Can a baby boom save the right whale — and Maine’s lobster industry?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 15, 2026

The North Atlantic right whale has spent much of the last decade teetering on the edge of extinction, having to travel farther for food while dodging ships and fishing gear, but a baby boom is offering the species — and lobstermen trying to avoid them — a glimmer of hope. The species has experienced its most successful calving season since 2009. Twenty-three calves were born over the winter, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. That is enough to stabilize a population that numbers roughly 384 individuals. For Maine’s lobstermen, who are currently facing a 2028 deadline to meet new risk-reduction rules, the successful calving season is a potential regulatory reprieve.

ATVs keep getting bigger. It’s putting Maine’s trail system at risk.

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 15, 2026

As the season kicks off, tens of thousands of riders are expected take their all-terrain vehicles out in Maine in the next few months. But as ATV clubs work feverishly to wrap up maintenance on the state’s 6,000 miles of trails, there is sharp division over a new generation of popular off-road vehicles that landowners say threatens to force them to shut off access. Some have already done so. With 80% of Maine’s ATV trail system on private property, that’s a problem.

Column: Pure wolves will likely never return to Maine

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

Wolves were commonplace when settlers first came to Maine. A “predator” void was left when these wolves were killed off around the turn of the century. In time, our present day coyote migrated eastward and filled the niche. Biologists believe that our Maine coyote came here via Ontario already “hybridized” with the smaller eastern wolf. What about efforts by activists to get gray wolves introduced to Maine? “If an eastern wolf from Ontario or Quebec finds its way to Maine, it will find itself in a sea of eastern coyotes. Any dispersing eastern wolf would readily hybridize with eastern coyotes, and the offspring would be assimilated into an eastern coyote population that already has a genetic legacy of wolf genes,” said retired U.S Fish and Wildlife biologist Mark McCollough. Which seems to say that a wolf reintroduction initiative in Maine just wouldn’t work. ~ V. Paul Reynolds

Letter: Maine being ruined by roadside trash

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

One only needs to drive along Maine’s scenic roads and byways, or almost anywhere in the United States, to see bottles, cans, plastic, and assorted trash strewn along the roadside, either carelessly tossed from vehicles or blown from uncovered truck loads. For a state that proudly markets itself as “Vacationland: The Way Life Should Be,” and depends heavily on tourism, Maine’s leaders seem strangely indifferent to the growing litter problem. If we continue allowing our roadsides to become dumping grounds, Maine may eventually need a new slogan: “Trashland: The Way Landfills Should Be.” ~ Charlie Britton, Southport

5 wild videos taken during the Maine moose rut

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

The deadline to apply for the Maine moose lottery is Monday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. In anticipation of the June 20 lottery drawing, here are five videos captured during last fall’s rut. You’ll want the sound on for these.

What to know about getting around Acadia National Park this spring

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 15, 2026

Visitors descending on Acadia National Park this spring will find most trails, roads and amenities open, with a few exceptions. A one-mile stretch of the popular Park Loop Road — a 27-mile scenic drive on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island — will be closed as part of a restoration of the Great Meadow until June 12. Vehicle reservations are needed to drive to the top of Cadillac Mountain from May 20 through Oct. 25. Precipice, Jordan Cliffs, Penobscot East and Valley Cove trails have been closed since March 1 to protect peregrine falcons during their nesting. All of the park’s carriage roads are now open. The new $27 million Acadia Gateway visitor center — located just off Mount Desert Island on Route 3 in Trenton — will open Memorial Day weekend. The Island Explorer shuttle service will begin running three routes Memorial Day weekend for the first time.

New England public advocates file lawsuit over transmission project

MAINE MORNING STAR • May 14, 2026

Public advocates in several New England states have sued to block a $360 million transmission project through New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The proposed project, called X-178, would reconstruct 49 miles of transmission facilities, including replacing 580 poles. The Maine Office of the Public Advocate joined its counterparts in New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to sue Eversource Energy Service Company, arguing the company mischaracterized the project as necessary to repair “damaged or destroyed” facilities. Maine Public Advocate Heather Sanborn said Eversource is “shoehorning” a large rebuild of transmission assets to avoid stakeholder concerns. “That will directly cost Mainers more money.”

There will be a controlled burn in the UMaine forest next week

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2026

There will be a controlled burn in the University of Maine forest in Old Town next week. The university, along with the Maine Forest Service, will be conducting a controlled burn in a portion of the Dwight B. DeMeritt Forest off the dirt portion of College Avenue Extension. The 2,000-acre forest was acquired by the university in 1939 by lease and then deed in 1955. It has more than 15 miles of trails open to walkers, joggers, runners, cyclists and horseback riders, and snowshoers and skiers in the winter.

Letter: Maine needs to wise up about radon risk

CENTRAL MAINE • May 14, 2026

It is sad that the state of Maine does not mandate radon testing in school buildings. In the recent report on the subject, school committees and towns seem to be worried more about the cost of remediation than the effect on the young lives that are potentially being adversely affected. Radon gas can pass through solid concrete as well as cracks and penetrations. It has a greater effect on young people than it does on adults. Every town and city in Maine should be concerned and act. ~ Jonathan Hedman, Gray

Fisherman found dead near Down East island

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

A fisherman died Monday after his boat overturned near an island Down East, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Officials say a pair of fishermen departed on a 17-foot skiff from a marina on Beals Island, located off the coast of Jonesport in Washington County. They were expected to come back from their trip to Crumple Island around 3 p.m. but did not return. A Coast Guard crew found the fishermen near Crumple Island around 5:30 p.m. One of the fishermen was unresponsive, while the other told authorities a rogue wave had capsized their boat.

Portland kayak business finds new home after Custom House Wharf fire

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

When the massive fire on Custom House Wharf in December destroyed Nanuq Kayaks, friends and fellow paddling enthusiasts told owner Harley Lewin they would help him move boats and gear out of the rubble. There was barely anything left to carry. “What happened was a catastrophe,” Lewin said. On Wednesday, Lewin stood on the floor of 200 Anderson St. in Portland, the new home of his business in East Bayside. The industrial space is different from the shop’s former home on the wharf, where wood-paneled walls and sleek boats lent a clubhouse feel, he said, but he’s glad to be there.

Earthquake shook the ocean floor off midcoast Maine town

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 14, 2026

An earthquake shook the ocean floor off South Bristol on Tuesday afternoon. The magnitude 1.8 temblor shook the ground at a depth of nearly 6 miles about 5.6 miles east-southeast of the Lincoln County town about 2:42 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed this week. Since 1997, there have been more than 170 recorded earthquakes in the state.

Column: With Platner, best to focus on the message, not just the messenger

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 14, 2026

I’ve heard only one clunker from Platner’s campaign, the energy plan released last week. It relies on repealing the federal gasoline tax and attempting to replace it with a “windfall profits tax” on oil producers, with more money from a proposed “billionaires tax.” This would be a policy disaster. The problem with the federal gas tax is not that we have it, but that it’s inadequate to maintain existing infrastructure, let alone build climate-friendly replacements. It should be increased, not abolished. ~ Douglas Rooks

Maine Huts & Trails launches community recreation hub at Stratton Brook hut

DAILY BULLDOG • May 13, 2026

Maine Huts & Trails is launching Stratton Brook Hut as a community recreation hub for the summer of 2026. Based out of Kingfield, Maine Huts & Trails is a nonprofit organization operating four backcountry lodges and a 50-mile non-motorized trail network between Carrabassett Valley and West Forks. Located at the top of 1,930’ Oak Knoll, the hut has beautiful views of The Bigelow Range, The Crockers, Sugarloaf, and other surrounding mountains. Directly accessible from numerous popular trails in Carrabassett Valley, the hut is a natural gathering area for summer trail users. Accommodating up to 44 overnight guests in 10 bunkrooms, Stratton Brook Hut features a large dining room, a lounge area, a full commercial kitchen, bathrooms, showers, a screened porch, a fire pit, and outdoor picnic areas.

Bobby Charles defends aggressive plans to cut spending at Republican debate

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 13, 2026

A debate, hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and News Center Maine, focused on economic issues including health care, housing, child care and energy. Nearly all the candidates criticized solar and wind subsidies, saying they’ve driven up electricity rates for Mainers. Most called for expanded natural gas pipelines, small modular nuclear reactors and increased hydropower.

Fire at Portland recycling center under investigation

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 13, 2026

The Portland Fire Department says the flames burned in a large pile of metal at a recycling center on Riverside Street, sending a huge plume of smoke into the air.

They aren’t cops. So who are these people in uniforms in downtown Portland?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 13, 2026

They aren’t police officers, but these uniformed personnel — dubbed “constables” — are part of a new program in the Portland Police Department’s community policing division. The five employees were hired this year to patrol and maintain the city’s public areas and parks.

Telstar teacher rescues amphibians, part of Maine Big Night

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 13, 2026

So far, Maine Big Night — as it’s called — has helped more than 20,000 amphibians cross roads safely. A “big night” is a critical moment in an amphibian’s life cycle, when certain species — prompted by temperature and rainfall — begin a mass migration to breeding grounds. The event can involve large numbers, making it both striking and ecologically important. Volunteers like science teacher Mack Connor also collect data to better understand how wildlife interacts with infrastructure and how design can reduce harm.

Letter: Dismayed at Maine’s growing litter problem

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • May 13, 2026

One only needs to drive along Maine’s scenic roads and byways, or almost anywhere in the United States, to see bottles, cans, plastic and assorted trash strewn along the roadside, either carelessly tossed from vehicles or blown from uncovered truck loads. For a state that proudly markets itself as “Vacationland: The Way Life Should Be,” and one that depends heavily on tourism, our leaders seem strangely indifferent to Maine’s growing litter problem. ~ Charlie Britton, Southport

Brook trout explode on mouse flies in remote Maine pond

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 13, 2026

Nick Hebert and his friend Clayton Mason recently traveled from their homes in Massachusetts to northern Maine to fly fish for brook trout. Hebert and Mason camped in the North Maine Woods and landed multiple brookies Sunday morning. The pair usually fish the Katahdin region in spring and the Moosehead area in fall. Hebert said they have explored everywhere from the western mountains to the potato and blueberry fields of northeastern Maine. “Every part is beautiful,” he said.