
By Lauren McCauley | Editor
“In the days after 9/11, we all realized that what the government did in the next few days to respond could have lasting implications for the civil liberties of Americans.” - Gregory Nojeim, with the Center for Democracy & Technology, reflecting on the impact of the terrorist attacks on the 25th anniversary .

Frances Killea with the Natural Resources Council of Maine (left) and Sally Stockwell with Maine Audubon, hiking Wheeler Brook trail in September. (Photo by Kaitlyn Budion/Maine Morning Star)
ENVIRONMENT
By Kaitlyn Budion
Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture filed to rescind “in its entirety” the national 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule, which prohibits road construction, logging and mining on about 30% of lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
HEALTHCARE
By Eesha Pendharkar
At a public hearing Thursday, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services heard from more than a dozen legislators and members of the public who said they would like to see stricter oversight of Medicaid providers.
While agreeing with the need to crack down on intentional wrongdoing, providers and advocates cautioned that the proposed rule changes may put patients’ privacy at risk and make it difficult for healthcare agencies to stay in business.
GOVERNMENT
By Amanda Watford, Stateline
Twenty-five years after 9/11, the surveillance infrastructure built and expanded in its aftermath has become part of a far larger digital ecosystem — producing tools that can collect and analyze information on a scale unimaginable in 2001.
ELECTION 2026
By Shefali Luthra, The 19th
When the Supreme Court issued its landmark abortion decision in 1973, Lisa Kushner thought the issue was settled — that people would no longer have to experience the same fear and uncertainty she did 60 years ago.
“We thought this fight was over,” she said. “And we were wrong.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Commentary: Remembering Flight 93 through the lens of healing | Tim Lambert, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
Dem governors predict a ‘blue wave’ in November with Trump’s stances on tariffs, war | McKenna Horsley, Kentucky Lantern
Suit challenges Trump administration move to allow some ICE presence at polling places | Ariana Figueroa, States Newsroom
Trump plan to send $5K to every adult projected to cost $1.2T and ‘explode’ the deficit | Ashley Murray, States Newsroom
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