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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“What we do should be filled with light and joy and happiness. We’re not defeated in any sense.”

— René Colson, the executive director of the Healthy Island Project, on the organization’s work to support the people of Stonington.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The top Republican on the Legislature’s watchdog committee plans to call for an investigation into alleged interpreter fraud. That comes on the heels of the revelation that a federal agent flagged the potential fraud five years ago and after Maine DHHS stopped MaineCare payments to one provider.

The Trump administration’s cuts are straining the budgets of Maine nonprofits. But that work must continue, and nonprofits like Stonington-based Healthy Island Project see growing need.

Northern Light Health lost $15 million this year. While that’s a marked improvement from the $156 million loss the year before, federal cuts present a challenge to the health system’s turnaround.

Another Northern Light provider is moving to open a direct primary care practice. Trinity Direct Primary Care in Presque Isle is part of a growing trend of practices charging just a flat monthly rate for service rather than billing insurance. 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

A group of seniors enjoys Coffee with Friends, a weekly program where guests enjoy coffee and conversation at Healthy Island Project in Stonington on Wednesday mornings. Healthy Island is among the nonprofits affected by the Trump administration’s cuts, coming at a time of increasing need. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Special education students make up a third of all students who attend the Downeast School in Bangor. Credit: Kristian Moravec / The Maine Monitor

“Fifty years of broken promises have brought us here. We can’t afford 50 more.”

Opinion: Maine is losing its future, one failed student at a time

LIFE IN MAINE

The favorite doesn’t always, and Maine saw plenty of surprising and inspiring sports upsets this year.

These tips will help you capture more compelling photos of nature.

Here’s a small slice of the lives and experiences the Bangor Daily News capture this year.