Mainers feel the pinch of food prices as corporations grow sales

banner that states by kate cough, editor of the maine monitor

Good morning:

It was a big week here at The Maine Monitor. We had a blast at the Common Ground Fair this past weekend talking to people from all corners of the state. The nights were chilly but the days were glorious, hot and sunny, defying all predictions. As a statewide newsroom, it's not often that we get to all gather in one place and hear from readers, and I was struck by the variety of responses we got to our question this year: What do you want the next governor of Maine to prioritize? You can read some of the responses here.

But we were also busy reporting, including on how the candidates for governor say they'll balance energy affordability and climate action; how Mainers are handling skyrocketing grocery prices; staffing issues at a hospital in Fort Kent; and a new Medicaid waiver that could help Maine jails pay for addiction treatment.

And if you missed it, you can watch our latest Monitor Talks event, in which panelists engaged in a lively discussion about possible solutions to Maine's housing crisis.

Early voting starts Monday! We'll have everything you need to be an informed voter. Stay tuned for more.

— Kate

The Maine Monitor is a hiring a criminal justice reporter and a Monitor Local managing editor. Click the banner for more details and to apply.

Maine’s next governor will walk a tightrope between energy affordability and climate action: All three candidates agree on the need for lower energy costs. Only two see a need to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Read this story by Delger Erdenesanaa

Mainers feel the pinch of food prices as grocery corporations grow sales: One woman said she now eats just a single daily meal. Others are traveling farther each week to different stores to save money. Read this story by John Forbes

Half of emergency room nurses in northern Maine hospital quit: In addition to losing six nurses in four months, the emergency department no longer has a designated person to check in patients at night, nurses said. Read this story by John Forbes

Maine approved for Medicaid waiver that could help jails pay for addiction treatment: “This is one of the largest changes in the criminal-legal system in 30 years,” said Dr. Courtney Pladsen, the MaineCare medical director. Read this story by Emily Bader

Water supply for Maine’s Navy shipyard is draining months ahead of schedule: Water restrictions have been in effect for weeks in Kittery and part of Eliot, and a top official there calls the situation an “emergency.” Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Proposed restrictions to Lewiston’s needle exchange program will harm the city, coalition says: A citizen-initiated ballot question will ask Lewiston voters if they want to place more limits on how many clean needles syringe service providers can distribute. Read this story by Emily Bader

What building permit data says about Maine’s efforts to create new housing: Panelists discussed Maine’s housing challenges at the Belfast Free Library on Thursday as part of the newsroom’s ongoing series of Monitor Talks. Watch the discussion

A.I., data centers, health care among top concerns for Common Ground Fair attendees: Monitor Editor Kate Cough gave a talk about local news and the Maine news landscape. Listeners lamented the loss of local news in their communities. Read this story

Washington County Budget Advisory Committee questions increased spending for outside consultants. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Rumford plans to overhaul trash collection. Read this story by Marna Miller

Jonesport zoning change gives Kingfish Maine 30 months to begin work on aquaculture plant. Read this story by Jessica Brockington

Eastport files motion to intervene in underwater data center case. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Skowhegan discusses public forum on Weston Dam sale. Read this story by Kevin Mann

Fairfield Town Council adopts plan to revitalize downtown. Read this story by Kevin Mann

Paris Select Board puts data center development on hold. Read this story by Leslie Goode

Machiasport couple challenge decades-old ruling over Starboard road ownership. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Jay Select Board to hold workshop on six-site solar project and environmental rules. Read this story by Bob Neal

Waterville City Council receives investment update; cemetery fund posts 11.2 percent annual return. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo

Know of a story The Maine Monitor should look into? Click the banner to contact the newsroom.

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can also email The Monitor's editors: 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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