By Eesha Pendharkar | Senior Reporter

“We’re going to have some challenges, and that’s one of the reasons I’m supporting you, because I think you’re the person to confront them.” - U.S. Sen. Angus King told Hannah Pingree while announcing his endorsement for governor.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree with independent U.S. Sen Angus King at an event at Bowdoin College on Sept. 20, 2026. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star)

ELECTION 2026

By Eesha Pendharkar

Independent U.S. Sen. Angus King endorsed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Hannah Pingree at Bowdoin College on Sunday. 

POLITICS

By Joedy McCreary, Open Secrets

During one week in early September, Sen. Susan Collins (R‑Maine), one of her joint fundraising committees and a super PAC backing her campaign each bought airtime on a Portland TV station during “Wheel of Fortune.”

For each 30-second spot, both Collins’ campaign and her JFC paid $2,200. The super PAC paid $10,000 – more than four times as much.

COMMENTARY

By Sonali Kolhatkar

Data centers use up lots of land — largely in rural America. They use inordinate amounts of water for cooling, eat up power and pollute our air, and generate heat in an already-warming climate.

Data centers are also physical symbols of the way in which AI companies are gambling away our economic stability.

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