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A strong El Niño this year is expected to make the work of monitoring clam flats Downeast even more critical for clams’ survival.
Last week, with the help of Downeast Institute, Lubec shellfish harvesters planted seed clams in the Lawrence’s Factory, Globe Cove and Klondike flats to boost the clam population.
Monitor Local reporter Ethan Bien talked with scientists and local clammers about what a warmer, wetter 2026 could bring to the industry, and how shifting water temperatures are creating a more hospitable environment for invasive green crabs. It’s a cautionary tale of survival as green crabs have driven a sharp decline in clam populations along the Maine coast.
We also have a story this week out of Calais, where the city council wants to meet with the school superintendent to talk about curtailing education budget increases. This sentiment is being voiced in towns and cities across the state where voters and elected officials are calling on school officials to trim spending.
Have a great weekend, and please share this newsletter with family members and friends. They can sign up on our website to have it delivered to their own inbox each Saturday.
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El Niño’s impact looms over Maine’s clam flats: Warming waters, rising predators and invasive species threaten the future of the state’s softshell clams. Read this story by Ethan Bien |
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Lubec Board of Selectmen votes to sell foreclosed home still occupied by tenant: The property, owned by a Connecticut man, has been tied up in tax liens and discharges since 2012. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih |
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Calais City Council presses school district on rising budget demands: Councilors plan to bring Superintendent Mary Anne Spearin into future talks as they weigh possible cuts amid rising tax pressures. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih |
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Why UMaine got another ‘F’ for how it teaches reading instruction: Maine’s flagship university did not provide records about its reading instruction curriculum after the National Council on Teacher Quality asked for them in a public records request. Read this story by Kristian Moravec |
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Maine’s property tax revolt collides with reality of rising school budgets: Local officials are crashing into a heavy political reality: Deep cuts are not just unpopular, they are difficult to find. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News |
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Maine has never seen a ranked-choice primary like this one: For the first time ever, Maine has seen three statewide or congressional primary races move on to ranked-choice voting tabulation. The previous record was two in 2018. Read this story by Matt Junker |
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Washington County municipal elections and annual town meetings, June 23-29: Alexander, East Machias, Machias and Northfield |
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The following stories are from other newsrooms. While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind a paywall, some newsrooms we link to below may. Paywalled stories are followed by a ($). We encourage you to consider supporting local Maine newsrooms. |
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Maine educators, policymakers gather for citizens’ assembly to shape education policies | WABI
Millions of dollars in federal funding secured for economic development projects across Maine | WABI
Inside the volunteer effort — and legal challenge — to help protect horseshoe crabs in Maine | Maine Public
Owners tied to lobster co-op fraud case sell $5M Down East marine facility | Bangor Daily News ($)
High home prices and limited inventory have Mainers feeling stuck at all life stages | Maine Public
Maine's struggling wild blueberry farmers look to feds for aid | Spectrum News Maine
Washington County paper mill deaths confirmed to be caused by hydrogen sulfide | Bangor Daily News ($)
Mills 'disappointed' in company's decision to pause Jay data center project | Spectrum News Maine
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Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can reach Monitor Local editor Judith Meyer directly via email: judy@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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