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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Our state is going to be looked at repeatedly as the source of renewable power generation for [New England].”

— Richard Silkman, an energy economist who co-chairs the board of directors for Portland-based Competitive Energy Services.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

A new threat has emerged at Superfund sites across Maine. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to conduct more testing to determine the spread of toxic chemicals from these sites. 

Donald Trump’s wind order puts Maine’s energy future in question. One of his first-day executive orders potentially upended Maine’s statutory target of using 100 percent clean energy by 2040.

This Maine church shows why housing transformations are so hard. Maine has long ranked among the nation’s least religious states, leading grand churches to go on the market over the past two decades.

Overhauled state program gives Maine redemption center a boost. Two new state laws streamlined rules governing redemption centers, in hopes of keeping the recycling program alive.

Sinking of Maine scallop boat stirs memories of prior deaths at sea. When a fishing boat goes missing, harbors grow quiet as locals think about prior deaths and wonder if another life has been taken.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Janice Walsh (left) and Heather Prouty, co-owners of Fort Fairfield’s Rolling Pin Bakery, add more of their popular Oreo Dream Cookies to a tray on Jan. 23, 2025. The bakery is planning to expand into a cafe. Credit: / The County Credit: Paula Brewer / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

The BDN logo goes up at One Merchant’s Plaza in this 2015 file photo. Credit: Gabor Degre / BDN

“It will still remain a center of community engagement where you can share your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you, and influence our policymakers to act.”

Editorial: A new era for BDN opinion

LIFE IN MAINE

The evolution of ice cleats involves Maine and the Vikings. In Maine, when your driveway inevitably turns into a perilous chute of ice, you strap on ice cleats. While it’s impossible to pinpoint exactly who created the very first ice cleats, some of the oldest artifacts date back to the Viking Age.

Hundreds turn out for Long Lake 20th anniversary ice fishing derby. Although fishing was slow, a few people were catching fish as the leaderboard showed. But the fishing seemed secondary. 

What it’s like to catch a pike on a fly. Pike fishing in shallow clear water is a bit like hunting. We cover areas with prime habitat, searching.

This baked oatmeal recipe will keep you warm on cold winter mornings. If you’re craving comfort food on a chilly morning, this easy, make-ahead baked oatmeal recipe is your answer.

Removing baby goats’ horns is a divisive issue on homesteads. The decision about whether to prevent goats from growing their horns by “disbudding” them is not one that farmers take lightly, but ultimately comes down to what is best for the animals’ safety.

You can summit these two New Hampshire peaks and get home before dark. Situated east of the busy village of North Conway in Mount Washington Valley, the two closely connected peaks are part of a range of small mountains known as the Green Hills.