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QUOTE OF THE DAY
— Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. The Unity-based organization behind the Common Ground Country Fair is cutting six staff positions to make up for lost federal funding.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
New Maine laws and taxes take effect in 2026. The new year brings new taxes and wage increases to Mainers. Janet Mills will have a stack of bills passed by the Legislature to consider.
Revisit the 10 most-read stories in Maine in 2025. The Bangor Daily News published thousands of stories this past year, but these were the most popular.
Maine has welcomed three New Year’s Day babies so far. A baby girl was born in Bangor, and two baby boys were born in southern Maine.
Keep an eye on these Maine politicians. It’s easy to name potential standouts after a year of transition, but it’s harder to know who will rise, or be left standing, at the end of 2026.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Federal immigration agents visit office of Maine health care provider facing fraud allegations
- Woman slain in Corinth was free spirit, silly and ‘loved hard,’ family and friends say
- Penobscot County leaders approve $35.3M budget
- Houlton’s proposed budget climbs by $1.4M from last year
- Judge orders release of records in Maine paddleboarder’s slaying
- MOFGA to cut staff amid federal funding loss
- Renys shuts down Portland store early
- Aroostook church bell anchored to concrete allegedly stolen, then suddenly reappears
- Appeals court says Medicaid funding cuts for Planned Parenthood can stand while lawsuit proceeds
- Federal judge in Maine issues injunction to stop changes to drug discount program
- Alabama man pleads not guilty to making bomb threats to Bangor airport
- Washington County projects less than 3 months’ worth of cash flow entering the new year
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“As in 1922, we’d do well to remember to recognize good intentions, to remember that personal liberty comes with responsibilities, to share our privileges and, perhaps most important, to practice the golden rule.”
Editorial: Percival Baxter’s new year’s resolution still resonates more than a century later
LIFE IN MAINE
Ready to try making sourdough bread? First you’ll need a starter, but the results are worth the wait.
The way you’re clearing the ice and snow off your windshield might be wrong.
Watch a gorgeous male bobcat marking his territory while searching for a mate.
