US Supreme Court to hear Maine religious school tuition case
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has decided it will hear a case brought by families from Maine who want to use a state tuition program to send their children to religious schools. At the heart of the case is a Maine Department of Education rule that allows families who live in towns that don’t have public schools to receive public tuition dollars to send their children to the public or private school of their choosing. That program excludes religious schools. Families who want to send their children to Christian schools in Bangor and Waterville sued to try to change that. The high court said Friday it is taking the case.
GOVERNOR VETOES CASINO-BILL
Governor vetoes Native American casino ownership bill
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine Gov. Janet Mills has vetoed a bill that would have given permissions to Native American tribes to open and run casinos on their own lands. The Portland Press Herald reports the bill was approved in June with a large majority in the Maine legislature but that the Mills’ administration had concerns about it restoring tribal rights. Mills said in a statement that the bill was fraught with issues. Tribal leaders released a statement speaking strongly against her decision. Criticism for Mills involves her support for corporate-owned casinos in the state. The legislature will reportedly take a vote to override the veto when it returns on Thursday.
ELECTION 2022-MAINE GOVERNOR
Former Maine Republican Gov. LePage registers to run again
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage has registered as a candidate for governor in the state once again. LePage was a Republican governor from 2011 to 2019. He has long hinted that he might challenge Democratic Gov. Janet Mills in 2022. LePage and Mills were frequent rivals when LePage was governor and Mills was the state’s attorney general. The Maine Ethics Commission website stated on Thursday that LePage is an active candidate based in the Lincoln County town of Edgecomb. Under Maine law, a former governor can serve again as long as they never serve more than two consecutive terms.
OFFSHORE WIND-MAINE
Maine looks for offshore wind compromise with fishermen
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Legislature has approved a compromise about offshore wind power in Maine that would put a moratorium on projects close to the Maine coast. Maine’s lobster fishing industry has expressed concerns about the effect that development of offshore wind power could have on its business. The state is working with New England Aqua Ventus on a project that would be the first floating offshore wind research array in the country. The Maine Legislature unanimously approved its compromise on Wednesday and sent it to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who is a supporter of wind power.
NAVY-FUTURISTIC GUN
Navy ditches futuristic railgun, eyes hypersonic missiles
BATH, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Navy has pulled the plug on research on a futuristic weapon that fires projectiles at up to seven times the speed of sound using electricity. The Navy has spent more than a decade developing the electromagnetic railgun and once considered putting them the stealthy new Zumwalt-class destroyers built at Bath Iron Works. A Navy spokesperson says the decision frees up resources for hypersonic missiles, laser systems and electronic warfare systems. The Department of Defense has turned its attention to hypersonic missiles to keep up with China and Russia.
AP-US-PICASSO-FOUND-IN-CLOSET
Picasso kept in Maine house closet for 50 years is sold
AMESBURY, Mass. (AP) — A painting attributed to Pablo Picasso has been sold after spending 50 years in a closet in a house in Maine. The Boston Globe reports Massachusetts-based John McInnis Auctioneers confirmed that the painting entitled “Le Tricorne” sold on Saturday. The 16 x 16 inch painting is believed to be a study for the stage curtain Picasso painted for a ballet of the same name that debuted in 1919. The website liveauctioneers.com reported the sale price was $150,000, plus a 24% buyer’s premium. Neither the buyer nor the seller was named, but in a statement, the seller said the painting was inherited from a female relative who studied art in Europe in the 1920s.