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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The standard is definitely going to be raised, but I would like to work with the businesses that are there and make their businesses great, because it’s because of them that that building’s still standing … They’ve been paying the bills.”

— Michael Cole, representing the group under contract to buy the Bangor Mall, on his pledge not to displace existing tenants.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

How the Bangor Mall developer sold his lofty plans to city officials. When developer Michael Cole fired off an email to a Bangor municipal lawyer in September about the Bangor Mall, he wanted to make one thing clear: He wasn’t just another speculator.

This Maine schoolhouse-turned-home has students’ names carved on the walls. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has been fully remodeled, but still shows signs of the students who once learned there.

A Bangor woman has created a “seedling library” to help gardeners. While seed libraries have been popular in Maine, this project takes the concept a step further by offering live plants for free.

This Maine family is sending letters in a quest to find a sheep farm. They are looking for between 10 to 25 acres just north of Portland to live, start a sheep farm and allow their parents to retire.

Legislators greenlight low-cost residential plug-in solar for Mainers. The portable solar panels can be plugged directly into a standard outdoor outlet and placed on the sunny side of a home or balcony.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

MAINE IN PICTURES

Amanda Moscone of Bangor took the concept of little free libraries up a notch, offering instead free plant seedlings that started from plants in her 200-plant collection. “[Plants] reward you,” she said. “If you take care of them and love them, they reward you, either with flowers, new growth, fruits, vegetables.” Credit: Elizabeth Walztoni / BDN

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

The University of Maine men’s hockey team skates a lap around the rink to thank their fans at Alfond Arena after a game on Oct. 25, 2025. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN

“While all students deserve quality facilities, I think it’s unrealistic to believe that UMaine will keep pace with larger Division I schools that have sizable endowments and more affluent graduates.”

Letter: UMaine should focus on academics, not sports

LIFE IN MAINE

Killing spring turkeys is easy. A bow changed how Outdoors contributor Al Raychard hunt them.

Chris Sargent had a secret fishing spot. Then a land trust bought the property and ruined it, the Outdoors contributor writes.