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446,226 Cumulative vaccinations (An increase of 15,436 from Tuesday)

283,688 First dose administered (An increase of 9,072 from Monday)

162,538 Final dose administered (An increase of 6,364 from Monday)

46,254 Total cases (An increase of 195 from Tuesday)

723 Deaths (Flat from Tuesday)

195 New daily cases (An increase of 62 from Tuesday)

77 Currently in hospital (An increase of 2 from Tuesday)

The Maine House of Representatives deadlocked Wednesday on a short-term budget that would enshrine spending cuts and mirror federal tax changes as Republicans withheld support with a short window to make a deal with Democrats.

The initial 83-66 vote advanced Gov. Janet Mills’ supplemental budget plan as lawmakers prepared their first gauntlet of votes in 2021 at the socially distanced Augusta Civic Center, but it needs two-thirds votes in both chambers to pass with the April 15 tax deadline looming.

It is confirmation that minority Republicans are holding the line as they remain $32 million apart from Democrats on a deal, pushing for further tax cuts that would conform to federal law and push for a provision to subject the Democratic governor’s power to expend $1 billion in incoming federal coronavirus aid to two-thirds votes in the Legislature. READ MORE

Billions of dollars could flow into Maine for state and local governments, individuals and households, unemployment benefits, child care, education, housing and food aid, and small business assistance after the likely passage of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan. READ MORE

LGBTQ and women's rights groups are speaking out after a controversial bill was submitted in the Maine State Legislature. LD 926 looks to bar transgender women and girls from participating in women's sports across Maine. 

"We've come so far on LGBT rights and trans awareness here in the state of Maine that I was very disappointed about this bill showing up," said Gia Drew, program director with EqualityMaine. 

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Beth O'Conner, R-Berwick, says however that she has submitted this bill in an effort to prevent a potential competitive advantage.

"I do not think that these competitions will be fair if we open them up to individuals who start on a higher playing field," said O'Conner. READ MORE

Another 195 coronavirus cases have been reported across the state, Maine health officials said Wednesday.

The number of coronavirus cases diagnosed in the past 14 days statewide is 2,354. This is an estimation of the current number of active cases in the state, as the Maine CDC is no longer tracking recoveries for all patients. That’s up from 2,323 on Tuesday.

No new deaths were reported Wednesday, leaving the statewide death toll at 723. READ MORE

Six Maine police departments are getting a new tool they hope will reduce the number of fatal drug overdoses in the state.

Departments in Westbrook, South Portland, Biddeford, Kennebunk, Augusta and Winthrop are among 19 agencies in Maine and Massachusetts that will receive fentanyl test strips. They can be distributed to people to detect whether the drugs they are using are laced with the powerful synthetic opioid. Local and state officials say they are a harm reduction tool that can be used with other resources, including steering users to treatment programs, to prevent overdoses. READ MORE