2023-2024 Impact Report
How the Bangor Daily News delivers results
From the President
Whoever thought of putting ads for refrigerators and snow tires next to crime stories or sports coverage was a person of sublime insight. That combination, along with classifieds and all the small ways newspapers could bring in revenue, kept access to journalism affordable. In print, these ways still exist, of course. You can see it in your morning paper, though it is not the same morning paper as it was pre-Internet, or when I started in newspapers 40 years ago.
In some places, you cannot see it at all. The United States lost 130 newspapers last year, about 2.5 per week, the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University reports. Those papers were mostly weeklies, mostly in places far from here.
The shadows of their deaths are long, creeping into major newsrooms in the form of layoffs or buyouts at places you likely know: The Washington Post, Gannett, Los Angeles Times, Texas Tribune, NPR, and a dozen others. They leave holes in coverage or result in smaller places not being covered at all. As newspapers fade, so does civic involvement and voting turnout, says Medill. Taxes go up, fewer people run for local offices, communities go deeper into debt without someone watching.
I knew some of the deceased papers; others, I didn’t. But I mourn them just the same. They were part of a large, loud, opinionated, at times fantastic, family of newspapering whose final editions contain the lead story of their own demise alongside what the school board was up to and the latest burglary.
I was thinking about them recently when I came across a piece in The Atlantic that argued news website paywalls are a scourge on democracy. “Simply put,” Richard Stengel writes, “paywalls get in the way of informing the public, which is the mission of journalism.” It is true that paywalls sometimes stop readers -- those who don’t just go around them -- but it’s also true that they are an important way for newspapers to pay their journalists so they can inform the public. Journalists, like anyone else, like to be paid for their work.
Yet, charging for access to news acts as a block, according to Stengel, creating a separation between “credible, fact-based information for people who are willing to pay for it, and murkier, less-reliable information for everyone else.”
The need for clearer, reliable news hasn’t changed at all as the financial pressures on news organizations have risen. To help there, newspapers large and small need support. They — we — need community support to cover the cost of coverage. They need donations to push back the shadow of further reductions in staff.
Here at Bangor Daily News, we try to hold up our end of the bargain by covering politicians who move tax money around without much discussion, or by looking deeply into how troubled kids are treated in Maine, or the effects of climate change on the lobster industry, or how both logging and the local theater are faring, or how to understand the tragedy of a mass shooting here.
Every day, without fear or favor, we assemble what we trust is the less murky, more reliable take on what’s happening in Maine. In this report, you’ll see how our work has had an impact in Maine life in the last year. We’re grateful to you and all who support our reporting – and who use our journalism to power your impact in the world.
Todd Benoit President & COO, Bangor Daily News
1
Collaboration competition >
In 2023, together with Unity Foundation, Eastern Maine Development Corporation and four likeminded newsrooms, the Bangor Daily News founded the Maine Independent News Collaborative (MINC) to support Maine communities by protecting and strengthening Maine’s locally owned newsrooms.
We are learning and building as we go, and can’t wait to see what the next year brings!
MINC supports collaboration, reporting, infrastructure and technology for all member newsrooms via grants, training, technology purchases and resource sharing. Support from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation and the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation is powering funding for technology investments at member newsrooms in 2024.
Learn more at maineindependentnewscollaborative.org
“For Penobscot Bay Press, participation in MINC has been transformational. It’s completely changed how we think about our work in terms of our future technology needs and collaborative possibilities with other newsrooms.”
– Penobscot Bay Press General Manager Ben Burrows
2
Compassionately sharing our humanity
After Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed a “death with dignity” law into effect, Bangor Daily News politics writer Caitlin Andrews connected with Karen Wentworth, who was trying to get life-ending medication. Wentworth agreed to allow Caitlin and photographer Troy Bennett to follow her journey. Wentworth believed that sharing the story of her journey and her death would help others.
Over the next two years, Caitlin and Troy’s humane and curious reporting built trust with Karen, her family and medical team. When Caitlin moved from the BDN to The Maine Monitor, the project moved with her, and the two newsrooms co-published “A Death of Choice,” an exceptional piece of journalism for its poignant and intimate look into Karen’s journey through life and death.
2023 Awards for Excellence in Health Care Journalism – honorable mention, consumer feature
2023 New England Newspaper & Press Association Awards – second place, health reporting category
“What an incredible article. Thank you for your work on this important topic.”
– Bangor City Councilor Cara Pelletier
3
In the days following the horrific mass shootings in Lewiston, BDN journalists held officials accountable by asking probing questions about a law designed to prevent such shootings. Over the months since the shootings, sources who knew the shooter Robert R. Card II came forward to speak with our reporters, saying they chose to do so because of the integrity and quality of BDN reporting.
Maine Senators Angus King and Susan Collins jointly submitted a letter citing BDN reporting to the Inspector General of the U.S. Army questioning the Army’s handling of concerns about Card’s “troubling behaviors” prior to October 25, when he killed 18 people and wounded 13 more.
“I so appreciate your attention to accuracy when there is so much misinformation out there. Helps me feel a little less helpless.”
–
John, Missouri
“Thanks for all your hard work. I was particularly grateful for your persistent Lewiston coverage.”
– Laura, Spruce Head
4
Photo by Michael Seamans
Investigating in the public’s interest
When Maine Focus editor Erin Rhoda uncovered evidence of misconduct by the Oxford County sheriff, she began months of dogged reporting that exposed how he mishandled the sale of guns from evidence, directed a deputy to go easy on an acquaintance cited for a traffic violation, and sent non-law enforcement officers to work as police officers – with guns and badges – in schools.
This BDN investigative reporting prompted investigations by Oxford County, and a request from the county commissioners to Gov. Janet Mills to remove Sheriff Christopher Wainwright from office.
A retired Maine judge appointed by Mills held a public hearing on Wainwright’s removal in April 2024. At the time of this report, the governor had not yet made a decision. If she removes him, it will be the first time a governor has pulled a sheriff from office in nearly 100 years.
5
“
“Thank you, Erin Rhoda and the BDN investigative team, for your concerted efforts to dig out the truth behind all the evasions here. It’s a good example of why I support local journalism, and we are lucky to have such dedicated reporters working for us through the Bangor Daily News. Keep up the good work.”
– Alyosha, BDN commenter
“We feel it is imperative to have local independent news organizations. We appreciate your quality in-depth investigative reporting on issues ranging from the environment, to military sexual trauma, to law enforcement stories such as oversight of sheriff departments and theft of public funds. We also very much enjoy stories from Aislinn Sarnacki and Bob Duchesne which enhance our experience living here in Maine.”
– Dan and Liese, Veazie
6
Living, Working & Serving in Maine
Here’s something you may not know: My colleague Kathleen O’Brien is the only reporter who truly covers the Bangor City Council. No competing journalist really shows up to these meetings. And when they do, it’s usually because they’re following a story that Kathleen broke the day before.
When I think about the impact a newsroom can have, I think of her in Bangor. I think of Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli in Houlton, who doggedly covered a neo-Nazi’s effort to start a militia in northern Maine. I think of Bill Trotter in Ellsworth, who kept pushing until he got documents explaining why Ellsworth fired its police chief.
These are reporters on the ground floor of democracy doing unsexy but deeply necessary work. They ask hard questions, file public records requests and keep officials honest. They do it because they love these places and they care about their craft.
For the past nine years, I’ve been truly lucky to work at the Bangor Daily News, a company dedicated to sustaining the civic mission of local news. Working alongside such inspiring journalists has been the great honor of my life.
In my role now as executive editor, I oversee a team of newsroom leaders that guides coverage from Portland to Fort Kent. Our editors help reporters to tell stories that are impactful, honest, comprehensive and compelling. We interrogate premises, listen carefully to what our audience cares about and help our journalists figure out what to cover and how.
In the past year, we connected Mainers during a time of horror and chaos. We explained and probed the lead-up to and aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting. We exposed turmoil in rural local governments and celebrated amazing local people. From Cooper Flagg and Flagg and the solar eclipse to the housing crisis and forever chemicals, we try to capture the diversity of daily life in Maine.
I love big stories. But the totality of our coverage — and all the the small stories and daily details — add up to something special.
Dan MacLeod Executive Editor
Jules Walkup midcoast Report for America reporter
Mike Shepherd politics editor
Bill Trotter reporter
Sam Canfield sports reporter
Leela Stockley digital editor
Paula Brewer assistant editor
Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli reporter
7
Kathleen O’Brien reporter
Celebrating Maine Outdoors Culture
As we reach out in new collaborative directions, we are also committed to what has made the BDN unique for decades.
A life lived in Maine is one lived outdoors, and the BDN has dedicated more than eight decades to celebrating this way of life. The BDN Outdoors section empowers everyone from hikers to hunters, paddlers to skiers and smelters alike.
Longtime BDN reporter and editor Julie Harris stepped in as Outdoors editor in October 2023 as the first woman in the role at a time when more women than ever are hunting and fishing in Maine, and the shifting climate is changing how humans experience outdoor recreation. There’s no end to the stories to be told.
“Having moved down to Waterville from The County three years ago I enjoy seeing the news from both areas & also love Aislinn’s writings and other articles about the outdoors that aren’t competitive sports.”
– Judy, Winslow
BDN Outdoors editors over the years
Bud Leavitt, Jr. 1948-1988
Tom Hennessey 1988-2002
John Holyoke 2002-2021
BDN covers “what people here count on: Comprehensive coverage of local news in various sub-regions, high school sports, outdoor activities. I value coverage of state government and major issues elsewhere in the state…I particularly respect the BDN’s commitments to investigative reporting and editorial balance.”
– Lisa, Orono
Pete Warner 2021-2023
Julie Harris 2023 - present
8
Explaining the stakes, seeking solutions
The early 2023 story of where to put an overflow of waste sludge as landfills in the Bangor area and statewide were turning the sludge away was a complex tale. Capacity limits, regulatory restrictions, private interests, and public health and safety concerns due to PFAS contamination combined to create an impossible situation.
The BDN led the state in explaining the messy situation to readers and policy leaders, providing the information they needed — and could not get anywhere else — about how their communities may be affected and the stakes if a solution wasn’t found: Municipal waste districts would be forced to discharge untreated waste into Maine rivers. The immediate crisis was averted but the story of where to put our waste isn’t going away.
“I’ve really been appreciating BDN’s investigative journalism as of late – [the team] has been doing a wonderful job educating the community and holding folks to account.” – Kelly, Ashburn
No more sludge intake Newell Augur, a lobbyist for Casella, emailed Loyzim and Abello to say that Juniper Ridge “must turn away” all sludge deliveries because of a stability issue. Amanda Smith from the Bangor Wastewater Treatment Plant emailed the DEP saying the city was “shut out” of the landfill with no sludge pickups. Emergency request approved. DEP approved, temporarily, Casella’s emergency request to store, unload and load sludge at Hawk Ridge. DEP officials began to seek locations outside of Maine to send sludge as Maine landfills “DON’T HAVE TO accept sludge,” according to an email Susan Miller sent to other DEP employees. DEP field press inquiries Loyzim emailed Casella for information. In that email, Loyzim asked the company what other materials could be used to bulk sludge, what was the necessary bulking ratio of those materials to the sludge, what were the estimated costs to obtain those materials and how much oversized bulky waste did Casella think it could get from ReSource if there were “no limitations” on how much could go to Juniper Ridge. Casella responded with a list. – DEP approved modifying an emergency request from Casella to allow for a longer holding period at Casella’s Hawk Ridge facility in Unity from 36 to 72 hours. – The first press inquiries landed with the DEP. Time running out News stories began to run detailing the sludge crisis. Susanne Miller of DEP sent out a staffwide email detailing efforts to mitigate the issue, saying “options and time are running out.” Looking for alternatives Loyzim sent an update to Sen. Stacy Brenner, D-Scarborough, and Abello. She said she had been directly emailing with multiple Casella reps to find alternative bulking agents and discuss other options. State officials first raised concerns about sludge disposal at Juniper Ridge Landfill in Old Town Wallace Giakas at the Bureau of General Services emailed Maine Department of Environmental Protection officials, including Commissioner Melanie Loyzim, to set a meeting for the near future to discuss sludge management. State officials met with represntatives from Casella and Juniper Ridge In notes from that meeting, Casella said it would need to reduce the amount of sludge Juniper Ridge took in by 2,500 tons a month. It blamed the enactment of LD 1639, which restricted the amount of bulky waste coming to the landfill that had been used to stabilize the sludge. The company said in the meeting it will begin to “turn municipalities away.” Brewer told the DEP that, ath the end of the month, Brewer would no longer be able to send its sludge to Juniper Ridge Loyzim emailed Tom Abello in the governor’s office. In her email, Loyzim said the only short-term fix is “extending the timeframe for LD 1639,” but that long-term investment in a sludge composting facility is in the DEP’s near future. Loyzim told Abello that more legislators will likely hear from town governments and wastewater treatment plants in the “next week or so.” Emails to DEP officials Loyzim emailed top DEP officials, saying Casella had told her and other state officials that, unless ReSource in Lewiston could send more demolition debris, Juniper Ridge would not be able to take as much sludge. Juniper Ridge closing alert Orono Water Pollution Control Facility alerted the state that Juniper Ridge said it may soon close to sludge. A reply in this thread said wastewater treatment plant operators with issues should be sent to Hartland Landfill. March 2, 2023 March 1, 2023 Feb. 28, 2023 Feb. 24, 2023 Feb. 23, 2023 Feb. 14, 2023 Feb. 8, 2023 Feb. 7, 2023 Feb. 6, 2023 Feb. 1, 2023
9
Since 2020, Bangor has faced a double-digit increase in homelessness.
BDN reporters have chronicled the struggles of unhoused Mainers and those at risk of losing housing, the public safety concerns of Bangor residents and businesses, and the efforts of the City of Bangor to find solutions.
A BDN investigative report exposing how towns across the state are sending homeless people to Bangor is informing debate at the statehouse as policymakers consider how to improve services statewide.
Reporting from the BDN City Desk has shed light on the city’s use of federal funds to find solutions in addition to the structural hurdles of the Bangor City Council that ultimately hamper the development of new policies. Prompted by the BDN’s inquiry the City reinstated its work on building a rental registry. The fall 2023 election of two new members to the City Council was widely seen as a referendum on the City’s handling of the homelessness crisis, with BDN reporting cited widely by candidates.
“It is good there is continued attention to the plight of the homeless in Bangor... It is also good that Bangor Daily News is keeping this in the public eye.” – online commenter
10
Inspiring action
When Bob Adler of the Belfast Rotary Club read BDN reporter Braeden Waddell’s story about Waldo County schools providing clothing for students whose families were facing financial hardship, he took immediate action, raising $17,000 for local Clothing Closets programs.
“I carried around a printout of that remarkable story as I approached local businesses to donate a product, service or experience to [the Rotary Club’s summer fundraising] auction. Thanks for the journalistic focus on such an important problem — and how educators are expanding their roles to meet unmet needs. Some call ‘scope creep’ a problem. In this case, it is a model for educators stepping up for kids who have fallen through the cracks.”
The BDN led statewide reporting on a neo-Nazi training camp being built in Springfield by a leader of a national neo-Nazi group and efforts to promote Maine as a white “ethnostate.” Public outcry informed by the persistent reporting by Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli and other BDN reporters compelled group leader Christopher Pohlhaus to sell his property and leave the state, saying that “Mainers made it ‘too dangerous’ to stay in the state.”
In April 2024, legislation to reform Maine’s militia laws, An Act to Prohibit Unauthorized Paramilitary Training, was passed by the Maine legislature and signed by Governor Mills.
11
Photo courtsey of Bob Adler
Given rising costs everywhere, Mainers are interested in how to save money on heating their homes. Politics reporter Billy Kobin explained that new rules designed to encourage adoption of heat pumps had inadvertently created a safety hazard by requiring that existing fossil fuel systems be disabled in order to be eligible for heat pump rebates. Two weeks later, Efficiency Maine, the state agency that grants rebates, announced that it had removed the requirement that older heating systems be disconnected or disabled.
The BDN politics team provides independent oversight of state policymakers and holds state leaders accountable for the promises they make to Maine voters.
Where else would you learn how leaders develop policy to work toward goals and address issues?
12
Giving back
Seeking meaning the day after the Lewiston mass shootings, BDN editorial cartoonist George Danby drew an illustration evocative of the pain all Mainers were feeling, no matter how far away from Lewiston-Auburn. We quickly realized the power of the image and began offering merchandise featuring the illustration. Thanks to the generosity of BDN readers, we raised and donated $1,000 –100% of proceeds – to the Maine Community Foundation’s Lewiston-Auburn Area Victims & Families Fund.
Bangor Publishing Company has sponsored St. Joseph Healthcare’s Commit to Get Fit since 2018 by promoting the race, giving directly to the program, and some years even fielding a staff running group! The race supports St. Joseph Healthcare’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program, offering comprehensive trauma-informed care to all those affected by sexual assault and interpersonal violence. In 2023, Pulse Marketing Agency and BDN donated $15,000 in advertising and agency services.
To celebrate Giving Tuesday, for the month of December, Pulse Marketing Agency worked with the BDN to donate 50% of every new digital advertisement placed to the Holden Police Department to support their 25 Days of Kindness initiative. Despite its name, this initiative is a year-round effort of random acts of kindness and providing help to the people who need it most. The Pulse team was delighted to be able to deliver a check for $2,205.
13
We are blown away by the generosity of BDN readers. More than 800 individual readers — more than ever before — stepped forward in 2023 to invest in local reporting that matters to Maine in support of our civic news mission. Thank you to all our
no matter the dollar amount. Some of our leading supporters include:
Terri Amato
American Press Institute
Daniel Amory
Gale Anderson
Margery Aumann
Joseph Baldacci
Amy Bargeron
Mary Bartlett
David Batuski
Kate Beard-Tisdale
Judith Blood
Roberta Boczkiewicz
Emmanuel Boss
James Bowie
Richard and Ann Bresnahan
Alexander Brigham
Charles Burger
Dolores Carbonneau
David Carlisle
Ted Carter
Thomas Chappelle
Robert Clough
Janet Cloutier
Michael Comer
Sascha Deri
Patricia Dowse
Wayne Duffett
G. Clifton Eames
Richard Ferguson
James Freeman
Janice Graham
Duane Hanselman
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare
Jennifer Holmes
IJNR
George Jacobson
Anna Jenefsky
Steven Krautkremer
Local Media Association
Barbara and David Lockwood
K. Prescott Low
Jan Luke
Maine Independent News Collaborative
Thomas Mccormick
Lorenzo Mitchell
Jennifer Montgomery-Rice
The New York Times
Stephen Parker
David Quist
Stephanie Ralph Report for America
Paul Rhoda
Dwight Rideout
Paul Robie
Genesta Roy
Christa Schwintzer
Bill and Theda Skocpol
Charlotte Smith
Constance Smith
Shirley Smith
Rebecca Spang
Lawrence Sterrs
James Tierney
Unity Foundation
Barkley and Ellen Van Vranken
Richard Warren
Joanne White
Debby Willis
Mary Wylie
Thank you 14 How you can support local news: Tell your friends and family why journalism matters to you Subscribe to the BDN: bangordailynews.com/subscribe Donate to support our mission: donate.bangordailynews.com Show your BDN pride with a bumper sticker or other swag: store.bangordailynews.com/
Help us spread the word!
supporters,
All donors and funders are listed on our website at bangordailynews.com/support We are grateful for the support of BDN donors and funders
Thank you, Maine, for letting us tell your stories. donate.bangordailynews.com The publication of this report was made possible with the generous support of Bangor Savings Bank. Thank you, Bangor Savings Bank, for helping us tell the story of local journalism.