Zara Lei Norman ✍️

Arrested contractor will pay a fraction of what he owes victims in deal with Maine AG The deal was not communicated to those who alleged that Jake Brown took upfront payments for shoddy and incomplete work.

Jake Brown still faces criminal charges, but this deal virtually guarantees that Brown’s former clients will only get pennies on the dollar back relative to what they lost.

www.bangordailynews.com/2025/04/30/b...

Investors bought Maine mobile home parks. Then rent skyrocketed. From early 2021 to this year, one 73-year-old's resident's monthly rent nearly doubled — from $285 to $540.

We first spoke to the Tardifs last year; they helped tell the story of how lot rents skyrocketed and maintenance was deferred after out-of-state investors took over a Maine mobile home park.

Now, they say those damages we reported on led to their eviction:

www.bangordailynews.com/2024/03/26/b...

A midcoast couple’s mobile home lot was condemned. Then they were evicted. Mary and Terry Tardif had hoped moving into the mobile home would ease them into retirement. Instead, it became a nightmare.

An important story from @bangordailynews.bsky.social reporter Jules Walkup:

www.bangordailynews.com/2025/03/21/m...

Two transgender girls, six federal agencies. How Trump is trying to pressure Maine into obedience. Maine said it wouldn't break state law to follow President Donald Trump's order barring transgender girls from playing girls' sports. Then came a barrage of investigations and threats targeting the…

Maine said it wouldn't break state law to follow President Donald Trump's order barring transgender girls from playing girls' sports. Then came a barrage of investigations and threats.

Rockland takes a pioneering step to address its housing crisis The bond proposal is the latest in a slew of efforts Rockland officials have put forward to alleviate its housing shortage.

A municipal bond proposal is the latest in a slew of efforts Rockland officials have put forward to alleviate its housing shortage:

www.bangordailynews.com/2025/03/10/b...

Northern Maine's only homeless shelter is months away from closure

It takes roughly $100 to keep one shelter bed in Maine open per night with the associated administrative and support services.

The landmark Maine buildings that Donald Trump’s administration might sell A large federal building in Augusta and the historic U.S. Custom House in Portland are on a list published by the federal government, but it's unclear what will happen next.

A large federal building in Augusta and the historic U.S. Custom House in Portland are on a list published by the federal government, but it's unclear what will happen next.

This metal detectorist helps Mainers uncover their home’s history Dan Benoit has unearthed treasures ranging from the sentimental — like a toy car from an older gentleman’s boyhood — to old coins minted all over the globe.

Theres a story about me today in the Bangor Daily News @bangordailynews.bsky.social Thanks to @zaraleinorman.bsky.social for taking an interest and pursuing a story about what I'm passionate about!
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/03/03/b...

A rural mobile home park could be Maine's 3rd to be bought by residents Residents have until mid-May to come up with the funds, but it’s almost certain to happen given the track record of the group that is helping them.

A rural mobile home park could be Maine's 3rd to be bought by residents under new law

www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/27/b...

Maine Democrats prepare to censure Republican for posts on transgender student

The effort to censure Rep. Laurel Libby came after she made social media posts about a transgender student at Greely High School.

Sun Journal executive editor is stepping down A champion of public access to government records, Judy Meyer Meyer was Maine’s Journalist of the Year in 2003 and was inducted into the Maine Press Association’s Hall of Fame in 2022.

A champion of public access to government records, Judy Meyer was named Maine’s Journalist of the Year in 2003 and inducted into the Maine Press Association’s Hall of Fame in 2022.

Great tribute! Hard to imagine Maine media without Judy at the helm.

The Maine ski town being overtaken by pricey vacation homes A Maine town of just under 400 people had 17 homes on the market as of Friday valued at $1 million or more, including several built on spec.

A Maine ski town being overtaken by pricey vacation homes will consider regulating short-term rentals on Wednesday. But town officials have already decided against capping them.

More: www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/24/b...

Our live blog on the fallout from Trump’s threat: www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/21/p...

Trump says AP will continue to be curtailed at White House until it changes style to Gulf of America President Donald Trump says his administration will continue to restrict The Associated Press' access to cover presidential events until the news agency goes along with his renaming of the Gulf of Mex...

President Trump said he will continue to restrict The Associated Press’ access to his events and news conferences until the outlet goes along with his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico in its reports. He acknowledged that the move was a presidential retaliation against AP's editorial policy.

Bangor mobile home park residents get loan to develop 28 empty lots The loan comes after the residents raised $8 million to beat out a corporate investor and buy their own mobile home park.

The loan comes after the residents raised $8 million to beat out a corporate investor and buy their own mobile home park.

Bangor mobile home park residents get loan to develop 28 empty lots The loan comes after the residents raised $8 million to beat out a corporate investor and buy their own mobile home park.

Bangor mobile home park residents will get a $3 million loan to develop 28 of their empty lots.

The hope is this will lower lot rents and pull some public housing tenants into homeownership, freeing up units in a city squeezed for options.

Story: www.bangordailynews.com/2025/02/18/b...

Hi Dan! 👋 My name is Zara Norman, I'm a reporter with the Bangor Daily News. I'd love to write an article about you and all the cool treasures you've uncovered on Maine properties. Shoot me an email at znorman@bangordailynews.com if you'd be up for the story 😊 Thank you!