Daily
Portland
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 7th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Ed Lechner, 90, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Boston Shoe Travelers Association Tuesday at his South Portland Selby Shoes store—recognizing over 50 years of service in retail. His family now runs the business, continuing his legacy and local community ties. Portland Press Herald
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ ARC Maine's Jeff Peterson is touring Allagash Brewing Company today for National Beverage Day and will show how the brewery produces its popular craft beers (a behind the scenes look at local brewing). WGME
- ➤ Maine art museums are hosting summer exhibits featuring photography, painting, and sculpture that showcase local and national talent; the Portland Museum of Art is showing Winslow Homer works (July 3-Oct. 18) while other venues present themed collaborations. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Kerem Durdag’s poem 'Roses' is featured by DEEP WATER: Maine Poems in collaboration with the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance (with author permission), presenting tender images of nature and memory. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Freeport Players presents dinner theater 'Crab Cakes and Murder' at First Parish Hall (40 Main St) on May 8 and 9 at 6 p.m., where guests help solve a fictional mystery while enjoying meals by Chef David Hansen. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and tickets cost $45, purchased online. Portland Press Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ STRIVE’s programs help local adults build independent living skills while fostering community support—STRIVE Rocks fundraiser will begin at 8 p.m. Friday at the University of Southern Maine’s Sullivan Gym, and donations will keep the programs thriving. FOX23
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Students and scientists at the University of Maine are testing a biodegradable pesticide to protect spruce and fir trees from increased spruce budworm numbers; federal Forest Service funding supports research near the Quebec border & Fort Kent and aims to save Maine forests. FOX23
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Portland leaders are discussing converting part of the school district’s Cumberland Avenue office into a long-term family shelter as Chestnut Street leases expire next month. They will review a $14 million renovation plan (with $4 million annual operating costs and $10 million in obligation funds) at a Thursday finance meeting. WGME
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ MaineHealth will begin enrolling 60 referred patients next week in its second year clinical trial on chronic Lyme (where symptoms continue despite treatment) at centers in Biddeford, Portland, Brunswick, Rockport, and Belfast. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says naloxone is still used in suspected overdoses even when fentanyl is mixed with nonopioid drugs (it only counteracts opioid effects). Portland police reported seven suspected overdoses on April 26 and urged 911 calls immediately. Portland Press Herald
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ UNO Pizzeria & Grill in South Portland will host a Mother’s Day-inspired ‘Mom and Me’ pizza class Saturday at noon to let moms and kids bond while making deep-dish pizza from scratch. Chefs will guide participants through dough preparation & topping choices. WGME
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Thornton Academy earned every first-place vote and Falmouth all nine second-place votes in the latest Varsity Maine boys lacrosse poll based on games played before May 5 — the top six teams were unanimously ranked by all nine voters, and shifts may come in future rankings. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ The Mariners clinched their first playoff series win in a 3-1 Game 7 victory over Adirondack at Cross Insurance Arena Wednesday, scoring two late goals. They will face the Wheeling Nailers in the second round starting Friday. Portland Press Herald
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed event — Enjoy a morning of creativity surrounded by the beauty of nature.
-
Album Release Show: Thin Lear and Friends
8 PM - 12 AM — Blue Portland Maine — Tickets TBA — Celebrate the release of Thin Lear's 'Many Disappeared' with supporting acts including Sagittarius Rising and The Womps.
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Buy tickets online — Enjoy a morning of painting in the scenic beauty of Fort Williams Park.
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed event — Enjoy a morning of outdoor painting in the picturesque setting of Fort Williams Park.
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed event — Unleash your creativity in a picturesque outdoor setting and enjoy painting among nature.
-
All Roads Music Festival - Day 2
12:00 – 11:59 PM — One Longfellow Square — Ticket prices vary — Experience Savoir Faire's jazz-infused music that connects modern themes to a nostalgic sound.
-
Curtain Call Discussion – THE LAUGH TRACK
4:15 PM — Portland Stage — Free entry — Engage in an insightful conversation about the production with performers and explore the creative process.
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed event — Enjoy a morning of creativity in the scenic outdoors of Fort Williams Park.
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Check the website for ticket prices — Experience creativity in nature while painting at a scenic park.
-
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed entry — Enjoy a morning of outdoor painting at a scenic park in Cape Elizabeth.
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.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portland
Welcome to the Daily Portland, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Portland, Maine community. If you like the Daily Portland, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Portland.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Portland and across Maine. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Portland
A free Portland community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyportlandnews.com/sitemap