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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I think that’s the beauty of it, Roger, that you were asked the question and [were] like, ‘Well, let’s find out,’ and so we did … For us, that was the big thing. It was like, ‘Oh my God, he’s really going to do this.’”

— Libby Rosemeier, a student in Roger Bennatti’s George Stevens Academy class on the day in 1976 they decided to see how long a Twinkie would last. She went on to become the school’s dean of students.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The world’s oldest known Twinkie turns 50 at a Maine high school. ​​Five decades after science teacher Roger Bennatti began an impromptu experiment, the Twinkie remains at George Stevens Academy in its own glass case.

Lawmakers to question Maine public safety chief following excessive force lawsuits. The hearing could be the first time a state police leader faces questions about its handling of past force cases since they made headlines last year.

Maine pension system misses fossil fuel divestment deadline. The episode shows the slow progress of a law hailed by progressive activists when Gov. Janet Mills signed it into law in 2021. 

How a former Penobscot County administrator would fix its budget crisis. The most consequential change would be the county switching to a fiscal year instead of a calendar year, Scott Adkins said.

Here are five Bangor properties that sold in December. The homes had an average sale price of $534,000, nearly double the price of an average home in the Queen City.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Five decades after now-retired George Stevens Academy chemistry teacher Roger Bennatti decided to conduct an experiment to see how long a Twinkie would last, the snack cake still lives at the high school in its own glass case. In this photo Bennatti and former student Libby Rosemeier — who was in Bennatti’s class — hold the Twinkie, which has been housed in a homemade box since 2004. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

Around a dozen protesters gathered on Pine Street outside Lewiston City Hall ahead of a City Council meeting on Dec. 16, 2025, to oppose a plan to build an artificial intelligence data center in the Bates Mill complex. Credit: Michael Livingston / Maine Public

“If Maine is to welcome them, it must be on our terms.”

Opinion: Are AI data centers an economic boon or environmental disaster?

LIFE IN MAINE

What hunting snowshoe hares with and without a dog taught me. “On a personal note, hunting without a dog has made me more observant, more patient and taught me to move with more stealth,” Outdoors contributor Al Raychard writes.

Why Maine birders should head south in winter. “Northern birds go south for the winter. Why not follow their example for a little while?”

A new Maine orchard aims to help bring back American chestnut trees. The Viles Arboretum is part of a breeding program to restore American chestnut trees using advanced technology and genetic selection.