Bangor Daily News

Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries

Bangor Daily News

2025 was a year of change for Bucksport

2025 was a year of change for Bucksport

by Elizabeth Walztoni

Wintry mix, ice expected to make travel difficult across much of Maine

by Wendy Watkins

17-year-old girl killed, boy injured in Aroostook County snowmobile crash

by Wendy Watkins

Remembering some of the Maine sports legends who died in 2025

Remembering some of the Maine sports legends who died in 2025

Maine sports legends who shaped the state’s sports scene are remembered for their contributions and impact on the lives of athletes and fans.

by Larry Mahoney

Corinth man charged with murdering his mother

Corinth man charged with murdering his mother

by Wendy Watkins

Maine expands PFAS products ban in 2026

Maine expands PFAS products ban in 2026

by Peter McGuire, Maine Public

Here are the changes coming to UMaine’s campus next year

Here are the changes coming to UMaine’s campus next year

by Kasey Turman

Firefighters knock down three-alarm blaze in Portland’s Old Port

Firefighters knock down three-alarm blaze in Portland’s Old Port

by Drew Johnson, Portland Press Herald

The moon and sun figure big in the new year’s lineup of cosmic wonders

The moon and sun figure big in the new year’s lineup of cosmic wonders

by The Associated Press

2026 birding resolutions: Bird naked or use every tool

2026 birding resolutions: Bird naked or use every tool

by Bob Duchesne, Good Birding

Watch a Maine man show how to escape after falling through ice

Watch a Maine man show how to escape after falling through ice

by Sasha Ray

Federal funding cuts are straining the nonprofits that keep this Maine island afloat

Federal funding cuts are straining the nonprofits that keep this Maine island afloat

by Elizabeth Walztoni

The possibilities for cooking with Maine conifers are endless

The possibilities for cooking with Maine conifers are endless

by Jenna Rozelle

Latest Obituaries

Norman Eugene Whitten

Peter Payson Roberts

See more obituaries

LATEST NEWS

It was a difficult year for Washington County. Things won’t let up in 2026.

Delays hit delivery of Maine Maritime Academy’s new ship

Maine sets new record in reports of tick-borne disease in 2025

Here’s how many houses sold in every Maine county this year

OPINION

Letter: Troy Jackson understands fishermen

Letter: Troy Jackson understands fishermen

by Opinion Contributor

A purse filled with obscure sorrows: Lesson from an Iranian bookstore

A purse filled with obscure sorrows: Lesson from an Iranian bookstore

by Opinion Contributor

CRIME & COURTS

Wave of high-profile murder trials expected in Penobscot County next year

1-year-old child found dead in Milford

Firefighters tackle large fire in Portland’s Old Port

NATIONAL NEWS

Hawaii hopes stricter laws will quiet illegal fireworks after deadly New Year’s Eve blast

Zohran Mamdani has bold promises. Can he make them come true as New York City mayor?

Winter storm brings blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills

POLITICS

Maine joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s move to ban youth gender-affirming care

Maine joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s move to ban youth gender-affirming care

by The Associated Press

Times Square to feature patriotic ball drop for New Year’s Eve, kicking off US’s 250th birthday

Public release of Epstein records puts Maxwell under fresh scrutiny amid her claims of innocence

Trump warns against infiltration by a ‘bad Santa,’ defends coal in jovial Christmas calls with kids

Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump name added to building

BUSINESS

Economic divide widening between Portland and rest of Maine, report finds

Economic divide widening between Portland and rest of Maine, report finds

by Nicole Ogrysko, Maine Public

Real estate Q&A: How can we get neighbor to deal with constantly barking dog?

The hottest Maine real estate markets of 2026, according to experts

Maine home sales plummeted during federal shutdown

Maine loggers are used to hard times. Then came the tariffs.

Today’s paper

GET OUTSIDE & DO THINGS

You can have a fantastic time cross-country skiing on these Penobscot River trails

You can have a fantastic time cross-country skiing on these Penobscot River trails

by Ron Chase, Outdoors Contributor

This is my wintertime hunting addiction

This is my wintertime hunting addiction

by Chris Sargent, Outdoors Contributor

Why this angler avoids ice fishing for brook trout

Why this angler avoids ice fishing for brook trout

by Al Raychard, Outdoors Contributor

11 great cross-country skiing spots in Maine

11 great cross-country skiing spots in Maine

by Aislinn Sarnacki

SPORTS

Maine Mariners’ games postponed as minor league hockey players strike

How a small Belfast workshop got giant bobbleheads into the big leagues

These upsets surprised and inspired during a wild year of Maine sports

Cooper Flagg scores 27 points in loss to Warriors on Christmas

Watch another crazy finish in Maine high school basketball with heroics from Caribou

‘It was sick’: Cooper Flagg’s brothers cheer him on as rookie scores 33 points

OPINION

10 inspirational quotes from Joshua Chamberlain for a new year

Bangor can see the housing solution rising right before our eyes

Perfection, in Christmas trees and life, is a matter of perspective

The Christmas message

How journalism moves awareness into action

Maine must build its way out of the housing crisis

Latest news in your region

Bangor

Northern Light Health lost $15M in 2025, audit shows

Northern Light Health lost $15M in 2025, audit shows

hancock

Composer and his wife dead in Maine murder-suicide

Composer and his wife dead in Maine murder-suicide

MIDCOAST

No injuries in Brunswick Christmas Day fire

No injuries in Brunswick Christmas Day fire

PORTLAND

Woman allegedly fled to Maine to escape Virginia sex crimes case

Woman allegedly fled to Maine to escape Virginia sex crimes case

AROOSTOOK

Frustrated with big health care, provider will open Aroostook’s 3rd insurance-free clinic

Frustrated with big health care, provider will open Aroostook’s 3rd insurance-free clinic

CENTRAL MAINE

2 dogs die in Pittsfield fire

2 dogs die in Pittsfield fire

DOWN EAST

To fight loss, Passamaquoddy speakers are talking new life into their language

To fight loss, Passamaquoddy speakers are talking new life into their language

PISCATAQUIS

Cause of fire that damaged historic Greenville Masonic lodge remains unknown

Cause of fire that damaged historic Greenville Masonic lodge remains unknown

YORK

2 Maine towns have finally ended their yearslong border dispute

2 Maine towns have finally ended their yearslong border dispute

News

Maine Republican plans to call for probe into alleged interpreter fraud

Maine Republican plans to call for probe into alleged interpreter fraud

December 25, 2025December 25, 2025

How Maine farmers are fighting a drought that will stretch into 2026

How Maine farmers are fighting a drought that will stretch into 2026

December 25, 2025December 25, 2025

Our favorite photos from across Maine in 2025

Culture

Our favorite photos from across Maine in 2025

December 25, 2025

DOJ says it may need a ‘few more weeks’ to finish release of Epstein files despite Dec. 19 deadline

Nation

DOJ says it may need a ‘few more weeks’ to finish release of Epstein files despite Dec. 19 deadline

December 24, 2025December 26, 2025

See how much snow has fallen across Maine on Christmas Eve

Weather

See how much snow has fallen across Maine on Christmas Eve

December 24, 2025December 24, 2025

A Maine cop warned of interpreter fraud 5 years ago. The state is just catching up.

Government

A Maine cop warned of interpreter fraud 5 years ago. The state is just catching up.

December 24, 2025

These are the hurdles to combining central Aroostook’s 3 largest high schools

Education

These are the hurdles to combining central Aroostook’s 3 largest high schools

December 24, 2025December 24, 2025

Brewer’s thrilling rivalry win against Bangor punctuated by disagreement over score

High School Basketball

Brewer’s thrilling rivalry win against Bangor punctuated by disagreement over score

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Tuesday night storm could dump 12 inches of snow over southern Maine

State

Tuesday night storm could dump 12 inches of snow over southern Maine

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Maine stops payments to embattled health care provider facing fraud allegations

Government

Maine stops payments to embattled health care provider facing fraud allegations

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Cony quarterback and UMaine recruit from Portland among Fitzpatrick finalists

High School Football

Cony quarterback and UMaine recruit from Portland among Fitzpatrick finalists

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Central girls basketball beats Schenck

High School Basketball

Central girls basketball beats Schenck

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Hundreds in rural Maine frustrated with mail delivery

State

Hundreds in rural Maine frustrated with mail delivery

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

EXCERPT: In ‘Storm at the Capitol,’ police officers detail a brutal assault on Jan. 6, 2021

Nation

EXCERPT: In ‘Storm at the Capitol,’ police officers detail a brutal assault on Jan. 6, 2021

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Medicaid paid more than $207 million for dead people. A new law could help fix that

Nation

Medicaid paid more than $207 million for dead people. A new law could help fix that

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

It took a crisis for Mainers to finally pay attention to county government

State

It took a crisis for Mainers to finally pay attention to county government

December 23, 2025

5 of the best plays in Maine sports this year

Sports

5 of the best plays in Maine sports this year

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Miraculous buzzer-beater completes wild comeback in Maine high school basketball game

High School Basketball

Miraculous buzzer-beater completes wild comeback in Maine high school basketball game

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

Colorado faces $24M federal funding cut over illegal commercial driver’s licenses

Nation

Colorado faces $24M federal funding cut over illegal commercial driver’s licenses

December 22, 2025December 23, 2025

Here’s how the Maine AG’s office is spending its share of the opioid settlement

State

Here’s how the Maine AG’s office is spending its share of the opioid settlement

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

Illinois members of Congress are latest to tour immigration facilities after judge’s ruling

Nation

Illinois members of Congress are latest to tour immigration facilities after judge’s ruling

December 22, 2025December 23, 2025

Ex-CIA director John Brennan wants ‘favored’ Trump judge kept away from Justice Department inquiry

Nation

Ex-CIA director John Brennan wants ‘favored’ Trump judge kept away from Justice Department inquiry

December 22, 2025December 23, 2025

Mike Vrabel says there is ‘no issue’ among coaching staff as Patriots punch playoff ticket

Professional Football

Mike Vrabel says there is ‘no issue’ among coaching staff as Patriots punch playoff ticket

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025

Inside Susan Collins’ talks with 16 senators on an ACA subsidy compromise

Washington

Inside Susan Collins’ talks with 16 senators on an ACA subsidy compromise

December 22, 2025December 22, 2025