Maine
Maine among states suing Trump administration to release November SNAP benefits
Maine and about two dozen other states are suing the Trump administration in an attempt to have federal food assistance benefits released next month in the midst of an ongoing government shutdown.
The complaint, filed in federal district court in Massachusetts, alleges that the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits is illegal. The attorneys general say the U.S. Department of Agriculture has access to billions of dollars in contingency funds and can use them pay for the November benefits.
USDA has said it cannot use those contingency funds.
“The contingency fund is not available to support FY2026 regular benefits, because the appropriation for regular benefits no longer exists,” the department said late last week in a memo.
Contingency funding must be available for other purposes, USDA added, including disaster relief.
The attorneys general, however, argue that because states are responsible for administering the federal food assistance program, suspending SNAP benefits is a violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
And in a statement, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said USDA is “simply refusing” to release the food assistance benefits.
“It is unconscionably cruel and unlawful,” he said. “My colleagues and I are going to court to insist that the Trump administration follow the law and use the funds Congress appropriated to ensure SNAP can continue through the shutdown.”
The attorneys general say they will also seek a temporary restraining order asking that the court immediately distribute upcoming SNAP benefits.
Roughly 170,000 Mainers, or about 12% of the state’s population, rely on SNAP benefits. About 75% of Maine of households that receive the food assistance benefits include at least one working adult; more than half include a person with a disability. More than one-third of households include children.
Maine
Tennessee forward & Maine native J.P. Estrella enters transfer portal
Tennessee forward J.P. Estrella, a Scarborough native and former South Portland standout, announced earlier today that he is entering the transfer portal.
Estrella shared the news in a social media post, writing that his time at Tennessee “means more to me than I can put into words” and that he’ll “cherish the time I spent there.”
Maine
This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!
This iconic spot is a “road-trip-worthy” Maine destination, but can you handle their newest addition?
Spring has sprung, which means plenty of people will take a well-deserved break from the daily grind and hit the open road. If you’re heading out to explore some cool Maine traditions—and you love lobster rolls—we’ve found the perfect stop.
The Taste of Maine restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood since 1978. They’re famous for a few things: a giant inflatable lobster that covers about 75% of the roof, and their claim to fame—the “World’s Largest Lobster Roll.”
These legendary lobster rolls are 22 inches long, and over the years, many customers have taken on the dare of finishing one. If you succeed, you earn membership in the “Clean Plate Club”—no easy feat given the size of this lobster roll.
But this year, Taste of Maine has gone even bigger. Introducing the “Monster” Lobster Roll: 3 feet long, packed with 2½ pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat—tail, claw, and knuckle—all on a 6-inch roll. This colossal creation carries a price tag of $259.99.
Read More: Maine Amusement Park Reveals New Family Attraction For 2026
Located at 161 Main Street in Woolwich, Maine, Taste of Maine is now open for its 48th season.
One of the best things about Taste of Maine is watching people take on these enormous lobster rolls. Guests love filming themselves attempting to finish them, including a Guinness World Records titleholder for “World’s Largest Mouth Gape.”
Spring Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
To see just how long Taste of Maine has been a local favorite, check out this classic TV commercial from the 1980s!
New Arcade in Brewer, Maine Opens This Month
Game on, Brewer! The arcade of your dreams is almost here. Get ready to press start!
Gallery Credit: Arlen Jameson
12 New Restaurants That Opened in Maine in February 2026
Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna
Maine
Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare
LettersToTheEditor-640×400
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.
To the Editor;
Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families. At Penquis, we serve 270 children from 266 families across dozens of communities through our child development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care. We see firsthand how access to child care determines whether parents can work, pursue education and build long-term stability for their families, particularly in communities facing workforce shortages and rising cost of living.
Child care availability alone is not enough. We can have programs and facilities in place, but if care is not affordable, it remains out of reach for families who are already struggling.
Without it, the cost of child care places an unsustainable burden on Maine families, consuming as much as 29% to 39% of income for single-parent households and 10% to 13% for two-parent families. CCAP is one of the few tools that effectively addresses this challenge by ensuring child care costs are affordable, capping costs at 7% of income for those with the lowest incomes, and expanding access for many more families.
Investing in CCAP supports children’s healthy development, enables parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Maine’s economy. We urge state leaders to prioritize this $15 million investment in the supplemental budget and ensure that affordable child care is accessible to the families who need it most.
Kara Hay Penquis
Bangor
president and chief executive officer
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