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Good morning:
It's the unofficial start to summer here in Maine, so I hope you're reading this during breaks from cleaning the cobwebs off camp or planting the garden.
We've got a great range of stories — from a look at a program to help older Mainers stay in their homes longer to a Monitor scoop on the University of Maine's first systemwide AI contract — for you to dig into between spring projects.
And absentee voting is underway, so if you haven't cast your ballot yet (or even if you have!) be sure to explore all of the resources in our 2026 Voter Guide.
Thank you to those who have served, including the family members of several Monitor employees.
Have a wonderful long weekend-
Kate |
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Small fixes help older Mainers stay in their homes: Bath Housing’s Comfortably Home program is one of several in the state that provide free repairs to older adults under a certain income threshold. Read this story by Caitlin Andrews |
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Maine court wrongly terminated a mother’s parental rights to her 5 children, high court rules: A Newport District Court judge erred when he based his decision on testimony that the mother had failed two drug tests, despite the fact that no evidence of the results were ever produced, the Maine Supreme Court found. Read this story by Josh Keefe |
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Most of Maine’s county commissioners are in their 60s and 70s: With few competitive races, it is easy for a commissioner to remain in office for decades. Recent budget crises have brought more attention to the often ignored role. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News |
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Maine public universities on verge of closing $1.39M deal for first systemwide AI tool: A two-year contract is likely to start July 1. Read this story by Kristian Moravec |
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Maine’s biggest ski resort is in a dispute over $150K of taxpayer money: Franklin County officials say the money was improperly charged for an infrastructure project that fell apart. Read this story by Daniel O'Connor of The Monitor and BDN |
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Angus King questions VA budget request: In Maine, the VA health system lost 258 full-time workers and made 111 new hires last year, a net loss of 57 percent, according to a Maine Monitor analysis of federal workforce data. Read this story by Emily Bader |
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Waterville City Council adopts ordinance barring city employees from assisting ICE in immigration enforcement. Read this story by Charley DiAdamo |
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Upper Machias Bay Plan calls for full replacement of aging dike bridge, new steps to reduce flooding. Read this story by Evan W. Houk |
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Kingfield officials schedule special meeting to weigh moratorium on Bowdoin College campsite application. Read this story by Ashton F. LeCraw |
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Wilton Board of Selectpersons awards paving and retaining wall contracts, rejects Town Office repair bid. Read this story by Bob Neal |
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MSAD 58 voters cut $472,000 from proposed budget, reject reserve funding. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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Lubec’s Safe Harbor project, including 625‑foot breakwater and boat ramp, to start July 1: The $27.5 million effort has been scaled back, dropping a planned breakwater road and hoists from the original design. Read this story by Ethan Bien |
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RSU 9 towns to take up $46.2 million budget Tuesday. Read this story by Ben Hanstein |
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Rangeley Board of Selectmen makes it easier for town employees to take time off. Read this story by Ashton F. LeCraw |
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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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