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Good morning from the shores of Gouldsboro Bay, where lobster fishermen are beginning to tally where they are compared with last year. September 25 was National Lobster Day, and there's good reason to celebrate in Maine, given that fishermen here catch about 80 percent of lobster caught in the United States each year. 

The value of the lobster landings were high last year, but it was the smallest harvest since 2009. Working Waterfront reports that Maine fishermen say this year seems normal for the first time in a long time – normal in terms of steady catches, stable prices, and a ready supply of bait.

One fisherman in Cutler said the lobster season started right on time with the usual shedders, lobsters that have shed their shells and developed a new, soft shell. But lobster fishermen, being the very tight-lipped bunch they are, say this conversation should be had again around Thanksgiving to see where things will ultimately shape up for the year.

Cancer patients continue to struggle with long travel times to treatment

Two of the state’s most rural counties – Washington and Somerset – are without a single oncology practice, leaving patients in some of the hardest-hit places traveling more than 100 miles, on average, for care.

Read this story by Adrienne Washington of The Maine Monitor

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

ICYMI from The Monitor: Maine’s watchdog agency spent years investigating four child deaths. Here are the takeaways. Read this story by Josh Keefe

Ellsworth officials are encouraging the state to consider building a new courthouse near the commercial corridor on High Street. | Bangor Daily News

Northern Maine Medical Center, the only hospital in the St. John Valley region, has applied for a “critical access” designation in order to address its financial problems. Hospital officials are asking for permission to eliminate its children’s behavioral health unit as part of its efforts to stay afloat. | Bangor Daily News

Maine Maritime Academy in Castine is adding 320 new pilings to provide a larger pier for a $320 million training ship under construction in Philadelphia. | Bangor Daily News

The dispute over tribal fishing rights in Passamaquoddy Bay is again heating up, with four Passamaquoddy fishermen from Sipayik facing charges for lobstering in Canadian waters | Quoddy Tides

Downeast Community Partners plans to sell property to pay off a debt of $1.7 million owed to the state housing authority, MaineHousing, for mismanaged pandemic era funds. | The Ellsworth American

Right whales and offshore wind: reflections on an uneasy coexistence | Maine Public

Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill has been selected for Maine Preservation’s 2024 list of Maine’s Most Endangered Historic Places. The more than 100-year-old building needs work on the foundation, the fireplace, and work to reduce dampness. | The Ellsworth American

The record books now show that Downeast Maine and the Fundy Isles, known for their cooler summer temperatures from sea breezes, are feeling the heat from climate change. | Quoddy Tides

Maulian Bryant was appointed executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, succeeding its first executive director, John Dieffenbacher-Krall, who is retiring at the end of the year. | Mainebiz 

Study: Rural Maine needs to ramp up construction to meet housing goals | Maine Public

Bar Harbor businesses reflect on the summer season | Mount Desert Islander

Although Hancock County budget is in its very early stages, there is still a bit of sticker shock. The draft budget would represent a 34 percent increase over this year. | The Ellsworth American

The National Federation of Independent Business says Maine stands to gain thousands of new jobs if a federal tax deduction for small businesses becomes permanent. | Mainebiz 

UMaine research delves into climate needs of vulnerable people | Maine Public

Cranberry farmers say it looks like a good year, especially when compared with last season when a late frost and heavy and sustained rains reduced the yields. | Bangor Daily News

The president of Maine Maritime Academy is resigning to become the first employee of the Maine Defense Industry Alliance. The goal of the new association is to bring more of the sector’s funding and jobs to the state. | Penobscot Bay Press 

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The Maine Monitor is a publication of the Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, an independent and nonpartisan nonprofit news organization that produces investigative journalism. We believe news is a public good and keep our news free to access. We have no paywall and do not charge for our newsletters. If you value the reporting we do for Maine, please consider making a donation! We cannot do this reporting without your support.