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The Maine Monitor
@themainemonitor.org
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A nonprofit newsroom delivering citizen-supported, nonpartisan journalism for Maine: https://themainemonitor.org.

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The Maine Monitor @themainemonitor.org · Mar 17
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Trevor Savage allegedly bumped into Augusta #Maine school board candidate Nicholas Blanchard, known by his online moniker “Corn Pop.”

themainemonitor.org/lawyer-charg...
Lawyer charged with assaulting activist outside MSAD 60 meeting
Trevor Savage allegedly bumped into Augusta school board candidate Nicholas Blanchard, known by his online moniker “Corn Pop.”
themainemonitor.org
January 12, 2026 at 8:52 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey asked a federal court to remove the state of Maine and its largest police force from a police #brutality lawsuit stemming from an arrest in which a state trooper was filmed repeatedly punching a handcuffed man in the face.

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AG argues Maine State Police can’t be sued in police brutality case
The state is responding to a lawsuit filed after a trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face.
themainemonitor.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:50 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine state Sen. Joe Baldacci announced Monday that he is running for the 2nd Congressional District, joining a Democratic primary to take over the competitive seat of retiring Rep. Jared Golden. Read more for free from our D.C. correspondent, in partnership with @notus.com, at the link 👇
Joe Baldacci launches bid for Maine Congressional seat
Joe Baldacci is running for Maine's 2nd Congressional District, joining a Democratic primary to take over the seat of Jared Golden.
themainemonitor.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:32 PM
themainemonitor.org
Join reporter Sean Scott at the Bangor Public Library, or virtually on Feb. 4, from 6pm to 7:15pm, for a discussion with #Maine faith leaders who serve vulnerable community members. They will discuss the needs they are seeing and how they aim to fill the gaps.

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January 12, 2026 at 4:25 PM
themainemonitor.org
The National Council on Teacher Quality gave poor ratings to three of Maine’s public universities at a time when #reading test scores have been falling. Read more for free from @krstnimg.bsky.social about how this affects #literacy in #Maine at the link 👇

themainemonitor.org/teacher-prep...
January 12, 2026 at 2:02 PM
themainemonitor.org
Former Gray, #Maine, town manager reportedly failed to report the purchase of a $1.25M firetruck and $140K in expenditures. He said in a statement, “funds were identified as available” at the time the truck was purchased and the information was shared with both the town council and the public.
Former Gray town manager denies allegations of misspent money
Former Gray town manager Michael Foley reportedly failed to report the purchase of a $1.25 million firetruck along with $140,000 in expenditures, according to the town council.
themainemonitor.org
January 9, 2026 at 3:48 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine is home to six #wildlife refuges that safeguard diverse wetlands, forests, and critical habitat for birds and more. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been asked to “look for refuges and hatcheries established for a purpose that no longer aligns with the mission” of the agency.
What does Trump administration’s review of wildlife refuges mean?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife has been asked to “look for refuges and hatcheries established for a purpose that no longer aligns" with its mission.
themainemonitor.org
January 9, 2026 at 3:38 PM
themainemonitor.org
It’s the first week of the new legislative session, but the clock is ticking on a bill that would allow #Maine counties and municipalities to declare #bankruptcy if they default on their debts — something that could happen within weeks in Washington County. Read more at the link 👇
What’s next for a bill to let Maine counties declare bankruptcy
The measure emerged as a proposal from Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Calais, as Washington County faces a financial crisis.
themainemonitor.org
January 9, 2026 at 2:23 PM
themainemonitor.org
President Donald Trump lashed out at the five Republican senators, including #Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who voted with Democrats on Thursday to pass a War Powers Resolution that would curb his ability to expand military operations in Venezuela.

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Collins among group Trump says should ‘never be elected’ again
President Donald Trump lashed out at the five Republicans who voted with Democrats to pass a War Powers Resolution.
themainemonitor.org
January 8, 2026 at 7:52 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine Sen. Susan Collins was among five Republicans who voted to advance a War Powers Resolution that would curb Trump’s ability to expand #military actions in #Venezuela.
Senate votes to move ahead with War Powers Resolution
Five Republicans, including Susan Collins, voted to advance the resolution.
themainemonitor.org
January 8, 2026 at 6:40 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor, announced that he will run in the June primary for the seat currently held by the term-limited Sen. Marianne Moore, R-Calais.

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Republican faces pushback Down East early in Maine Senate run
Billy Bob Faulkingham’s high standing in Augusta might be overshadowed by the history between Hancock and Washington counties.
themainemonitor.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Reposted by The Maine Monitor
reportforamerica.bsky.social
The number of Maine children who are homeschooled has jumped since the pandemic, growing from 3.6% of students to 6.4%. For many families, the choice was rooted in religious freedom. Report For America corps member Sean Scott reports for @themainemonitor.org.
themainemonitor.org/maine-homesc...
Homeschooling is growing in Maine, and so are religious co-ops
Last year, at least one in 10 students was homeschooled in more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern Maine.
themainemonitor.org
January 7, 2026 at 10:04 PM
themainemonitor.org
Thank you for sharing Sean's story!
January 8, 2026 at 1:46 PM
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To read Sean's full story for free, click 👇

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Maine is one of the least religious states in the country
In a recent survey, a quarter of Mainers listed their religion as “nothing in particular.”
themainemonitor.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:45 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine consistently ranks as one of the least #religious states in the U.S. It ranked 49th in a recent ranking of overall religiosity by the Pew Research Center, joining New Hampshire and Vermont in the bottom. Reporter Sean Scott breaks down the data he found in his latest story.
January 8, 2026 at 1:45 PM
themainemonitor.org
Join us for our Monitor Local coffee hour to talk about #news in your area and what you want to see from our reporting. Our Monitor Local editor will be there, along with our executive director and the owners of Twice Sold Tales in Farmington #Maine. See you there!

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January 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
themainemonitor.org
The arrest was the subject of a Maine Monitor/ @bangordailynews.bsky.social investigation. Read the full Monitor/BDN report on Justin Savage's arrest here:

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Maine state police promoted trooper who punched handcuffed man in the face
The chaotic 2024 arrest in Limerick raises questions about the state police’s use of force policy and its process for reviewing complaints.
themainemonitor.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:41 PM
themainemonitor.org
Maine’s public safety chief refused to answer scant questions from lawmakers on Tuesday about the state police’s internal review of a chaotic 2024 arrest where a trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed Limerick #Maine man in the face.
Public safety chief ducks questions on excessive force lawsuit
Tuesday’s questioning centered on the state police’s internal review of a chaotic 2024 arrest in which a trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face.
themainemonitor.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:41 PM
themainemonitor.org
The #Maine Library Commission is expected to consider new standards through a rulemaking process that could span most of 2026. In the meantime, the proposed requirements that drew pushback for paid directors and minimum hours do not apply.

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Maine Library Commission drops proposed agreement
Commissioners will consider new standards through a rulemaking process that could take most of 2026.
themainemonitor.org
January 6, 2026 at 2:23 PM
themainemonitor.org
Thank you for sharing!
January 5, 2026 at 8:53 PM
themainemonitor.org
Have questions about what’s happening in your town government? Interested in reporting but lack training? We are joining Journalism New England’s Career Lab for a 3 month program that will provide hands-on training for aspiring community reporting fellows to contribute to our reporting. Apply now:
Community Reporting Career Lab Fellowships
The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting is joining Journalism New England's Career Lab to recruit and train community journalists.
themainemonitor.org
January 5, 2026 at 4:52 PM
themainemonitor.org
A fake letter claiming to be from the #Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and proposing false changes to pike fishing regulations went viral this week. The backlash highlights a broader debate in Maine, according to owner of Northeast Troller in Thorndike. Read more:
Bogus document on pike regulations highlights ‘hot button’ issue
A fake press release announced the classification of pike had changed from an invasive fish to a protected species. That is not true.
themainemonitor.org
January 5, 2026 at 2:05 PM
themainemonitor.org
#Maine consistently ranks as one of the least #religious states in the nation, ranking 49th in a recent ranking of overall religiosity by Pew Research Center.

themainemonitor.org/maine-among-...
Maine is one of the least religious states in the country
In a recent survey, a quarter of Mainers listed their religion as “nothing in particular.”
themainemonitor.org
January 5, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by The Maine Monitor
mainedpcdoc.medsky.social
We added a third physician to our DPC this year.

"As health insurance rates are set to skyrocket in January, more direct primary care clinics are opening around Maine...
...Since @themainemonitor.org published a story on direct primary care in July, at least six more clinics have opened."
More direct primary care clinics keep opening in Maine
The alternative health care model continues to expand in Maine as health insurance premiums skyrocket.
themainemonitor.org
December 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
themainemonitor.org
Thanks to 125 members, we closed out 2025 by meeting our board of directors' $16,500 match and raising an additional $33K to help sustain our reporting into 2026! If you missed this matching opportunity, you can still donate to support our work. Donate now at the link: themainemonitor.org/donate
January 2, 2026 at 5:23 PM