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What we're reading
— A state-owned landfill needs more refrigerators and couches to help it contain runoff laced with "forever chemicals." The operator of Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town asked state regulators to allow it to accept 5,500 more tons of bulky waste, which it combines with wastewater sludge contaminated by the toxins more substance to help prevent runoff. It is making the move in anticipation of getting far more of the sludge that is being applied to farmland less during a statewide fight against the chemicals.
— Maine is expected to mirror a nationwide spending bump during the omicron variant ease in January. An economist said even though consumers are worried by inflation and interest rate hikes, the recent surge led to pent-up demand for goods including furniture, appliances, vehicles, clothing and groceries.
— A Republican lawmaker likened Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to a dictator Wednesday on the House floor. The remarks from Rep. Sherman Hutchins of Penobscot came after Trudeau invoked emergency powers to allow police to clear blockades of border crossings and downtowns by the "Freedom Convoy," a right-wing group of truckers protesting COVID-19 limits. |
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Follow along today
10 a.m. The health committee will meet for a briefing on the Fund for a Healthy Maine before working on bills that would change it, including one that would bar the use of tobacco settlement funds to provide health coverage and gear it further toward prevention efforts. Watch here.
The criminal justice committee will hold hearings on two corrections bills and another proposal that would add school officials to an area of law aimed at preventing harassment of public officials. Watch here. |
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| 📷 Lead photo: Hollywood Casino in Bangor is pictured on Feb. 3, 2021. (BDN photo by Linda Coan O'Kresik) |
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