A national gun control advocacy group upgraded Maine in its annual scorecard Tuesday after crediting lawmakers with passing various measures following the October 2023 mass shooting in Lewiston.

The Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence gave Maine a C+ in the 2024 version of its Annual Gun Law Scorecard that ranks every state and also looks at gun death rates. That came after Giffords, the nonprofit led by former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Arizona, who survived getting shot in the head during a 2011 assassination attempt, gave Maine an F in 2022 and a D- last year, reflecting what had been lax gun laws in a rural state with a strong hunting culture.

But things changed dramatically after a 40-year-old Army reservist from Bowdoin used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 18 people and injure 13 others at a Lewiston bowling alley and bar on Oct. 25, 2023, the state’s deadliest-ever shooting and the country’s worst that year. The Democratic-controlled Legislature responded by expanding background checks, investing in violence prevention and mental health initiatives and requiring 72-hour waiting periods.

Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat who opposed past gun control efforts, vetoed a bump stock ban and let the bill requiring 72-hour waiting periods for gun purchases become law without her signature. The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and Gun Owners of Maine filed a lawsuit in November that seeks to strike down the waiting period law.

Giffords cited the waiting period law, expanded background checks and a $1 million investment in community violence prevention programs in upgrading Maine to a C+ this year. Lindsay Nichols, the organization’s policy director, said Maine “stood out” nationally for passing various laws and for jumping up more than one grade.

“Maine’s jump is significant,” Nichols said.

The Giffords scorecard said Maine ranks 21st nationally for its “gun law strength” and 27th for having a gun death rate of 14.1 fatalities per 100,000 people. It called on legislators to ban bump stocks, ban ghost guns, repeal Maine’s permitless carry law and pass “gun industry accountability legislation” that could allow lawsuits against firearm manufacturers.

Opponents of gun control said they were not surprised with the higher grade. Gun Owners of Maine Vice President Joshua Raines said that since Giffords ranks states highly if they “restrict law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment rights, we look forward to them needing to downgrade our ranking as soon as possible.”

While Democrats saw their State House majorities narrow after Republicans picked up several seats last month, more gun control proposals could come before Maine voters in the next year. After the Legislature did not take up a late effort in the spring to pass a “red flag” law, advocates launched a campaign to put a red flag or “extreme risk protection order” measure before Maine voters via a referendum.

Red flag laws, which 21 states have adopted, allow both family members and police to ask judges to confiscate weapons from people deemed dangerous, while the existing “yellow flag” law does not allow family members to directly petition a court.

Mills worked with gun-rights advocates to craft the 2019 yellow flag law and has not thrown her support behind a red flag law. A commission she formed to review the Lewiston mass shooting found the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office had probable cause to use Maine’s yellow flag on Robert Card II about a month before the shooting after family and peers repeatedly shared concerns about his mental state, threats to “shoot up” places and access to guns.

Police instead conducted welfare checks at Card’s Bowdoin residence in September 2023 and left when he did not answer the door.

Mills proposed and signed into law earlier this year tweaks to the yellow flag law meant to make it easier for police to take a person into protective custody before the person receives a mental health evaluation and a court hearing. Mills also signed off on extending background checks to advertised gun sales and investing in mental health initiatives added to the state budget.

Nacole Palmer, executive director of the Maine Gun Safety Coalition, said supporters need to collect about 7,500 more signatures to reach their goal of 75,000 signatures before submitting the petition to the secretary of state. It could appear on the ballot either in November 2025 or November 2026, Palmer said Tuesday.

“This rating reflects the progress we have made so far in Maine by coming together to pass common-sense gun safety laws to save lives,” Palmer said. “But it also demonstrates how much work we have left to do.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story included an incorrect number of fatalities per 100,00 people in Maine.

A charming coastal community in Maine has been named America’s best small town.

Located on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor was listed number one on US News & World Report’s Best Small Towns to Visit for 2025 list.

The New England town with a population of just over 5,200 people is known for its scenic views, crystal blue waters, fresh seafood and rich history.

Bar Harbor’s main attraction has always been the Acadia National Park – the 47,000 acres of woodlands, beaches and mountains neighboring the area.

Notably, the park’s Cadillac mountain offers enchanting trails and a clear view of the town and the Cranberry Islands.  

There are various tide pools to explore and the park is the perfect place to hike, kayak or bike, as highlighted in US News & World Report’s review. 

Visitors to the popular site may spot moose, bears, whales and seabirds. It is one of the top 10 most frequented national parks in the country, according to National Park Maine (NPS).

The coveted site was first established in 1916 as the Sieur de Monts monument. Three years later, its name was changed to Lafayette National Park. It landed on its current name in 1929. 

The charming town has a main strip full of stores, galleries and bars that are sure to wow tourists

Bar Harbor is known for is known for its scenic views, crystal blue waters, fresh seafood and rich history

Sand Beach, Bar Harbor’s most popular beach, is located just outside of the Acadia National Park.  

The beach town’s main strip is lined with quaint shops, bars, restaurants and art galleries. 

After spending the day exploring the breathtaking landscapes and beaches, visitors have plenty of nightlife options to keep the good times going.  

Trip Advisor ranked traveler’s favorite places to spend their evenings in Bar Harbor. The best nighttime establishment, according to the travel website, is comedy club ImprovAcadia. 

The Thirsty Whale Tavern – known for its wide selection of beers, its clam chowder and lobster roll – and Leary’s Landing Irish Pub, praised for its seafood and service, are other must-visit locations.

US News & World Report recommended that tourists stay in one of the small town’s adorable boutique hotels – all of which have a comforting and homey feel to them.

The travel ranking magazine listed the Balance Rock Inn as the best Bed & Breakfast in Bar Harbor. 

Its description reads: ‘The Balance Rock Inn previously served as a family summer cottage back in the early 1900s. And when you take a look at your room, you may feel as though you’ve traveled back in time.’ 

The second and third best places to stay are Bass Cottage & Ullikana Inn and Coach Stop Inn. 

Bar Harbor was founded during the 18th century and quickly became a popular summer get-away spot 

Arcadia National Park offers stunning views of the town and the clear waters

Sand Beach, located outside of Arcadia National Park, is the town’s most popular beach 

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Bar Harbor was established by Samuel Adams in 1796 as the Town of Eden, according to the area’s historical society. Its name was change to its current one in 1918.

Before it became a popular summer resort, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Native American tribes lived on the island year-round. 

Bar Harbor started receiving more attention after 1850s painters including Frederic E. Church, Thomas Cole and William Hart started depicting the gorgeous town in their artwork. 

The ‘land boom’ caused by increased interest from tourists resulted in hotels and ‘grand’ cottages popping up throughout the town through the 1880s, according to the Bar Harbor Historical Society. 

Joseph Pulitzer, the politician and publisher the Pulitzer Prize is named after, and prominent businessman George Vanderbilt were among those who visited during that time.

In 1947, a devastating fire ravaged the town, burning more than 10,000 acres of the Acadia National Park and causing about $23 million in damage. 

Most of the permanent residents rebuilt their homes, but most of the cottages were not repaired. 

Today, the areas economy is based in tourism, boating and fishing – allowing for easy access to fresh seafood, especially lobster, for people to enjoy. 

Telluride, Colorado was ranked the second-best small town to visit for its beautiful mountain views

Jackson Hole, Wyoming was ranked the third-best place to visit and is known for skiing 

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In 2022, Acadia National Park contributed $479 million to the local economy, according to the NPS. 

Other stand-out locations on US News & World Report’s small town list include two tucked-away treasures in Colorado and Wyoming. 

Telluride, Colorado, was ranked the second-best small town to visit for its ‘captivating scenery and delightful Mountain Village.’

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is the third best place to visit, according to the list of 25 towns. 

Best known for its skiing and ‘cozy lodging’ options, Jackson Hole receives more than 400 inches of annual snowfall. 

Gavin Lawler watches as Cassidy Sawyer greets a customer at the cash register at Renys in Windham on Wednesday. It was Lawler’s first shift as a seasonal worker. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald

After years of enduring worker shortages, Maine retailers say they are having an easier time hiring people to keep up with holiday-season demand. Sales of items like clothing, electronics, home goods and toys this winter are expected to reach almost $1 trillion nationally, up slightly from 2023.

“We saw a pretty good improvement last year,” said Curtis Picard, president and chief executive officer of the Retail Association of Maine. “My sense is hiring has gotten better.”

But with the latest unemployment rate of 2.9%, considerably below the 4.2% U.S. rate, employers face tough competition for hiring. To attract workers, employers are offering shorter hours and flexible scheduling, he said. They’re also hiring high school and college students who want to earn some money and learn to work with customers.

Will McDowell, 18, was working his first day Wednesday at Renys in Windham. The American history student at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, was looking for a job and his parents suggested the department store. He’s taking advantage of a school break extending from before Thanksgiving to Jan. 5.

“I can feel productive,” said McDowell, a North Yarmouth resident. “I would never see this many people on any given day.”

The $16 an hour job, or $640 a week full-time before taxes, will pay for groceries when he goes back to college, McDowell said.

Jason Sulham, spokesman for L.L.Bean, said the Freeport-based outdoor clothing and equipment retailer is on track for its hiring goal of about 3,500 “peak season hires” due to an “excellent rehire rate.” That’s slightly less than half the number during non-peak season, he said.

“Like most businesses, we experienced some challenges this year due to the low-employment rate,” he said.

Still, a “fluctuating retail landscape” is forcing the company to lay off up to 75 employees at its corporate headquarters in March, according to Sulham.

Holly Margaritis, human resources coordinator at Renys, said the chain of 18 department stores across Maine is always hiring for the holidays. “We ramp up for the additional customers,” she said.

Will McDowell plans to spend the money he earns as a seasonal worker at Renys in Windham on groceries when he goes back to college after winter break. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald

“In larger cities it’s easier to pull from. There’s a larger pool,” Margaritis said.

The company usually has about 490 workers at its stores, administrative offices and warehouse. The number rises to 560 at Christmas and during the summer, Margaritis said. Youngsters who work in the summer return to Renys for the holidays, she said.

The employees are quickly trained to work the cash register where they learn to handle money and face customers. Norm Robert, manager of the Windham Renys, says the goal is to “get the customer in and out of the store. Customers don’t want to wait.”

Glenn Mills, deputy director of the Center for Workforce Research at the state Department of Labor, said Maine’s retail industry has settled into an employment pattern that has prevailed for years: a spike in hiring in the run-up to the summer tourism season and again for Christmas shopping, and a leveling off during the other months.

The rise of online shopping has kept a lid on retail employment. The number of retail jobs in Maine has consistently been in the “low 80,000s, 70,000s,” he said. It’s not changed much even though Maine’s population has grown, he said.

Retail employment is flat and is dwindling as a share of overall employment, Mills said. “It’s amazing it’s held up as well as it has.”

Nationally, a strong economy is helping boost strong holiday sales that justify hiring.

On a conference call in mid-October, Matthew Shay, president and chief executive officer of the National Retail Federation, said that “overall, the economy has been in a good place this year.”

Retail represents 70% of economic activity, and holiday sales are projected to rise between 2.5% and 3.5% over 2023, to as much as $989 billion, according to the retail group.  It compares with $955.6 billion last year. The industry group said it expects retailers will hire between 400,000 and 500,000 seasonal workers, which “tracks very much in line with hiring patterns of 2023,” Shay said.

Retailers are well staffed now and have already been adding workers so the “same kind of spike” in previous holiday hiring sprees may not materialize, he said.

David Lyman of Norridgewock shops for socks Monday while looking for gifts and other items at Renys in Madison. Sales of items like clothing and toys over the holiday season are expected to be up about 2.5% to 3.5% over last year. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

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Whether the healthy increase in sales “translates into job hiring is more uncertain than normal,” said Andy Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc., an outplacement and career consulting firm.

“We don’t know what employers are going to do,” he said.

Labor shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic are over. “I’m not hearing about major staffing issues,” he said.

“It was the greatest labor shortage in modern history. It’s been slowly cooling,” Challenger said.