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Maine residents protest ICE ‘Operation Catch of the Day’; Minneapolis ICE shooting heightens their fears – The Boston Globe

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Maine residents protest ICE ‘Operation Catch of the Day’; Minneapolis ICE shooting heightens their fears – The Boston Globe


Bystander video from Minneapolis circulating online shows officers tackling the protester to the ground on the street and then shooting him multiple times.

Alex Pretti, 37, was identified as the person shot by Minnesota elected officials on Saturday evening, and his parents said he worked in a hospital intensive care unit. His death led Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to activate the state’s National Guard.

Soldiers helped police to manage large crowds protesting the city’s second resident killed by federal immigration agents this month.

In Lewiston, about 1,000 people gathered for three hours in the Agora center, with hundreds more outside, to protest the fear they said ICE has instilled in their community. In Maine and across the US, immigrants stay home out of fear of being arrested, children skip school and essential workers risk losing their jobs, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told the crowd.

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“A man was brought to the ground by multiple ICE agents. As he was laying there, he was shot dead,” Bellows said , as many booed and shouted as they heard the news.

People gathered during a vigil for Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot by a US Border Patrol officer, on Saturday in Minneapolis. Adam Gray/Associated Press

Maine residents opposing ICE have criticized the agency’s choice to name its operation “Catch of the Day.” Immigrant and human rights advocates have said the phrase, a play on a phrase common to the state’s fishing industry, dehumanizes people who’ve become targets of ICE arrests.

“We need ICE out of Minnesota, we need ICE out of Maine, we need them out now,” she said, as the crowd erupted in cheers and raised fists in the air.

More than 100 people were arrested by ICE in Maine this week, out of the state’s total immigrant population of about 50,000.

Lewiston protesters were not deterred by this weekend’s blast of cold. At the Agora center, volunteers shared info on how they could help grocery shop for immigrants who don’t feel safe leaving their homes.

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Alicia MacLeay, 50, had driven about an hour to come to the protest from her town of Rome, a small town in Kennebec County.

“I am extremely angry, and sad, and heartbroken for our country and our Maine residents,” she said.

She is concerned about what is next for Maine, especially after seeing what happened in Minnesota. Both states are being targeted by the the White House.

Protesters marched on Friday down Congress Street during an ICE out of Everywhere protest in Portland, Maine.Finn Gomez for the Boston Globe

“I don’t think there’s any rational reason to come to Maine – or Minneapolis – in the first place,” MacLeay said. “To to come here seems like a vindictive move.”

At the rally, several people who took the stage were Somali-American, and spoke about how they’ve feared for their safety in recent days.

Amran Osman, executive director of Generational Noor, a nonprofit that works with immigrant groups, grew up in the city.

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Recently, she said, , she was told: “Go back to your country.”

But this is her community, she said.

“Lewiston, Auburn – they’re not just cities to me,” she said. “They’re the only home that I’ve ever known.”

She said she found herself scrambling for hours looking for her US passport in recent days, making sure to take it with her before stepping out her door.

“I should not have to be afraid to leave my house,” Osman said. “I have my papers – and I am in fear.”

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She said that the programs her group runs for children have no attendees because of daily ICE arrests.

“Our office has always been filled with laughter, with kids doing their homework, kids just being kids,” she said. “But right now, our office is empty.”


Claire Thornton can be reached at claire.thornton@globe.com. Follow Claire on X @claire_thornto. Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio can be reached at giulia.mcdnr@globe.com. Follow her @giuliamcdnr.





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Maine

Tennessee forward & Maine native J.P. Estrella enters transfer portal

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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.”



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Maine

This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!

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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.

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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:

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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

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Maine

Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare

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Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare



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.

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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
president and chief executive officer

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Penquis

Bangor

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