Michael Shepherd

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Michael Shepherd

AUGUSTA, Maine — President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs are a massive bet that global companies will bring production back to the U.S. In the short run, they will drive up costs. The shock is showing in the stock market, which plunged on Friday for the second straight day since the Republican president’s long-awaited announcement. He is imposing 10 percent tariffs across the board, with higher ones for roughly 60 countries or trading blocs, including the European Union, China and Japan.

2 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Michael Shepherd

AUGUSTA, Maine — Federal funds that pay the salaries of Maine workers who administer school food programs were paused this week in the latest volley of President Donald Trump’s battle with Gov. Janet Mills over the state’s transgender athlete policies.

3 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Michael Shepherd

AUGUSTA, Maine — The estate of Gov. Janet Mills’ late husband has paid late taxes and fees that were owed on a piece of property in rural Franklin County that was the subject of a state lien, the governor’s office said Wednesday. The property in Salem Township was owned by Stanley Kuklinski, who was married to the Democratic governor from 1985 until his 2014 death from stroke complications. Mills is the personal representative of the estate and is named as such on county property records.

3 weeks ago | bangordailynews.com | Michael Shepherd

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said a judge should reject a Republican lawmaker’s effort to overturn her censure, arguing in a Tuesday filing that the Democratic-led Legislature has wide authority to punish its members. The state’s response to the lawsuit filed last month by Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, lays out a sweeping view of legislative power.

4 weeks ago | observer-me.com | Michael Shepherd |Billy Kobin

Sangerville Shenna Bellows Secretary of State Shenna Bellows attends an event in this Jan. 4, 2023, file photo, in Augusta, Maine. By Michael Shepherd and Billy Kobin, Bangor Daily News StaffAUGUSTA — Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows will keep her job while running for governor in 2026, although she alluded to a plan to step back from certain duties after the campaign picks up next year.