Kelley Bouchard

Portland

Staff Writer at The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram

Staff writer-truth seeker @PressHerald. From here, been there, done that.

Articles

Bill to kill Gorham Connector crashes in committee

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

May 8—A bill that would ensure the controversial Gorham Connector proposal is dead was soundly rejected by the Legislature's transportation committee this week. LD 1020 would repeal 2017 legislation that directed the Maine Turnpike Authority to plan and build a toll highway extension from South Portland, through Scarborough and Westbrook, to Gorham.
Mainers roll with start of Real ID travel requirements

1 week ago | pressherald.com | Kelley Bouchard |Meg Robbins

Most passengers breezed through identification checkpoints at Portland International Jetport on Wednesday as the federal Transportation Safety Administration began enforcing Real ID screening measures nationwide. Of about 1,000 passengers who boarded planes between 6 and 10 a.m., 98% showed a Real ID, passport or other compliant identification, said Zachary Sundquist, assistant airport director.
L.L. Bean drops lawsuit against canvas tote copycat

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

Apr. 25—L.L.Bean has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against 4Imprint Inc., a Wisconsin promotional products company that the Freeport-based retailer had claimed was copying its iconic "Boat and Tote" canvas bag.
Proposal for passenger rail to Bangor loses steam in committee

3 weeks ago | pressherald.com | Kelley Bouchard |Patrick Horne

A renewed effort to restore passenger rail service from Portland to Bangor was soundly rejected Thursday by the Legislature’s transportation committee, following a similar failed attempt last year. The committee voted 9-1 against LD 487, recommending that it “ought not to pass” when the bill goes before the House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Maine's new paid family leave law faces several efforts to hamstring program

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

Apr. 23—Maine legislators heard testimony on more than a dozen bills Wednesday aimed at amending, delaying or outright repealing the state's fledgling paid family and medical leave program. As business leaders prepared for a slate of afternoon hearings before the Legislature's labor committee, the broad-based Maine Paid Family Leave Coalition held a noontime rally outside the State House to defend the program against what coalition members say are attempts to destroy it.
Bill to accurately count Maine's home-building progress wins committee support

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

Apr. 22—A proposal to better gauge Maine's progress in addressing its housing crisis won legislative committee approval Tuesday without Republican support or a mandate that all municipalities participate. As submitted, LD 1184 would have required all cities and towns to report annual home construction data — including building, demolition and occupancy permits — to the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development.
Increasing wildfire risk requires permits, extra precautions

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

Apr. 18—Fire officials are warning Mainers to take extra precautions with outdoor burning and other fire-related activities because of the increased wildfire risk that follows the spring thaw. Recent brushfires have been reported in Lebanon, North Berwick and Greenwood.
Visitors to Maine dropped again in 2024, challenging a top industry

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

Apr. 17—The number of people visiting Maine fell for the third year in a row in 2024, spotlighting a growing challenge for one of the state's primary industries as Gov. Janet Mills anticipates the loss of Canadian visitors amid President Donald Trump's tariff war. Maine's tourist count dropped 3% last year, from 15.27 million visitors in 2023 to 14.8 million in 2024, according to the state's annual report delivered Thursday at the the Governor's Conference on Tourism in Bangor.
Maine E-ZPass System Closed to Avoid Possible Security Breach

4 weeks ago | govtech.com | Kelley Bouchard

As a precaution, the Maine Turnpike Authority hasn't charged tolls to user accounts for nearly a month — a process it plans to resume this week. TransCore, the authority's E-ZPass vendor, shut down its lane-scanning system after it detected an attempted security breach, said authority spokesperson Erin Courtney. (TNS) — The E-ZPass system on the Maine Turnpike was shut down for 12 hours in March to avoid a potential online security breach, turnpike officials said Tuesday.
E-ZPass security shutdown delays Maine Turnpike toll charges

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Kelley Bouchard

Apr. 15—The E-ZPass system on the Maine Turnpike was shut down for 12 hours in March to avoid a potential online security breach, turnpike officials said Tuesday. As a precaution, the Maine Turnpike Authority hasn't charged tolls to user accounts for nearly a month — a process it plans to resume this week. TransCore, the authority's E-ZPass vendor, shut down its lane-scanning system after it detected an attempted security breach, said authority spokesperson Erin Courtney.