New blood tests may speed up Alzheimer’s diagnosis

Our newsroom is always looking to track the impact our work is having on the world. This week, we learned that Maine ethics staff are putting forward a proposal to require candidates for governor to file personal financial statements. These statements show where a future governor's income comes from and can help the public understand any potential future conflicts of interest. The proposed change follows reporting by our elections reporter, Matt Junker, earlier this summer that highlighted an inconsistency in the state’s approach to these documents. We’ll keep you posted on what happens.

In other news, reporter Rose Lundy spoke to families who have gone through the painstaking process of getting an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis — and highlighted how new blood tests have the potential to help people get answers sooner. Caitlin Andrews visited the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, where a father and son recently received an eviction notice after speaking out about mold and water damage in their apartment, and are now suing. And Sean Scott spoke to a Penobscot Nation survivor of sexual abuse who was part of a recent settlement with the Catholic Diocese of Portland.

We also published an update on a lawsuit a South Portland resident is filing against ICE agents, a guide to how ranked-choice voting will be used in the upcoming election, and many dispatches from our Monitor Local team in western and downeast Maine.

This Thursday evening we’ll be discussing the state’s housing challenge — join us at the Belfast library or on Zoom. We have also been at the Common Ground Fair the past couple days, and we will be there again today. Please stop by our booth to say hi!

Join The Maine Monitor for an examination of Maine's housing challenges through a building lens, particularly what the state's building permit does, and does not, tell us about the effort to fix it. Monitor housing reporter Caitlin Andrews will moderate the panel discussion Oct. 1 at the Belfast Free Library at 6 p.m. Both in-person and Zoom options are available for attendance; click the banner to register.

Her Alzheimer’s diagnosis took 2 years. New blood tests might help others get answers sooner: Not all insurance companies cover the tests, which help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. But some do, and more may in the future. Read this story by Rose Lundy

Hospital spending on contract staff almost back to a pre-pandemic normal: At the height of the pandemic, hospitals in Maine spent $560 million on contract staffing. This year, that number dropped to $214 million. Read this story by John Forbes

Maine ethics staff want to require candidates for governor to file personal financial statements: The proposed change follows reporting by The Maine Monitor this summer that highlighted an inconsistency in the state’s financial disclosure requirements. Read this story by Matt Junker

They said their apartment on the former Loring base was wet and moldy. Then they got an eviction notice: The Loring Development Authority and its property manager have not addressed ongoing mold and water damage, residents recently alleged in a lawsuit. Read this story by Caitlin Andrews

For one Penobscot survivor, pain lingers after Catholic church settlement: Wendy Little Bear is one of about 100 survivors of sexual abuse, including roughly 10 members of the Wabanaki Nations, who reached a recent multimillion-dollar settlement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. Read this story by Sean Scott

Here’s how ranked-choice voting will work in Maine’s 2026 election: Ranked-choice voting will be used in the contests for U.S. Senate and the 2nd Congressional District, but not in the governor’s race. Read this story by Matt Junker

Maine town moves to stop a chanting religious group’s mass retreats: The Select Board could even impose limits on the size of gatherings at the campground. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News

Why this conservative Maine town is trying to ban data centers: Dover-Foxcroft is considering a six-month ban on data centers despite the low odds of one being built in town. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Monitor and BDN

Lawsuit names 2 ICE agents who allegedly threatened Maine man for observing them: A new court filing identifies the two agents publicly for the first time. Read this story by Sean Scott

Waterfront property values just spiked 200% in this Maine town: Greenville is the latest small Maine town where residents are seeing a spike in property taxes as land values across the state rise. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Monitor and BDN

Maine town raffles off guns to replace fire gear lost in deadly mill explosion: Gun raffles are relatively common fundraisers in Maine for sporting-related nonprofits, but it is rare for a town government to run one. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Monitor and BDN

As withdrawal votes near, MSAD 58 officials warn Mt. Abram High School’s future is at risk. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Kingfield residents discuss MSAD 58 withdrawal: ‘Either way, the district’s going to change.’ Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Dog deaths spotlight Lubec’s ongoing concerns about pedestrian safety and speed limit enforcement. Read this story by Ethan Bien

Norway residents beg officials to question property tax revaluation. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Washington County’s budget committee leans on public safety department head requests. Read this story by Judith Meyer

RSU 73 hires national group to combat rising student disciplinary problems. Read this story by Bob Neal

Hartford hearing focuses on taxes, services as towns consider RSU 10 withdrawal. Read this story by Marna Miller

Renée Gray settles wrongful termination lawsuit against Washington County for $2,500. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Farmington approves 13 percent tax increase; first payments due Nov. 9. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

Rangeley Board of Selectmen advances housing project, holds off on snowmobile arch decision. Read this story by Angelina Keizer

Machias to begin enforcing new transfer station sticker rule Jan. 1. Read this story by Evan W. Houk

Mobile home park rent ordinance headed to Farmington ballot Nov. 3. Read this story by Ben Hanstein

MaineDOT asks residents to weigh in as Machias Dike Bridge enters federal review. Read this story by Ethan Bien

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.

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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