Maine
Lucas: The Maine drain: Progressives in Maine and Massachusetts seem determined to antagonize Trump
“As Maine goes, so goes the nation,” was once a maxim in U.S. politics, meaning that it was at one time a bellwether for presidential elections.
Now it risks becoming a backwater in the face of federal budget cuts imposed by President Donald Trump.
And Massachusetts is not far behind. The Maine maxim could soon read, “As Maine goes, so goes Massachusetts” when it comes to similar, but larger, elimination or cutbacks in federal funding.
Another thing in common is that both Gov. Janet Mills of Maine and Gov. Maura Healey are both progressive Democrats who are “standing up” to Trump no matter what it costs their state and the people who live there.
Their stand is a perfect example of self-indulgent politicians putting politics over common sense, particularly when it comes to supporting men in women’s sports, transgender issues, DEI and other looney, left-wing progressive nonsense.
A Maine example of what is in store for Massachusetts was no-nonsense U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision last week to pull funding from Maine’s Department of Correction over a man transgendering into a woman being housed in a women’s prison.
The person is serving a 40-year sentence for murdering his/her parents and the family dog.
“We will pull your funding, we will protect women in prison, we will protect women in sports, we will protect women throughout this country,” Bondi said, in reference to Mill’s stubborn defiance of Trump’s mandate banning men from competing in women’s sports.
Things will be worse for Massachusetts because, not only is there is more at stake, but the attacks on Trump have never subsided even after he was elected in 2024 in a solid victory.
In fact, they have gotten worse as Healey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Attorney General Andrea Campbell in a triple team offense seem to be competing over who can hate and taunt Trump more.
Campbell, for instance, appears out to break Healey’s record of suing Trump some one hundred times in four years when she was attorney general.
Even before he was sworn in as president the second time around, Campbell warned that she would be “on the front lines to protect our fundamental rights” from Trump. She so far she has sued him nine times.
Mayor Wu’s attacks on Trump are a bit more understandable since she is running for reelection and is counting on anti-Trump votes in Boston, no matter how much it will cost the city by challenging Trump’s mandates, particularly on illegal immigration.
And while Gov. Healey, the third spoke in the women’s progressive anti-Trump trifecta, has said she would work with Trump whenever possible, the Trump administration is not listening, doesn’t care or does not believe her.
That is because too many bridges have been burned.
Even as Trump pulled off a remarkable pause and switch turnabout with his tariff crusade, isolated China, and saw the stock market rise to amazing heights, Healey and the Democrats had nothing good to say, except to complain about the “chaos” Trump caused.
Trump could teach Democrats a lesson in diplomacy.
While he isolated China, our main adversary, from the rest of the world and banged it with tariffs, he had kind things to say about his “friend,” Communist Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“XI is a smart guy and we’ll end up making a deal,” Trump said. “Xi is a man who knows exactly what has to be done. He loves his country.”
Contrast that to the names prominent Democrats call Trump, their adversary.
They defiantly call him Hitler, a Nazi, a fascist, a dictator and a king and then expect him to continue shower them, their states, their cities and their interests with money the way hapless Joe Biden did.
Healey, following generally accepted happy news that Trump had paused higher tariffs for most countries, except China, and that countries were lining up for a deal under Trump’s terms, was still critical of him.
“We are still left in a state of chaos and uncertainty,” she said.
But her killer quote came when she added, “At the end of the day, I wish somebody could reach the president and get him to stop, because enough is enough.”
Governor, that is your job.
Veteran political columnist Peter Lucas can be reached at: peter.lucas@bostonherald.com

Originally Published:
Maine
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.
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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
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Maine
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.
Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.
Maine
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
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