Today is Thursday. Temperatures will be in the 30s, with cloudy skies across the state and a wintry mix up north and a freezing morning fog down south. See what the weather for the rest of the day will be here.
Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.
‘Shame on us’: Inside Maine’s struggle to handle troubled youth
Maine sends far fewer adolescents to its only youth prison than it did a decade ago. But despite recommendations to overhaul its handling of troubled teens, the state hasn’t come up with a comprehensive plan to fix the crisis, an examination by The New York Times and the Bangor Daily News found.
Gov. Janet Mill and her administration, by many accounts, have failed to provide leadership — or offer a clear vision — to resolve the longstanding issues. And lawmakers have largely retreated. Meanwhile, dire consequences are playing out in communities across Maine, according to interviews with dozens of law enforcement and corrections officials, health care providers, watchdog groups, parents, children and others.
PLUS: Read about the investigation and fellowship.
Top Maine Republican hits Janet Mills for ‘gibberish’ on guns and climate
House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham signaled conservative opposition to the most sweeping gun change backed by the governor.
Lawmakers compromise on subpoena power for Lewiston shooting investigators
If the recommendation is approved, the commission on Maine’s deadliest mass shooting would gain the power to compel witness testimony.
Maine towns and cable giants in ‘he said, she said’ battle over streaming fees
A proposal would affect contracts between towns and companies that sell electronic entertainment via poles and wires on public rights of way.
Oxford County will ask governor to remove sheriff
“Sheriff Christopher Wainwright has failed to faithfully and efficiently perform the duties of his Office and improperly exercised and acted outside of his legal authority,” read the minutes, which the Oxford County administrator’s office released Wednesday.
PLUS: Read our investigations into the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office.
Maine supreme court judge should have recused herself from cases, complaint says
The complaint says Justice Catherine Connors violated the Maine judicial code of conduct by not recusing herself from two foreclosure cases.
Southern Maine’s housing shortage is bad. The industrial one is worse.
“It’s definitely a landlord’s market,” said Sam LeGeyt, a broker with the Dunham Group who co-wrote the report.
Orono wants its next town manager in for the long haul
The town, which has not searched for a manager in more than a decade, hired a Texas-based search firm to find the best candidate.
Aroostook teachers scheme to make the most of eclipse ‘totality’
Project ideas include keeping an eclipse journal and observing the noises animals make when day suddenly becomes dark.
A Maine lobster co-op looks to recover after storm ravages fishing pier
The deck of the Corea Lobster Co-op pier in Gouldsboro was lifted off the posts underneath, while buildings on top were pounded by the surf.
This ice safety gear could save your life
The best idea is to not go through the ice, but if you do, here is some equipment that could increase your chances of survival.
In other Maine news …
Joe Biden declares December wind storm that lashed Maine a major disaster
Van Buren teen graduating high school and college this year
Prosecutors reach plea deal with Down East man suspected in slaying
Police raid 7 illegal marijuana operations in 2 Maine counties
Unity butchery wants to expand to meet growing demand for halal meat
Maine assistant attorney general pleads guilty to drunken driving
Lewiston man gets 10 years for possessing more than 13K images and videos of child porn
Man killed in confrontation with police in Fryeburg
A commuter bus service could soon connect Portland and Lewiston-Auburn
Security guards at Portland Museum of Art unionize
Yo-Yo Ma will play with Portland Symphony Orchestra this year
Man pleads not guilty in Westbrook slaying
Police release photos of man who allegedly claimed to have bomb during South Portland bank robbery
Saco is shortening its workweek to improve working conditions
UMaine hockey coach gets 66 percent raise in contract extension
Filipovity has become UMaine men’s basketball team’s most productive player
