5TYNK
1. Sen. Collins says she would support codifying Roe v. Wade, basically making a woman’s right to choose federal law across the land. This comes in response to a new Texas law that bans abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy when a so-called “fetal heartbeat” is detected. (WGME)
2. The spread of COVID-19 continues to vary widely in different parts of Maine. Maine’s recent case rate is still 15th-lowest nationally. On the flip side, the two Maine counties with the highest rate of virus spread in recent weeks, Aroostook and Piscataquis, have seen more per capita cases than the majority of U.S. states. (WGME)
3. The ongoing shortage of school bus drivers is now forcing RSU4 to cancel transportation for a few days. There will be no bus runs in Sabattus, Litchfield and Wales until Tuesday, Sept. 14. (WMTW)
4. City councilors and staff expressed support Wednesday for requiring people to wear masks in public indoor settings in Portland regardless of vaccination status. They won’t vote on a mandate until Monday. Portland would become the first municipality in Maine to re-enact a wide-ranging mask requirement. (PRESS HERALD)
5. Developers of the Rock Row development in Westbrook notified residents this week that there will be no more shows this year at the Maine Savings Pavilion, and possibly beyond. A spokesperson said “The major construction that will soon be taking place at Rock Row makes it unfeasible for us to host outdoor concerts any longer.” (PRESS HERALD)
