These are some of the stories central Maine is talking about today.

The Skowhegan Indians will keep their name after the district's school board voted Thursday night against a request to change it.  According to WGME the school board for SAD 54 voted 11-9 against changing the schools' name "The Indians", as requested by the Penobscot Nation. Members of the Penobscot Tribe were in attendance Thursday night. While the outcome was not as they had hoped, they were still happy to see the school board take up the issue. Barry Dana with Penobscot Nation said  he impressed the vote was as close as it was. (WGME)

There's new controversy over the state's move to cut off food stamps for thousands of Mainers. Some in Augusta say it's not fair and are now fighting to give those benefits back. Since January the state has ended food stamp benefits for more than 9,000 Mainers. It's saving taxpayers more than $13 million a year.  According to WGME, this all goes back to a federal requirement. It says if you're healthy and don't have any kids, you need to work, volunteer, or be part of the job training program or you don't get food stamps. This year Maine and 8 other states decided to stop asking for that waiver, but now democrats on the Health and Human Services committee are fighting that decision. A bill will now be considered by the house and senate.  (WGME)

A proposal to require people to show photo identification in order to vote has been defeated because the House and Senate couldn't agree on the bill. The measure would have allowed people who can't present an ID on Election Day to cast a provisional ballot. They'd have to prove their identity within five days. Republicans said it was a common-sense measure to safeguard against potential voter fraud. But the  co-chair of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, said that the measure "does nothing but suppress voting." (AP)

A Maine legislative committee has endorsed a proposal to raise the state's minimum wage to $9.50 by 2018. The Labor, Research, Commerce and Economic Development Committee voted 7-3 in favor of an amended version of the bill. It would raise the $7.50 minimum wage to $8 this October and then by 50 cents every year until 2018. Three lawmakers supported a version put forward that would similarly raise the wage by 50 cents a year, but stop at $9. This version would also change the work rules for minors to allow young people to work more hours and prohibit municipalities from enacting a local minimum wage increase. The measures will now head to the full House and Senate. (AP)

The entire state of Maine is in a very high fire danger level, meaning fires can start and spread easily.  According to WGME, the region is now going on over 2 weeks without significant rain. Firefighters say you need to be extra careful with anything you do that could create a spark.  Firefighters say with these dry conditions call 911 at the earliest sign of a fire.  (WGME)

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