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QUOTE OF THE DAY
— Maine Rep. Tavis Hasenfus, D-Readfield, speaking to the Legislature on a measure he sponsored that would take a step toward expanding passenger rail service from Portland to Orono. His proposal was defeated.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
Orono’s public works director resigned after a year in the position. William Cody submitted his letter of resignation early last week, and his last day will be June 27.
A seaside mansion in Islesboro shattered the sales record for the midcoast island. The sweeping estate boasts more than 13,000 square feet of living space, 15 bedrooms and 17 bathrooms and was available for the first time in decades.
Belfast got a $2.5 million grant to clean up several downtown properties. The funding comes as the midcoast city has largely moved on from an era when its downtown was characterized by industrial operations.
Caribou got $4 million from the feds to clean up its hazardous power plant site. The city is the only community in northern Maine to get a share of the $38 million in U.S. EPA Brownfields funding recently awarded for projects around the state.
Maine saw more visitors than expected on Memorial Day weekend. Numbers were down from last year, but visitors came despite a rainy forecast that state officials thought would keep them away.
Republicans in Congress are targeting a tax that keeps state Medicaid programs running. States may have to choose to replace the lost federal money with state dollars, scale back services or provide coverage to fewer people.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Maine House defeats effort to study Portland-Orono passenger rail
- There will be no parking on Bangor’s State Street bridge today
- Data security ‘issue’ prompted St. Joseph Hospital system outage
- Bangor walk-in care is temporarily cutting hours
- Local bakery owners buying Bucksport restaurant
- A contested shipwreck off MDI has been publicly identified
- Acadia’s Beehive trail was standing room only over the Memorial Day weekend
- Blue Hill farm store workers ratify 1st union contract
- Midcoast companies find growing market for locally made clothes
- Arizona man killed in Maine ATV crash
- Maine solar developer fined for water pollution
- Federal judge halts deportation of Maine man alleging unlawful ICE detention
- Meet the 4 transfers adding athleticism and size to UMaine men’s basketball
- Ottawa Charge and former UMaine star Vanisova fall just short in PWHL championship
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Right now, tax credits for clean energy projects are supporting hundreds of projects across Maine that are set to bring in thousands of family-sustaining, union jobs to our communities.”
Opinion: Mainers need the benefits of clean energy tax credits, not tax breaks for the rich
LIFE IN MAINE
This new business will make it easier to paddle Aroostook County waters. Johanna Johnston plans to open The Riversbend Paddle Co. on Father’s Day at 431 Bangor St. in Houlton.
Is “breaking down social barriers” part of the state fish and wildlife commissioner’s job? “The question haunts: Is it the function of Maine’s fish and wildlife commissioner to engage in social activism?” Outdoors contributor V. Paul Reynolds writes.
Here’s what to do if you find baby wild animals. Often the animal’s mother has deliberately left her baby alone and will return. Any human interference can actually harm the animal.