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

“I can admit when I made a mistake, and I made a mistake on this.” 

— Harold Hull, one of three Presque Isle city councilors who voted earlier this month to move deliberations about which airlines to recommend for the airport behind closed doors. The council rescinded the policy Wednesday after experts said it was illegal.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

After two school budget failures, a Maine town is offering voters only a small cut. School committee members say opponents have cited few specifics, while a prominent politician is vowing to keep fighting the district on it.

This map shows how Republicans have gained ground in Maine since 2020. Even small shifts could affect races next year, as the 2024 election saw the race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District and the Legislature decided by thin margins. 

Here are five things to consider before you buy a home in coastal Maine. From freshwater supply to flood hazards, you’ll want to know before it’s too late.

Four longtime Maine shipwrecks will be removed next year. A $750,000 grant from BoatUS will cover the state’s cost to get rid of the four vessels.

Felony cases in Penobscot County are skyrocketing. Pending felony cases in Penobscot County are up more than 100 percent from Aug. 8, 2019, with 769 cases now pending. 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

The Roamer, a 57-foot fishing boat, is seen from Route 1A in Hampden near Waterfront Marine on Wednesday. It ran aground in July 2011 after it was disabled when a line got tangled in its propeller. A $750,000 grant from BoatUS will cover the state’s removal cost for the Roamer and three other vessels. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Piscataquis County Concerned Citizens for Democracy held an Elbows Up Rally on July 5, 2025, on East Main Street in Dover-Foxcroft. Approximately 35 people were in attendance showing their support for Canada. Credit: Contributed

“For an elected official from Maine, a state with deep and direct ties to Canada, to issue such a condescending and unsolicited message is not only inappropriate but also damaging to this vital relationship.

Opinion: Focus on Maine issues, not telling Canadians what to do

LIFE IN MAINE

Here’s a surefire way to catch brook trout on a warm summer day.

Stop squirrels from moving into your house and burning it down.

Why Franconia Ridge Loop is New Hampshire’s best day hike from Maine. “One great thing about the loop is that so much of the route is above treeline with amazing views,” writes Outdoors contributor Aislinn Sarnacki.