1. The Maine Senate voted Thursday to pass a bill that would end philosophical exemptions to childhood vaccinations but would continue to allow parents to cite religious objections to vaccines. If the religious exemption survives additional votes in the House and Senate, it could undermine efforts to increase vaccination rates among Maine children that reduce the risks of infectious disease outbreaks. (Press Herald)
2. On Tuesday in Lewiston, Keith Tilton drove his 39-year-old son, Joseph, to the bank to cash a check. A few minutes later, Joseph came out of the bank, got back in Keith’s car, and had his dad drop him off in a different part of the city. On his way back home, Keith passed the same bank he’d taken his son to, and noticed that police cruisers had surrounded it. When the cops pulled him over a few blocks later, they informed Keith that Joseph had stolen $620 from the bank after threatening a teller. Police declined to arrest Keith for his unwitting role as getaway driver after they determined he had no idea what his son, a drug addict with a lengthy criminal record, was truly up to. Joseph was then arrested a short time later on charges of robbery and theft. (Sun Journal)
3. Facebook said on Thursday it has permanently banned several far-right and anti-Semitic figures and organizations including Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, Infowars host Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos and Laura Loomer for being “dangerous,” a sign that the social network is more aggressively enforcing its hate speech policies under pressure from civil rights groups. Facebook had removed the accounts, fan pages, and groups affiliated with these individuals after it reevaluated the content that they had posted previously, or had reexamined their activities outside of Facebook, the company said. (Press Herald)
4. Director Jeff Fowler has promised that changes will be made to the Sonic the Hedgehog movie. On Thursday, he tweeted, “The message is loud and clear…you aren’t happy with the design & you want changes.” Fans have been critical of the character’s human-like teeth, legs and the look of his fur. (EW)
5. Hot 104.7 & SIS Bank Present Hot Beach Bash starring Lil Jon w/ JaySean at Bernie’s Beach Bar in Hampton Beach on Saturday, June 15th. Tickets on Sale Now
