Energy affordability — under mounting stress chiefly from rising electricity prices — will be a litmus test for most any climate policy or spending decisions.
The maine monitor
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Overlooked during opioid crisis, more of Maine’s oldest began to struggle with drugs
The number of Medicare patients who received buprenorphine treatment for their addiction to opioids increased about 70% between 2019 and 2023, a Maine Monitor analysis shows for the first time.
advertisement
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Mt. Blue schools: In a school district ‘mired in crisis,’ residents call for accountability
About 200 people packed the RSU 9 board of directors meeting last week to air comments on the middle school principal’s controversial Halloween costume.
Posted inHealth, News
Agencies that help Mainers navigate Medicare overbooked as enrollment deadline looms
Questions about the terminated Medicare Advantage plans and confusion from the federal government are driving a high number of calls for enrollment assistance.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Maine center guiding local opioid settlement spending says data will be public early next year
The University of Southern Maine-based center is providing technical support as millions of dollars flow into local governments to combat the crisis.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Only 2 Maine districts make the cut for school construction funds
Schools in Bath and Frenchville can get state funding to rebuild after both were damaged by fire, while a long list of other schools await funding to replace aging and deteriorating buildings.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Under pressure, Maine Library Commission postpones vote to adopt new requirements for libraries
The unanimous vote followed an outpouring of criticism of the proposed requirements. Commissioners will seek a legal opinion on the agreement’s requirements before voting on the document.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Schools and Education
Rural Maine libraries fear loss of services if new standards are approved
A proposal would require libraries to expand hours and pay their directors to bring them into compliance and maintain certain services. Many small libraries with all-volunteer staffs say that’s impossible.
Posted inBusiness, Food & Dining, Local & State, News
Maine restaurant owners blame staffing challenges on housing shortage
Business owners say they can’t afford to pay workers the high wages necessary to keep up with rising housing prices, and even when they can, there’s nowhere for employees to live.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine judge finds DA’s office acted in ‘bad faith’ as prosecutors buckle under high caseloads
Three recent examples show how cases can languish or prompt sanctions when prosecutors fail to to turn over discovery.