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Good morning:
Our reporters covered a lot of ground this week, including AI-driven errors in court, an HIV outbreak in Penobscot, school budget tensions, and a deeply touching story about a woman in York who buries those who have no one left to say goodbye.
We also welcomed our new environment reporter, Delger Erdenesanaa, who is returning to her New England roots after covering state and federal policy on chemicals in food, agriculture and water for Chemical & Engineering News in Washington, D.C. We're excited she'll be bringing her expertise to Maine. Have ideas on what she should cover? Send thoughts to delger@themainemonitor.org.
There's rain in the forecast, but spring is (sort of) springing here where I am in Downeast Maine, with leaf out tantalizingly close. I hope you'll get out and enjoy it.
As always, thanks for reading.
-Kate |
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She buries the dead who have no one left to say goodbye: “It matters a great deal to me that people are not sent on the next journey alone,” Janie Sweeney said. Read this story by Rose Lundy |
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From rural Piscataquis County to UMaine valedictorian: How one student’s background growing up in Parkman influenced her academic pathway. Read this story by Kristian Moravec |
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Delger Erdenesanaa joins The Monitor as environment reporter: Stepping into this role feels like coming full circle for the Bowdoin alumna. Read this story |
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Attorney for Maine client faces sanctions for AI-driven errors in court filing: The case offers the latest example of how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal field and raising ethical questions. Read this story by Sean Scott |
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3 lessons from Maine’s election-year rash of local budget disputes: Schools are asking for more money due to rising costs. Some places are having to confront thorny service reductions. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News |
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Bangor public health director reflects on conditions that escalated HIV outbreak: Penobscot County has now logged 41 known cases of HIV, but there are likely more. Read this story by Rose Lundy |
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Farmington’s second town meeting of year is Monday, with votes on budget, projects: An informational session on the $16.6 million budget is set for Wednesday evening. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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Skowhegan Select Board approves funds to repair vandalized cemetery headstones: Daughters of the American Revolution hopes to have the gravestones repaired by Memorial Day. Read this story by Evan Houk |
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Skowhegan Select Board reaffirms denial of downtown law firm’s TIF request despite committee’s unanimous support: Firm President John Youney accused the board of “moving the goal posts” on his application and called the denial “not ethical or moral.” Read this story by Evan Houk |
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MSAD 54 budget up 4.78 percent; Skowhegan share rises 2 percent: The overall budget stands at $53.9 million. Of that total, Skowhegan taxpayers would contribute $16.8 million. Read this story by Evan Houk |
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Wilton Board of Selectpersons sets forums on revaluation, ATVs: The town’s assessing agent previously told Monitor Local he expects property values to be “pretty close to double” current assessments. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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Lubec begins process to take over Lost Fishermen’s Memorial: The Board of Selectmen also heard concerns over what some said was an overly generous lease granted to its chair. Read this story by Ethan Bien |
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Have feedback, a correction or know of something we should look into? Send it to our newsroom. You can also email The Monitor's editors: editors@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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