Northeast
Maine secretary of state’s house 'swatted' day after Trump ballot disqualification decision
The home of Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was “swatted” Friday evening, police confirmed Saturday.
Maine State Police responded after an unidentified man lied about having broken into the house.
Bellows and her family were away at the time of the hoax call.
The incident comes after Bellows disqualified former President Trump from the state’s 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot late Thursday, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which bans from office those who “engaged in insurrection” over his alleged incitement of the Jan. 6 riot.
MAINE GOP STATE LAWMAKER MOVES TO IMPEACH STATE SECRETARY OVER TRUMP BALLOT REMOVAL
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows decided Thursday that former President Trump is to be barred from Maine’s 2024 presidential ballot. (Joe Phelan/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images/File)
Bellows made the ruling after some state residents, including a bipartisan group of former lawmakers, challenged Trump’s position on the ballot.
“Swatting” is when someone calls the police under dangerous false pretenses to trigger a law enforcement response, especially a SWAT team to a location.
Some swatting calls in the past have ended in the victim being killed. An Ohio man was sentenced to prison in 2019 after a Kansas man he swatted was accidentally killed by police.
On Saturday, Bellows called the swatting call “unacceptable” in a lengthy statement on Facebook.
HOW RECENT ‘SWATTING’ CALLS TARGETING OFFICIALS MAY PROMPT HEAVIER PENALTIES FOR HOAX POLICE CALLS
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (Gordon Chibroski/File)
“Thank you for the messages of love and support,” she wrote. “I’ve been moved by every one and especially by those from friends and loved ones who disagree with my decision but have reached out to express love and respect.”
Bellows added that her staff had faced “unacceptable” and “non-stop threatening communications” on Friday after her decision. “It’s designed to scare not only me but also others into silence, to send a message. I am so grateful to have such an amazing team of employees at the Department of Secretary of State. [Her husband] Brandon and I are grateful for incredible, dedicated support from law enforcement in this time.”
Maine State Police said officers investigated Bellows’ home at her request and nothing suspicious was found.
The investigation is ongoing.
On Christmas Day, Republican U.S. Reps. Brandon Wiliams of New York and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia were also the targets of swatting calls.
Then on Tuesday, Republican state Rep. Kevin D. Miller of Ohio reported that he was swatted.
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A fair that attracts thousands of visitors every year will officially open later in Boston.
The May Fair is “one of the country’s most iconic and historic street fairs”, Boston Borough Council said.
The event, featuring attractions, rides and games, will be held in the town centre until 9 May.
Dale Broughton, leader of the council, said: “The Boston May Fair is one of our town’s most treasured traditions, and welcoming it back once again is something we look forward to all year.”
Which Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks do fans love, hate?
Steelers fans in attendance shared their thoughts on the team’s 2026 NFL Draft selections.
Pittsburgh has another opportunity to prove its passion for football, now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over.
The Steel City is among the nominees for “Best NFL City” in the USA Today Sports Readers’ Choice Awards, a new nationwide contest modeled after the media company’s successful 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards program.
Public voting will decide who gets the bragging rights from the slate of 20 nominees, which also includes Philadelphia, Baltimore and Cincinnati, by the way.
In addition to choosing the Best NFL City, voters can select their favorites in three other categories: Best College Baseball Stadium, Best Local Sports Bar and Best Sports Bar.
One vote per person, per day will be accepted in each category, and voting ends at noon on May 11. The top 10 winners in each category will be announced on May 20.
USA Today, the Beaver County Times and the Somerset Daily American are owned by the USA Today Co. media company.
Make Mother’S Day Memorable With These 8 Activities In Connecticut
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 10, and Connecticut is full of ways to celebrate.
The Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is kicking off its latest season, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the state’s farm wineries and win prizes.
The program, which begins May 1 and includes 37 participating wineries — three of which are new for 2026 — according to a community announcement.
The new wineries are Ox & Oak Vineyard in Lebanon, Spring Hill Vineyards in New Preston and Long View Ciderhouse in Southington. Each offers a unique experience, from a quiet woodland backdrop to a historic farm setting and a branch-to-bottle cidery.
This year, the program is introducing a new feature to the passport booklets. A QR code on the inside cover allows users to register their booklet, making it easier to enter the end-of-season prize drawing.
Farm wineries will also have the option to use a live QR code to issue stamps onsite. Visitors can collect stamps by scanning the QR code at the winery, tapping “stamp my passport” within the mobile app or having their printed booklet marked during the visit.
“There’s nothing like summer in Connecticut! And the Passport to CT Wine Country is exactly what you need to help discover all our state has to offer,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. “As you explore our beautiful farm wineries, there is so much more to explore in each town, from fabulous shops to stunning walking trails, delicious restaurants and so much more.”
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council has increased the total prize allocation this season to $15,000. The prizes will be divided among multiple drawings within three categories: Taster (12 or more stamps), Sommelier (18 or more stamps) and Winemaker (35 or more stamps), according to the announcement.
Connecticut is home to more than 45 licensed farm wineries, each required to use at least 25% Connecticut-grown fruit. Some producers participate in a voluntary designation that highlights wineries using 51% or more Connecticut-grown ingredients.
The Passport program runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Prize drawings will take place no later than Jan. 31, 2027, according to the announcement.
More information about Connecticut farm wineries and the Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is available at ctwinecountry.com.
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council, administered by the state Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary council made up of winery owners, research institutions and representatives of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic and Community Development. The council is responsible for promoting state wines and related products, offering educational programs, recommending research projects and advising groups on farm wine development.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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