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It rained! It rained the whole day. That was cool.

It was also necessary — we’re looking at record low water levels, more forest fires and unhappy well owners thanks to the dry July and August. Hopefully the change from summer to fall prompts a shift in weather patterns too.

There’s more change in the links as well: new laws, new departments, new roundabouts and new ideas. Something to read while the trees and plants try and make up their minds what season it is.

Historic sale of dams clears the way for salmon to return to the Kennebec River

The Nature Conservancy will buy the last four dams blocking salmon from their spawning grounds in the Sandy River.

Read this story by Emmett Gartner of The Maine Monitor

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

Despite this week’s rain, water levels are reaching record lows in Maine. | WGME

The access road for Tumbledown Mountain, a popular hiking destination, is in need of maintenance. State and county officials have been discussing the issue. | Sun Journal

The federal Department of Education cut more than $600,000 from programs that support low-income high school students and veterans attending the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine. | Maine Public

Campfires and open burns were two of the primary causes of wildfires this August, when Maine saw more wildfires than in any other August over the last 20 years, according to the Maine Forest Service. | The Maine Monitor

School board directors in MSAD 58 will vote next month on a plan to close their middle school and send students to Mt. Abram High School. Any school closure would ultimately need the approval of residents. | Franklin Journal

Maine launched a Department of Energy Resources this week, continuing the work of the Governor’s Energy Office with new authority. | Maine Public

MDOT is considering fully closing Beans Corner in Jay in 2028 in order to construct the county’s first roundabout. | Livermore Falls Advertiser

Rumford will be receiving a new ladder truck next year. Two nearby towns will likely share the cost. | Rumford Falls Times

Whether you are coming into the world or preparing to leave it, one thing is the same: It is becoming harder to find care in many parts of Maine. | The Maine Monitor

New state laws take effect this week, targeting issues such as forever chemicals, student homelessness, mobile home ownership and doxing minors. | Maine Public

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. If you have feedback or a tip that you want to send to Ben Hanstein directly email him at: benjamin@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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