Daily
Portland
Monday, January 12th, 2026
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 12th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Midcoast Youth Center in Bath partnered with DoorDash to deliver essentials to 30 families, providing $3,000 in credits to help with food or other needs. The center — known for its indoor skatepark — plans to continue the effort to support more families in need. FOX23
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ This week brings entertainment as Broadway George Dvorsky starts a two-week run at the Good Theater from Jan. 21, comedian Adam Ray performs at Empire Comedy Club Friday and Saturday, and Sea Change Chorale hosts an MLK Day concert Sunday at First Congregational Church in South Portland. Portland Press Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ In 2023, the National Council on Teacher Quality gave Maine teacher prep programs (UMaine in Orono, USM and Farmington) F ratings for reading instruction amid falling test scores. The schools dispute the report, saying their science-based practices better prepare educators than the review suggests. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Saint Dominic Regional High School in Auburn has received a $1 million donation to fund 40 scholarships for Catholic students of French-Canadian heritage starting this school year. Don and Cathy Dion hope the gift spurs more community giving. FOX23
- ➤ A pilot program led by UMaine’s Mitchell Center at Sebago Elementary and other Maine schools cut cafeteria waste by up to 25% and saved disposal costs; a toolkit (released this fall) will help schools prepare for a statewide food waste ban starting in 2030. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ TRIO provides mentoring, tutoring and counseling to nontraditional students at local colleges to help them balance school, work and family. Advocates say Congress and state leaders must secure funding to preserve this vital support for Maine’s future workforce + ensure students have the tools needed to succeed. Portland Press Herald
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 1.8 quake just outside Ellsworth Saturday morning (three days after a 1.3 quake in Washington County) with no damage reported even though a few people felt weak shaking. WMTW
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Primal Soup (Phish Tribute) Live Performance
8-11:30 p.m. — Bayside Bowl — $15 adv, $25 door — Maine's premiere Phish tribute act returns for an all-ages show.
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Script Club – Lend Me a Tenor
1:30-2:30 p.m. — Portland Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a lively discussion of 'Lend Me a Tenor' moderated by Portland Stage’s Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus.
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Bess Jacques & The Strays Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Tickets required — Experience a fusion of jazz, Americana, and more with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
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Winter Concert Series: Sigrid Sibley & Shannon Allen
7-8:30 p.m. — Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village — Ticket details not provided — Experience beautiful acoustic music in support of local cultural arts.
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Maine Mariners vs. Trois-Rivieres Lions
6-8 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Bid on unique jerseys — Celebrate Portland's title as the Top Minor League Sports Market in the USA with a special game experience.
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Burns Night Celebration
5-9 p.m. — Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Celebrate Scotland's beloved poet with traditional food, live music, and cask beer.
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Wild Pink Live with Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields
7:30-10:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — Cost info not provided — Experience the explosive rustic rock of Wild Pink alongside Portland's own Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields.
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Community Bake at Flatbread Company Portland
5-9 p.m. — Flatbread Company — Portion of proceeds to support MOFGA — Celebrate local food and gather educational resources while enjoying delicious flatbreads.
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Contra Dance Night with Stomp Rocket
7-10 p.m. — Mechanics' Hall — $15-$20 admission — Experience a lively evening of contra dancing with live music to warm you up from the winter chill.
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Stews & Stories Potluck Supper
5:30-8:30 p.m. — Mechanics' Hall — Pay-what-you-can, suggested $20 — Enjoy a cozy evening of shared stews and storytelling that warms both body and spirit.
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