Local Politics

Governor Mills Officially Makes It Official

(Augusta)  Maine Governor Janet Mills yesterday made it official, announcing her run for the U.S. Senate.  The 77 year old Mills was the choice of national party leaders in the race to unseat Republican Susan Collins.  In announcing her candidacy, Mills cited her head-to-head with President Trump at a meeting of state Governors last February, telling him she’d see him in court.  The Governor said she’s never backed down from a bully, and beat Trump in court when he tried to cut the state’s school lunch program over transgender issues. Mills said her life’s work has prepared her for the fight and that she’s ready to win.

Heart of Ellsworth Hosts Meet the Candidates Night

(Ellsworth)  Nothing better than being well-informed before you cast your vote.  Last night, Heart of Ellsworth, the City of Ellsworth, and the Ellsworth American hosted a Meet the Candidates night.  With seven candidates vying for just three seats on the Ellsworth City Council, the evening was informative and eye opening.  If you missed it, you can catch the nonpartisan public event, now in its sixth year, on the City of Ellsworth’s YouTube Channel.  The Ellsworth American also has a print rundown of where the candidates stand on major issues facing the City. 

Voting Requirements on the Ballot This November

(Augusta)  The issue of voting requirements will be voted ON come November 4th.  Supporters of Issue One say Voter I.D. and other requirements are necessary for secure elections.  The League of Women Voters opposes Question 1, saying it’s a form of voter suppression and that evidence suggests voter ID’s don’t prevent voter fraud.  NewsCenter Maine reports since 1982, there have been only two convictions of fraud out of millions of votes cast.  In addition to the voter identification requirement, Issue One would limit the number of drop boxes for absentee ballots and would require only voters themselves drop off ballots, making it especially difficult for seniors, Mainers with disabilities and those without reliable transportation. You can learn more before casting your vote at maine dot gov.

Economy

Bangor Mall Sign Demolished

(Bangor)  A Bangor eyesore has finally been torn down and demolished.  The Bangor Mall sign was, in many ways, representative of the mall itself that has reportedly fallen into disrepair and is largely empty under the ownership of Namdar Realty Group.  The city sued Namdar over the issues, claiming it violated a number of city codes.  As a result of those lawsuits, the company has paved some of the potholes in the parking lot and road and worked to repair a broken sewer line and roof. The Bangor Daily News reports a judge will issue final decisions on October 24th.

Environment

Penobscot River Cruise With a Cause

(Bar Harbor)  You might call it cruising for a cause … this Saturday, founding organizations behind the Penobscot River Restoration Trust will be speaking about their conservation efforts on a cruise from Bar Harbor to Bangor.  The Mount Desert Islander reports those efforts include attempts to remove dams and restore fish passages.  The cruise will also feature ten lighthouses and fall foliage.  Experts say experience on the Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers has shown that when you restore the health of rivers by removing unnecessary dams, you restore the health of an entire ecosystem.  The cruise leaves Harbor Place in Bar Harbor at 8:30 a.m. and will return at 6 p.m. on October 18th, with a stop for lunch in Bangor.  Tickets are available online or by calling Bar Harbor Whale Watch.

Human Interest

EHS Seeks Vendors for Craft Fair

(Ellsworth)  The Ellsworth High School Class of 2026 is hosting a craft fair just in time to get that last minute Christmas shopping in for those hard-to-buy-for friends and family members.  They’re looking for local crafters, makers, and any other small businesses to join them on Saturday, November 22nd from 9 to 3.  Find an application on the Ellsworth High School FB page.  

Sumner Chowdah Dinnah to Benefit Student Fishing Council

(Sullivan)  What’s better on a chilly fall night than a bowl of steaming hot chowder?  How about a dinner that includes an assortment of chowders and that benefits Sumner High School’s Student Fishing Council?  The Council is hoping to attend the Maine Lobster Fishermen’s Forum in March, but they need to raise funds in order to defray costs.  You can help by attending the “Chowdah Dinnah” on Wednesday, October 22nd, from 5 to 7:30 at the Masonic Hall in Winter Harbor.  Warm up with a chowder of your choice, salads, biscuits, bread and desserts – and it’s pay by donation!  Plus, get tickets for a raffle chance to win 20 lobsters – $5 apiece, or 5 for 20.  Contact the High School for more information.  

History Lecture for October at Woodlawn

(Ellsworth)  This month’s history lecture at Woodlawn in Ellsworth is all about gardening – and perhaps a little bit about what NOT to do!  Woodlawn says by the 1880’s, Americans, especially city dwellers, looked to create gardens as picturesque settings for their urban homes.  But instead of choosing plants suitable for New England, they chose favorites of their “cherished” pasts – creative, but perhaps misguided!  Join Val Libby, retired professor of landscape history at Temple University who has lectured and taught internationally, on October 20th at 6 p.m. at The Barn at Woodlawn for a look at the work of the designers and surviving examples of Colonial Revival gardens.  Space is limited – get tickets (just $5) at woodlawn ellsworth dot org.

Black Moon Public House Raffles Off Pink Guitar

(Ellsworth)  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Black Moon Public House in Ellsworth is hitting the perfect chord to fight breast cancer.  Between now and October 31st, they’re selling raffle tickets for your chance to win a very cool pink electric guitar, with a goal of raising $5K to benefit the Beth C. Wright Cancer Resource Center in Ellsworth.  Check out the guitar displayed in their window, and stop in for some delicious eats and brews and to purchase your tickets.  The drawing will take place October 31st at the Black Moon Public House Halloween Party!  

Dedication Set for Searsport Sea Captain’s Statue

(Searsport)  Searsport was once home to more sea captains than anywhere else in the country. Dr. Karen Kelley, President of the Searsport Historical Society, and the late Natalie Knox thought it was time for the town to honor that legacy with a Sea Captain’s statue.  The two went to work, raising funds and commissioning a sculptor in Hong Kong.  The plan was originally for the statue to be dedicated last July 4th, but tariffs and other issues delayed its arrival.  After a lengthy journey, the statue is here and will be unveiled at a dedication ceremony on November 1st.  The public is invited to celebrate with them beginning at 11 a.m. in Curtis Hall on Church Street, followed by the unveiling in front of the Penobscot Marine Museum, where the statue will  watch over the town.  Participants will then head back to Curtis Hall for a luncheon and reception.  

National News

Fed Chair Says Slowdown in Hiring Poses Risk to Economy

(Washington, DC)  Fed Chair Jerome Powell said yesterday a sharp slowdown in hiring poses a growing risk to the U.S. economy, a sign the Fed will likely cut its key interest rate twice more this year, according to the Associated Press.  Powell said in written remarks that despite the ongoing government shutdown cutting off official economic data, the outlook for employment and inflation did not appear to have changed much since a September meeting.  Lower rates from the Fed could reduce borrowing costs for mortgages, car and business loans.  

Some Airports Refusing to Play Noem Video

(AP)  Some airports around the country are refusing to play a video that contains a message from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.  In the video, Noem blames Democrats for the federal government shutdown and its impacts on TSA operations. The Associated Press reports

airports in Las Vegas, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Seattle say the video goes against their airport policy or regulations that prohibit political messaging in their facilities.  Newark, JFK, and LaGuardia said they also would refuse to play the video.

Government Shutdown Enters Third Week

(AP)  The Federal government shutdown enters a third week today.  The Senate returned Tuesday from its holiday break, with Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson refusing to call lawmakers back to Washington, and President Trump’s budget director vowing to continue firing federal workers.  Democrats say they are holding out to keep Affordable Care Act subsidies from expiring for millions of Americans.  Without the subsidies, which expire at the end of the year, healthcare costs would soar for those who purchase insurance on Obamacare exchanges.  Johnson said he won’t negotiate unless Democrats first agree to reopen the government, a concession Dems say that would remove their leverage on any deal.

MIT Rejects White House Offer for Special Funding Treatment

(Mass)  M.I.T. is the first college to refuse an offer from President Trump for favorable treatment if the college supports his higher education agenda.  The President’s proposal was sent to nine universities.  The New York Times reports the proposal would require colleges to cap international student enrollment, freeze tuition for five years, adhere to definition of gender and prohibit anything that would belittle conservative ideas.  M.I.T. President Sally Korbluth wrote, “Fundamentally, the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone.”

Major News Outlets Refuse to Sign Restrictive Press Policy

(WP)  Major news outlets across the ideological spectrum refused to sign Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s restrictive new press policy by Tuesday afternoon deadline.  Hegseth claims the policy is an effort to cut down on leaks from the Pentagon.  Washington Post Executive Director Matt Murray said it runs counter to the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of the press. The Post, the New York Times, The Associated Press, CNN, Newsmax, and Washington Times are reportedly among those that refused to sign.  Hegseth reportedly took to social media to send a hand-wave emoji to those outlets. 

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