Daily editionFriday, June 5th, 2026
Good morning, Portland.
The Daily Portland Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 5th of June.
Business
Six Maine food producers won Good Food Awards Tuesday after a blind tasting evaluated over 1,200 entries nationwide; winners include Allagash Brewing Company + Bixby Chocolate + Maine Grains + Maine Sauce and Provisions + Tootie’s Tempeh + Turtle Rock Farm, honored by the Specialty Food Foundation.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Gluten-free beers from Orange Bike Brewing are now sold at 25 Hannaford stores across Maine, offering Hazy IPA + pilsner for purchase with a seasonal Oktoberfest to be added in the fall.
The brewery, opened in 2023, is Portland’s first dedicated gluten-free facility.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Culture
Greenlight Maine returns for its 11th season with a new episode featuring Judge Jeff McCabe (director of Maine’s Office of Outdoor Recreation) that spotlights local entrepreneurs and innovators and airs on CBS13 on Saturdays at 7 p.m.
FOX23Read more
Education
Maine education leaders say plans to repair aging public schools are delayed until the next legislative session in January due to rising costs and an estimated $11 billion need.
In Windham, Windham-Raymond Schools are building a $155 million new middle school to combine students from two older facilities.
FOX23Read more
Maine education leaders say plans to fix the state's school building problems are on hold until the Legislature reconvenes in January 2027.
Local projects such as the $155 million Windham middle school continue as districts work to upgrade aging facilities amid rising costs.
WGMERead more
Government
Maine announced the return of summer SUN programs to help families access nutritious food; about 85,000 children will be eligible for SUN Bucks (a $120 grocery benefit) and EBT cards will be updated by today.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner’s campaign accepted over $30,000 from lobbyists between last August and March even though he had pledged to reject large donations; the records emerged days after a sexting scandal and now cast doubt on his vetting process before the primary.
WGMERead more
Sports
Portland Hearts of Pine announced Thursday that it secured a USL W League franchise for its new women's team, which will begin play in May 2027.
Season ticket deposits will go on sale at 12 p.m. on Thursday, June 11.
WMTWRead more
A law enforcement torch run is traveling across Maine ahead of the Special Olympics opening ceremony in Orono today.
Officers and athletes gathered in towns across the state Thursday to pass the flame of hope and raise funds for the event.
WGMERead more
Accidents
Thursday night, Randolph firefighters responded to a barn fire at a building owned by Coutts Brothers (an electrical construction company) that housed equipment, saving tractor-trailers and an excavator while investigators work to determine the cause.
FOX23Read more
Portland Events
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Saturday, June 6th, 2026 · 1-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Tickets available — Enjoy a day of creativity surrounded by nature in beautiful Cape Elizabeth.
Cut and Paste Collage Event
Sunday, June 7th, 2026 · 4-7 p.m. — Lambs — Free — Get creative with friends while enjoying drinks at this fun collage-making event.
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Monday, June 8th, 2026 · 1-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a creative outdoor painting experience in a beautiful park setting.
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Tuesday, June 9th, 2026 · 1-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Tickets available — Enjoy a morning of outdoor painting in a beautiful park setting.
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 · 1-9 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticket prices vary — Explore your artistic side in a picturesque outdoor setting.
Mekons Live Performance with Aftershow Disco
Thursday, June 11th, 2026 · 8-10:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — All ages — Experience the eclectic sounds of the Mekons and dance at the aftershow disco.
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Friday, June 12th, 2026 · 1-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticketed event — Experience the beauty of art while painting outdoors in the scenic Fort Williams Park.
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Saturday, June 13th, 2026 · 1-2 p.m. — Fort Williams Park — Ticket purchase required — Experience the beauty of outdoor painting in a scenic park setting.
Writing Workshop from Nature with Emma Zimmerman
Sunday, June 14th, 2026 · 11:00 AM — Canco Woods Trails — Free entry — Discover the connection between urban and wild through writing prompts and nature exploration.
Paint Outdoors in Portland, Maine
Monday, June 15th, 2026 · 1-10 a.m. — Fort Williams Park — Tickets available — Explore your artistic side with a vibrant outdoor painting experience.