Maine indigenous leaders want federal tribal law benefits
Leaders of four Native American tribes have testified in favor of a bill that would allow them to benefit from future federal laws despite a state land claims settlement. The bill aims to put Maine’s indigenous people on equal footing with the nation’s other tribes by amending the 1980 Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. Testifying in favor the bill Thursday before the House Natural Resources subcommittee were leaders of the Penobscot Nation, Passamaquoddy, Micmacs and Houlton Band of Maliseets. It was the first time leaders of the four tribes appeared together to testify about the issue before members of Congress in four decades.
BC-US-RUSSIA-UKRAINE-WAR-SEAFOOD
Seafood biz braces for losses of jobs, fish due to sanctions
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The global seafood industry is preparing for major disruption due to new sanctions on Russia. The latest round of U.S. attempts to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine includes bans on imports of seafood, alcohol and diamonds. Those restrictions took effect on March 25. The U.S. is also stripping “most favored nation status” from Russia. Russia is not one of the biggest exporters of seafood at large to the U.S., but it’s a world leader in exports of cod, which is the preferred fish for fish and chips in America.
SALMON FARM
Work to begin on Maine salmon farm on old paper mill site
BUCKSPORT, Maine (AP) — Work will begin this spring on a much-anticipated land-based salmon farm slated for the site of a former Maine paper mill. Whole Oceans said Thursday that it intends to start pre-construction work on the Bucksport site soon. The Bangor Daily News reports the farm would be one of the largest land-based, recirculating aquaculture systems in the world. The salmon farm would raise Atlantic salmon, which is one of the most popular seafood species in the world. The project received approvals for the project in 2019.
CHILD HOMICIDE TRIAL-BILL
Maine Senate OKs bill to prioritize child homicide trials
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — The Maine Senate has approved a bill to prioritize the scheduling of homicide trials involving children over other cases as a way to more quickly bring to light the failures that led to a child being killed. The Portland Press Herald reports that the Senate voted 33-0 in favor of the bill on Tuesday. Rep. Bill Diamond, a Democrat from Cumberland who sponsored the bill, said bringing child homicide cases to trial faster would give lawmakers better access to welfare details that they can use to create reforms for the safety of other at-risk children.
MAINE LEGISLATURE-VETERAN HOMES
Maine governor signs bill to save 2 rural veterans homes
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine’s governor has signed into law a proposal to prevent two veterans homes from closing. Both chambers of the Maine Legislature voted unanimously in favor of keeping open Maine Veterans’ Homes located in Caribou and Machias. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill on Thursday. The new law requires legislative approval to close veterans homes. It also puts back into statute the six municipalities where the homes must be located.
BELFAST FIRE
Fire that destroyed Maine potato plant was accidental
BELFAST, Maine (AP) — Investigators say a fire at a potato processing facility in Belfast, Maine, was accidental. The fire destroyed the Penobscot McCrum facility. The fire marshal’s office reports that the exact cause is still undetermined due to the extent of the damage. The March 24 fire didn’t injure anyone but led to road closures, evacuations and a shelter-in-place order. The facility employed 138 people.