Today is Thursday. Temperatures will be in the 70s with mostly to partly sunny skies throughout the state. Here's what we're talking about in Maine today.

Portland schools to reopen in a hybrid model despite ‘no perfect solution,’ school board rules


 

• The Portland school board unanimously passed a complex, comprehensive plan Wednesday to reopen public schools under a “yellow” hybrid model that involves remote and in-person instruction that varies by school and grade. The plan will begin Sep. 14, allowing instructors to adapt to the new system — which may change again with the state’s color-coded health advisory.

Trump’s sole Maine judicial appointee has ruled against GOP more often than not


 

• Lance Walker resembles Trump's judicial appointees who have tipped the federal bench to the right in key ways, but that has far from guaranteed favorable rulings for the president and GOP.

• The Presque Isle Utilities District has a two-part $15.6 million plan that will update its wastewater treatment plant to use a sludge dewatering system and to increase treatment capacity. The changes will bring the city of Presque Isle into compliance with 2019 orders from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

Maine native gets permission to fly to Italy to see his film play at famed Venice festival

• Kyle Rankin, who now lives in Los Angeles, was thrilled to be able to attend the Venice International Film Festival, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and planned to go to Italy along with members of the film’s cast and its producers. There was just one problem: after grabbing his passport, Rankin realized it had just very recently expired.

In other Maine news...

• Jerry Mundy, Maine Troop Greeter profiled in documentary, has died 

• 16-year-old New Sharon boy accidentally shoots, kills self during video chat

• Victoria’s Secret at the Bangor Mall has closed