QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Everyone we talked to was always like, ‘Man, we really wish Hampden had a place to go eat, a place to drink a beer, anything like that.’”

— Prentiss Swett, co-owner of Marsh Island Brewing, on plans to branch out from the company’s flagship location in Orono.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Maine voters will finally have the opportunity to change the state flag this November. A version of the original 1901 design could become the state’s official flag.

Browntail moths are again plaguing playgrounds and city parks in Bangor. Parents are frustrated that measures taken by the city seem not to have worked.

A 9-year-old Orono brewery is adding a second location in Hampden. The restaurant will offer locals another dining choice that doesn’t require a drive to Bangor or Belfast, and it will allow the business to return to brewing at full capacity.

An MDI lab is studying how PFAS spreads from rural schools to homes. Health officials now know the major sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but less understood are the numerous routes the chemicals may travel.

It’s early yet, but so far Maine has only identified three avian flu outbreaks in the state. Here’s what we know about the virus that can decimate flocks.

MAINE IN PICTURES

You can practically feel your skin starting to itch by looking at this photo of browntail moth nests in a tree in Fairmount Park in Bangor. Bangor residents are noticing more browntail moth caterpillars in neighborhood parks despite the city’s efforts to cut down on the population. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

“In a society that is politically and commercially free, as it is in the U.S., the limits we encounter are the limits we place on ourselves.”

Opinion: Get used to rejections, we all get them sometimes

LIFE IN MAINE

Did you know you can watch these prehistoric fish leap from Maine waters? The state is home to two sturgeons: Atlantic and the shortnosed, which can be seen in the Kennebec River. 

Looking to improve your soil quality this gardening season? Check out these tips for add-ins that will help retain moisture and add minerals to your garden. 

Ever wondered how a peer-review process works for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife? Bob Mallard breaks down the state’s decision to stock Haymock Lake with lake trout here.