Abortion opponents have pushed laws in at least 15 states based on the idea that an embryo should have the same rights as a person.
Politics
Local, statewide and national political news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Supreme Court sets April arguments over whether Trump can be prosecuted for election interference
The justices’ order maintains a hold on preparations for a trial focused on the former president’s efforts to overturn his election loss to Joe Biden.
Federal judge rejects Bangor school’s request to scrap anti-discrimination law ahead of trial
Crosspoint Church accused Maine of discriminating against religious schools whose policies violate the state’s Human Rights Act. The state says giving them taxpayer dollars would allow discrimination against students.
Maine House approves food waste recycling mandate
The bill would require some large producers of food waste to find beneficial uses rather than put it into the waste stream.
Congressional leaders reach tentative deal to prevent a government shutdown, say sources
Under the new plan being finalized, Congress would temporarily extend funding for one set of federal agencies through March 8 and for another set through March 22.
Mitch McConnell will step down as the Senate Republican leader in November
His decision punctuates a powerful ideological transition underway in the Republican Party, from Ronald Reagan’s brand of strong international alliances, to the often isolationist populism of former President Donald Trump.
Hunter Biden in defiant deposition blasts Republicans, insists he didn’t involve his father in business
After conducting dozens of interviews and obtaining more than 100,000 pages of documents, Republicans have yet to produce direct evidence of misconduct by the president.
Maine Democrats unveil gun safety and mental health bills. The partisan battles begin.
A 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, a ban on bump stocks and a network of mental health crisis centers are among the measures Democratic leaders in the Legislature have proposed in response to the mass shooting in Lewiston.
Lawmakers hear input on bill to have local schools, not the state, provide disability services for young kids
The Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee held a public hearing Tuesday to work through a proposal to make school districts responsible for providing these services to kids ages 3 to 6.
Gun safety debate about to heat up in Maine State House
One bill to be unveiled Wednesday calls for a 72-hour waiting period on firearm purchases, a measure that has previously been defeated by the Democratic controlled Legislature.