Bonnie Bishop

Co-Host at B Squared Weather Podcast

Meteorology obsessed! cohost of b squared weather podcast! storm chaser! 🌪⚡️⛈🌦

Articles

West Paris votes to close Agnes Gray Elementary School in major landslide

19 hours ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

The Agnes Gray Elementary School will now close for good after a referendum in West Paris resulted in most voters saying they didn't want to keep the building open.Most voted to allow the MSAD 17 school board to shut down the school. 279 people voted in favor of the school closing, and 27 voted to keep it open. The elementary school has been empty since early 2024, when the district decided it was unsafe for students and staff.
Federal government cuts $35 million in grant funding for digital accessibility services

2 days ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

The federal government has terminated $35 million of Maine's funding from the Digital Equity Act. The funding would have provided accessibility to internet safety education and affordable devices. It would have benefitted roughly 130,000 Mainers, including rural residents, older residents, low-income households, veterans and students. Three different grants make up the millions of dollars.
15 states support Maine Rep. Laurel Libby's appeal to stop censure

5 days ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

Maine Rep. Laurel Libby is receiving support from 15 states in her legal battle to end the censure that is preventing her from voting and speaking on the floor of the Maine House of Representatives. West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey filed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to grant Libby's application for an emergency injunction to stop the censure, pending appeal.
What he says the new pontiff is like

6 days ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

Cardinal Robert Prevost became the first American to be elected pope in the 2,000-year history of the Roman Catholic Church when his fellow cardinals elected him as the church's new leader on the second day of conclave Thursday.Bishop James Ruggieri of the Diocese of Portland, which includes the entire state of Maine, said he has previously met Prevost, who has now taken on the name Pope Leo XIV."A wonderful temperament, a very congenial man, so it's great to have that connection," Ruggieri...
York County Commissioners gives $25,000 to York County Shelter Programs' food pantry

1 week ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

York County Commissioners have voted to give $25,000 to the York County Shelter Programs' food pantry after the nonprofit announced the emergency shelter would be closing on May 9. The money, taken from the contingency fund, will keep the pantry open for now, but it's only a temporary measure. Another $100,000 is still up for debate. The commissioners are seeking to put that money in the county's upcoming budget and fully take over the food pantry.
60% of rental listings in Portland are non-compliant with rent control rules, audit says

1 week ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

A new audit from the Portland Tenants Union claims more than half of long-term rentals listed in the city aren't complying with the city's rent stabilization ordinance. The Union took to Portland's City Council Monday evening to voice their data and their concerns.
Maine State Library won't have to lay off as many employees as planned

1 week ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

Some Maine State Library employees who were set to be laid off will now keep their jobs. Maine State Librarian Lori Fisher told Maine's Total Coverage that five staff members who were supposed to be laid off will now be able to continue working at the library due to new access to federal funding. Fisher said the library was recently told it would receive half of the federal funding allocated from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Maine DOE will not certify Title VI compliance with Trump administration

3 weeks ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

The Maine Department of Education has informed school districts in the state that it will not be certifying Title VI compliance with the U.S. Department of Education, given that certification would tie them to the Trump administration's guidance on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Advocates rally for solutions to Maine's housing crisis

3 weeks ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

A new report from MaineHousing says affordable housing in the state is the most pressing public policy issue. With uncertainty and fear over the cost of housing, advocates took to Monument Square on Tuesday to raise awareness. Two rallies in Portland focused on ending and decriminalizing homelessness. "No more fines, no more being arrested," Co-Organizer Shay Dufour said.
US Navy Secretary visits Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

3 weeks ago | wmtw.com | Bonnie Bishop

The United States Navy Secretary was in Maine on Thursday, visiting the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Secretary John Phelan was joined by Sens. Susan Collins, Angus King and Jeanne Shaheen. The trip was the secretary's first visit to a public shipyard since he was confirmed in his role earlier this year. In a press briefing following the tour, Collins and Shaheen said the Navy Secretary was impressed with what he saw.