ShareThe Trump administration moved forward Friday on gutting a longstanding federal protection for the nation’s birds, over objections from former federal officials and many scientists that billions more birds will likely perish as a result.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published its take on the proposed rollback in the Federal Register. It’s a final step that means the change — greatly limiting federal authority to prosecute industries for practices that kill migratory birds — could be made official within 30 days.The wildlife service acknowledged in its findings that the rollback...…ShareThe Trump administration moved forward Friday on gutting a longstanding federal protection for the nation’s birds, over objections from former federal officials and many scientists that billions more birds will likely perish as a result.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published its take on the proposed rollback in the Federal Register. It’s a final step that means the change — greatly limiting federal authority to prosecute industries for practices that kill migratory birds — could be made official within 30 days.The wildlife service acknowledged in its findings that the rollback...WW…

ShareBOISE, Idaho — The United States hit an all-time high Friday in daily new coronavirus cases, surpassing the previous record set during a summer surge of cases across the Sun Belt, The Washington Post reports.Friday’s tally of at least 81,400 – the first above 80,000 – comes as many states break their records for new infections in the latest ominous sign about the disease’s grip on the nation, as states from Connecticut to Idaho reel under the surge. The average number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has jumped in at least 38 states over the past week, a trend that cannot be explained by...…ShareBOISE, Idaho — The United States hit an all-time high Friday in daily new coronavirus cases, surpassing the previous record set during a summer surge of cases across the Sun Belt, The Washington Post reports.Friday’s tally of at least 81,400 – the first above 80,000 – comes as many states break their records for new infections in the latest ominous sign about the disease’s grip on the nation, as states from Connecticut to Idaho reel under the surge. The average number of COVID-19 hospitalizations has jumped in at least 38 states over the past week, a trend that cannot be explained by...WW…

ShareWASHINGTON — A New York tabloid’s puzzling account of how it acquired emails purportedly from Joe Biden’s son has raised some red flags. One of the biggest involves the source of the emails: Rudy Giuliani.Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s personal lawyer, says a laptop containing Hunter Biden’s emails and intimate photos was simply abandoned in a Delaware repair shop and the shop owner reached out to Giuliani’s lawyer.Giuliani has traveled abroad looking for dirt on the Bidens, developing relationships with shadowy figures, including a Ukrainian lawmaker who U.S. officials have...…ShareWASHINGTON — A New York tabloid’s puzzling account of how it acquired emails purportedly from Joe Biden’s son has raised some red flags. One of the biggest involves the source of the emails: Rudy Giuliani.Rudy Giuliani, President Trump’s personal lawyer, says a laptop containing Hunter Biden’s emails and intimate photos was simply abandoned in a Delaware repair shop and the shop owner reached out to Giuliani’s lawyer.Giuliani has traveled abroad looking for dirt on the Bidens, developing relationships with shadowy figures, including a Ukrainian lawmaker who U.S. officials have...WW…

ShareJay Villani, owner of Local 188 in Portland, sits in the dining area at the restaurant on Tuesday. “People are still nervous, but this will definitely help,” he said of the governor’s executive order allowing restaurants to increase their seating capacity. New COVID-19 cases: 27Total cases: 5,565New deaths: 0Total deaths: 142Active cases: 584Hospitalizations: 7Total ICU beds: 381Available ICU beds: 104Total ventilators: 318Available ventilators: 242Alternatives: 444Maine is moving into Phase Four of its COVID-19 reopening plan, increasing indoor seating capacity on Oct. 13 and...…ShareJay Villani, owner of Local 188 in Portland, sits in the dining area at the restaurant on Tuesday. “People are still nervous, but this will definitely help,” he said of the governor’s executive order allowing restaurants to increase their seating capacity. New COVID-19 cases: 27Total cases: 5,565New deaths: 0Total deaths: 142Active cases: 584Hospitalizations: 7Total ICU beds: 381Available ICU beds: 104Total ventilators: 318Available ventilators: 242Alternatives: 444Maine is moving into Phase Four of its COVID-19 reopening plan, increasing indoor seating capacity on Oct. 13 and...WW…

ShareA Hawaiian defense contractor whose business has offices and employees in Maine has been accused of falsifying loan applications to receive $12.8 million in federal funds from a coronavirus relief program.Martin Kao was arrested Wednesday and charged with bank fraud and money laundering. The news .According to a 37-page criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Kao is suspected of lying on two applications to receive funds under the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, part of the CARES Act passed by Congress in late March to address the pandemic. Maine...…ShareA Hawaiian defense contractor whose business has offices and employees in Maine has been accused of falsifying loan applications to receive $12.8 million in federal funds from a coronavirus relief program.Martin Kao was arrested Wednesday and charged with bank fraud and money laundering. The news .According to a 37-page criminal complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Kao is suspected of lying on two applications to receive funds under the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, part of the CARES Act passed by Congress in late March to address the pandemic. Maine...WW…

ShareLast week Pauline Henderson was shocked when she picked up a shipment of what was supposed to be 800 live chicks from her post office in New Sharon.Henderson, who owns and operates Pine Tree Poultry, a family farm and chicken meat processing facility that specializes in chicken pot pies, said all 800 chicks sent from a hatchery in Pennsylvania were dead.“We’ve never had a problem like this before,” said Henderson, who has been running her farm for five years and regularly receives shipments of live birds.“Usually they arrive every three weeks like clockwork,” she said Wednesday. “And...…ShareLast week Pauline Henderson was shocked when she picked up a shipment of what was supposed to be 800 live chicks from her post office in New Sharon.Henderson, who owns and operates Pine Tree Poultry, a family farm and chicken meat processing facility that specializes in chicken pot pies, said all 800 chicks sent from a hatchery in Pennsylvania were dead.“We’ve never had a problem like this before,” said Henderson, who has been running her farm for five years and regularly receives shipments of live birds.“Usually they arrive every three weeks like clockwork,” she said Wednesday. “And...WW…