Maines

Maine’s Yellow Flag Law Usage Surges Post-Mass Shooting, Exceeding 400 Interventions in Effort to Prevent Violence

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Lewiston, Maine — In the aftermath of Maine’s deadliest mass shooting, law enforcement officials have significantly increased the use of the state’s yellow flag law, aiming to prevent further tragedies by removing weapons from individuals deemed threats to themselves or others. Since the law came into effect in 2020, its application saw a dramatic rise following the horrific events at a local bar and bowling alley on Oct. 25, 2023, where 18 lives were tragically lost. From the inception of the law until the day prior to the mass shooting, police had utilized the provision … Read more

Maine’s Public Defense Commission Adopts More Flexible Qualification Criteria for Lawyers

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Augusta, Maine — The Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services has recently modified its standards for lawyers who represent the state’s poorest defendants. This significant adjustment aims to enhance the pool of available qualified attorneys capable of handling such cases, addressing longstanding issues associated with legal representation for the indigent. Previously, stringent requirements regarding years of experience, particularly in specific areas of the law, limited the number of attorneys eligible to take on these cases. However, the new standards will not only consider the duration of experience but also the intensity and complexity of the … Read more

Exploring the Aftermath: A Father’s Heartbreak, Gun Rights Advocacy, and Maine’s Long History of Gun Ownership

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Lewiston, Maine – Bereaved families and gun rights advocates in Maine are grappling with the aftermath of the state’s deadliest mass shooting. The tragedy has left communities in shock and ignited a passionate debate about the underlying issues surrounding gun ownership. In the town of Lewiston, Tim Boyum, host of Front Porch Politics, sits down with the father of one of the victims. The grief-stricken father shares his heart-wrenching experience of losing his son in the mass shooting, offering a raw and personal perspective on the devastating impact of gun violence. Moving to Surry, Boyum … Read more

Landmark Decision: Maine’s Supreme Court Rejects Appeal over Trump’s Ballot Status

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AUGUSTA, Maine — The highest court in Maine has ruled to dismiss an appeal challenging a judge’s decision regarding President Donald Trump’s ballot status. The Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s rejection on the matter concludes ongoing legal proceedings that questioned whether Trump’s name should appear on the state’s voting ballot. The controversy arose when Independent candidate Terry Hayes filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap. Hayes claimed that Trump did not meet the constitutional requirements to be on the ballot as a nominee of the Republican Party. However, the court ultimately sided with Dunlap, … Read more