Many people were busy this week planting trees or other land-based plants in celebration of Earth Day. Earth Day comes at a time of year when the snow (hopefully) has melted and the ground has thawed enough to do some planting and to uncover dormant plants to prepare for warmer weather. But spring isn’t just […]
environment
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
Farmers angry over federal funding cuts rally at Maine State House
They showed up, on their tractors, to protest millions in cuts to federal grants, canceled support for school lunches and the termination of 20% of USDA workers who support Maine’s farmers.
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Posted inLocal & State, News
Lawmakers consider $10M bailout for Fairfield water crisis
A bill would expand the public water system to Fairfield residents whose private wells have been contaminated by toxic forever chemicals from the state’s former agricultural sludge-spreading program.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Politics
More than $100M sought to help Maine prepare for winter storms, climate change
A $34.5 million bill would fund home resiliency grants statewide, and a $75 million bond would invest in coastal resilience projects.
Posted inLocal & State, News, Sports
Athletes, environmentalists debate proposed statewide ban on artificial turf fields in Maine
The potential 3-year ban would allow for a state study of the environmental and health effects of synthetic turf fields.
Posted inLocal & State, News
White sharks make frequent visits to Maine’s coastal waters, new data reveals
But most white sharks tracked during a new study only hung out for about 15 minutes at Maine’s most popular sandy beaches before moving on, and the number of shark visits is still low compared to hotspots like Cape Cod.
Posted inHealth, Local & State, News
Seasonal allergies getting worse? Blame climate change.
As temperatures rise, plants produce more pollen over a longer period of time. But locally collected pollen counts are on the way to help Mainers with seasonal allergies navigate the worst of the sneeze season.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine moving forward with budworm control, but funding delay will limit spray area
After the Legislature failed to pass $2 million in emergency funding, spraying this spring will cover only about 85% of the area threatened by the forest pest.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine Climate Council says it’s ‘not all doom and gloom’ amid concerns about federal cuts
The council working to achieve state goals to reduce climate change emissions says it is still on track despite some funding disruptions.
Posted inLocal & State, News
Maine butterfly species among those experiencing fastest declines
A new study compiling butterfly surveys across the country found a 22% overall decline, while seven species found in Maine declined by more than 50%.