunity for parents to select an elementary or secondary school for their child that differs from the assigned school that the child would otherwise attend based on where the family lives. School choice programs are often divided   more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Pingree Slams DOGE's Plans to Gut NPS Funding for Tribes, Climate Resilience Maine First District Congresswoman Chellie Pingree is sounding the alarm over illegal plans by Elon Musk's rogue "agency" to gut grant funding for the National Park Service. Many of the grants, including two in Maine, targeted by DOGE for elimination aimed to support Tribes and protect public lands from the impacts of climat  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, May 14 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Terry co-sponsors bill to protect Maine consumers by banning dynamic pricing AUGUSTA - Rep. Parnell Terry, D-Gorham, has co-sponsored legislation that would prevent Maine grocery stores and restaurants from using dynamic pricing - a form of price gouging in which businesses increase their prices during peak demand hours. The bill had a public hearing before the Legislature's Housing and Economic   more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * Schatz, Coons Lead Group Of 27 Senators In Introducing Resolution To Condemn $400 Million Airplane Gift To Trump From Qatar WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced a resolution in the Senate condemning a luxury airplane gift, valued at $400 million, President Donald Trump announced he will receive   more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore) today announced they are co-sponsoring legislation that would ban so-called "conversion therapy," a practice fraudulently claiming to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. "Forcing Americans into sham therapy for a non-existent illness is medieva  more

WASHINGTON, May 13 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley Co-Sponsor Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore) today announced they are co-sponsoring legislation that would ban so-called "conversion therapy," a practice fraudulently claiming to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. "Forcing Americans into sham therapy for a non-existent illness is medieval q  more