QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Golden’s a hard one to knock out. You know, he’s like that white whale we’ve been trying to take out for years.”

— A national Republican strategist on the challenge to reclaim the 2nd Congressional District seat from Democrats.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Last year, Bangor began imposing fees on the owners of vacant properties. Since then, banks have already started to unload those properties onto buyers who intend to put them to use.

The Skowhegan Drive-In Theater may find new life in an unexpected way. The Planning Board gave preliminary approval to converting it into a mobile home park.

There’s an emerging environmental threat in Maine. A toxic byproduct of the chemicals now widely used in refrigerators, air conditioners and heat pumps may affect fertility and liver health.

The deaths of two young girls in Mechanic Falls have been ruled homicides. One of the girls died from stab wounds, while the other had “multiple injuries.”

MAINE IN PICTURES

Marilou “LuLu” Ranta (center) of Monson waves an American Flag after taking the Oath of Allegiance during a naturalization ceremony in Bangor on Friday. Ranta was one of 61 people to become American citizens on Friday morning. Bonita Orchard (right) joins Ranta in waving a flag in celebration. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

“We still struggle to see how one of the scenarios is a coup and the other is totally fine. In our view, both are legitimate extensions of the democratic process.”

Editorial: Replacing a candidate who withdraws from the race is not a coup

LIFE IN MAINE

It’s good when the food is excellent. But it’s even better when you feel like you got great value for your money. Your dollar still goes far at these Maine restaurants.

The Legislature approved a number of bills related to outdoor recreation this year. Here are the law changes taking effect.

Granges once served as vital hubs for Maine’s farmers. While they haven’t disappeared, they are trying to adapt to a less locally connected society and face difficulty attracting new people.