Murray Carpenter
banner
murray-journo.bsky.social
Murray Carpenter
@murray-journo.bsky.social
Author of Sweet and Deadly, How Coca-Cola Spreads Disinformation and Makes Us Sick (MIT Press, March 2025), and Caffeinated (Penguin, 2014). Bylines at New York Times, NPR, Maine Public Radio, Washington Post, etc. Belfast, Maine.
Pinned
Juvenile sand tiger shark, about 3 feet long, in Maine’s Penobscot Bay yesterday.
Immature bald eagle in southern Maine.
February 10, 2026 at 12:40 PM
"Scientists say caffeine might protect brain health because it contains components that reduce neuroinflammation or aid vascular function. Research also suggests it improves insulin sensitivity, protecting against diabetes, a dementia risk factor."
Coffee or tea may lower your risk of dementia — if it's got caffeine and you drink a moderate amount each day. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/h...
2 to 3 Cups of Coffee a Day May Reduce Dementia Risk. But Not if It’s Decaf.
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:56 AM
Remembering the hope of this moment. Lindsey Vonn. 👏👏👏
February 8, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
Our opinion page published a guest piece on Lindsey Vonn that was misogynistic trash. I had thoughts.
Your Lindsey Vonn advice is misogynistic trash. Keep it to yourself
A recent opinion piece about Lindsey Vonn was ill-informed, condescending and misogynistic. Here's why.
www.usatoday.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
Jack Horner also apparently went fossil hunting in North Dakota with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Robert F Kennedy Jr some time before the ranch visits.
February 1, 2026 at 8:46 AM
Bohemian waxwings in midcoast Maine.
February 4, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Did he shred them for pillow stuffing?
February 4, 2026 at 11:33 AM
This sounds bleak. Fingers crossed for the talented reporters and editors on the Washington Post news team.
New: Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray and HR Chief Wayne Connell tell employees to stay home for a zoom webinar ahead of “significant actions across the company.” Widely expected layoffs are scheduled to begin today.
February 4, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Immature red-tailed hawk, wintering in #Maine. #wildlife #birds
February 3, 2026 at 8:08 PM
If you’re in Waldo County tomorrow, please join me and @kathryn-miles.bsky.social and Hank Garfield at Anodyne Book Shop in Searsport, from 1-3. We’ll be discussing the writer/editor relationship. www.penbaypilot.com/article/pane...
January 30, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Bald eagle flyby over apolitical ice and sea smoke on Penobscot Bay. Sound up at end to hear eagle calling from its perch. #maine #wildlife
January 28, 2026 at 12:57 PM
Sad news from Bangor. Reported with Victor Mather and Alexandra E. Petri: Private Jet Crashes at Maine Airport, Killing 6 www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/u...
Private Jet Crashes at Maine Airport, Killing 6
www.nytimes.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Glad to contribute reporting from Lewiston for Jenna Russell’s story. With fine photos by Sophie Park. As always, news tips welcome.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/23/u...
Portland, Maine, Feels Like a Small Town — And ICE Isn’t Welcome
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:57 PM
“Finnegan himself seemed to become jaded, and eventually, so did I.”
This nuanced critique of William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days is yet another reason to subscribe to Jackie Connor and @iamjensee.bsky.social’s surf Substack Frothy Fools.
open.substack.com/pub/frothyfo...
Review: Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan
William Finnegan is, without question, a master of his craft.
open.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Another light show over Penobscot Bay last night! #maine #aurora
January 21, 2026 at 11:32 AM
It was worth walking to the harbor!
January 20, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Aurora over Belfast Bay at 5:30 this morning. To the naked eye it was barely visible as a magenta blush with vertical streaks. The phone makes it look dramatic. #maine #aurora
January 20, 2026 at 1:26 PM
“When in doubt, opt for the jolt of caffeine to help you lock in even more.”

Miami’s secret weapon: A ‘cafecito coordinator’ keeping the Canes caffeinated www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
How cafecito — Miami's beloved Cuban espresso — became a pregame Canes tradition
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Great to see Victor Furtado, Sam Grisman, and Tim O’Brien at the Waldo Theater in midcoast Maine. A hot show on a snowy Saturday night, with a moving tribute to Bob Weir.
January 19, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Another glimpse of a snowy owl, seasonal visitor to Maine from nesting grounds in the north. #maine #wildlife #birds
January 16, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Nice to hear @alanpaul.bsky.social remembering Bob Weir on @wbur.org's Here and Now: "Bob probably played in front of more people than anybody in the history of performance."
www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...
'Playin' in the Band': How Bob Weir changed rock & roll
Bob Weir, the founding member of and guitarist for the Grateful Dead, was a pioneer in how rhythm guitar is played in rock music.
www.wbur.org
January 16, 2026 at 7:36 PM
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
Communities in #Maine are on edge this weekend as rumors grow about possible #ICE enforcement. Our reporters are making calls and finding out what they can, and will be monitoring the situation. If you see or hear of anything you think we should know, get in touch: themainemonitor.org/contact-us/
January 16, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Murray Carpenter
We are delighted to host an intern through the Scripps Howard Fund and the Institute for Nonprofit News. This 20-week paid program will be based in #Maine for the summer. Applications are due by Jan. 31. You can find more information and apply at the link below: themainemonitor.org/scripps-howa...
January 14, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Maine's highest court affirms access to Popham Beach in dispute between neighbors. @mainepublic.org reporter Patty Wight has been covering this story well from the get-go. www.mainepublic.org/courts-and-c...
Maine's highest court affirms access to Popham Beach in dispute between neighbors
The case involves two neighbors whose families have owned beachfront cottages for decades.
www.mainepublic.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:54 AM