QUOTE OF THE DAY

“If only we could get a winter like 1963. But I don’t see that happening anytime soon.”

— Brian Beal, a Maine marine scientist, on the increasing prevalence of sea squirts in local waters. The blob-like creatures, which are causing problems for fishermen, are among the invasive marine creatures that have shifted north as climate change has warmed the Gulf of Maine. 

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

A Bangor synagogue grew and grieved in a year of turmoil. Congregation Beth Israel and its roughly 100 families have felt the anguish of Oct. 7 from thousands of miles away. 

A fire that broke out at an Orrington trash processing plant Tuesday continued to smolder over the weekend. The fire released low levels of cancer-causing chemicals and postponed Friday sports games.

Maine’s delegation has asked for help for thousands who lost Medicare coverage at Northern Light. The change, effective Sept. 30, meant that as many as 4,000 Northern Light patients covered by Humana could pay higher out-of-pocket costs for the same health care services.

Maine’s attorney general has fielded at least 10 complaints against a contractor accused of shoddy and unfinished work. Since the Bangor Daily News first reported on claims about Jake Brown’s business practices Tuesday, 15 additional people reached out to a reporter to say Brown owed them money. 

Midcoast Maine is seeing a rash of restaurant closures. Lack of affordable housing for workers, an issue that has plagued Maine coastal communities, is one contributing factor. 

A child care project at Bath Iron Works could be a model for big employers. After pandemic-era federal funding dried up, Maine day cares were hammered by worker shortages that forced many to shut down.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Hermon’s Colvin Hamm (No. 15) and Griffin Dunton (No. 2) celebrate after Dunton made an interception in the last minute of the first half of a game against Foxcroft Academy at Pottle Field in Hermon. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Wabanaki Alliance President Maulian Bryant (second from right) and family lead a crowd of more than 200 that attended a rally on Oct. 9, 2023, outside the State House in Augusta in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. Credit: Billy Kobin / BDN

“Over these five years I have heard from many Wabanaki thankful for this change and excited to celebrate this day instead of feeling conflicted or hurt by it.”

Opinion: Indigenous Peoples Day in Maine, five years later

LIFE IN MAINE

A number of Maine seed suppliers have not purchased seeds from Israeli-backed seed distributors. This means it may be harder to find certain seeds for the next growing season, including basil. 

Meet the men revolutionizing how Mainers slaughter their livestock. They believe the model is more compassionate for livestock, easier for farmers and produces better meat.

Chris Sargent, a regular Outdoors contributor and former game warden, reminisces about apprehending night hunters in his latest column. As the hunting season gets underway, some hunters may make it onto the Maine Warden Service’s radar for trying to skirt the rules. 

If you’re into foraging for fungi, you need to be careful before chowing down. Eating the wrong mushrooms can cause intense digestive distress or, in a worst-case scenario, death. 

Have you heard spooky sounds in the woods? Well, that might be an owl trying to woo a mate.

It’s not that often you get to see deer playing. Seth Raven has shared this cute footage capturing a game of tag. 

Ben McKenna made family memories this fall. A moose hunt with his grandfather’s .30-06 ended successfully.