BLACK FLY SEASON
Black fly season lengthens with climate change, clean water
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s season for black flies appears to be taking up more of the year due to factors including cleaner water and climate change. Black flies are small insects, some of which feed on human blood and bedevil outdoor adventure seekers in the state. Jim Dill, a pest management specialist at University of Maine Cooperative Extension, told the Bangor Daily News that a few decades ago the Maine season for black flies was from the end of May into the first weeks of June and then they would die off. Experts say that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore, and the season now lasts for the entirety of the summer.
LORING REDEVELOPMENT
Levesque hopes to bring redevelopment magic to Limestone
LIMESTONE, Maine (AP) — The man who led the redevelopment of the former Brunswick Naval Air Station hopes to work some magic in northern Maine. Steve Levesque retired from his post in as executive director of Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority late last year. But retirement didn’t suit him. His consulting firm SHL Enterprise Solutions will lead the renovation of the former Loring Air Force Base, which has not been as successful in reinventing itself after closure. Brunswick Landing now has 150 businesses and 2,600 workers.
TOXIC EXPOSURE
Expanded care in works for vets exposed to toxic substances
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Senate has passed a proposal backed by Maine’s senators to provide more care for military veterans who were exposed to toxic substances. Republican Sen. Susan Collins and independent Sen. Angus King were among the supporters of the proposal, which is commonly called the “PACT Act.” The proposal easily passed the Senate in mid-June. The proposal is designed to expand U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care eligibility to post-Sept. 11, 2001, combat veterans. Collins said that includes more than 3.5 million veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances.
AP-US-SUPREME-COURT-RELIGIOUS-SCHOOLS-MAINE
Religious schools may face another hurdle to state tuition
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey says religious schools seeking to take advantage of a state tuition program must abide by state law banning discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. He says that could deter some of them from participation despite a Supreme Court decision this week. The high court ruled that Maine can’t exclude religious schools from a program that offers tuition aid for private education in towns that don’t have public schools. One of the attorneys who successfully sued says the state can balance the interests of all parties if elected officials “are genuinely committed to that task.”
CONGRESS-NAVY SHIPBUILDING
House panel votes to fund extra destroyer in new fiscal year
BATH, Maine (AP) — A congressional committee has signed off on an additional destroyer like those built at Bath Iron Works for the upcoming fiscal year. The House Armed Services Committee approved an extra $37 billion in defense spending in an amendment sponsored by Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine. That includes $1.2 billion in funding for a third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and $250 million for shipyard infrastructure upgrades. The Senate Armed Services Committee has included a multi-year purchase of destroyers, but there’s funding for only two destroyers in the next fiscal year.
AP-US-SUPREME-COURT-ABORTION-COLLINS
After abortion ruling, critics renew blasts at Sen. Collins
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Sen. Susan Collins is being criticized for the Supreme Court ruling allowing states to ban abortion because the moderate Republican voted to confirm two of the justices who were in the majority opinion. Critics attacked the Maine senator on social media, and some called for her resignation. The Maine Democratic Party and others cast some of the blame on Collins because her vote was crucial in confirming Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Collins also voted to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch, who also sided with the majority opinion. Collins says in a statement that the overturning of Roe is a “sudden and radical jolt to the country” that will sow division.