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Good morning from the shores of Gouldsboro Bay, where I get to break out my flip flops now that the ice and snow are truly in our rear view mirror. Any temperature will do.

Lots of court action from Maine in addressing orders issued by the Trump administration. In addition to diversity policies, fire officials in Surry say the back and forth on tariffs makes budgeting difficult.

Also covered in this week's edition: what Mainers think of Trump, a record number of school closures and a look at new housing options — plus much more.

‘We did things backwards here’: Some Maine landowners see a future in ecological forest management

Foresters argue the pros and cons of various models of sustainable forestry, but the overall goal is the same: Timber harvests generate profits; woodlands remain healthy.

Read this Maine Monitor story by Jan DeBlieu.

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

The former Island Nursing Home in Deer Isle is going to be transformed into 23 one-bedroom apartments for older adults and those working on the island. | Ellsworth American

The fire chief in Surry says President Trump’s sweeping tariffs and subsequent changes are confusing for Maine fire departments under contract for new fire trucks and whose assembly involve trade with Canada. | Ellsworth American

A development mixing wheeled tiny houses with gardens and chicken coops is being developed in Blue Hill. | Bangor Daily News

ICYMI: As Maine’s battle with the Trump administration over transgender student athletes intensifies and enters the courts, legal experts say the consequences could be huge — and extend far beyond Maine. | The Maine Monitor

More schools have announced plans to close or consolidate in the first few months of 2025 than all of 2024. Fifteen schools have closed so far this year, compared with 14 in 2024. | Maine Public

The Ellsworth City Council has approved a nearly $32.3 million school budget — up 7.5 percent from last year. | Ellsworth American

A forensic audit of Cutler's books has found multiple transactions lacking in full support or clear municipal business purpose. But the DA's office and town select board have opted not to pursue legal action. | Quoddy Tides

The Trump administration has suspended a $12.5 million award for University of Maine’s floating offshore wind program. | Maine Public

A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s guidance forbidding diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in K-12 public schools. | Bangor Daily News

World’s largest clam garden ready for first harvesting | Quoddy Tides

Maine is among a dozen states that have sued the Trump administration in the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York to stop its tariff policy, saying it is unlawful and has brought chaos to the American economy. | Associated Press

A new poll of Mainers found Republicans nearly unanimous in their approval of Donald Trump’s job performance while nearly all Democrats disapproved. Among independents, the president had a 39 percent approval rating. | Bangor Daily News

Democrats approve bill to increase funding to family planning clinics. | 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 Jacqueline Weaver
directly, email her at: jacqueline@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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