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, high honors: Ella Annis, Alexis Arcaro, Lauren Caruso, Tiffany Chan, Ayla Furmna, Alex Hanson, Michael Kinney, Cooper Knepp, Ryan McGary, Hunter McKusick-Slama, Madelyn Poire, Adalynn Rayfield, Alexis Richardson, Cary Sullivan, Owen White; honors: Gabriel Chambers.

MONSON — Monson’s Summerfest takes place Saturday, July 19, an annual celebration of all things summer.

Grade 12, high honors: Shane Favour Siima Birungi, Emma Jeanne Elaine Bither, Giada Boglio, Heidi Clawson, Hailey Lynn Coelho, Carter S.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The new fiscal year has just begun, but Piscataquis County officials have started preliminary work on the 2026 Piscataquis County budget and the 2026-27 Unorganized Territory budget.

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 “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.

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff While the number of homes for sale in Maine is growing, real estate agents from across the state aren’t seeing that trend extend to rustic waterfront camps.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Citizenship was the trait recognized during the month of May for the SeDoMoCha School’s Students in the Spotlight honorees.

By Stuart Hedstrom, Staff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — While property owners in the Unorganized Territory await their tax bills for the 2025-26 fiscal year, Piscataquis County officials are doing likewise.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff New rates for Central Maine Power and Versant Power customers went into effect July 1.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Northern Light Health’s warning of coming changes without providing details is creating a mood of uncertainty about its future, an expert said.

By Leela Stockley, Bangor Daily News Staff Northern Light Health is warning of coming changes at the health care system — but says no hospitals will be closed.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The SeDoMoCha School, 63 Harrison Ave.

By Elizabeth Walztoni, Bangor Daily News Staff In a typical spring, high school students from around the world — China, Vietnam, South Korea, Spain, Germany, Italy and many other countries — would be scheduling interview appointments for the visas they need to study in Maine.

By Ethan Andrews, Bangor Daily News Staff Police arrested a Massachusetts man on June 25 in Greenville after he allegedly led them on a multi-town chase.

MONSON — The sculptures are coming! The Monson Collaborative, a downtown MDF affiliate organization, has been working with the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium for the past three years to bring a large-scale outdoor sculpture exhibition to Monson.