Daniel O'Connor

111 posts

Daniel O’Connor is a Report for America corps member who covers rural government as part of the partnership between The Maine Monitor and Bangor Daily News.

Hailing from a small town in Connecticut, Dan’s interest in government reporting brought him back to rural New England, where he aims to shed light on the government, politics and cultural trends impacting rural communities across Maine. He arrived in Maine after attaining his master’s degree at Columbia Journalism School in New York City. He is based in Augusta.

Contact Daniel via email with questions, concerns or story ideas: danMEMONiel themainemonitor org

Contact Daniel via Signal: 860-822-3533

sign pointing toward the direction of the rockland police department building.

Another Maine police department uses an AI startup to write reports

Officers are required by the software to make edits before signing off on the reports, including removing obscure or intentionally incorrect words the company calls “Easter eggs.”

ByDaniel O'Connor

August 19, 2026

Even small Maine towns are weighing data center bans

Data centers — large warehouses that hold computer needed by AI and other software to function — have drawn ire for high water and power use.

ByDaniel O'Connor

August 17, 2026

illustration that shows david ireland during a meeting.

A local Maine politician rose to power despite abuse allegations that won’t go away

David Ireland, Lincoln’s council vice chair, has long faced sexual abuse allegations that he denies. But they’re only now circulating in town.

ByDaniel O'Connor

August 10, 2026

a sign for the town of surry municipal building.

In search of more housing, Surry weighs connecting to Ellsworth’s water and sewer

As a housing shortage drives up costs, Maine’s small towns are seeking ways to expand the supply of affordable housing.

ByDaniel O'Connor

August 10, 2026

Machiasport wins decades-long fight over a gravel road

“It’s been a whole thing in town,” Clerk Marcia Hayward said.

ByDaniel O'Connor

August 5, 2026

people listen to the washington county commission meeting.

Ousted manager’s lawsuit pulls Washington County back into political chaos

The county’s former manager is suing the county and two commissioners, alleging defamation, sex discrimination and whistleblower retaliation.

ByDaniel O'Connor

August 3, 2026

Maine resort town can’t find volunteers to fix its housing problem

Rangeley’s predicament is a distilled example of two statewide issues: second home buyers making housing expensive for crucial service workers and a lack of interest in the lower levels of government that are working to solve the problem.

ByDaniel O'Connor

July 28, 2026