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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“We also know from the demographics that the older adult population in Maine is the fastest growing segment of that population. This means that our most experienced nurses are aging also.”

— Erin Soucy, dean of nursing, allied health and behavioral science at the University of Maine at Fork Kent.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

President Donald Trump hasn’t asked the Maine National Guard to go to Washington. The Maine National Guard has “not been asked to send anyone to D.C.,” spokesperson Maj. Nick Erickson said Wednesday.

Old Town is planning to track residents and visitors with artificial intelligence. The AI program uses data collected from smartphones of people, including where they were before and went after being in a specific area.

Bangor voters will have nine City Council candidates vying for their support this fall. This is the first time in at least 10 years that no incumbent councilors are running for reelection, records show. 

Ellsworth is finally planning to build a downtown bathroom. This summer, the city placed a public portable toilet in the eastern corner of the City Hall parking lot as a temporary option. 

Aroostook County is leading Maine at recruiting new nurses. The County has more new nurses than any other region in the state, despite being one of the older counties.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

The State of Maine is seen at the Philadelphia Naval Yard before a christening ceremony Tuesday in Philadelphia. The ship replaces the State of Maine vessel that Maine Maritime Academy in Castine has used to train its students since 1997. The ship will dock in Searsport, right across Penobscot Bay from Castine, until next July. Credit: Matt Slocum / AP

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Hamas fighters deploy at the site of the hand over of American-Israeli hostage Keith Siegel, 65, to the Red Cross in Gaza City on Feb.1, 2025. Credit: Mohammed Hajjar / AP

“Recent demonstrations, with thousands waving Palestinian flags while with some chanting anti-Israel slogans, do not look like a movement committed to peace.”

Opinion: The Christian perspective for and against Palestinian statehood

LIFE IN MAINE

A bear making itself comfortable on Maine guide Bud Utecht’s accidentally abandoned backpack was caught on his trail camera recently.

”I know how to hunt and fish — and I shouldn’t have to prove it every time,” contributor Erin Merrill says in response to sexism in the Maine outdoors.

This is where you can fish in the Moosehead Lake region right now

You can celebrate Maine’s iconic potato candy next month at Wiscasset’s third annual Maine Needham Festival.