The Latest
Conserving land to save our future
The ethereal refrain of the white-throated sparrow runs through memories of childhood. My own children have rarely heard its call. Bird populations in the U.S. have plummeted since 1970, with 1 in 4 birds disappearing. The fraction of global species lost each year is...
Hunger remained high throughout the winter, but federal aid staved off organizers’ worst fears
Demand for food assistance this winter remained high during the COVID-19 pandemic, but organizers say federal programs prevented hunger from increasing even more. The economic fallout from the pandemic, leading to hunger, continues to disproportionately hit the most...
Chasing Maine: The Boarding School
Carrabassett Valley Academy, partnered with Sugarloaf, is one of the few schools in New England that combines academic education with high-level training in skiing and snowboarding. In this episode, we look at several snowboarders both off and on the slopes. Chasing...
Trump’s impeachments are behind, but legal problems continue to loom
If at first you don’t succeed, try again. If Donald Trump’s critics couldn’t win in Congress, they want the courts to bring him to justice. The legal complaints keep rolling in. Trump’s serious problems began when Special Counsel Robert Mueller, a Republican, found...
Study recommends re-evaluating most MaineCare rates every five years
A 15-month process to study the system Maine uses to pay medical providers for treating the state’s lowest-income residents ended this week with recommendations to regularly review and standardize rates, and prioritize pay based on quality of care. Rates for most...
Top Stories
Lawmakers look to rebalance power amid an extended state of emergency
Mainers have lived in a state of emergency for the past year — the longest period in at least 24 years. Republicans are now looking to change how governors can apply their emergency powers.
Lawmakers push public defense reform in rebuke of governor’s budget
The Judiciary Committee opposed Gov. Janet Mills’ plans to flat-fund the Maine Commission on Indigent Legal Services in the upcoming budget and instead is pushing for the state to greatly expand its oversight of attorneys.
Proposed federal rules to help endangered whales could cost Maine’s lobster industry $10M
Lobstermen say the rules, which require changes to their gear and number of traps per line, are expensive, dangerous and based on outdated data.
Local COVID-19 task forces offer new approach to public health
The rise of community-focused groups likely helped Maine maintain low infection rates. Their success could continue even after the pandemic.
Calls to domestic violence hotlines were more frequent — and dire — during pandemic
COVID-19 increased the stress and isolation that worsens abuse, making Maine survivors feel less safe at home. Violence against women is a “shadow pandemic.”
As more people enroll in MaineCare, they may face fewer options for care
Maine lags behind other states in how much it reimburses health facilities for treating its lowest-income residents. Without change, providers fear they can’t afford to continue.
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Follow the Money
Mainers are facing a historic congressional election season in 2020. Examine how campaign fundraising and spending are shaping the races for Maine’s federal and state offices using The Maine Monitor’s interactive campaign finance trackers.
2020: A Class Dismissed
The Maine Monitor spoke to seniors from high schools across the state to tell the story of Maine’s Class of 2020 and how these soon-to-be graduates are dealing with the unexpected developments that come with a pandemic and a disrupted senior year.
Due Process: Inside Maine’s County Courthouses
The Maine Monitor examines Maine’s criminal justice system at a time when there’s appetite for major change. Our series looks at the system – successes and failures – to test whether defendants and victims can rely on it to give them due process.
Help Wanted: The Immigrant Opportunity
Given that Maine is racing into an economic crisis because it doesn’t have enough workers for its jobs, we decided to examine the role immigrants could have in helping to solve Maine’s serious workforce needs.
Video
Chasing Maine: The Sweet Business
It's a family affair for Scott Dunn of Buxton when it comes to harvesting sap during maple sugar season. As president of the Maine Maple Producers Association, he knows the hard work it takes to operate a modern maple syrup business. As we approach Maine Maple Sunday,...
Chasing Maine: The Farmhouse
From a Maine Maple Sunday visit by author Stephen King to feed-wagon breakdowns, seventh-generation dairy farmer Bob Parsons muses on life at the 200-year-old Gorham farmhouse that’s been home to the Parsons family since 1870. Chasing Maine is a biweekly video series...
Chasing Maine: The Lifesaver
Twice in the past 13 months, Nicole Gibbons, an intensive care nurse, faced life-or-death situations outside of work. In January 2020, Nicole had to make a frantic rush to the veterinarian when her dog was nearly strangled by his collar. Five months later, her...
