Maine

Here are some of the new laws that could most affect Mainers’ lives • Maine Morning Star

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2024

Here are some of the new laws that could most affect Mainers’ lives • Maine Morning Star

Friday marks 90 days since the end of the last legislative session in Maine, which means new laws take effect.

Maine Morning Star asked legislative leaders to weigh in on which new laws they think have the potential to impact everyday life for Mainers. There were some common themes, particularly changes to guns, housing and healthcare policy.

In addition to the individual bills that were approved to become law, the supplemental budget will also take effect Friday. The budget includes sweeping changes that Assistant House Majority Leader Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston) said “will make life easier for families in Maine.” She pointed specifically to investments in housing and child care as well as lowering prescription drug costs for older Mainers.

“The budget really allowed us to do things for folks at every life stage, which I think is really important,” Cloutier said.

New gun laws

Gun reform rose to the top for leaders of both parties when asked about how individual lives will be shaped by new laws.

Though there were many pieces of gun legislation considered during the last session, only two will become law Friday. This includes the 72-hour-waiting period after certain purchases, which passed by a narrow margin, with some legislative Democrats joining all Republicans in opposition. Gov. Janet Mills said she was “deeply conflicted” about the reform but allowed it to become law without her signature.

Cloutier, who represents Lewiston, which was the site of the state’s deadliest mass shooting last October that killed 18 people and injured 13 more, said the new law will make communities safer.

But Senate Republican Leader Trey Stewart of Aroostook County said, “Any right delayed is a right denied.”

So while he agrees it will be one of the most impactful laws to come from the last legislative session, especially for the many Mainers who own or possess at least one firearm, he doesn’t see it as a positive one.

While Cloutier said she is proud of the progress that was made to reform the state’s relatively lax gun laws, she also highlighted the Maine Mass Violence Care Fund that was created last session in response to the Lewiston shooting.

The $5 million fund created through the supplemental budget will support victims by covering out-of-pocket expenses not covered by insurance that are connected to a mass violence event. While the gun legislation often dominated conversations, Cloutier said she thinks this fund “will be of equal benefit, maybe greater.”

Helping people stay housed

Friday will unlock the $18 million earmarked in the supplemental budget for the rent relief pilot program, which was considered a win for advocates who have long pushed for some form of rental assistance.

Over the past several weeks, the Maine State Housing Authority has been developing the program based on the specifications spelled out in the budget, explained Director of Communications Scott Thistle. The program — which MaineHousing has dubbed an “Eviction Prevention Program” — is scheduled to open to applicants in October.

The law specifies that the program will provide eligible people with up to $800 per month in rental assistance paid directly to a person’s landlord for up to two years. To be eligible, a household must be at risk of eviction, fall below 60% of area median income and not owe more than $19,200 in back rent, among other criteria.

Cloutier also highlighted a new law to provide more transparency around the fees that a landlord can impose on a renter prior to tenancy. Those protections will also apply to residents of mobile home parks.

Students without adult family members or guardians to help secure housing for them will benefit from a housing subsidy program also created with the supplemental budget, an initiative that was highlighted by Senate President Troy Jackson (D-Aroostook) as well as the Senate Majority Office.

Accessing healthcare

Jackson and the Senate Majority Office also pointed to multiple new laws that will make healthcare more accessible and affordable.

For example, a new law that was sponsored by the Senate president will collect data on prescription drug coverage of generic drugs, which will give a sense of whether insurance companies are pushing patients to brand-name drugs when cheaper options are available.

Likewise, another new law will help the 80 community health centers across the state provide affordable prescription drugs to more people. Those centers already provide primary care to one in six Mainers.

There will also be better price transparency for patients now that healthcare providers will be required to give good faith cost estimates to uninsured patients and insurers will have to provide out-of-pocket estimates for insured patients.

And patients who are sent to collection agencies will be protected from additional fees or costly litigation with debt collectors thanks to a new law originally sponsored by Sen. Mike Tipping (D-Penobscot), which prohibits unfair practices related to medical debt.

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Maine

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

Published

7 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Rage Room in Portland, Maine, Developing ‘Scream Room’ Addition

For a lot of people throughout Maine, there’s some built up frustration that they’ve just been keeping inside.

That frustration can come in a lot of different forms. From finances to relationships to the world around you.

So it makes plenty of sense that a rage room opened in Portland, Maine, where people can let some of that frustration out.

It’s called Mayhem and people have been piling in to smash, crush and do dastardly things to inanimate objects that had no idea what was coming.

But Mayhem has realized not everyone is down with swinging a sledgehammer. So they’ve decided to cook up something new.

Mayhem Creating ‘Scream Room’ at Their Space in Portland, Maine

Perhaps the thought of swinging a baseball bat and destroying a glass vase brings you joy. The thought of how sore your body will be after that moment makes you less excited.

Mayhem Portland has heard you loud and clear and is developing a new way to get the rage out. By just screaming.

Mayhem is working on opening their very first scream room. It’s exactly what you think it is, a safe place to spend some time just screaming all of the frustration out.

There isn’t an official opening date set yet but it’s coming soon along with pricing.

Mayhem in Portland, Maine, Will Still Offer Rage Rooms and Paint Splatter

While a scream room is on the way, you can still experience a good time at Mayhem with one of their rage rooms or a paint splatter room.

Both can be experienced in either 20-minute or 30-minute sessions.

All the details including some age and attire requirements can be found here.

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Things to do in Portland, Maine

Looking for fun things to do in Portland, ME? Here is what the reviewers on TripAdvisor say are the 10 best attractions.

This list was updated in March of 2026

Gallery Credit: Chris Sedenka

Top 15 of The Most Powerful People in Maine

Ever wonder who the most powerful players are in Maine? I’ve got a list!

Gallery Credit: Getty Images

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

19 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – If you’ve ever wondered what goes into pitching a good business idea, you might want to stop by a Big Gig event.

The Big Gig Entrepreneurship Pitch Off brings professionals from across the state together to network and pitch their early-stage business ideas for a chance to win $500.

Tuesday’s competition was held at the Salty Brick Market in Bangor, and it drew a lot of spectators.

“The winners of each semifinal event get $500 and the opportunity to compete for $5,000, so that can make a huge impact on a business that’s just getting off the ground,” said Renee Kelly, a Big Gig organizer.

The winner of the competition, Colin McGuire, was also grateful for the opportunity to showcase his idea “Art on Tap,” which would connect local artists with local venues trying to put on events.

“The support tonight is huge, and it’s just giving me more enthusiasm for running with the idea,” he said.

The season finale of the competition will be held May 19th.

The location is yet to be determined.

If you’d like to apply to compete in the contest, you can go to biggig.org.

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Maine

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

This Monster Burrito Challenge in Waterville, Maine, Is Not for the Weak

Are you up for a Maine food challenge, or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?

A Waterville staple, Buen Apetito has a monster burrito just waiting for someone to eat it down to the very last bite.

This thing is a beast, literally called La Bestia, and it’s definitely a mighty task for a fearless foodie.

Take on the Buen Apetito La Bestia Food Challenge in Waterville, Maine

According to Buen Apetito, if you can finish a super-sized burrito in 30 minutes or less, you’ll get the $60 meal for free, a La Bestia champion shirt, and a picture on the wall of fame. That’s not to mention the bragging rights of dominating a task few will be able to conquer.

Wondering what’s in the burrito?

The Mexican restaurant shared in a Facebook comment on a post that the burrito is filled with “grilled chicken, chorizo, and tender shredded beef or pork. Built on a layer of seasoned rice, refried beans, and French fries, it’s melted together with a shredded Mexican cheese blend and a drizzle of creamy cheese sauce, sautéed peppers and onions, green salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, creamy guacamole, and a bed of shredded lettuce all wrapped in three extra-large tortillas fused into one epic wrap.”

Let’s just say that this thing is packed full.

The first La Bestia contender took up his fork and knife in December 2025, but despite coming close, he couldn’t come out with the win.

As of March 2026, the challenge has remained undefeated. But you never know, someone is bound to come out victorious.

Just note that you can only try your hand at this food challenge on Wednesday and Thursday.

Buen Apetito Has Been a Longstanding Waterville, Maine, Restaurant

First opened in 1999, Buen Apeitito has been around for nearly 30 years.

Centralmaine.com reported that the Mexican restaurant was originally located at the Railroad Square complex off Chaplin Street before moving to 99 West River Road in 2023.

A little over a year later, in 2024, Buen Apetito shared on Facebook that it was passing on the torch to new owners, including Dalia, “the heart and soul of [the] kitchen for twenty years,” her daughter, Norma, and Norma’s husband, Shawn.

READ MORE: Famous Maine Restaurant Buen Apetito Adds Powerhouse New Owner to Crew

And it seems like not only are things still going strong, but new additions like La Bestia food challenge are only enhancing the spirit of big flavor and delicious Mexican food at the Waterville staple.

So, you think you’re up for the task of taking down a beast of a burrito at Buen Apetito? Good luck.