Maine's housing market / John Martin retiring? / Tick paradise

Today is Thursday. Temperatures will be in the low 50s to low 60s from north to south, with sunny skies throughout the state. See what else is in store this week on our weather page. Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.

The latest on the coronavirus in Maine

Five more Mainers have died and another 1,030 coronavirus cases have been reported across the state, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. That brings the statewide death toll to 2,296. Check out our tracker for more information.

There are now 169 Mainers infected with the virus in hospitals across the state, up 46 percent from 10 days ago and the highest number since February, state data show.

Maine has the nation’s highest COVID-19 infection rate at 372 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days.

A ‘total clash of reality’ keeps this Ellsworth couple from buying a home

Stiff competition and dilapidated properties have kept Nathaniel Zmek and Meagan Cloutier from making an offer.

The most expensive and cheapest places to live in Maine

With all of Maine seeing a spike in housing prices, we have used data from the U.S. census and the National Association of Realtors to answer a persistent question from readers: What are the most and least expensive places to buy a home?

Penquis wants to convert a Bangor hotel to efficiency apartments

Bangor’s planning board on Tuesday unanimously approved the agency’s application to rezone the Pine Tree Inn on Cleveland Street to allow for efficiency units.

Brewer may get a 36-unit condo development to quench a need for housing

The subdivision would contain 18 duplex buildings on a private road that a condo association, Parkway Orchards Condominium, would maintain.

Maine’s most legendary lawmaker is leaving Augusta for good. Or is he?

Many stories have been told about Rep. John Martin in 54 years of legislative service. He says they have all been embellished.

UMaine Augusta’s incoming leader is leaving current role after vote of no confidence

The College Senate said in a letter to the chancellor of the State University of New York system that Michael Laliberte had been fiscally irresponsible and that his leadership team “enabled a culture of disrespect and hostility.”

5 food trucks will serve up eats on the Bangor Waterfront this summer

The Little Red Snack Shack, the Red Barn Roadshow and Nora’s Grill will join waterfront mainstays Pompeii Pizza and Wild Cow Creamery.

Brewer leaders provide new outdoor exercise equipment for public use

Up to 20 people at a time can use the equipment, which includes a balance rope, sit-up bench, monkey bars, pull-up stations and a chain ladder.

Head down Route 1 to see ’90s music icons before the tourists arrive

If you’re hoping to make the most of the midcoast’s artistic offerings before the tourist season gets into full swing, you’re in luck. There’s a lot happening.

Maine’s push to let lawns grow could create a paradise for the state’s exploding tick population

Maine’s key pollinator species — such as bees, butterflies and birds — thrive in tall grass, tall-stemmed plants, leaf litter, decaying damp wood and brush. The problem is, so do ticks.