Daily editionSaturday, August 29th, 2026
Good morning, Portland.
The Daily Portland Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 29th of August.
Community
A ticket sold at Hanley's Market in Bristol won $100,000 in Wednesday's Powerball drawing, becoming one of only three such prizes nationally and adding to Maine's several big wins this month.
WMTWRead more
Culture
Pineland Farms (New Gloucester) launches its corn maze today and will offer more fall activities in September and October.
Education director Catheryn Anderson described the events as a fun way to kick off the autumn season.
FOX23Read more
Education
Leap N Learn Childcare in Saco announced its permanent closure on Oct. 2 due to rising costs making it unsustainable (the decision comes just days after a Kids Summer Fest to thank supporters).
WMTWRead more
Environment
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows that most of Maine is abnormally dry or in moderate drought with severe conditions expanding in coastal and interior areas, as limited runoff + heightened demand lowers water levels and strains local farms.
Occasional showers may bring only brief relief unless persistent rains return.
WMTWRead more
Fern the barred owl (hit by a car in 2018 and suffering head trauma) now lives at the Center for Wildlife in Cape Neddick with owl Byron, where they guide visitors and foster baby owls.
WGMERead more
Government
Gov. Mills lit Blaine House pink on Thursday night as a tribute to Dolly Parton, who died Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer + ordered flags to be lowered statewide for one week.
WMTWRead more
Health
Sweetser's 34th annual Auction & Gala will be held Thursday, Sept. 17 at Brick South on Thompson's Point to raise funds for Maine's first youth psychiatric residential treatment facility.
The event will feature chef-crafted food, live music, dancing and auctions of unique prizes.
WMTWRead more
Some surgeries at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston are postponed after state regulators found a problem with equipment sterilizing surgical instruments last week.
Non-urgent procedures are rescheduled while patients needing urgent care are transferred to other hospitals.
FOX23Read more
Sports
The Maine Celtics will open their 2026-27 season with a home game against the Westchester Knicks on Friday, Nov. 6 in Portland.
The team will follow a 50-game schedule split between a 14-game Tip-Off Tournament in December and a 36-game regular season beginning Dec. 27 at the Portland Expo.
Portland Press HeraldRead more