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.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — April is National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness and support efforts that strengthen families and build safer, healthier communities.

BANGOR —  Bangor Savings Bank has appointed Liz Kohler and John Stebbins to its board of directors, strengthening the Bank’s governance and adding expertise in cross‑sector leadership, workforce development and regional economic growth.

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.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — RSU 68 officials have been working on the 2026-27 budget and the proposed spending plan for the next year totals $15,247,396.

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.

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The Center Theatre announced that it is looking for an area group or organization to park cars at the 2026 Maine Whoopie Pie Festival.

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.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the appointment of Kerry Glover as interim executive director as part of a planned leadership transition.

By Michael Shepherd, Bangor Daily News Staff AUGUSTA — A Democratic bill to expand the use of ranked-choice voting would violate the Maine Constitution, the state’s high court said in an April 6 opinion.

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public A federal appeals court ruled Friday, April 3 that Maine’s 72-hour waiting period on gun purchases is likely constitutional, handing gun control advocates a significant victory in a high-profile Second Amendment case.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Piscataquis Regional Food Center is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to its board of directors, bringing a diverse range of experience and community leadership to support the organization’s mission.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A faucet is turned on and water comes out.

State of Maine Offices in Aroostook, Hancock, Washington, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Somerset counties to open at 11 a.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Bill Zimmerman, an assistant teaching professor of public relations at Penn State University, officially filed a proposal with the Unicode Consortium to create a whoopie pie emoji.