The Text Messages That Preceded an Accusation of Going AWOL
The Maine Mirror launches The Pease Accountability Files with an investigation into events at Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire involving then-commander Captain Emily Hanson. Through contemporaneous text messages, medical documentation, and official military records, Ryan Michaels examines the chronology surrounding allegations that he went AWOL and invites readers to compare what was documented in real time with what was later alleged. This is Part One of an ongoing investigative series examining the final months of his military career through primary-source evidence.
Meet the Candidate: Brandon Morris Seeks Bangor City Council Seat
Brandon Morris is seeking a seat on the Bangor City Council with a campaign focused on unity, transparency, and putting Bangor residents first. In this edition of The Maine Mirror’s Local Candidate Spotlight series, Morris shares what inspired him to run, the values guiding his campaign, and the priorities he says he would pursue if elected.
The Price of Transparency: How Maine DHHS Turned Public Records into a Paywall
A Maine citizen’s Freedom of Access Act requests began with a promise of $0 and a four-week turnaround, only to grow into invoices totaling $450 and $50,875, months of delays, and ultimately no records produced. This investigative report examines the timeline, escalating costs, procedural hurdles, and broader questions surrounding transparency, public records, and accountability within the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
Paper Trail Deep Dive: The Cost of Accountability
Before Episode 002 of Paper Trail Deep Dive premieres, review the email correspondence at the center of the investigation. This documented chain involving Senator Trey Stewart, Peter Schleck of OPEGA, and Maine’s oversight process raises important questions about transparency, accountability, public records, and what it actually takes for an ordinary citizen to seek review of government conduct.
The Footage Exists: Following the Paper Trail Through Maine’s Judicial Branch
What began as a request for preserved courthouse security footage evolved into a complex examination of administrative procedure, disability accommodation, and institutional accountability. When the footage was confirmed to exist but the path to obtain it remained unclear, a simple records request became a paper trail raising broader questions about transparency, access, and the mechanisms citizens rely upon when seeking answers from public institutions.
The Maine Mirror Network: Building a Stronger Maine, One Town at a Time
The Maine Mirror Network is a statewide initiative designed to strengthen local journalism, civic engagement, and community connection through a growing network of Town Hubs. Built on the belief that every community deserves a voice, the network empowers residents to share stories, promote transparency, celebrate local achievements, and help shape a stronger future for Maine—one town at a time.
Matt Dunlap’s Warning: “Often, You Only Know What You Are Told”
In his February 12, 2025 testimony supporting LD 127, Maine State Auditor Matt Dunlap used a powerful historical example to demonstrate why independent oversight matters. By contrasting an 1881 report praising the State Reform School with an investigation uncovering troubling conditions experienced by children, Dunlap reminded lawmakers that transparency and accountability are essential because, as he stated, “Often, you only know what you are told.”
Opinion: What LD 2150 Taught Me About Citizen Participation in Maine Government
Ryan Michaels shares the story of LD 2150, a Maine bill he publicly opposed, and how citizen participation, public testimony, legislative amendments, and government accountability became central themes in the final law. This firsthand look at the Maine legislative process explores transparency, due process, public involvement, and the power of ordinary citizens to become part of the public record.
Maine Legislators Are Finally Saying Publicly What Many Families Have Been Saying for Years About DHHS
In a recent public newsletter, Maine State Senator Jeff Timberlake openly challenged DHHS transparency and legislative oversight limitations surrounding child welfare investigations. His remarks echo concerns many Maine families have raised for years about secrecy, accountability, and the growing crisis within the state’s child welfare system.
📍 Public and Legislative Reactions Surface Following Adjournment
After the Maine Senate adjourned “sine die,” preventing a final vote on LD127, lawmakers and political figures took to public forums to debate the bill’s impact, oversight implications, and the role of procedure in shaping outcomes.