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Jay Select Board declines to send solar moratorium to voters

DAILY BULLDOG • August 27, 2026

The Select Board turned down a request Monday to ask voters to weigh in on a 180‑day moratorium on solar power developments. The board took no vote on the request, and no member offered a motion, leaving opponents of the large solar farm with one option: petitioning to place a moratorium question on the Nov. 3 ballot.

Maine climate protesters oppose legal immunity for fossil fuel industry

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 27, 2026

Climate activists rallied in Portland and Lewiston on Thursday to demand federal lawmakers reject a Republican-backed bill that would shield oil and gas companies from lawsuits like the ones that Maine plans to use to pay for climate-related damages. The federal bill would wipe out Maine’s deceptive practices lawsuit and its pending climate superfund law. If passed, it would force local taxpayers to carry the entire financial burden of storm damage and rising sea levels.

Emergency shellfishing closure issued in Scarborough

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 27, 2026

The Scarborough River is under an emergency shellfish closure until Sept. 17 due to pipe leak over the marsh. The Scarborough River is closed from Seavey landing up river due to pollution from a minor leak in a pipe stretching from Pine Point Road to Black Point Road in the area of the Eastern Trail foot bridge over the marsh.

Maine towns push to swap turf lawns for wild native habitats

SUN JOURNAL • August 27, 2026

Portland is the latest Maine community to encourage residents to replace manicured turf grass with native habitats. By rewilding suburban and urban yards, communities aim to protect vital coastal watersheds, foster disappearing pollinators and boost human well-being. For decades, the chemically treated lawn stood as the ultimate symbol of American suburban conformity, according to Andrew Tufts, manager of Maine Audubon’s Bringing Nature Home program. Today, entomologists like Doug Tallamy urge landowners to plant native species to save collapsing insect and bird populations.

Maine lobster no longer included in Canada tariffs

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 27, 2026

Canada will no longer include seafood in its 25% retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., a win for Maine’s fisheries amid a quickly evolving trade war. Mark Carney, Canada’s prime minister, announced new duties Tuesday in retaliation for 50% U.S. tariffs that went into effect this past weekend. Starting on Sept. 8, Canada’s “dollar for dollar” tariffs were expected to impact $20 billion worth of U.S. goods, including seafood — Maine’s biggest export to Canada, worth almost $300 million. But Canada’s finance ministry posted on X late Wednesday evening that, “to protect against broader economic harms,” the country was removing seafood and fish products from the list of products to be taxed.

Canada backs down on imposing tariffs on Maine lobster

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 27, 2026

Maine lobster will be exempt from retaliatory Canadian tariffs as tensions rise with our neighbor to the north. Finance Canada made the announcement late Wednesday night, saying the decision to remove seafood, including lobster, from its list of about $20 billion in dollar-for-dollar tariffs was intended to limit broader economic harm to Canadian businesses.

UNE pier project receives 2-year extension

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 27, 2026

The long-debated University of New England research pier proposal on Wednesday night received an extension from the Saco River Corridor Commission. The university now has another two years to complete the project, which the commission first approved in 2024. The pier, which would be located on the Saco River adjacent to the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center on UNE’s Biddeford campus, is intended to allow for year-round research and aquaculture projects. Since its approval by the SRCC and the Biddeford Planning Board in 2024, the project has faced major backlash, including from residents arguing their moorings on the river would be impacted by the pier.

Maine DEP sues Mallinckrodt over failures to clean up contaminated Orrington site

MAINE MORNING STAR • August 27, 2026

The Department of Environmental Protection has filed a lawsuit against Mallinckrodt US LLC, accusing the company of failing to clean up mercury contamination at its site in Orrington. Considered the most contaminated site in Maine, the property is the former HoltraChem chloralkali manufacturing facility. Located adjacent to the Penobscot River, the facility operated from 1967 through 2000, and manufactured caustic soda, chlorine bleach and pesticides. There is also the federal court case filed by the Maine People’s Alliance, which is separate from the state proceedings involving the department.

In Rumford, one of Maine’s remaining paper mills races to survive amid industry changes

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 27, 2026

The mill has shaped this rural town’s economy for 125 years. In that time, it has brought good-paying jobs, and been a force in the state’s vital forest products economy. Along with Sappi in Skowhegan, it is one of the bright spots among Maine’s remaining mills, which have endured years of decline as the paper industry changed. It’s a sign that the problems facing the paper mills in Maine may only be temporary, according to workers, company officials and industry experts. The biggest factor facing pulp and paper mills in Maine is the digitalization of the world.

After 40 years of outfitting river trips, a mainstay of the Allagash is retiring

MAINE PUBLIC • August 26, 2026

Just about anyone who's spent time on northern Maine's Allagash River has heard of Norm. As the owner of Pelletier's Campground in St. Francis, near Fort Kent, Norm L'Italien has outfitted and shuttled paddlers for 40 years, and has a reputation for his deep knowledge of the river and wealth of stories. But, now in his 70s, he says the demands of the job are taking a toll, and that this season will be his last. L'Italien said he's looking forward to spending more time with the grandkids, traveling to see his Army buddies and, finally, paddling a portion of the iconic river he's helped so many others experience.

How Falmouth Land Trust has expanded its reach, 3 ways

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 26, 2026

The Falmouth Land Trust hit a hot streak this summer, acquiring three new properties in as many months. The land trust closed on wooded wetland near Highland Lake called Babbidge Woods in May, land near Hadlock Community Forest in June and a parcel along the Presumpscot River in July. Getting three new properties in this rapid succession is unprecedented for the land trust. Each property was acquired differently, illustrating the many routes landowners can take to forever preserve their land.

Maine lobstermen warn of ‘devastating’ consequences from Canadian trade war

MIDCOAST VILLAGER • August 26, 2026

The Maine Lobstermen’s Association warned Wednesday that the trade war that started when President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian products could be devastating to lobster harvesters and coastal communities. The association said, “The impact would be felt immediately on Maine’s docks. Lobstermen are already facing historically high operating costs, an increasingly difficult business environment, and razor-thin margins. If prices fall far enough, many simply will not be able to afford to fish.” Patrice McCarron, MLA’s executive director, added: “Maine lobstermen should not become collateral damage in a broader trade dispute.”

Fourth person in Maine this year tests positive for Powassan virus

MAINE PUBLIC • August 26, 2026

An individual in Penobscot County has tested positive for the Powassan virus. That's the fourth person in the state to develop the disease so far this year, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The other cases were reported in York, Lincoln, and Penobscot Counties in June. Powassan is transmitted through the bite of deer ticks, and infections can be severe, even fatal.

How you can help shape the future of the North Woods

MAINE MORNING STAR • August 26, 2026

The Unorganized Territories (UT) is a region that encompasses all unorganized and de-organized townships in Maine, covering more than half of the state’s area and falling under the guidance of the Land Use Planning Commission. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) is the overarching document that guides planning, zoning, and permitting in the UT over 10-year time periods. The commission has begun the process of updating the 2010 CLUP. As the UT faces increased pressure from climate change, economic shifts, and development, it is critical to have a strong guiding document in place to retain and defend this globally unique landscape. ~ Frances Killea, Natural Resources Council of Maine

Kids on Trails event held in Jay as organizers urge families to hike together

LIVERMORE FALLS ADVERTISER • August 26, 2026

Children and families explored the trails at French Falls during a Kids on Trails event organized by the Western Maine Kids on Trails Community Group in partnership with MaineHealth Franklin’s Healthy Community Coalition. The free event Aug. 13 gave participants a chance to learn about the recreation area, walk its trails and take part in outdoor-themed activities while organizers previewed a book expected to be published later this fall. The book, “Kids on Trails,” will provide information about family-friendly trails in western Maine and help them safely plan and carry out walks, hikes and day trips with children.

Bear baiting is a family affair in Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 26, 2026

Aiden McIver is getting ready for bear season with his wife, Jocelyn, and their children, Saylor, 7, and Levi, 3. McIver operates S&L Guide Service in the Greenville area and hopes to take his daughter bear hunting on youth day this weekend.

Maine DEP sues company over cleanup of contaminated Orrington site

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 25, 2026

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is suing the owners of a site in Orrington, alleging they’ve failed to properly clean up contamination. Mallinckrodt operated a chemical manufacturing plant along the Penobscot River between 1967 and 1982. While under Mallinckrodt, the site discharged between six and 12 metric tons of mercury. The plant shut down in 2000 when then-owner HoltraChem Manufacturing Co. declared bankruptcy. In 2022, a judge ordered Mallinckrodt to pay at least $187 million to clean up the region. Since 2013, Mallinckrodt US LLC has been owned by Covidien, subsequently acquired by Medtronic. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals became an independent company via a spinoff from Covidien in 2013. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals recently merged with Endo, then split into Keenova and Par Health.

Young humpback whale calf found in Maine river was severely emaciated

WMTW-TV8 • August 25, 2026

The Marine Mammals of Maine stranding hotline received a report of a deceased humpback whale in the New Meadows River in Phippsburg on Friday afternoon. MMoME performed a full internal and external evaluation that found the 20-foot female calf was emaciated and had very little muscle or fat and few stomach contents. The findings showed that the whale was between 6 and 9 months old and still maternally dependent. MMoME said that samples they collected will be sent for histopathology and that there were no other gross necropsy findings. "This was an incredibly sad case, but we are grateful for the opportunity to document her life and passing," said MMoME in a social media post.

Family of 3 people who drowned in Maine lake sue pontoon boat manufacturer and dealer

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 25, 2026

The family of three people who drowned when a recalled pontoon boat capsized in Maine is suing the manufacturer and dealer. The 2024 Sea-Doo Switch, an 18-foot pontoon boat, had a known safety issue and capsized on Aug. 30, 2025, in Flagstaff Lake. Three people were trapped under the flipped boat and drowned. The Sea-Doo Switch was one of thousands of boats recalled by parent company Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc. months before the fatal capsizing. There was a risk of the boat nosediving into the water, causing it to flip end over end on its bow. The recall came after multiple people were injured and one person died in capsizing events.