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Take in the views from these western Maine lookout towers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 25, 2026

While Maine’s days of fire towers may have ended decades ago, mountains across the state still hold the lookouts for hikers with the energy to seek them out. Here are five mountains you can hike across western Maine to get your quest started:
• Bald Mountain — Oquossoc
• Mount Blue — Weld
• Snow Mountain — northern Franklin County
• Old Speck — northern Oxford County
• Flagstaff Mountain — northwest Somerset County

On high peaks, 3 rare butterflies live at the edge of survival

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 25, 2026

The endangered White Mountain fritillary and threatened White Mountain arctic survive in different alpine habitats in New Hampshire’s Presidential Range, while the endangered Katahdin arctic is known only from Maine’s Katahdin. Their isolation helped create butterflies found almost nowhere else, but it also leaves them especially vulnerable to changing climate, damaged habitat and, in one notorious case, collectors. Stay on established trails rather than walking on alpine vegetation. Look. Wait. Photograph one if you are lucky enough to see a butterfly. But do not trample the habitat trying to find it.

Project covering Penobscot River mercury contamination with sand to begin this week

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 25, 2026

A pilot project beginning in Orrington this week will spray about 9,400 tons of sand over the Penobscot River estuary, testing a method that could eventually cover 124 more acres of tidal flats contaminated with mercury decades ago. The contamination stemmed from the now-defunct HoltraChem plant in Orrington, which illegally discharged between 6 and 12 tons of the toxic metal in the river in the late 1960s and early ’70s. Lingering mercury has led to a shellfish harvesting closure and consumption advisories for fish and some game. The metal travels up the food chain and has a range of toxic consequences for people and wildlife that ingest it.

Lewiston lands another balloon festival with organizers pleased and looking to grow

SUN JOURNAL • August 24, 2026

While weather limited some flights over the weekend, organizers said strong crowds and new attractions revealed once again the appeal of one of Lewiston-Auburn’s greatest events. “Seeing thousands of people come together in Lewiston and Auburn, make memories with their families and enjoy our community is exactly why we do this. There are certainly things we learned this year and things we will look at as we plan for the future, but I think we can all be very proud of what our community accomplished this weekend.”

MDI rallies behind lobsterman whose boat sank off Bass Harbor on Saturday

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 24, 2026

An online campaign for a Mount Desert Island lobsterman whose boat sank off the coast of Bass Harbor on Saturday has raised more than $32,000. Daniel Closson, whose fishing boat “Never Enough” sank off Gott’s Island while he was hauling traps around midday on Saturday, escaped the incident after being rescued by fellow lobstermen who received his mayday call. The sinking was the second major boating incident to occur in Bass Harbor in under two months. On July 3, a late night fire destroyed Nathaniel Snow’s lobster boat that was moored at the harbor.

50 Years of Common Ground

MAINE ORGANIC FARMERS AND GARDENERS ASSOCIATION • August 24, 2025

MOFGA is celebrating the 50th annual Common Ground Country Fair this year, with a number of events including including Fifty Years of Common Ground, an exhibition of five decades of the the posters of the Common Ground Country Fair. The exhibition will be held at the Maine State House in Augusta, June 1 through August 30, and at Waterville Creates in Waterville, September 4 through 30, in partnership with the Maine Arts Commission and Waterville Creates. 

US-Canada trade war hurting Maine businesses, workers and consumers

MAINE PUBLIC • August 24, 2026

Collapsed trade talks between the U.S. and Canada have resulted in 50% tariffs from the Trump administration on $20 billion worth of Canadian imports. And now Prime Minister Mark Carney is promising matching tariffs on U.S. imports beginning Sept. 8. Lee Umphrey, president of Eastern Maine Development Corporation, said the folly of the trade war is hurting businesses, workers and families. He fears rising costs of wood products and energy may lead companies to lay off workers. He said the war in Iran and federal cuts continue to generate economic uncertainty for businesses and consumers.

Canada could respond to Trump’s tariffs soon. Here’s how it all affects Maine.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 24, 2026

After a brief delay for negotiations last week, the Trump administration enacted new tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian goods Saturday. Those tariffs deepened the trade war between the U.S. and its northern neighbor. In Brewer on Monday, Vice President JD Vance defended the new tariffs, saying Canada has long treated American goods unfairly. If, as Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters Saturday, Canada is “at war” with the U.S. on trade, Maine is on the front line. Carney said he planned to target forestry products, one of Maine’s most integrated industries with Canada. Pulp and paper products were among the goods Carney said could be targeted by Canada’s new retaliatory tariffs. Trump has tried several times to enact sweeping tariffs on Canada. Nearly every attempt has been shot downby courts.

Improving Fish Passage at the Brunswick Dam – What Is Possible, Sept 15

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • August 24, 2026

Free the Andro is sponsoring a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Maine Department of Marine Resources, Brookfield Renewable Partners, and FB Environmental to explore possible designs for restoring abundant and sustainable fish passage at the Brunswick Dam. At Curtis Memorial Library, Morrell Meeting Room, September 15, 2026, 5 pm.

An algal bloom is spanning 100 miles in the Gulf of Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 24, 2026

An unusually large algae bloom in the Gulf of Maine has researchers trying to understand its cause and possible effects. At its peak, the algae bloom extended from Penobscot Bay to Martha’s Vineyard. The bloom is comprised of a naturally occurring phytoplankton that is not toxic to humans or animals. Nicole Poulton of the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences said it’s hard to know what’s causing it, but the rapidly warming waters of the Gulf of Maine could be playing a role.

Why investment profit is at the center of CMP’s rate hike

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 24, 2026

Central Maine Power Co. is asking state regulators to raise the cap on revenue it can make back from its investments in Maine’s electrical infrastructure. That has become a sticking point in the monthslong debate as CMP is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission to approve an $18 per month increase in the average household’s distribution bills. That would give the company $189 million in new revenue to pay for grid upgrades, added staff and storm recovery. Groups representing consumers in the case have argued that CMP doesn’t need more profit while Mainers struggle with the rising cost of living.

Paul LePage is a ‘big fan’ of data centers in an era of skepticism

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 24, 2026

Former Gov. Paul LePage cast data centers as part of the answer to Maine’s energy crisis this week, breaking with polling that shows widespread skepticism of the projects among voters in both parties. “I’m a big, big fan of data centers,” the Republican running for Maine’s open 2nd District seat said Wednesday. “I think they’re going to create jobs. I think we can solve our energy problems.” Nearly three-quarters of Mainers — and majorities in both parties — oppose data centers being built in their communities, according to a recent poll. The former governor downplayed concerns about data centers’ water and power demands, blaming high energy prices on Democrats and pointing to the state’s paper mills as a potential model.

FOMB Files Suit to Lock in Improved Water Quality on Maine Rivers

FRIENDS OF MERRYMEETING BAY • August 23, 2026

Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) filed suit in federal court Thursday, June 18, challenging the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s misuse of antidegradation policy under the Clean Water Act. Antidegradation policies were designed to improve water quality, lock in existing quality, and prevent backsliding of water quality. FOMB claims the Maine Board of Environmental Protection violated the language of state statute (“shall recommend”) by failing to recommend to the egislature a classification upgrade on the Androscoggin River between Worumbo and Gulf Island Pond dams. In Maine, only the legislature can classify or reclassify water bodies. On June 27, FOMB submitted a companion 60-day Notice of Intent (NOI) to file a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act against the EPA for their failure to act on these issues.

As algal blooms rise, Androscoggin Lake groups fight to ‘keep it blue’

CENTRAL MAINE • August 23, 2026

Androscoggin Lake has had six algal blooms over the past 50 years, with four in the past five years. And last year’s bloom was the earliest and longest the lake has seen. Researchers and community members are trying to figure out why. Together, staff and volunteers from 30 Mile River Watershed Association and the Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corp. are conducting sampling, research and data analysis to determine what’s causing the increase and find long-term solutions.

This overlooked Baxter State Park hike offers stunning views of Katahdin

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 23, 2026

The Owl is a dramatic peak that rises about 3,700 feet above sea level in Baxter State Park. A rounded mountain that lies just west of Katahdin, the Owl is said to resemble a sitting owl — or an owl’s head — if you use your imagination. The Owl offers amazing views of Katahdin. And in the opposite direction, the view includes a collection of Baxter’s most beloved ponds, including Kidney and Daicey. The hike is fairly short compared to other mountain hikes in the park, an out-and-back trip of 6.6 miles. Alone at the summit, we stretched out on the sun-warmed granite and relaxed for a while before retracing our steps to the trailhead. A swim in Nesowednehunk Stream punctuated a perfect day in the park. ~ Aislinn Sarnacki

Column: Nesowadnehunk Stream offers magnificent mountain views

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 22, 2026

Nesowadnehunk Stream flows from its source at Nesowadnehunk Lake in T4 R10 WELS south into Baxter State Park, along the park’s southwestern edge and through the Appalachian Trail corridor, before emptying into the West Branch of the Penobscot River just east of thundering Nesowadnehunk Falls. The 17 miles of Nesowadnehunk Stream — cold, crystal clear and trout-rich — are arguably some of the most beautiful in Maine.

US imposes 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian products

ASSOCIATED PRESS • August 22, 2026

The United States and Canada, historic allies along an undefended border, fell deeper into a trade war Saturday marked by angry recriminations and new tariffs that are expected to raise prices for products in both countries. Each side blamed the other for the collapse of negotiations in Washington late Friday, leading the U.S. to impose 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods and Canada setting Sept. 8 as the start of its retaliatory penalties. Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country had been “attacked” by the new American tariffs. Trump’s approach to dealing with Canada marks an extraordinary departure from the traditionally cooperative relationship between the two countries. The Canadian public is fed up.

Opinion: Marine electrification is an economic opportunity for Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 22, 2026

In Maine, Island Institute has worked with partners to electrify 22 commercial boats across aquaculture, fishing and other working waterfront applications. For commercial fishermen and aquaculture operators, electric propulsion can reduce fuel and maintenance costs while creating quieter, healthier working environments for crews. For boatbuilders and marine businesses, electric propulsion is an opportunity to compete in a growing global market projected to become a $20 billion industry in the next five years. The technology, however, is advancing faster than the systems needed to support it. Maine Blue Economy Center —a state-supported initiative housed within the Maine Technology Institute can help coordinate, invest in and grow the state’s ocean economy. ~ Lia Morris, Island Institute, and Brent Dancey, Oceans North

Rumor of ICE crackdown on Maine farms highlights fears for legal workers

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • August 22, 2026

One of Maine’s major agricultural organizations warned farmers Thursday of an expected surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity into next week, then later downgraded its statement. The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association sent an online newsletter stating it had “received word” of increased enforcement activity starting Friday focused on farms, farmworkers and construction sites. Another email that night issued a correction, saying possible activity or targeted sites hadn’t been confirmed. Recent ICE surges in the state have heightened anxiety even for those in the country legally through federal visa programs.