Maine unemployment claims increase after weeks of decline

The number of Mainers who filed initial claims last week increased by more than 60% from the previous week, to 4,400.

Mills’ economic recovery committee calls for $1.1 billion investment

Leaders of the Governor's Economic Recovery Committee say any recovery plan for Maine must work in concert with protecting public health.

Low-income Mainers barely hanging on to keep paying rent, research shows

Some are falling behind on other bills, using food pantries or relying on federal and state assistance, which experts say is not sustainable with financial aid programs set to expire.

Maine workers, labor groups warn of widespread suffering unless federal jobless aid is extended

The added $600-per-week benefit has saved thousands of Maine households from poverty, but it is due to expire soon, which could create economic calamity, advocates warn.

Jobless aid tops $1 billion in Maine as laid-off workers prepare to resume job searches

More than 87,000 weekly unemployment claims were paid out last week, as the state prepares to require claimants to start looking for work.

Top PPP recipients in Maine

Mills advisory group warns of ‘economic cliff’ if no more federal aid comes

Leaders of the Maine Economic Recovery Committee warn of a 'devastating' economic decline unless the federal government takes further action.

Mills’ economic recovery committee urges school reopenings, broadband expansion

The committee was tasked with recommending steps state government could take immediately to stabilize the Maine economy.

State’s fraud investigations have derailed some Mainers’ federal unemployment benefits

The short-staffed Maine Department of Labor has had to delay payments and a program for those who have exhausted benefits, the state's labor commissioner told lawmakers Thursday.

Virus contributes to outbreak of consumer debt in Maine

With jobs lost and bills piling up, many Mainers face mounting household debt triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.