Decriminalizing sex work / Hermon school book rules / Squirrel arson

Today is Tuesday. Temperatures will be in the high 50s to mid-60s from north to south, with rain throughout the state. See what weather is in store for the rest of the day here.

Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.

Maine bill partially decriminalizing prostitution faces new backlash

Buying sex would remain illegal with increased penalties for those who solicit sex from minors or people with mental disabilities.

How these similar-sounding Maine towns got their names

Why does Maine have a Searsport and a Searsmont as well as a Dixfield and Dixmont?

Belfast police will increase traffic enforcement this summer

“It doesn’t always have to be just writing tickets,” Belfast’s police chief said. “Our job out there is to change driver behavior.”

Hermon High students will need parental consent for books with sexual content

Books identified as having sexual content will be placed on a reserve shelf behind the library’s circulation desk.

A canopy of multicolored umbrellas may shade this downtown Bangor street

The art installation is intended to draw more attention and foot traffic to a frequently overlooked part of downtown Bangor and the small businesses there.

Monson restaurant wins prestigious James Beard Award

Another Maine establishment was also honored with a James Beard America’s Classic award given to family-owned restaurants open for at least a decade.

Acadia seeks bids to design housing in park for seasonal employees

Construction on the project could start as early as next year.

UMaine baseball’s future is bright after a stellar season

The University of Maine had a breakthrough baseball season winning 32 games, the most since 2013.

Cloudy, wet weather is a perfect time to give your flowers a photoshoot

A little water can give already gorgeous flowers a bit of added sparkle.

How to stop squirrels from moving into your house and burning it down

“There is no critter more out to burn your house down than a squirrel,” one expert said.

Watch how this Maine hummingbird showers in the rain

The Mainer who captured the video says she’d never seen anything like it before.

We braved the menacing waves of Whetstone Falls

“The river was almost three times higher than any of us had experienced, and the Class III falls would be a challenge,” BDN Outdoors contributor Ron Chase writes.

Graduates should take the advice of a woman who can’t talk

“Whether they are spoken by mouth or by machine, words have consequences. They can spark humility and acceptance or hatred,” BDN Down East contributor R.J. Heller writes.