Maine

Maine knows the cost of war. Our leaders must remember it too. | Opinion

Published

3 months ago

November 21, 2025

Maine knows the cost of war. Our leaders must remember it too. | Opinion

Morgan Lueck, a native of Sumner who now lives in China, Maine, served as a sergeant in the Marine Corps. He holds a Master of Science degree in counterterrorism and homeland security from American University.

As I reflect on this past Veterans Day, I am reminded of what military service demands and of what national decisions about war truly cost. It is about remembering the profound weight of what is asked when a nation chooses conflict.

The burden is not theoretical; it is carried by service members, their families and their communities for generations. Because of this, those we elect have a solemn obligation to exercise judgment before committing Americans to war.

That obligation is not being met.

The recent U.S. maritime and aerial operations have included lethal strikes that United Nations experts describe as extrajudicial killings in international waters. The president has stated that he “does not need a declaration of war” to expand these operations.

The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group to the Caribbean signals an unjustified escalation, without clear objectives, legal grounding or an exit strategy. Senior lawmakers report they have not been given the required legal basis for these operations.

Maine has a senator who chose to ignore that history.

Sen. Susan Collins serves on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Her duty is to oversee covert military activity and ensure compliance with U.S. law. That role is not symbolic. It is the constitutional safeguard intended to prevent undeclared war.

Twice now, the Senate has considered bipartisan measures to require congressional authorization for further U.S. strikes in Venezuela. Twice Sen. Susan Collins has voted to block those measures. Most recently, the measure failed 51–49, and hers was the decisive vote.

Her vote preserved the administration’s ability to conduct lethal operations without congressional approval. And it confirms what Mainers who serve in uniform have long known: her self-styled reputation for moderation does not extend to upholding constitutional checks on war power.

This was not an isolated misjudgment. It was the continuation of a pattern.

Collins has built her reputation on careful deliberation. This was careless. It is an abdication of the oversight she is uniquely positioned to exercise and was entrusted with by her constituents. Collins did not defend constitutional war powers or demand transparency on their behalf. She chose the path of least resistance and opposed the guardrails. She claimed the restrictions were “too broad.” We have seen this pattern from her before.

When she voted to authorize the war in Iraq, she did so under the same framework she invokes now: deference to executive assurances, an avoidance of hard constraints and a disregard for the human cost of what those decisions set in motion.

Maine remembers that cost. We remember it in the names etched into stone on town memorials, in flag-lined funeral routes through our smallest towns, in the quiet corners of our lives where someone’s absence is still felt. The Iraq War reshaped families and communities here at home. The lesson should have been clear: war must not be entered quietly, casually or without clarity. Yet the pattern is repeating. Only the geography has changed.

Those of us who have served are not “anti-intervention.” We are against unexamined intervention. We are against wars entered casually and exited slowly. We are against repeating the pattern that has taken so much from so many for so little strategic return.

Make no mistake, Nicolás Maduro is a dictator, and Venezuela’s alignment with Russia, China and Iran is strategically concerning. But recognizing a threat is not the same as authorizing a war.

If the United States is to use military force, the administration must explain the rationale, Congress must debate and approve it and the mission must have clear goals and limits, including a plan to end the conflict before it begins.

If Americans are going to be asked to risk their lives, then those we elect to vote on our behalf have a duty to stand up, speak clearly and take responsibility. That duty is not being met. And once again, Sen. Collins is choosing caution over courage, and silence over leadership, at the very moment when bravery and clarity are required.

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Maine

Maine competition gives creative entrepreneurs the chance to win money

Published

2 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

14 hours 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.

You Know You’re From Maine If You’ve Tried All 19 of These Foods

Here’s a number of foods associated with Maine. How many of them have you had?

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

The New York Time’s Best Restaurant Lists Feature These 7 Maine Spots

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

How the Good Neighbor Day of Giving telethon is impacting Maine’s communities

BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Monday’s telethon held by WABI in partnership with Penquis and Heart of Maine United Way Monday raised money for the heating of homes, something so basic, yet so significant in a state like Maine.

Danielle Hewes, Penquis contributor and volunteer, says some people might not even know that they qualify for heating assistance.

“I think there’s this misconception that you can’t get that if you’re working. Like that’s just for people on general assistance. The truth of the matter is this is for the people that are maybe not able to work, but also for the people that are working. They’re making ends meet,” she said.

For Danielle, that’s what makes events like the telethon so special: it’s making a real difference in the community with people who need the help the most.

Speaking about Penquis in particular, she said, “You learn about all of the other things they do and how they help the community and you can’t help but want to be a part of that.”

If you weren’t able to donate Monday, donations are still being accepted.

You can go to homeunitedway.org/heat.

You can also call 941-2800.

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