Channa Steinmetz

A Republican-aligned political group has spent millions of dollars on ads promoting U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, but observers are saying a closer look at these ads shows they rely on misleading — and in some cases impossible — claims about her record on health care. The ads are funded by One Nation, a political organization

New video evidence may invalidate signatures gathered for a statewide referendum that would roll back protections for transgender students under the Maine Human Rights Act and require schools to segregate sports teams, bathrooms and locker rooms based on sex assigned at birth. This evidence could potentially lead to the measure being removed from the November

For Democratic candidates Graham Platner and Shenna Bellows, staying accountable in office isn’t just about who they are — it’s about what they’re willing to risk, and who they answer to. At a packed town hall Sunday, May 3, in Old Town, hosted by the Maine People's Alliance (of which Beacon is a project), both

A newly released audit from the Portland Tenants Union found that more than half of Portland rental listings reviewed this year appeared to violate or conflict with the city’s rent control rules, findings organizers say point to widespread failures in enforcement and oversight. The union released the data Tuesday night during their first annual “Notice

Early voting is now underway in Maine ahead of the June 9 primary election, giving voters the option to cast absentee ballots in person at their local municipal clerk’s office. The primary election will decide party nominees in several high-profile races, including open contests for governor and key congressional matchups. Chrissy Hart, the executive director

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins joined Senate Republicans on Wednesday in blocking a Democratic effort to restore consumer protections rolled back under Pres. Donald Trump, marking the second time in just over a year that she has sided with banks over efforts to limit predatory charges. The votes targeted a series of policy changes made by

Faith leaders, musicians and hundreds of community members gathered in Portland Friday night for “Love is the Point,” a multi-faith event centered on solidarity with immigrants, transgender people, reproductive rights, and gun safety — all of which are currently being targeted by white Christian nationalist groups and the Trump administration. “We decided that it felt

Sen. Susan Collins has not attended any Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee meetings focused on abortion or reproductive healthcare after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, according to committee hearing reports. During the same period, Collins has highlighted her voting record, saying in a 2025 statement that “the

After months of organizing by mobile home residents, the Sanford City Council voted Tuesday to cap rent increases at the city’s manufactured housing parks. The ordinance, approved in a 6-1 vote, limits rent increases to once per year and caps hikes at either 3% or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. The measure will

Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and fellow gubernatorial candidate Troy Jackson called out anti-union actions by the far-right, Koch-funded Freedom Foundation against Maine state workers. In a joint statement released Monday, they condemned emails the ultraconservative group sent to Maine state employees as they continue working without a contract nearly a year after negotiations stalled.