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The Fourth of July offers us an opportunity to reflect on our country’s history, and on our institutions, from town council to the federal government. Holding those institutions accountable, and helping the people they are representing understand the work they do, is central to the civic journalism of Monitor Local. 

To that end, we are bringing you more coverage of town meetings in Washington County, as the bulk are wrapping up for the year. Machiasport voters met Monday to approve school and municipal spending. While there were some questions and concerns raised about increasing property taxes and a climbing school budget, voters ultimately passed the budgets as requested. We have all the details.

We also have details about the sale of tax-acquired property in Lubec that has been complicated by a tenant still living in the property being sold, but town officials have worked out a plan after drastically reducing the sale price on the property, which includes a home with 1,116 square feet of living space. 

I reported on a breaking story on the termination of Washington County Manager Renée Gray on Thursday, and will follow what’s next as the county continues to work its way out of a years-long financial crisis.

Have a great Fourth of July weekend, and please share this newsletter with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their own inbox each Saturday.  

Washington County Commission fires County Manager Renée Gray: In a 2-1 vote Thursday morning, commissioners gave Gray a 20-day written notice of termination as required under her contract. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Machiasport voters approve school, municipal spending despite concerns over rising taxes: A small group of residents questioned spending for special education, but the requested $461,945 was ultimately approved. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Lubec officials set a one-day delay in closing date on sale of foreclosed property where a tenant still lives: The property is being sold at just over half the original asking price; the town has never charged the tenant rent for remaining in the home. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Maine has engaged in 48 lawsuits against the federal government in President Trump’s second term. Here’s how the state is handling them: The state has hired one attorney to help handle the increase in litigation, but has not hired outside counsel. Read this story by Megan Blonigen

Maine group revives push for universal health care ballot initiative: Advocates are hoping to gather enough signatures to get a question about publicly funded health care on the November 2027 ballot. Read this story by Kate Kaufman

See how much new housing is being built in your town: New Maine housing data shows about half of counties met building permit goals set by the state two years ago. Read this story by Caitlin Andrews

Susan Collins wants guardrails on Donald Trump’s $300B Iran deal: The Maine Republican’s stance has put her under fire from both directions. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News & Michael Shepherd of the BDN

The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). We encourage you to consider supporting local Maine newsrooms.

Mariners from Machias: The oft-overlooked heroes of the American Revolution | Spectrum News Maine

The Maine Supreme Court heard arguments on whether a referendum to ban transgender student athletes should move forward or not | Maine Public

New federal borrowing limits will impact Maine graduate students | Maine Public

Maine DOT is warning that more projects may be delayed or cancelled due to a funding gap  | WGME

Maine met its housing goals last year, but not where it’s most needed | Portland Press Herald ($)

The Democratic chairs of the Legislature’s Labor Committee have called for Governor Janet Mills’ administration to accept the latest offer from the Maine Service Employees Association | Spectrum News Maine

Signatures are being collected for a 2027 ballot question that would create the first publicly funded universal healthcare system in the country | Public News Service

Maine could have to pay millions of dollars in penalties next year under new SNAP program requirements | Maine Public

A Supreme Court decision may impact the state’s senatorial race | Portland Press Herald ($)

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judith Meyer directly via email:  judy@themainemonitor.org. 

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.

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