Amber Carter
@ambs1876.bsky.social
Living the best life going on adventures with my best friend Jacob and our two boys. Audience Engagement Director at The Maine Monitor. Tweets and opinions are my own.
Reposted by Amber Carter
About 200 people packed the Mt. Blue Regional School District board of directors meeting this week to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume. Many defended his choice under the First Amendment.
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
RSU 9 families call for accountability as district is ‘mired in crisis’
Hundreds attended a school board meeting to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume.
themainemonitor.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:41 PM
About 200 people packed the Mt. Blue Regional School District board of directors meeting this week to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume. Many defended his choice under the First Amendment.
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
themainemonitor.org/rsu9-residen...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Since #opioid settlement money began being distributed three years ago, advocates have raised concerns about some localities’ spending choices, particularly those related to police equipment, including questionable handheld drug-checking devices.
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
Maine center guiding, tracking local opioid settlement spending
The USM-based center is providing technical support as millions of dollars flow into local governments to combat the opioid crisis.
themainemonitor.org
November 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Since #opioid settlement money began being distributed three years ago, advocates have raised concerns about some localities’ spending choices, particularly those related to police equipment, including questionable handheld drug-checking devices.
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
themainemonitor.org/maine-center...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Agencies That Help Mainers Navigate Medicare Are Overbooked as Enrollment Deadline Looms.
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Agencies That Help Mainers Navigate Medicare Are Overbooked as Enrollment Deadline Looms
By Rose Lundy of the Maine Monitor
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Agencies That Help Mainers Navigate Medicare Are Overbooked as Enrollment Deadline Looms.
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Free to read, just click through.
@themainemonitor.org
open.substack.com/pub/barharbo...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Reporter Sean Scott sat down with @newscentermaine.bsky.social to discuss how food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the freeze of #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on. To read more click the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
November 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Reporter Sean Scott sat down with @newscentermaine.bsky.social to discuss how food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the freeze of #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on. To read more click the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The frontline of Maine’s battle against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid is concentrated in the Midcoast, where the tiny insect is wreaking havoc on its namesake #evergreens. Read more on how this impacts forests in #Maine for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
How Midcoast Maine is defending its hemlocks
The hemlock woolly adelgid is indifferent to property lines as it marches inland to Maine’s hemlock belt.
themainemonitor.org
November 21, 2025 at 3:43 PM
The frontline of Maine’s battle against the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid is concentrated in the Midcoast, where the tiny insect is wreaking havoc on its namesake #evergreens. Read more on how this impacts forests in #Maine for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
themainemonitor.org/how-midcoast...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Washington County is asking municipalities to send their 2026 property taxes early to help cover the approximately $8M in debt it must pay by the end of the year. Commissioners voted to accept early payments of municipal taxes for 2026 in order to pay off at least some of its short-term loan.
Washington County asks towns to pay taxes early
Paying early may avoid further interest costs the county could incur if it fails to repay its debt in time, which now appears inevitable.
themainemonitor.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Washington County is asking municipalities to send their 2026 property taxes early to help cover the approximately $8M in debt it must pay by the end of the year. Commissioners voted to accept early payments of municipal taxes for 2026 in order to pay off at least some of its short-term loan.
Reposted by Amber Carter
An estimated 36,000 people in #Maine will lose their #Medicare Advantage plans next year as carriers are all ending at least one of their plans. This means people will need to find new Advantage plans or revert to original Medicare and search for #prescription coverage.
Agencies helping Mainers navigate Medicare are overbooked
Ended Medicare Advantage plans and confusion from the federal government are driving a high number of calls for enrollment assistance.
themainemonitor.org
November 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
An estimated 36,000 people in #Maine will lose their #Medicare Advantage plans next year as carriers are all ending at least one of their plans. This means people will need to find new Advantage plans or revert to original Medicare and search for #prescription coverage.
Reposted by Amber Carter
#Maine Department of Education data of state-funded major #school construction projects shows how costs have grown in recent years.
themainemonitor.org/improving-sc...
themainemonitor.org/improving-sc...
Why is building and renovating schools so expensive?
Maine Department of Education data of state-funded major construction projects shows how costs have grown in recent years.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
#Maine Department of Education data of state-funded major #school construction projects shows how costs have grown in recent years.
themainemonitor.org/improving-sc...
themainemonitor.org/improving-sc...
Reposted by Amber Carter
A recent Maine Monitor look at the $156 million price tag for the Windham middle school — the most expensive public school construction project in #Maine to date — showed how demand for out-of-state labor, building codes and tariffs can contribute to cost.
themainemonitor.org/windham-156-...
themainemonitor.org/windham-156-...
How is Windham spending $156 million on a new middle school?
The middle school construction project in Windham is the most expensive public school construction project in Maine to date.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A recent Maine Monitor look at the $156 million price tag for the Windham middle school — the most expensive public school construction project in #Maine to date — showed how demand for out-of-state labor, building codes and tariffs can contribute to cost.
themainemonitor.org/windham-156-...
themainemonitor.org/windham-156-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Only two schools in #Maine were approved for funding to rebuild. School construction costs have been on the rise in Maine. To read further on school construction costs in the state, click the links below.
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
Only 2 Maine districts make the cut for school construction funds
Schools in Bath and Frenchville can get funding to rebuild, while a long list of other schools await funding for construction projects.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Only two schools in #Maine were approved for funding to rebuild. School construction costs have been on the rise in Maine. To read further on school construction costs in the state, click the links below.
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
To read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social on the two schools approved for funding click here:
Reposted by Amber Carter
Reporter Taylor Nichols breaks down how business owners in #Maine are saying they can’t afford to pay workers the high wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
November 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Reporter Taylor Nichols breaks down how business owners in #Maine are saying they can’t afford to pay workers the high wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the decision to freeze #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on to buy #groceries.
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Amid SNAP uncertainty, Maine food pantries saw demand spike
The federal benefits freeze was the latest in a string of challenges that have stretched food assistance programs thin this year.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Food pantries across #Maine reported a surge in demand following the decision to freeze #SNAP payments, which more than a tenth of people statewide rely on to buy #groceries.
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Read more on how this impacts Mainers at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Reposted by Amber Carter
ICYMI: At Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport, funding cuts aren’t the biggest challenge. It’s keeping volunteers, especially as they get older.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Maine’s food pantries stare down volunteer shortage
At Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport, funding cuts aren’t the biggest challenge. It's keeping volunteers, especially as they get older.
themainemonitor.org
November 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM
ICYMI: At Neighbor’s Cupboard in Winterport, funding cuts aren’t the biggest challenge. It’s keeping volunteers, especially as they get older.
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
themainemonitor.org/food-pantrie...
Reposted by Amber Carter
In 2007, #Maine Legislature adopted a plan at reducing #school districts from 290 to 80. Only a few districts were exempted. In the 4 years that followed, the number shrank to 215. But with withdrawals in the 14 years since, the total has climbed to 264.
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
School consolidations are shattering as towns seek local control
Following a vote to withdraw from RSU 10, Buckfield, Hartford and Sumner to schedule special town meetings to discuss withdrawal agreements.
themainemonitor.org
November 19, 2025 at 4:50 PM
In 2007, #Maine Legislature adopted a plan at reducing #school districts from 290 to 80. Only a few districts were exempted. In the 4 years that followed, the number shrank to 215. But with withdrawals in the 14 years since, the total has climbed to 264.
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
themainemonitor.org/school-conso...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The Maine Library Commission is considering a proposal requiring public libraries to sign an agreement to maintain access to certain services. Under the proposal, all libraries would be required to pay their directors and remain open to patrons at least 12 hours per week.
New standards would require libraries pay directors, expand hours
Small nonprofit libraries in Maine that are operating with all-volunteer staffs object to the requirements.
themainemonitor.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The Maine Library Commission is considering a proposal requiring public libraries to sign an agreement to maintain access to certain services. Under the proposal, all libraries would be required to pay their directors and remain open to patrons at least 12 hours per week.
Reposted by Amber Carter
The Monitor is delighted to host an #intern through The Ida B. Wells Society Summer Investigative Reporting Internship Program. It will be a paid 10- to 12-week program, and we expect interns to be based in #Maine for the summer. Click the link below to apply!
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
November 18, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The Monitor is delighted to host an #intern through The Ida B. Wells Society Summer Investigative Reporting Internship Program. It will be a paid 10- to 12-week program, and we expect interns to be based in #Maine for the summer. Click the link below to apply!
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
themainemonitor.org/ida-b-wells-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Maine’s Human Rights Commission sued 5 school districts that passed policies banning #transgender students from playing sports and using bathrooms aligning with their #gender identity. The suit, first reported on by the @bangordailynews, asks a judge to order that the districts repeal the policies.
Maine Human Rights Commission sues over transgender policies
The school policies were enacted after the Trump administration began pressuring Maine to ban transgender athletes from girls sports teams.
themainemonitor.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Maine’s Human Rights Commission sued 5 school districts that passed policies banning #transgender students from playing sports and using bathrooms aligning with their #gender identity. The suit, first reported on by the @bangordailynews, asks a judge to order that the districts repeal the policies.
Reposted by Amber Carter
Business owners in #Maine say they can’t afford to pay workers the high #wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
Maine restaurant owners blame staffing woes on housing shortage
Rising housing prices and a lack of available housing is creating headaches for Maine's restaurant owners and employees.
themainemonitor.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Business owners in #Maine say they can’t afford to pay workers the high #wages necessary to keep up with rising #housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
themainemonitor.org/restaurant-o...
Reposted by Amber Carter
School boards across #Maine made headlines as conservative board members and interest groups pushed at least 8 districts to bar #transgender girls from sports and private spaces that align with their gender identities.
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
Conservative effort to take over Maine’s school boards stalled
One school board candidate who narrowly lost after opposing transgender student protections, said he believes the election was rigged.
themainemonitor.org
November 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM
School boards across #Maine made headlines as conservative board members and interest groups pushed at least 8 districts to bar #transgender girls from sports and private spaces that align with their gender identities.
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
themainemonitor.org/conservative...
The Maine Monitor provides in depth, quality news in #Maine for free. But that service isn't cheap. This holiday season, consider giving the gift of local news this season. Right now some of the Monitor members are matching all donations up to $20,000.
The Monitor doesn’t have corporate owners or shareholders pulling the strings, meaning we work for YOU. Our reporters ask hard questions, making sure you get unbiased reporting. Right now, some of our members will double all donations for the next 4 four days up to $20K!
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
November 17, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The Maine Monitor provides in depth, quality news in #Maine for free. But that service isn't cheap. This holiday season, consider giving the gift of local news this season. Right now some of the Monitor members are matching all donations up to $20,000.
Reposted by Amber Carter
Did you know none of our stories are behind a paywall? For the latest news impacting Maine check out our website: themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Did you know none of our stories are behind a paywall? For the latest news impacting Maine check out our website: themainemonitor.org
Reposted by Amber Carter
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Maine entrepreneurs see big potential in seaweed
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:49 PM
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Jared Golden’s exit from the #Maine congressional race leaves #Democrats scrambling to find a replacement who could beat #Republican candidate Paul LePage. Read more for free from our D.C. correspondent at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
Democrats actively recruiting a replacement for Jared Golden
Jared Golden’s exit from Congress leaves Democrats scrambling to find a replacement who could beat Republican candidate Paul LePage.
themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Jared Golden’s exit from the #Maine congressional race leaves #Democrats scrambling to find a replacement who could beat #Republican candidate Paul LePage. Read more for free from our D.C. correspondent at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
themainemonitor.org/democrats-re...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Woodland Pulp announced to its employees last week that the company will pause manufacturing at its Baileyville pulp mill and wood chip plant from late November to mid-December. During that hiatus, the company will temporarily lay off 144 employees.
themainemonitor.org/woodland-pul...
themainemonitor.org/woodland-pul...
Woodland Pulp pausing mill operations until end of December
The hiatus is due to a downturn in the global pulp market and comes after increases in tariffs on Canadian lumber.
themainemonitor.org
November 17, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Woodland Pulp announced to its employees last week that the company will pause manufacturing at its Baileyville pulp mill and wood chip plant from late November to mid-December. During that hiatus, the company will temporarily lay off 144 employees.
themainemonitor.org/woodland-pul...
themainemonitor.org/woodland-pul...
The Maine Monitor is an important service to Maine, providing FREE, independent news to Mainers and beyond. But it's not an easy task. This holiday we are trying to raise $200,000 to keep operating through 2026. Please consider donating or sharing to keep our reporting free and accessible for all!
As we look to 2026 we are hoping to raise $200K to keep our newsroom going. Our reporting relies on support of those who believe in the value of trustworthy, in-depth journalism. Thanks to more than 300 readers, we have raised over $75K so far. These contributions fuel journalism Maine relies on.
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
The Maine Monitor is an important service to Maine, providing FREE, independent news to Mainers and beyond. But it's not an easy task. This holiday we are trying to raise $200,000 to keep operating through 2026. Please consider donating or sharing to keep our reporting free and accessible for all!