Things You Need to Know Today: “If You See Something, Say Something” Kicks Off in Maine

Here are the things you need to  know today......

Maine is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security to raise public awareness for it’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. According to WABI, officials hope Maine citizens will do their part to possibly prevent terrorist threats and criminal activity by speaking up when they see something out of order.

State officials are warning of a scam involving text messages that appear to some from your credit union or bank asking for your info to resolve a problem. According to WABI, your bank or credit union would not do that.

The nonprofit that is going to manage the welfare-to-work program told Maine officials that it plans to hire 140 Mainers residents. Centralmaine.com reports  the union is concerned that more than 50 state workers could be at risk  but  Gov. Paul LePage dismissed Tuesday as “hoopla.”

The Augusta Planning Board tabled a plan to build a new facility next to Riverview to treat those who have committed crimes. Centralmaine.com reports the person sent to a planning board meeting could not answer questions the board had like what sort of crimes, and would this be more of prison or hospital.

From the Associated Press:

A 15-year-old Old Town girl who had been reported missing has been found safe in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, and her stepfather has been arrested. 15-year-old Natalee Cote went missing Monday after being picked up from school by her stepfather. On Tuesday police reported she had been found and would be reunited with her mother.

Maine regulators are proposing changes to an energy policy that lets solar owners receive credits on their utility bill for energy they sell back to the grid. Critics have criticized the policy for selling back electricity at "above-market" rates. Solar energy advocates had asked regulators to wait on any reform until legislators return in January. A Natural Resources Council of Maine spokesman called the rules "unnecessary" and said solar energy lowers costs for all ratepayers.

The federal government says a new strategy to address the issue of noise in the ocean will better protect the safety of marine mammals. Sound plays a key role in the survival of marine animals and can be caused either by human actions or the ocean's natural ecosystem. Whales and dolphins, for example, use sound to navigate and find food.

Tropical Storm Julia is bringing heavy rain to the northeast coast of Florida and southeast Georgia. The National Hurricane Center says the slow-moving storm could cause flash flooding and is expected to produce up to 6 inches of rain in some areas through Friday. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Ponte Vera Beach north to the Altamaha Sound in Georgia.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is trying to build his appeal with more moderate, independent voters — especially women. On Tuesday, he unveiled a plan to make child care more affordable, including giving new mothers six weeks of paid maternity leave. Meanwhile, Democratic rival Hillary Clinton has been recovering from pneumonia. Her campaign says she'll be ready to get back on the road Thursday.

Colombia has experienced its biggest earthquake in more than a year. A magnitude 5.9 tremor rattled residents in the city of Medellin last night, startling people relaxing at home. But it barely registered among soccer fans attending a match in the city. There are no reports of damage or casualties.

A new poll suggests that most Americans are willing to pay a little more each month to fight global warming — but only a tiny bit. A poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago says 57 percent of Americans say they'd be willing to pay $1 more a month in their electric bill to fight climate change. But only 39 percent would support a $10 a month hike, and 20 percent would support a $50 a month hike.