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Sen. Mattie Daughtry: A preview for the upcoming legislative session

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Sen. Mattie Daughtry: A preview for the upcoming legislative session


As a new legislative session begins, Mainers are asking a simple, familiar question: What comes next, and how do we not just get by but actually thrive in such tumultuous times?

After years shaped by COVID, economic whiplash and political chaos, that question feels heavier than it used to. Mainers know what they need to succeed: a safe and stable place to live, health care they can count on, and a fair shot at getting ahead without burning out or falling behind. They want to know that if they work hard and play by the rules, they can build a life that feels secure, dignified and hopeful — the ultimate American dream.

That’s the lens guiding our work this session.

Economists are warning of unprecedented uncertainty ahead. From sweeping federal budget cuts and erratic tariff policies to lingering economic impacts from shutdowns and declining tourism, Maine is already feeling the immense weight. Just like Maine families do every day, the state has to plan responsibly for what we know is affecting us and what we can’t yet predict.

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Despite these challenges, Maine remains on solid footing because of choices we have made together in recent years. We have focused on investing in education, workforce development, health care and economic growth — and because of those investments, our labor market remains stable. But inflation is still squeezing household budgets, consumer confidence is low and too many families feel like they are one unexpected expense away from a financial crisis.

At its core, this session is about delivering results that Mainers deserve. That means we must protect the fundamentals they rely on and create the conditions to actually thrive, not just survive.

One of the most important is keeping people housed and healthy, even as federal support grows less reliable. Housing and health care are not luxuries; they are the foundation that allows families to work, care for loved ones and stay rooted in their communities. This session, we will work to protect manufactured housing communities, expand affordable housing options and ensure seniors, veterans and working families can stay in their homes. Last session, we fully funded MaineCare through 2027 and expanded coverage to include doula care and hearing aids. In the year ahead, as Washington pulls back — including the failure to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies — Maine will step up. We will work to strengthen emergency medical services, protect access to reproductive and behavioral health care, expand dental care, and reduce the crushing burden of medical debt. No one should have to sacrifice their home or health because of cost.

It also means being honest about what’s weighing people down right now and lowering everyday costs wherever we can. From grocery bills and utility prices to prescription drugs, too many essentials are eating away at family budgets. We shouldn’t be making life harder for people who are already stretching every dollar. This session, we’re focused on practical relief by targeting energy costs, improving access to affordable medications and easing the pressures that hit working families first.

We will also continue leveling the playing field. Too often, systems are designed to favor large corporations over everyday people. This session, we will strengthen consumer protections, crack down on predatory practices and ensure Mainers aren’t punished for getting sick or trying to stay afloat.

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And even in uncertain times, we must keep our eyes on the future. Ensuring a brighter tomorrow means continued investment in child care, education, workforce development and climate resilience — because every generation deserves a fair shot at a better life than the one before it.

When federal decisions create chaos or cut vital supports, Maine will respond with reliability. We will do everything in our power to honor our commitments, protect essential services like schools and health care, and shield Maine people from the worst impacts.

The work ahead will require careful budgeting, bipartisan cooperation and a firm commitment to making progress where we can. But Maine has faced uncertainty before, and each time, we have met it by looking out for one another and doing the hard, disciplined work required.

That’s our North Star this session: protecting the basics people depend on, expanding opportunity where we can and making sure Maine is a place where people don’t just endure uncertain times — they can build something better, no matter what lies ahead.

Mattie Daughtry represents state Senate District 23, Brunswick, Chebeague Island, Freeport, Harpswell, Pownal and part of Yarmouth in the Maine Senate. She also serves as Maine’s Senate president. She can be reached at [email protected] or 207-287-1515.

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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 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

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Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home

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Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home


A woman is dead, and her husband is in serious condition after a fire broke out at their home in Readfield, Maine, Friday night.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office tells NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine that the Readfield Fire Department responded to the house on Plains Road around 9:51 p.m. and found a large fire.

Jerrold Wentworth, 74, had escaped from a second-floor window and told crews that his wife was still on the second floor of the home, officials said, but firefighters were unable to go inside to rescue 75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth due to the fiery conditions.

A photo shared by the fire marshal’s office shows the fire destroyed the home.

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Carolyn Wentworth’s body was found in the debris around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, near where she had been sleeping, fire officials tell News Center Maine. An autopsy will be conducted to determine her cause of death.

Jerrold Wentworth was taken to Maine General Medical Center where he’s in serious condition, officials added.

Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office responded to the scene and are working to determine the cause of the deadly fire.

An investigation remains ongoing.

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