A version of this story first appeared in the Morning Update newsletter. Sign up here to receive the Morning Update and other BDN newsletters directly in your inbox.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
— Limestone Town Manager Ed Pocock on the wave of industry (the tractor-trailer in his analogy) coming to his part of Aroostook County. The area could see hundreds of new jobs but lacks housing for workers.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
A longtime Bangor bookstore will stay open with new owners. Pro Libris’ 30,000 books were a day away from being sold to a wholesaler when Fox Emm and John Dixon stepped up to buy the shop.
Washington County is paying down one loan to take out another. That will not be the end of the long financial crisis in Maine’s easternmost county.
Newport’s court clerk is retiring early because her courthouse has been closed for more than a year. Ronda Nelson will retire April 30, after working 42 years for the judicial branch.
Industry is ramping up in Aroostook, but it’s unclear where all the workers will live. Presque Isle, Limestone and the communities that directly border them have a little less than one housing unit for every two people, including seasonal vacation homes.
Take a look inside Portland’s most expensive penthouse. The two-bedroom condo makes up the top three levels of the Winslow Lofts building on Congress Street.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Republicans are using fraud scandals against Democrats in key races
- Residents say Clifton candidate doesn’t live in town enough to run for Select Board
- County chooses design firm for new Aroostook jail
- Down East mill identifies 2nd worker who died from gas leak
- Lubec imposes vessel‑length limit at pier after collision
- Washington County commissioners approve final payoff of 2025 debt
- ‘No relief in sight’ for understaffed Washington County prosecutor
- Hancock County forms panel to decide how to spend opioid settlement funds
- Northport voters will wait to fill Select Board vacancy in June
- Searsport voters will decide in March on mobile home rent control
- Daughter of Rhode Island shooter details a ‘long history of violence’
- Man accused of shooting CMP substations held on $250K bail
- This top basketball tournament performer isn’t a player. It’s a northern Maine family.
- Even Bangor’s physical defense couldn’t contain this ‘special player’ from Camden Hills
- ‘I could see the look in Maddie’s eyes change’: Lawrence star takes over in 4th quarter
- Watch the critical buzzer-beater upheld by replay in Cony’s win over Ellsworth
- This game was a chess match between two of Maine’s best basketball coaches
- Blocked shot in final seconds helps Hampden girls hang on against Camden Hills
- Early blow to face sends Maine basketball player to dentist during tournament game
- Some teams are lucky enough to have a 1,000-point scorer. These girls have two.
- Tough freshman powers through ankle injury to send her team to northern Maine title game
- UMaine hockey seniors desperately want wins in final weekend at Alfond Arena
- Cooper Flagg to guest on the ‘Tonight Show’
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“In Maine, nine hospitals have stopped delivering babies since 2020, leaving parents in parts of the state with hours-long drives between birthing hospitals.”
Opinion: What Maine can learn from New Brunswick about rural maternity care
LIFE IN MAINE
Maine’s 2025 moose harvest report is out. Here are the key takeaways.
This two-time hall-of-famer just coached her first high school basketball tournament win.