Maine
Report: Hundreds of Maine workers were owed unpaid wages last year
PORTLAND (WGME) — Hundreds of Maine workers didn’t get paid the money they were owed last year.
The state released a new annual report which documents how many people filed complaints with the Department of Labor, saying some wages never made it to their pockets.
If a worker believes they’ve been underpaid, they can file a complaint with the Maine Department of Labor, under state law. The Department of Labor determined that more than 1,400 workers were owed more than $420,000 in unpaid wages last year.
Hundreds of Maine workers didn’t get paid the money they were owed last year. (WGME)
Kate Burkhart, who oversees the Bureau of Labor Standards in Maine, says most violators didn’t know they were breaking the law.
“It’s not deliberate or bad faith action, it’s just a lack of awareness,” Burkhart said. “When we go in and an employer is not in bad faith, it’s a mom and pop, they just missed a couple rules.”
Last year, the I-Team reported a gap in the state’s current enforcement system. Maine could confirm a business was breaking the law but couldn’t confirm whether workers ever got their money.
Burkhart says the department has taken steps to fill in the gap.
Hundreds of Maine workers didn’t get paid the money they were owed last year. (WGME)
“We are better at it. We are not perfect,” Burkhart said. “Our goal is workers are made whole as quickly as possible.”
The department launched a new initiative called strategic enforcement, which identifies workers most vulnerable to not getting paid. There’s also a new requirement that companies which enter settlement agreements are required to issue notices of payment to the state. The department has also partnered with the Maine Attorney General’s Office to enforce compliance in extreme situations.
“I want to know when our workers are made whole. That’s our job, right? It’s to ensure that workers receive the legal protections they’re entitled to,” Burkhart said.
As part of the strategic enforcement, Burkhart says they identified the three most common industries where violations were occurring include hospitality, construction and health care.
Hundreds of Maine workers didn’t get paid the money they were owed last year. (WGME)
Another possible change out of Augusta is a bill being considered. If passed, it would give the department the authority to levy a business’s assets, if they choose not to comply with solving wage violations.
A meal that would normally cost more than $30 is available for less than $12 at Governor’s Restaurants on Wednesday.
Governor’s is celebrating its 67th anniversary by offering its lobster roll for $11.67.
The annual promotion, known as Lobster Roll Day, begins when restaurants open at 8 a.m. and continues until supplies run out.
Governor’s operates six locations across Maine in Old Town, Bangor, Ellsworth, Waterville, Lewiston and Presque Isle.
Customers should be aware that several locations are offering cash-only drive-thru service for the event.
Join Girl Scouts of Maine for a sweet summer stop you won’t want to miss!
We’re popping up at local ice cream shops around Maine for our Ice Cream Socials—fun, casual events where families can enjoy a free treat and learn more about Girl Scouts.
Here’s what to expect:
🍦 One FREE kid-sized cone per family when you stop by and connect with us
🌱 Hands-on activity for kids (like a planting activity or fidget spinner craft)
💬 A chance to chat with our team and learn how Girl Scouts builds confidence, friendships, and unforgettable experiences
Whether you’re curious about joining, looking for activities for your child, or just want to enjoy a sweet treat, we’d love to meet you!
✨ Open to all families—no registration required. Just stop by, say hello, and enjoy some ice cream with us.
The Saco Scoop
05:30 PM – 07:30 PM on Tue, 14 Jul 2026
The recent rain in Maine is easing the drought that parts of the state have been experiencing since the fall.
Scott Dean, a Spectrum meteorologist, said much of Maine has been at least “dry” for several months. Parts of the state, including Portland, Bangor and Bar Harbor, are under a “moderate” drought.
Much of the country is also experiencing a drought, Dean added. The Southeast is seeing extreme levels of drought, and the West coast has been under a drought for years. There are many factors that go into this, including climate change, weather patterns like El Niño and La Niña and other factors.
And, when an area does experience drought, it can become a feedback loop. With less moisture in the ground and atmosphere, the drought can “feed upon itself,” Dean said.
“It takes a while to get into a drought and it also takes a while to get out of one,” Dean said.
But, the rainy days in Maine have been alleviating the drought, Dean said. And, the trend is likely to continue — the forecast is predicting above average levels of precipitation for the next three to four weeks.
“Hopefully, we are continuing to head in the right direction as the drought has eased in these areas,” Dean said.
In fact, if these rains do continue, Maine could come out of the drought sometime this summer.
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