The Maine Monitor

In 2022, #Maine became the first state to ban the spreading of sludge on land. Our deputy editor breaks down Delger Erdenesanaa's latest story about how nearly all of the state’s sludge now goes to Juniper Ridge, shifting #PFAS #pollution from #farmland to the Penobscot River.

With #Maine Gov. Mills dropping out of the race, three Democratic contenders are looking to compete against incumbent Sen. Collins in the general election for U.S. #Senate: David Costello, Andrea LaFlamme and Graham Platner. They're competing in the primary on June 9. Here's why they're running.

Absentee #voting is underway in Maine's June 9th #primary. Our 2026 Voter Guide has all the information you need for state, local and national level races. It has candidate interviews, how #rankedchoicevoting in #Maine works, campaign finance and more. Check it out: themainemonitor.org/elections/

Maine's public university system plans to award its first contract for an #AI platform to #ChatGPTEdu, an #OpenAI chatbot tool for higher education. @krstnimg.bsky.social sat down with News Center #Maine to discuss how the plan will work.

The race to replace outgoing Rep. Golden in #Maine's 2nd Congressional District will pit former Gov. LePage against 1 of 4 candidates: Joe Baldacci, Matt Dunlap, Paige Loud or Jordan Wood. They're competing in the primary on June 9. Here's what they said about why they're running.

Incumbent Rep. Chellie Pingree has repeatedly cruised to re-election. On June 9, #Republicans will be choosing between two #primary candidates to challenge her in the general #election: Ron Russell, who lost to her in 2024, and newcomer Joshua Pietrowicz. Here's why they are running.

The #primary is June 9. The #Democratic candidates for #Maine governor are: Shenna Bellows, Troy Jackson, Angus King III, Hannah Pingree and Nirav Shah. Here's why they're running.

Franklin County in #Maine is asking Sugarloaf, Maine’s largest #ski resort, to repay roughly $150K in taxpayer money that officials say was improperly charged for an infrastructure project that fell apart. Editor Kate Cough breaks down this week's top stories. Read them for free: themainemonitor.org

We're interested in reporting on changes to the VA’s health system. If you're a #veteran who is receiving care from the #VA, or an employee or former employee of the Veterans Health Administration, and are interested in talking to us, email @emilykbader.bsky.social at emily@themainemonitor.org.

Republican candidates for #Maine governor explain why they are running continued.

The #primary is June 9. The #Republican candidates for governor are: Jonathan Bush, Bobby Charles, David Jones, Garrett Mason, Owen McCarthy, Ben Midgley and Robert Wessels. James Libby appears on the #ballot but has withdrawn. Here's why they're running. Keep watching at the post below.

We launched Monitor Local to provide much-needed on-the-ground civic news for rural #Maine. To keep Monitor Local serving rural Maine, we have a two-day fundraising match of up to $8K. Help support the work Monitor Local does to keep rural Maine informed. themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...

This week, we published a searchable database of #GrahamPlatner's deleted #Reddit posts as well as an analysis from our reporter, @joshkeefe.bsky.social. Deputy editor Stephanie McFeeters breaks down this week's top stories, which can be read for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org

Maine’s network of evangelical Calvary Chapel churches has become increasingly vocal in #Maine politics in recent years. Tonight, they will test Maine’s appetite for a conservative #Christian revival with its “Make Heaven Crowded” event at the Portland Expo Center.

Many people are switching to technologies that run on #electricity rather than #fossilfuels, reversing a past trend. Delger Erdenesanaa breaks down her latest story on how New England grid operator forecasts modest growth in demand over the next decade. themainemonitor.org/electricity-...

Our 2026 #voter guide breaks down the big races, dives into who’s funding them, answers common questions about voting in #Maine and more. As always, let us know if there’s something else you’d like us to dig into! Check out the link to explore the full guide for free. themainemonitor.org/elections/

To kick off our Spring #Fundraising Drive, all gifts are being matched up to $15,000 for the next three days. Join us as we hope to raise $70,000 and make a contribution now. themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...

Penobscot County in #Maine is grappling with Maine’s largest #HIV outbreak in its history. The top public health official in the county seat described how the conditions were in place for an #outbreak and how it is difficult to know the full scope. Erin Rhoda breaks down the week's top stories.

A quarter of rural voters in U.S. Senate battleground states said they are more likely to make voting decisions based on their faith than on their finances. This includes voters in #Maine. Sean Scott breaks down data from a recent poll done in rural counties across 13 states.

A proposed #datacenter in Jay, #Maine, can proceed after clearing a legislative hurdle when votes from the House and Senate fell short of the two‑thirds needed to override Gov. Janet Mills’ veto. Monitor Local editor Judith Meyer breaks down the proposed project and the failed temporary moratorium.

In 2022, #Maine began an effort to spur #housing production by removing regulatory barriers and encouraging communities to build accessory dwelling units. It was met with fierce debate. Caitlin Andrews sat down with News Center Maine to discuss how a new #law aims to work out the kinks.

@joshkeefe.bsky.social breaks down his latest story on how Graham Platner, a political newcomer, is running against #Maine Governor Janet Mills for the Democratic nomination for U.S. #Senate. Read Josh's full story at the link below. themainemonitor.org/graham-platn...

In 2022, #Maine began an effort to spur #housing production by removing regulatory barriers and encouraging communities to build accessory dwelling units. It was met with fierce debate. Monitor editor Kate Cough breaks down this story and more.

Maine’s 2nd largest #health system, Northern Light Health, has been in a downward financial spiral, losing money 4 years in a row while continuing to try serving the northern two-thirds #Maine.⁠ Rose Lundy sat down with NEWSCENTER Maine to discuss the impact it has had on the Northern Light system.⁠

Reporter @joshkeefe.bsky.social joined BBC's Americast last week to discuss his latest story about Graham Platner and his campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Read Josh's full story for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/graham-platn...

Read this story and more for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org

When Graham Platner was in high school, he was voted most likely to start a revolution. As the #Maine #Senate race has been gaining national attention, reporter Josh Keefe spoke with more than 50 people, including Platner and Janet Mills. Deputy editor Stephanie McFeeters breaks down his story.

A recent debate in the Legislature over funding for #homelessshelters highlights the competition over revenue from Maine’s #realestate transfer #tax. Caitlin Andrews sits down with NEWS CENTER Maine to break down how the tax works and how the money is spent.

Our editor, Kate Cough, sat with readers at Choco-Latte in Bar Harbor this morning to chat about local #news for the first #LocalNewsDay. Show your support for our local news by sharing our work with your friends and family, or making a donation at the link 👇 themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...

Today is #LocalNewsDay — a national day to support and celebrate local #journalism that strengthens communities. If you value the work we do — whether it’s holding public officials accountable, covering local schools, or shining a light on neighborhood stories — this is the day to show support.

Maine’s pool of money from taxes on home sales is growing. A community in Maine resists the idea of becoming a town again and new data shows the state has yet to spend nearly two-thirds of its opioid settlement funds. Kate Cough breaks down this week's headlines.

Late last month, a measure was passed in #Maine that would open state funding to houses of worship to help pay for security upgrades amid increasing threats to religious organizations across the U.S. Reporter Sean Scott breaks down how those funds would be used to help bolster safety.

Some #Maine schools didn’t hire #mentalhealth professionals while federal money was frozen. With future funds uncertain, they’re still not sure they should. Kristian Moravec (@krstnimg.bsky.social) sits down with News Center Maine to discuss how some #schools are handling the uncertainty.

Deputy Editor Erin Rhoda breaks down how some #Maine #schools didn’t hire mental health professionals while federal money was frozen, how some homeowners will get help replacing their roofs and how the Trump administration is now investigating Maine for requiring insurers to cover #abortion.

As #religious tensions rise, synagogues and other houses of worship in #Maine are looking to beef up #security. Reporter Sean Scott sits down with NewsCenter Maine to discuss the upgrades they are making and how they are being funded. ⁠ ⁠ Read the full story here: themainemonitor.org/religious-se...

This week, deputy editor, Stephanie McFeeters breaks down a proposal to turn vacant buildings into #housing. And also how some religious organizations in #Maine are looking to beef up security and how a bill lawmakers are considering could help fund it.

The #Maine Monitor has compiled an in-depth Guides to #Government hub to help #voters navigate through the issues Mainers will face at the #polls this November, as well as bill summaries and who sponsored them, public hearing schedules, and more. themainemonitor.org/guides-to-go...

A #Maine educator didn’t have a curriculum to teach a foundational skill for reading. So she created her own. Kristian Moravec (@krstnimg.bsky.social) sits down with NewsCener Maine to talk about how the program is being used in some schools.

Kate Cough breaks down how a #Maine educator created her own curriculum to teach children a foundational #reading skill. She also shares how Maine’s outgoing hospital lobbyist says rising #healthcare costs are impossible to solve, and how 2 #energy reports agree prices are likely to rise.

Thanks to the support of our current and new members, we have surpassed our March Fundraising Drive goal of $45,000. From the #Maine Monitor team, thank you! You can still support us by clicking the link below 👇 themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...

#Maine spent $3M in #opioid settlement funds in 2025, according to new data, leaving more than $19M in funds that have yet to be spent. @emilykbader.bsky.social sits down with NewsCenter Maine to discuss how those funds are being spent.

Editor Erin Rhoda breaks down the week's stories, including how local governments in #Maine spent their share of #opioid settlement funds. How Knox County is caught in a legal bind. And about how Paganism is on the rise in Maine. Read all these and more free: themainemonitor.org

Reporter Dan O'Connor sits down with @newscentermaine.bsky.social to talk about how a #police department in rural #Maine is using an #AI program to write its police reports. Read Dan's full report for free at the link below 👇 themainemonitor.org/wilton-ai-po...

At The #Maine Monitor, we serve the public as a watchdog #news outlet, delivering thorough, insightful reporting empowering Mainers. We are kicking off our 11-day fundraising drive with a 48-hour $5K match from member Luca Mellon. Click the link to double your donation.

York County in #Maine began a $5.1 million project in January to repair stretches of coastal #dunes damaged by winter #storms, but the county has bigger ambitions. The coast will need further fortification to fend off larger floods. Read more for free 👇 themainemonitor.org/york-county-...