The department sends billions of dollars a year to schools and oversees $1.6 trillion in federal student loans.
Nation & World
National and world news from the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.
Chief justice, in rare statement, rebukes Trump’s call to impeach judge who ruled against his deportation plans
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected calls for impeachment — a rare step usually taken only in cases of grave ethical or criminal misconduct — as an inappropriate response to a ruling the president doesn’t like.
Israel launches airstrikes across Gaza, killing more than 400 and shattering ceasefire with Hamas
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes, which killed mostly women and children, after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement.
King, Pingree demand answers on why USDA cut local food programs
Sen. Angus King joins dozens of Senate colleagues in calling for the funding to be restored.
A professor from Brown University was deported to Lebanon without explanation, despite US visa
Dr. Rasha Alawieh arrived at Boston Logan International Airport on Thursday and was detained at least 36 hours before being sent back to Lebanon, despite a judge’s order that a hearing be held first.
King and Collins vote to fund government as Senate averts shutdown
In the end, enough Democratic senators decided a shutdown would be worse than the Republican plan and backed Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s strategy to allow the bill to advance.
Dr. Nirav Shah, former Maine CDC director, taking post at Colby College
Until last month, Shah had been serving as a principal deputy director at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
USDA reverses decision to pause funding to UMaine System
Funding has resumed following the halt announced Monday, Sen. Susan Collins’ office said late Wednesday.
USDA cuts programs that supply local food to schools, food banks
The federal agency canceled contracts to continue providing food and funding to Maine schools and nonprofits for 3 more years. The change comes as one in eight Mainers — about 180,000 people — faces hunger. That includes roughly 45,000 children, about 20% of the state’s total population under 18.
Rep. Golden is only Democrat to vote with Republicans as House passes temporary funding bill
The 2nd District congressman broke with the rest of his party’s members, many of whom said they were worried about the discretion that the bill gives the Trump administration on spending decisions.