Daily editionTuesday, January 13th, 2026
Good morning, Portland.
The Daily Portland Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 13th of January.
Community
Portland Nordic is launching a pilot program at Payson Park using modern snowmaking to create a 400-500 meter ski loop and sledding slope (to keep winter activities running amid unpredictable snowfall) that will operate through January and possibly into February.
FOX23Read more
Windham’s Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals took in four horses rescued from dire conditions in upstate New York on Thursday, Jan. 8.
Staff confirmed the animals are in quarantine and expected to be adopted after receiving veterinary care (including a stallion now comfortable in his enclosure).
Portland Press HeraldRead more
A benefit concert will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 at Aura in Portland to raise funds for Custom House Wharf fire victims — tickets cost $25 with free admission for first responders and must be 18 or older, and all proceeds support the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.
WGMERead more
Culture
Filmmaker Kieran Blunnie's new short documentary, Neo-Typesetters, explores Maine's printmaking legacy at Brunswick's historic shop and is now streaming on PBS after debuting on New Hampshire PBS on Jan. 8.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Economy
The federal government expanded disaster relief Monday for Maine businesses and nonprofits that lost money from the drought.
Eligible entities in York county and 11 other counties can apply for low interest loans for unpaid bills with eligibility extended back to Aug. 19 (losses in York begin Oct. 28).
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Environment
The Maine CDC lowered PFAS limits in drinking water to 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS plus 10 ppt for three others to match federal standards.
Adopted in December, the rule will roll out with monitoring by 2027 and enforcement from 2028, with compliance due by April 2029.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Government
Michael Smith analyzed state crash data and found that almost 50% of collisions involving pedestrians or cyclists had no recorded cause, compared with only 16% for vehicle-only crashes in Portland and nearby towns, prompting questions about reporting practices.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Real Estate
A new MaineHousing report shows that rising home prices have outpaced incomes, with the cost to afford a median-priced home rising 187 percent from 2015 to 2024 while median income grew 44 percent, and 755 low and middle-income housing units came online in 2025 (with a record future pipeline).
FOX23Read more
Portland Events
Primal Soup (Phish Tribute) Live Performance
Friday, January 16th, 2026 · 8-11:30 p.m. — Bayside Bowl — $15 adv, $25 door — Maine's premiere Phish tribute act returns for an all-ages show.
Script Club – Lend Me a Tenor
Saturday, January 17th, 2026 · 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.
Bess Jacques & The Strays Concert
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 · 7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Tickets required — Experience a fusion of jazz, Americana, and more with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
Winter Concert Series: Sigrid Sibley & Shannon Allen
Friday, January 23rd, 2026 · 7-8:30 p.m. — Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village — Ticket details not provided — Experience beautiful acoustic music in support of local cultural arts.
Higher Ground - A Tribute to Stevie Wonder
Saturday, January 24th, 2026 · 8-11 p.m. — Portland House Of Music and Events — Ticket prices vary — Experience New England’s premier soul band pay homage to the legends of soul music.
Burns Night Celebration
Sunday, January 25th, 2026 · 5-9 p.m. — Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Celebrate Scotland's beloved poet with traditional food, live music, and cask beer.
Wild Pink Live with Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields
Monday, January 26th, 2026 · 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.
Community Bake at Flatbread Company Portland
Tuesday, January 27th, 2026 · 5-9 p.m. — Flatbread Company — Portion of proceeds to support MOFGA — Celebrate local food and gather educational resources while enjoying delicious flatbreads.
Contra Dance Night with Stomp Rocket
Wednesday, January 28th, 2026 · 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.
Stews & Stories Potluck Supper
Thursday, January 29th, 2026 · 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.