AGP Executive Report

NIH-Funded Rural Research: MaineHealth won a five-year, $13.2M NIH COBRE grant to expand acute-care research and its rural health network, backing early-career clinician-scientists and upgrades to data and lab capacity. AI & Youth Perspective: A Girls Who Code CEO argues the most discerning voices in the AI debate are teen girls, citing their stronger focus on privacy, safety, testing, and harm avoidance. Transportation Tech, Maine Style: Maine E-ZPass added $20 sticker tags featuring local teams (Portland Hearts of Pine, Portland Sea Dogs, and Red Sox logos), with proceeds supporting the Hearts of Pine Foundation. Public Health Access Watch: SNAP enrollment in Maine dropped by nearly 23,000 (about 13%) after federal eligibility changes, including almost 7,000 children. Energy Policy Gap: States are moving ahead on balcony “plug-in” solar, but safety standards and legal clarity still lag behind the fast rollout. Defense Materials Supply: Elmet Technologies landed a ~$36M DLA contract for molybdenum and tungsten alloys and precision wire for the National Defense Stockpile. Construction Productivity: New research finds multiskilled construction crews can cut completion time by about 30% on multi-trade projects. Coastal Restoration: South Portland used 200+ Christmas trees to help rebuild storm-eroded dunes at Willard Beach, with vegetation returning in some areas. MaineHealth Staffing: Pen Bay Hospital welcomed a new CRNA, Richard Grunke, DNP, to its anesthesia department.

PFAS Policy: A bipartisan Senate push would ban manufacturers from intentionally adding PFAS to food packaging, with a start date of Jan. 1, 2028. Broadband Funding: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Susan Collins (plus Angus King and others) urged the Commerce Department to release long-delayed guidance on how states can use “non-deployment” funds from the $42B broadband program. Maine Health Tech: MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital added a pediatric casting clinic using serial casting and bracing to help kids with toe walking and limited ankle mobility. Water Monitoring Startup: Portland’s Bluesonde Technologies is raising $1.74M to scale up buoy-based water monitoring across Maine and beyond. Outdoor STEM in Maine: The Libra Foundation is investing $1.3M over two years to expand UMaine Extension’s Maine Outdoor School for All. Coastal Planning: Portland held its first waterfront summit at GMRI to map sea-level rise impacts and plan adaptation strategies. Education Funding Fight: Maine’s Susan Collins again challenged Trump’s move to cancel appropriated education funds as unlawful.

Energy & Cost of Living: A record hot summer met soaring bills, with utilities cutting power to 173,598 households across 10 states in July—up 28% from a year earlier—leaving families rationing essentials or going without cooling. Maine Policy: Republican gubernatorial candidate Bobby Charles wants to tap $207M from Maine’s rainy day fund to blunt heating and fuel costs, including suspending the gas tax and boosting LIHEAP. Broadband: Senators including Susan Collins and Angus King are pressing the Commerce Department to clarify how states can use “non-deployment” broadband funds for long-term success. Maine Research & STEM: UMaine is partnering with NASA on a Maine Space Grant, while UMaine Extension is set to host a greenhouse technology webinar for growers. Ocean & Climate Tech: Maine’s Cold Current Kelp is headed to “Shark Tank,” and UMaine snowpack monitoring work is expanding with an NSF-backed network. Health & Mobility: MaineHealth’s pediatric casting clinic is bringing serial casting and bracing to help kids with toe walking and limited ankle flexibility. Tech & Privacy: Lowell, MA is weighing whether to pause Flock ALPR surveillance while it evaluates privacy and safety tradeoffs.

Maine Blue Economy Week: Gulf of Maine Research Institute, UMaine, Bigelow Laboratory and Northeastern’s Roux Institute host Sept. 30–Oct. 2 events on ocean innovation, investment, workforce and commercialization. Local Infrastructure: Cumberland approved $12,000 for preliminary design and engineering of the Casco Bay Trail, using the former Berlin Subdivision corridor as a “trail-until-rail” bike/ped route. Health & Development: MaineHealth’s pediatric casting clinic in Rockport is expanding access to serial casting and bracing for toe-walking and limited ankle mobility. Research & Climate Resilience: UMaine Farmington researchers received NSF support to help build a Western Maine snowpack monitoring network under the Snow STORE effort. Water Safety: Anson-Madison Water District paused fluoridation after excess fluoride triggered a systemwide “do not drink” order while officials investigate a chemical feed malfunction. Rare Marine Science: The University of New England in Biddeford received “Casper,” a 1-in-100-million white “ghost” lobster donated for genetics and pigment research. Policy Watch: A California PFAS pesticide disclosure law requires tracking and public reporting of PFAS-containing products—an example Maine regulators may watch as “forever chemicals” scrutiny grows.

Prison Due Process: Maine’s Department of Corrections is keeping a decades-old disciplinary policy that lets staff punish incarcerated people before and even without a guilt finding, arguing safety can’t wait for slower formal proceedings. Cybersecurity for Water: New Hampshire officials warned Portsmouth that cyberattacks on water systems are rising, urging utilities to be ready to switch to manual operations if automation is disrupted. Space & Research in Maine: UMaine is partnering with NASA through the Maine Space Grant, backing student projects including PFAS and warming impacts on lobster research. Tribal Land Return: The Penobscot Nation reclaimed 11,297 acres near Katahdin as part of a larger land-return effort, with UMaine community members weighing in on impacts. Maine Data Centers: Bucksport is considering a temporary data-center moratorium after reports a developer visited the former mill site, as towns try to balance tax hopes with new rules. Rare Marine Science: A “ghost lobster” named Casper—white due to missing pigment proteins—has been brought to UNE to help decode lobster color genetics. Health Funding Fight: The Trump administration’s “pocket rescission” would cancel $810M in education and health-related spending, drawing backlash from Maine’s Susan Collins and others as potentially unlawful.

Federal Research Funding Under Fire: Maine’s research community is feeling the chill as lawmakers and the White House clash over NIH and biomedical grant oversight, with critics warning the fight isn’t over. AI Policy Push in Maine Politics: A new $1M+ ad push backs GOP Senate candidates’ AI-safeguard positions, putting Susan Collins in the spotlight as AI regulation becomes a campaign issue. PFAS in Food Packaging: Sen. Maggie Hassan is reviving a bill to ban PFAS “forever chemicals” from New Hampshire food wrappers, aiming to curb grease-resistant packaging that can persist in people and the environment. Maine Climate & Water Watch: Storm impacts and ongoing algae-bloom concerns keep coastal and shellfish areas on alert, with officials tracking conditions that can disrupt harvests and safety. Public Safety Tech Scrutiny: Lowell’s debate over Flock license-plate cameras highlights growing pressure on surveillance tech and data retention practices. Road Safety Outlier: A national traffic-deaths report flags Maine as stubbornly high despite improvements elsewhere, pointing to riskier driving decisions post-pandemic. Space & STEM in Maine: Challenger Center’s next generation of astronauts is gearing up for launches, keeping local STEM momentum going.

Federal Funding Fight: Maine Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins blasted President Trump’s move to cancel nearly $1B in congressionally approved spending via a “pocket rescission,” arguing it violates Congress’s power of the purse and targets programs tied to immigration services, education, health research, housing counseling, and minority business support. PFAS in Food Packaging: Sen. Maggie Hassan revived a push to ban PFAS “forever chemicals” from food wrappers and packaging, citing health risks and the chemicals’ persistence in people and the environment. AI, Labor, and Maine’s Economy: A report on unions confronting AI highlights how shipyard workers at Bath Iron Works are demanding earlier transparency on AI and robotics changes—an issue that could shape jobs and training in Maine’s defense manufacturing. Public Safety: A TRIP analysis says traffic deaths are falling nationwide, but Maine remains an outlier with stubbornly high fatalities. Wildlife & Climate Signals: Scientists report worsening osprey breeding outcomes along the East Coast, with Maine researchers also spotlighting local wildlife and conservation efforts. Maine Tech & Privacy: Lowell’s council voted to indefinitely suspend Flock automated license-plate surveillance while it reviews data use and auditing. Rare Marine Science: A “ghost” white lobster, Casper (about 1 in 100 million), arrived at a Maine research center for genetics work on unusual shell colors.

Federal Budget Fight: President Trump’s “pocket rescission” move would cancel nearly $1B in congressionally approved spending, with lawmakers calling it unlawful and warning Congress can’t be bypassed—sparking backlash over cuts tied to immigration, education, housing, minority business support, and HHS research. Maine Research & Environment: A rare white “ghost” lobster, Casper (about 1-in-100-million), has arrived at the University of New England for genetic research into unusual shell colors. Clean Energy at the Coast: National Audubon’s Hog Island Audubon Camp launched Maine’s first fully electric passenger boat, using a refurbished pontoon and electric outboard to move people and supplies for coastal research. Local Tech for Winter: Maine mini-split owners are weighing how well cold-climate heat pumps handle subzero winters on their own. Wildlife Policy: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revised Canada lynx critical habitat in the West, shrinking the designation while keeping Maine unchanged. STEM in Maine: UMaine researchers are turning discarded lobster shells into golf tees designed to break down faster than plastic.

Marine Genetics in Maine: A rare white “ghost” lobster, Casper (about 1 in 100 million), has arrived at the University of New England’s Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center in Biddeford, where researchers will study the genetics behind unusual shell colors. Wildlife Policy: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revised Canada lynx critical habitat in the lower 48, cutting about 32% in the West while leaving Maine’s eastern-range habitat unchanged. Clean Energy at Sea: National Audubon’s Hog Island Audubon Camp in Bremen launched Maine’s first fully electric passenger boat, using a 20-kilowatt electric outboard to shuttle people and supplies during the April–October season. Local Science & Nature Education: Merryspring Nature Center will host Maine black bear biologist Caitlin Drasher on Oct. 6 to discuss bear ecology, safety, and the state’s long-running research program. Workforce Training: A $5M SBA grant expands no-cost manufacturing classes at three Maine community colleges, aiming to feed hiring needs in fabrication, machining, welding, and related trades. Health & Environment: Maine’s Gulf of Maine algal bloom continues to disrupt shellfish areas, and a nor’easter could help break it up—though experts are watching for possible rebound. Elections & Tech Safety: Maine’s secretary of state warned voters about lookalike election websites and AI-made scams, urging use of official .gov pages.

UMaine Materials for Sustainability: University of Maine researchers are turning discarded lobster shells into biodegradable golf tees, injection-molded from shell powder and designed to break down in about a month while potentially improving soil. Workforce Training: A new $5M SBA grant expands Maine community college manufacturing classes, aiming to boost short-term training in fabrication, machining, welding, and quality assurance. Coastal Science & Food Supply: A Karenia mikimotoi algae bloom has triggered Midcoast shellfish closures in places like Maquoit Bay and Middle Bay, with officials watching for more as the bloom shifts. Public Health Policy: Maine’s Secretary of State warns voters about misleading election websites, stressing that official resources use “.gov” and that personal data should not be entered on lookalike sites. Space Tech: Planet’s Pelican-12 satellite has arrived at Cape Canaveral ahead of a SpaceX rideshare launch, continuing upgrades to Earth-imaging and communications. Election Tech Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows states to use the revamped SAVE voter eligibility database, though Maine says it won’t change its approach. Local Governance: Kingfield residents are weighing whether to withdraw from MSAD 58 in a Nov. 3 vote, with school facilities and costs driving debate.

Education & Youth Support: RSU 14’s Windham High School expanded its BARR program district-wide, reporting higher attendance, more student involvement, and fewer failures and behavior incidents by focusing on relationship-building. STEM & Health Research: Vermont State University students are getting hands-on Lyme disease work, including a CRISPR-based approach to detect tick-borne pathogens. Maine Science in the Spotlight: Maine’s Challenger Learning Center hosted a STEM event for future astronauts, featuring local astronaut Jessica Meir. Public Health & Diagnostics: The CDC reports the U.S. late stillbirth rate fell 3% in 2024, but racial disparities remain stark. Election Security: Maine’s secretary of state warned voters about misleading election information sites that mimic official pages and may collect personal data. Transportation Safety: Maine State Police arrested an Augusta woman tied to a January crash that killed two MaineDOT workers in Waterville. NIH Funding Politics: The White House appears to be backing away from a plan to let political appointees veto NIH grants after pushback led by Sen. Susan Collins. Climate & Resilience: Maine DOE announced regional gatherings to help schools plan sustainability and resiliency actions.

AI Safety Push: Wisconsin and other state attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents involving AI agents escaping testing and causing cyber harm. Data Center Backlash: Maryland signed an executive order creating a statewide review framework for large data centers, while Maine-linked concerns continue over proposals that could strain power and water. FDA Confirmation Fight: Trump’s FDA nominee Heidi Overton told senators the MMR vaccine is “safe and effective” and “not lethal,” even as lawmakers press on vaccine schedules, flavored vapes, and abortion-related questions. Maine Infrastructure: MaineDOT will switch to conventional steel girders for the Stillwater River bridge replacement in Old Town after the August collapse, while the investigation continues. Local Tech & Health: Maine’s Alzheimer’s Association chapter kicks off its 2026 Walk season, and the FDA approved a once-weekly basal insulin for type 2 diabetes. Marine Science: UMaine researchers are turning discarded lobster shells into golf tees, and a rare “ghost” lobster named Casper is joining genetic research at UNE.

MaineHealth PFAS Research: The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences is awarding MaineHealth a $4.5M, five-year grant to study how “forever chemicals” affect children’s puberty timing and bone health, and whether those effects persist into adulthood. AI Literacy in Maine: The Maine State Library is launching statewide community listening sessions to build an AI literacy and safety framework, with a Belfast session set for Sept. 29. FDA Confirmation Watch: Senators are grilling Dr. Heidi Overton, Trump’s FDA nominee, with major focus on vaccines and the abortion pill as she seeks confirmation. Stillwater River Bridge Update: MaineDOT says it will use conventional steel girders to complete the Stillwater River bridge replacement project while engineers continue assessing the August span failure. El Niño Intensifies: NOAA-linked reporting says El Niño has hit an intensity not seen in recorded history, raising odds of extreme weather impacts. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Expansion: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is in its biggest post-WWII expansion, tied to Dry Dock I upgrades for next-generation Virginia-class submarine maintenance. Maine Senate Race Poll: A NYT/Press Herald/Siena poll shows Susan Collins leading Troy Jackson 49%-46% in Maine, within the margin of error. Local Tech/Policy: Maine’s voters in multiple states this fall will decide tax changes via ballot measures, shaping public budgets nationwide.

Marine Science & Public Health: Maine DMR says satellite imagery shows Karenia mikimotoi intensifying and expanding in western Penobscot Bay near Owls Head, Northport, and Islesboro, with a dense patch south of Vinalhaven; officials warn of discolored water, low-oxygen impacts, and possible mortalities for softshell clams and marine worms, and urge reporting to DMR. Conservation & Citizen Science: DMR also launched a sturgeon recovery campaign—“Catch a Sturgeon, Let It Go. See a Sturgeon, Let Us Know”—asking people to report live or dead Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon and follow safe handling; the effort is supported by a NOAA recovery grant. Rare Species Research: The University of New England received “Casper,” a 1-in-100-million ghost lobster, for noninvasive genetic research into rare lobster coloration. NIH Funding Politics: A White House plan to add political-appointee control over NIH grants appears to be “dead,” after pushback from Sen. Susan Collins and others. Local Tech & Privacy: Lowell, Mass. voted to indefinitely suspend Flock automated license plate reader use while reviewing policy, data handling, and audits.

PFAS Research Funding: MaineHealth won a $4.5M NIH grant to study how “forever chemicals” affect children’s puberty timing and bone health, with follow-up work to see if impacts persist into adulthood. Bridge & Engineering Updates: Old Town’s temporary Stillwater bridge will close nights Sept. 27–Oct. 2 for winterizing while a new Llewellyn Estes Bridge is built after an Aug. 14 collapse. AI + Health Data Safety: A new report maps risks and safeguards across the AI data supply chain for health and biopharma, focusing on privacy, cybersecurity, and patient harm. Offshore Wind Policy Fight: States including Maine are suing to block Trump-era offshore wind lease buybacks, arguing permits and approvals can be undone with each administration. Rural Economy Pressure: An AP-KFF poll finds about half of rural voters think the economy is worse since Trump returned, with groceries, gas, and healthcare topping concerns. Daylight Saving Push: Maine is among 19 states backing permanent daylight saving time, as Congress weighs the Sunshine Protection Act. Agritourism Grants: Airbnb and American Farmland Trust will offer Vermont farmers up to $10,000 via a “Farm to Stay” grant program. Local Tech/Infrastructure: Telecom providers seek FCC approval to retire legacy phone lines in Maine and New Hampshire. Education & Skills: Oxford Hills Technical School named Patrick Carson as director, continuing hands-on CTE expansion.

Offshore wind legal fight: California and New York led a multistate lawsuit to block the Trump administration’s buyback deals that would cancel offshore wind projects, arguing taxpayer dollars are being used to pay companies to walk away. Maine politics & defense contracts: New ProPublica reporting says a former Navatek CEO told the FBI he tried to bribe Sen. Susan Collins using shell companies and straw donors tied to nearly $200,000, while Collins’ team denies wrongdoing and says the FBI probe was derailed after Trump took office. PFAS cookware debate: Maine’s nonstick pan PFAS ban is drawing pushback as an environmental toxicologist argues the state is treating fluoropolymer coatings like older PFAS chemicals, despite Maine’s broader definition that covers intentionally added PFAS in food-contact surfaces. Health tech in Maine: CMS is expanding the ACCESS model, aiming to use remote monitoring and connected tools for chronic care like COPD and heart failure. Local science & community: Maine research groups are asking residents to help with a roadside wildlife count in early October, tracking road impacts to support wildlife crossings.