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Good morning,
On this perfect summer Sunday, we’re excited to bring you the first story from our Report For America Corps Member, Sean Scott. Sean joined us in early July to start a new beat for Maine covering religion, politics and society after previously launching a nonprofit newsroom in southwest Ohio, where he and his team won numerous awards for their coverage.
Maine, like much of the nation, has seen shifting religious dynamics in recent years. While just a fraction of Mainers report attending religious services, recent indicators suggest that the state’s nondenominational churches are growing, while new arrivals are breathing life into existing congregations.
Many of these congregations are also becoming involved in political issues in a way they may not have been before.
Sean’s story this week, which explores the response of faith leaders in Maine to a recent slate of legislation targeting transgender people in the state, showcases the kind of political mobilization we are now seeing among religious groups of all kinds.
It’s a thoughtful, nuanced portrait of the way their faith has shaped their response to such a complex topic, and I hope you’ll take the time to read it.
— Kate
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Transgender priest joined dozens of Maine faith leaders to testify against anti-transgender bills
Roughly 50 religious leaders and advocates testified individually on bills restricting bathroom use and participation in women’s sports this spring. All but four opposed the legislation.
Read this story by Sean Scott |
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Portland street medicine partnership provides care for some of city’s most vulnerable: “We are 100 percent reaching patients who would not otherwise be reached:” Pregnant, unhoused and struggling with addiction. Read this story by Emily Bader |
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A small Maine town that built its own broadband network faces new competition: After national companies declined to extend internet service to the midcoast town, it built its own network. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor |
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New state law adds ‘insult to injury’ for Maine solar, clean energy: Advocates and developers warn that the law threatens to put Maine’s growing renewable energy sector on ice. Read this story by Chris D’Angelo |
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Community solar is booming in Maine, but who owns the projects?
(Published in 2024)
A Maine Monitor analysis finds developers have bundled projects, then sold them to some of the world’s largest corporations and investment firms.
Read this story by Murray Carpenter |
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Have feedback or a correction to send to Kate Cough? Send it to her directly via email: kate@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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