How Maine’s George Smith went from deer hunter to birder and what I learned

A rare hurricane landfall threat for Hawaii's Big Island as Lala nears

HONOLULU (AP) — Tropical Storm Lala is expected to strengthen to a hurricane before reaching Hawaii’s Big Island this weekend, forecasters said Friday, bringing heavy rains that can cause destructive flooding and strong winds that can fuel wildfires. The National Hurricane Center said Lala should be at hurricane strength by the time it approaches the […]

Houlton hospital doctor placed on leave during death investigation

Hospital staff contacted police, and officials are cooperating with local law enforcement and the medical examiner’s office, a hospital spokesperson said.

Prosecutors narrow their case ahead of the retrial of the man accused of setting the Palisades fire

Los Angeles (AP) — Federal prosecutors will pursue fewer charges in their second attempt to convict a man accused of starting the deadly 2025 wildfire that became the most destructive in Los Angeles’ history. A jury deadlocked in June over whether to convict Jonathan Rinderknecht of intentionally sparking the fire that killed 12 people as […]

A federal judge blocks Idaho from prosecuting doctors for health-protecting abortions

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A federal judge says Idaho can’t prosecute doctors who perform abortions to protect a pregnant person’s health or prevent self-harm. U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill made the ruling Thursday, writing that Idaho’s “Defense of Life Act” and “Fetal Heartbeat Act” — which together create a near-total ban on abortion — […]

All Maine ICE officers now have bodycams, Susan Collins says

Acting ICE director David Venturella has said that camera footage would only be released to the public if deemed to be in the “best interests of the agency.”