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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I’ve pretty much been working seven days a week since July to get this work done.”
— Ron Corl, a Brooksville furniture craftsman, who was hired by the NBA to cut up the court flooring used in the 2024 All-Star game into 50,000 2-inch squares to be packaged and sold at Walmart.
TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES
U.S. Rep. Jared Golden and state Rep. Austin Theriault faced off in the first debate of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District race. Key moments included exchanges over lobstering, the Inflation Reduction Act and abortion. If you missed it last night, you can watch the full debate hosted by the Bangor Daily News and CBS 13.
Shawn McBreairty’s lawsuit against Hampden schools has been dismissed. McBreairty, who died June 3, sued the school board and its chair alleging his right to free speech was limited.
A fire continues to burn at a trash incinerator in Orrington. A federal environmental regulator said air testing in the area found “nothing hazardous” the same day the Maine Department of Environmental Protection warned of elevated particle pollution across interior eastern Maine and Bangor schools held recess indoors. A witness who was among the first to report the fire was sitting in his hot tub across the river when he saw 40-foot flames leaping from the trash plant.
Police arrested a Maine contractor who has been accused of taking money upfront for shoddy or undone work. In an interview with the BDN last week, he denied that he owes many of the sums that former clients alleged.
A Maine craftsman is helping the NBA get into upcycling. Ron Corl, a furniture craftsman, is currently working to help preserve a court that hosted an NBA All-Star game.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- The key context missing from warnings of a looming Maine budget shortfall
- Police seize more than $750K worth of drugs at Bangor apartment
- 2 accused of fentanyl trafficking after Bangor traffic stop
- Holden man sentenced to 15 months for hitting pedestrian while driving drunk
- Presque Isle shelves camping ordinance that would affect homeless
- Feds approve $425M for wind power and transmission lines in northern Maine
- Electric bicyclist in critical condition after Fort Kent crash
- Lincoln man who drove off 35-foot cliff pleads guilty to driving drunk in Acadia National Park
- Presidential campaign signs stolen in midcoast town
- Belfast painter who captured dancers and lobstering women dies
- Muddy Rudder restaurant closes
- Portland Sea Dogs ballfield renamed for insurance company
- UMaine Sports Hall of Fame induction slated for Friday night in Brewer
MAINE IN PICTURES
THE BDN NEWS QUIZ
It’s Friday, and that means it’s time to test your memory of the past week with the BDN News Quiz. Did you read everything the BDN published this week? How much did you pay attention? Or were you distracted by the smell of the literal garbage fire burning in Orrington this week? Regardless, take our weekly news quiz and see how much you remember.
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Who will take responsibility for this epic failure in Hampden? Legislators? The governor? DHHS?”
Opinion: Systemic changes are needed to secure health and safety of Mainers with disabilities
LIFE IN MAINE
Maine Fiber Farm Tour starts this weekend in its expanded form. Learn about carding, spinning, dying, raising fiber animals and more.
Did you know there are scorpions in Maine? Well, they’re probably living in your house — but don’t worry, they aren’t going to hurt you.
Out in the Maine woods and hearing a strange “drumming” sound? Don’t freak out just yet. That sound in the woods on a lovely hike or in your backyard could be a ruffed grouse.