Why some Maine towns decide to dissolve themselves

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 11, 2025

Two Maine municipalities are taking votes within the next week to continue the deorganizing process — Maxfield in Penobscot County and Highland Plantation in Somerset County. Deorganizing is the process to formally eliminate a town government and join Maine’s unorganized territory through 12 steps that can take up to two years to complete. When a town dissolves itself, the remaining services citizens receive are split between the county and the state. Many small towns across the state with low populations suffer from limited resident participation, both in filling positions and voting in local elections, which can make local government stagnant and ineffective. Thin budgets and escalating costs hurt local services while declining populations cannot raise enough money to keep them operating.

Here’s why you might see photos of deer in Maine real estate listings

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 11, 2025

Many sellers and real estate agents include photos of wild animals — either from a game camera or photos the sellers captured — in online property listings. The practice is one method sellers use to make their Maine homes stand out and attract buyers who may come from urban areas and are looking for a more rural place. Having wildlife nearby and the photos to prove it can make a home a “lifestyle property.” Some people relocate to Maine because they want plenty of land and access to the wildlife that come with it. Wildlife can appeal to animal lovers. But photos of deer, moose, turkey or other game also can entice avid hunters.

Maine lawmakers hear from forest products industries on the impacts of tariffs on Canadian imports

MAINE PUBLIC • December 10, 2025

The effect of 10% tariffs on Canadian wood imports was the subject of a public hearing before the state's Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission Wednesday. Dana Doran, executive director of the Professional Logging Contractors of the Northeast, says his members are struggling to stay afloat. Collin Beal, a Woodland Pulp mill contractor, says tariffs and a downturn in the overall global market contributed to a recent shutdown of the mill.

Public lands group files suit over new national park pass that features Trump

MAINE MORNING STAR • December 10, 2025

A public lands advocacy group sued the Trump administration in federal court Wednesday over the inclusion of President Donald Trump’s face on the forthcoming National Park annual pass. The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit that alleges the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture violated the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which requires department officials to feature an image on the annual pass chosen from a public photo contest. CBD Executive Director Kierán Suckling said, “Blotting out the majesty of America’s national parks with a closeup of his own face is Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet.” 

Trump administration tags $700 million for regenerative farming

MAINE MORNING STAR • December 10, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $700 million to support regenerative agriculture as part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Wednesday. The USDA pilot program for regenerative agriculture — a conservation management approach centered on improving the health of soil and increasing biodiversity — enacts part of President Donald Trump’s administration’s September “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” which offered more than 120 recommendations for addressing childhood chronic diseases.  

American Forests gets $325,000 gift from Tom’s of Maine

MAINE ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS • December 10, 2025

The stated mission of the organization American Forests is to “create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. Since our founding in 1875, we have been the pathfinders for creating healthy forests from coast to coast. For example, we championed the creation of the U.S. Forest Service.” American Forests has received a $325,000 gift from Tom’s of Maine.

As NOAA funding lags, a critical ocean weather system nears a breaking point

MAINE MORNING STAR • December 10, 2025

Years of underfunding and new delays in federal grantmaking threaten buoys and ocean monitoring assets run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that protect fishermen, cargo ships and endangered species across the country. With key grant deadlines now passed and new awards still pending, regional operators warn that some of those services could go dark at the peak of hurricane season. While the Gulf of Maine has lost a number of buoys, those that remain aren’t being serviced frequently enough. Buoys that should be serviced five times a year may see only a single visit.

Letter: Alarmed by EPA’s pesticide approvals

SUN JOURNAL • December 10, 2025

On Nov. 20, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved the pesticide isocycloseram for use on foods such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes, tree nuts, peanuts, coffee and sugar cane as well as for lawns and golf courses. Isocycloseram contains PFAS, a highly persistent chemical that is harmful to humans and extremely toxic to bees. EPA is also considering three more PFAS pesticides as well as cancelling the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Under President Trump, EPA’s pesticide office is now run by two former lobbyists for the American Chemistry Council — Nancy Beck and Lynn Dekleva — and one former lobbyist for the pro-pesticide American Soybean Association, Kyle Kunkler. ~ Kathy Kellison, Windsor

Maine Huts & Trails launches free guided winter outdoor programs

DAILY BULLDOG • December 9, 2025

As winter settles in, Maine Huts & Trails is inviting community members to embrace the season through a series of free guided winter outdoor programs designed to make nature accessible, enjoyable, and safe for everyone on the Maine Huts trail network. Beginning on January 3rd, the nonprofit organization will offer a rotating schedule of expert-led free outings, including snowshoeing treks, cross-country skiing, family-friendly nature explorations, and a fat bike ride.

Maine AG praises ruling declaring Trump’s offshore wind halt unlawful

MAINE MORNING STAR • December 9, 2025

A federal judge on Monday agreed with more than a dozen states that early actions from the Trump administration to halt offshore wind development were unlawful. On day one of his second term President Donald Trump issued an executive order that froze permitting for offshore wind and asked for a federal review of the process. That order was challenged in court by seventeen states, including Maine. The states argued they would be harmed by the pause because of the investments their governments had already made into wind developments and the potential to jeopardize future energy supply. In a statement Tuesday, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said he was grateful the court agreed that the Trump administration overstepped with the executive order. “Whatever the federal administration’s position is on wind power, it does not have the right to arbitrarily ban development of this sustainable energy resource,” Frey said,.

Falmouth to pay for half of new land trust parcel

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 9, 2025

Forty-two acres of woods and wetlands in Falmouth near Highland Lake are on track to be preserved. On Monday, the Falmouth Town Council unanimously authorized the town to allocate $192,000 toward the Falmouth Land Trust’s acquisition of a parcel off Babbidge Road, called Babbidge Woods. Falmouth last helped the land trust acquire property a decade ago with the purchase of Hurricane Valley Farm. Both the Town Council and Plavsic noted that as the years pass, conserving land in Falmouth becomes more challenging. In 2007, Falmouth voters approved $5 million in appropriations for open space acquisition and has since spent $2 million on land conservation.

Letter: Thanks for Susan Collins for voting to protect ANWR

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 9, 2025

I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Sen. Susan Collins for voting to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In a vote on Thursday, she broke ranks with her party to vote “no” on H.J.Res. 131. This resolution stripped away protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, America’s largest wildlife preserve. While the bill did pass, 49-45 (6 did not vote), I am proud to say that the only Republican senator to break rank, to try and protect my interests, is from my state. ~ Clayton Wilson, Searsmont

Maine Calling: Getting Outside in Wintertime

MAINE PUBLIC • December 9, 2025

As cold as it gets in Maine, there are still plenty of reasons to get outdoors and embrace the season. There are activities for all ages, from snowboarding to birdwatching. Plus, just being outdoors in the brisk, fresh air has benefits for overall well-being. Even taking a quick dip in icy water can be good for you. Panelists: Courtney Holub, executive director, WinterKids; Jeff McCabe, director, Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation; Dr. Tony Owens, attending physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Maine Medical Center; longtime participant in the Polar Dip & Dash. VIP Callers: Brian Lenberg, donor and events manager, Maine Adaptive; Jill McMahon, program manager, Teens to Trails.

Opinion: Short-term thinking is not the approach we need on climate change

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 9, 2025

We feel frustrated, angry, powerless and “stupefied” by the chaos surrounding climate change: hostile politics, coverups, lies, misinformation and conversations stymied by disagreement. Cutting through the noise can help us leave confusion behind, bypass roadblocks and solve our climate problems. We have the necessary knowledge (climate data and scientific consensus on causes, effects and solutions) and technical tools (alternative energy sources, mitigation and adaptation technologies and systems thinking). Moreover, we — as individuals and as a species — can capitalize on our untapped abilities and capacities for successful climate action. We think about our long-term future (but only sometimes), make wise decisions (when we really try), collaborate (when seeing the need) and make changes that forge better futures than the ones we’re heading toward (when we initiate action and keep eyes on the prize). ~ Tom Bateman, Rockport, professor emeritus, University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce

Everything you need to know about snowmobiling in Maine this winter

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 9, 2025

With winter setting in, snowmobile enthusiasts across Maine are gearing up for another season on the trails. The Maine Snowmobile Association has announced that the statewide trail system officially opens Dec. 15, though riders with private property can get an early start. The association boasts roughly 15,000 members, mostly Maine residents, with growing numbers from out-of-state riders. Volunteers keep the network running smoothly across 285 snowmobile clubs statewide. New this year, the snowmobiling association also offers a mobile app available on Android and Apple devices that provides turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps, custom route building, points of interest and live trail status updates.

Column: Will Maine finally lift its Sunday hunting ban?

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 9, 2025

Over the past 45 years, lawmakers have made at least 39 attempts to either lift the Sunday hunting ban entirely or give hunters half a loaf by allowing limited Sunday hunting in certain regions. Public opinion surveys show hunters strongly support Sunday hunting. The divide is clear: urban and southern Mainers generally oppose it, while rural and northern residents favor it. Opposition to lifting the ban may be softening. Pennsylvania recently repealed its historic Sunday hunting ban under Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Only two states still ban Sunday hunting: Maine and Massachusetts. Sunday hunting here will likely become reality sooner or later. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Federal judge throws out Trump order blocking development of wind energy

ASSOCIATED PRESS • December 8, 2025

A federal judge on Monday struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order blocking wind energy projects, saying the effort to halt virtually all leasing of wind farms on federal lands and waters was “arbitrary and capricious” and violates U.S. law. Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court vacated Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order blocking wind energy projects and declared it unlawful. Trump has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes fossil fuels to produce electricity.

Skater rescues loon stuck on pond in Smithfield

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • December 8, 2025

John Picone was skating alone on East Pond in Smithfield just after noon Sunday when he passed a rock outcropping known as Loon Island. He spotted a loon stuck in a tiny pool of water surrounded by ice about 800 feet from shore. Picone is a member of a group of skaters who watch ice conditions and share information about good places to skate. He was clad in a dry suit and helmet and armed with safety gear to use for traction if he fell through the ice. Picone skated toward the loon and spoke gently to it, hoping to soothe and calm it. He sat with the loon for some time so it began to trust him. Ann Dorney, also a retired Skowhegan doctor and Avian Haven transport volunteer, soon arrived. “She scooped it into her basket.” Avian Haven staff suspect that the loon was in a late-molting state, in which it couldn’t get its feathers for flying before being iced-in. In the last two days, three loons had been rescued from Pleasant Pond in Turner.

New moose antler wing mural in Millinocket is a must-see photo spot 3

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • December 8, 2025

Wing murals have become popular street art in major cities, inviting people to step in and become part of the piece. Now northern Maine has its own version, and instead of paint, artist Ella Ruiz used about 125 moose antlers to create large wing patterns on the side of a building. It took her only a couple of days to assemble and complete the installation. The antlers were shed by moose throughout the winter and found by avid shed hunters.

Maine Calling: Astronomy

MAINE PUBLIC • December 8, 2025

It’s a busy season in the sky this month, with the Geminid meteor shower peaking. And then there’s the mysterious 3I/ATLAS comet making its closest approach to Earth (could it be aliens?). We talk with astronomy experts about what to look for, where to go—and we’ll even get some astronomical gift suggestions. Panelists: Shawn Laatsch, director, Astronomy Center, University of Maine; John Meader, owner/director, Northern Stars Planetarium; photographer.