One of the most famous views in American art is now accessible to the public for the first time ever. www.midcoastvillager.com/life/taking-...

Here are the debates Janet Mills announced on Friday:

And moderator @colinwoodard.bsky.social told me in an email he was under the impression Mills was attending until Friday: “I find this an unfortunate outcome, given all the time and resources that have gone into preparing for this debate.”

But organizers — including the Sagadahoc County Democrats — did not seem to understand or communicate that, saying today: “We regret any confusion.”

Mills’ team says they never committed to the Topsham debate. Period. And @randybillings.bsky.social reports there are emails from March showing she could not attend. It was not part of the series of televised debates Mills announced participating in Friday.

Did Janet Mills just pull out of a debate? Seems to me like a case of miscommunication. But depends on who you ask — so I’ll lay it out and let you decide…

Graham Platner to host Maine Passover seder as polarizing Senate candidate expands Jewish outreach - Jewish Telegraphic Agency The Democratic hopeful also shared his “direct family connection to Judaism" as Jewish groups have expressed concerns.

JTA reveals Graham Platner will host a Passover seder this week in their deep dive into his connection to Jews/Judaism. #MEpolitics via @aseitzwald.bsky.social

Janet Mills campaign appearances.

Via @aseitzwald.bsky.social a list of Janet Mills's weekend public appearances. Far as we're aware these are the first of the campaign that've been widely publicized in advance and are (presumably) open to all.

Comes in the context of a poll showing Mills behind and losing ground. #MEpolitics

In the hypothetical head-to-head against Susan Collins, this poll has Platner performing somewhat better, but before the electorate has been “educated” about the candidates (i.e. had $200 million worth of ads dumped on them) so grains of salt.

Graham Platner also has a major favorability advantage over Janet Mills, which has grown since UNH's last poll in October, suggesting he has overcome the Reddit/tattoo scandal.

NEWS: First independent poll in months of the Maine Senate race shows Graham Platner with a BIG lead over Janet Mills in the Dem primary. From the Univ. of NH Survey Center:

- Platner: 64%
- Mills: 26%
- Undecided: 6%

n=462 so sample size is not ideal. scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcont...

Just in — Bellows responds:

The move appears to make Bellows the first Democratic elected official threatened with impeachment over opposition to Donald Trump and his policies in his second term.

Maine GOP Proposed Impeaching Secretary of State Over ICE Snub Republican legislative leaders demanded action after Shenna Bellows declined to grant undercover license plates to ICE agents.

SCOOP: Maine GOP Leaders Proposed Impeaching Sec. State Shenna Bellows Over ICE Snub.

Republican legislative leaders demanded action after she declined to grant undercover license plates to ICE agents. www.midcoastvillager.com/news/maine-g...

District Attorney: ICE Raids are Unnecessary and Unwanted Natasha Irving said unjustified violence against people in her district will not go unanswered.

NEW: Maine District Attorney says ICE raids are "unnecessary and unwanted," and are "terrorizing" her constituents.

"Maine is the safest state in the country...do not bring violence and chaos to our doorstep." www.midcoastvillager.com/news/publics...

FEC.gov contribution details from Sara Gideon's campaign account: Indicates two $2,000 donations to Janet Mills's campaign account.

Sara Gideon's 2020 campaign sent $4,000 to Janet Mills in Q4. (h/t @aseitzwald.bsky.social).

Also: Hard to tell for sure from the raw data but it *looks* like Gideon's campaign made more in interest on her approx $3.3M stash in Q4 than she gave to candidates/charities.

Beyond gross. #MEpolitics

EXCLUSIVE: In her first-ever interview, Graham Platner's wife, Amy Gertner, reveals to the @midcoastvillager.bsky.social that she and her husband are traveling to Norway for IVF treatments in the middle of the campaign after finding U.S. options unaffordable. www.midcoastvillager.com/news/health/...

The Streisand Effect working overtime today.

I can imagine. My dad got a place in (and then later movedFT to) a CO mountain town that was still recovering from the mining bust. Then we watched it explode with wealth. Telluride! My half-sister used to ride horses across what is now downtown Mountain Villager. Maine somehow stays Maine (for now)

I miss Nor-man Gold-Man (as he always pronounced it on air)! Been a few years since I last saw or spoke to him, but he was thoroughly enjoying retirement in LA. Loved doing the show, but it was a lot of time in a studio every day. He took me and my wife to dinner at the Magic Castle and seemed great

Hey political reporter friends, burnt out on DC and looking for a change? The @bangordailynews.bsky.social is looking for a Senior Political Reporter. www.journalismjobs.com/1692129-seni...

Why I don't think AI can ever really replace reporters: It can't bring new information into the world, only help you access what is already out there.

What makes me optimistic about the future of local news, despite the bleak present. From my convo with @oknox.bsky.social. www.usnews.com/news/u-s-new...
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Q&A: Rural Maine Newspaper Editor Alex Seitz-Wald | The Daily Yonder Editor’s Note: This interview first appeared in Path Finders, an email newsletter from the Daily Yonder. Each week, Path Finders features a Q&A with a

Catching up after Thanksgiving:

Sat down with @aseitzwald.bsky.social of The Midcoast Villager for last week’s Q&A in @dailyyonder.bsky.social. We talked shop about rural news, earning trust, and what to make of the media industry in 2025.

dailyyonder.com/qa-rural-mai...

Susan Collins signs petition being circulated to put a referendum on the Maine ballot in 2026 barring trans students from school bathrooms and sports teams of the gender they identify with.

Tune in to @cbssundaymorning.bsky.social tomorrow to catch the @midcoastvillager.bsky.social newspaper and cafe in their pre-Thanksgiving food issue!

Sigh, billions wasted on the billionaires. I would be good at being a billionaire and just chilling out!

They’re telling us there’s a chance: Why the debate nonqualifiers won’t quit (yet) Why the longest long shots of the still-bloated 2020 Democratic presidential field say they're staying in the fray.

"There is nothing to do there except work. Seriously, there's no recreational activities,” Steyer said.

Fun guy!

Link: www.nbcnews.com/politics/202...

I once asked Tom Steyer why he wasn’t on a beach in Fiji sipping Mai Thais, like I would if I had a billion dollars.

“If I were in Fiji sipping a Mai Tai, I would be despondent.”

OK, not a beach guy. What about chilling on his gorgeous 1,800-acre cattle ranch?

A local brewery had invited @SenatorCollins @JanetMillsforME and @grahamformaine to a drinking contest. Please please make this happen! Democracy demands it.