WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Feb. 19, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) scorned the recent firing of 1,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs across the country as having a detrimental impact on veterans and their ability to access their earned benefits, according to a Feb. 19 news release.

In a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the release said that King questioned Paul Lawrence, nominee to be Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, on his support for these cuts and how he will work within the department to ensure that veterans are not victims of the VA’s quest to “reduce

The following update from Washington, D.C., was sent by Maine's Congressional District 2 U.S. Rep. Jared Golden.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has made swift, unorthodox and dramatic moves, testing the executive branch’s power and our system of checks and balances, resulting in significant disruption to government operations and services.

I know that many Mainers are concerned, and have questions about the impact President Trump’s actions will have in our state and our country. I wanted to share with you what my staff and I are doing, and what response I think this moment

As we write this on Feb. 17, the Great Backyard Bird Count is in its final hours. We’ve participated and seen some wonderful birds, though like many of you, we were confined to counting from home for part of it because of the snowstorm.

One thing that we found particularly fascinating and enjoyable during our snowbound day at home was how the different species and numbers of birds change throughout the day when you are watching very closely. The close scrutiny of our yard and feeders made us realize that we have as many as five cardinals. Despite the cold, we also noticed that the male

January 25 marked the exciting kickoff of the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie season in Knox County! Girl Scouts from six local troops gathered for a dynamic day of fun and learning at the annual Cookie Rally and Cookie College. 

The event was split into two groups: Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors came together for an energizing Cookie Rally, while Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors took part in Cookie College, a more advanced session designed to hone their entrepreneurial skills. 

Throughout the event, the Girl Scouts delved into product knowledge and set personal and troop goals. The younger group

The building at 39 Main Street, which is best known as the former longtime home of Janis Kay’s store Surroundings, may soon be condemned. And if that leads to the building’s removal — which to me looks much easier than repair — we’d all have a sidewalk view of the old grist mill pond, the spillway falls, and beyond.

Camden has the golden opportunity to partially restore an exceptionally beautiful Main Street view of the Megunticook River Falls, the Harbor, and the Bay — a view we lost about a century ago. But that might not happen, and I doubt that anyone knows for sure which way the decision

The U.S. Senate must reject Linda McMahon’s nomination to serve as U.S. Secretary of Education. 

As evidenced by the U.S. Senate confirmation hearing this week, Linda McMahon lacks the qualifications, experience, and judgment required to oversee our nation's education system.

The Secretary of Education should champion public schools, protect our students from discrimination, and ensure equal opportunity for all. Linda McMahon has no experience making decisions about K-12 education, student loans, or special education – key qualifications to running the Department of Education (DOE).

In my

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine's Second District, circulated the following update from Washington, D.C.

Standing up for workers

The following new release was received from the Office of Senator Angus King, I-Maine:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King raised several urgent questions with Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, the Commander of United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), and Air Force General Gregory Guillot, Commander of United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM).

Senator King, pushed the military officials about the lack of military presence and resources in the Caribbean to interdict illegal drug shipments — in addition to in the Arctic to counter

Years ago, President John F. Kennedy wrote a book called Profiles in Courage. Perhaps it's time for a sequel, Profiles in Cowardice.

For a first profile, I nominate Maine's Senator Susan Collins, who said she will vote for the clearly dishonest and unhinged Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A confirmed anti-vaxxer, RFK Jr. is a dangerous choice, capable of causing citizens to fall ill and die.

For a second profile, how about Senator Mitch McConnell, who condemned Donald Trump's January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, but then refused to

A colleague at the Natural Resources Council of Maine headquarters called Allison recently.

An urgent work-related communication?

No, he had seen a flock of plump robins, their deep rust-red breasts gleaming against the white snowy backdrop. They had shown up outside his window at their Augusta office building. “What are robins doing here now?” he asked.

This colleague wouldn’t call himself a birder, but he is one of the more than 100 million people in the U.S. who are interested enough in birds to pay attention to them and know at least some bird species.

Some American robins do

Yes, those gorgeous white flakes shimmering in the morning sun are one of nature's gifts.  But I am writing about a snow job I witnessed last night at the Rockport Select Board meeting.

1) the Select Board did not know when the members came to meet and discuss the tentative plan formulated by a hard working Comprehensive Plan Committee had already been submitted to the State of Maine by the Town Planner.

2) the Board also did not know what the ramifications of making changes in it at this point might be.

3) the first snowflakes started to fall with our most recent town vote regarding

Students at TGS have been focusing on empathy during the month of January, 2025. Several students at Thomaston Grammar School were recognized for being empathetic at a school-wide assembly on February 4. The students receiving this award are known to be empathetic and sensitive to the feelings of others around them.

Empathy Award winners were: Lucas Daniello, Noa Silverstein, Hayden Gagnon, Wen Xin Chen, Emelia Miller, Josselyn Brown, Mason VanHorn, Kaleb Barnard, Paige Feltis, Dylan Latta, Kelly Trial, Juliette Johnson, Logan King, Anastasia Magnoli, Bryce Slape, Shawn King, Logan Atwood

Could Apples Become Oranges in Rockport?  

Find out Monday at the Select Board meeting at 6 p.m., at the lower level of the Opera House!

We all know that oranges cannot become apples, no matter how hard the Select Board, the Town Planner and the Rockport Planning Board try to convince Rockport residents that this is possible. 

The presentation of an updated Comprehensive Plan for Rockport and the inclusion of the 250+/- page plan will be a major part of our next voting experience in June, 2025.

The whole fruity metaphor stems from yet another attempt from those who are generous and devoted

If Trump and his supporters are concerned about government fraud, the Trump administration should reinstate the 17 independent inspectors general that Trump fired on January 25.

Dear Senator Collins,

As we well know, Senator Margaret Chase Smith stood up to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy and brought to a close his unjustified, unconstitutional witch hunt for Communists which he suspected lurked everywhere. McCarthy's bullying ruined the lives of many Americans and scared even more. Senator Smith's leadership is lauded today, over 70 years later, and Maine is proud to claim her as one of ours.  

Now it's your turn.  

Our country is in turmoil. The president has threatened and is carrying out retribution. Federal employees are being fired for doing their jobs while their

U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine's Second District, circulated the following update from Washington, D.C.

Welcome to my weekly rundown, the latest on what I’ve been working on for Mainers in the Second District:

My new series “Zoom In/Zoom Out”

There’s always a lot going on in Washington. Often, there is a clear “lead story” of the day that’s dominating the headlines and TV news rundowns. While many of those stories can be important, they don’t stop Mainers from simultaneously reaching out to me about their own concerns. I do my best to use my position to put a spotlight on those problems, but

The following was circulated Feb. 7 from the office of Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine.

On February 20, 2024, Governor Janet Mills announced that the State would pursue developing a commercial-scale floating offshore wind manufacturing, assembling and launching facility on Sears Island that would lead to an industrial future for Penobscot Bay. Since then, a great deal has changed in the offshore wind world, making this an appropriate time to re-evaluate the offshore wind initiative.

Among the significant changes since February 2024 are:

• The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) applied for four federal grants to fund development of Sears Island. All failed. 

•  The

A few days ago, on one of the bitterly cold days we have recently endured, we looked out of the kitchen window to see a bird flit past the window and into the open garage. It was likely a Carolina wren, a bird species well known for curiously probing around homes, garages, and outbuildings, and other things associated with humans. Mom and Dad Childs had one build a nest in the clothespin bag that they had hanging off the clothesline behind their place in Florida.

It got us thinking about how adaptable some bird species can be to new habitats, situations, and food sources. One species