Articles by David Sharp

Report Claims ‘Utter Chaos’ Including Drunk Deputies During Search for Maine Gunman

The search for the gunman behind last October’s mass shooting in Maine was marked by “utter chaos,” including one group of deputies who had been drinking nearly crashing their armored vehicle and others showing up in civilian clothes who could …

Maine Alters ‘Yellow Flag’ Law, Expands Mental Health Care in Wake of Shootings

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has signed into law a suite of gun safety legislation approved by lawmakers after the deadliest mass shooting in state history, expanding background checks for private sales of weapons, bolstering the state’s “yellow flag” law, criminalizing …

Maine Lawmakers Approve Liability Shield for Abortion and Gender Care Providers

The Democratic-controlled Maine Legislature gave final approval Friday to a bill that would protect health care workers who provide abortion and gender-affirming care from legal action brought in other states. If signed by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, Maine would join …

Maine Gov. Proposes Gun Safety, Mental Health Measures After Deadly Mass Shooting

Maine Gov. Janet Mills called Tuesday evening for strengthening the state’s yellow flag law, boosting background checks for private sales of weapons and bolstering mental crisis care, telling lawmakers that there’s broad support for action to prevent future tragedies following …

Maine’s Ending Limits on Child Sex Abuse Suits Is Unconstitutional, Church Tells Court

A lawyer for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland told supreme court justices Thursday that Maine’s elimination of time limits on child sex abuse lawsuits is unconstitutional and imposes new liabilities, a reference to costly lawsuits that have driven some …

Sailing Vessel That Suffered Broken Mast, Killing Passenger, Had Previous Incidents

A historic sailing vessel on which a passenger was fatally injured by a broken mast was involved in three previous accidents in 2022 and 2019 when the schooner was under different ownership, according to Coast Guard records. The Grace Bailey, …

Firefighters Curb Blazes Threatening 2 Canada Cities With More Hot Weather Expected

Firefighters kept wildfires at bay near the capital of Canada`s Northwest Territories as well as a threatened city in British Columbia, though no one claimed victory as forecasters warned that drier and windier weather was coming. For Saturday at least, …

Maine to Start Paid Family and Medical Leave Program in 2026

Most Maine workers will get up to 12 weeks of paid time off for family or medical reasons as part of a supplemental budget Democratic Gov. Janet Mills signed into law on Tuesday. The spending bill included $25 million in …

Three States Remove All Time Limits on Child Sex Abuse Lawsuits

Ann Allen loved going to church and the after-school social group led by a dynamic priest back in the 1960s. The giggling fun with friends always ended with a game of hide and seek. Each week, the Rev. Lawrence Sabatino …

Mother Sues Maine School Over Keeping Teen’s Gender Transition Private

A Maine woman is suing a school district whose counselor encouraged her teen’s social gender transition, providing a chest binder and using a new name and pronouns, without consulting parents. It’s the latest lawsuit to pit a parent’s right to …