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QUOTE OF THE DAY
“What we do should be filled with light and joy and happiness. We’re not defeated in any sense.”
— René Colson, the executive director of the Healthy Island Project, on the organization’s work to support the people of Stonington.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
The top Republican on the Legislature’s watchdog committee plans to call for an investigation into alleged interpreter fraud. That comes on the heels of the revelation that a federal agent flagged the potential fraud five years ago and after Maine DHHS stopped MaineCare payments to one provider.
The Trump administration’s cuts are straining the budgets of Maine nonprofits. But that work must continue, and nonprofits like Stonington-based Healthy Island Project see growing need.
Northern Light Health lost $15 million this year. While that’s a marked improvement from the $156 million loss the year before, federal cuts present a challenge to the health system’s turnaround.
Another Northern Light provider is moving to open a direct primary care practice. Trinity Direct Primary Care in Presque Isle is part of a growing trend of practices charging just a flat monthly rate for service rather than billing insurance.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Hundreds in rural Maine frustrated with mail delivery
- How Maine farmers are fighting a drought that will stretch into 2026
- Mainer wants Supreme Court to hear case on school’s handling of her child’s gender transition
- Economic divide widening between Portland and rest of Maine, report finds
- Bangor nonprofit hands out free food and clothes on Christmas
- Man seriously injured in Hermon assault
- New roof is Christmas surprise for Maine veteran battling cancer
- Man convicted in Millinocket murder complains about his former lawyers at hearing
- Penobscot County Commissioners will vote next week on new budget
- Penobscot County awards $400k in opioid grants to 12 projects
- Ashland school club nets Teens to Trails grant
- Police arrest driver in Fort Fairfield crash that killed 2
- 2 dead in Tremont
- Fire destroys Maine home filled with 20K books
- 2 men accused of setting Maine home ablaze
- Watch another crazy finish in Maine high school basketball with heroics from Caribou
- Cony quarterback and UMaine recruit from Portland among Fitzpatrick finalists
- Cooper Flagg scores 27 points in loss to Warriors on Christmas
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Fifty years of broken promises have brought us here. We can’t afford 50 more.”
Opinion: Maine is losing its future, one failed student at a time
LIFE IN MAINE
The favorite doesn’t always, and Maine saw plenty of surprising and inspiring sports upsets this year.
These tips will help you capture more compelling photos of nature.
Here’s a small slice of the lives and experiences the Bangor Daily News capture this year.
