Jon Chrisos
CBS 13 News
Portland, ME, United States
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Past articles by Jon:
Maine is putting the brakes on vulgar vanity plates, setting up free speech fight
STATEWIDE (WGME) - A controversial new law in Maine will soon put the brakes on profane plates. Ask the I-Team: Are you allowed to just make your own license plate in Maine? This fall, the Department of the Secretary of State will start an effort to get those license plates off the road. "I'm pretty eccentric. I'm loud and obnoxious," Brittney Glidden said. Glidden's minivan is covered in… → Read More
Did Maine really issue that vanity plate? Search the state database here.
A controversial new law in Maine will soon put the brakes on profane plates. Curious to see all the vanity plates the state has issued? Use the tool below to search more than 100,000 plates. *Warning: some people may find some of these plates offensive. Mobile users CLICK HERE to view tool. A Flourish data visualization. This fall the state will start an effort to get those license plates off… → Read More
Ask the I-Team: Who is eligible for the Vaccinationland Sweepstakes?
PORTLAND (WGME) -- The CDC tracker shows Maine is a national leader in COVID-19 vaccination. But Governor Mills wants to encourage more people to roll up their sleeves, and that's happening with a series of incentives. Ask the I-Team: Is the COVID vaccine magnetic? Last month the state offered incentives to those who got a vaccine in the second half of the month; things like Sea Dogs tickets and… → Read More
'Holy crap; what happened?' Bike crash survivor warns about road rules in Maine
OLD ORCHARD BEACH (WGME) - The survivor of a bike crash in Old Orchard Beach is now talking with CBS13. "It took a while just to get strength and balance back," Casey Drake said. Drake is now back on his bike and says what happened to him can help you and your family stay safe on the road. Bicycle Coalition of Maine launches anti-speeding campaign. "I suffered a pretty bad concussion; it set me… → Read More
'I was in fear of my life:' 78-year-old murderer blames Maine self-defense law
WARREN (WGME) - A 78-year-old Mainer convicted of murder says he believes a poorly understood state law is why he's behind bars. Merrill Kimball was sentenced to 25 years in prison in June 2015. Lobsterman appeals murder conviction. "I just started my seventh year," Kimball said. Kimball says it's too late for him, but he wants people to know about what he calls a draconian law that some… → Read More
Ask the I-Team: Why hasn't my bank sent me the tax forms I got last year?
There is a push by some members of Congress and accountants to extend the tax filing deadline, but right now the deadline is still April 15. The I-Team got this message from a viewer:I'm trying to finish my tax return, but I'm still missing a form from my bank. I got them last year and the year before, but I've gotten nothing this year for my savings account. We checked with the IRS. Most… → Read More
CBS13 helps Mainers recover millions in unclaimed money; search to see if you have some
PORTLAND (WGME) - CBS13 is on your side and getting results. Three weeks ago we hosted a team from the Office of the State Treasurer in our virtual Help Center in an effort to help you track down your unclaimed property. SEARCH: Maine holding $275 million of unclaimed money; is any of it yours? During our the night of our live event, more than 2,000 were filed, adding up to $2. 4 million,… → Read More
Maine withholds records for years while investigating backlog of police shootings
AUGUSTA (WGME) - The CBS13 I-Team has discovered a growing backlog of police shooting investigations in Maine. That means families and the public are left waiting years for answers, in some cases, after police use deadly force. State law gives the attorney general the exclusive responsibility to investigate police shootings and no deadline to get them done. → Read More
SEARCH: Maine holding $275 million of unclaimed money; is any of it yours?
STATEWIDE (WGME) - You could be among the thousands of Mainers owed money that's just waiting to be claimed. The Maine Office of the State Treasurer is holding on to $275 million that belongs to Maine residents. SEARCH HERE. Unclaimed property is money that's considered lost or abandoned when a business can't locate the owner and submits the information the state. → Read More
I-Team: New England woman lost $1 million in online scheme that can turn criminal
STATEWIDE (WGME) - There's a growing scheme during the pandemic that's turning ordinary Mainers into criminals. Another Mainer dies as 201 new coronavirus cases are reportedThis one often starts with something that seems like an online romance, but there's nothing at all to love about it. We found you could quickly commit a crime. "I have the voice now and the courage to speak up," scam victim… → Read More
SEARCH HERE: Are you a victim of COVID loan fraud in Maine?
STATEWIDE (WGME) - A CBS13 I-Team Waste Watch investigation into federal disaster loans finds millions of dollars sent to Maine businesses that don't even exist. The Small Business Administration handed out more than 10,000 COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) in the state meant to help Mainers struggling during the pandemic. We sorted through all of them and found not only widespread… → Read More
CMP gets final major permit needed to build controversial corridor
STATEWIDE (WGME) - After years of controversy and review, CMP parent company Avangrid has received the final major permit needed to construct a high-power transmission line through the woods of western Maine. The U. S. Department of Energy Presidential Permit was given to the corridor project, formally known as the New England Clean Energy Connect. The project is designed to carry hydropower… → Read More
CMP customers file petition calling for new COVID moratorium on shut offs
HALLOWELL (WGME) - A group of Central Maine Power customers has filed a 10-person petition with the Public Utilities Commission asking the state to reintroduce a moratorium on utility shutoffs during the pandemic. In March, the PUC declared a moratorium on disconnection activities by Maine utilities, but lifted it effective November 1. [CMP customers allege disconnect notices are misleading, ask… → Read More
'Extreme and outrageous:' Judge allows part of lawsuit against CMP to move forward
PORTLAND (WGME) - Only part of a lawsuit against Central Maine Power will move forward after a decision this week from a judge. Superior Court Justice Michaela Murphy dismissed all but one claim against CMP in a lawsuit over disconnection notices. The notices threaten to shut off power. A group of CMP customers alleged the notices are misleading and fraudulent. [CMP customers allege disconnect… → Read More
Some of the most popular vehicles in Maine were just recalled. Is yours one of them?
DETROIT (WGME/AP) - Some of the most popular vehicles in Maine are now part of a massive recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is requiring General Motors to recall and repair nearly 6 million pickup trucks and SUVs which have potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators. The CBS13 I-Team first started investigating concerns about the the airbags in GM vehicles last… → Read More
For third year in a row, CMP ranks last in U.S. in customer satisfaction survey
NATIONWIDE (WGME) - For the third year in a row, Central Maine Power is at the bottom of the list for customer satisfaction, according to a new nationwide survey. CMP ranked lowest on J. D. Power’s survey of business customers of 88 electric utilities nationwide, scoring 692 points on a 1,000-point scale. CMP also scored worse than any electric utility nationwide in the same survey of business… → Read More
What's the deal with all those mailings about community solar farms in Maine?
STATEWIDE (WGME) - By now you've probably gotten one or two letters in the mail from a company called Nexamp. It's the first community solar project to do widespread marketing in Maine after changes to state law last year. What is it and how does it work? The CBS13 I-Team is hearing from many of you about these letters that are being sent to CMP customers. They promise to save you money while… → Read More
Portland ballot questions could cost taxpayers $12 million, according to city analysis
PORTLAND (WGME) - We're learning more about how much the referendum questions on the Portland ballot could cost taxpayers in the city. An analysis sent from city finance director Brendan O'Connell to city manager Jon Jennings estimates two questions in particular could increase the city budget by $12 million a year. Fiscal Impact Analysis - Referendum Questions by Wgme Producers on Scribd.… → Read More
Ask the I-Team: Is dining in an enclosed tent any safer than eating inside?
STATEWIDE (WGME) - The CBS13 I-Team is on your side. You asked and now we’re answering. With strict rules from the state for restaurants, outdoor dining helped many of them get by this summer. Some put up tents to block the sun or rain but now that it's getting colder, is it safe to close them up? I noticed that the tents used for outside dining now all seem to have the flaps down making them a… → Read More
Ask the I-Team: Are legislators paid even though they’ve been out of session for months?
STATWIDE (WGME) - The CBS 13 I-Team is on your side. You asked and now we're answering. Since the state legislators have not been in session for seven months, are they still being paid for their services? We brought that question to the executive director of the Maine legislature Grant Pennoyer. Salaries for legislators are set by state law. They're paid during the course of two sessions. The… → Read More