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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“On the upside, we’re no longer considered blighted.”

— Betsy Lundy, executive director of the Downtown Bangor Partnership, talking about a new grant program for exterior improvements to downtown business. The program replaces one that was discontinued last year after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development removed the “blighted” classification from Bangor’s downtown.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The Maine Savings Amphitheater may be sold as part of a federal lawsuit settlement. The U.S. Justice Department reached a tentative settlement Monday in the antitrust lawsuit against Ticketmaster and Live Nation Entertainment.

Bangor has a new grant program to spruce up downtown storefronts. “Glow up grants” will help retail businesses upgrade signs and lettering, paint, awnings, banners, planters and seating.

Ellsworth is thinking about a future without its downtown dam. As relicensing drags on, conservationists say removing the dam could open public shoreline access, restore fish passage and allow new recreational activities.

Seven Republican candidates for governor took to the debate stage Tuesday night. Here are three big moments from the debate.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Dwayne Shaw, executive director of the Downeast Salmon Federation, stands near the Ellsworth Dam, which spans the Union River and holds back Leonard Lake. As the re-licensing process for the dam drags on, residents are considering the possibility of the dam being removed. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

The pictures, captured by the Farmington Police Department from a helicopter, show the massive amounts of floodwaters that submerged hundreds of acres during a two-day storm in January 2024. Credit: Courtesy of the Farmington Police Department

“Shorter winters, more volatile weather and warmer temperatures have put tremendous pressure on the winter recreation industry.”

Opinion: Climate superfund would make polluters clean up mess they made in Maine

LIFE IN MAINE

Playing on this unified basketball team is about more than hoops.

A truck like this is essential to every professional Maine hunting and fishing guide.

Here’s what’s happening to Maine’s deer wintering areas, and why it matters.