The Maine Monitor
@themainemonitor.org
A nonprofit newsroom delivering citizen-supported, nonpartisan journalism for Maine: https://themainemonitor.org.
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The Maine Monitor
@themainemonitor.org
· Mar 17
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There was plenty of big #environmental news this year: new clean energy legislation, an extreme drought that led to the worst August for #Maine wildfires in 20 years, federal funding cuts and more. As we close out 2025, here are some of our notable highlights.
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December 26, 2025 at 4:50 PM
There was plenty of big #environmental news this year: new clean energy legislation, an extreme drought that led to the worst August for #Maine wildfires in 20 years, federal funding cuts and more. As we close out 2025, here are some of our notable highlights.
themainemonitor.org/biggest-envi...
themainemonitor.org/biggest-envi...
Did you know none of our stories are behind a #paywall? For the latest news impacting #Maine, check out our website: themainemonitor.org
December 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Did you know none of our stories are behind a #paywall? For the latest news impacting #Maine, check out our website: themainemonitor.org
Reporter Daniel O'Connor sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to talk about how nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their #audits. Read more on how the state's counties are grappling with their audits at the link.
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December 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Reporter Daniel O'Connor sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to talk about how nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their #audits. Read more on how the state's counties are grappling with their audits at the link.
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
Taxpayers across Maine are keeping a closer-than-usual eye on their county officials after a series of #budget crises. Read more from Daniel O'Connor at the link 👇
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themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
More Mainers are paying attention to county government
Taxpayers across Maine are keeping a closer-than-usual eye on their county officials after a series of budget crises.
themainemonitor.org
December 26, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Taxpayers across Maine are keeping a closer-than-usual eye on their county officials after a series of #budget crises. Read more from Daniel O'Connor at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
themainemonitor.org/paying-atten...
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County #Maine. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...
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Nearly half of Maine’s counties are behind on their audits
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County. It’s not the only county delayed in analyzing its finances.
themainemonitor.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Years of poor bookkeeping led to a financial crisis in Washington County #Maine. It’s not the only county government that is delayed in analyzing its finances.
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...
themainemonitor.org/nearly-half-...
The Callahans of Waterville, #Maine, were skeptical when they first heard that state incentives for a #heatpump could reduce the heating bill for their trailer. But their neighbor had signed up for a rebate, and their natural gas #heating bill was unpredictable.
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December 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The Callahans of Waterville, #Maine, were skeptical when they first heard that state incentives for a #heatpump could reduce the heating bill for their trailer. But their neighbor had signed up for a rebate, and their natural gas #heating bill was unpredictable.
themainemonitor.org/lessons-lear...
themainemonitor.org/lessons-lear...
The Maine Attorney General’s office has no formal distribution process and says it can respond “quickly and creatively” to urgent funding requests. Read more from @emilykbader.bsky.social for free below 👇
themainemonitor.org/maine-ag-off...
themainemonitor.org/maine-ag-off...
How Maine's AG office is spending opioid settlement money
The attorney general’s office has no formal distribution process and says it can respond “quickly and creatively” to urgent funding requests.
themainemonitor.org
December 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The Maine Attorney General’s office has no formal distribution process and says it can respond “quickly and creatively” to urgent funding requests. Read more from @emilykbader.bsky.social for free below 👇
themainemonitor.org/maine-ag-off...
themainemonitor.org/maine-ag-off...
As the important winter #logging season begins, people are seeing the value of their timber fall, while their operating costs are increase. Environmental reporter Emmett Gartner sat down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss how recent tariffs have impacted the logging industry in Maine.
December 22, 2025 at 3:21 PM
As the important winter #logging season begins, people are seeing the value of their timber fall, while their operating costs are increase. Environmental reporter Emmett Gartner sat down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss how recent tariffs have impacted the logging industry in Maine.
Lewiston #Maine, city councilors voted down a proposed data center earlier this week, following concerns about potential #environmental impacts.
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Maine treads lightly amid AI data center expansion
Lewiston city councilors voted down a proposed data center earlier this week, following concerns about potential environmental impacts.
themainemonitor.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Lewiston #Maine, city councilors voted down a proposed data center earlier this week, following concerns about potential #environmental impacts.
themainemonitor.org/maine-treads...
themainemonitor.org/maine-treads...
A report card on happiness, released by the Common Good, based in New York, found that the U.S. is among the top five loneliest countries, with one in five Americans feeling lonely most or all the time. Health reporter Rose Lundy shares ways to create happiness every day.
These choices can increase happiness
People are taking happiness classes and developing a greater appreciation for the smaller moments of joy in life.
themainemonitor.org
December 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
A report card on happiness, released by the Common Good, based in New York, found that the U.S. is among the top five loneliest countries, with one in five Americans feeling lonely most or all the time. Health reporter Rose Lundy shares ways to create happiness every day.
Thanks to the 887 individuals from all over #Maine and beyond who donated to our Year-End Fundraising Drive, we have met our goal of $200K! We appreciate everyone who has shown their support this year!
December 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Thanks to the 887 individuals from all over #Maine and beyond who donated to our Year-End Fundraising Drive, we have met our goal of $200K! We appreciate everyone who has shown their support this year!
On Wednesday, following a two-hour meeting of the Washington County Commission and the Budget Advisory Committee, members of the budget committee OK'd a plan to raise $11.6M through taxation for the 2026 budget. The vote was 9 to 2. The three commissioners also gave their stamp of approval.
Washington County officials adopt budget
The final budget represents a 17 percent increase over last year, far less than the 40 percent first proposed.
themainemonitor.org
December 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
On Wednesday, following a two-hour meeting of the Washington County Commission and the Budget Advisory Committee, members of the budget committee OK'd a plan to raise $11.6M through taxation for the 2026 budget. The vote was 9 to 2. The three commissioners also gave their stamp of approval.
Environmental reporter Emmett Gartner spoke with loggers, woodland owners, and representatives from the industry to hear how they are grappling with tariffs on Canadian timber.
Read more on how this affects the #timber industry in #Maine at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
Read more on how this affects the #timber industry in #Maine at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
December 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Environmental reporter Emmett Gartner spoke with loggers, woodland owners, and representatives from the industry to hear how they are grappling with tariffs on Canadian timber.
Read more on how this affects the #timber industry in #Maine at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
Read more on how this affects the #timber industry in #Maine at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
Washington County in #Maine plans to align its budget cycle with towns to cut reliance on loans, but the change may not take effect until 2028. Read more for free at the link 👇
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A dozen municipalities agree to prepay Washington County debt
Washington County plans to align its budget cycle with towns to cut reliance on loans, though not until 2028.
themainemonitor.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Washington County in #Maine plans to align its budget cycle with towns to cut reliance on loans, but the change may not take effect until 2028. Read more for free at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/dozen-towns-...
themainemonitor.org/dozen-towns-...
Every day, eastbound and westbound #trains meet in Jackman #Maine, forcing locals to wait for both trains to cross. With bad timing, it can take up to 30 minutes to get from one side of town to the other. Read more for free at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/long-train-g...
themainemonitor.org/long-train-g...
December 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Every day, eastbound and westbound #trains meet in Jackman #Maine, forcing locals to wait for both trains to cross. With bad timing, it can take up to 30 minutes to get from one side of town to the other. Read more for free at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/long-train-g...
themainemonitor.org/long-train-g...
In the fall, the University of #Maine released a list of 215 programs it ranked based on metrics such as enrollment, credit hours, degrees awarded and potential job growth. The goal was to rethink how it can best serve its current and future students, while addressing serious budget concerns.
See UMaine’s ranking of academic programs
The University of Maine in Orono is evaluating its programs by different metrics as it plans for its future.
themainemonitor.org
December 16, 2025 at 2:04 PM
In the fall, the University of #Maine released a list of 215 programs it ranked based on metrics such as enrollment, credit hours, degrees awarded and potential job growth. The goal was to rethink how it can best serve its current and future students, while addressing serious budget concerns.
We had a great time talking with readers at the Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival at the Bangor Public Library on Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came by to see us. If you missed us in Bangor #Maine, we hope to see you at another event soon!
December 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
We had a great time talking with readers at the Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival at the Bangor Public Library on Saturday! Thank you to everyone who came by to see us. If you missed us in Bangor #Maine, we hope to see you at another event soon!
A handful of maintenance employees returned to Woodland Pulp in #Maine n late November, and others started back last week. The remaining workers are expected to be back on the job by Wednesday.
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Woodland Pulp set to reopen on time and at full force
A handful of employees have already returned and the remaining workers are expected to be back on the job by Wednesday.
themainemonitor.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A handful of maintenance employees returned to Woodland Pulp in #Maine n late November, and others started back last week. The remaining workers are expected to be back on the job by Wednesday.
themainemonitor.org/woodland-pul...
themainemonitor.org/woodland-pul...
As the important winter logging season begins in #Maine, people are seeing the values for their #timber fall, while their costs to operate are going up. Read more for free on how this affects the #logging industry in Maine at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
December 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM
As the important winter logging season begins in #Maine, people are seeing the values for their #timber fall, while their costs to operate are going up. Read more for free on how this affects the #logging industry in Maine at the link 👇
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
themainemonitor.org/loggers-tari...
Reposted by The Maine Monitor
In this week’s Climate Monitor, I wrote about what the end of the federal tax credits for heat pumps mean for Mainers.
Homeowners may see costs associated with installing and running a #heatpump rise in 2026, particularly as #electricity rates climb. Average electricity prices in #Maine increased at the third-highest rate over the 10 years, an analysis by The Monitor found. Read more from @juliatilton.bsky.social 👇
As tax credits expire, how will heat pump costs change in Maine?
Federal clean energy incentives are expiring on Dec. 31. But homeowners will still have access to Efficiency Maine rebates.
themainemonitor.org
December 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
In this week’s Climate Monitor, I wrote about what the end of the federal tax credits for heat pumps mean for Mainers.
Maine’s flagship university is undergoing a planning process that’s left some uneasy about cuts and transparency. Read more for free on how this affects the University of #Maine system from @krstnimg.bsky.social at the link below.
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UMaine is re-envisioning its future. Faculty concerns are ‘palpable’
Maine’s flagship university is undergoing a planning process that’s left some uneasy about cuts and transparency.
themainemonitor.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Maine’s flagship university is undergoing a planning process that’s left some uneasy about cuts and transparency. Read more for free on how this affects the University of #Maine system from @krstnimg.bsky.social at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/umaine-reenv...
themainemonitor.org/umaine-reenv...
Homeowners may see costs associated with installing and running a #heatpump rise in 2026, particularly as #electricity rates climb. Average electricity prices in #Maine increased at the third-highest rate over the 10 years, an analysis by The Monitor found. Read more from @juliatilton.bsky.social 👇
As tax credits expire, how will heat pump costs change in Maine?
Federal clean energy incentives are expiring on Dec. 31. But homeowners will still have access to Efficiency Maine rebates.
themainemonitor.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Homeowners may see costs associated with installing and running a #heatpump rise in 2026, particularly as #electricity rates climb. Average electricity prices in #Maine increased at the third-highest rate over the 10 years, an analysis by The Monitor found. Read more from @juliatilton.bsky.social 👇
Property #taxes have been the subject of some of the biggest local political battles in #Maine, but have hit people far differently across the state. Read more for free on how this impacts tax payers in the state below.
Here’s where property taxes are hitting Mainers the hardest
Property taxes have been the subject of Maine’s biggest local political battles of the last year, but they hit people far differently.
themainemonitor.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Last year, at least one in 10 students was #homeschooled in more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern #Maine. Reporter Sean Scott sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss the rise in homeschool co-ops.
December 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Last year, at least one in 10 students was #homeschooled in more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern #Maine. Reporter Sean Scott sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss the rise in homeschool co-ops.
Join the Maine Monitor in Bangor, #Maine on Saturday, December 13th, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival at the Bangor Public Library. Come see us at our table to talk about local #journalism!
bangorauthorsfair.org
bangorauthorsfair.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Join the Maine Monitor in Bangor, #Maine on Saturday, December 13th, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival at the Bangor Public Library. Come see us at our table to talk about local #journalism!
bangorauthorsfair.org
bangorauthorsfair.org