Amber Carter
@ambs1876.bsky.social
Living the best life going on adventures with my best friend Jacob and our two boys. Audience Engagement Director at The Maine Monitor. Tweets and opinions are my own.
Reposted by Amber Carter
Homeowners may see costs associated with installing and running a #heatpump rise in 2026, particularly as #electricity rates climb. Average electricity prices in #Maine increased at the third-highest rate over the 10 years, an analysis by The Monitor found. Read more from @juliatilton.bsky.social 👇
As tax credits expire, how will heat pump costs change in Maine?
Federal clean energy incentives are expiring on Dec. 31. But homeowners will still have access to Efficiency Maine rebates.
themainemonitor.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Homeowners may see costs associated with installing and running a #heatpump rise in 2026, particularly as #electricity rates climb. Average electricity prices in #Maine increased at the third-highest rate over the 10 years, an analysis by The Monitor found. Read more from @juliatilton.bsky.social 👇
Reposted by Amber Carter
Maine’s flagship university is undergoing a planning process that’s left some uneasy about cuts and transparency. Read more for free on how this affects the University of #Maine system from @krstnimg.bsky.social at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/umaine-reenv...
themainemonitor.org/umaine-reenv...
UMaine is re-envisioning its future. Faculty concerns are ‘palpable’
Maine’s flagship university is undergoing a planning process that’s left some uneasy about cuts and transparency.
themainemonitor.org
December 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Maine’s flagship university is undergoing a planning process that’s left some uneasy about cuts and transparency. Read more for free on how this affects the University of #Maine system from @krstnimg.bsky.social at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/umaine-reenv...
themainemonitor.org/umaine-reenv...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Property #taxes have been the subject of some of the biggest local political battles in #Maine, but have hit people far differently across the state. Read more for free on how this impacts tax payers in the state below.
Here’s where property taxes are hitting Mainers the hardest
Property taxes have been the subject of Maine’s biggest local political battles of the last year, but they hit people far differently.
themainemonitor.org
December 12, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Amber Carter
Last year, at least one in 10 students was #homeschooled in more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern #Maine. Reporter Sean Scott sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss the rise in homeschool co-ops.
December 12, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Last year, at least one in 10 students was #homeschooled in more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern #Maine. Reporter Sean Scott sits down with @newscentersmaine.bsky.social to discuss the rise in homeschool co-ops.
Reposted by Amber Carter
Join the Maine Monitor in Bangor, #Maine on Saturday, December 13th, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival at the Bangor Public Library. Come see us at our table to talk about local #journalism!
bangorauthorsfair.org
bangorauthorsfair.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Join the Maine Monitor in Bangor, #Maine on Saturday, December 13th, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the Bangor Authors’ Book Fair & Literary Festival at the Bangor Public Library. Come see us at our table to talk about local #journalism!
bangorauthorsfair.org
bangorauthorsfair.org
Reposted by Amber Carter
The University of #Maine recently asked all of its colleges and other divisions to shave their budgets by 7% to address an $18 million budget shortfall projected for the next fiscal year. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/umaine-asks-...
themainemonitor.org/umaine-asks-...
UMaine asks departments to cut 7 percent
Maine’s flagship public university is cutting budgets across campus in anticipation of an $18 million shortfall.
themainemonitor.org
December 11, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The University of #Maine recently asked all of its colleges and other divisions to shave their budgets by 7% to address an $18 million budget shortfall projected for the next fiscal year. Read more from @krstnimg.bsky.social for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/umaine-asks-...
themainemonitor.org/umaine-asks-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
#Maine has the oldest electorate in the country. It’s also home to one of the highest-profile races of the 2026 midterms. Read more from our partners at @notus.com at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/aging-electo...
themainemonitor.org/aging-electo...
Aging electorate will play a big role in some of 2026’s biggest races
Retirees make up a large swath of the electorate in competitive races in Maine and North Carolina.
themainemonitor.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:39 PM
#Maine has the oldest electorate in the country. It’s also home to one of the highest-profile races of the 2026 midterms. Read more from our partners at @notus.com at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/aging-electo...
themainemonitor.org/aging-electo...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The Democratic National Committee released ads Thursday morning targeting Sen. Susan Collins over health care, its first round of Senate campaign ads this cycle. Read more for free from our DC correspondent in partnership with @notus.com.
themainemonitor.org/dnc-targets-...
themainemonitor.org/dnc-targets-...
DNC targets Susan Collins with new ACA ads
The Democratic National Committee is launching its first Senate ads for the 2026 campaign cycle with a buy in Maine.
themainemonitor.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:26 PM
The Democratic National Committee released ads Thursday morning targeting Sen. Susan Collins over health care, its first round of Senate campaign ads this cycle. Read more for free from our DC correspondent in partnership with @notus.com.
themainemonitor.org/dnc-targets-...
themainemonitor.org/dnc-targets-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
A third Maine school district decided Tuesday to keep fighting a state #lawsuit over #transgender policies at a raucous meeting that was tinged with religious debate.
RSU 24 leaves transgender policy in place despite lawsuit
The vote in the Down East school district followed a long and tense public comment period marked by frequent religious appeals on both sides.
themainemonitor.org
December 11, 2025 at 2:28 PM
A third Maine school district decided Tuesday to keep fighting a state #lawsuit over #transgender policies at a raucous meeting that was tinged with religious debate.
Reposted by Amber Carter
The number of #Maine children who are #homeschooled has jumped since the pandemic, growing from 3.6% in the 2019-20 school year to 6.4% in 2024-25, according to a Monitor analysis. Last year, at least one in 10 students was homeschooled in more than 50 school districts. Read more for free 👇
Homeschooling is growing in Maine
Last year, at least one in 10 students was homeschooled in more than 50 school districts, largely in central and northern Maine.
themainemonitor.org
December 10, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The number of #Maine children who are #homeschooled has jumped since the pandemic, growing from 3.6% in the 2019-20 school year to 6.4% in 2024-25, according to a Monitor analysis. Last year, at least one in 10 students was homeschooled in more than 50 school districts. Read more for free 👇
Reposted by Amber Carter
We are being challenged to get 100 new members by midnight on 12/11 and we will unlock a bonus match of $4,500 thanks to some of our members and the Newsmatch Fund! Will you make a membership gift — of any size — and help us unlock this incredible match?
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
December 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
We are being challenged to get 100 new members by midnight on 12/11 and we will unlock a bonus match of $4,500 thanks to some of our members and the Newsmatch Fund! Will you make a membership gift — of any size — and help us unlock this incredible match?
themainemonitor.org/donate/
themainemonitor.org/donate/
Reposted by Amber Carter
Communities in #Maine have had to rethink their approach as Mainers faced soaring rent and home prices over the last five years. The growing #housing crisis has put pressure on municipalities to ramp up production, but rising construction costs made building difficult since the pandemic. Read more 👇
How are housing authorities in Maine shaping new development?
Some communities are looking to recent projects in Bath as an example of how to address the affordable housing crisis.
themainemonitor.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Communities in #Maine have had to rethink their approach as Mainers faced soaring rent and home prices over the last five years. The growing #housing crisis has put pressure on municipalities to ramp up production, but rising construction costs made building difficult since the pandemic. Read more 👇
Reposted by Amber Carter
Republican House candidate Paul LePage said he will emphasize trans-student-athlete policy in his campaign, and Sen. Susan Collins signed onto a petition related to the issue. Read more from our D.C. correspondent for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/trans-rights...
themainemonitor.org/trans-rights...
The debate over trans rights is heating up in Maine
Paul LePage will emphasize trans-student-athlete policy in his campaign, and Susan Collins signed onto a petition related to the issue.
themainemonitor.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Republican House candidate Paul LePage said he will emphasize trans-student-athlete policy in his campaign, and Sen. Susan Collins signed onto a petition related to the issue. Read more from our D.C. correspondent for free at the link below.
themainemonitor.org/trans-rights...
themainemonitor.org/trans-rights...
Reposted by Amber Carter
As #abortion providers in #Maine face major funding cuts, staff from reproductive rights organizations are concerned that more women may turn to crisis #pregnancy centers, unaware of what these facilities are. Read more for free 👇👇
themainemonitor.org/reproductive...
themainemonitor.org/reproductive...
Reproductive health providers worry about crisis pregnancy centers
The centers aren’t bound to the same oversight as doctor's offices and are often connected to religious organizations that oppose abortion.
themainemonitor.org
December 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
As #abortion providers in #Maine face major funding cuts, staff from reproductive rights organizations are concerned that more women may turn to crisis #pregnancy centers, unaware of what these facilities are. Read more for free 👇👇
themainemonitor.org/reproductive...
themainemonitor.org/reproductive...
Reposted by Amber Carter
School boards that have bucked Maine’s legal protections for #transgender students are making quick decisions after a #Maine regulator filed a lawsuit against five of them last month.
themainemonitor.org/school-board...
themainemonitor.org/school-board...
School boards scramble amid lawsuit over transgender policies
The debate centers on Title IX, which bars sex discrimination by schools receiving federal money.
themainemonitor.org
December 5, 2025 at 3:28 PM
School boards that have bucked Maine’s legal protections for #transgender students are making quick decisions after a #Maine regulator filed a lawsuit against five of them last month.
themainemonitor.org/school-board...
themainemonitor.org/school-board...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The Department of Defense has pushed back the timeline to mitigate #PFAS at more than 100 military installations. #Maine is home to 13 active Superfund sites, several of which have languished on the list for decades. Read more for free 👇
themainemonitor.org/superfund-cu...
themainemonitor.org/superfund-cu...
What Superfund cuts and PFAS cleanup delays could mean
The Department of Defense has quietly pushed back the timeline to mitigate “forever chemicals” at former military grounds in Maine.
themainemonitor.org
December 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The Department of Defense has pushed back the timeline to mitigate #PFAS at more than 100 military installations. #Maine is home to 13 active Superfund sites, several of which have languished on the list for decades. Read more for free 👇
themainemonitor.org/superfund-cu...
themainemonitor.org/superfund-cu...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Around #Maine, people gather to talk about the kind of death they want for loved ones and themselves. Death cafes are not support groups but guided discussions where people can ask questions, share concerns and make plans for the future. Read more for free 👇
themainemonitor.org/death-cafes-...
themainemonitor.org/death-cafes-...
December 5, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Around #Maine, people gather to talk about the kind of death they want for loved ones and themselves. Death cafes are not support groups but guided discussions where people can ask questions, share concerns and make plans for the future. Read more for free 👇
themainemonitor.org/death-cafes-...
themainemonitor.org/death-cafes-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
The Norway #Maine select board awarded a $50K grant to @lightsoutgallery.bsky.social to support the gallery’s youth programs. @sipedan.bsky.social, co-founder of Lights Out, said the program has offered youth programs for a few years, but struggled to meet demand.
themainemonitor.org/norway-town-...
themainemonitor.org/norway-town-...
December 4, 2025 at 3:28 PM
The Norway #Maine select board awarded a $50K grant to @lightsoutgallery.bsky.social to support the gallery’s youth programs. @sipedan.bsky.social, co-founder of Lights Out, said the program has offered youth programs for a few years, but struggled to meet demand.
themainemonitor.org/norway-town-...
themainemonitor.org/norway-town-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Energy affordability — under mounting stress chiefly from rising electricity prices — will be a litmus test for most any climate policy or spending decisions. Story courtesy of @themainemonitor.org
Maine lawmakers outline competing visions for energy policy, agree affordability is key
Energy affordability — under mounting stress chiefly from rising electricity prices — will be a litmus test for most any climate policy or spending decisions.
www.wabi.tv
December 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Energy affordability — under mounting stress chiefly from rising electricity prices — will be a litmus test for most any climate policy or spending decisions. Story courtesy of @themainemonitor.org
Reposted by Amber Carter
Many towns across Washington County are set to meet in the coming weeks to vote on plans to prepay their share of the county’s outstanding 2025 debt to avoid higher taxes in 2026. Others are refusing to do so. Story courtesy of @themainemonitor.org
Time is running out for Washington County towns to come up with prepayment plans
Washington County Manager Renée Gray says ‘it’s time to put the pitchforks away’ and work together to dig out from the county’s $8 million debt.
www.wabi.tv
December 2, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Many towns across Washington County are set to meet in the coming weeks to vote on plans to prepay their share of the county’s outstanding 2025 debt to avoid higher taxes in 2026. Others are refusing to do so. Story courtesy of @themainemonitor.org
Reposted by Amber Carter
For today's Climate Monitor, I wrote about two entrepreneurs who are using Maine seaweed as a substitute for plastic.
Check it out, here: themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Check it out, here: themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Maine entrepreneurs see big potential in seaweed
One business wants to use kelp to replace the plastic film on detergent pods. Another is creating an alternative to plastic twine.
themainemonitor.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:17 PM
For today's Climate Monitor, I wrote about two entrepreneurs who are using Maine seaweed as a substitute for plastic.
Check it out, here: themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Check it out, here: themainemonitor.org/entrepreneur...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Today for the Maine Monitor. I wondered why the foliage here in Maine this year has left something to be desired. Drought has played a role.
themainemonitor.org/fall-colors-...
themainemonitor.org/fall-colors-...
Why fall colors are less vibrant this year
Drought across Maine led to duller leaves that dropped earlier.
themainemonitor.org
October 31, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Today for the Maine Monitor. I wondered why the foliage here in Maine this year has left something to be desired. Drought has played a role.
themainemonitor.org/fall-colors-...
themainemonitor.org/fall-colors-...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Last week for the Maine Monitor. Green crabs are an invasive species along the coast. I spoke with entrepreneurs who see an opportunity to use them for crop fertilizer and seafood dishes.
themainemonitor.org/green-crab-p...
themainemonitor.org/green-crab-p...
Some see opportunity amid Maine's green crab problem
A former farmer grinds invasive green crabs into fertilizer. A Cambodian food incubator is incorporating them into seafood dishes.
themainemonitor.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Last week for the Maine Monitor. Green crabs are an invasive species along the coast. I spoke with entrepreneurs who see an opportunity to use them for crop fertilizer and seafood dishes.
themainemonitor.org/green-crab-p...
themainemonitor.org/green-crab-p...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Friday for the Maine Monitor. Forest carbon credits are gaining traction in Maine, but some worry the market is inaccessible for small landowners.
I wrote about one startup trying to change that by measuring trees from the sky instead of the ground.
themainemonitor.org/how-does-for...
I wrote about one startup trying to change that by measuring trees from the sky instead of the ground.
themainemonitor.org/how-does-for...
How does Maine’s forest carbon credit market work?
As carbon credits gain traction, efforts are underway in Maine to help small family forest landowners participate.
themainemonitor.org
September 14, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Friday for the Maine Monitor. Forest carbon credits are gaining traction in Maine, but some worry the market is inaccessible for small landowners.
I wrote about one startup trying to change that by measuring trees from the sky instead of the ground.
themainemonitor.org/how-does-for...
I wrote about one startup trying to change that by measuring trees from the sky instead of the ground.
themainemonitor.org/how-does-for...
Reposted by Amber Carter
Friday for the Maine Monitor. Pumped storage hydropower could soon be coming to Maine. It would be the fourth such energy facility in New England and the first in Maine. I wrote about how the so-called "water battery" will work, and where it will go:
themainemonitor.org/water-batter...
themainemonitor.org/water-batter...
"Water battery" proposed in western Maine
A primary goal is to boost resilience by putting power onto the grid at times when other renewable resources aren’t generating electricity.
themainemonitor.org
August 25, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Friday for the Maine Monitor. Pumped storage hydropower could soon be coming to Maine. It would be the fourth such energy facility in New England and the first in Maine. I wrote about how the so-called "water battery" will work, and where it will go:
themainemonitor.org/water-batter...
themainemonitor.org/water-batter...