Riley Board
@rileygboard.bsky.social
Portland Press Herald education reporter
Editors and reporters of the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion submitted their notices of resignation today, after management from Carpenter Media Group made changes to a published story last week in response to intimidation from a state lawmaker and without input from our newsrooms. #aknews
![The first page of a resignation letter by Regional Editor Erin Thompson, Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak and reporters Chloe Pleznac and Jake Dye.
[Excerpt because the letter is too long to include in full]
"Vance also said in the letter that she was “fully aware” of an effort to boycott Homer News advertising — stating that the paper would experience financial and reputational harm if it did not change its approach to covering community events. Rep. Vance never contacted the Homer News editorial team to discuss her concerns.
Without consulting the editor of the Homer News or the reporter who wrote the story, Carpenter Media removed the original article from the Homer News website, only to republish a modified version several hours later that reflected the changes demanded by Rep. Vance.
In the modified version republished by Carpenter management, there was no note to indicate the article had been changed.
We want to be clear: We have no problem with Rep. Vance expressing her opinion of our coverage. We cover difficult and sometimes controversial topics. Respectful dialogue about that coverage is welcome. As a community newspaper, we regularly provide Rep. Vance with a forum to discuss her views.
What we do have a problem with is Carpenter Media management changing a story at the behest of an elected official. We believe this destroys the credibility the public has placed in us as reporters and editors.
This willingness to acquiesce to a public official’s editorial demands and have conversations with her about the direction of our coverage is a betrayal not just of the journalists who work for Carpenter Media, but of the company’s integrity as a purveyor of news."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xgdov2xhtzjkjzi7niusqdmv/bafkreiemz3ncgw7xq3277rps363kwbxhcfyknnnay2gycel3nekacpf5sm)
![The second page of a resignation letter by Regional Editor Erin Thompson, Sports Editor Jeff Helminiak and reporters Chloe Pleznac and Jake Dye.
[Excerpt because the letter is too long to include in full]
These actions were taken despite there being no immediate urgency to remove the content — Rep. Vance's criticisms were raised regarding what she perceived as political bias, not factual inaccuracy.
Despite requests, we have not been informed of the content of dialogue between Rep. Vance and Carpenter Media management. In discussion with management our editor was told that the article did not meet their editorial standards and that the editing and reporting was “juvenile.”
We cannot live up to the core responsibility of a community newspaper in such an environment. We, employees of both the Homer News and Peninsula Clarion, are resigning our positions, effective Oct. 13, 2025.
Leaving these newspapers, at which we have spent a combined four decades, is not a decision we make lightly. We are proud of the work that we do covering local government as well as the arts, food, history, outdoors and sports. Though this decision is extremely painful for all of us, it is not difficult. We cannot do our jobs knowing that pressure from an elected official can mean our stories are edited without prior consultation with us.
Because we care deeply about the work we do and what it means to the community, we are all giving the standard two weeks’ notice instead of resigning outright. We hope Carpenter Media takes the opportunity to get personnel in place to continue the legacies of the Peninsula Clarion and Homer News. We hope this incident provides incentive for Carpenter Media to handle threats from officials in a way that safeguards the valued trust that readers have in newspapers.
The community deserves it."](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:xgdov2xhtzjkjzi7niusqdmv/bafkreiaejzvjz2aomn6hwgikpev4qrxfldq6bfnbk3qclyzqminsrli7da)
Federal immigration changes for schools worry Maine parents
Federal immigration changes for schools worry Maine parents
A Portland mom seeking asylum says there has been a lot of fear since President Trump announced new immigration policies, but she still feels safe sending her children to school.
pressherald.com
The Portland school board delayed a vote on whether to fire a middle school athletic director after an eight-hour public hearing that stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Portland school board delays vote on firing athletic director after 8-hour hearing
An attorney for Jemal Murph argued that the Lincoln Middle School athletic director acted in self-defense when he hit a student.
pressherald.com
The former home of the University of Maine School of Law has been vacant for almost two years since the law school moved to Portland’s Old Port in 2023.
‘Hard to love’ landmark awaits demolition as USM eyes land for faculty housing
The round concrete building that was home to the University of Maine School of Law has been vacant for almost two years, but is too expensive to demolish right now.
pressherald.com
Portland and Lewiston have seen such high demand that for courses in English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL, they started sending students to Westbrook. Then Westbrook got so busy it has had to pass some on to Gorham.
Demand for English adult education courses outpaces class space in Portland region
More than 1,000 adults looking to learn English in the Portland are sitting on waitlists. Programs like those in Portland, Westbrook and Gorham are looking at collaborative solutions.
pressherald.com
