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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It just feels like tonight we’re censuring the fire alarm and using a squirt gun on the fire.”
— Bangor City Councilor Michael Beck on the council’s decision on Monday to censure Councilor Joe Leonard alongside a separate vote denouncing hate speech.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
This is everything you need to know about today’s election. Mainers will decide on two referendums asking them to pass a voter ID law and a gun control proposal, along with many local issues and races for elected office.
Bangor voters have two local races on the ballot. Three City Council seats and two on the School Committee are up for grabs.
Anxiety is rising at Maine food pantries as SNAP benefits remain in limbo. The stress is compounded by the approaching holiday season and federal delays to home heating assistance.
The Bangor City Council censured Joe Leonard for a third time. The vote indicates that most of Leonard’s colleagues believe his outburst against white supremacists crossed a line.
A legendary Aroostook snowmobile gathering spot is for sale. Dean’s Motor Lodge has been a mainstay in Portage Lake for more than 80 years.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Jared Golden won’t say how he’s voting on Maine’s red flag referendum
- Fort Kent exchange program unites relatives from 2 continents
- Bangor man who stabbed McDonald’s employee said he was under attack by ‘God and demons’
- Maine lawmaker resigns to become Senate president’s chief of staff
- Anthem says Northern Light Health is now out of network unless it agrees to contract extension
- Hancock County cop joins shallow pool for sheriff’s seat in 2026 election
- Graham Platner says controversies have ‘strengthened’ his campaign
- Sea captain statue in Searsport pays tribute to long history of seafaring
- Caribou juvenile stabbed in Halloween altercation
- Maine schools and churches see growing interest in Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s death
- Maine DHHS says it is poised to quickly issue late SNAP benefits
- See which Maine counties are most impacted by the SNAP funding lapse
- Washington County towns weigh paying share of tax anticipation note early
- Machias considers footing nearly $315K to avoid the county’s proposed $8M bond
- Calais voters will consider charter amendments Tuesday
- Maine’s senators caucus with different parties, but they’re unified on the shutdown
- Maine renews push for Aroostook County wind project
MAINE IN PICTURES
Maureen Hayden arranges coolers at the HOME, Inc. food pantry she manages in Orland on Monday. The nonprofit’s food programs have seen a slight increase in demand as SNAP funding lapses in November, but effects may become clearer as the month goes on. Credit: Elizabeth Walztoni / BDN
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“It’s becoming clear that whether you own a cabin, a camp, a mobile home or a three-story house, heat pumps are simply a better way to heat and cool.”
Opinion: Heat pumps cut heating bills and pollution. Switch before tax breaks end.
LIFE IN MAINE
There’s a reason why your smoke detector might go off when the temperature drops
Maine hunters have less access to private land than they once did, Outdoors contributor V. Paul Reynolds writes.