When Mark Miller retired, he struggled with a loss of identity and sense of purpose. That’s when he turned to the Sacopee Valley Men’s Group. Miller’s group is one of three that spoke to The Monitor about their approach to bringing together men 65 and older. themainemonitor.org/fighting-men...

Thank you to everyone who helped kick-off our year-end fundraising drive and meet the $10K match! This is a great start to our year-end fundraising, when we need to raise $200K by December 31. If you want to help us meet that goal, please donate now: themainemonitor.org/donate

Washington County voters on Tuesday rejected an $11 million bond meant to help dig out of a budget crisis, pushing Down East Maine to the brink of insolvency with next steps uncertain. (co-published with @bangordailynews.bsky.social) themainemonitor.org/washington-c...

At least 20 Turning Point chapters have been established at colleges, high schools and churches across Maine since Charlie Kirk’s death. themainemonitor.org/turning-poin...

A surprising aspect of the housing crisis: If Mainers returned to the number of people per housing unit that was typical in 1970, the state could house an additional 500,000 residents without erecting a single new building. My story for @themainemonitor.org themainemonitor.org/maine-buildi...

District Attorney Natasha Irving’s office would get just $1 from Lincoln County in a new recommendation from officials protesting what they see as a lenient prosecuting style. themainemonitor.org/lincoln-coun...

During our Year-End Fundraising Drive, we need to raise $200K by December 31 to power our newsroom. To kick us off, our board director and long-time supporters Doug Warren and Pam Berry will match every dollar raised today thru Wednesday, up to a total $10K. themainemonitor.org/donate/?utm_...

#Maine Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins are often split on issues — after all, she’s a #Republican and he’s an independent who usually votes with #Democrats. But on the #government funding, they’re on the same page. themainemonitor.org/king-collins...

#Drought across #Maine led to duller leaves that dropped earlier. Read more on how the drought affected leaf peeping in the state for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/fall-colors-...

The operator of Maine’s largest landfill is moving ahead with a treatment system for #PFAS, something the state is requiring as part of a controversial 61-acre expansion plan. Read more for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/pfas-treatme...

On Nov. 4, #Maine voters will decide on two referendum questions: one that would change voting rules and one about a potential red flag law. @emilykbader.bsky.social breaks down what you need to know. themainemonitor.org/2025-state-r...

In response to feedback during our listening tour, we are launching a new initiative to provide the people of western and downeast #Maine with a new source for news about their communities: Monitor Local, which will be published on Saturdays. themainemonitor.org/monitor-loca...

We have compiled an in-depth hub to help voters navigate through the issues Mainers face at the polls. The hub serves as your guide to state and federal lawmakers, Maine’s elections, and a comprehensive breakdown of Maine’s biennial budgets and ARPA funds. themainemonitor.org/guides-to-go...

The federal government #shutdown means #heatingaid will not be released on Nov. 1, leading to stark worries from those who manage the program in #Maine. Read more on how this affects Mainers for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/people-freez...

Reporter @krstnimg.bsky.social sat down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss her story about how test scores in #Maine have been sliding for more than a decade. To read her full report for free, click the link below. themainemonitor.org/these-studen...

There is no consensus around why certain #Maine kids are performing worse on #tests, but losses may reflect deeper challenges facing Maine #schools and families. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/leaders-stru...

For the past month or so, I've been buried in Google Sheets trying to understand how Maine students doing worse on tests. What I found: some of Maine's most vulnerable students are falling the fastest. Read my analysis here: https://themainemonitor.org/these-students-are-sinking-to-the-bottom/

Great reporting from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the decline in Maine's test scores. Read more for free at the link.

Maine, once a national competitor in student achievement, now sits at or below the national average. While scores nationwide have dropped since the COVID-19 #pandemic, #Maine student performance has been sliding for more than a decade. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social for free below.

A group of #Maine Republicans are pushing for a 2026 referendum that would bar trans students from sports teams and private spaces that align with their gender identities. themainemonitor.org/maine-could-...

Often-overlooked numbers show how fewer people are living together, inadvertently contributing to the #housingcrisis in #Maine. Read more from @murray-journo.bsky.social for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/maine-buildi...

At Neighbor’s Cupboard, 78-year-old Phylis Allen helps feed ~30 families a week, part of a volunteer base of mostly retirees. Maine's food pantries face cuts to aid & rising demand, many are near a breaking point. Full story via @themainemonitor.org: investigatemidwest.o...

Amid a tumultuous time for climate change research, Paul Mayewski has resigned as director of the Climate Change Institute at the University of #Maine in Orono after 24 years in the role. themainemonitor.org/climate-chan...

Thank you to everyone who joined us along with Holocaust and Human Rights Center of #Maine and Central Maine News to discuss how #localnews can better serve you. We appreciate your feedback. And a heartfelt thank you to all those who came to our other stops this summer and fall.

Former #Maine Rep. Dale Crafts is leading a push to take control of Lisbon’s Town Council amid a tax revolt and calls for government change. themainemonitor.org/dale-crafts-...

Millinocket, #Maine voters will decide next month on a raft of charter revisions that would provide a clear path to remove officials convicted of crimes and clarify who can serve in other positions. themainemonitor.org/millinocket-...

Crew members from the Audubon Seabird Institute have worked to cull laughing gulls as part of an effort to protect breeding #puffins and terns. Contributing writer Derrick Z. Jackson showcases their efforts in his latest essay. Read more below. themainemonitor.org/eastern-egg-...

ICYMI: At Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport, #Maine, funding cuts aren’t the biggest challenge. It’s keeping volunteers, especially as they get older. themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...

Reporter @emilykbader.bsky.social recently spoke at a ballot referendum forum at Bates College about two questions up for a vote in #Maine this year. To read her full breakdown on the two questions for free, click the link below. themainemonitor.org/2025-state-r... Photos by Carl Sheline

Voters in #Maine will recognize the surnames of some of the candidates running to replace Gov. Mills next year, but there’s a twist. These aren’t the candidates most people may think of. They are those candidates’ relatives. Read more from our new D.C. correspondent at the link below.

The UMaine System is switching to Anthem health for its employees, even though the insurer has been publicly feuding with the state’s second largest health system, Northern Light Health. About 15% of the university system’s employees rely on Northern Light for at least one medical service.

Hancock County #Maine Sheriff Scott Kane ordered a criminal investigation that led to a dismissed charge against Nina Milliken of Blue Hill, a Democratic lawmaker accused of illegally campaigning at a polling place. Milliken called her prosecution politically motivated.

There are just 16 registered providers in Piscataquis County and none of them had open slots as of May. To read more on how this impacts #childcare in #Maine, click the link below. themainemonitor.org/greenville-r...

Thank you to everyone who came to talk to us in Jackman! We appreciate the feedback from readers on what they want from local news. Tomorrow we will be in Augusta #Maine at the Holocaust and Human Rights Center and Central Maine News for the last stop on our tour. www.facebook.com/share/1JRuRb...

Love local #news but hate getting hit with the paywall? Did you know none of our stories are behind a paywall? For the latest news impacting #Maine check out our website: themainemonitor.org. And stay in the know by signing up for our curated newsletters here: themainemonitor.org/newsletters/.

Graham Platner says he’s covered a tattoo on his chest to no longer reflect an image widely recognized as a Nazi symbol that he got nearly 20 years ago. He added he's never been questioned about the tattoo’s connections to Nazis in the two decades he has had it. themainemonitor.org/platner-cove...

Crew members from the Audubon Seabird Institute worked to cull laughing gulls this spring and summer, part of an effort to protect breeding puffins and terns. Read the full essay for free at the link below. themainemonitor.org/eastern-egg-...

TOMORROW! Join us in Augusta along with the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of #Maine - HHRC and Central Maine News to talk about how local news can better serve you. Click the link for more information and to register for the free event. www.facebook.com/share/1F16RX...

Each of the 16 counties in #Maine has its own budget process, described in a separate section of the statute. To read more on how the state counties set their budgets for free, click the link below. themainemonitor.org/how-maine-co...

The Democratic U.S. Senate candidate told a podcast he got the skull-and-crossbones tattoo in 2007 after getting “very inebriated” with fellow Marines in Croatia, saying he is no “secret Nazi.” themainemonitor.org/platner-tatt...

Voting "is the last thing that gives us some type of responsibility,” said Foster Bates, president of the Maine State Prison chapter of the NAACP. He warned that Question 1 could strip incarcerated people of that right. Story by @themainemonitor.org.

Most #Maine homes and small businesses can expect the cost of their electricity supply to go up in January. 9 out of 10 homes receive their #electricity through the standard offer program and likely to see an estimated 15% jump in rates, according to an analysis. themainemonitor.org/electricity-...

Three weeks into shutdown gridlock, some Republicans are expressing openness to a controversial solution: nuking the filibuster. Susan Collins told @notus.com. “I am a strong supporter of the filibuster, but obviously I’ll look at any plan that anyone puts out in order to reopen the government.”

Last December, the state of #Maine renewed the contract of an organization even though it fell far short of its performance requirements, according to an examination by The Maine Monitor. Read more for free from reporter @joshkeefe.bsky.social at the link below. themainemonitor.org/community-ca...

TOMORROW! The Maine Monitor wants to hear from you about how local news can better serve you. Join Monitor staff along with the Northland Hotel for an evening of conversation, connection, and community, and refreshments on October 21st at 2 p.m. in Jackman. www.facebook.com/share/1DDKJY...

Congratulations to all Monitor reporters, editors and staff who picked up awards at the Maine Press Association awards! Pictured: @emilykbader.bsky.social, Emmett Gartner, Rose Lundy, Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm, Sean Scott, George Harvey, Daniel O'Connor and @krstnimg.bsky.social. Photo by Erin Rhoda

Proud to have earned one of the dozens of awards the @themainemonitor.org hauled in this weekend, taking second place in environmental reporting for this one: themainemonitor.org/community-so...

Franklin County commissioners are collecting health insurance stipends that were cut by the budget advisory committee. They are seeking advice from the attorney general’s office on whether that is allowed. themainemonitor.org/franklin-cou...

#Maine Monitor reporter @emilykbader.bsky.social follows up her referendum questions story with how Maine's prisoners could be affected by the passing of Question 1. To read more for free, click the link below. themainemonitor.org/question-1-c...

A trio of Monitor journalists were heralded with notable awards at the #Maine Press Association’s annual fall conference, with reporter Rose Lundy, a senior public health reporter, announced as Journalist of the Year. Read more awards the Monitor took home here: themainemonitor.org/mpa-awards-2...