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Murray Carpenter

@murray-journo.bsky.social

730 followers 1.7K following 1.3K posts

Author of Sweet and Deadly, How Coca-Cola Spreads Disinformation and Makes Us Sick (MIT Press, March 2025), and Caffeinated (Penguin, 2014). Bylines at New York Times, NPR, Maine Public Radio, Washington Post, etc. Belfast, Maine.

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · Sep 2

Juvenile sand tiger shark, about 3 feet long, in Maine’s Penobscot Bay yesterday.

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 16h

Maybe it's getting better again?

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 19h

Among the wild reporting in this article is this formal reply from DHS:

In response to a list of questions about Noem, DHS said, “This NYMag hit piece reads like a preteen rage-scrolling, then prompting ChatGPT for a screed on misogyny — complete with zero substance and maximum bullshit.”

New York Magazine @nymag.com · 16d

Some government officials said that MAGA loyalist Kristi Noem is virtually an empty vessel on policy. “Beyond just basic conservative principles, she never had an original policy idea or thought at all,” a former campaign aide told Ben Terris.

Who Really Runs DHS?

Kristi Noem is the face of Trump’s police state. Corey Lewandowski is the muscle.

nymag.com

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 2d

It often seems librarians are playing key roles in the climate movement. @carabuckley.bsky.social profiles one in Brunswick, Maine.
"Curtis Memorial’s Library of Things was started by one of its librarians, Hazel Onsrud..." #climate #maine
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/20/c...

Why Shop? In Maine, the Library of Things Has It All (Almost).

www.nytimes.com

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 3d

Great blue heron among rockweed in midcoast #Maine estuary. #birds

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 3d

Chagrined in what way?

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 5d

Passagassawakeag estuary, midcoast Maine, on a calm October afternoon.

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 5d

So great to hear @rachelroubein.bsky.social and Anahad O’Connor break down the MAHA health science on Post Reports. “High-fructose corn syrup is almost chemically identical” to cane sugar, O’Connor says. Good on seed oils too.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

MAHA's fight against food dyes, corn syrup and seed oils

Podcast Episode · Post Reports · 09/30/2025 · 32m

podcasts.apple.com

Reposted by Murray Carpenter

Margot Carpenter @margot-carto.bsky.social · 7d

What an inspiring legend she has been. I will never forget her work and ethos. apnews.com/article/jane...

Jane Goodall, conservationist renowned for chimpanzee research and environmental advocacy, has died

Jane Goodall, the conservationist renowned for her groundbreaking chimpanzee field research and globe-spanning environmental advocacy, has died. She was 91.

apnews.com

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 7d

Turkey vulture migrating through midcoast #Maine. #birds

Reposted by Murray Carpenter

Krista Langlois @cestmoilanglois.bsky.social · 7d

I've loved this anthology for as long as I can remember, and this year I'm stoked to have edited four -- count 'em, four! -- of the notable selections. I'll link to the stories and their authors below.

Jaime Green @jaimealyse.bsky.social · 8d

Wrote a bit about this year's edition of The Best American Science and Nature Writing - and posted the Notables jaimealyse.beehiiv.com/p/basnw25

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 8d

In the Narraguagus River: "On July 17, 2023, a legendary salmon pool in the Cherryfield section topped 83 degrees." Ambitious reporting by @penelopeoverton.bsky.social for @pressherald.com www.pressherald.com/2025/09/28/m...

How climate-fueled summers are reshaping Maine's environment

The Portland Press Herald spoke to two dozen experts this summer about the ways increasing heat is affecting Maine's natural world.

www.pressherald.com

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 9d

"In his order, McKeon addressed six statements Kennedy accused Vickrey of saying about him and which Kennedy said were defamatory, all of which McKeon concluded Vickrey never wrote or said." By @rachelohm.bsky.social for @pressherald.com: www.pressherald.com/2025/09/29/j...

Judge rules in favor of Cape Elizabeth man accused of libel by RFK Jr.

U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accused blogger David Vickrey of making false statements about him on social media, but a judge said Kennedy failed to submit evidence needed to back up his...

www.pressherald.com

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 9d

It’s a beautiful time of year here!

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 9d

Penobscot Bay, midcoast #Maine.

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 12d

Very cool to see these migrating tree swallows gorging on bayberries along the Rhode Island coast. #birds

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 12d

Fun to catch some of the swells from Hurricane Gabrielle in Rhode Island, with @margot-carto.bsky.social! #surfing

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 13d

As @antoniafarzan.bsky.social’s recent story shows, Pawtucket has a lot of heart. @mapcenter.com is a great example.

Margot Carpenter @margot-carto.bsky.social · 13d

Just got back from some amazing surf from Gabrielle at Matunuck and the best stop was visiting with Andrew @mapcenter.com . Loved chatting carto and diving into the inspiring map collection Andrew has accrued.

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 13d

Glad to have found some great postcards at your Map Center this morning!

Reposted by Murray Carpenter

The Maine Monitor @themainemonitor.org · 15d

For $138 million, The Nature Conservancy will purchase the last four #dams blocking #salmon from reaching their spawning grounds in the Sandy River. To read more for free on how this affects #Maine salmon, click the link below.

themainemonitor.org/dams-sale-sa...

Historic sale of dams clears the way for salmon to return to the Kennebec River

For $138M, The Nature Conservancy will buy the last four dams blocking salmon from their spawning grounds in the Sandy River.

themainemonitor.org

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 16d

Insightful reporting about the evolution of a Rhode Island mill town, by @antoniafarzan.bsky.social for Providence Journal:
www.providencejournal.com/story/news/p...

How Hasbro's departure may speed up Pawtucket's shift from mill town to bedroom community

Hasbro changed. And Pawtucket, once an industrial powerhouse, is changing too.

www.providencejournal.com

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 21d

September sunrise.

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 21d

“This is kind of a case study on how not to handle situations like this,” Kenney said. “They kind of screwed it up from beginning to end.”

The Maine Monitor @themainemonitor.org · 21d

A trooper repeatedly punched a handcuffed man in the face. #Maine State Police promoted him. The arrest raises questions on state police’s use of force and process for reviewing complaints. Read more from @joshkeefe.bsky.social and @bangordailynews.bsky.social:

themainemonitor.org/trooper-repe...

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Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 21d

Me too!

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 25d

Some of the best radio reporting advice I’ve received came third hand, from my doppelgänger. I enjoyed writing this column about the other Murray Carpenter for @bangordailynews.bsky.social www.bangordailynews.com/2025/09/12/o...

Opinion: My doppelganger cut a wide swath in Maine broadcasting

"When talking to sources, I had the same experience a few times. 'Murray Carpenter,' they’d say, 'Did you used to work up around Bangor?'"

www.bangordailynews.com

Murray Carpenter @murray-journo.bsky.social · 26d

Looking forward to moderating this forum Sunday with four Democrats aspiring to be the next governor of Maine: Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Angus King III, and Hannah Pingree. Please join us and bring your questions for the candidates.
www.midcoastvillager.com/news/politic...

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates to Gather in Thorndike

All of the party's leading candidates for governor in are scheduled to attend the Sept. 14 event.