Evan Popp

Jul 1, 2024 | mainemorningstar.com | Evan Popp

by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star July 2, 2024 U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree last week announced the formation of a “slow fashion caucus” meant to develop policies to curb pollution from “fast fashion.” Pingree’s office said in a news release that fast fashion involves cheaply manufactured, frequently-bought clothing items that have a short life span. The Maine Democrat, who represents the state’s 1st Congressional District, said this type of fashion takes a huge toll on the environment.

Jun 30, 2024 | mainemorningstar.com | Evan Popp

by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star July 1, 2024 More Maine workers will be eligible for overtime pay beginning Monday when a new federal rule takes effect. The rule, finalized by the Biden administration in April, increases the salary threshold above which a worker can be exempt from overtime pay, meaning such compensation will be extended to about 4.3 million additional employees around the nation. The previous salary threshold at which a Maine employee from overtime pay was $42,450 a year.

Jun 28, 2024 | mainemorningstar.com | Evan Popp

by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 28, 2024 The ACLU of Maine is urging local communities not to punish unhoused people for trying to survive after the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upheld an Oregon city’s ordinance that bans sleeping and camping on municipal propertyIn a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority decided that the camping rules put in place by Grants Pass, Oregon, do not violate the Constitution.

Jun 25, 2024 | mainemorningstar.com | Evan Popp

In 2023, Maine policymakers updated the requirements for county jail and state prison boards of visitors. But even though the law was enacted in July, some of its provisions are still not being followed, including a mandate that each state prison board of visitors have a formerly incarcerated member. Boards of visitors are panels tasked with inspecting and reviewing the management of correctional facilities across Maine and providing recommendations for their operations.

Jun 24, 2024 | mainemorningstar.com | Evan Popp

by Evan Popp, Maine Morning Star June 24, 2024 Warmer temperatures and more extreme weather. That is the forecast outlined in a recently-released assessment of climate change and its impacts on Maine. In the study, the Maine Climate Council’s Scientific and Technical Subcommittee found that the state’s climate is getting warmer. According to the subcommittee, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 have all ranked among the ten warmest years on record in Maine.