NALOXONE ADMINISTRATION
Maine eyes new rules to make naloxone administration easier
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine lawmakers are looking to make it easier for public safety workers to administer naloxone. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. The Maine House recently passed a proposal to authorize law enforcement officers, corrections officers and municipal firefighters to administer or dispense the drug. The proposal would also remove a requirement that corrections officers must possess a certificate to administer naloxone.
CRYPTOCURRENCY-RUSSIA
Senators want to prevent Putin dodging sanctions via crypto
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s independent senator wants the U.S. to try to limit Russian president Vladimir Putin and others in Russia from dodging economic sanctions by using cryptocurrencies. Sen. Angus King said he is cosponsoring legislation that would seek to stop Putin and others from using digital assets to make an end-run on tough sanctions placed by the U.S. He said the proposal would stop any Russian digital assets from being traded in U.S. jurisdictions. He says the proposal would also include new cryptocurrency transparency requirements and give the Biden administration new powers to go after the digital assets.
POLICE SHOOTING-MAINE
Maine AG says trooper justified in shooting, wounding man
THORNDIKE, Maine (AP) — Maine’s attorney general says a state trooper was justified in shooting and wounding a man in 2019. The shooting stemmed from a confrontation between a Thorndike man and police in November 2019. Police responded to a call from a woman concerned that the man was yelling outside her house. Attorney General Aaron Frey said in his report Friday that the trooper reasonably believed the man was about to use deadly force against him. Frey said the trooper saw what he believed to be a stun gun and a pistol in the man’s hands. The man’s gun turned out to be a pepper spray gun.
UTILITY RATING
Advocates call for strict utility rating system in Maine
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Advocates for Maine energy consumers have made the case that regulators in the state should apply strict standards in creating a rating system for the state’s utilities. The Maine Public Utilities Commission is developing the rating system to measure the quality of the service provided by the utilities. The Portland Press Herald reports the system would resemble report cards that would give regulators a new way to assess the companies and impose penalties when needed. The commission held a public hearing on the rating system on Thursday.
SHIPYARD RESIGNATION
Leader of Navy shipbuilder in Maine abruptly resigns
BATH, Maine (AP) — The leader of Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works has abruptly resigned. A terse notification to employees announced Thursday that Dirk Lesko had resigned from the General Dynamics subsidiary that employs about 7,000 workers. Lesko led the Maine shipyard through a reset after his predecessor’s stormy relationship with the unionized workforce and then dealt with a tumultuous period that included a pandemic and his own labor troubles including a strike. There was no reason given for Lesko’s departure, which was announced in a two-sentence memo to workers Thursday.
SUPREME COURT APPOINTMENT
Maine panel confirms potential 1st Black judge on top court
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A legislative panel has voted to confirm a Maine judge who could become the first African American to serve on Maine’s highest court. Maine Gov. Janet Mills nominated Rick Lawrence to serve on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He is a two-decade veteran district judge. Lawrence faced a confirmation hearing before the Maine Legislature’s Committee on Judiciary before the vote on Friday. Representatives from Mills’ office said during the hearing that Lawrence’s ascendance to the high court would be a milestone for the state, and that his long background in law makes him qualified for the job. The panel agreed, confirming him unanimously.