Downeast: Committee questions increased spending for outside consultants:

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. This week, we've got the latest on the budget in Washington County, a change that will allow Kingfish Maine more time to begin work on their proposed aquaculture plant in Jonesport, news on the proposed underwater data center in Easport, and more.

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

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

-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.

Eastport files motion to intervene in underwater data center case: In a letter to federal regulators this week, the Eastport City Council asked that FERC deny the application. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Washington County Budget Advisory Committee questions increased spending for outside consultants: The finance department’s budget request includes higher consultant fees as staff members work to catch up on overdue audits and accounting. Read this story by Judith Meyer

Machiasport couple challenge decades-old ruling over Starboard road ownership: Judge considers a new trial after plaintiffs claim the original judge had an undisclosed tie to a key witness. Read this story by Melissa S. Razdrih

Jonesport zoning change gives Kingfish Maine 30 months to begin work on aquaculture plant: The Maine DEP approved the change to the “substantial start” requirement; the company’s ability to finance the project remains uncertain. Read this story by Jessica Brockington

Locals get behind-the-scenes tours of Cherryfield dam reconstruction as project nears completion: The Downeast Salmon Federation’s ‘behind-the-scenes’ tour of the Cherryfield Fish Passage Improvement Project attracted 50 to Cable Pool Park. Read this story by Leslie Goode

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

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

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

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

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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.

CMP is delaying an infrastructure upgrade after the Public Utilities Commission recommended that its requested rate hike be rejected | News Center Maine

The candidates for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District debated data centers, affordable housing and high heating costs at Thursday’s debate | WMTW

Low-income households will be automatically enrolled in a state assistance program that provides a discount on electric bills | Maine Public

Mainers are being asked to check if they bought certain generic drugs, after the state indicated it would use settlement funds to refund consumers | Spectrum News Maine

USDA research indicates that farm-raised salmon contains half the omega-3 fatty acids that it used to. Maine fishermen have complained about the farms | Public News Service

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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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