#Maine #GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Bobby Charles is criticizing a school district after its board voted to end 2 town's kindergarten classes. “They didn’t fully grasp how deeply committed people are in this state to their elementary schools,” he said.

themainemonitor.org/bobby-charle...

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

Matt Junker joins The Monitor as elections and government reporter In this new beat, Matt Junker will be working to help our readers unpack the ins and outs of Maine's electoral system and decision-making.

Matt Junker will cover #elections and #government for The #Maine Monitor. In this new beat, Junker will be working to help our readers unpack the ins and outs of Maine’s #electoral system while keeping up with decision-making at the state and federal levels.

themainemonitor.org/maine-monito...

Join #Maine Monitor editor Kate Cough at the Ellsworth Public Library at 2 p.m. on April 25, where she will lead a conversation following the screening of “The Librarians”. Learn more and register for the free event by clicking the link below.

ellsworth.libcal.com/calendar/EPL...

Maine is tightening limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water As funds lapse and grants expire, dozens of Maine schools, mobile home parks and homeowners could be left to pay for filtration alone.

As federal funds lapse and state grants expire, dozens of #Maine schools, mobile home parks and homeowners could be left to pay for water #filtration systems on their own.

themainemonitor.org/maine-tighte...

ICE in Maine Coverage of ICE in Maine by The Maine Monitor and its media partners.

This episode of The Maine Monitor Radio Hour covers our reporting on the late January federal #immigration enforcement surge in #Maine. Listen to the episode and read all of the reporting for free at the link below.

themainemonitor.org/ice-in-maine/

Northern Light Health’s bond rating improves to ‘stable’ The outlook revision on Thursday reflects improved financial performance.

Northern Light Health’s bond rating was updated from “negative” to “stable” today as the second-largest #health system in #Maine tries to claw its way out of a downward #financial spiral.

themainemonitor.org/northern-lig...

Northern Light Health’s bond rating improves to ‘stable’ The outlook revision on Thursday reflects improved financial performance.

Northern Light Health’s bond rating was updated from “negative” to “stable” today as the second-largest #health system in #Maine tries to claw its way out of a downward #financial spiral.

themainemonitor.org/northern-lig...

Masked agents detain civil engineer in Portland The man is in the U.S. on a work visa after receiving a master’s degree. Agents left his car running in the street with a smashed window.

And read reporters Rose Lundy and @joshkeefe.bsky.social’s initial report on Carvajal-Munoz’s #detainment here: themainemonitor.org/masked-agent...

Civil engineer sues immigration agents who violently arrested him His lawyers argue that agents racially profiled him and violated his constitutional rights by forcefully arresting him without any legal basis.

A civil engineer whose violent street arrest in Portland, #Maine, became a flashpoint during a massive #immigration raid earlier this year has sued the #ICE agents who detained him.

themainemonitor.org/civil-engine...

Maine lawmakers pass the first statewide ban on large data centers The bill, which would prohibit new power-hungry facilities until late 2027, awaits Gov. Janet Mills’ signature or veto.

The bill now heads for a signature or veto by Gov. Mills, who had pushed for an amendment allowing for a small #datacenter in the town of Jay, #Maine; town officials encouraged Mills to #veto the bill if no amendments were made. Read more for free below 👇

themainemonitor.org/maine-data-c...

Join Monitor Local editor Judy Meyer on Wednesday, April 29th, at Greene Block + Studios in #Waterville for a panel discussion about Maine’s quirky local home rule governance structure. This #free event is in-person and available online. Register below.

www.eventbrite.com/e/monitor-ta...

EMMC is at the center of Northern Light Health’s financial problems Northern Light Health has lost money four years in a row, leading to difficult questions about its future.

The second-largest #health system in #Maine, Northern Light Health, has been in a downward #financial spiral, losing money four years in a row while continuing to try to serve the northern two-thirds of the state.

themainemonitor.org/emmc-norther...

He was detained by ICE. When he got out, he couldn’t find his car The Maine Secretary of State paused an automatic title transfer process for a month to give immigrants time to contest car seizures.

In early February, following a surge in #ICE enforcement in southern #Maine, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows decided to temporarily adjust Maine’s process for transferring ownership of abandoned vehicles to ensure #immigrants understood their rights and give them a chance to object.

Farm bond falters as small farms struggle to survive The bill has twice failed to secure the two‑thirds majority needed in the House and is now before the Senate for consideration today.

The #Maine farm funding bill has stalled in the Legislature a second time with only days left to secure a spot on the November ballot, putting small #farms across the state at risk if #Congress does not advance funding soon.

themainemonitor.org/farm-bond-fa...

I went to school with Graham Platner. Here's a look at his success Graham Platner, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, is possibly the most remarkable political story in the country.

Graham Platner’s campaign once seemed destined to be a short-lived novelty. Now he’s the favorite to win the Democratic nomination for #U.S. #Senate. Reporter @joshkeefe.bsky.social wanted to understand why. Read the story for free at the link 👇

themainemonitor.org/graham-platn...

The April episode of the #Maine Monitor Radio Hour covered our recent reporting on a fund that would help towns convert empty schools into #housing, a new approach to #teaching reading and a police department that is using #AI to draft reports.

themainemonitor.org/radio-episode-24/

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.

#Maine Library Commissioners are expected to propose new minimum standards for public #libraries in May before opening the proposal to public comment.

themainemonitor.org/library-comm...

#Maine Big Night’s current data shows that the average mortality rate of amphibians found dead on the road is around 25%. As high-mortality sites are identified, the organization works with state and local officials about infrastructure solutions.

themainemonitor.org/amphibian-gr...

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_...

For #LocalNewsDay, #Maine Monitor's Monitor Local editor, Judy Meyer, spoke with @mainepublic.org about the importance of local #news. Listen to the full segment here:

www.mainepublic.org/show/maine-c...

During #ICE’s two-week operation in #Maine, most submissions to the tip line were spam, jokes, or support for federal agents.

themainemonitor.org/maine-ice-ti...

Share our news with a friend or click to donate:

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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.

Join our editor Kate for a coffee and chat about local #news on #LocalNewsDay TODAY from 10 am-11:30 am at Choco-Latte in Bar Harbor.

www.facebook.com/share/18GZxd...

This western Maine mountain town is desperate for more housing As the tourist economy drives new growth, Eustis, where most properties sit empty for much of the year, has little housing available.

As the #tourist economy drives new growth in #Maine, a small western town where most properties sit empty for much of the year has little #housing available. Town officials are seeking new ways to expand the housing supply.

themainemonitor.org/eustis-housi...

Residents in a rural #Maine #mobilehome have lived under a boil water order since 2023. Water stoppages, plus high levels of bacteria and #foreverchemicals, have led some to stop drinking the water altogether.

themainemonitor.org/sunrise-sere...