Maine

Experimental new lane expected to mitigate traffic to Maine, N.H.

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2024

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This change will be between Exit 5 in New Hampshire and Exit 3 in Maine, according to officials.

A new way to ease traffic is going into use this weekend.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) will implement a new dynamic part-time shoulder use (PTSU) system for about three miles on Interstate 95 in conjunction with the Maine Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority, according to the agencies.

This change will be between Exit 5 in New Hampshire and Exit 3 in Maine, according to officials.

The agencies will open this new lane of travel for the holiday weekend to study how it will affect traffic congestion during the expected busier period, according to WCVB.

“If the congestion is happening northbound, NHDOT will go into our system and be able to turn on a green arrow over the shoulder so traffic knows you can use this part-time shoulder use,” said Susan Klasen, director of operations at NHDOT, to WCVB.

NHDOT said it’s important that drivers pay attention to the traffic signals along these exits. There will be a red “X” symbol when the shoulder is only available for emergency stopping.

NHDOT will be managing the northbound side of the system while the Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority will manage the southbound side.

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Maine

Immigrant rights coalition reports uptick in ICE detentions across Maine

Published

5 hours ago

May 12, 2026

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Immigrant rights coalition reports uptick in ICE detentions across Maine

The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition says over the past two weeks its immigrant defense hotline has seen an uptick in reported ICE detentions.

They say this corresponds with a national shift in ICE activity, including bids for local businesses to cooperate with ICE.

In Maine, the arrests follow a broader trend of targeting Black and brown immigrants, including people navigating immigration proceedings.

The coalition, which represents more than 100 organizations, says it’s ready to protect civil and human rights and is urging immigrants to prepare themselves and their families.

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They suggest having the defense hotline ready in case you witness ICE activity, making sure you have important personal documents in case of detention, and reviewing rights around judicial warrants in private spaces, like your home or workplace.

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Maine

How a data center derailed $240,000 for affordable housing in Wiscasset

Published

17 hours ago

May 11, 2026

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How a data center derailed 0,000 for affordable housing in Wiscasset

On a crisp afternoon in early April 2026, Richard Davis walked to the end of a boat launch on the Back River, a tidal channel that cuts through Midcoast Maine’s rocky coastline. As the tide swept in, Davis, co-founder of a local group called Protect Wiscasset and an area resident, fixed his attention on the […]

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Maine

Mother’s Day brings boom in flower sales across Maine

Published

1 day ago

May 11, 2026

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Mother’s Day brings boom in flower sales across Maine

It wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a stop at the florist.

According to Fox Business, about 154 million flowers are sold during the week of Mother’s Day. So it’s safe to say it was a busy day for stores like Estabrook’s Maine Garden Center and Nursery.

Plenty of families stopped by to pick out flowers on Sunday, looking to choose the perfect bouquet for their moms.

“I think Mother’s Day is tradition, you know, and so it’s great to see families here. We have a lot of new families that have come today for the first time with their young children and their mother. Watching the young kids and seeing how excited they are—their eyes light up at all the beautiful flowers,” Tom Estabrook, president of Estabrook’s, said.

Estabrook says Mother’s Day tends to be a great kickoff to the spring season.

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