Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

Quote of the Day

“Einstein changed the world with his brain. We have brains. Maybe we can change the world.”

— Rob Surette after speed-painting a large portrait of Albert Einstein at Southern Aroostook Community School on Wednesday.

Today’s Top Maine Stories

Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race is headed to a ranked-choice count. The Bangor Daily News called the tight race on Wednesday for Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, and that result will not change unless major issues with counting emerge. Separately, Republican challenger Austin Theriault requested a recount Thursday afternoon.

A small pool of votes helped Democrats win a narrow majority in one of Maine’s legislative chambers. The tallies from active-duty military members and overseas citizens have swung races before, but have never been as scrutinized as this year.

The Maine CDC suspended a Bangor health center’s license to distribute syringes. The closure comes amid an ongoing spike in new HIV cases in Penobscot County.

Belfast’s hospital is closing its maternity ward. Administrators cited declining birth numbers and difficulty finding staff.

Northern Light can no longer sue over a 15-year-old’s criticism of its Bangor hospital. The statute of limitations for a libel and slander lawsuit expired Wednesday, as the health care system maintains it never threatened to sue

News from Around the State

• Maine Democrats pick new Senate president to succeed Troy Jackson

• Maine resident infected with Eastern equine encephalitis for 1st time in almost a decade

• Hancock County official concedes loss in race decided by 69 votes

• A Japanese ramen pop-up will open in Veazie next month

• Acadia had its busiest October ever

• Presque Isle police to get new bulletproof gear

• Police identify 2 who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in Freedom

• Maine man who stole dead brother’s identity ordered to repay $175K

• Maine is recalling even more cannabis because of unsafe yeast and mold levels

• Bangor’s Festival of Lights returns Dec. 7

• Police identify man who allegedly fired rifle at Maine home

• Man who threatened to set off car bomb during Maine bank robbery gets 3 years in prison

• Portland voters approve hazard pay limits

• Connecticut woman dies after car hits her in Portland

• Maine town’s voters reject limits on where distilleries can be built

• Joel Merry declared winner in Sagadahoc County sheriff’s race

Maine in Pictures

A trio of onlookers gaze at a strange-looking boat standing on what appear to be pilings just off Portland's East End on Wednesday morning. They were just a few of the several dozen people scratching their heads about the odd vessel. Troy R. Bennett | BDN

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It’s been an emotional few days after the 2024 elections. For some, the emotions are those of relief, pride and elation. For others, they are of fear, uncertainty, anger and despair. We want to know: What are you feeling, now that the results are in and the dust is beginning to settle? Fill out the form here to let us know.

From the Opinion Pages

Life in Maine

A Disney artist dropped by an Aroostook County school to make massive portraits of historical figures. Rob Surette's speed painting presentation was a new educational approach for the district meant to inspire.

It took birder Bob Duchesne 40 years to add a hoary redpoll to his life list, then experts decided it wasn’t real. Anyone who remembers the demotion of Pluto may know the feeling.

Use seaweed to put your garden to bed for the winter. It’s free, it’s abundant on Maine shorelines and it grows year round.

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