Morning Update: What you need to know in Maine today

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The immediate worst impact is going to be those people that need the services that only Northern Light provides. North of Augusta, that’s going to be stuff like radiation oncology and cardiac procedures.”

— Victoria Grover, a family medicine provider at Full Circle Health Care in Presque Isle, on the potential fallout from the end of a contract between Northern Light Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The U.S. government was plunged into a shutdown at midnight after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach a deal. It’s the third shutdown that Trump has presided over and first of his second term.

Northern Light Health is out of the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield network after mediation failed to resolve a contract dispute Tuesday night. While the organizations may yet reach a deal, many patients will be charged out-of-network costs starting today. Here’s what that means for Mainers with Anthem insurance. Northern Light also announced the closure of its Waterville walk-in clinic Tuesday.

This City Council candidate wants Bangor to invest in housing and public services. Daniel Carson said Bangor is a “remarkable city,” but “high costs, particularly in housing, are pushing people to the brink.”

Washington County is taking its $11 million borrowing plan to skeptical voters. In addition to the bond, officials have pitched a tax hike of up to 40% as the path out of a major budget crisis.

Justin Savage’s attorney called for criminal charges against the trooper who punched him while he was handcuffed. The attorney also called for independent oversight of the Maine State Police’s use of force.