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15 million bees contained after bee-laden truck crashes in Maine

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15 million bees contained after bee-laden truck crashes in Maine


In this image provided by Maine State Police, emergency crews work to remove a tractor-trailer hauling 15 million bees to be used in pollinating the state’s blueberry crops after it overturned on Interstate-95, Thursday evening, May 9, 2024, in Clin (Maine State Police)

A major accident occurred when a tractor-trailer carrying about 15 million honey bees, on a crucial journey to pollinate blueberry fields, overturned on a major highway in Maine, officials said. 

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Emergency response and bee containment 

Following the crash, the driver was promptly taken to the hospital for precautionary measures. Meanwhile, emergency personnel focused on the safety of the cargo. The bees, housed in hives securely strapped to the trailer, remained largely contained as the trailer lay on its side. 

The local fire department, unaware of the cargo’s nature, discovered the bees in a dramatic fashion. 

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Fire Chief Travis Leary recounted the unexpected challenge with the Associated Press. “The guys did get stung on a regular basis. Everyone got stung at least a couple of times,” said Leary, who suffered several bee stings. 

Shannon Moss, a spokesperson for the state police, emphasized that the primary objective was to preserve the bee population. 

Moss stated that the “goal was to save them,” highlighting the bees’ importance to local agriculture. 

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Officials noted that the local temperature, which remained in the 40s, likely prevented the bees from becoming more agitated during the rescue operation. A professional beekeeper was summoned to effectively corral the bees, ensuring their safety and minimizing further complications.

The truckload of bees was headed to Washington County, a region known for its extensive wild blueberry industry, where bees are routinely transported to aid in pollinating blueberry fields each spring.

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The Associated Press contributed to this story. It was reported from Los Angeles. 

 



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Maine

Paul LePage may be eyeing another campaign in Maine

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Paul LePage may be eyeing another campaign in Maine


Former Gov. Paul LePage during a 2022 gubernatorial debate. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald

After losing a 2022 bid to return to the Blaine House, former Gov. Paul LePage moved out of Maine and returned to a home he owns in Florida.

In March 2023, LePage registered to vote as a Republican in Flagler County and remains on the rolls there.

But the Bangor Daily News reports that despite having his home in Ormond Beach, which his wife purchased in 2018, LePage is eyeing the possibility of running for a U.S. House seat in Maine’s conservative-leaning 2nd District.

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The Bangor paper reported that “three Republicans who spoke on conditions of anonymity to discuss a sensitive issue said they have heard from those in the former governor’s inner circle that he is seriously considering a run” for the seat held by Democrat Jared Golden, whose own 2026 campaign plans are uncertain.

The 76-year-old LePage, who could not be reached for comment, would be among the oldest first-time members of the House should he both opt to run and emerge victorious. An Illinois congressman elected in 1952 for the first time was slightly older than LePage would be.

LePage served as governor 2011-19, when he had to give up the office because of term limits. His bid to regain the position in 2022 fell well short as incumbent Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, easily defeated him.

During the interim between his time as governor in 2019 and his return to Maine to face Mills in 2022, LePage also moved to Florida, where he voted in the 2020 presidential race.

In 2017, when LePage flirted with a U.S. Senate bid, he admitted during a radio interview that “he wouldn’t make a very good legislator” and expressed concern that the many committee meetings that members of Congress must attend would be too boring for him.

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Nobody has yet filed to run in the 2026 congressional race in the 2nd District, but it is widely anticipated that Republican Austin Theriault of Fort Kent will seek a rematch. He lost to Golden by a narrow margin last year.



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Maine

Reproductive health providers call for more state funding as federal threats loom

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Reproductive health providers call for more state funding as federal threats loom


Providers of reproductive and gender-affirming health care are returning to the Legislature on Monday to call for more funding as state allocations have remained stagnant for about a decade. This is not the first attempt, but providers and lawmakers are upping their ask particularly amid looming federal threats of funding cuts.  LD 143, sponsored by […]



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I Was Elected to Fight for Women and Girls. Maine Democrats Censured Me for Doing Just That.

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I Was Elected to Fight for Women and Girls. Maine Democrats Censured Me for Doing Just That.


The Democratic consensus on allowing males to compete in women’s sports is starting to crack. In November, Massachusetts Representative Seth Moulton broke ranks, telling journalists his party was “out of touch” on the issue. Last week, California governor Gavin Newsom told conservative activist Charlie Kirk that male participation in female sports is “deeply unfair.”

Newsom is simply bowing to political reality. Take the case of Payton McNabb, who was left with a traumatic brain injury after a male volleyball player spiked a ball at her head. Or the female swimmers exposed to male genitalia in their changing facilities. Or the many high school girls who have experienced heartbreak and frustration, training for months only to have scholarships, opportunities, and trophies stolen by members of the opposite sex.

Almost 80 percent of Americans, and 67 percent of Democrat voters, disagree with allowing males in female sports. That leaves Democrats with two choices—jump ship or double down. In my home state of Maine, Democrats are choosing the latter.

For the past four years, as a representative of Maine House District 90, I have fought for the rights of women and girls. But last month, Democrats in my state prohibited me from speaking and voting in the chamber, trampling on my constituents’ rights to representation. And all because I dared to say that boys shouldn’t play on the girls’ team.

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