News >>

News Features

Lawmakers to probe prison

Several investigations begin simultaneously
For years controversy has churned over the Maine State Prison's treatment of both inmates and correctional officers. For the first time, legislators have taken action.

By LANCE TAPLEY | April 08, 2009

Arbitrary injustice

Sent to Supermax solitary confinement
Fears doesn't like the particular prison where he now resides. He would prefer to be in one near his family in Arizona, and not in solitary confinement.

By LANCE TAPLEY | April 09, 2009

Fold or float

How to save the Portland Press Herald
It doesn't matter who the new owner of the Portland Press Herald is, or whether there even is one. The state's largest-circulation daily newspaper simply cannot survive in its current form.

By JEFF INGLIS | April 02, 2009

Voting frights

Judging people by a name
When I heard about the bill being bandied about in the Maine State House that would allow non-US citizens to vote in local elections, I said to myself, "Hmmmmm."

By SHAY STEWART-BOULEY | April 01, 2009

A few tips

Giving the Press Herald a fighting chance
There are, in fact, some pretty basic things that would help ensure the paper might have a chance.

By JEFF INGLIS | April 02, 2009

Sitting pretty

The guy with the cash can play a waiting game if he wants
Richard Connor has cleverly cornered the market on the Portland Press Herald and its sister papers, and is now in what can only be called the catbird seat.

By JEFF INGLIS | April 02, 2009

Text of the same-sex marriage bill

Key sections from "An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom"
The full official legislative summary of the bill that would legalize same-sex marriage and key excerpt.

By JEFF INGLIS | March 25, 2009

Same-sex marriage

Fighting for a basic civil right without repeating other states' mistakes
From the podium at EqualityMaine's 25th anniversary dinner last Saturday night, former state senator Ethan Strimling posed a question to the 630 people in attendance: If gay marriage were allowed in Maine, how many of you would tie the knot?

By DEIRDRE FULTON | March 25, 2009

Separate is not equal

Many state benefits, and federal ones, too, are tied specifically to 'marriage'
Many people think civil unions might be a workable compromise. But after nine years in Vermont, there's evidence that enough is wrong with them to convince that state's Senate to back a civil-marriage proposal.

By DEIRDRE FULTON | March 25, 2009

Cleaning up Maine's sleaze

Politicians have left it to the people
When tourists admire Maine's picturesque waterfronts, they aren't close enough to smell the barrels reeking with rotting lobster bait.

By LANCE TAPLEY | March 18, 2009

Official propaganda

Why pay for the governor's publicity machine?
Isn't it sinister or at least creepy in a democracy for citizens to foot the bill for politicians and high officials to propagandize them?

By LANCE TAPLEY | March 18, 2009

Gulf War vet 'saved' by Phoenix article

Portland Marine Corps vet shares his heart-wrenching story
Yesterday, we published "Soldiers Committing Suicide," by Jason Notte, and just hours later, Mike Fitzgerald left our Portland editor a voicemail saying he's experiencing the same things a man described in the story had.

By JEFF INGLIS | March 17, 2009