University of Maine System

Latest Articles

Paul LePage's disastrous mistake
In writing a weekly political column, you learn not to use the first paragraph to make extravagant claims you can't possibly deliver on.
By AL DIAMON | February 24, 2010

Ex-USM staffers claim age discrimination

Litigation Watch
In complaints filed with the University of Southern Maine's Office of Campus Diversity and Equity, a state legislator and five former colleagues allege they were discriminated against in a recent department restructuring because of their ages. The complainants' ages range between 56 and 63.
By JEFF INGLIS | November 18, 2009

Do it to debt

Spending money to make money?
A friend of mine walked into the local bar during a recent happy hour and announced, "I'm furious at IGA."
By AL DIAMON | April 01, 2009

Some people have real problems

Politics and other mistakes
Mainers are facing grievous financial burdens. Stores and factories are shutting down. Businesses that stay open are laying people off. Unemployment is rising as fast as the foreclosure rate on homes. And housing prices are sinking like the value of retirement accounts.
By AL DIAMON | February 11, 2009

What's wrong with Augusta?

Whatever it is, it isn't new. Things were just as screwed up a decade ago — in the opposite direction
Charlie Colgan couldn't predict a recession if its arrival was signaled by warning lights and sirens.
By AL DIAMON | January 29, 2009

UMaine feels the economic pinch

Tuition pressure
The University of Maine system is being asked by the state to describe how it would cut $10.6 million from its budget — the equivalent of 5.3 percent of the state money it gets — on top of the $19.1 million in cuts imposed earlier this year.
By DEIRDRE FULTON | November 19, 2008

Beatin’ the odds

Politics and other mistakes
Imagine this: A developer suddenly shows up in your rundown little town and announces plans for a multi-million-dollar project.
By AL DIAMON | October 16, 2008

Taking from the poor

Democratic lawmakers show their Republican values
What values do Maine’s Democrats hold?
By LANCE TAPLEY | May 07, 2008

Everybody has the right to be wrong

Politics and other mistakes
The late political columnist Davis Rawson once infuriated then-Speaker of the House John Martin to the point that Maine’s most powerful politician told reporters, “Davis Rawson is a drunk and a has-been.”
By AL DIAMON | April 16, 2008

All the dark horses

Politics and other mistakes
Here’s what I like about the gambling industry: It provides suitable locations for sleazeballs and stupid people to hang out.
By AL DIAMON | November 20, 2007

Hustlenomics

Politics and other mistakes
All human beings are born with an innate sense that they’re fiscally responsible.
By AL DIAMON | October 24, 2007

Don’t need it

Politics and other mistakes
Charge me with fiscal irresponsibility.
By AL DIAMON | August 15, 2007

UMaine refuses to out downloading students

Privacy
While the battle over file-sharing continues unabated on college campuses across the country, University of Maine officials have offered a new stance.
By EMILY PARKHURST | April 26, 2007

UMaine refuses to out downloading students

Privacy
University of Maine officials are opposing recording-industry efforts against alleged illegal downloading of music.
By EMILY PARKHURST | April 18, 2007

Ethics update

Long state-agency hangover from that $295 bottle of wine
Fewer than half of 126 quasi-governmental state agencies say they have ethics rules.
By LANCE TAPLEY | February 28, 2007

E-ZPass on ethics

Turnpike executives cruise past the state’s ethics rules
On June 20, the Maine Turnpike Authority’s five top executives and four of their consultants had one of their “management dinners,” which the authority has held every month or so for eight years.
By LANCE TAPLEY | August 03, 2006

You promised

Show Eder the money
Portland representative John Eder wishes he had more friends in the capitol these days. Since supposedly securing funds last March for an unprecedented “arts incubator” to support the creative economy in Portland, Eder says the state has given him the run-around. Now, the $500,000 he was promised has disappeared.
By SARA DONNELLY | February 01, 2006