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Susan Collins says ICE surge in Maine has ended

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Susan Collins says ICE surge in Maine has ended


Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins says “enhanced” operations by Immigration and Custom Enforcement in Maine have ended.

In a news release, Collins says Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told her that the surge of ICE agents that began recently is over and that the agency will continue “normal operations that have been ongoing for many years.”

“While the Department of Homeland Security does not confirm law enforcement operations, I can report that Secretary Noem has informed me that ICE has ended its enhanced activities in the State of Maine,” Collins said in the release. “There are currently no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations here.”

The announcement comes after Collins asked Noem earlier this week to pause its surge in Maine and Minnesota, saying both operations were too sweeping and indiscriminate.

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Collins told Maine Public on Wednesday that she had received multiple calls from constituents expressing fear and anger about the ICE operation because it was sweeping up people who are here legally.

ICE’s surge has prompted fierce backlash over its tactics and conduct, which resulted in two agents shooting and killing two U.S. citizens protesting and monitoring its activities in Minnesota.

Noem has been heavily criticized for her role in those operations and her characterization of those who were killed by ICE agents. Last weekend’s killing of Alex Pretti has intensified that criticism and congressional Democrats have called for Noem’s impeachment. Two Republican U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, and Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, have also called for her removal.

The backlash has also prompted calls from Democrats to halt funding to DHS, the umbrella agency for ICE, until more accountability measures are put in place. Collins, the leading Republican on the Senate budget committee, has said she’s open to new proposals, but does not support halting funding for the agency because it also includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The controversy over the surge of ICE agents has also become a significant factor in Collins’ re-election bid. The two leading Democrats vying to replace her, Gov. Janet Mills and Graham Platner, have heavily criticized Collins for not doing enough to curtail the operations and her support for continuing funding for DHS.

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Collins’ announcement about ICE operations in Maine was followed by an announcement by White House border czar Tom Homan that the agency would decrease the force deployed to Minnesota as long as officials there cooperate to assist in the apprehension of illegal immigrants with criminal records. Homan said much of that cooperation centers on jails and working with ICE to apprehend illegal immigrants there rather than on the streets.

“More (agents) in the jail means less people in the streets,” he said.

Homan was dispatched to Minnesota to take over operations after ICE agents shot and killed Pretti. He said during a press conference Thursday that operations will target illegal immigrants with criminal records.

Homan was asked about a force drawdown in Maine, but he did not directly answer.

DHS did not immediately respond to a request to confirm Collins’ announcement. The agency has not said how many additional agents it has deployed to Maine during the surge and it’s unclear how many operate here during normal operations.

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The agency has previously said that 200 arrests have been made in Maine and that it had more than 1,400 individuals targeted for detainment.

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said in a statement that she could not independently confirm the end of the surge, citing the lack of information from DHS and Noem.

“If these enhanced operations have in fact ceased, that may reduce the visible federal presence in our state,” she said. “But I think it is important that people understand what we saw during this operation: individuals who are legally allowed to be in the United States, whether by lawful presence or an authorized period of stay, following the rules, and being detained anyway.”

She added, “That is not limited to this one operation. That has been the pattern of this Administration’s immigration enforcement over the past year, and there is no indication that policy has changed.”

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Maine

Hearts of Pine halt 4-game skid with emphatic win

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Hearts of Pine halt 4-game skid with emphatic win


PORTLAND — Perhaps the June Swoon is over for the Portland Hearts of Pine.

A flurry of second-half activity Wednesday night resulted in four goals and a much-needed 5-1 USL League One victory against the Richmond Kickers that had fans buzzing with feel-good frenzy at Fitzpatrick Stadium.

Ollie Wright scored the go-ahead goal on a header off a great cross from Jaden Jones-Reilly in the 57th minute. In short order, Konstantinos Georgallides and Aboubacar Camara each added a goal, and then Camara got a second late in extra time.

Diego Gonzalez, playing his third game with Portland, added friskiness to the midfield and opened the scoring with a header in the first half. He also assisted on Camara’s first goal with a slick through pass.

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Portland had lost four straight games, including three in a row in USL1. The Hearts are now 4-5-5 in league play and moved from 13th to 10th in the 17-team league, just three points out of the eight-team playoff picture.

It was a dramatic reversal from Portland’s most recent game, a 5-1 loss at Westchester SC on Friday that was shown live back in Portland at an open-air setting in Monument Square.

PREVIOUSLY IN JUNE

When the month of May ended with a gritty home win against Spokane, Portland was 3-2-4 in league play and overcoming injuries.

June has not been as kind. Portland entered Wednesday’s game on a four-game losing streak. Digging into the numbers, the skid looked even worse.

It was the first time the Hearts had lost four straight games in their brief year-and-a-half history. They were outscored 15-5 in that stretch, and 15-3 starting with the two extra-time goals they allowed in a 3-2 loss at Corpus Christi.

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Portland had also lost three straight against USL League One games for the first time.

Two of the four losses were ugly 5-1 affairs. Portland didn’t lose by more than three goals and had just four losses by two or more goals in 2025.

RETURNS AND NOTES

Portland was glad to have Mikey Lopez back on the game-day roster. Lopez, who had bene out more than month because of an injury, entered as a 75th-minute sub with Portland leading 4-1. … Sean Vinberg, one of Portland’s primary starting center backs in 2025, became the second former Hearts player to return to Fitzpatrick, wearing the captain’s band for Richmond. Vinberg was released at the end of the 2025 season. He made 33 starts for Portland, second most on the team. … Maine Gatorade High School Soccer Players of the Year Finn Coburn (Scarborough) and Noelle Mallory (Cape Elizabeth) handled the honorary coin toss before the match.



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Governor’s celebrates 67 years with cheap lobster rolls at all 6 Maine locations

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Governor’s celebrates 67 years with cheap lobster rolls at all 6 Maine locations


A meal that would normally cost more than $30 is available for less than $12 at Governor’s Restaurants on Wednesday.

Governor’s is celebrating its 67th anniversary by offering its lobster roll for $11.67.

The annual promotion, known as Lobster Roll Day, begins when restaurants open at 8 a.m. and continues until supplies run out.

Governor’s operates six locations across Maine in Old Town, Bangor, Ellsworth, Waterville, Lewiston and Presque Isle.

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Customers should be aware that several locations are offering cash-only drive-thru service for the event.



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Saco | Ice Cream Social with Girl Scouts of Maine

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Saco | Ice Cream Social with Girl Scouts of Maine


Join Girl Scouts of Maine for a sweet summer stop you won’t want to miss!

We’re popping up at local ice cream shops around Maine for our Ice Cream Socials—fun, casual events where families can enjoy a free treat and learn more about Girl Scouts.

Here’s what to expect:
🍦 One FREE kid-sized cone per family when you stop by and connect with us
🌱 Hands-on activity for kids (like a planting activity or fidget spinner craft)
💬 A chance to chat with our team and learn how Girl Scouts builds confidence, friendships, and unforgettable experiences

Whether you’re curious about joining, looking for activities for your child, or just want to enjoy a sweet treat, we’d love to meet you!

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✨ Open to all families—no registration required. Just stop by, say hello, and enjoy some ice cream with us.


The Saco Scoop


05:30 PM – 07:30 PM on Tue, 14 Jul 2026





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