By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“I’m pretty skeptical about just about anyone.” - Jim Volkernick of New Gloucester, when asked his thoughts about the ProPublica report alleging the FBI was investigating Sen. Susan Collins for potential involvement in a pay-to-play scheme.
Republican Bobby Charles, Democrat Hannah Pingree and independent Rick Bennett on stage at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland on Oct. 1. (Photo by Eesha Pendharkar/Maine Morning Star)
ELECTION 2026
By Eesha Pendharkar
Maine’s three gubernatorial candidates exchanged sharp attacks over each other’s records during their first televised debate Thursday, even as all three pledged at the end of the night to work across party lines.
POLITICS
By Emma Davis
Across the political spectrum, Mainers are collectively disgusted by the influence of Big Money in politics and overwhelmed by the barrage of negative ads blanketing the state, many backed by dark money. Amid that landscape, many see the revelation that the FBI was looking into an alleged pay-for-play scheme as “just one more thing,” as several put it.
ELECTION 2026
By Kaitlyn Budion
Democrat Matt Dunlap and Republican Paul LePage met for the first time on the debate stage Thursday night, where they continued their clash over healthcare and traded barbs over each other’s records in state government.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Supreme Court will consider Trump’s mandatory immigrant detention policy | Tim Henderson, Stateline
District attorney elections linked to more prison admissions during ‘tough on crime’ era | Amanda Watford, Stateline
Family of Renee Good sues federal government, Trump officials over killing | Madison McVan, Minnesota Reformer
US Senate leaves nation’s capital in advance of midterms with much still undone | Jennifer Shutt, States Newsroom
Feds provide guidance on new federal K-12 scholarship tax credit program | Robbie Sequiera, Stateline
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