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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I feel like I’m in the dark. I’m lost.”

— Erika Dupuis, whose 1-year-old daughter, Eleanora Ray McLaughlin, was found dead at a Milford home Sunday. Dupuis is still waiting for answers about what led to Eleanora’s death.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

A Democratic state rep is backing an investigation into her former employer over MaineCare fraud allegations. Deqa Dhalac’s statement came after House Republicans called for her to be removed from the Legislature’s budget committee over a scheme that misused MaineCare funds for interpreter services. 

Two looming decisions will help shape Maine’s criminal defense landscape in 2026. The Maine Commission on Public Defense Services faces a nearly $13 million funding gap in 2026, as well as a long-awaited ruling from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.

These projects in Orono are moving forward next year. Residents may not see much construction, but several large projects are in either engineering or construction phases. 

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

NASA astronaut and Expedition 62 Flight Engineer Jessica Meir strikes a superhero pose in the weightless environment of the International Space Station. The Caribou native will serve as spacecraft commander for a mission to the ISS in early 2026, NASA announced earlier this month. Credit: Courtesy of NASA

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

“Make America Great Again” set of hats await purchase outside the BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi, on Nov. 1, 2019, before a Keep America Great Rally. Credit: Rogelio V. Solis / AP

“Our form of government and our economic system has generated tremendous prosperity. Shouldn’t we be able to get along and show the next generations how to do the same?” 

Opinion: Here’s what would make America great again

LIFE IN MAINE

2025 was an unusually great year in Maine sports, maybe the best ever.

A fake announcement has been misleading Maine anglers about northern pike regulations.

Don’t miss these outdoor winter events this January.