Daily editionWednesday, January 14th, 2026
Good morning, Portland.
The Daily Portland Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 14th of January.
Community
Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl airs on Feb. 8 with 150 dogs including Maine rescues Lobster Roll of Team Ruff and Auggie of Team Fluff.
The Animal Rescue League of Greater Portland is hosting a watch party at Embassy Suites (1050 Westbrook St.) on Feb. 6.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Culture
Portland will host the All Roads Music Festival this spring when over 30 indie bands perform on May 15 and 16 at venues including State Theatre, One Longfellow Square, and Space Gallery — the full schedule comes by end of January.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Economy
The SBA is offering low-interest disaster loans to Maine small businesses and private nonprofits that lost income from cool, wet weather in May 2025 (when rain was forecast for 12 weekends and temperatures hit the 60s only in June).
Applications are due by Aug. 24.
WMTWRead more
The NECEC transmission line will begin commercial operations Friday.
The 145-mile line carries 1,200 megawatts of renewable power from a hydropower facility in Canada to a converter station in Lewiston and is expected to reduce Maine energy costs by $14–$44 million (following final testing and tree clearance in Caratunk).
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Education
Sen. Jill Duson has introduced a bill — LD 2147 — to restore $309,505 in state funds to the River Valley Upward Bound program after federal funding was cut in Sept. 2025.
The program supports low-income and first-generation high school students preparing for college in Androscoggin and Oxford counties.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Students are enjoying the 9th annual WinterKids Winter Games that run from Jan. 12 to Feb. 6 and offer outdoor challenges in physical activity, nutrition and winter learning to build healthy habits locally.
FOX23Read more
Government
Governor Janet Mills celebrated the state's Hire-A-Vet campaign reaching its self-imposed goal of 100 hires in 100 days, as Maine companies offered jobs paying over $27 an hour to veterans and military family members, and the campaign has connected over 2,200 hires with 2,000 employers since 2015.
FOX23Read more
Health
Phillip Niles from Bridgton said his daughter spent 21 hours in an emergency department waiting for a psychiatric bed amid long delays in Maine's mental health system for children.
Experts say the state needs more local pediatric psychiatric beds and better discharge planning to support families.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Doctors warn that this intense flu season, driven by mutated subclade K (a variant of influenza A), has led to high lab positivity and more hospital visits.
They say Portland residents should get a flu shot and seek early treatment to prevent severe illness.
WMTWRead more
Sports
High school girls basketball in Maine offers five storylines this week.
Hampden leads Class A North against Mt. Ararat, while Windham challenges as a dark horse in A South; undefeated Gardiner will rematch Lawrence Saturday at 11:30 a.m., and Cape Elizabeth and D South aim for playoff spots.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Falmouth football coach Spencer Emerson stepped down on Monday after guiding the team to a Class B title over two seasons; he will join a college football program in an off-field role that lets him stay in Saco with his family (wife Phoebe and their 5-month-old daughter).
Portland Press HeraldRead 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.