Articles by Jeff Tuttle
Senate approves allowing public charter schools in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Senate on Tuesday gave its initial approval to a bill allowing public charter schools in Maine. In a 21-13 vote, senators signed off on LD 1553. If finally adopted by the House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Paul LePage, who supports charter …
Senate, House OK concealed guns on workplace grounds
The Maine Senate on Thursday voted in support of a bill that would make it illegal for employers to ban concealed weapons permit holders from keeping guns hidden in locked vehicles in their workplace parking lots. The 19-15 vote ended a morning debate over LD 35 that pitted the rights …
House gives OK to table games in Bangor
The Maine House on Wednesday gave its initial approval to a plan to allow table games such as poker at Hollywood Slots in Bangor. The bill, LD 1418, now moves to the Senate for debate. Even if the Senate approves the plan and Gov. Paul LePage signs the bill into law, …
CONSUMER FORUM
Taking a look at unemployment debit cards
By Russ van Arsdale, Executive Director, Northeast Contact on May 22, 2011, at 2:12 p.m.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. Not long ago, the State of Maine joined dozens of other states in changing the way it gave out unemployment benefits. Instead of checks, the state now gives recipients a choice: They can have their benefits deposited directly to their account, …
LePage supports table games at Hollywood Slots
AUGUSTA, Maine — The LePage administration on Wednesday said it supported efforts to allow table games such as poker at Hollywood Slots in Bangor, but would prefer that voters in the area are given a chance to weigh in before the cards are dealt. “The governor doesn’t have any concern …
POLL QUESTION
Lawmaker: Doctors should govern medical pot
AUGUSTA, Maine — Doctors, not Maine legislators, should have the final say on whether patients should be allowed to use marijuana to treat their illnesses, say supporters of an effort to expand the state’s medical marijuana law. One such supporter, Rep. Deborah J. Sanderson, R-Chelsea, on Monday presented LD 1296, …
GM likely to retake No. 1 sales spot from Toyota
DETROIT — General Motors is almost certain to claim the title of world’s biggest automaker this year, retaking the top spot from Toyota, which has been hurt by production problems since the Japanese earthquake and still can’t escape the shadow of major safety recalls. The No. 1 title, a morale …
Lawmaker floats new tax on bicycle sales
AUGUSTA, Maine — Everything from junior’s first two-wheeler to the highest-end road bike would cost more under a Republican lawmaker’s plan that would apply a new tax on bicycles purchased in Maine. The bill, LD 1189, would levy a 2 percent surcharge on all retail purchases of bicycles bought after …
Judge throws out Blue Hill candidate’s libel claim
BANGOR, Maine — A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a former Democratic state lawmaker’s claim that GOP ads targeting him before the 2010 election were false and defamatory. In the lawsuit, James Schatz, a former state representative from Blue Hill, claimed the Republican State Leadership Committee, a Virginia-based political action …
Hundreds protest mural removal; artwork could land in Portland
AUGUSTA, Maine — More than 250 demonstrators crowded into the offices of the Maine Department of Labor on Friday morning to protest Gov. Paul LePage’s planned removal of a labor-themed mural from the building’s lobby. The small lobby that houses the actual mural, however, was no match for the crowd, …
Senators write AT&T CEO about Maine call center
PORTLAND, Maine — U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins are asking the head of AT&T to consider the impact of AT&T’s purchase of T-Mobile USA on the nearly 800 T-Mobile employees in Maine. In a letter to AT&T Chief Executive Randall Stephenson, Snowe and Collins say the T-Mobile facility …
Mural’s planned removal heats up labor dispute
Paul LePage's plans to remove a mural depicting the history of Maine's labor movement because it doesn't support business is drawing fire.
Bills would relax pot laws, increase penalties for cocaine
AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine would have some of the nation’s most relaxed laws when it comes to marijuana possession if a Portland lawmaker’s efforts gain any traction in Augusta. Rep. Ben Chipman, I-Portland, on Thursday introduced LD 754, which would decriminalize possession of up to five ounces of marijuana, and …
Mass. ports to argue in court against fishing regulations
BOSTON — The fishing ports of Gloucester and New Bedford have argued in federal court that key parts of new fishing regulations are illegal and should be struck down. Their lawsuit against federal regulators was filed last year after new rules that saw most of the fleet separate into groups, …
LePage shields new advisory council from Freedom of Access Act, citing need for frankness
Gov. Paul LePage’s executive order exempting his new business advisory council from the state’s Freedom of Access Act is drawing criticism from Democrats who say the state’s Republican chief executive is trying to conceal an extreme agenda. LePage addressed the issue Wednesday morning in Augusta, adding that he planned a …
Taco Bell unveils new TV ads in beef image campaign
Jeff Tuttle on Feb. 28, 2011, at 5:16 p.m.
NEW YORK — Taco Bell is turning to TV commercials to battle damage to its image from a lawsuit questioning its taco filling. The fast-food chain has been on the defensive since it was herded into the media spotlight by a lawsuit that claimed the restaurant’s seasoned beef filling did …
For players, parents and hoop fans throughout Maine, there’s nothing like … Tourney Time!
Forget March Madness. This is the week Mainers catch February Fever. Symptoms include a strong desire to leave their hometowns and flock to the nearest city by the thousands to watch the state’s best high school basketball teams tip off in rollicking auditoriums in Bangor, Portland and Augusta. The condition …
Chevrolet to help insulate low-income homes in Maine
AUGUSTA — Chevrolet has signed a letter of intent to partner with Maine State Housing Authority to weatherize 5,500 low-income households to help address the changing climate through community-focused energy projects. The Maine project is the first investment from a $40 million multi-year commitment by Chevrolet to prevent 8 million …
Sportsman’s Alliance names Dunlap interim director
AUGUSTA, Maine — Former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap has been named interim executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. Jim Gorman, president of the SAM board of directors, made the announcement Monday. “This marks another exciting chapter in our transition plan,” Gorman said. “As an organization, we’ve been …
Dunlap named interim head of SAM
AUGUSTA, Maine —Former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap has been named interim executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine. Jim Gorman, president of the SAM Board of Directors, made the announcement Monday. “This marks another exciting chapter in our transition plan,” said Gorman. “As an organization, we’ve been focused …
National Weather Service issues winter storm watch for Wednesday in Maine
Orono man gets a surprise: 4 bears living not far from his front door
Hermon woman arrested after allegedly smoking pot at eye center, refusing to leave
Presque Isle duo arrested after alleged assault near downtown pub
Only 3 Maine schools still have Indian nicknames; tribal leader praises effort to eliminate them
30 percent of private colleges won’t survive next 10 years, predicts Husson official
Oh, baby! How just $500 can boost the aspirations of a state
By expanding Medicaid, Maine lawmakers can make a difference for the uninsured
Safety net pole hits Mainers after Boston Bruins game at TD Garden
Pistorius breaks down, retches as girlfriend’s wounds are described during murder trial
UMaine hockey eager to avenge home losses to Friars in Providence as NCAA Tournament looms
UMaine women’s basketball team sparks optimism with turnaround season
Scientist: Odd-looking Maine lobsters are not mutants, and still safe to eat
Why are more Maine novelists turning to the life of crime?
Daniel Williams named interim director of Collins Center for the Arts
Argyle pipe welder refurbishing statue of soldier in effort to restore Orono Civil War monument
Belfast journalist takes on America’s favorite drug in new book