Maine joins lawsuit over federal deal to redirect offshore wind investments to fossil fuels

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 22, 2026

Maine and six other states have joined New York in a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a maneuver to kill offshore wind developments and steer energy developers toward fossil fuel enterprises. In a pair of lawsuits, filed in New York and Maine, attorneys general from the states claim the administration illegally used $1.4 billion in public funding to pay two companies that planned to build offshore wind developments on the East Coast to instead invest in fossil fuel plants in other parts of the country. The states argue that the payments, in addition to being illegal, will deprive them of electricity that they needed from the offshore wind developments.

Historic tombs, giant blueberry attraction are among Maine’s most endangered historic places of 2026

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

Four places made Maine Preservation’s list of most endangered historic places this year: Handley Hall in Augusta, Swanton-Deering House in Bath, Wild Blueberry Land in Columbia Falls, and Hillside Cemetery historic tombs, Eastport. More information on how to help preserve these four sites and others on Maine Preservation’s list of endangered historic places can be found at mainepreservation.org/most-endangered.

Maine, northeast states file new lawsuit against Trump’s payouts stopping offshore wind

MAINE MORNING STAR • September 22, 2026

Attorneys general from eight East Coast states are suing the feds over the buyouts of two offshore wind leases, under which the Trump administration pledged to pay developers Bluepoint Wind and Invenergy $1.4 billion to abandon their projects. Those projects were slated to be built off the coast of New York and New Jersey. Under the agreements with federal agencies, the companies will reinvest the funds into oil and gas projects elsewhere in the country. The lawsuits were joined by the attorneys general of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. 

Nubble Light bundles up for a fall revamp

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

One of the country’s most photographed lighthouses is looking a tad less photogenic these days. York’s Cape Neddick Light Station — better known as Nubble Light — is covered in scaffolding and massive white sheets to protect it from the elements as it gets a revamp. It’s getting prepped for its 150th birthday, which is still three years away, but work will continue periodically until then. York Parks and Recreation Director Peter Murray said the town is doing its best to make the red-eyed giant “as presentable as possible.” A few frustrated visitors have told Murray they planned visits around seeing the lighthouse and didn’t know the tower would be hidden. But for most, the occasional scaffolding is a sign that the landmark will be sparkling for years to come.

Fact brief: Is it illegal to walk on the dunes at Footbridge Beach in Ogunquit?

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

Yes. Ogunquit’s beach ordinance prohibits people from entering restricted areas, including dunes. The rule covers Footbridge Beach, which lies within the ordinance’s definition of Ogunquit Beach. Violations carry a minimum $200 fine. Ogunquit’s 2024 comprehensive plan says its dunes buffer the coast from wind, waves and flooding, replenish beach sand, provide wildlife habitat and help protect the Ogunquit River estuary. Other southern Maine communities have similar rules.

After 15 years, a once robust fish canning business returns to Maine

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

Maine Canned Fish began its 20 month build-out in fall 2024. It is the first new seafood canning factory in the state in over 50 years. “Our tins are filled with wild caught, Maine caught fish, landed fresh, handled locally, and packed with care. No shortcuts, no imports, no mystery. Just honest seafood, caught in our waters and canned in our cannery in Topsham, Maine,” reads some of the promotional material from Maine Canned Fish. During the height of Maine’s fish canning industry in the 1900s, over 8,000 people were employed by canneries.

YMCA welcomes pickleballers while Belfast works to appease City Park neighbors

MIDCOAST VILLAGER • September 22, 2026

The effort to resolve the pickleball dispute at Belfast’s City Park has produced a temporary place to play, promising results from quieter equipment and what Mayor Eric Sanders describes as a productive search for long-term answers. The Waldo County YMCA has agreed to make room for two pickleball courts at the rear of its back parking lot until snow arrives, Sanders said in a Saturday update. The city plans to provide nets and other equipment for the courts. The arrangement is intended as a short-term measure while Belfast continues examining how to preserve the fast-growing sport without subjecting nearby residents to hours of the sharp, repetitive noise that prompted complaints this year.

A walking trail bench divides a midcoast Maine town

HARPSWELL ANCHOR • September 22, 2026

Ruby Pinders grew up in Maine, spent years building a business with her husband in Vermont, and then came home. As her 77th birthday approached this summer, she traveled to the Giant’s Stairs on Bailey Island to walk beside familiar waters. “I came back to Maine when the ocean called me back to retire,” Pinders said. But the relaxing stroll she envisioned was not to be, even with the walking poles she used to steady herself on the dirt and rock path running along the giant stone steps. After going just a short way, she lost momentum and — finding no place to rest — headed back to the car. There might have one day been a bench, if Harpswell Parks Director Katie Neal had succeeded in winning approval to place one along the path as part of a broader effort to make town trails more accessible. But that effort recently died amid objections from some of the people who own oceanfront homes and cottages along the trail.

Scarborough, Westbrook consider data center bans

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

After communities across the state enacted temporary data center moratoriums over the past few months, some are now considering banning them outright. Westbrook and Scarborough officials have proposed amending their ordinances to prohibit data centers in the interest of protecting community resources, noting that the rules could change later as technology advances.

Opinion: Maine needs to be standing ready for the next big storm

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

From working waterfronts to inland towns, storms are not distant possibilities. They are part of life. This year’s National Preparedness Month theme is Americans Stand Ready. This September, take one concrete step. Make the plan. Sign up for alerts. Check the batteries. Set aside supplies for your family and pets. Call a neighbor. Visit Ready.gov/stand-ready for free tools and checklists. The next storm will not wait for us to get ready. We should not wait for it. ~ Pete Rogers, director, Maine Emergency Management Agency; Jarrett W. Devine, acting regional administrator of FEMA Region 1

Letter: Maine’s electricity needs should take priority over data centers

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2026

No data centers should be approved in Maine until the electric utilities reliably deliver 120 volts to current customers. Data centers and other businesses that consume large amounts of electricity should be approved at the state level, not by local governments. ~ Steve Painter, Kennebunkport

Jay solar proposal puts $45M tax benefit under scrutiny

SUN JOURNAL • September 22, 2026

A developer proposing a large-scale solar project in Jay said the town could receive $45 million over the project’s estimated 40-year life, but residents at a Sept. 14 public hearing pressed for details on how much of that money would ultimately benefit local taxpayers. The discussion raised a central financial question surrounding the proposal: not simply how much Walden would pay, but how tax exemptions, school and county obligations, a possible TIF and additional municipal costs would affect Jay’s bottom line.

Dead Katahdin hiker was still alive when 1st 911 call went out

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 21, 2026

A hiker on Katahdin was still alive when the first 911 call came in, Baxter State Park’s director told the Bangor Daily News. Another hiker encountered Bert Peter Goris, 64, of Colton, California, around 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 14 on Hunt Trail near York Valley, Director Kevin Adam said Monday. Goris had a leg injury and difficulty talking and could not move well. The Maine Army National Guard deployed a helicopter to rescue Goris. Baxter State Park rangers hiked up to Goris and helped him to the helicopter that landed on Katahdin’s Tablelands around 4:40 p.m. Goris was confirmed deceased at Millinocket Airport where ambulance staff met the helicopter, Adam said.

50th annual Common Ground Fair opens Friday with speakers, exhibits, vendors and livestock

CENTRAL MAINE • September 21, 2026

The Common Ground Country Fair marks its 50th year as it launches Friday in Unity. The three-day-event features more than 1,000 exhibitors and speakers, highlighting organic agriculture and sustainable rural living. Keynote speakers this year include Philip Gregory, a litigator with Our Children’s Trust, and youth plaintiff Avery McRae, who will explore on Friday whether the government has a duty to safeguard the climate for future generations. The fair is organized by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. For more details on the full event schedule and ticketing information, visit www.mofga.org.

Westbrook’s Vertical Harvest faces foreclosure

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 21, 2026

Vertical Harvest is facing foreclosure on more than $8 million in financing it received for its Westbrook hydroponic farm, according to a complaint filed by the lien holder. “The farm is operating, our team is at work, and we are supplying customers throughout the state through Native Maine (Produce and Specialty Foods),” Vertical Harvest CEO Nona Yehia said.

Thru-hiker died after summiting Katahdin, official says

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 21, 2026

A California thru-hiker died last week just hours after reaching the northern end of the Appalachian Trail on Katahdin. Kevin Adam, director of Baxter State Park, said Monday that another hiker called 911 at 1:15 p.m. on Sept. 14 to report a man lying on the Hunt Trail near York Valley, experiencing difficulty talking, unable to move and showing signs of a leg injury. Adam said the victim has been tentatively identified as Bert Peter Goris, 64, of Colton, California.

Maine publishes comprehensive study of the state's birds

MAINE PUBLIC • September 21, 2026

Maine has finally published the most comprehensive survey of the state's bird life ever compiled. The Maine Bird Atlas is the product of volunteer observations from nearly every corner of the state between 2018 and 2022, according to Maine Audubon naturalist Doug Hitchcox. "Just the fact that we had these thousands of volunteers and millions of cumulative records over those five years, it's easily the largest citizen science project that the state has ever seen," Hitchcox said. The atlas records bird species that breed or spend winters in Maine and is broken down into nine-mile blocks. It's an in-depth update to the first atlas published over 40 years ago.

These signs mean Maine’s fall salmon run is getting started

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 21, 2026

Landlocked salmon are one of Maine’s top freshwater fish, typically ranking right behind brook trout in surveys occasionally taken over the years. And they should be. They are one of Maine’s true natives, originally found in only four river basins, including the St. Croix, Union, Penobscot and Presumpscot. Stocking in other Maine waters started as early as 1868. Today, salmon fisheries, either self-sustaining or supplemented and maintained by stocking, are found in approximately 300 Maine lakes and about as many miles of rivers. Genetically, landlocked salmon are closely linked to Atlantic salmon. There is one important factor when it comes to fishing the fall run. When will the run commence?

Juniper Ridge wants to treat its toxic runoff 20 miles away

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • September 21, 2026

The operators of the Juniper Ridge Landfill have alarmed environmental and community groups with plans to move a proposed PFAS treatment system to an offsite location, requiring the facility to truck its toxic runoff 20 miles away. The treatment system is a key requirement for approval of a 61-acre expansion permit that environmental organizations and abutters are currently fighting in court. Opponents learned of the plan to truck leachate from the landfill in Old Town and Alton to the Pine Tree Landfill in Hampden through a document filed in court and with state regulators by the company that runs Juniper Ridge. “That brings into question new environmental and public health concerns because you’re transporting massive amounts of leachate 20 miles south,” said Nora Bosworth, a lawyer for the Conservation Law Foundation.

Letter: Maine’s rare and fragile fisheries require discretion

MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 20, 2026

The Sept. 13 report “Could Arctic char be restocked in Rangeley Lake?” was profoundly irresponsible. Broadcasting the exact location of a rare, fragile fishery like Long Pond is not good journalism; it’s reckless “spot-burning” and completely careless to conservation. The author broke the angler’s code in the worst possible way. There is a cardinal rule in the Maine woods: never expose a good fishing spot. This isn’t local greed, it is vital preservation. ~ Sara Smith, Rangeley Plantation