By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor For the second time this summer, wildfire smoke from Canada has rolled into Maine, creating a gray haze that dulls the usual clarity of our summer skies and sends air quality readings into unhealthy territory.

By Yasmeen Khan, The Maine Monitor Johnnie Walker, director of housing and shelter services at Partners for Peace, has worked at the domestic violence resource center for 25 years.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff The order of referendums on the November 2025 statewide ballot has been announced.

AUGUSTA – The Maine Association of REALTORS Foundation, the charitable arm of Maine Association of REALTORS, has awarded $210,000 through its 2025 Competitive Grant Program to 22 non-profit organizations to address a variety of housing needs of low-income individuals and households across Maine.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff The federal government says Penobscot County owes nearly $360,000 in unpaid taxes and penalties, but the county insists the amount has already been paid.

BREWER — Following a national search, the Northern Light Health Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Guy Hudson, MD, MBA, has been unanimously selected as the next president and chief executive officer of Northern Light Health.

By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff Connie Kousman’s Medicare plan with Anthem has gotten her through open heart surgery, breast cancer surgery and many stage four cancer scans without any out-of-pocket expenses.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Kristen Wortman, executive director for Pine Tree Hospice, announced that Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union has become the major sponsor of their Annual Charity Golf Tournament.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A potential site has been chosen for the new Penobscot County Jail, but there are significant steps to be completed before a new facility can be constructed.

By Steve Mistler, Maine Public Maine’s federal defender and court-appointed attorneys are sounding the alarm about a dire funding shortfall that they say could mean delayed trials for indigent clients.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County has chosen a property in Hampden as the potential site for a new jail, according to a source with knowledge of the decision.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Someone earning minimum wage needs to work 61 hours a week to afford a modest one-bedroom apartment in Maine.

By Rose Lundy, The Maine Monitor A new law expands who is eligible for charity care in Maine while federal Medicaid cuts are expected to push tens of thousands off public insurance.

Grade eight, habits of work honor roll high honors: Cindy Adams, Memphis Cole, Elainah Hotham, Alessandra Long, Callista Rodgers, Fiona Rodgers, Liam Saunders, Hailey Young; academic honor roll high honors: Alessandra Long, Callista Rodgers, Liam Saunders, Landen Sillanpaa.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High School 10TH REUNION — Twenty-four members of the Dexter Regional High School Class of 2015, their families and some of their teachers enjoyed a class reunion on Sunday, July 13 at the school.

By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff Despite seeming to be in free fall for months, Northern Light Health insists it’s not looking to sell its hospitals — and experts say the health care system can avoid that drastic step if it acts quickly.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff The potential site for a new Penobscot County Jail has been narrowed down to two properties.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff The “nerdy” changes within Penobscot County’s criminal justice system are what District Defender Logan Perkins is most proud of during her first year on the job.