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 Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli, The County Staff A southern Aroostook high school consolidation could meld technical and traditional education to better prepare students for the workforce, school officials said.

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.

ORONO — Ruth Griffith of Parkman, who is majoring in economics with minors in mathematics and international affairs, is the 2026 University of Maine valedictorian.

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.

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.

The Maine Department of Transportation has begun road work in Greenville, Shirley, Monson and Abbot for a pavement preservation and improvement project.

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.

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

By Kevin Miller, Maine Public Maine’s highest court revisited the issue of ranked-choice voting April 1 as groups push to use the process in gubernatorial elections.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff U.

By Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli, The County Staff HOULTON — A community conversation about consolidating two southern Aroostook high schools and a career and technical education center serving five area districts has been slated for April 7 at the Temple Theater in Houlton.

By Sabrina Martin, Bangor Daily News Staff Despite coming under scrutiny in the past year because of Hancock County’s suspended probate judge, a bill to reform how probate judge positions are filled and overseen was rejected March 26 by the state Senate.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff DOVER-FOXCROFT — Three colleagues are running for Piscataquis County sheriff — making it one of the most contested county-level races in Maine’s June primaries.

WESTBROOK — Maine Credit Unions are expanding their commitment to financial education with the launch of Volume 2 of their Adult Financial Education Curriculum: “Protecting Your Assets.