Monday, Dec. 23, 2024

Quote of the Day

“This is what I call the reemergence of ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome,’ where suddenly people are opposing perfectly sane policies on the grounds that somehow it is going to be weaponized in ways that are not possible.”

— Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat representing Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, speaking on his vote in support of a bill that would allow the Treasury Department to end the tax-exempt status of nonprofits deemed to support terrorism.

Today’s Top Maine Stories

A Maine State Police sergeant broke the rules by working too much overtime in 2023. “Jon [Leach] was guilty of working too much," said Col. William Ross, the chief of Maine's largest police force.

Here’s what caused the collapse of Bangor’s biggest syringe provider. The Bangor Health Equity Alliance’s role as the largest sterile needle provider in Bangor came to a crashing halt in November when its certification was pulled.

Here’s why overdose deaths are declining in Maine. The drop is promising but could reverse if the drugs people use become more lethal, according Maine’s director of opioid response.

A nonprofit group has criticized Rep. Jared Golden for supporting a “terror-financing” bill on the House floor recently. The Maine Association of Nonprofits asked its more than 1,000 members to contact Golden to tell him to oppose the bill.

Maine fishing piers are still rebuilding from last winter’s storms. The heavy surf and storm surge that slammed into Maine on Jan. 10 and 13 pulled apart dozens of docks from Eastport to Kittery.

Can-Am organizers have their fingers crossed for the 2025 sled dog race, after the race was canceled in 2024 due to warm weather. Then, in May, organizers were confronted with new regulations for bringing dogs into America the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention imposed.

News from Around the State

• Maine high court justice should be publicly reprimanded, state committee says

• Maine agrees to delay new political spending limits amid lawsuit

• Janet Mills launches task force to explore AI’s impact on Maine

• Food insecurity jumps in Maine, according to national anti-hunger group

• Party City is going out of business

• A year of major change for downtown Bangor

• Bangor restaurant must pay $100K for labor law violations

• Bangor hires new fire chief

• Former Bangor city councilor will seek open Maine House seat

• Brewer police chief acted in self-defense in fatally shooting man on hands and knees, AG says

• Toddler injured in Levant car crash expected to make full recovery

• Police identify victims of fatal Clifton crash

• 2 groups are teaming up to buy Moosehead Lake ski resort

• Caribou wants to reimagine how people move through downtown

• Fire destroys Presque Isle mobile home

• Explosion destroys Washington County home during fuel delivery

• Criterion Theatre in Bar Harbor to close for building repair

• A midcoast boatyard can’t sell off its abandoned vessels

• ​​Body found in vehicle at Rockland cemetery

• Fires destroy 2 homes in Lincolnville

• Police seize nearly 1,500 marijuana plants at illegal Maine grow house

• Central Maine woman accused of murdering 14-year-old boy

• Starbucks employees in Waterville vote to unionize

• Residents of Portland’s 'crime central' neighborhood take action

• Power restored at Portland International Jetport after vehicle crash

• Fire engulfs 2 businesses in Ogunquit’s Perkins Cove

• Mainer rescued after his limbs froze on NH mountain

Maine in Pictures

Josh D'Alessio is executive director of HEAL in Bangor. The Bangor Daily News spoke with six current and former employees who worked at HEAL for varying amounts of time. All reported witnessing or experiencing mismanagement over the last year that interrupted the organization’s ability to offer harm reduction materials to clients. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

From the Opinion Pages

Life in Maine

From casual backyard observations to awesome up-close moments, there’s been plenty of activity caught on camera by Mainers in 2024. We counted down the top ten videos so you can revisit them.

A teen romance movie was quietly shot in Bangor last month. “Their Town,” directed by Milbridge native Katie Aselton, was filmed on location for a few weeks in November.

The Millinocket marathon is a special kind of madness, BDN Oudoors contributor Aislinn Sarnacki writes. She ran it, and she’s hooked.

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