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May 28, 2012 Edition

Maine should rectify its dearth of roadside markers and spotlight its unique natives

John Mcdonald

Have you ever been driving along a lonely road in the middle of nowhere when you come upon an impressive-looking historical marker that reads something like: “It was on this spot in 1743 that Eli C

  • An open attitude between developers and municipal officials generally leads to satisfactory results

    Justin Lamontagne

    “They are impossible to deal with.” It has been said about every town and city hall in Maine. Yet, commercial real estate projects and economic development continues to advance throughout our great state. So what gives?

  • An expert in fireworks displays takes his wares to the people

    Matt Dodge

    A fixture on the Maine pyrotechnics scene for over 30 years, Steve Marson says he was surprised when he heard the state would legalize the sale of fireworks as of Jan. 1. “I never expected the state to allow consumer fireworks,” he says.

  • Focus on Travel & Tourism
    Focus on Travel & Tourism

    Training for the hospitality industry gets a boost from three institutions

    Matt Dodge

    Consistently rated as the largest service sector industry worldwide, tourism is an especially important economic driver in Maine where miles of coastline and natural wonders draw those "from away" to the state.

  • Opinion
    Opinion

    Disclosing the details

    Carol Coultas

    Somewhere in the middle of editing Doug Rooks' fine cover piece on the changing landscape of Maine's daily newspapers, "Read all about it," I realized I had better provide a disclosure. But where to begin?

  • TEDx evolves in third try

    Sara Anne Donnelly

    The latest offering from TEDxDirigo, the ambitious Portland-based volunteer effort modeled after the popular multidisciplinary online TED talks, featured speakers presenting 10- to 20-minute talks on everything from social justice theater to the c

  • Bargains, exchange rates drive Canadians to Maine to shop and stay

    Late last October, James Gerety, general manager of the Bangor Mall, was driving on Bangor Mall Boulevard after leaving work, when he witnessed a Kodak moment: a sports utility vehicle with New Brunswick license plates chock full of shopping bags.

Today's Poll

What's your reaction to Maine's newly approved rate increases for health insurance?
Poll Description

Maine health insurance rates are scheduled to rise significantly on Jan. 1, 2025, but state officials say the increases are modest compared to what they could have been.

The Bureau of Insurance recently approved rate increases averaging 8.6% for individual insurance and 9.4% for coverage of small groups — such as employers with 50 or fewer workers.

Insurers had initially proposed boosting their prices in both markets by averages of more than 14%. The bureau said it worked with the insurance companies and leveraged federal funds to reduce the hikes before OK'ing them.

In 2023, health insurance rate increases of 14.6% in both the individual and small-group markets were approved and took effect this year.

More Information