Crime/Public Safety/Drugs
Frey, Others Sue Trump Administration for Mental Health Funding Cuts
(Augusta) Maine Attorney General Frey joined a coalition of 16 state attorneys general this week in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education for illegally cutting congressionally approved funding for mental health programs in K-12 schools. Following the Uvalde school shooting that left 19 students and 2 teachers dead, a bipartisan Congress appropriated a billion dollars to permanently bring 14K mental health professionals into schools where they were most needed. In April this year, the DOE sent notices claiming those grants conflicted with the Trump Administration’s priorities and funding would be discontinued. The AGs are asking a federal judge to rule the funding cuts are illegal and are seeking an immediate injunction.
Camden Man Faces Multiple Charges After Assaulting Officer in Belfast
(Belfast) A Camden man faces numerous charges, including OUI, after he reportedly assaulted an officer yesterday in Belfast. Police Chief Robert Cormier tells Star 97.7, police received several reports Tuesday of a person driving erratically, striking a building, and then fleeing the scene. Officers were able to stop 41 yo Michael Baily at Spring and Front Streets, but the man reportedly assaulted one of the officers and tried to kick out the rear window of a patrol vehicle. In addition to OUI Habitual Offender, Baily is charged with Assaulting a Police Officer, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and other charges. The officer who was attacked was treated for minor injuries. The suspect is being held in the Waldo County Jail pending an August arraignment.
Hannaford Security Breach
(Maine) 95,000 Mainers – more than 2.2 million people altogether, were affected by a cybersecurity breach that impacted IT systems at Hannaford last November. WMTW reports Hannaford’s parent company last week sent notices to customers and employees detailing how they may have been affected and what steps Hannaford is taking moving forward. The breach allowed hackers to access such personal information as names, home and email addresses, Social Security, license, and bank account numbers and workers’ comp information. Affected individuals are being offered credit monitoring and identity protection services.
Local Politics
Maine’s Delegation Responds to Senate Passage of Budget Bill
(Augusta) Maine’s political leaders yesterday responded to the Senate’s passing of President Trump’s budget bill that will cut Medicaid and food programs and add $3T to the federal deficit. Governor Janet Mills said while the President campaigned on bringing down the cost of living, the legislation finances massive tax cuts for the wealthy on the backs of everyday Mainers and does nothing to bring down the cost of groceries, cars, materials, and other everyday goods. Senator Angus King called it a “regressive and downright cruel” tax bill that will significantly harm Maine people”, and Senator Susan Collins, one of just three Republicans to vote against the bill, said her vote was primarily because of the harmful impact it will have on Medicaid, affecting low-income families and rural healthcare providers like hospitals and nursing homes. The bill now goes to the House.
(Augusta) The Senate yesterday was evenly split on President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” that cuts programs for low income earners, includes devastating cuts to Medicaid, and will add $3T to the federal deficit. The bill passed 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie breaker. Trump’s one-time ally Elon Musk railed against the legislation, calling it a “disgusting abomination” and vowing to defeat Republicans who voted for the bill. Senator Susan Collins was one of just three Republican Senators to vote against the bill, citing cuts to Medicaid that will affect thousands of Mainers, including about 40% of the population in Washington and two other counties. Governor Janet Mills and Independent Senator Angus King also issued statements noting 60,000 Mainers will lose health insurance and 30,000 will lose food assistance. The bill now goes to the House.
Political Ad Spending Soars
(Undated) Political ad spending topped $721M in the first half of 2025. To compare just how much “money talks” in politics these days, during the last off-years in 2021 and 2023, $825M was spent during those entire years, according to Inside Audio Marketing. New York’s $36.8M mayoral primary last week helped propel a relative unknown, State Representative Zohran Mamdani, past former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Economy
Magic Food Bus 2025
(Blue Hill) Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville … the Magic Food Bus is turning 15, and it’s headed your way! Castine, Deer Isle, Penobscot, – the caravan of volunteers will be bringing free local produce and books to everyone in your towns, as well! Sedgwick, Stonington and Surry, too! Every Thursday and Friday through the end of September, Healthy Peninsula’s Magic Food Bus delivers, with a traveling farm stand and mobile library – no registration or income details required. In 2024, the “bus” regularly served over 200 individuals each week, distributing more than 4600 pounds of fresh, local produce. For a schedule of stops, visit healthy peninsula dot org. or check it out on my FB page.
Coastal Counties Workforce Receives USDOL Grant
(Brunswick) Coastal Counties Workforce, a Brunswick-based nonprofit, provides retraining and skills development for laid off workers in Knox, Waldo, Lincoln, and three other counties. MaineBiz reports the US Department of Labor has awarded CCW a $2M grant to support the nearly 1200 Maine workers affected by layoffs and business closures. Since 2000, the agency has supplied training services to more than 31K workers in coastal Maine communities.
Zero Energy Homes Builds Demo Home in Searsport
(Searsport) Zero Energy Homes is out to prove modular construction combined with “net zero energy” principles can be priced for the affordable homes market. They’re on the cusp of completing a demo home in Searsport and are looking for a site to manufacture the homes in a region defined by Ellsworth, Belfast, and Brewer. A building that operates at net zero energy generates as much power as it uses and can result in low-to-no utility costs, according to a press release from the company. MaineBiz reports the goal is to build 50 to 60 homes per year once the facility is up and running.
Education
July at the Planetarium
(Orono) (SFX Moon 1) Who can forget that historic day, July 20th, 1969, when Apollo 11 landed the first men on the moon? So, of course, Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center, tells Star 97.7, this month’s programming at the Planetarium is all about the moon. (((JulyAstro 1 “…and possibly go onward to Mars, as well.” :13))) That’s Friday nights at 7 in July. Tickets at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) (Sfx Moon 2) It was 56 years ago on July 20th, 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module set down on the moon. Shawn Laatsch, Director of the Versant Power Astronomy Center tells Star 97.7, July programming at the Planetarium celebrates all things moon. (((JulyAstro 2 “…one of those classic albums that we like to celebrate.” :18))). The planetarium is located on the University of Maine campus in Orono, and information and tickets are available at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
(Orono) Beat the heat and take the kids to some of the coolest summer programming around – the weekday matinees at the Versant Power Astronomy Center on the UMaine campus in Orono. Director Shawn Laatsch gives Star 97.7 listeners a taste of what’s coming up in their 2 p.m. matinees starting with today’s show … (((JulyAstro 3 “…and always something new to see.” :15))). Summer matinees Monday/Wednesday/Friday at 2. Tickets only $7 for adults, $5 for kids under 12 – they’re available at the door or at astro dot u maine dot e d u.
Environment
Brookfield Dam Site Fish Kills
(Ellsworth) Fish kills reportedly continue to be an issue at Brookfield’s Ellsworth dam on the Union River. One resident reports observing fish kills at the dam for ten years, reporting the issue to both Brookfield and to federal and state regulatory agencies, with, he says, little to no action taken. Most recently, a report of a major fish kill on June 6th prompted the filing of a citizens’ report on the problem. A separate kill on June 7th was self-reported by Brookfield, after they reportedly received notice from residents who observed some dead adult alewives in the vicinity of the Ellsworth Harbor Marina that morning. Advocates say Brookfield is not achieving the legally required balance between energy production and environmental protection and urge further observation and reports from citizens, submitted when possible with time stamped photos and other evidence demanding regulatory solutions.
Infrastructure
Versant Offers Update on Integrated Grid Planning
(Bangor) Knowledge is power – and it sure beats hearsay. When it comes to power, get the facts at Versant Power’s upcoming virtual grid planning work update. That’s Thursday, July 10th at 11:30 a.m. Learn about and offer feedback on how the company is planning for future grid needs. To join the virtual presentation, RSVP to grid and climate at versant power dot com.
Human Interest/Entertainment
May Pang to Appear at SW Harbor Exhibit
(SW Harbor) Few people knew John Lennon as intimately as May Pang, Lennon’s lover during the infamous “Lost Weekend”, which lasted 18 months in the mid 1970s. During the highly creative time, Pang took candid photos of Lennon in a comfortable, relaxed environment. You can meet May Pang and see a collection of those private photographs this month right here in Downeast Maine. They’ll be on display and for sale at Cygnet Gallery in SW Harbor Friday July 25th through Sunday, the 27th. The three-day exhibition, which Ms. Pang will attend, is free and will be open 12 to 7 Friday and Saturday, 12 to 4 on Sunday.
Changing Populations
(WaPo) Immigration is certainly “moving” conversations these days. The Washington Post reports immigration is driving US population growth, helping to offset a broader demographic shift as Baby Boomers age and births decline. Census data released last week shows that between 2020 and 2024, Hancock County’s Hispanic population grew by 15%, its Asian population by 21% and the non-Hispanic white population by just 1%. Washington County’s Hispanic population grew by 40%, Asian 31%, and non-Hispanic white dropped a percent. Penobscot County’s figures were similar at 39% Hispanic, 23% Asian, and a 2% growth in non-white Hispanic. There are more older adults than children in nearly half of US counties, with the pattern particularly strong in rural areas. Eleven states, including Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, had more older adults than children in 2024. In 2020, there were only three such states.