Christmas tree shortage / Paid leave campaign / Thanksgiving tips

The latest on the coronavirus in Maine

Three more Mainers have died and another 124 coronavirus cases reported across the state, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. That brings the statewide death toll to 2,721. Check out our tracker for more information.

There are now 98 Mainers infected with COVID-19 in hospitals across the state, down from 234 just over a month ago and the first time the number has fallen below 100 since mid-April.

Looking for last-minute Thanksgiving help?

Check out these eight recipes for Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts, or read our guide on how to get as much meat as possible from your Thanksgiving turkey. Preparing a bird for the first time? Here’s whats in that bag that you pulled out of your poultry.

We’ve also got tips on how to perfect your gravy in time for the big feast, and some recommendations for some trails perfect for working up your appetite, or staving off a nap.

And for a conversation starter, here’s one story that claims that Maine was actually home to a Thanksgiving feast long before the Pilgrims held their storied meal.

Maine progressives ratchet up pressure for expanded paid leave

A progressive coalition gathered about 51,000 signatures on Election Day to put a paid leave referendum on the 2023 ballot.

Hancock County faces 2nd lawsuit since 2020 over jail inmate’s death

Dorothy Poole filed a lawsuit in federal court in Bangor last week on behalf of her son, Tyler Poole, who died by suicide.

The 2008 recession is limiting Maine’s Christmas tree supply

Because Christmas trees take up to a decade to mature, there’s a limited supply of picturesque trees in Maine this year.

Morgan Talty never expected his debut book to be a runaway success

Morgan Talty’s “Night of the Living Rez” has captured the imaginations of readers across the nation.

42 birding tips and jokes that I thought of this year

Bob Duschene presents again his Thanksgiving leftovers — the tidbits that did not get published this year but should have.

Here’s what we think is on the deer’s head in this mysterious trail camera photo

Our readers chimed in with their best guesses about the identity of this deer’s mystery hitchhiker.

I used my grandfather’s deer rifle to shoot my 1st buck

The Remington 740 Woodsmaster served Nolan Raymond’s grandfather as a reliable deer rifle for many years. That tradition lives on.

In other Maine news …

Chase’s Daily in Belfast is closing for at least 3 months

Facial recognition can help conserve seals, scientists say

Brunswick is buying nearly 300 acres to protect Maquoit Bay

Portland’s Free Street temporarily opened after months of delays

Maine seeing high demand for firewood as price for heating oil, propane spikes

Missing Portland man has been found safe

Kellan Tynes leads UMaine men’s basketball to road victory at CCSU