Maine News Monday October 12

Maine Senate race set to be the most expensive per capita

Newsweek - A Republican-aligned super PAC mistakenly bought ads attacking Maine Democratic Senate candidate Troy Jackson in the wrong state, the PAC confirmed to Newsweek on Monday. “During a recent independent expenditure, our media vendor mistakenly placed approximately $25,000 in digital advertising in the Portland, Oregon media market instead of Portland, Maine,” Defending Main Street wrote in a statement to Newsweek. Once the error was identified, the ads were “immediately stopped and corrected,” the statement said. The vendor is also refunding the PAC the full amount of the misplaced spend, and no donor funds will be lost.

Press Herald - The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal judge’s ruling and dismissed the Maine lobster industry’s defamation lawsuit against a California aquarium on Friday. The Maine Lobstermen’s Association, Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association and three lobster businesses sued the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation in 2023 after the organization’s Seafood Watch program put lobster on a “red list,” urging consumers to avoid the seafood. The foundation had claimed measures in the fishery don’t do enough to reduce entanglement or promote recovery of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale population.

The plaintiffs argued the foundation made “false and defamatory statements” about the Maine lobster industry’s practices and misled consumers and businesses about the fishery’s “integrity.” In the lawsuit, they claimed to lose business, with some consumers specifically citing the red listing.

The foundation moved to dismiss the lawsuit, but a judge allowed the suit to advance in 2025. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overruled that decision Friday, and ordered the lawsuit to be dismissed.

Press Herald - Maine could experience an early peak of influenza cases this flu season, public health experts said, urging residents to not delay getting immunized. “We are seeing the beginnings of influenza circulating earlier than we have had in recent seasons, said Anna Krueger, an epidemiologist with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

While flu season runs from October to May, typically cases crest in late December, January or February. Cases peaked around the winter holidays during last flu season, with a high of 1,347 reported for the week ending Jan. 3, according to Maine CDC data.

So far this flu season, Maine has recorded 104 cases through Oct. 3, compared to 36 for the same time period in 2025.

How candidates for Maine governor say they’ll fill a projected $1B budget gap

Maine Morning Star - On ancestral Wabanaki homelands now known as Freeport, Maulian Bryant, executive director of the Wabanaki Alliance, told a crowd of tribal citizens and supporters of tribal sovereignty that they are on the verge of a historic time.

“No more vetoes of large-scale legislation that restores our tribal rights,” Bryant said earlier this month during the alliance’s annual gathering known as Nihkaniyane, which means going forward together.

With a new governor on the horizon — particularly with Wabanaki Nations’-endorsed candidate Democrat Hannah Pingree, who supports restoring full sovereignty, leading in polls — Bryant and others are optimistic about the future of the Tribal-State relationship. Outgoing Gov. Janet Mills, also a Democrat, had opposed sweeping change, though during her two terms ushered through several piecemeal adjustments.

“No more compromises,” Bryant said. “We’re going for it.”

The Wabanaki Nations have less sovereignty than other federally recognized tribes because of a 1980 land settlement agreement subjecting them to state laws in a manner more akin to municipalities.

UPCOMING

OCT 13

Complete Streets Committee → Town Hall, 30 Main Street, Freeport 7:30 am

OCT 14-16
The 24th Annual Cans for a Cure rolls into the Maine Mall parking lot October 14-16, collecting bottles and cans for the Maine Cancer Foundation while honoring those the community has lost to cancer

OCT 14
Nature’s Palette: Art Inspired by the Season → Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St, Freeport 10:00 am
Library Board of Trustees → Freeport Community Library, 10 Library Drive, Freeport 6 PM
Coastal Waters Commission → Town Hall Council Chambers, 30 Main Street, Freeport 6 PM

OCT 17

OCT 18

Meet the Marsh - Cousins River Fields & Marsh Preserve in Yarmouth, Maine. A family-friendly fall festival celebrating the ongoing restoration of the preserve with activities, trail exploration, fall-themed ambience, and tasty treats amid a beautiful seasonal landscape. Free to attend. More info. .

OCT 24
ANNUAL WOLFE'S NECK CENTER FALL FESTIVAL - Join us for hayrides, family activities, yoga, local food and more! One ticket secures a wagon ride around campus

Maine News Sunday October 11

Maine attorney files ethics complaint against Sen. Susan Collins (wmtw.com)

Maine family raises more than $6.6 million for Alzheimer's research and they aren't done yet (newscentermaine.com)

Yarmouth breaks ground on 18 affordable housing units behind town hall (pressherald.com)

Here's what's on the ballot in Brunswick (pressherald.com)

Dangerous Freeze and Frost Warnings Issued for Maine and New Hampshire as Temperatures Plummet (travelinglifestyle.net)

Democratic Conservation Alliance - Did you know that 60 million bison roamed the American West until settlers began hunting them in the 1800s? In less than a century, they almost went extinct — because of decisions just like the one that Donald Trump made. It took conservationists decades to bring bison back from this — with just hundreds left alive — to the population that exists today. But now, Trump is evicting bison herds from their natural habitat that keeps them alive.

Regenerative Agriculture (morningagclips.com) — A new Northeast Farmers Fund based in Freeport is offering financial and technical support to help regenerative farmers scale up and reach better markets across the region. Run by Wolfe’s Neck Center, the program has already enrolled more than 50 farms and opens wider enrollment this month, aiming to assist hundreds more by 2028. Local farmers can learn more and apply online.

Maine News Saturday October 10

Yarmouth breaks ground on 18 affordable housing units behind town hall

Maine News Friday October 9

Former President Barack Obama released a video backing the Democratic challenger to Sen. Susan Collins in the U.S. Senate race.

Maine News Thursday October 8

Cumberland County low-income transportation funding cut in half

NY Times - For many Maine voters, chilly weather could present a particular challenge this year: New England’s northernmost state is singularly reliant on heating oil, and the price of the product is surging because of President Trump’s war with Iran, which has clogged a vital oil shipping corridor.

The issue has started to move to the center of the race between Senator Susan Collins, a vulnerable fifth-term Republican, and her Democratic challenger, Troy Jackson, who has blamed Ms. Collins for the rising fuel oil costs. Their contest could be critical to determining which party controls the Senate.

For Ms. Collins, who initially supported the war but has opposed it for months, the rising fuel costs pose a significant headwind as she works to fend off Mr. Jackson, voters and strategists in both parties say.

“It’s a huge issue up here,” Lance Dutson, a Republican strategist in Maine, said Tuesday night as temperatures in parts of the state dipped into the 40s. Ms. Collins can point to her work to bring federal heating assistance funds to the state, he added, but that might go only so far in assuaging an “emotional electorate” facing deep financial strain because of the price increases.

(newscentermaine.com) — Rising heating oil prices are pushing more Midcoast families to seek free firewood from the Midcoast Wood Bank, which serves Brunswick along with nearby towns. Households in need can receive up to two cords of donated wood, but organizers say they urgently need more volunteers, trucks, and wood donations to keep up. The program aims to prevent residents from going cold this winter.

5 Takeaways From the First Maine Senate Debate

Maine News Wednesday October 7

(themainewire.com) — Freeport residents just hosted a detailed public forum on how Maine elections work, featuring Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Freeport Town Clerk Christine Wolfe explaining ballot safeguards and voter participation. The event also drew attention when Bellows declined to answer questions about 250 absentee ballots previously found in an Amazon package, raising ongoing concerns about ballot custody.

Five takeaways from the Collins-Jackson debate

WMTW - People in Bath are seeking help in their effort to save the historic clock tower at First Baptist Church. The clock tower has stood watch over the Maine community for more than 170 years, but recent renovation work on the church's clock and steeple uncovered severe rot damage, likely doubling the cost of the renovation project. Because of funds, we are stuck," said Fred Bogue, a First Baptist Church trustee. "It's our bell tower, but it's also the city's clock. The bell rings, and it has been ringing since 1855. We would like to see it continue." A GoFundMe page has been set up in an effort to raise money to help fund the project, which is expected to cost about $150,000.

Maine News Tuesday October 6

Freeport - Contracted bricklaying maintenance work will begin Wednesday, October 7th on Main Street, South Street, and Bow Street and will continue over the following three weeks. This work will improve the safety of downtown sidewalks where needed. Sidewalks will remain open with safe passages for pedestrians. This program will repeat next year for other sidewalks in need throughout town. View it on website

Press Herald - Maine utility regulators denied Central Maine Power Co.’s request for almost $70 million in increased rates Tuesday, a major win for advocacy groups that means bills will not increase this fall. The Maine Public Utilities Commission’s unanimous denial of CMP’s ask to increase the average household’s bill by about $7 per month comes with potentially serious financial consequences for the utility, company representatives said in filings before Tuesday’s hearing. A CMP executive told employees last week that the company would reconsider workforce levels if the PUC denied its request.

To ask the governor candidates a question at an upcoming debate

WBLM - According to WalletHub’s latest ranking of the safest states in America, Maine came in at No. 4 overall, behind only Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Utah rounded out the top five. WalletHub didn't just look at crime rates, either. The study compared all 50 states using 52 different indicators across personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety and emergency preparedness. Maine finished fifth in the country for personal and residential safety, eighth for financial safety, eighth for road safety and second for emergency preparedness.

WMTW - Senate candidate Troy Jackson sat down with Planned Parenthood Maine on Monday in Bath and touched on how his opinions on abortion rights have changed over the years. Jackson once held anti-abortion views, but said he has gone through an "evolution."

"It just became clear to me that I was wrong and that reproductive rights is healthcare and I always have thought that people should have healthcare," Jackson said.

Jackson told Nicole Clegg, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Maine Action Fund, that his change of heart on abortion came after he spoke with Maine women, and said that led him to push for expanded abortion access in the state. Jackson was in favor of 2023 legislation that allowed for later-in-pregnancy abortions. Planned Parenthood previously threw support behind Janet Mills during her senate bid, and later Graham Platner before endorsing Troy Jackson once Platner dropped out.

Maine News Monday October 5

WalletHub compared all 50 states across 52 key metrics, ranging from assaults per capita and the total loss from climate disasters per capita to the unemployment rate.

Safety in Maine (1=Safest; 25=Avg.)

Overall rank for Maine: 3^rd

3^rd – Murders & Non-Negligent Manslaughters per Capita

1^st– Assaults per Capita

8^th – Loss Amounts from Climate Disasters per Capita

19^th – Fatal Occupational Injuries per 100,000 Full-Time Workers

25^th – Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles of Travel

14^th– Sex Offenders per Capita

12^th – Share of Uninsured Population

For the full report

The Intercept – The US Army announced last year that it had enough of a specific model of armored vehicle and that any more deliveries would be “excess.” But even so, Congress found a way to keep funding alive for the vehicle — and executives at the company that produces the vehicle found a way to flood key members of Congress with campaign donations.

In the weeks after this year’s appropriations bill passed, employees of AM General or its parent company donated tens of thousands to key appropriations committee members in both chambers, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif.

Collins is separately facing scrutiny over a report from ProPublica that the FBI investigated an alleged pay-to-play scheme involving a major donor, an ex-defense contractor. Collins’ office denied that there was any kind of pay-to-play arrangement and said she fully cooperated with the FBI. There is no indication that AM General’s donations were part of such a scheme, but the giving nonetheless demonstrates how Collins’s campaign account has grown with help from employees at defense contractors doing business with the government.

Before the Army put the future of the vehicle in jeopardy, Collins was not a frequent beneficiary of contributions from the company’s workers. She last received campaign funds from AM General or its parent company’s employees more than a decade ago. But after the Army’s “excess” announcement last year, employees and the company’s PAC donated over $58,000 to committees associated with Collins.

One observer of money in politics said that appropriators receiving money from government contractors is a long-standing problem.

Town of Freeport - Freeport residents can vote in-person by absentee ballot at Town Hall, now through October 29th without special circumstances. If you are a resident and unregistered, you can register and vote in the same visit. See all November 3rd Election information here, including sample ballots, Citizens Initiative proposed ordinance language, plus links to register and request absentee ballots online. Election Day voting will be at Freeport High School from 7am - 8pm on November 3rd.

UPCOMING

OCT 5

Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians 2026 Fall Meeting → Harraseeket Inn, 162 Main Street, Freeport
6:30PM - Board of Appeals | Council Chamber
Weekly Ukulele Jam 3PM - 4PM 53 Depot St
How Maine Elections Work: A Community Conversation → Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St., Freeport 6:00 pm
Halcyon String Quartet & Alisa Amador: The Future is Here → Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St, Freeport 5:00 pm
How Maine Elections Work: A Community Conversation → Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St., Freeport 6:00 pm

OCT 6
6:00 PM | Invasive Species Workshop Learn how to identify and manage invasive plants with experts from Maine Coast Heritage Trust. Bradley Room, Freeport Community Center
6PM - Town Council Meeting | Council Chambers

OCT 7
6PM - Planning Board | Council Chambers
Nature’s Palette: Art Inspired by the Season → Meetinghouse Arts, 40 Main St, Freeport 10:00 am
Maine Marathon Oct 7 2026: What runners, spectators and drivers need to know for Sunday's race (wmtw.com)

OCT 8
The Greater Freeport Chamber of Commerce invites you to join it on Thursday, October 8, from 5–7 PM for Business After Hours at Brickyard Hollow. Connect with fellow Chamber members and local business owners for an evening of networking, conversation, and community connection at one of Freeport’s local favorites.
6:30PM - Shellfish Commission Meeting | Council Chambers

OCT 9
Join us October 9th, at 4 pm at Sparhawk Mill, 41 Bridge Street, Yarmouth, to celebrate the removal of the Bridge Street Dam. No need to RSVP. Limited parking is available at Sparhawk Mill, and Main Street in Yarmouth is only a few minutes away on foot

OCT 13
Freeport Trail Challenge Click Here to Learn About the Trail Challenge

OCT 17

OCT 18

OCT 24

ANNUAL WOLFE'S NECK CENTER FALL FESTIVAL - Join us for hayrides, family activities, yoga, local food and more! One ticket secures a wagon ride around campus.

Maine News Sunday October 4

Sam Smith - I first took part in an election stuffing envelopes when I was 12 years old in a vote that ended decades of GOP rule in Philadelphia. Seventy six years later I am still working on the principle I learned back then: go with the candidate who will act and vote the best. The fact that a candidate may have said or acted wrong in the past, especially on non-political matters, is pretty standard but the important thing is what will they do in the job that they’re seeking. For example, neither Susan Collins nor Troy Jackson are particularly strong role models but Jackson is the one who will most likely vote the right way if elected. Much clearer is the justifications for supporting Hanna Pingree.

The other race that draws my attention is for town council in Freeport. Running is Jim DeGrandpre who I’ve known and worked with for about six decades and have never experienced a bad moment. He not only is a great candidate, he is a role model for candidates we should be proud to elect.

Maine nonprofit receives national award for fighting childhood hunger (wmtw.com)

Press Herald - The Maine Trust for Local News partnered with the Siena Research Institute to survey 824 residents and take a snapshot of life in Maine. Although three out of four respondents described an overall positive quality of life, only 20% said life in the Pine Tree State is getting better or much better.

And 38% said life is getting worse or much worse — that’s more than double the share of people nationally who said things are getting worse in their communities, according to polling Siena conducted last year.

Mainers are more likely to feel safe and secure in their home than the average American. The state’s outdoor spaces, as Hoffman noted, as well as its schools (particularly higher education) and sense of community scored highly.

But they say healthcare is hard to find, housing costs are high and the likelihood a young person will get a job with opportunity for advancement is low. All of that contributes to the disproportionately high number of people feeling that things are getting worse.

Bowers News Media - On September 22, ProPublica broke a big story about how a public corruption investigation into Sen. Susan Collins, and other powerful members of Congress of both parties, was cut short by the Trump administration's evisceration of the Department of Justice.

The investigation involved Martin Kao, the former CEO of a military contractor called Navatek, who is currently in federal prison for influence peddling and illegal campaign contributions. The short version of this long story is that Kao claims he steered a large contribution to Sen. Collins's Super PAC in exchange for the preferential treatment of his company in securing government contracts. While Kao's claims were never proven, the investigation was ongoing and only dropped after Trump returned to the White House and effectively put an end to all federal investigations of public corruption.

University of Southern Maine - The Maine Center for Business & Economic Research at the University of Southern Maine is conducting a study to better understand how people engage with live performing arts in Greater Portland. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and asks about your experiences with live performing arts, what influences your decisions to attend, how you learn about performances, and your perceptions of performing arts organizations in the region.

Maine News Saturday October 3

Press Heald - A citizens’ petition calling for the launch of an 80-ton ship that’s been landlocked in a Freeport neighborhood for decades has enough valid signatures to appear on town ballots in November. The question asks residents if they would approve a temporary boat launch in the zoning district containing 0 Shore Drive, the planned site to launch the Island Rover. In the process, it would exempt temporary boat launches from certain town environmental and zoning requirements.

….Some neighbors have opposed the launch off Lower Flying Point Road, worried about coastal erosion, the well-being of wildlife and that the ship could get stuck in the mud.

Last year, the Freeport Coastal Waters Commission denied a temporary boat launch for the roughly 90-foot schooner in the residential area — where the water in Raspberry Cove’s mudflat only reaches a depth of about 6 feet at the highest astronomical tide — for environmental reasons, including possible impacts to the cove’s coastal species.

This is the second time a citizens’ group has circulated a petition aimed at launching the Rover. In June, they failed to gain enough valid signatures to get the issue on the ballot.

44 miles of the I-295 between Portland and Topsham will be repaved and get drainage upgrades due to $27.8 million from a federal grant program.

Thousands of eligible Mainers will automatically get discounts on their bills through the state’s Low Income Assistance Program, Gov. Janet Mills said.

30 condo units coming to Gorham

News Center Maine - Harpswell officials are monitoring a new wave of an algae bloom that has killed thousands of shellfish in Casco Bay after testing confirmed brown water spotted offshore Wednesday was part of the bloom. Fishermen reported seeing brown water about 1 to 2 miles offshore Wednesday morning, according to Harpswell Harbormaster Darcie Couture.

…Testing confirmed the presence of Karenia mikimotoi, the species of algae responsible for the bloom. The sample had a concentration of about 20 million cells per liter, according to Couture.

In a social media post, Couture said strong northeast winds over the past several days could have transported material from an offshore bloom toward the Maine coast. She said the movement of particles in the ocean does not necessarily follow the direction the wind is blowing.

The development comes as officials continue to monitor the effects of a Karenia mikimotoi bloom that has caused widespread marine life mortality in parts of Casco Bay.

WMTW - A pilot from Windham, New Hampshire, walked away with only minor injuries after crashing a plane while landing at the Brunswick Executive Airport in Brunswick on Thursday.

The Brunswick Police Department says the 82-year-old pilot was flying a 1930s Kinner Sportwing airplane when the plane flipped over after landing.

The pilot was the only person on board and was treated at the scene for what police said were minor injuries.

The plane was headed to Owls Head from Lawrence, Massachusetts. Owls Head is home to the Owls Head Transportation Museum.

The museum released a statement on Thursday afternoon saying they were still assessing the situation and gathering information.

"We have been told the pilot is safe, and the incident occurred during taxi rather than while landing. We remain optimistic that the vintage Kinner aircraft will be properly assessed and operable soon," the museum said.

Things to do at the Wolfe’s Neck Ctr for Agriculture & the Environment

9am – 10am: Visit the animals. The first thing you’ll likely hear at Wolfe’s Neck Farm are the “baaaaa” of our sheep. Who could ask for a better welcome? Head on into the big red Wishcamper Livestock Education Barn to see our flock of sheep, goats, chickens and rabbits up close.

10am – 12pm: Bike around and get acquainted. From the Little River Farmstead, turn left and head up the road to our campground office. Here you’ll find L.L. Bean bicycles for rent, ready to take you out on an adventure around the farm. Bike the dirt roads around the farmstead and campground, or for a longer ride, head back out to Wolfe Neck Road or Lower Flying Point Road for scenic views of our neighborhood.

12pm – 1pm: Enjoy lunch at the seasonal Farm Café. By now, you are sure to have worked up an appetite. Return your bike at the campground office and pop over to the Farm Café (open May-October) next door for a delicious hot sandwich, salad or pastry all made with Wolfe’s Neck Center meats and produce.

1pm – 2pm: Walk off your lunch on the nature trails. Walk back up Burnett Road to the Little River Farmstead, and head down the road to the left of the buildings. Here you’ll find the trailhead for beautiful paths that meander through lush woodlands, along the marsh and past our outdoor classrooms. Stop by Heron’s Hideaway to see if you can get a glimpse of the birds wading in the marsh!

2pm – 3pm: Cool off by the shoreline. Take a walk up to West Bay, through the campground, and follow the path towards Hayload Point. This lovely little trail leads you right down to the rocky shore, with a bench that’s perfect for some reading, reflecting…or an afternoon nap! West Bay also boasts a staircase to the shoreline, and at high tide you can take a kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board out to explore on the water. Rentals are available at the campground store and online to pre-book.

3pm – 4pm: Learn about our vegetable production. Walk backup to the road and follow the loop back around to our Education Garden. Walk along the mulch paths and admire the many different organic fruits and vegetables that our team members have been growing all summer long for our Farm Stand. Like what you see? Check out the Farm Stand on our Little River Farmstead to see what’s for sale and in season!

4pm – 5pm: An afternoon at the Dairy. Walk over to the Organic Dairy to pay a visit to our cows and calves. If they are in the barn they are typically found munching on hay between grazing or getting ready to be milked. The Milking Parlor is open to the public so be sure to step inside. While you’re there, Meet some of our dairy apprentices and learn more about the Organic Dairy Farmer Training Program.

Insider Tip! If the cows are not in their barn it means they are grazing in one of our pastures. Learn more about managed grazing.

5pm – 7pm: Get out on the water at sunset. Paddling around Casco Bay is an unforgettable experience. Circle around Googins Island, a protected osprey habitat, and you may be lucky enough to see the resident osprey couple catch fish for their young. Paddle out along the peninsula, or “neck”, and take in beautifully colored rocky ledges framed by forest of oak and pine, and you may glimpse the area’s resident harbor seals or a majestic bald eagle. Kayak and canoes are available to rent at our campground office.