Daily
Portland
Friday, March 14th, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 14th of March.
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Maine State Police are investigating after a body was discovered at Fort Williams Park near Portland Head Light—one walking path was closed Thursday afternoon and no further details have been released. WMTW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ MSAD 51 said Greely High School has not received any notice of a Title IX investigation after Fox News reported that the Trump administration might expand its probe into transgender sports. The district awaits official contact from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. WGME
- ➤ Dr. Nirav Shah, who led Maine’s pandemic response at the CDC, will return this fall as a visiting professor at Colby College. He will teach public health courses—helping build a new undergraduate program—after stepping down from his U.S. CDC role at the end of February. WMTW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Maine Senate is debating a $121 million supplemental budget proposal to fund MaineCare providers and spruce budworm control; Republicans want reforms to the Medicaid program while Democrats back a compromise to pay hospitals on time. Lawmakers are set to resume debate later today—facing a deadline before the next payment cycle as the Maine Department of Health and Human Services withholds some funds. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Starting in April, Maine food pantries will lose 250,000 pounds of food each month when the USDA cuts its Emergency Food Assistance Program by half and cancels the Local Food Purchase Assistance program—actions that remove essential supplies and funding from many pantries. The Good Shepherd Food Bank, which supports 623 partner agencies, said state lawmakers are reviewing a hunger prevention bill as families face rising costs and increased food insecurity. WMTW
- ➤ The Trump administration restored all USDA funding to the University of Maine System after it froze money following a Title IX review of transgender athletes, Sen. Collins said. This funding supports work on PFAS contamination and helps programs for Maine farmers and loggers. WGME
- ➤ A federal judge denied Maine AG Aaron Frey's request to temporarily reinstate the 72-hour waiting period for gun purchases, saying the rule forces all buyers to wait even if they pass a background check—this means the law remains on hold as the case moves to appeals. FOX23
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Tick experts warn Mainers to prepare for more ticks this spring because last winter was not cold enough to lower their numbers. Griffin Dill from the University of Maine said ticks thrive in warm, wet conditions and urged residents to check for ticks and use protective clothing when outdoors — a key step in preventing bites. FOX23
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Five years after the pandemic, local work habits still favor remote and hybrid formats, which has led to a modest rise in office vacancy rates from 7% to 8.15% in suburban areas while downtown fared better (lowest vacancy rate since 2018). Some building owners are now planning to repurpose empty spaces into housing or hotels as part of this shift in work trends. WMTW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ At 18, Newport native Cooper Flagg is making his impact at Duke after winning a state title at Nokomis and shining at Montverde Academy where his team won a national championship. He also helped win gold with USA U17, earned a top player award, and signed with New Balance (earning praise from future Hall of Famers). WMTW
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Choir! Choir! Choir! - An Interactive Singing Experience
Choir! Choir! Choir! invites participants to engage in a fun and interactive sing-along event featuring the biggest hits of Queen, where attendees become performers and can enjoy an evening of music and camaraderie.
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An Afternoon of Jazz with Brad Terry and Friends
Enjoy an intimate jazz performance by legendary clarinetist Brad Terry and his talented ensemble during a special Sunday session.
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Sunrise on the Reaping Release Party at Barnes & Noble
The event is a celebration for the release of the fifth book in the Hunger Games series, featuring giveaways and a special edition available for pre-paid reservations.
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Community Bingo Event
Join the community at the Portland Elks Lodge for a public Bingo event with games, food, and accessible facilities.
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Cozy Wine Down Wednesdays at C2 - Congress Squared
Experience a relaxing midweek getaway with half-off select wine bottles and $5 house wines in a warm atmosphere at C2 - Congress Squared.
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NOVA ONE Concert
NOVA ONE will perform live at SPACE Gallery in Portland, offering an evening of music starting at 8:00 PM.
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Keys to The City: A Dueling Piano Show
This interactive dueling piano show features talented performers Jim Ciampi and Seth Holbrook, promising an evening filled with music, laughter, and audience participation.
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Dooryarders Concert
Dooryarders will be performing live at Hi-Fidelity in Portland.
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Book Signing with Jenn Bouchard
Jenn Bouchard will be signing copies of her romance novel 'Considering Us' at Barnes & Noble in South Portland.
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Portland Maine Career Fair at Immigrant Welcome Center
This career fair offers job seekers the opportunity to connect with top employers across various sectors, including Government, Sales, Education, and more.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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