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Our reporters are always seeking out new perspectives.
For one story this week, we took that literally, and sent a photographer with a drone to Wells to watch as a giant sea vacuum sucked up sand from the seafloor and then moved it to the beach through a very long tube. The effort is part of a York County dredging project to build back beaches and dunes washed away by storms two years ago, and protect homes and businesses from the next one. You can read all about it — and watch for yourself — in Emmett Gartner's piece below.
In the Franklin County town of Wilton, police are using new AI software to draft reports based on bodycam footage, which the chief told our reporter has helped them catch up on a heavy caseload. As with any AI product, there are concerns about errors and hallucinations. The co-founder behind the startup, a 19-year-old MIT dropout, explained that the software inserts extraneous or incorrect information into the reports and forces officers to edit these out before submitting. You can read more, including the response from the Franklin County DA, in Daniel O'Connor's story.
We also have reporting on Maine's dentistry pipeline, emergency treatment costs and more. Thank you, as always, for reading and for sharing your own perspectives.
— Stephanie
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York County is rebuilding its destroyed dunes. Officials warn it’s just the start to save the coastline
The county is bolstering beaches and dunes washed away by storms as part of a $5.1-million effort that involves piping up sand from the seabed. But full restoration would cost $50 million.
Read this story by Emmett Gartner |
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Should Maine allow associate dentists without doctoral degrees? Dentists don’t think so: Lawmakers consider bills to expand access to dental care as the ranks of dentists fall. Read this story by Rose Lundy |
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Wilton Police using AI to generate reports with software developed by 19-year-old tech CEO: The small Franklin County department was among the first in the country to begin using Code Four, software that generates police reports based on audio and video recorded by officers’ body cameras. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News |
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Greenville is being eyed for Maine’s latest battery storage project: It is an example of Maine working toward its goal of expanding battery storage capacity despite President Donald Trump’s hard turn against many forms of alternative energy. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and BDN |
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Note: Monitor Local publishes stories on Downeast and Western Maine every Saturday. Here are some highlights from this weekend. For more, visit our website. |
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Two bills before Legislature aim to ease municipal costs for emergency services, shelters: There is widespread support from social service agencies and municipalities to establish statewide initiatives to help people in crisis. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo |
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Jay Select Board approves two‑step plan for police merger: Wilton is scheduled to take up discussion March 2 of whether to collaborate with Jay on law enforcement. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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Elections and annual town meetings for Franklin, Oxford and Somerset counties: View information for upcoming annual town meetings |
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As data centers look to rural New England, Maine considers a moratorium: The bill’s advocates want answers about how data centers will affect energy costs in the region, which already has some of the country’s highest electricity prices. Read this story by Julia Tilton of the Daily Yonder |
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Judges in Maine cases admonish ICE for falsehoods and violating court orders: Four federal judges have ordered ICE to release detainees after discovering the agency filed documents that were false or ignored a judge’s order. Read this story by Sawyer Loftus of the Bangor Daily News |
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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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