Morning update: What you need to know in Maine today

TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES

A Bangor synagogue grew and grieved in a year of turmoil. Congregation Beth Israel and its roughly 100 families have felt the anguish of Oct. 7 from thousands of miles away. 

A fire that broke out at an Orrington trash processing plant Tuesday continued to smolder over the weekend. The fire released low levels of cancer-causing chemicals and postponed Friday sports games.

Maine’s delegation has asked for help for thousands who lost Medicare coverage at Northern Light. The change, effective Sept. 30, meant that as many as 4,000 Northern Light patients covered by Humana could pay higher out-of-pocket costs for the same health care services.

Maine’s attorney general has fielded at least 10 complaints against a contractor accused of shoddy and unfinished work. Since the Bangor Daily News first reported on claims about Jake Brown’s business practices Tuesday, 15 additional people reached out to a reporter to say Brown owed them money. 

Midcoast Maine is seeing a rash of restaurant closures. Lack of affordable housing for workers, an issue that has plagued Maine coastal communities, is one contributing factor. 

A child care project at Bath Iron Works could be a model for big employers. After pandemic-era federal funding dried up, Maine day cares were hammered by worker shortages that forced many to shut down.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE

• Janet Mills to lead trip to Norway and Denmark to talk offshore wind
• 7 supposedly haunted Maine places to visit this fall
• Fat Panda Asian market opens 2nd location
• Multiple 911 calls prompt hostage investigation near Sidney Street
• 2 incumbents seek reelection to Brewer City Council
• Downed tree knocks out power in Old Town area
• State rules that expanding Old Town landfill will benefit the public
• Texas couple restores 1860 Houlton home
• Aroostook children’s museum draws inspiration from Bangor attraction
• Invasive blob-like creatures are clogging Maine fishing gear
• Police identify victims and suspect in Bath fatal shootings
• Former Maine sausage shop owner accused of participating in Capitol riot
• Androscoggin County woman found safe
• Lewiston City Council votes to enforce earlier curfew amid rising gun violence
• Maine motorcyclist killed in crash during high-speed chase
• Lisbon football program suspended amid hazing allegations
• Foxcroft Academy pulls away in 2nd half to beat Hermon
• UMaine’s women’s soccer sets league record for home unbeaten streak
• UMaine men’s basketball team focusing on winning the close games

MAINE IN PICTURES

FROM THE OPINION PAGES

“Over these five years I have heard from many Wabanaki thankful for this change and excited to celebrate this day instead of feeling conflicted or hurt by it.”

Opinion: Indigenous Peoples Day in Maine, five years later

LIFE IN MAINE

A number of Maine seed suppliers have not purchased seeds from Israeli-backed seed distributors. This means it may be harder to find certain seeds for the next growing season, including basil. 

Meet the men revolutionizing how Mainers slaughter their livestock. They believe the model is more compassionate for livestock, easier for farmers and produces better meat.

Chris Sargent, a regular Outdoors contributor and former game warden, reminisces about apprehending night hunters in his latest column. As the hunting season gets underway, some hunters may make it onto the Maine Warden Service’s radar for trying to skirt the rules. 

If you’re into foraging for fungi, you need to be careful before chowing down. Eating the wrong mushrooms can cause intense digestive distress or, in a worst-case scenario, death. 

Have you heard spooky sounds in the woods? Well, that might be an owl trying to woo a mate.

It’s not that often you get to see deer playing. Seth Raven has shared this cute footage capturing a game of tag. 

Ben McKenna made family memories this fall. A moose hunt with his grandfather’s .30-06 ended successfully.