Crime/Public Safety/Drugs

Firefighters Battle Woods Fire Near Snow Bowl

(Camden)  Firefighters and Snow Bowl crews were called to battle a fire atop Ragged Mountain early Wednesday morning.  The Pen Bay Pilot reports the fire on the trail near Camden was discovered by a biker who called 9-1-1 as the flames began to spread.  Crews were able to spread out around the fire at an outcropping of rocks known as Crow’s Nest, where skiers in the winter stop and take in the view over Penobscot Bay. The 30 by 40 foot fire scorched rocks and spread towards woods.  Firefighters speculate the blaze could have been caused by campfires over the weekend, which sometimes find their way underground and can smolder for days.

Local Politics

Six Write-In Candidates Vie for Maine Senate Race

(Augusta)  Incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins and Democrat Troy Jackson will be joined on the November ballot by six write-in candidates.  As a result, voters will receive ranked-choice ballots.  Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said this week, voters will be able to rank three choices – Collins, Jackson, and one write-in candidate.  The declared write-ins are Brent Andrews of York; Sigrid Ann Olson of Cape Elizabeth, Gina Oswald of Strong, Joseph Steinberger of Rockland, Michael Turcotte of Burnham, and Ashley J. Webb of Farmington.  If a write-in candidate is not a declared candidate – for instance, if a voter wrote in Graham Platner’s name, the selection is recorded as a blank.

Charles Calls for ICE at Polls in November

(Augusta) Bobby Charles, the GOP candidate for Governor of Maine, says he wants Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at polling places across the state.  But in spite of claims to the contrary, state election officials and independent investigations have confirmed there is no evidence of widespread fraud at the polls here in Maine.  And federal law strictly prohibits federal agencies or military personnel from positioning armed officers or agents at voting locations.  Across the country, tactics of ICE agents are a growing concern.  According to the New York Times, a surge in immigration arrests this summer swept up thousands who were here legally and who had no criminal background, including people married to US citizens, people who had entered legally and were pursuing an asylum claim, and others with temporary legal status that the Trump administration pushed to revoke.

Economy

Maine to Get Share of Meta Settlement

(Augusta)  Yesterday, we told you about the $17B settlement Meta will pay in damages to 47 states over teen social media addiction.  Under the agreement, Maine will receive no less than $56M, according to Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey.  The Portland Press Herald reports, as part of the settlement, Meta has agreed to measures designed to ensure children age 12 and younger cannot access its Facebook and Instagram platforms … and children 13-17 will have limited access.  The agreement is one of the largest state consumer protection settlements in history and resolves a years-long case aimed at holding the tech giant accountable for its role in monopolizing children’s attention and harming their mental health.  The settlement will be paid out over ten years, and funds can be used for such purposes as youth crisis intervention or after-school or summer youth programs and public health advertising, as deemed appropriate by each state’s Attorney General.

Canada Removes US Seafood from Counter Tariff List

(Canada)  Just one day after Canada announced an initial $20B tariff package targeting American imports, the neighbor to the north officially removed U.S. fish and seafood products from the list of retaliatory counter-tariffs.  Canadian trade officials cited extensive feedback from domestic industries warning that taxing heavily integrated cross-border seafood supply chains would inflict broader economic harm on Canadian processing plants.  Canadian plants rely on importing American-caught lobster during local off seasons in order to keep facilities running and preserve hundreds of jobs.

Education

UMaine Hosts Free AI Boot Camp for High Schoolers

(Orono)  The Maine College of Engineering and Computing at UMaine Orono will host the state’s first Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp for high schoolers this fall.  The program’s 20 hours will provide students in grades 9-12 with hands-on experience using artificial intelligence.  Topics include AI’s potential application in healthcare, business, sports, and more, as well as ethics considerations when using AI.  There’s no charge for the program, and no coding or computer science experience is required.  All necessary devices and materials are provided, according to a news release from the University.  The bootcamp will be held on three Saturdays – October 31st, and November 7th and 14th.  Applications close September 30th. Apply at markcubanai.org.  

Get the Kids Outdoors

(Ellsworth)  It may be back to school for most, but there’s still plenty of time to get the kids outdoors for some summer fun and enjoyment!  Join Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Ms. Jean from the Ellsworth Public Library for Outdoor Adventure storytime, every first and third Wednesday at FBC preserves.  September 16th, they’ll be at Simon Trail at 930 a.m.  And on Saturday, September 12th, help build fairy houses along the Riverwalk in Ellsworth.  Step into the enchanting world of fairies and fantasy with a storytime with Ms. Jean.  That’s September 12th, starting at 9:30.  Check with the library or FBC for more details.

Environment

Dutch Elm Disease Outbreak Hits Blue Hill

(Blue Hill)  Blue Hill is currently experiencing a devastating outbreak of Dutch Elm disease.  Tree experts say it’s the worst such outbreak in 25 years, with the highly contagious fungal disease threatening the town’s remaining population of roughly 200 historic elms. Penobscot Bay Press reports the community recently lost its largest and oldest American elm to the disease, a 158 yo giant on Tenney Hill near the First Congregational Church.  In order to counter the blight, the town is actively planting younger, genetically engineered DED-resistent elm varieties alongside sugar maples and oaks, in order to preserve the town’s tree canopy.  

Health

Fourth Case of Powassan Virus Confirmed

(Augusta)  The Maine CDC has confirmed the state’s fourth case of the tick-borne Powassan virus this year.  It’s the 44th case reported in Maine since 2000; the second found in Penobscot County this season.  The other two cases were in Lincoln and York Counties.  The virus can transmit from a host animal to a human in as little as 15 minutes after a bite, and there are no vaccines or treatments.  About 10% of severe cases are fatal.  About half those who survive suffer long-term neurological issues.  Symptoms of Powassan include fever and headaches, muscle aches, and vomiting or weakness.  Prevention from tick bites is key – experts say wear light-colored and long-sleeved clothing, use an EPA-approved repellant, avoid thick brush and walking through tall grass, and thoroughly check yourself and your pets and shower after coming in from outdoors.  

FDA Approves New Covid Vaccines

(NYT)  The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved new COVID vaccines, and sources say they should be available soon.  The FDA says the shots are approved for people 65 and older and for younger people with underlying conditions.  Others may be able to get them off label.  According the NY Times, it’s unclear whether the shots will be covered by insurance.  Almost all insurers have to cover shots recommended by the CDC, but because a federal court ruling in March temporarily invalidated the appointments of members of the CDC’s vaccine panel chosen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., private insurers are in limbo.  Experts say the state-by-state landscape will become more clear in the coming days.  

Infrastructure

Bridge Hill to Reopen Friday Morning

(Ellsworth)  Great news for travelers whose commutes take them up Bridge Hill.  The City of Ellsworth says the roadway was expected to be fully open to traffic by 5 a.m. this morning, meaning the morning commute can return to normal and there will be no more traffic diversion.  A water main break caused significant damage beneath the pavement, which required it to be removed, the gravel base repaired and compacted, and the road to be repaved before it could be safely reopened.  The City thanks city crews, MaineDOT, contractor crews, and a host of very patient motorists.   

Human Interest

Cat Burgler

(WaPo)  Finally, this morning, the story of a real life cat burglar.  The Washington Post reports last month a man wearing a black beanie walked into a Maryland pet store, approached a kitten that was up for adoption, snatched the feline and ran – but not too far.  The man entered a nearby PNC bank, still holding the cat, and passed a note that read, “This is a robbery.”  Local police were on the scene before the culprit could flee, arrested him and recovered the 5-month-old kitten, named Magnolia, returning her to the rescue group that first found her wandering the streets back in June.  Magnolia has since been adopted into a wonderful new home and continues to purrr-sue her claims of innocence.  Authorities say it’s unlikely she’ll be charged as an accomplice, but her new mom and dad are keeping her inside just in case she’s a flight risk.

National News 08/28/26

Nepal Landslide, Glacial Collapse Likely Caused Massive Flood

(NYT)  Scientists are using satellite images to piece together what caused massive flooding in Tibet and Nepal Wednesday, killing dozens and leaving others missing, including three Americans and other tourists.  According to the New York Times, glaciologists and geologists had already determined an enormous chunk of a glacier had snapped off Wednesday morning, then noted the rock on which the glacier was sitting collapsed.  The deluge of rock and ice pulverized into mud and water as it surged down the mountainside with such powerful force, the U.S. Geological Survey registered the landslide as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event and said it was comparable to a thousand Empire State Buildings simultaneously crashing down into the river valley.  The catastrophe caught many off guard in Nepal, as there had been no rain preceding the flood.

DeSantis Administration Misspends Millions, According to Grand Jury

(NYT)  A Grand Jury has reportedly found Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s Administration misspent $10M in taxpayer money.  The New York Times reports the money was diverted to the Hope Florida Foundation, a charity tied to DeSantis’s wife.  A leaked grand jury report said the money was then redirected to political committees backing a campaign led by the Governor.  The misspent money was from a 2024 state Medicaid settlement.  The report said the grand jurors found insufficient evidence to levy charges, but the case intensified a controversy over the investigation into the fundraising arm of Hope Florida.  According to the report, which has been kept secret since its completion in January,  the transactions were found to be “part of a sophisticated scheme to fund political activities”.  

Trump Signs Order Renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America”

(AP)  The trade wars yesterday took a bit of a crazy turn when President Trump signed an Executive Order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in the United States.  The order directs the Interior Department to update the lake’s name in the U.S. geographic naming service, though Trump can’t force Canada to follow along.  Trump first proposed the idea after trade talks between the two countries broke down and the U.S. announced it was imposing 50% tariffs on $20B worth of Canadian goods.

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