By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Spring is typically when Maine’s real estate market explodes with new inventory and home sales.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis County has applied for a $1 million federal grant that if awarded would provide funding for a jail nurse and benefit three other regional organizations.

By Christopher Burns and Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff Gov.

Three Rivers Kiwanis presents the 20th annual Sebec River Canoe and Kayak Race on Saturday, May 9.

HALLOWELL – As warmer weather brings a surge in outdoor projects across the state, the Maine Public Utilities Commission is reminding homeowners, contractors and anyone planning to use a mechanical device to dig that they are required by law to call 811, Maine’s “Call Before You Dig” number, at least three business days before beginning any excavation.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Land Use Planning Commission has begun work on updating the Comprehensive Land Use Plan.

By Benjamin Kail, Bangor Daily News Staff Secretary of State Shenna Bellows argued that a referendum aiming to ban transgender girls from girls’ school sports has enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot, but the margin is tight with more challenges pending.

MILO — The town of Milo is seeking up to $100,000 in Community Enterprise Grant funds from the state to install a sidewalk along Penquis Drive, off West Main Street to the Penquis Valley School, this summer.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Recently the Piscataquis County Democrats sponsored “Together in Community, United in Song” at the Commons in Dover-Foxcroft.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — New restrictions on high-priced moose hunts are moving forward despite a bitter clash between guides and an unexpected fight in the Maine Legislature.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine counties will get more money for jails in 2027 after years of asking the state to increase funding.

By CBS 13 The debate over transgender student athletes in school sports is once again in the spotlight in Augusta, and soon, it will be up to Maine voters to decide.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Along with $300 relief checks, a millionaire tax and free community college gaining permanent status, the state budget signed by Gov.

PORTLAND — Pets are family, and they need emergency plans too.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Despite the seasonal return of rain, April and May in Maine often come with an elevated risk of wildfires, according to the Maine Forest Service, who issued a warning on April 10.

By Daniel O’Connor Conservatives are rushing to critique the state’s wording of a ballot question that could ban transgender public school students from sports teams and private spaces that align with their gender identities.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A month and a half after the Piscataquis County Commissioners voted to have $10,000 in county opioid settlement money go annually to the non-profit Recovery Wellness Community Center of Sangerville, county officials heard about the impact of the funds during a commissioners meeting on the morning of April 7.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff The wording of this November’s referendum to ban transgender athletes from girls sports teams has been released.