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.

This episode covers how #tariffs have affected #loggers and #sawmills in #Maine, the debate over whether federal #immigration agents can wear masks or otherwise conceal their identities and how that compares to rules for local police, and more. themainemonitor.org/radio-episod...

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.

#Farm owners and land stewards in Washington County will have to wait to see whether a $45 million #funding package is coming their way after #Maine legislators declined to authorize the bond. themainemonitor.org/farm-funding...

On average, rural Mainers whose closest #hospital doesn’t have a #birthing unit are now driving 45 minutes one-way to the nearest birthing hospital, the longest drive in New England. Rural residents in #Maine carrying high-risk #pregnancies may be forced to go even farther.

#Maine Sen. Collins violated disclosure provisions of a federal financial transparency law she helped write by failing to properly disclose her husband’s purchase of a #pharmaceutical company corporate bond, according to a review from @notus.com. themainemonitor.org/collins-viol...

A #tax generated by #property sales which helps power various affordable #housing initiatives in #Maine. Lawmakers are considering adding a new initiative to the list: funding #homelessshelters. But deciding how to allocate the money is complicated. themainemonitor.org/growing-home...

Political figures in York County #Maine, clashed during a strange hearing at which the county’s Republican chair suggested her own party’s candidate for sheriff colluded with the Democratic incumbent, something both of them denied. themainemonitor.org/york-sheriff...

#Oil prices skyrocketed after the U.S. and #Israel launched strikes on #Iran. Inflation on oil-based products like asphalt is starting to draw attention from local officials in #Maine. And now state and local governments will need to weigh when or whether to pave.

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.

ICYMI: Despite their differences, both reports agree on one thing: New England’s already high #electricity costs are bound to rise. Tux Turkel breaks down what both reports say and how the findings may affect #energy costs in #Maine. themainemonitor.org/two-reports-...

A new grant program intends to help prevent residents from having their home insurance policies canceled due to poor roof condition, which accounts for more than 75% of all home insurance non-renewals in #Maine. themainemonitor.org/maine-help-r...

One legal scholar described the insurance investigations into #Maine and 12 other states as Trump “throwing a bone” to conservatives who want more #abortion restrictions. themainemonitor.org/trump-invest...

Opponents say the latest proposal — which would add 11.9 million cubic yards of capacity at the Juniper Ridge Landfill near the Penobscot Reservation — poses unacceptable risks to public health in #Maine. themainemonitor.org/maine-dep-re...

The Select Board in Jay, #Maine, voted to support a project to build a small #datacenter at the former Androscoggin Mill site as the Maine Legislature debates a moratorium on new data centers. themainemonitor.org/jay-backs-da...

Students at Hebron Academy in Hebron, #Maine, have been busy tapping trees and gathering syrup into buckets. #maplesyrup 📸 @ameliametcalfe.bsky.social

Some #Maine schools didn’t hire #mentalhealth professionals while federal money was frozen. With future funds uncertain, they’re still not sure they should. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social for free at the link below 👇 themainemonitor.org/school-menta...

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...

A law firm based in Augusta #Maine, which is representing companies trying to build #datacenters in Sanford and Jay, launched a social media campaign targeting #lawmakers who are set to weigh in on data center legislation. themainemonitor.org/maine-data-c...

Both the town clerk and deputy town clerk of a small rural town in #Maine resigned last week, leaving the #municipality unable to collect or spend money. themainemonitor.org/new-vineyard...

Among 23 commission seats in #Maine with partisan #elections this year, only four will be contested by both parties. themainemonitor.org/county-commi...

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.

In 2025, the internal affairs office for U.S. CBP quietly moved from the Bangor International Airport to an unmarked office space on Farm Road in Bangor, #Maine, owned by Dana White, president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and a Trump booster. Read more from @joshkeefe.bsky.social 👇

ICYMI: With federal funding in flux, the #synagogue has joined forces with other #religious organizations across #Maine to push for a state-funded alternative to improve #safety measures at houses of #worship and other #nonprofits. themainemonitor.org/religious-se...

Volunteers in #Maine are spending spring nights outside with flashlights and rain gear to watch as #amphibians cross the road. Their data helps researchers identify dangerous areas and consider potential infrastructure changes. Read more from @juliatilton.com 👇 themainemonitor.org/amphibian-gr...

Our team had a great time at ClimateWork Maine's 4th annual Summit event yesterday in Portland, #Maine, talking with people about the #localnews that is important to them! Did you miss us at yesterday's event? Check the link for more upcoming events we have planned! themainemonitor.org/events/

👋Meet The #Maine Monitor team! These are just some of the folks working hard to bring you #reporting you can trust. #babypictrend #localnews

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...

#Hatecrimes motivated by #religious bias have been increasing in recent years, with 42 in #Maine over five years, according to the FBI. State lawmakers are now considering a bill that would set aside $1.5M for nonprofit organizations to make #security upgrades. themainemonitor.org/religious-se...

#Maine Maple Sunday is this weekend. Go behind the scenes with Scott Dunn of Buxton, president of the Maine Maple Producers Association, to see how sap, technology and hard work are critical ingredients in operating a modern #maplesyrup business. youtu.be/NLuW3RUEAqw

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.

A proposal is being considered to convert former #school buildings into #apartments, a plan that fits into a larger plan the Maine Legislature is currently evaluating. Lawmakers are debating whether to create a $5 million fund to help towns turn vacant buildings into #housing.

The auditor for Washington County in #Maine will complete work on outstanding #audits for the Unorganized Territories, but will not do any more work on Washington County’s 2023 and 2024 audits. themainemonitor.org/washington-c...

The Monitor was celebrated this weekend at the New England Newspaper and Press Association’s convention, with 6 reporting projects honored. And Monitor Local Editor Judy Meyer was recognized for “extraordinary, decades-long commitment” to #Maine #journalism. themainemonitor.org/nenpa-awards...

The #Maine Monitor is proud to be a sponsor of the Ellsworth Public Library and @mainepublic.org's Indie Lens Pop-Up Screening series. The first will be The Inquisitor by Angela Tucker, showing on March 21st at 2 p.m. Visit the link for more information. www.facebook.com/events/20882...

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_...

ICYMI: As religious adherence has declined both nationally and in #Maine, #Pagans across the state say they have seen growing interest in the earth-based #spirituality their traditions offer, a trend that is supported by #religious survey data.

The Monitor is proud to be a sponsor of ClimateWork Maine's 4th Annual Summit on March 19th at Thompson’s Point in Portland, #Maine, from 8am to 5pm. We will have a booth set up at the event, so stop by and talk with us about local #news!https://www.climateworkmaine.org/summit-2026

A representative body of faculty members at the University of #Maine voted in favor of eliminating a master’s #degree and suspending a bachelor’s degree, following similar changes to 10 other programs at campuses across the University of Maine System this fiscal year.

The number of Mainers registered to vote as #Republicans has grown in the past half-decade. Over that period, the number of registered #voters declined by 1.6%. #Democrat registrations declined by about 6%, while Republican registrations increased by 7%.

#Maine and New England must choose between two paths for how to generate #electricity in the coming years. Despite their differences, both reports agree on one thing: New England’s already high electricity costs are bound to rise. The question is which path leads to smaller increases.

Per capita #health expenditures in #Maine increased by at least 120% between 2001 and 2020 across the top four spending service categories, with hospital expenses increasing the most, by more than 160%, according to an annual report. themainemonitor.org/hospital-lob...

The #Maine Library Commission reviewed a draft rule that would impose new requirements on the state’s #libraries. Libraries would need to have strategic plans and submit annual reports to the state to receive certain state support. Libraries that don’t meet the standards could lose services.

Candidates for #Maine governor are advancing aggressive proposals to cut #propertytaxes after a legislative task force's recommended changes are unlikely to yield quick results. Many of the plans echo the strains of economic populism that have swept much of the U.S. since Trump’s return to office.

While they represent a small fraction of the population, the number of #Pagans appears to have increased both in #Maine and across the country in recent decades. themainemonitor.org/paganism-pop...

The strife over #fire protection costs comes as small towns in #Maine across the state are reeling from years of high costs, causing discontent and difficult budget talks in both local service hubs that have been hit hardest by cost increases and the communities around them.

Annual #townmeetings in #Maine are places where residents vote on budgets and ordinances and elect local officials. We are updating residents of Franklin, Oxford, Somerset, and Washington counties as information becomes available. themainemonitor.org/2026-annual-...

#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.

#Maine educator Kirsten Chansky decided to create Sounds of Success after noticing several years ago some students were falling behind in the skills they needed to become successful readers, such as identifying letter sounds and recognizing words. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social free below 👇