Amber Carter
@ambs1876.bsky.social
Living the best life going on adventures with my best friend Jacob and our two boys. Audience Engagement Director at The Maine Monitor. Tweets and opinions are my own.
Reposted by Amber Carter
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
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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www.facebook.com/share/17hZmY...
Reposted by Amber Carter
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
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.
Reposted by Amber Carter
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.
themainemonitor.org/library-comm...
themainemonitor.org/library-comm...
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
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.
themainemonitor.org/library-comm...
themainemonitor.org/library-comm...
Reposted by Amber Carter
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
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:
Reposted by Amber Carter
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
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:
Reposted by Amber Carter
#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-...
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
#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-...
themainemonitor.org/maine-among-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
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."
"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
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."
"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."
Reposted by Amber Carter
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
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
Reposted by Amber Carter
There will be numerous debates about #healthcare during the upcoming #Maine #legislative session, which begins on January 7. Health reporter Rose Lundy breaks down 11 of the key measures being focused on. Read more for free below 👇
themainemonitor.org/healthcare-b...
themainemonitor.org/healthcare-b...
The health care bills coming up in the Maine Legislature
Six health organizations discuss top priorities for Maine lawmakers to focus on and what they think will dominate discussion.
themainemonitor.org
January 2, 2026 at 4:33 PM
There will be numerous debates about #healthcare during the upcoming #Maine #legislative session, which begins on January 7. Health reporter Rose Lundy breaks down 11 of the key measures being focused on. Read more for free below 👇
themainemonitor.org/healthcare-b...
themainemonitor.org/healthcare-b...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The #Maine DEP recently issued a letter of warning designed to recoup wetlands protections lost in a regulatory oversight more than 20 years ago. The lapse by state and federal regulators allowed a wetlands mitigation site in Belfast to be marketed for commercial development earlier this year.
Maine regulators issue warning letter for Belfast wetlands lapse
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Penobscot Community Health Care disagree about who should preserve the land.
themainemonitor.org
January 1, 2026 at 3:21 PM
The #Maine DEP recently issued a letter of warning designed to recoup wetlands protections lost in a regulatory oversight more than 20 years ago. The lapse by state and federal regulators allowed a wetlands mitigation site in Belfast to be marketed for commercial development earlier this year.
Reposted by Amber Carter
The #Maine Legislature kicked many major funding decisions down the road during the first half of the 132nd legislative session, including bills related to the #environment. Read more for free at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/environmenta...
themainemonitor.org/environmenta...
Environmental legislation to watch in 2026
The Maine Legislature kicked many major funding decisions down the road in 2025, bills related to the environment included.
themainemonitor.org
January 2, 2026 at 2:33 PM
The #Maine Legislature kicked many major funding decisions down the road during the first half of the 132nd legislative session, including bills related to the #environment. Read more for free at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/environmenta...
themainemonitor.org/environmenta...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The clock is running out on our board of directors’ $16,500 match! We still need to raise $5,500 by the time the ball drops to unlock the match. Will you ring in the New Year by making a gift to support The Monitor’s independent reporting? Let’s meet this goal together!
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
December 31, 2025 at 5:16 PM
The clock is running out on our board of directors’ $16,500 match! We still need to raise $5,500 by the time the ball drops to unlock the match. Will you ring in the New Year by making a gift to support The Monitor’s independent reporting? Let’s meet this goal together!
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
Reposted by Amber Carter
22 towns in Washington County #Maine, have committed to prepaying the county’s 2025 #tax anticipation note, and 14 of them have already paid their share. Communities that won't prepay are Baileyville, Beddington, Deblois, Princeton, East Machias, Pembroke, Perry and the Passamaquoddy Nation.
Washington County projects less than 3 months of cash flow
County commissioners voted to reduce the mileage reimbursement rate from a federal standard to a state standard to save money.
themainemonitor.org
December 31, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Amber Carter
#Maine, which once sat on the leaderboard for national, standardized test performance, now hovers at or below the national average on critical topics such as math and reading.
themainemonitor.org/test-score-t...
themainemonitor.org/test-score-t...
5 takeaways from reporting on Maine’s test scores
Here’s who is falling the furthest and the possible reasons for the slide in achievement.
themainemonitor.org
December 31, 2025 at 2:56 PM
#Maine, which once sat on the leaderboard for national, standardized test performance, now hovers at or below the national average on critical topics such as math and reading.
themainemonitor.org/test-score-t...
themainemonitor.org/test-score-t...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Joe Baldacci’s entrance to the #Maine 2nd District #congressional race will likely please some national Democrats, who have struggled to recruit a competitive candidate for the right-leaning district. From our partners at @notus.com.
themainemonitor.org/new-democrat...
themainemonitor.org/new-democrat...
State Sen. Joe Baldacci poised to enter 2nd district race
Joe Baldacci’s entrance to the race will likely please some national Democrats, who have struggled to recruit a competitive candidate for the right-leaning district.
themainemonitor.org
December 30, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Joe Baldacci’s entrance to the #Maine 2nd District #congressional race will likely please some national Democrats, who have struggled to recruit a competitive candidate for the right-leaning district. From our partners at @notus.com.
themainemonitor.org/new-democrat...
themainemonitor.org/new-democrat...
Reposted by Amber Carter
As health #insurance rates are set to skyrocket, more direct primary care clinics are opening in #Maine with a subscription-based model of health care that can allow people to forgo health insurance for traditional #primarycare.
themainemonitor.org/direct-prima...
themainemonitor.org/direct-prima...
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 3:12 PM
As health #insurance rates are set to skyrocket, more direct primary care clinics are opening in #Maine with a subscription-based model of health care that can allow people to forgo health insurance for traditional #primarycare.
themainemonitor.org/direct-prima...
themainemonitor.org/direct-prima...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Washington County #Maine officials grapple with financial crisis and debt, as they seek solutions and reforms to address years of poor bookkeeping.
themainemonitor.org/difficult-ye...
themainemonitor.org/difficult-ye...
2025 was difficult for Washington County. 2026 will also be hard.
Washington County officials grapple with financial crisis and debt, as they seek solutions and reforms to address years of poor bookkeeping.
themainemonitor.org
December 29, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Washington County #Maine officials grapple with financial crisis and debt, as they seek solutions and reforms to address years of poor bookkeeping.
themainemonitor.org/difficult-ye...
themainemonitor.org/difficult-ye...
Reposted by Amber Carter
A @themainemonitor.org
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
Maine regulators issue warning letter for Belfast wetlands lapse
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and Penobscot Community Health Care disagree about who should preserve the land.
themainemonitor.org
December 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A @themainemonitor.org
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
followup to the story we broke last summer about a 24-acre wetland that should be protected in perpetuity, but is being marketed for business development.
themainemonitor.org/belfast-wetl...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Emily Barr will assume responsibility as president of the Board of Directors of The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, which publishes The Maine Monitor, on January 1. She will replace longtime president Jed Davis, who will continue to serve on the board as president emeritus.
MCPIR welcomes Emily Barr as new board chair
Jed Davis has served on the board since 2012. Emily Barr joined the board in 2023 and looks forward to helping the newsroom continue to grow.
themainemonitor.org
December 29, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Emily Barr will assume responsibility as president of the Board of Directors of The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, which publishes The Maine Monitor, on January 1. She will replace longtime president Jed Davis, who will continue to serve on the board as president emeritus.
Reposted by Amber Carter
To honor the tremendous work of The Monitor this year, our board of directors is challenging readers to join it in raising $16,500 before midnight on December 31. All donations made will be matched by the board. Double your contribution and kick off 2026 with us today:
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
December 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
To honor the tremendous work of The Monitor this year, our board of directors is challenging readers to join it in raising $16,500 before midnight on December 31. All donations made will be matched by the board. Double your contribution and kick off 2026 with us today:
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
Reposted by Amber Carter
Reporter Daniel O'Connor sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to talk about how nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their #audits. Read more on how the state's counties are grappling with their audits at the link.
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
December 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reporter Daniel O'Connor sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to talk about how nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their #audits. Read more on how the state's counties are grappling with their audits at the link.
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Did you know none of our stories are behind a #paywall? For the latest news impacting #Maine, check out our website: themainemonitor.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Did you know none of our stories are behind a #paywall? For the latest news impacting #Maine, check out our website: themainemonitor.org
Reposted by Amber Carter
There was plenty of big #environmental news this year: new clean energy legislation, an extreme drought that led to the worst August for #Maine wildfires in 20 years, federal funding cuts and more. As we close out 2025, here are some of our notable highlights.
themainemonitor.org/biggest-envi...
themainemonitor.org/biggest-envi...
December 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
There was plenty of big #environmental news this year: new clean energy legislation, an extreme drought that led to the worst August for #Maine wildfires in 20 years, federal funding cuts and more. As we close out 2025, here are some of our notable highlights.
themainemonitor.org/biggest-envi...
themainemonitor.org/biggest-envi...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Taxpayers across Maine are keeping a closer-than-usual eye on their county officials after a series of #budget crises. Read more from Daniel O'Connor at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
More Mainers are paying attention to county government
Taxpayers across Maine are keeping a closer-than-usual eye on their county officials after a series of budget crises.
themainemonitor.org
December 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Taxpayers across Maine are keeping a closer-than-usual eye on their county officials after a series of #budget crises. Read more from Daniel O'Connor at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County #Maine. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...
Nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their audits
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County. It’s not the only county delayed in analyzing its finances.
themainemonitor.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County #Maine. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...