News

Red Flag Law, voter ID measure appear on Maine ballot this Election Day

Red Flag Law, voter ID measure appear on Maine ballot this Election Day

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


Voters in Maine headed to the polls Tuesday to weigh in on two major questions on the state ballot.

If approved, Question 1 would require voters to show a photo ID at their polling locations and put limits on absentee voting in future elections.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows says that no investigations have uncovered widespread voter fraud in the state.

Questions about election security were raised in September when 250 blank absentee ballots were mailed to a woman in Newburgh in an Amazon box, which is still being investigated.

Bellows said there were two instances of people voting twice in the 2020 election, and both people were prosecuted.

Question 2 on the state ballot would establish a Red Flag Law to let family members directly ask courts to temporarily remove guns from people deemed dangerous.

Gun advocates say it could put 2nd Amendment rights in jeopardy, and the state’s existing Yellow Flag Law is enough to prevent gun violence.

Supporters of the measure say it may have prevented the Lewiston mass shooting in 2023 that claimed 18 lives and left 13 people injured.

Since the shooting, the law has been used more than 900 times to take guns out of the hands of people who could pose a threat.

On the local ballot in Portland, voters weighed in on a minimum wage increase.

Question A asked residents if they approve of increasing the city’s minimum wage from $15.50 to $19.00 over several years.

Some voters said they supported the increase, pointing to the rising cost of living in the city.

Many local businessowners said the increase would threaten their business or force them to pass on the added cost to customers.

News

2 hours ago in Sports

Broncos’ defense shines in 10-7 squeaker over Raiders despite offensive and special teams struggles

The Denver Broncos aren't collecting many style points but as long as they keep racking up more points than their opponents on the scoreboard, they don't care how ugly it looks.

2 hours ago in Sports

Ex-NFL star Antonio Brown arrested on attempted murder charge in Miami shooting

Former NFL star Antonio Brown has been arrested on an attempted murder charge stemming from a shooting after a celebrity boxing event in Miami, police confirmed Thursday.

3 hours ago in Lifestyle

Farmers’ Almanac says it will cease publication after 208 years, citing financial challenges

A 208-year-old publication that farmers, gardeners and others keen to predict the weather have relied on for guidance will be publishing for the final time.

20 hours ago in Lifestyle

Peloton recalls nearly 878,000 exercise bikes after several seat posts break

Peloton is recalling nearly 878,000 of its exercise bikes across the U.S. and Canada because the products' seat posts can break during use, posing fall hazards.

20 hours ago in National

Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November

The ruling by U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr. gave President Donald Trump's administration until Friday to make the payments through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, though it's unlikely the 42 million Americans — about 1 in 8 — will see the money on the debit cards they use for groceries that quickly.

1 day ago in Sports

Alex Ovechkin scores his 900th NHL goal with the Washington Capitals

The NHL now has a 900-goal club. Charter member: Alex Ovechkin, of course. The Washington star pushed his record total to a new level Wednesday night, scoring against Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues to reach 900. The milestone came 2:39 into the second period of a 6-1 win.

1 day ago in National

Nancy Pelosi won’t seek reelection, ending her storied career in the US House

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi will not seek reelection to the U.S. House, bringing to a close her storied career as not only the first woman in the speaker's office but arguably the most powerful in American politics.

2 days ago in National

Musk the trillionaire? Debate over his Tesla pay package rages

Elon Musk turned off many potential buyers of his Tesla cars and sent sales plunging with his foray into politics. But the stock has soared anyway and now he wants the company to pay him more — a lot more.

2 days ago in National

Shipping delays expected after UPS cargo plane crash

The UPS cargo plane crash on Tuesday at the company's global aviation hub in Kentucky, which killed at least nine, will temporarily disrupt the supply chain and result in some shipping delays.

2 days ago in Sports

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler to undergo shoulder surgery and miss rest of season

Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler will miss the rest of the season with a left shoulder injury that will require surgery, the team announced Wednesday. Kessler will have a procedure to repair a labral tear on Thursday in Los Angeles.