The Maine Monitor
@themainemonitor.org
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The Maine Monitor
@themainemonitor.org
· Mar 17
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@emilykbader.bsky.social sat down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss how a USM-based center is providing technical support as millions of dollars flow into local governments to combat the opioid crisis. You can read her full report for free below.
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
November 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
@emilykbader.bsky.social sat down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss how a USM-based center is providing technical support as millions of dollars flow into local governments to combat the opioid crisis. You can read her full report for free below.
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
Following a surge of complaints about low water levels over the summer, engineers inspected the dam linking Pennesseewassee Lake and Pennesseewassee Stream in Norway to determine whether water was leaking and contributing to the decline.
themainemonitor.org/pennesseewas...
themainemonitor.org/pennesseewas...
Pennesseewassee dam repairs made to avoid ‘catastrophic’ failure
Engineers discovered the damaged sections during an inspection prompted by lakeside property owners’ complaints about low water levels.
themainemonitor.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Following a surge of complaints about low water levels over the summer, engineers inspected the dam linking Pennesseewassee Lake and Pennesseewassee Stream in Norway to determine whether water was leaking and contributing to the decline.
themainemonitor.org/pennesseewas...
themainemonitor.org/pennesseewas...
At The Monitor, we continue our tradition of sharing co-founder Naomi Schalit's Journalism Jam recipe. In the first years of our organization, she made jam for every donor as a thank-you. We’ve grown a bit since then, but we want to share this treat with you. If you try it, share the results here!
November 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
At The Monitor, we continue our tradition of sharing co-founder Naomi Schalit's Journalism Jam recipe. In the first years of our organization, she made jam for every donor as a thank-you. We’ve grown a bit since then, but we want to share this treat with you. If you try it, share the results here!
The states these candidates are running in are three of Democrats’ top targets for 2026, making their decisions potentially pivotal as the party embarks on a long-shot effort to flip control of the #Senate. Read more for free from our partners @notus.com.
Trump helped Schumer get 3 dream candidates, including Mills
Senate Democrats persuaded a trio of candidates to run even though they had little apparent incentive to endure a grueling 2026 campaign.
themainemonitor.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The states these candidates are running in are three of Democrats’ top targets for 2026, making their decisions potentially pivotal as the party embarks on a long-shot effort to flip control of the #Senate. Read more for free from our partners @notus.com.
To celebrate and honor our innovation to bring more news to #Maine, every dollar raised today will be put toward our partnership with The @bangordailynews.bsky.social. Two long-time supporters of both newsrooms will match donations up to $2,500! Donate now: themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...
November 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
To celebrate and honor our innovation to bring more news to #Maine, every dollar raised today will be put toward our partnership with The @bangordailynews.bsky.social. Two long-time supporters of both newsrooms will match donations up to $2,500! Donate now: themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...
About 200 people packed the Mt. Blue Regional School District board of directors meeting this week to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume. Many defended his choice under the First Amendment.
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
RSU 9 families call for accountability as district is ‘mired in crisis’
Hundreds attended a school board meeting to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume.
themainemonitor.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
About 200 people packed the Mt. Blue Regional School District board of directors meeting this week to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume. Many defended his choice under the First Amendment.
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
Reposted by The Maine Monitor
Agencies That Help Mainers Navigate Medicare Are Overbooked as Enrollment Deadline Looms.
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Agencies That Help Mainers Navigate Medicare Are Overbooked as Enrollment Deadline Looms
By Rose Lundy of the Maine Monitor
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Agencies That Help Mainers Navigate Medicare Are Overbooked as Enrollment Deadline Looms.
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Since #opioid settlement money began being distributed three years ago, advocates have raised concerns about some localities’ spending choices, particularly those related to police equipment, including questionable handheld drug-checking devices.
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
Maine center guiding, tracking local opioid settlement spending
The USM-based center is providing technical support as millions of dollars flow into local governments to combat the opioid crisis.
themainemonitor.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Since #opioid settlement money began being distributed three years ago, advocates have raised concerns about some localities’ spending choices, particularly those related to police equipment, including questionable handheld drug-checking devices.
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
Reporter Sean Scott sat down with @newscentermaine.bsky.social to discuss how food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the freeze of #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on. To read more click the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
November 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reporter Sean Scott sat down with @newscentermaine.bsky.social to discuss how food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the freeze of #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on. To read more click the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
The frontline of Maine’s battle against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid is concentrated in the Midcoast, where the tiny insect is wreaking havoc on its namesake #evergreens. Read more on how this impacts forests in #Maine for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
How Midcoast Maine is defending its hemlocks
The hemlock woolly adelgid is indifferent to property lines as it marches inland to Maine’s hemlock belt.
themainemonitor.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The frontline of Maine’s battle against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid is concentrated in the Midcoast, where the tiny insect is wreaking havoc on its namesake #evergreens. Read more on how this impacts forests in #Maine for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
Washington County is asking municipalities to send their 2026 property taxes early to help cover the approximately $8M in debt it must pay by the end of the year. Commissioners voted to accept early payments of municipal taxes for 2026 in order to pay off at least some of its short-term loan.
Washington County asks towns to pay taxes early
Paying early may avoid further interest costs the county could incur if it fails to repay its debt in time, which now appears inevitable.
themainemonitor.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Washington County is asking municipalities to send their 2026 property taxes early to help cover the approximately $8M in debt it must pay by the end of the year. Commissioners voted to accept early payments of municipal taxes for 2026 in order to pay off at least some of its short-term loan.
An estimated 36,000 people in #Maine will lose their #Medicare Advantage plans next year as carriers are all ending at least one of their plans. This means people will need to find new Advantage plans or revert to original Medicare and search for #prescription coverage.
Agencies helping Mainers navigate Medicare are overbooked
Ended Medicare Advantage plans and confusion from the federal government are driving a high number of calls for enrollment assistance.
themainemonitor.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
An estimated 36,000 people in #Maine will lose their #Medicare Advantage plans next year as carriers are all ending at least one of their plans. This means people will need to find new Advantage plans or revert to original Medicare and search for #prescription coverage.
Only two schools in #Maine were approved for funding to rebuild. School construction costs have been on the rise in Maine. To read further on school construction costs in the state, click the links below.
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
Only 2 Maine districts make the cut for school construction funds
Schools in Bath and Frenchville can get funding to rebuild, while a long list of other schools await funding for construction projects.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Only two schools in #Maine were approved for funding to rebuild. School construction costs have been on the rise in Maine. To read further on school construction costs in the state, click the links below.
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
Reporter Taylor Nichols breaks down how business owners in #Maine are saying they can’t afford to pay workers the high wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
November 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reporter Taylor Nichols breaks down how business owners in #Maine are saying they can’t afford to pay workers the high wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
Food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the decision to freeze #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on to buy #groceries.
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Amid SNAP uncertainty, Maine food pantries saw demand spike
The federal benefits freeze was the latest in a string of challenges that have stretched food assistance programs thin this year.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the decision to freeze #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on to buy #groceries.
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
In 2007, #Maine Legislature adopted a plan at reducing #school districts from 290 to 80. Only a few districts were exempted. In the 4 years that followed, the number shrank to 215. But with withdrawals in the 14 years since, the total has climbed to 264.
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
School consolidations are shattering as towns seek local control
Following a vote to withdraw from RSU 10, Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner to schedule special town meetings to discuss withdrawal agreements.
themainemonitor.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
In 2007, #Maine Legislature adopted a plan at reducing #school districts from 290 to 80. Only a few districts were exempted. In the 4 years that followed, the number shrank to 215. But with withdrawals in the 14 years since, the total has climbed to 264.
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
The Maine Library Commission is considering a proposal requiring public libraries to sign an agreement to maintain access to certain services. Under the proposal, all libraries would be required to pay their directors and remain open to patrons at least 12 hours per week.
New standards would require libraries pay directors, expand hours
Small nonprofit libraries in Maine that are operating with all-volunteer staffs object to the requirements.
themainemonitor.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The Maine Library Commission is considering a proposal requiring public libraries to sign an agreement to maintain access to certain services. Under the proposal, all libraries would be required to pay their directors and remain open to patrons at least 12 hours per week.
The Monitor is delighted to host an #intern through The Ida B. Wells Society Summer Investigative Reporting Internship Program. It will be a paid 10- to 12-week program, and we expect interns to be based in #Maine for the summer. Click the link below to apply!
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
November 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Monitor is delighted to host an #intern through The Ida B. Wells Society Summer Investigative Reporting Internship Program. It will be a paid 10- to 12-week program, and we expect interns to be based in #Maine for the summer. Click the link below to apply!
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
Maine’s Human Rights Commission sued 5 school districts that passed policies banning #transgender students from playing sports and using bathrooms aligning with their #gender identity. The suit, first reported on by the @bangordailynews, asks a judge to order that the districts repeal the policies.
Maine Human Rights Commission sues over transgender policies
The school policies were enacted after the Trump administration began pressuring Maine to ban transgender athletes from girls sports teams.
themainemonitor.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Maine’s Human Rights Commission sued 5 school districts that passed policies banning #transgender students from playing sports and using bathrooms aligning with their #gender identity. The suit, first reported on by the @bangordailynews, asks a judge to order that the districts repeal the policies.
School boards across #Maine made headlines as conservative board members and interest groups pushed at least 8 districts to bar #transgender girls from sports and private spaces that align with their gender identities.
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
Conservative effort to take over Maine’s school boards stalled
One school board candidate who narrowly lost after opposing transgender student protections, said he believes the election was rigged.
themainemonitor.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
School boards across #Maine made headlines as conservative board members and interest groups pushed at least 8 districts to bar #transgender girls from sports and private spaces that align with their gender identities.
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
Business owners in #Maine say they can’t afford to pay workers the high #wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
Maine restaurant owners blame staffing woes on housing shortage
Rising housing prices and a lack of available housing is creating headaches for Maine's restaurant owners and employees.
themainemonitor.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Business owners in #Maine say they can’t afford to pay workers the high #wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
The Monitor doesn’t have corporate owners or shareholders pulling the strings, meaning we work for YOU. Our reporters ask hard questions, making sure you get unbiased reporting. Right now, some of our members will double all donations for the next 4 four days up to $20K!
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
November 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
The Monitor doesn’t have corporate owners or shareholders pulling the strings, meaning we work for YOU. Our reporters ask hard questions, making sure you get unbiased reporting. Right now, some of our members will double all donations for the next 4 four days up to $20K!
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
Jared Golden’s exit from the #Maine congressional race leaves #Democrats scrambling to find a replacement who could beat #Republican candidate Paul LePage. Read more for free from our D.C. correspondent at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
Democrats actively recruiting a replacement for Jared Golden
Jared Golden’s exit from Congress leaves Democrats scrambling to find a replacement who could beat Republican candidate Paul LePage.
themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Jared Golden’s exit from the #Maine congressional race leaves #Democrats scrambling to find a replacement who could beat #Republican candidate Paul LePage. Read more for free from our D.C. correspondent at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Maine entrepreneurs see big potential in seaweed
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:49 PM
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Did you know none of our stories are behind a paywall? For the latest news impacting Maine check out our website: themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Did you know none of our stories are behind a paywall? For the latest news impacting Maine check out our website: themainemonitor.org