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As we enter the new year — a big one for Maine — we're looking both backward and forward.
Daniel O'Connor and Judith Meyer bring us reporting on Washington County's budget crisis: how they got here and what lies ahead. Emmett Gartner and Rose Lundy highlight the health care and environmental bills they'll be paying attention to as the session begins next week. And Sean Scott dives into decades of data to examine the trends in Maine's faith groups over the years, and why Maine consistently ranks as one of the least religious states in the nation.
We're eager for your ideas, and for more contributors to help us with this work. Our newsroom is in the process of hiring a housing reporter, applications for our summer internship through the Ida B. Wells Society are due later this week, and we have a new invitation to add the mix:
Do you have questions about what’s happening in your town government? Are you interested in reporting but lack journalism training? You could be a great candidate for our new community reporting fellowship, focused on Western and Downeast Maine. You can learn more and apply for the three-month program with Journalism New England’s Career Lab here.
Wishing you and yours a happy start to 2026.
— Stephanie
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Maine is one of the least religious states in the country. Here’s what the data shows.
In a recent survey, a quarter of Mainers listed their religion as “nothing in particular.”
Read this story by Sean Scott |
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Note: Monitor Local publishes stories on Downeast and Western Maine every Saturday. Here are two highlights from this weekend. For more, visit our website. |
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Washington County projects less than three months’ worth of cash flow entering the new year: County commissioners voted to reduce the mileage reimbursement rate from a federal standard to a state standard to save money. Read this story by Judith Meyer |
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Maine Library Commission drops proposed agreement, continues work on new standards: Commissioners to consider new standards through a rulemaking process that could take most of 2026. Meantime, the proposed requirements for paid directors and minimum hours do not apply. Read this story by Judith Meyer |
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New Democratic candidate poised to enter Maine’s ultra-competitive 2nd District congressional race: Joe Baldacci’s entrance to the race will likely please some national Democrats, who have struggled to recruit a competitive candidate for the right-leaning district. Read this story by Alex Roarty of NOTUS |
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Federal immigration agents visit office of Maine health care provider facing fraud allegations: Federal immigration agents Tuesday afternoon visited Gateway Community Services’ office in Lewiston, the company’s lawyer said. Read this story by Sawyer Loftus of the Bangor Daily News |
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Have feedback or a correction to send to Stephanie McFeeters? Send it to her directly via email: stephanie@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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