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Good morning:

I'm Kate Cough, editor of The Maine Monitor, filling in for Judy as she's out this week. We've got some fascinating stories for you on the use of AI in the courtroom, reflections on the HIV outbreak in Penobscot County, plans for the interim management of the Lost Fishermen's Memorial and lessons from thorny school budget disputes around the state. 

There's rain in the forecast, but spring is (sort of) springing here in Downeast Maine, with leaf out tantalizingly close. I hope you'll get out and enjoy it.

As always, thanks for reading.

-Kate

She buries the dead who have no one left to say goodbye: “It matters a great deal to me that people are not sent on the next journey alone,” Janie Sweeney said. Read this story by Rose Lundy

From rural Piscataquis County to UMaine valedictorian: How one student’s background growing up in Parkman influenced her academic pathway. Read this story by Kristian Moravec

Lubec begins process to take over Lost Fishermen’s Memorial: The Board of Selectmen also heard concerns over what some said was an overly generous lease granted to its chair. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Delger Erdenesanaa joins The Monitor as environment reporter: Stepping into this role feels like coming full circle for the Bowdoin alumna. Read this story

Attorney for Maine client faces sanctions for AI-driven errors in court filing: The case offers the latest example of how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal field and raising ethical questions. Read this story by Sean Scott

3 lessons from Maine’s election-year rash of local budget disputes: Schools are asking for more money due to rising costs. Some places are having to confront thorny service reductions. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Bangor public health director reflects on conditions that escalated HIV outbreak: Penobscot County has now logged 41 known cases of HIV, but there are likely more. Read this story by Rose Lundy

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.

Rising fuel and other costs expected to impact this year's lobster harvest | The Ellsworth American ($)

Scarborough considers data center pause after development proposal | Maine Public

Maine is preparing for new Medicaid work requirements in 2027 | Portland Press Herald ($)

Northern Light’s Moody’s Ratings revised to stable | The Ellsworth American ($)

Maine researchers study long term Lyme disease symptoms and urge steps to control ticks | Maine Public

Calais set to pursue purchase of armory | The Quoddy Tides

Endowment fund is far ahead of goals | The Quoddy Tides

MDEP issues draft order denying certification for dams | The Ellsworth American ($)

Northern Light’s Moody’s Ratings revised to stable | The Ellsworth American ($)

Loss of staff at Calais hospital raises concerns | The Quoddy Tides

Hangar owners' eviction notices stir dustup at Eastport airport | The Quoddy Tides

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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