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The Free Press
WESTBROOK, MAINE – Summer in Maine is beautiful and fleeting. There are only so many weekends before school starts, gas prices are still around $4/gallon, and planning around the changeable weather can be impossible. Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) offers the perfect opportunity to have new adventures close to home that fit into and enrich...
The Free Press
On May 15, 2026, the University of Maine System (UMS) announced a new two-year, system-wide agreement with OpenAI that would provide ChatGPT Edu to students, faculty, and staff. The initial email, from Ryan Low, the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Strategic AI Integration for UMS, read, “every faculty member, staff member, and matriculated student will...
The Free Press
OAKLAND, ME – June 25, 2026 – Launching its inaugural round of grant funding to support downtown revitalization, the Town of Oakland has awarded $25,000 to three local businesses. This financial support is distributed through the Oakland Façade & Downtown Improvement Grant Program (OFDIG) to directly spur business and facility investments and stren
The Free Press
PORTLAND, Maine — More than five decades after publishing Maine’s first gay newspaper, the founders of “Mainely Gay” have released a 50th anniversary edition that will be added to the University of Southern Maine’s Special Collections — the largest collection of LGBTQ+ archival materials in the state. USM is distributing the edition at Pride events...
The Free Press
There are few sporting events that can transform an entire country quite like the FIFA World Cup. For three years and eleven months, most Americans pay little attention to soccer. Then, seemingly overnight, everyone has a favorite national team, a hot take about formations, and a passionate opinion on whether a referee completely ruined the...
The Free Press
College students are not exactly known for having access to fresh food. Between meal plans, mini fridges, late-night microwave dinners, and the occasional “I guess this granola bar counts as lunch” moment, it can be hard to keep anything green and edible around for long. That is part of what makes the idea of a...
The Free Press
WESTBROOK — After years of delays, legal disputes, and growing community speculation, Vertical Harvest’s massive hydroponic greenhouse is finally producing food in Westbrook — though the facility remains far from full capacity. During a recent tour, employees were seeding pea shoots, conveyor systems moved growing trays through the facility, and compan
The Free Press
Higher education is increasingly prioritizing automated assessments and efficiency over deep thinking, creativity, and meaningful engagement, leaving students trained to pass quizzes rather than truly learn.
The Free Press
Earlier this month, the University of Maine System announced that they will be rolling out a partnership with OpenAI on July 1. This article details specifics of the partnership, student concerns, and statements from university officials.
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