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1. DRYING UP, WITH A WARM HOLIDAY WEEKEND AHEAD
2. MAINE SENATE PASSES CHILDHOOD VACCINE BILL
The Maine Senate passed a controversial childhood vaccine bill Thursday. The bill requires children get vaccinated or they will not be allowed to attend school. The only exceptions allowed are for medical reasons. Governor Janet Mills is expected to sign the bill. Opponents vow to fight the bill.
3. MAINE SENATE PASSES CONTROVERSIAL ABORTION BILL
The Maine Senate passed another controversial bill Thursday that allows some medical professionals other than doctors to perform abortions. Under the bill, advanced medical practitioners like physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse-midwives would be allowed to perform medication and in-clinic abortions. The bill faces more procedural action by both chambers before heading to Governor Mills.
4. FORMER CATHOLIC PRIEST SEX ABUSE SENTENCING
Ronald Paquin, a former Catholic priest convicted of sexually abusing a boy in Maine, will be sentenced Friday. Paquin was found guilty of 11 counts of gross sexual misconduct after two men testified they were repeatedly assaulted by Paquin on trips when they were children in the 1980s. Paquin spent more than a decade in a Massachusetts prison for sexually abusing an altar boy in that state and was released in 2015 before being taken into custody in Maine.
5. CASCO BOARD VOTES FOR LARGER FERRY BOATS
The Casco Bay Island Transit District Board of Directors has voted in favor of a larger design for the Portland to Peaks Island ferry. The new ferry would carry up to 599 passengers and 15 cars. The board of directors say they will gather public feedback before finalizing a decision.