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Greetings from Downeast, where yard sales, farm stands and summer festivals compete for visitors on social media and with notices tacked on telephone poles. 

There is a sense of urgency in the air as our much coveted — and all too brief — summer rounds the corner toward autumn. No offense to this glorious shoulder season, but carefree summer days have a more finite expiration date.

Despite daily news of political unrest and economic uncertainty for many essential organizations, such as those reported in stories below, Downeasters seem to be putting aside (at least to some degree) their angst and hand wringing, choosing instead to savor these last cherished weeks of summer.

Up and down the coast, furniture, clothes, and tchotchkes are spread out on lawns, hoping to attract passers-by. Vendors also are enticing folks to their farm stands, displaying mouth-watering mounds of squash, scapes, and bouquets of brilliant wildflowers. 

And let’s not forget those luscious, tiny blueberries. The annual Machias Wild Blueberry Festival is later this month. In the meantime, you can get an early taste today and tomorrow during Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend at Smithereen Farm in Pembroke.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a blueberry pie to bake!

Health insurance rates in Maine set to skyrocket

Two major factors are driving up insurance rates in Maine: rising costs of prescription drugs and little competition in Maine’s market.

Read this story by Rose Lundy of The Maine Monitor

While The Maine Monitor does not place its content behind paywalls, some newsrooms we link to in this newsletter may. 

Downeast Community Partners and the Aroostook County Action Program announced this week they are formally exploring forming a three-county organization. | Bangor Daily News

Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital is looking to ensure sustainability amid speculation of financial pressure and estimated cuts to Medicaid from President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. | The Ellsworth American

Like other research and academic institutions in Maine and across the nation, the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory faces uncertainty, which has created considerable anxiety. | Mount Desert Islander

The Trump administration has erased all wind energy areas in federal waters, including two million acres in the Gulf of Maine. | Maine Public

Seventy-five years after being reported missing in action in South Korea, U.S. Army Cpl. Oscar L. Sprague’s remains are coming home to Milbridge for a burial with military honors. | The Ellsworth American

A Georgia man allegedly was armed and wearing body armor when he drove through the Calais border crossing earlier this month. | Bangor Daily News

Inside UMaine’s quiet struggle with the Trump administration over federal funding. | Bangor Daily News

The City Council and the Planning Board discussed a draft ordinance for adult-use cannabis establishments in a public workshop this week. | The Ellsworth American

A full consolidation plan is proposed for the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Island police department. | Mount Desert Islander

The secretary of state's office announced this week that Question 1 on the November ballot will be the proposed changes to voting laws. Question 2 will ask voters to approve or reject a proposed red flag law. | Portland Press Herald

Calais Community Hospital says it’s the first in the state to offer smart knee replacements. The hospital says the implant captures and transmits data about the joint’s movement which allows providers to track their patients’ recoveries. | WABI

Funds from this year’s Paddle Raise will support the restoration work of the Carroll Homestead, one of Acadia’s last remaining 19th century homes. | Mount Desert Islander

Ellsworth’s elected council has given the city manager a pay raise, despite one councilor’s objections that city spending is “out of control.” | Bangor Daily News

Stonington is again buying and trucking in drinking water as dry weather and increased tourism sapping the town's supply. | Bangor Daily News

For the first time since 2008, two new planets are being added to one of northern Maine's most famous — and scientifically accurate — roadside attractions. | Maine Public

ICYMI from The Monitor: 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. | The Maine Monitor

Swollen bladderwort is spreading across Maine lakes, ponds. The aquatic invasive plant has been found in eight bodies of water, according to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. | News Center Maine

Ellsworth has hired its first-ever parks and rec director who will oversee the city’s parks and public lands, facilities and planned events. | Bangor Daily News

Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. If you have feedback or a tip that you want to send to Joyce Kryszak directly, email her at: joyce@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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