A version of this story first appeared in the Morning Update newsletter. Sign up here to receive the Morning Update and other BDN newsletters directly in your inbox.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The current status of the field of forensic podiatry foot comparison is, at a minimum, debatable.”
— From the Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s opinion vacating Kailie Brackett’s murder conviction on grounds that footprint analysis should not have been allowed as evidence. The Law Court said the evidence was “sufficient” to convict without the forensic podiatrist’s testimony, and the state can retry Brackett but may not use footprint evidence.
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
A $1.1 million fine is the latest legal hurdle for the owner of the Bangor Mall. Namdar Realty Group is facing more than 100 criminal complaints in Pennsylvania over the state of a mall there.
More Maine homeowners are ditching heating oil. Technology may have advanced enough to rival time-honored heating methods.
A Maine Republican was hit with an ethics complaint over a top staffer’s phone call. The complaint to the Maine Ethics Commission from primary rival David Jones revolves around state Sen. Jim Libby’s campaign manager.
Cellphone bans are gaining in popularity, and lawmakers say it’s time to go bell to bell. Teachers, superintendents and education experts praise the policies as a way to rebuild a sense of community that many believe has been diminished by students’ addiction to screens.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- George Mitchell resigns from charity helping poor Maine students pursue college education
- All victims of deadly Bangor plane crash have been officially identified
- Bangor restaurant owes tens of thousands in unpaid wages, former employees say
- Longtime educator and administrator appointed to lead John Bapst
- State police major crimes unit takes over search for missing Hampden man
- Brewer police arrest 2 accused of drug trafficking and animal cruelty
- Crafting machine probably caused Lincoln house fire, marshal says
- An Aroostook town takes the 1st step to join a neighboring school district
- Woman’s conviction in brutal Down East murder vacated because of faulty footprint analysis
- Read the Maine supreme court decision vacating Kailie Brackett’s conviction
- Maryland man who died at Acadia was a ‘source of laughter’
- New Waldo County commissioner appointed to fill vacant seat
- Man pleads guilty in hit-and-run deaths of twin Maine toddlers
- Police identify 23-year-old fatally shot after fight in Standish
- A Maine community is rallying around the family of a man arrested by ICE
- Freshman guard’s late free throws help Hampden Academy girls edge Bangor
- UMaine men’s hockey seeking 1st win at BU since 2018
- UMaine men make statement with upset basketball win over Vermont
- UMaine women’s basketball avenges loss to Vermont with impressive road victory
- UMaine men’s basketball looking to turn February into ‘winning season’
MAINE IN PICTURES
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“Instead of automatically adopting a deeply flawed federal tax package that dramatically favors the wealthy and corporations, we should focus on stabilizing property taxes, protecting essential services and preserving the state’s ability to respond when federal funding falls short.”
Opinion: Maine should reject costly federal tax changes and invest in working families instead
LIFE IN MAINE
This fisherman caught a 12-pound lake trout. And another fisherman, nicknamed “River Monster,” caught this 41-inch pike.
Edward Abbey’s writings echo truths about Down East Maine, contributor RJ Heller writes.
The best deer rifle? Outdoors contributor V. Paul Reynolds has you covered.
