By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine consistently ranks as one of the most rural states in the nation, with more than 60% of the population living far from a major city.

By Molly Enking, Maine Public The U.

A longstanding tradition in the region’s schools continued earlier this month as the Valley Grange of Guilford provided all area third graders with a dictionary through the Dictionary Project and the Grange’s Words for Thirds program.

By Wendy Watkins, Bangor Daily News Staff A new documentary detailing 50 years of black bear research in Maine was released Nov.

DEXTER — Two area school districts and the region’s career and technical education center have applied for state funding for a comprehensive high school that will combine traditional academics, career and technical education, and access to college courses.

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public Nearly half of Maine’s registered voters participated in this year’s November election, which was much higher turnout than during the past two off-year elections.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Although a deal has been reached to end the government shutdown that jeopardized SNAP benefits for thousands of Mainers, heating aid and other assistance programs are still feeling the impact of a lack of federal funding.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff A proposed $36 million budget for Penobscot County, including a controversial increase in the jail budget,  was partially approved by an advisory committee in a five-hour meeting on Nov.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Mainers can now renew their Real ID through an online portal.

Early detection is one of the best ways to improve lung cancer survival.

By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County residents may feel the effects of a growing budget next year caused by a soaring jail budget and a $3.

DEXTER — Dexter Regional High School now has $75,000 to put toward upgrades to the football field thanks to T-Mobile.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Point32Health company, and Northern Light Health are working together to bring affordable, high-quality health care coverage for those living in Maine.

Penquis was selected to receive a $1,000 grant by BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc.

This past October over 70,000 FFA members from across the country gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the 98th National FFA Convention.

Photo courtesy of Dexter Regional High SchoolSTUDENTS OF THE MONTH — Dexter Regional High School is pleased to announce the October Students of the Month as selected by the faculty and staff for being exemplary students.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine’s median home price fell in September for only the second time since 2019.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Pine Tree Hospice, a non-medical, non-profit volunteer hospice organization in Dover-Foxcroft, is inviting private duty care providers to be included in its free private duty provider directory.