Thursday - March 5, 2026
News Tipoffs - Maine Editors Newsletter for Friday February 20, 2026 ( 17 items )  

Bennet, Whitehouse, Colleagues Investigate EPA's Decision to Disregard Health Benefits in Air Pollution Regulations
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Michael F. Bennet, D-Colorado, issued the following news release: * * * Bennet, Whitehouse, Colleagues Investigate EPA's Decision to Disregard Health Benefits in Air Pollution Regulations * Denver -Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources, joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Commi  more

BLS Issues Report on State Job Openings and Labor Turnover December 2025
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (TNSLrpt) -- State Job Openings and Labor Turnover December 2025 - A report from U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics - Feb. 19, 2026 (22 pages) * * * Job openings rates decreased in 6 states in December, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the month, hires rates decreased in 3 states and increased in 1 state. Total separations rates increased in 9 states and decreased in 2 states. Nationally, the job openings, hires, and total separation  more

Brook Floater Gets Second Shot at Endangered Species Act Protection
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 [Category: Biology] -- The Center for Biological Diversity posted the following news release: * * * Brook Floater Gets Second Shot at Endangered Species Act Protection * WASHINGTON-In a legal victory for the Center for Biological Diversity, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has agreed to reevaluate Endangered Species Act protections for brook floaters. These freshwater mussels were once widespread in rivers along the Atlantic Slope from Canada to Georgia. The Center an  more

Budd Joins CTE Caucus Co-Chairs in Leading Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize February as Career and Technical Education Month
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Ted Budd, R-North Carolina, issued the following news release: * * * Budd Joins CTE Caucus Co-Chairs in Leading Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize February as Career and Technical Education Month * Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined his Senate co-chairs on the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), in introducing a bipartisan resolution recognizing February 2026  more

Emergency Measure to Address Staffing Crisis in Maine's Nursing Homes Introduced by Maine State Sen. Nicole Grohoski
AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 19 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth: * * * Emergency measure to address staffing crisis in Maine's nursing homes introduced by Sen. Nicole Grohoski On Wednesday, Feb. 11, Sen. Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, introduced legislation to support the long-term care sector in Maine. Newly titled, LD 2131, "Resolve, Directing the Department of Health and Human Services to Amend Specific Portions of t  more

Entergy Louisiana to offer free tax assistance for customers at upcoming Super Tax Day events
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, Feb. 19 [Category: BizEnergy] -- Entergy posted the following news release: * * * Entergy Louisiana to offer free tax assistance for customers at upcoming Super Tax Day events * BATON ROUGE, La. - This tax season, Entergy Louisiana will offer its customers free tax preparation and support at upcoming multiple Super Tax Day events throughout Louisiana. Qualified Entergy customers can walk in and receive assistance from IRS-certified volunteers, ensuring a smooth and ha  more

ICYMI: In Press Herald Op-ed, Passamaquoddy Chiefs Praise Governor Mills for Improving Relationship Between Tribes and State
AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 18 -- Gov. Janet Mills, D-Maine, issued the following news: * * * ICYMI: In Press Herald Op-ed, Passamaquoddy Chiefs Praise Governor Mills for Improving Relationship Between Tribes and State * In an op-ed published Wednesday by the Press Herald, the Chiefs of the Passamaquoddy Tribes at Sipayik and Indian Township praised Governor Mills for improving the relationship between the Tribes and State over her nearly eight years in office. "Almost eight years ago, we sat in   more

Maine House Democrats: Brunswick's Rep. Poppy Arford Named Vice Chair of Multi-State Health Policy Panel
AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 19 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2026: * * * Brunswick's Rep. Poppy Arford named vice chair of multi-state health policy panel Rep. Poppy Arford, D-Brunswick, will serve as vice chair of the Council of State Governments East's Health Policy Committee. Arford was appointed to the position on Jan. 31 after three years as a member of the panel. "I know Maine people are struggling with the ever-increasing cost of health care. Hav  more

Maine House Democrats: Committee Advances Cluchey Legislation to Protect and Expand Access to Vaccines in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 19 -- The Maine House Democrats issued the following news release on Feb. 18, 2026: * * * Committee advances Cluchey legislation to protect and expand access to vaccines in Maine A majority of the Legislature's Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services Committee voted Tuesday to advance legislation sponsored by Rep. Sally Cluchey, D-Bowdoinham, that would protect and expand access to vaccines in Maine. As amended, LD 2071 would decouple Maine's vaccine policy fr  more

Maine State Sen. Bailey Introduces Bill Strengthening Maine's Landmark Medical Debt Law
AUGUSTA, Maine, Feb. 19 -- The Maine Senate Democrats issued the following news on behalf of Maine State Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco: * * * Sen. Bailey introduces bill strengthening Maine's landmark medical debt law The bill builds on the Senator's law that bans medical debt from consumer reports. * On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, introduced legislation to expand protections for Mainers with medical debt. LD 2129, "An Act to Strengthen Consumer Protections by Prohibiting Liens  more

Merkley, Collins, Warnock Lead Bipartisan Group of Senators to Urge Education Department's Timely Execution of Federal TRIO Programs
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Merkley, Collins, Warnock Lead Bipartisan Group of Senators to Urge Education Department's Timely Execution of Federal TRIO Programs * Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Maine's U.S. Senator Susan Collins, and Georgia's U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to ensure the timely delivery of federal funds from TRIO.  more

Montana Ranks in Top States With Highest Purchasing Power
HELENA, Montana, Feb. 19 -- Gov. Greg Gianforte, R-Montana, issued the following news release: * * * Montana Ranks in Top States With Highest Purchasing Power * * February 19 2026 HELENA, Mont. - Governor Greg Gianforte today announced Montana ranks in the top three states in the nation with the largest increases in purchasing power for consumers from 2020 to 2024. "With affordability top of mind for all Americans, Montanans continue to be better equipped to handle still-high inflation   more

NFWF Announces $1.1 Million in Grants to Restore Northeast Forests and Rivers
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation posted the following news release: * * * NFWF Announces $1.1 Million in Grants to Restore Northeast Forests and Rivers * WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 19, 2026) - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and partners today announced more than $1.1 million to support projects in Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont that will improve grassland habitat, enhance populations of golden-winged warbler and improve fish passa  more

NYC Mayor Mamdani Announces Six Appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board
NEW YORK, Feb. 20 -- New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued the following news on Feb. 18, 2026: * * * Mayor Mamdani Announces Six Appointees to the Rent Guidelines Board * The nine-member board will set rent adjustments for approximately one million rent-stabilized apartments, lofts and single-room occupancy units in New York City * Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the appointment of six new members of the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB), including a new Chair who w  more

Rep. Garamendi Joins 70 Democrats in Demanding Answers from Education Secretary on ICE's Impact on Students
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Rep. John Garamendi, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Garamendi Joins 70 Democrats in Demanding Answers from Education Secretary on ICE's Impact on Students * This week, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) joins Democratic House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) and 68 House Democrats in demandi  more

Thomas College Professor Receives Maine Space Grant Consortium Grant to Help Maine K-12 Teachers Teach STEM
WATERVILLE, Maine, Feb. 19 -- Thomas College issued the following news release: * * * Thomas College Professor Receives Maine Space Grant Consortium Grant to Help Maine K-12 Teachers Teach STEM * WATERVILLE, MAINE, February 2026 -Thomas College Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Julia Saloni recently received a Maine Space Grant Consortium grant of $5,000 to develop a database of ready-to-use STEM activities for Maine K-12 teachers. Maine is experiencing a critical shortage of qualified   more

Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Investigate Trump's Repeal of Bedrock Climate Safeguard
WASHINGTON, Feb. 19 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: * * * Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Investigate Trump's Repeal of Bedrock Climate Safeguard * Senators sound alarm over political motivations to undermine climate science and harm public health Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined Senate colleagues in launching an investigation into Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin's decision to r  more