A version of this story first appeared in the Morning Update newsletter. Sign up here to receive the Morning Update and other BDN newsletters directly in your inbox.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“[The head of bluShift] and those other CEOs of rocket launching companies who will come tumbling out of the Trojan Horse once it’s been wheeled through the gates of our community, will never be held accountable for the damage they do to our air, waters, soils and health.” 

— Larch Hanson of Steuben, who owns and operates a seaweed company and spearheaded a citizen petition to ban rocket launches in the Down East town.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

Nobody knows how many of Maine’s federal workers have been fired by President Donald Trump. And a new poll by the University of New Hampshire found that a majority of Mainers feel Elon Musk’s role as Trump’s agency-slashing czar is inappropriate.

This is how many homes Bangor needs to fill its housing gap. Among the findings of a new study was that in 2022 nearly no one younger than 35 owned a home in the city.

Court documents revealed new details about the killing of a Corinth man. Five people charged in connection with 27-year-old Dylan Caruso’s death pleaded not guilty.

Another Maine town may block a rocket company from coming in. BluShift approached the Down East town of Steuben after the company’s initial interest in Jonesport ran into strong opposition there.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Central Aroostook’s Charlie Pierce (No. 40) shares an emotional hug with teammate Maggie Mahan (No. 20) after Pierce shot a tie-breaking foul shot to win the Class D North semifinal game against Wisdom at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Wednesday. Central Aroostook won 35-34. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

Believe it or not, we’re very much in the back half of winter. There’s still plenty of chilly fun to be had this weekend, however, like at the annual Belfast Ice Festival, when ice carvers create amazing sculptures in downtown Belfast, Friday through Sunday. Also this weekend, Celtic band Scottish Fish performs at the Next Generation Theatre in Brewer at 7 p.m. Friday; there’s a night of Maine electronic music starting at 9 p.m. Saturday at Red Rabbit Bazaar in downtown Bangor; and there’s a Super Mario Kart tournament starting at noon Saturday on the big screen at the Grand Theatre in Ellsworth. And don’t forget the annual Cabin Fever Reliever sportsmen’s show on Saturday at the Brewer Auditorium.

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Eggs are for sale at a grocery store in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, on Feb. 4, 2025, as bird flu is forcing farmers to slaughter millions of chickens a month, pushing U.S. egg prices to more than double their cost in the summer of 2023. Credit: Ted Shaffrey / AP

“By staying vigilant and following biosecurity guidelines, we can work together to safeguard Maine’s poultry industry and protect our state’s wildlife from the ongoing threat of avian influenza.”

Opinion: What you should know now that avian influenza has been found in Maine

LIFE IN MAINE

A crafting hobby was the inspiration for this new Bucksport gift shop. Ashley Burpee opened K Designs Home and Gift in January after selling her crafts to customers directly.

A state plan could mean better trails, boat ramps and help for outdoors businesses. The goal is to grow the $3.4 billion economy into a $3.7 billion one, according to the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation.

What gets a sportsman through the dead of winter? Outdoors contributor Bill Graves talks about the pastimes that have held him, and his friends, over.