WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Committee Releases Conferenced National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs and Financial Services and General Government Bills U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the final fiscal year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs and Fin  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 12 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news: * * * Governor Mills Applauds Successful 2025 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign * Program has successfully connected more than 2,200 veterans with good-paying jobs in Maine since its creation a decade ago Governor Janet Mills announced today that her Administration's 2025 Maine Hire-A-Vet Campaign resulted in the hiring of over 100 veterans and military family members by Maine employers, meeting the campaign's goal of  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 12 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news: * * * Governor Mills Mourns Passing of State Representative Kathy Javner * Governor Janet Mills issued the following statement on the passing of Representative Kathy Javner (R-Chester): "I was deeply saddened to learn that Representative Kathy Javner passed away following her courageous battle with breast cancer. Fiercely devoted to the people of Northern Penobscot County, Representative Javner served her cons  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * King, Deluzio Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Improve Awareness of Veterans Benefits in the Workplace * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA17) have introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help veterans better understand the benefits and services available to them through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Thomas  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 13 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release on Jan. 12, 2026: * * * Legislative committee advances Kuhn bill to strengthen protections against AI-generated child sexual abuse material AUGUSTA - Last week, the Legislature's Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to pass a measure sponsored by Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth, that would increase protections for Maine's children against AI-generated child sexual abuse material. "The Legislature can and must t  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 13 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following commentary on Jan. 12, 2026: * * * The New Food Pyramid That Makes Healthy Eating Hard to See By Rep. Kristi Mathieson Every day in my clinic, I help patients navigate a maze of nutrition advice. I've found that much of what they hear about nutrition before coming in is driven by online trends and information rather than science. There are kernels of truth buried in the noise, but good nutrition is usually less glamor  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 13 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following statement on Jan. 12, 2026: * * * Rep. Rana issues statement on LD 1164 On Thursday, Gov. Janet Mills announced her decision to let LD 1164 become law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ambureen Rana, D-Bangor, will support economic development in Wabanaki communities by authorizing tribal governments to operate internet gaming in Maine. In response to the announcement, Rana released the following statement: "By empowerin  more

BALTIMORE, Maryland, Jan. 12 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the following news release: * * * Marketplace 2026 Open Enrollment Period Report: National Snapshot * The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reports that 22.8 million consumers have signed up for 2026 individual market health insurance coverage through the Marketplaces since the start of the 2026 Marketplace Open Enrollment Period (OEP) on November 1  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 13 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth: * * * Sen. Grohoski and Rep. Milliken express strong support for bill to designate the Deputy Luke Gross Memorial Highway Last week, Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, and Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, testified before the Legislature's Transportation Committee in support of a bill, LD 2033, that would designate a portion of Route 3 in Trenton as the "  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on Jan. 12, 2026: * * * Senator Collins Delivers Floor Remarks Ahead of Successful Cloture Vote on Bipartisan Three-Bill Funding Package U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor this evening ahead of the motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to the final Fiscal Year (FY) 20  more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Collins, Colleagues Call for Accountability for American Taxpayers Following Alleged Child Care Fraud in Minnesota * WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Susan Collins joined Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)-Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee-and the entire Senate Republican conference in calling on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to provide information on the st  more

AUGUSTA, Maine, Jan. 13 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop: * * * Senator Hickman celebrated for perfect voting record on reproductive rights Senator Craig Hickman, D-Winthrop, earned a perfect score from Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund for votes to protect reproductive rights and improve access to fundamental health care. Sen. Hickman is one of 20 senators to earn a perfect score for their 2025 voting record.   more

WATERVILLE, Maine, Jan. 12 -- Thomas College issued the following news release: * * * Thomas College Hosts First NASA-Supported Robotics Event for Maine Students * WATERVILLE, Maine, January 2025 -Thomas College successfully hosted its first event under the NASA-Supported Robotics Initiative on Saturday, January 10, welcoming students from across Central Maine for a FIRST(r) Robotics Challenge Kick-Off on campus. The full-day event brought together students in grades 4-12 for the official   more

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issued the following news release: * * * Walmart to Pay $60,000 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit * Retailer settles federal suit charging its Farmingdale store refused to accommodate employee's disability and fired her NEW YORK - Global retailer Walmart will pay $60,000 and provide other relief to settle a disability discrimination suit by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency   more