Daily
Portland
Friday, May 8th, 2026
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 8th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ STRIVE Rocks fundraiser begins at 8 p.m. today at the Sullivan gym (USM campus) where STRIVE Studios helps adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities explore art and movement. The dance party, supported by a media sponsor, will run until 8 a.m. Saturday. WGME
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Maine chef Cara Stadler advances to the final round of America's Culinary Cup on May 13, where she will compete with Michelin-starred chef Chris Morgan and gold medalist chef Matt Peters for a $1M prize + the honor of representing Maine. Portland Press Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Thomas College president Dr. Jeannine Uzzi explained how the college connects education + training with Maine’s growing business community as Greenlight Maine celebrated its 10th anniversary with a road show featuring success stories; she highlighted plans to nurture next-generation entrepreneurs. WGME
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The state, Maine’s largest employer, has announced that by late Oct employees taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs must enroll in a free guided nutrition and lifestyle program (aiming to curb rising costs) to retain insurance coverage, while those using the medication for diabetes will follow the usual process. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Lyme disease cases increased steadily over recent years, with 4,257 cases reported in 2025 by Maine CDC as deer ticks became active in both coastal and inland areas. Health officials advise wearing long sleeves and using tick repellant (and checking pets) before outdoor activities to reduce infection risks. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ MaineHealth will open a 5,500 sqft clinical research unit at its Biddeford hospital in 2027 (serving 20-40 patients) so that locals can join trials without traveling to Boston. The $2 million unit, funded by the Maine Technology Institute, will test new treatments such as emerging cancer drugs. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Families along River Road in Benton are offered free PFAS blood tests from a state program that allocated over $1 million, though only 10% of eligible households have followed up; a new law will require insurance companies to cover PFAS testing next year if recommended by a health care provider. FOX23
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Gorham native Mackenzie Holmes joined the Seattle Storm for her second WNBA season after gaining pro experience overseas, and she is set to play today in a season opener against the Golden State Valkyries. She missed her rookie season due to knee surgery and expects support from home. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Former WWE wrestler Scotty 2 Hotty will wrestle his son Keagan Garland in a father+son match today at 7 p.m. during Limitless Wrestling’s WARZONE event at the Portland Expo. He will return to the arena where he first performed in 1989. Portland Press Herald
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
9-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed event — Enjoy an outdoor painting session amid the scenic beauty of Fort Williams Park.
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
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