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

Maine lawmakers and the state human services commissioner are discussing whether the state should try to regain federal certification and funding for a psychiatric hospital. Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta lost its certification in 2013 after officials found numerous problems there, costing the state about $20 million in federal funding. Commissioner Mary Mayhew said the Legislature needs to make a decision on whether they will replace federal funds with state funds or authorize the creation of a new treatment facility. Gov. Paul LePage's administration is considering a proposal to remove mentally ill patients who have been committed or accused of crimes to a separate facility.It believes the move could help the state get back federal certification for Riverview and qualify for about $16 million in annual funding. (AP)

Board members of a conservation program say Gov. Paul LePage's decision to withhold $2 million is ruining its ability to preserve public land. Land For Maine's Future board member Neil Piper said  LePage displayed "outright disdain" by withholding the money. He says projects awaiting funding will be delayed or derailed completely without it. He says future board meetings will be "fruitless" if LePage doesn't stop interfering. Land for Maine's Future distributes voter-approved bond funds to conservation programs. About 30 applicants who are seeking money were alerted about the freeze this month. The Republican governor offered to reauthorize the bonds if lawmakers would put from increased logging on state land toward a fund to help people upgrade home heating systems. His spokeswoman said Democratic leaders in the Legislature rejected the "compromise." (AP)

A former Vermont police officer admits she pulled a loaded gun on two men in Maine. Demitria Buhalis pleaded guilty to criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon. In April, Buhalis got into some sort of road rage incident and pointed a gun at two men in car on I-95 in Sidney. She lost her job as a police officer in Vermont after the arrest. She could be fined or serve as much as 10 days in jail as punishment. (WGME)

Maine ranked ninth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men, with a rate of 1.47 per 100,000, according to the new Violence Policy Center. The annual report is being released in advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. This year’s study applies to 2013, the most recent year for which data is available. The study covers homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender, and uses data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Supplementary Homicide Report. The study found that nationwide, 94 percent of women killed by men were murdered by someone they knew, and the most common weapon used was a gun. (WGME)

Police in Topsham say an anonymous tip led them to 12 large marijuana plants growing in the woods. Police say they found the plants on the Topsham Land Trust property. By statute, medical marijuana plants are required to be grown inside a locked, fenced area. Police say there is "no legitimate reason marijuana plants will be growing out in the woods."  Anyone who discovers more of these plants is asked to give Topsham police a call or use their anonymous tip line. (WCSH)

Reconstruction of the main runway at Robert LaFleur Municipal Airport is complete and came in $300,000 under budget. According to the KJ, the airport manager told the City Council that the project, for which the airport got a $4.3 million Federal Aviation Administration grant, was completed July 2. The project included not only paving the runway, which is 5,500 feet long and 100 feet wide, but also installing 100 lights, 19 signs and navigational aides. The FAA is allowing the airport to use the leftover money for other needs. (centralmaine.com)

Rescuers in Zion National Park are waiting for flood levels to drop along the Utah-Arizona border before they enter the canyon to search for three hikers who set out Monday to rappel down a narrow slot canyon. Authorities have found four bodies in the park following Monday's flash floods. Nearby, rescuers have found the bodies of 12 women and children whose two vehicles were swept away Monday evening. Three children survived and one person is still missing. (AP)

Two huge fires in Northern California have now consumed more than 800 homes, but firefighters say they're gaining ground. Cal Fire says a wildfire that's burned through 105 square miles in Lake County is now 30 percent contained. And a blaze that's charred more than 112 square miles in Amador and Calaveras Counties is 40 percent contained. Forecasters say Northern California could see rain Wednesday. (AP)

One person is dead and six children are critically injured follow a car accident that happened during a gunfight in Kansas City, Missouri. Police say two vehicles were exchanging gunfire Tuesday night when one of those vehicles hit a vehicle nearby. That vehicle crashed, killing one person and critically injuring six children. Another person involved in the gunfight is also in critical condition with bullet wounds. (AP)

Quiet has returned to a hilltop compound near Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque following three days of clashes between Muslims and Israeli forces. Muslim demonstrators had clashed with Israeli forces during a Jewish holiday. Police appeared cautious not to inflame the situation by getting too close to the mosque. The site is revered by both Muslims and Jews and is a frequent flashpoint for tensions. (AP)

The Australian government says it's going to withhold child care and other payments from families if they don't immunize their children. The "No Jab, No Pay Bill" was introduced to Parliament Wednesday, and it also removes a category of "conscientious objector" that allows parents to remain eligible for full government benefits despite not immunizing their children. Families would lose up to 15,000 Australian dollars ($11,000) per child. (AP)

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