The Robinson Report

Amy Sussman, the aunt of Max Hathaway, who was killed in the Lewiston shooting, explains that 57 survivors and victims’ family members have now signed a letter requesting a full investigation from the Maine Attorney General’s Office, arguing the initial review was incomplete and missed key facts. Sussman says additional documents and firsthand accounts contradict what officials were told and shoul...

A reported DOJ indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center introduces allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering, raising questions about its long-standing role in shaping narratives around extremism. Additionally, new footage shows how homelessness and drug use is affecting the city of Bangor. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, con...

Social media has become a central battleground, with viral videos, repeated posts, and competing narratives shaping how viewers interpret fraud allegations and media coverage. Abdi Iftin suggests the volume and tone of online responses may be an attempt to shift attention away from underlying issues. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

Somali-American Abdi Iftin, who has worked as a translator, a columnist, and within the nonprofit sector, points to a pattern where nonprofit executives act as community power brokers, saying “the nonprofit CEOs also… consider themselves as the leaders of the community,” with financial incentives shaping that influence. He argues that this structure limits accountability and creates pressure again...

As gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles campaigns in Lewiston, he pointed to drug crime, unreported gun violence, and economic decline as signs of a city in urgent need of change. He argued that stronger leadership and law enforcement strategies could reverse the trend and restore public confidence. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

A bipartisan push to separate the Office of Child and Family Services from DHHS was rejected, despite claims the current system is overwhelmed and failing. Supporters argue the move could have improved accountability, but Maine Democrats shut it down. As these issues unfold, Jon Fetherston hops in his car mid-stream to report on a developing lockdown situation in Lewiston. Get full access to The R...

Despite billing tens of millions through MaineCare, some home healthcare providers showed little visible activity when Maine Wire reporters Jon Fetherston and Seamus Othot visited their listed locations. The findings are fueling new concerns about whether weak enforcement is allowing fraudulent Medicaid claims to slip through the cracks. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.sub...

Kristina Parker, Communications Director for the Maine Republican Party, and Garrick Hoffman, Director of Digital Media at the Maine Policy Institute, discuss Maine’s reliance on federal matching funds, particularly in Medicaid, and how that may shape state policy decisions. Hoffman suggests the system creates little incentive to control spending, while Parker points to rising costs that continue...

From vague ballot wording, quickly scheduled hearings, or press conferences that raise more questions than they answer, the same communication issues keep surfacing. Jon Fetherston points to a recent Maine GOP event as an example, saying it was unclear whether the focus was on ballot wording or a broader policy push. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

Leyland Streiff of Maine Girl Dads joins to respond to Shenna Bellows’ proposed ballot language, arguing it introduces terms not found in the underlying legislation and may confuse voters. Matt Gagnon from the Maine Policy Institute follows by describing the budget process as a series of negotiated tradeoffs, raising concerns about tax policy, revenue assumptions, and long-term fiscal impacts. Sub...

Jon Fetherston’s live reporting from a Portland bus shelter highlights conditions that regular riders say have become routine, from visible drug use to safety concerns for vulnerable residents. Portland resident, Ryan Tinsman joins the livestream to point to a pattern of short-term fixes that fail to address underlying issues at transit stops across the city. “They’ll do something for a week or tw...

Former LePage senior advisor Aaron Chadbourne states Maine’s rainy day fund is becoming a central issue, warning that using it for ongoing priorities could set a dangerous precedent with long-term fiscal consequences. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

The ballot question on girls’ sports becomes a focal point, with criticism aimed at how the language emphasizes restrictions and legal consequences rather than the policy’s stated intent. The wording is presented as an example of how phrasing choices can influence voter interpretation before they even reach the ballot. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

Shenna Bellows publicly accuses Maine Wire of “doxxing” a teenager in Lewiston, escalating an ongoing dispute over how a recent incident was reported and portrayed. Additionally, a Freedom of Access request tied to Medicaid providers returns with a cost estimate of “$34,906.25” and a nearly year-long wait, raising questions about whether access is being functionally denied. Get full access to The...

A Medicaid provider flagged for overbilling is described as having “successfully argued down a $600,000 in improper payments to like a $23,000 fine,” before continuing operations under a new structure. The same case is used to illustrate a broader concern that entities can “just rebrand the company and then start doing the exact same thing.” Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport...

A proposed ballot initiative focused on school sports and locker room policies faces a legal challenge over signature validity, with supporters arguing the process has already been reviewed multiple times. Furthermore, an article by Steve Collins is examined for its characterization of interactions outside a mosque in Lewiston, including questions about tone, accuracy, and sourcing. Get full acces...

Coverage of the same story by Maine Public draws notice for its narrower framing and lack of attribution, offering a more limited version of earlier reporting. Additionally, lawmakers in Augusta introduce a proposal to add a 2% surcharge on high-income earners as part of budget negotiations. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

A Daily Mail story examining Graham Platner’s oyster business funding introduces new scrutiny around donor ties and past associations. Despite that, Platner’s campaign continues to maintain support, raising questions about how political narratives are shaped and sustained. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Robinson Report, host Steve sits down with former Maine Senate Republican Leader and 2026 gubernatorial candidate Garrett Mason for a wide-ranging conversation about his path to the race, his vision for the state, and the policy battles ahead. Mason discusses his entry into the U.S. Senate in 2010 and becoming Maine's youngest-ever Senate Republican Leader. He highlights his...

A seven-hour Lewiston City Council meeting centers on emotional testimony from Bobbi Nichols, a survivor of the Lewiston shooting, along with renewed criticism of how relief money was distributed and how city officials have responded. Meanwhile, Joe Baldacci’s explanation for opposing a Charlie Kirk resolution is examined, including his comments about Kirk’s message and character. Get full access...

Governor Janet Mills releases a campaign ad using Graham Platner’s past written comments about rape, sparking immediate debate over its tone, authenticity, and effectiveness. Graham Platner responds at a press conference, where he apologizes and is joined by supporters speaking on his behalf. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

Graham Platner’s remarks on a recent podcast kept the tattoo issue alive at a time when Janet Mills is already under pressure from fraud-related questions and national attention on Maine. Additionally, a book at the J.A. Leonard Middle School teaches students about “leather daddy” kinks. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

Photos of trash dumped near a Maine stream raise questions about how environmental standards are enforced in rural areas. At the same time, protests in Portland highlighted the contrast between national political activism and local issues affecting the city. Get full access to The Robinson Report at robinsonreport.substack.com/subscribe

Steve Robinson interviews Jonathan Bush, Athenahealth founder and Republican candidate for Maine governor. Bush shares his outsider CEO vision for cutting taxes, shrinking state government in Augusta, reforming Medicaid, addressing drug policies and Portland’s challenges, and driving economic growth. He also discusses his family background, plans to strengthen the Republican Party, and the progres...