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QUOTE OF THE DAY
— Todd Martin, a regional official for the National Parks Conservation Association, part of a coalition suing the U.S. Department of Interior for removing displays at national parks that acknowledge climate change and Indigenous heritage.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
Here’s what the barrage of early TV ads tells us about Maine’s U.S. Senate race. Ad spending in the race is on pace to smash a state record set in Sen. Susan Collins’ last campaign.
The number of vacant homes in Maine is falling. Here’s what that means. The declining vacancy rate hints at how Maine’s real estate market changed during the pandemic as demand grew but the number of available homes plummeted.
An online database shows the educational signs President Donald Trump ordered removed from Acadia. The president’s March 2025 order instructed the park service to pull displays that “disparage Americans past or living” and distract from the “grandeur of the American landscape.”
Castine is considering adding a floating breakwater to protect its town dock. The breakwater and other proposed changes are in response to historic January 2024 storms.
Penobscot County lost $5 million in 2023, a new audit found. County Finance Director Brenda Palmer said the general fund was drained that year due to years of mismanagement.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Susan Collins joins Republicans to block attempt to rein in Trump’s Iran powers
- Another poll shows Graham Platner leading Janet Mills and Susan Collins
- RFK Jr. targets high-sugar Dunkin’ drinks
- The hidden barrier to solving Maine’s housing crisis
- Bangor woman pleads guilty in bank fraud conspiracy
- Construction sparks fire at Bangor motel
- Presque Isle approves moratorium on new marijuana businesses
- Aroostook police make arrest in bomb threat case
- Brooksville approves up to $500K bond to dredge cove
- You can meet BDN newsroom staffers at the Belfast library on Friday
- Blair Witch actor running for Freedom Select Board after being recalled last year
- Camden town manager proposes status quo on policing — for now
- Former supervisor at Rockland post office sues federal agency
- Rockland council to vote on tax deal for former nursing home project
- Maine social worker barred from working in NJ after alleged sexual misconduct
- Man dies at Maine homeless encampment
- FBI conducting investigation in Maine town
- Hampden Academy edges Messalonskee in triple overtime for B North hockey title
- Fort Kent Warriors’ state victory ignites community pride
- These are Maine’s best high school basketball seniors
- He was taking too many penalties in youth hockey, so his mom made him switch to goalie
- UMaine’s Adrianna Smith named America East player of the year
- UMaine women’s basketball expects tough playoff test from UNH
- Cooper Flagg’s parents grew up as Celtics fans. But they won’t be rooting for Boston on Friday.
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Several Maine state historic sites are today closed to the public due to a lack of financial resources appropriated to the sites’ owner, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.”
Opinion: Maine state historic sites need legislative investment
LIFE IN MAINE
Cooper Flagg’s trainer is building the next generation of Maine basketball stars.
A bobcat and bald eagle fighting over a meal were caught on a trail camera.
Here are surprising facts about maple syrup. And a recipe for moose poutine!