Maine gov signs prohibition of offshore wind in state waters
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor has signed off on a prohibition of offshore wind projects in state waters in a bid to ease concerns voiced by members of the commercial fishing industry. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills is a supporter of wind power, and last month signed a bill to help create the nation’s first floating offshore wind research area. That project would be located in federal waters. As much as three quarters of Maine’s commercial lobster harvesting takes place in state waters closer to the coast.
Abbott Labs cutting hundreds of jobs as testing demand drops
WESTBROOK, Maine (AP) — A company that makes COVID-19 testing kits is laying off as many as 400 workers at two locations in Maine. The mayor of Westbrook told WMTW-TV that Abbott Laboratories is cutting about 300 jobs in the city. The station said another 100 workers are being laid off in Scarborough. The Illinois-based company cited a “significant, rapid decline” in demand for COVID-19 testing. It said the laid-off workers made rapid tests for the virus. Laid-off workers will be given severance packages. Also Thursday, officials said new cases of the virus continued to decline in Maine.
Maine schools’ population falls nearly 5% amid the pandemic
BANGOR, Maine (AP) — According to the Maine Department of Education, enrollment in public schools dropped by 4.4%, nearly 8,000 students, between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years. Department data indicates that most of those students transitioned to homeschooling, which saw an increase of 5,000 students. Bangor Daily News reports that school systems expect many students to return for the 2021-22 school year. According to an Education Week report, Maine had the fourth-highest decrease in the nation behind Vermont’s 5.3% decrease, Mississippi’s 5% drop, and New Hampshire’s 4.7% decline. Maine School Management Association officials say that the change reflects concerns from parents about safety during the pandemic and child care challenges.
FIREWORKS FIRED AT OFFICERS
Police: Some at large gathering shot fireworks at officers
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Police say some people at a large gathering in Maine shot fireworks at officers who were trying to disperse the event. WMTW-TV reports some people shot the fireworks at officers when they responded Monday evening to reports of a large gathering of 300 people and loud fireworks in a neighborhood in Portland. Chief Frank Clark said the dangerous use of force against officers would not be tolerated. Police arrested a 17-year-old and charged him with disorderly conduct and criminal use of explosives. They are investigating the fireworks and reports of gunshots fired later in the evening.