Good morning, Portland.

Senator Susan Collins attended the Blue Mass at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston on Sunday morning — where Bishop James Ruggieri and diocesan leaders honored law enforcement, firefighters and emergency responders.

The annual event has celebrated first responders since 2001.

Over 300 community members participated in the Sunday Walk to Defeat ALS in Portland, organized by the ALS Association for over twenty years to raise funds for ALS research (goal: $140,000) and support affected families.

Maine veterans returned home Sunday after a free trip to Washington, DC with Honor Flight Maine, where a guided tour of war memorials renewed their memories (this was the program’s third trip of the year from Portland Jetport).

Dunkin’ and L.L.Bean launch a weeklong fall campaign beginning tomorrow when Dunkin’ offers a free limited-edition cup sleeve with any coffee in Maine.

Full-sized sweaters, totes, and other items go on sale online at 10 a.m. Sept. 29 (with a Bootmobile tour visiting select stores).

On Sunday, families gathered in Alfred for the annual Shaker Hill Apple Festival.

The event featured warm apple crisp, a petting zoo with baby goats, and craft tents to support museum upkeep – a long-held tradition dating back to Maine’s Shakers.

Maine Poutine Fest returned to Depot Pavilion at Thompson's Point on Saturday, drawing about 1,500 food lovers who sampled local vendors' poutine and voted for favorites while judges chose Oh Canada Poutine—a four-month-old business inspired to bring Quebec flavors to the community.

Experts predict that fall foliage will be more vibrant this year due to a good growing season and mixed weather, so local residents can check online forecasts (like the Old Farmer's Almanac) to plan leaf-peeping trips.

Peak colors are expected to emerge in our area by late September.

Congress will debate stablecoin rules in the coming weeks, a move that may shift local bank deposits and affect loans for Maine families and small businesses.

Local banks warn that allowing digital cash to earn interest may reduce funds available for home and business investments.

Sen. Jeff Timberlake, owner of Ricker Hill Orchards, supports right-to-repair for farm equipment, citing a federal agreement with John Deere + independent mechanics that would allow farmers to quickly access repair information.

He argues that paying for a machine means earning the right to fix it.

Free car seat safety checks will be offered during Child Passenger Safety Week in Maine on Sept.

24 at Norway Fire Department (11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), and on Sept. 26 at UMaine Machias (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) and Brunswick Fire Department (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.).

During Maine Lobster Week, several local eateries offered lobster rolls with melted butter instead of traditional mayo (a nod to evolving tastes) as a creative twist on the classic dish.

Spots such as Twelve in Portland and venues in Bangor, Kennebunkport, and Wiscasset drew customers with their new flavor options.

Maine’s Tri for a Cure was named top triathlon by Triathlete magazine as the best women’s-only race.

Held at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, the event features a 1/3-mile swim, 15-mile bike ride and 3-mile run—drawing over 1,200 participants annually to raise funds for the Maine Cancer Foundation.