Daily
Portland
Thursday, January 29th, 2026
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 29th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Pastor Carlos Nzolameso searched for missing music organizer Evaristo Kalonji after he missed work at Chipotle and found his black Ford Fusion unlocked near his home on Westbrook Street in South Portland; he later received a call that Kalonji was detained by immigration agents + he is now held at a detention center in Rhode Island. Portland Press Herald
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Minibar Golf offers indoor mini golf and tasty treats to help patrons beat the winter chill. Owner Kevin Moschella and expert Caili Elwell describe the venue’s creative mix of fun and flavor in downtown Portland. WGME
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Amy Allen, raised in Windham and a product of Portland’s Waynflete School, is set to compete for the Songwriter of the Year Grammy on Sunday in Los Angeles—she won last year and helped write hits for pop stars including Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. Portland Press Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Mills proposed a statewide ban on cell phones in classrooms during her State of the State address on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to reduce distractions and boost learning (research shows test score improvements) as towns have already banned phones and a bill requires districts to restrict use by Aug. 1. FOX23
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Maine’s tobacco control report showed an improvement in tobacco taxes grading — boosted to a B — after lawmakers passed a $1.50 cigarette tax increase and updated its smokefree law, making it the only state to fully fund its program at or above CDC recommendations, the American Lung Association said. WMTW
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Night Moves Pizza Night at Lambs
4:30-8 p.m. — Lambs — Bring your own pizza — Enjoy a casual evening with delicious pizza from Night Moves in a great neighborhood bar setting.
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Holy Cross School Dance with The Jim Ciampi Band
7-11 p.m. — Portland, Maine Elks Lodge #188 — Cash bar and snacks available — Groove all night with live music and good vibes from The Jim Ciampi Band.
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Book Launch: Emily Nemens' CLUTCH
7-8 p.m. — Mechanics' Hall — Ticketed event — Celebrate the launch of CLUTCH with author Emily Nemens and a conversation with Nick Fuller Googins.
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An Evening of Middle Eastern Music and Dance
7-8:30 p.m. — Cadenza — Free entry — Enjoy a captivating blend of Middle Eastern music and dance performed by talented ensembles and artists.
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Kouchera In Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — The Hill Arts — Cost info not provided — Experience a vibrant R&B journey from the 70s to the 2000s with high-energy performances and soulful rhythms.
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Curtain Call Discussion – LEND ME A TENOR
4:15 p.m. — Portland Stage — Free entry — Engage with performers in a lively discussion about the production's creative process and themes.
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Writer as Flaneur: Braided Essay Workshop
6-9 p.m. — Mechanics' Hall — $275 Members/$475 Nonmembers — Explore the art of the braided essay while embracing the wandering spirit of the flaneur.
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Valentine's Day Dinner at Earth
4-6 p.m. — Earth at Hidden Pond — $115++ per person — Experience a romantic prix fixe menu with seasonal ingredients in a charming setting.
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Jeff Dunham Live in Portland
7-9 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Ticket purchase required — Experience the hilarious antics of world-renowned comedian and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham.
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Groovin' Your Heart Out: Valentine's Dance Night
7-10 p.m. — Woodfords Club — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of live R&B music and learn Rhumba on Valentine's Night!
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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