QUOTE OF THE DAY

“A veteran should never have to give away part of the benefit they earned.”

— Maine Sen. Brad Farrin, R-Norridgewock, on his bill targeting “claim sharks,” who charge veterans excessive fees to help them access benefits.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Maine lawmakers are pushing to divert youth away from Long Creek youth prison. A new bill would give an alternative to court and address the underlying reasons kids are getting in trouble.

A house on its own island, a rural estate on 300 acres or a ski chalet could be yours for the price of a typical Portland home.

Bangor’s school budget is up by $3.9 million. Residents won’t know how that affects the property tax rate until the city and county finalize their respective budgets.

The historic 1886 Ellsworth jail is finally getting a facelift. For years, signs have been posted nearby warning that plummeting masonry could hit parked cars.

MAINE IN PICTURES

Aaron Parker shows off some of the hundreds of historic Maine punk rock show flyers he’s amassed at his house in Falmouth on Tuesday. His collection spans roughly Portland to Bangor, from the late 1970s until just about the present day. Credit: Troy R. Bennett / BDN

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

FROM THE SPORTS PAGES

With Thursday’s snowstorm, multiple games for University of Maine baseball, softball and track and field teams will likely be rescheduled. On Friday, the Maine Mariners take on the Worcester Railers at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. For Boston sports, the Red Sox are in Seattle against the Mariners through the weekend, the Bruins take on the Florida Panthers on Saturday, and the Celtics take on the Sacramento Kings on Friday and the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

In this March 16, 2023, file photo. Clarissa Sabattis, chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseets, foreground, and other leaders of Maine’s tribes are welcomed by lawmakers into the House Chamber at the State House in Augusta. Credit: Robert F. Bukaty / AP

“All policymakers in Augusta should remember that this is but one incremental step in the ongoing work to rebalance the tribal-state relationship.”

Editorial: Maine and tribes should keep taking steps forward together

LIFE IN MAINE

It’s almost guaranteed that your car will get stuck in the snow today (or whenever you finally try to dig out). Taking a few preventative measures can save you the hassle in the first place. (Don’t forget to check the latest closings, cancellations and delays.)

Four nominees for the prestigious James Beard Awards are from Maine. And all of those are in Portland.

You can’t be lucky every time you go out for a hunt. That’s a lesson life-long outdoorsman Chris Sargent has learned to take in stride.