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“Think you might be pregnant?” That's how a poster at the mall starts, offering free and confidential support. It's an advertisement for a so-called
crisis pregnancy center, one of 11 operating in Maine.
In her article below, Emma Zimmerman delves into these medical-looking facilities, often connected to religious organizations, that provide limited services to pregnant women and do not perform abortions. Despite their appearance, they are not bound to the same oversight as doctor's offices or beholden to federal privacy requirements that protect patient information. As abortion providers in Maine face major funding cuts, staff from reproductive rights organizations are concerned that more women may turn to them, unaware of what they are.
Also this week: Sean Scott examines the rising popularity of homeschooling and what it looks like in Maine, with maps showing how the number of homeschooled students has grown since the pandemic; Chris D’Angelo reports on PFAS cleanup delays in Limestone and Brunswick; Daniel O'Connor keeps us updated on the fight over transgender students in Maine's schools; and Rose Lundy brings us a striking portrait of grief, through conversations at a death cafe in York.
Plus, our housing reporter Taylor Nichols spoke to Bath Housing about recent development projects and what other communities can learn from their approach. Sadly, this will be her last story for us, as she's off to join The Houston Chronicle's data reporting team later this month. We're excited for her next step, and also eager to hire someone new to cover this important beat. If you're interested, or know someone who might be a good fit, you can find the job posting here.
— Stephanie
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As Maine’s reproductive health providers face defunding, they worry about crisis pregnancy centers waiting in the wings
The centers aren’t bound to the same oversight as doctor’s offices and are often connected to religious organizations that oppose abortion.
Read this story by Emma Zimmerman
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Homeschooling is growing in Maine. Here’s what that looks like: Last year, at least one in 10 students was homeschooled in
more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern Maine. Read this story by Sean Scott
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How are local housing authorities in Maine shaping new development?: Some communities are looking to recent projects in Bath as an example of how to address the affordable housing crisis. Read this story by Taylor Nichols
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Her husband wanted to die with dignity. A death cafe helped them prepare: Around Maine, people are gathering to talk about the kind of death they want for their loved ones and themselves. Read this story by Rose Lundy
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What Superfund cuts and PFAS cleanup delays could mean for Maine: The Department of Defense has quietly pushed back the timeline to mitigate “forever chemicals” at more than 100 military installations, including the former Loring Air Force Base and the former Brunswick Naval Air Station. Read this story by Chris D'Angelo
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Maine school boards scramble to respond to lawsuit over transgender policies: The debate centers on Title IX, which bars sex discrimination by schools receiving federal money. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News
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Conservatives will pay to defend schools fighting Maine on transgender policies: Alliance Defending Freedom will cover legal fees incurred in lawsuits filed by the Maine Human Rights Commission last month, a school board chair said. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN
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December ‘radio hour’ discusses older Mainers and opioid addiction: The show offers a behind-the-scenes look at recent Maine Monitor reporting. Listen to this episode.
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Note: Monitor Local publishes stories on Downeast and Western Maine every Saturday. Here are two highlights from this weekend. For more, visit our website.
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Jay may take up rent stabilization for mobile home parks: A new state law has prompted park owners to raise rents — some by double digits — straining homeowners’ ability to pay. Read this story by Bob Neal
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Lubec headed to special town meeting on county debt payments in two weeks: Loud voices, a louder gavel and clashing views consumed Wednesday’s board meeting as selectmen debated wording for options to present to voters. Read this story by Judith Meyer
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Maine senators rebuke Trump’s remarks on Somali immigrants: Senators Angus King and Susan Collins were among lawmakers who said the president has gone too far in calling Somalis in America “garbage.” Read this story by Adora Brown of NOTUS
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Have feedback or a correction to send to Stephanie McFeeters? Send it to her directly via email: stephanie@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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