Daily
Portland
Wednesday, May 14th, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 14th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Portland’s Parks Conservancy is opening the Riverton Trolley Bike Park today (the first public bike park for BMX and mountain biking fans) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Jack Phillips and Stu Johnson (from Parks Conservancy and Maine Trail Builders) will speak at the event. WGME
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Portland’s USM campus will host the 21st annual STRIVE Rocks dance party Friday at 8 p.m. at Sullivan gym, with the event raising funds for STRIVE (a nonprofit serving teens, tweens and young adults with intellectual disabilities). WGME
- ➤ Portland’s Indigo Arts Alliance, a Black-owned art collaborative, bought its East Bayside studio at 60 Cove St. in January after nearly six years of renting—saving on rising rental costs and paving the way to expand programs and staff support for local artists. Portland Press Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A Maine homeowner said her contractor did not finish the work and she lost $40,000—her case adds to many complaints and lawsuits filed against him—and state lawmakers will soon propose rules to license contractors and protect consumers. WGME
- ➤ Rep. Marc Malon introduced a bill to ban dynamic pricing—raising prices during busy hours—in Maine stores and restaurants because supporters say Mainers should not pay more based on demand while critics argue there is no local evidence of the practice. WGME
- ➤ A judge ruled that criminal suspects held without a lawyer will get court hearings to address a growing backlog and might have all charges dropped. Anyone who waits more than 60 days for a public defender will be released—murder cases are not included. FOX23
- ➤ In November, voters will choose if Maine’s election laws should require a state ID for voting and tighten absentee ballot rules. A conservative group called Dinner Table Action has filed a lawsuit against Secretary Bellows, saying the ballot question is misleading—voter ID is mentioned only at the end. WGME
- ➤ Portland granted General Assistance to 3,051 individuals last year; over 57 percent received help for three months or less, with about 30 percent only aided for one month and just over 3 percent for 12 months. The mayor said many recipients do not live in the city and will seek more state funding. FOX23
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The Magic of Motown
7:30-9 p.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience the joy and nostalgia of Motown classics in a vibrant evening of music.
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Outdoor Painting Class in Cape Elizabeth
1-4 p.m. — Scenic Location Near Portland — Booking Required — Capture Maine's natural beauty in a private painting class for all skill levels.
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Scenic Train Ride along Casco Bay
10 AM – 1 PM — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Ticketed event — Experience a picturesque 40-minute train ride while learning about Maine's railroading history and enjoying beautiful waterside views.
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Book Reading with Jamie Loftus
6-7 p.m. — Longfellow Books — No tickets needed — Celebrate the paperback release of Jamie Loftus's bestselling book, Raw Dog, in a fun-filled evening.
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Creative Chaos Creative Retreat 2025
12 PM – 9 PM — O'Maine Studios — $1,100 ticket — Engage in hands-on painting workshops and connect with fellow creatives over three exciting days.
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Brunswick Downtown Hiring Event
11:00 AM - 1:30 PM — Brunswick Town Mall — Free entry — Connect with local employers seeking job seekers at this hiring event.
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Cage Match Showdown
6-9 p.m. — Empire Comedy Club — $15 admission — Witness the comedic clash of Sporks vs Pitch to Pilot in an improv battle for the ages.
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May 2025 Commencement Ceremony
11 a.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Free admission — Celebrate Unity Environmental University’s graduating class of 2025 with keynote speaker Neil deGrasse Tyson.
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Scenic Train Ride
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Check website for pricing — Experience a picturesque journey along Casco Bay in historic passenger cars while learning about Maine's railroading history.
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Visit the CREA Ecology Center – Open Sundays
12-2 p.m. — CREA Ecology Center — Free entry — Explore nature and enjoy the beauty of the Cathance River Nature Preserve with family and friends.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The more complete the despair, the more complete the awakening.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portland
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