Articles by Patrick Whittle

Maine Catholic Diocese Sued Under Abuse Law Change It Opposed

The first lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland since Maine took away a limitation on claims of child sexual abuse were filed last week. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed a law last year that allowed victims to bring …

Power Outages Increase as Extreme Weather Inflicts Toll on Aging Grid, Vulnerable Citizens

Power outages from severe weather have doubled over the past two decades across the U.S., as a warming climate stirs more destructive storms that cripple broad segments of the nation’s aging electrical grid, according to an Associated Press analysis of …

Maine Rights Panel Finds Senior Facility Discriminated Against Transgender Woman

Maine’s human rights panel has ruled in favor of a transgender woman who complained that she was discriminated against when she was denied a room by an assisted living facility. The Maine Human Rights Commission voted 3-2 on Monday that …

Explosion Causes Significant Damage to Maine Paper Mill; No Injuries

An explosion at a paper mill in Maine shook the ground Wednesday and produced a plume of black smoke that was visible for miles around, but it appeared no one was injured. The blast rocked the Androscoggin Mill in Jay, …

Maine Moves to Help Businesses, Workers as Closures Mount

Maine’s governor announced steps Sunday designed to protect businesses and workers as closures mount amid the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Janet Mills said she has submitted emergency legislation to temporarily expand eligibility for unemployment insurance. She also called on the federal …

Maine, EPA, Tribes Spar Over Water Quality Rules

The state of Maine is locked in a legal battle with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a pair of American Indian tribes about the way clean water standards apply in and around tribal lands. Maine is arguing in the …

Drought May Have Aided Storm That Walloped Maine, Northeast

Drought conditions across much of Maine may have contributed to the large numbers of trees that toppled during a storm that walloped the Northeast this week, officials said. The storm cut power to nearly 1.5 million homes and businesses in …

Lack of Comma Sense Ignites Debate After Ruling in $10M Suit

It all came down to a missing comma, and not just any one. And it’s reignited a longstanding debate over whether the punctuation is necessary. A federal appeals court decided this week to keep alive a lawsuit by dairy drivers …

Legalized Marijuana Takes Hold in Maine

The first tangible results of Maine voters’ decision to legalize marijuana are being felt as possession and home growth of marijuana becomes legal in the state. Voters narrowly passed the ballot question in November, and the waiting period between the …

State Officials Urge Residents to Avoid Driving as Winter Storm Hits Northeast

Plow trucks and shovelers in the Northeast attacked the region’s newest winter storm as fresh powder piled on top of ever-growing piles and whiteout conditions made roads unsafe, immobilizing millions of residents. Winter storm warnings were in effect from upstate …