By Kasey Turman, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County Commissioners approved the county’s 2026 budget with a unanimous vote on Dec.

By Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff The state’s system that manages legal representation for low-income defendants is awaiting two big decisions that will shape its future.

By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor A fake announcement about changes to northern pike regulations claiming to be from the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife circulated among Maine’s fishing community Dec.

AUGUSTA — New Ventures Maine Executive Director Janet Smith has announced a call for applications for the Gilda E.

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 Marie Weidmayer, Bangor Daily News Staff Penobscot County is scheduled to see four murder trials in 2026, nearly three years after the last murder trial was held in Bangor.

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 Sara Coughlin, Harpswell Anchor Baxter State Park encompasses more than 200,000 acres of wilderness in northern Maine, far from coastal Harpswell.

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 Michael Livingston, Maine Public  It’s well past 8 p.

New Ventures Maine has announced open applications for their statewide Marketing Mini-Grant competition.

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.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — The holidays can be a challenging time for those affected by cancer, and sometimes, a small gesture to make life easier can make all the difference.