Today is Friday. Temperatures will be in the mid-70s to low 80s from north to south with sunny skies throughout the state. Here's what we're talking about in Maine today.

• A Republican lawmaker wants to increase penalties for people who destroy property or assault police officers as protests against racism and police brutality continue nationally, but a civil rights advocate cited “grave concerns” about the proposal.

What Brewer’s 1st day of school during COVID-19 looked like

• Despite masks, symptom checks and a socially distanced setup, Brewer students on Thursday settled in for a surprisingly normal first day of school.

With shark attack and scuba accidents, 2020 has been more deadly along Maine’s coast

• Earlier this week, three people died in Maine’s coastal waters, bringing the statewide total so far this year to nine, including seven in just the past two months. That is the most ocean fatalities Maine has had since at least 2015.

In other Maine news...

• Maine sees new jobless claims climb as tens of thousands remain without work

• Old Town artist turns reclaimed materials into unique sculptures

• Bangor High runners log 11,000 miles preparing for cross country season