Things You Need to Know Today: Trump Praises Saddam + Mt Vernon Ave is DONE!

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

The AP reports, Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is praising the ruthlessness of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. At a campaign rally Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina, Trump said, "Saddam Hussein was a bad guy, right? ... But you know what he did well? He killed terrorists. He did that so good." Trump has previously said the world would be "100 percent better" if dictators like Hussein and Libya's Moammar Gadhafi were still in power.

More traffic is being seen on Mt. Vernon Ave in Augusta. According to the KJ, the multi year, multi million dollar project is complete.

The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donations. According to WMTW, they said their supply is extremely low. One of the big problems, a lot of people who donate on a regular basis are on vacation.  Find a blood drive near you at our website.

Waterville city councilors ok’ed  $38 million city and school budget for 2016-17. According to the KJ, it cut the tax rate but because of the city’s revaluation, some will see their taxes go down, some up and some will stay the same.

According to the Associated Press…Gas prices are on their way down in northern New England. The average price per gallon in Maine has fallen 1.2 cents to $2.32. The national average of $2.26 has fallen 3 cents during the last week and stands 47 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.

The holiday weekend is over but the state police presence on Maine roads isn't. The stepped-up traffic enforcement will continue through the summer. Traffic enforcement will focus on enforcing seatbelt laws and targeting distracted, aggressive and impaired drivers.

U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded renewable energy grants to 13 businesses in Maine. The grants will be used to install renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal as well as for energy-efficiency projects.

Gov. Paul LePage survived an attempt to keep him off the list of delegates to the Republican National Convention. Now he's planning to skip the event. LePage told WVOM-FM on Tuesday that he's decided against going to the GOP convention in Cleveland unless presumptive nominee Donald Trump tells him he needs help.

There's no winning ticket in Tuesday night's Mega Millions drawing, estimated at $454 million. Virginia Lottery spokesman John Hagerty says that means the jackpot for the next drawing on Friday will be an estimated $508 million. Tuesday night's numbers are 29-64-46-53-73, and the mega ball is 10.. Tuesday marks the 34th time the Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over without a winner.