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Uptake of Maine’s new red flag law has been slow. But advocates aren’t worried

Just four red flag orders have been filed since the law went into effect on Feb. 21, while law enforcement has completed 86 yellow flag orders.

Read this story by Emily Bader

Washington County hires national firm Wipfli for audit work: Commissioners hired a new full‑time finance director, a position required under the county’s agreement with Machias Savings Bank to complete the 2023 and 2024 audits. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Machias annual town meeting moved to June 23: The change gives municipal staff members time to finalize the town report. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Waterville City Council to consider ordinance on cooperation with federal immigration authorities: Police Chief William Bonney opposes the proposal, saying it is an unnecessary step that would add confusion and make the city less safe. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

Norway fires auditor over stalled 2024 audit: Town officials voted early this month to switch auditors to be “more fiscally responsible and have timelier results.” Read this story by Jon Bolduc

Lubec explores town management of Lost Fishermen’s Memorial: Board of Selectmen signs letters asking nonprofits to make a payment in lieu of taxes. Read this story by Ethan Bien

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.

Gov. Mills vetoes bills to establish data center moratorium, seal criminal history records | WGME

School districts ask judge to dismiss Title IX trans policies lawsuit | Portland Press Herald ($)

Maine enacts renter anti-retaliation law barring landlords from sharing personal data | WGME

Judge gives Maine 30 days to review validity of trans referendum signatures | Portland Press Herald ($) 

Why independent Rick Bennett is an early target in Maine’s race for governor | Bangor Daily News ($)

Maine delays some Medicaid payments due to budget shortfall | Portland Press Herald ($)

Federal reclassification of medical marijuana could mean tax breaks for Maine businesses | Maine Public

We hope you’ll join us for the next Monitor Talks event on Wednesday, April 29, live at Greene Block+Studios in Waterville. 

Monitor Local editor Judith Meyer will be joined by Kennebunkport Town Manager Laurie Smith, Franklin County Commissioner and frequent town meeting moderator Tom Saviello, and Nicholas Jacobs, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government at Colby College. 

We’ll talk about Maine’s quirky home rule governance structure and all it entails.

The event is in cooperation with Colby College and will begin at 5:30 p.m. Register to attend in-person or virtually.

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can also reach Maine Monitor editors directly via email: editors@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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