QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s the biggest one I’ve ever laid eyes on, dead or alive.”

— Nate Mooers of Howe Brook Guide Service, who killed the largest bear of Maine’s hunting season, so far.

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

Most Maine sheriffs don’t sell guns from evidence. The actions of Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright stand in contrast to the practices of other sheriffs in Maine, the Bangor Daily News found after requesting gun sale records from every county.

The rural ambulance crisis is leading Maine towns to consider a drastic solution. A state report this year found rural ambulance service “at the edge” of a financial cliff — or over it. The plan to save it is likely to be unpopular.

A neo-Nazi who left Maine said he spread the lies about Haitian immigrants eating people’s pets in Ohio. National media initially attributed the false rumor repeated by Donald Trump to a Springfield, Ohio, woman posting on Facebook.

Bangor tested its wastewater for “forever chemicals.” Here’s where it’s the highest. Initial testing in 2022 showed Bangor had higher levels of PFAS in its sewer system than many other communities. But it didn’t show where the chemicals were coming from.

A Mainer who ran presidential visits thinks political rallies have changed forever after the second assassination attempt on Donald Trump. The BDN interviewed Derek Lavallee, a public relations professional who worked closely with former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore.

A Belfast church is frustrated with the University of Maine System going back on its Hutchinson Center offer. About 20 congregants testified at a board of trustees meeting Monday after the university system rescinded an offer to sell to the church.

MAINE IN PICTURES

Rap-pop artist Pitbull performed to a sold-out crowd on Saturday night at the Maine Savings Amphitheater, with special guest T-Pain. Credit: Jodi Devost / BDN

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Credit: George Danby / BDN

“Vice President Kamala Harris has floated a plan to prevent price gouging at grocery stores. Former President Donald Trump has offered no real policy details, but has promised to bring down prices. Here’s a proven solution for lowering food prices that neither has mentioned: free school meals.”

Opinion: Want cheaper grocery bills? Give kids free school meals

LIFE IN MAINE

“Good trail grub. Thinking about it and finding it are two different things,” BDN Outdoors contributor V. Paul Reynolds writes.

Behold the biggest bear killed in Maine so far this year. After helping several clients get their bears this year, Nate Mooers, 24, of Hammond Plantation decided it was time for his own hunt.

Did your tomatoes crack on the vine? Splitting in tomato skin is a common garden problem, and one that can be prevented in years to come with a few simple steps.