Portions of public comment policy in Augusta blocked<\/b><\/p>\n
A federal judge partially blocked an Augusta school board policy around public comment citing parts of it is likely violating the First Amendment.<\/span><\/p>\n The lawsuit was filed by Augusta resident Nicholas Blanchard against the Augusta Board of Education.<\/span><\/p>\n WMTW reports Blanchard challenged the board’s public comment policy after being held back from speaking fully at meetings out of concern he would be removed or cut off.<\/span><\/p>\n The court found terms like gossip, abusive or vulgar language to be too subjective and likely to restrict protected speech; however WMTW reports the district can continue enforcing the ban on defamatory statements.<\/span><\/p>\n The decision is not final.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2026\/04\/28\/judge-blocks-parts-augusta-school-board-public-comment-policy\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Investigation launched into cause of house fire in Ashland<\/b><\/p>\n After a house fire took place in Ashland over the weekend, officials are trying to nail down what caused it.<\/span><\/p>\n The fire happened on Watt Street Saturday morning.<\/span><\/p>\n WABI news reports a dozen firefighters from multiple departments battled the blaze for about three hours.<\/span><\/p>\n The Ashland Fire Chief tells WABI the fire appears to have started in the kitchen however the home was vacant and nobody was displaced.<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2026\/04\/28\/officials-trying-determine-cause-house-fire-ashland\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Maine DOL commemorates \u2018Workers Memorial Day\u2019<\/b><\/p>\n On Tuesday at the State House leaders in the Maine Department of Labor and Maine Labor Group on Health honored workers in the state who\u2019ve lost their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n For \u2018Workers Memorial Day\u2019 state leaders held a remembrance for Maine workers who died in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the Maine Department of Labor, 19 people working in Maine lost their lives to workplace injuries or illnesses that resulted from their job.<\/span><\/p>\n Gov. Janet Mills read a proclamation declaring April 28 as Workers Memorial Day.<\/span><\/p>\n Bus system will connect Acadia National Park and MDI<\/b><\/p>\n Launching this spring season is a bus system that will connect Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.<\/span><\/p>\n Three routes could begin around Memorial Day Weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n The Bangor Daily News reports following an extremely busy year, the fare-free shuttle service could begin early to manage the crowds.<\/span><\/p>\n For the first time in decades, the 34-vehicle fleet Island Explorer will be operated by nonprofit transit provider Downeast Transportation.<\/span><\/p>\n