DOVER-FOXCROFT — During the first meeting of 2026 on Tuesday morning, the Piscataquis County Commissioners set the chair and vice chair for the new year.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff A man accused of assisting in a Bangor homicide is back in jail, roughly six months after his bail was drastically lowered.

By Daniel O’Connor, Bangor Daily News Staff As Maine rings in the new year, many laws passed by the Legislature are set to go into effect.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff Maine saw more houses change hands this year than last, with the state’s most populated counties seeing the highest number of sales — part of a years-long pattern.

By Carol Bousquet, Maine Public The government says the Rural Health Transformation Program is intended to help residents in rural Maine have better access to preventive, primary, maternal and behavioral health services.

By Elizabeth Walztoni, Bangor Daily News Staff Reports of common tick-borne diseases in Maine broke records again in 2025 as tick populations have expanded in the state.

By Cameron Levasseur, The County Staff Twice in recent memory, groups of school districts in southern and northern Aroostook County have looked to consolidate into one regional high school under mounting budget pressure, declining enrollment and staffing shortages.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor Maine lakes and ponds are beginning to freeze as winter sets in, but ice conditions remain variable across the state.

By Lori Valigra, Bangor Daily News Staff Consumers likely noticed smaller apples and potatoes and pricier blueberries lining grocery shelves this fall after one of the driest summers in 30 years triggered drought alerts throughout Maine, with the National Weather Service predicting that the parched conditions will likely continue into next spring.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff During Maine’s pandemic-era housing crunch when high demand and limited inventory caused property costs to skyrocket, many buyers chose to forego a home inspection before closing.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Northern Light Health lost $15 million last year, a year after a $156 million loss left the health care system reeling.

By Daniel O’Connor Just five people entered the basement of the Belfast courthouse for an August meeting.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff As temperatures continue to drop, Mainers are reminded that winter is on the way, bringing with it all the beauty and challenges of the season.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff A missing Lagrange boy has been found.

By Christopher Burns, Bangor Daily News Staff LAGRANGE — A Lagrange boy is missing.

By Annie Rupertus, Bangor Daily News Staff A $100,000 gift from an anonymous donor will help about 285 Maine families with emergency heating support this winter.

Nominations are now open for the Maine Teacher of the Year program, which celebrates excellence in teaching and elevates the importance of the teaching profession.

MILO — Military members past and present were honored at the Milo Veterans Memorial in Evergreen Cemetery on Saturday, Dec.