Join others for a morning of engagement that addresses Maine’s place in the global economy 

PORTLAND — At a moment of global uncertainty and transition within our own state, Maine’s role in the world will take center stage as Gov. Janet Mills delivers her fifth and final address at the 2026 Governor’s International Breakfast, an annual event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Maine and the Maine International Trade Center.  

This year’s theme “Maine and the World: Looking Back and Moving Forward,” the breakfast will bring together Maine’s civic, business, academic and government leaders for a morning of discussion about how global forces shape Maine’s economy, workforce and future, and how we can maximize opportunities.  

A retrospective panel moderated by David Plumb, senior mediator at the nonprofit Consensus Building Institute, will address progress in international trade, energy, climate and workforce development, supply chain resilience, Arctic affairs and public diplomacy – highlighting areas where ongoing investment is crucial for Maine’s competitiveness and connectivity.  

All the panelists are connected by their leadership in areas identified in Maine’s strategic plans, as well as their  involvement with the International Visitor Leadership Program, a professional exchange program of the U.S. State Department which brings visitors from around the world to promote understanding, public diplomacy, and cultivate lasting relationships with visitors and their home countries. This link to Maine’s public diplomacy highlights how person to person engagement not only facilitates the exchange of ideas and experience but lays out the foundation for future cooperation and lifetime of opportunity.  

Established in 1997, the Governor’s International Breakfast has served as a trusted forum for open and meaningful dialogue on Maine’s place in the world and the benefits of global engagement.  

“At a time of such uncertainty, this event holds greater significance than ever,” said Allison Hodgkins, executive director for the World Affairs Council of Maine. “Since its inception, the breakfast has brought together governors and leaders from across backgrounds, sectors and communities, reflecting our [World Affairs Council of Maine] long tradition of cultivating nonpartisan spaces. As Mainers look for ways to engage thoughtfully on global issues, events like this remain a vital space for connection and progress.” 

The 2026 Governor’s International Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, April 7 from 7-9:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Registration is open to the public. Early bird rates are available, with nonmembers attending for $30 and members for $25. Maine students may attend at no cost. 

​​Since 1977, the World Affairs Council of Maine (WAC207) has worked with community members and elected officials to support cultural exchange between Maine and the world. It provides a regular forum for Maine people to explore international issues and engage in thoughtful, respectful dialogue through its programs. Visit https://wacmaine.org/ to learn more or become a member.  

As we approach warmer weather here in Maine, attractions across the state will soon be filled with locals and tourists alike.

Beaches, parks, lakes, seasonal restaurants, and golf courses will all be popular destinations until school is back in session in the fall.

It’s also the time of year when another category of attraction sees its peak season. I’m talking about a group of 60 or so structures rich in history, ones that have played a crucial role in the safety of explorers and fishermen: Maine’s incredible lighthouses.

How Many Lighthouses are in Maine?

According to visitmaine.com, there are currently 65 lighthouses still standing in Maine. These 65 historical monuments continue to grace the rocky shores of Maine’s beautiful yet dangerous coastline.

While Maine may not have the most lighthouses, it certainly boasts some of the most iconic ones in the country. Portland Head Light is internationally renowned, Marshall Point Light was featured in an Academy Award-winning film, and Pemaquid Light attracts around 100,000 visitors each year. And that’s just a few examples.

With tourism stronger than ever, I decided to explore Tripadvisor’s Maine page, which lists the most popular lighthouses in the state. I wanted to get a sense of which lighthouses are considered the favorites by “outsiders” (and Mainers, of course).

While regulars like Portland Head, Two Lights, and others are included, it’s great to see a mix from across the state. Often, these lists can heavily favor the southern part of Maine, but that’s not the case here—and for good reason. There are beautiful lighthouses all along the Maine coast.

What are the Most Popular Lighthouses in Maine to Visit?

Below is a list of the top 20 Maine lighthouses based on Tripadvisor’s ‘Traveler Favorites.’ These rankings are determined by ratings, reviews, photos, and overall popularity.

Which one is your favorite?

HARPSWELL (WGME) – The pain at the pump is not just hurting drivers.

It’s also leading to increased operating costs across different industries.

As of Wednesday, the average price for a gallon of diesel in the U.S. is $5.49. It’s up by nearly $2 since last month.

For diesel-dependent industries like trucking, the spike is leaving a pinch.

“It’s troubling for every Maine citizen,” Brian Parke from the Maine Motor Transport Association said. “Trucking companies are just trying to figure out the best way to manage all of this so they can stay in business, operate at a profit and still be operating once the fuel prices go down.”

Parke says about 85 percent of Maine’s freight is delivered by truck.

“Whether people like it or not, there’s not much in your home that doesn’t come by truck. So yeah, the impacts can hit everyone,” Parke said.

Sometimes, companies who partner with truckers include surcharge provisions in their contracts. That means companies will pay for the fuel cost spikes, not the truck drivers. But Parke says those costs are often offset in increased store prices.

“No matter what level fuel prices are, it’s already baked into what the consumer pays,” Parke said. “So if fuel is $2 a gallon, consumer prices are going to reflect a certain amount. If fuel goes from $2 a gallon to $4 a gallon, then consumers will inevitably pay that additional amount.”

The ripple effects are also shrinking profit margins for commercial fishermen like Matt Gilley.

The pain at the pump is not just hurting drivers. (WGME)

“I usually try to haul once a week. I haven’t hauled in three weeks because of the price of fuel,” Gilley said. “I’m not keen on spending money to go to work.”

Gilley says the water is quiet this time of year. That won’t be true for much longer. He says the longer fuel prices remain this high, the more concerned he will become about potentially not turning a profit this summer.

“We’re an optimistic group in a pessimistic industry,” Gilley said. “Come June, if we’re still seeing $5 fuel prices, that’s when I’d start to get nervous. That’s when everything starts to pick up, that’s when guys start setting traps.”

The all-time record high for diesel prices in the U.S. was set four years ago, when AAA says it cost $5.82. That’s only $0.33 higher than what it is today.