Good morning, Portland.

Local radio station Whoopie 100.9 hosted the 15th annual Pet Rock in the Park at Deering Oaks Park on Sunday; nearly 4,000 visitors enjoyed pup cup treats, live music and pet vendors while raising funds for the Animal Cancer Foundation.

The event also featured pet adoptions (including a 9-month-old mutt).

Ron Joseph (author of Bald Eagles, Bear Cubs, and Hermit Bill) recalls receiving a restored Schwinn Deluxe Hornet from Fay Shores when he was a boy.

The gift let him explore hidden fishing streams near Oakland and sparked a lifelong passion for trout fishing.

Hundreds of new students moved into UNE dorms on Sunday with student athletes and volunteers helping with a smooth move-in.

The New Nor’easters Kickoff offered food, music and games, and classes will begin on Sept. 2.

Researchers at the Quahog Bag Conservancy in Harpswell found that a tiny plankton species (Calanus Finmarchicus) that feeds lobster larvae may migrate north due to warming Gulf waters, potentially impacting Maine's multi-million-dollar lobster industry.

Freeport firefighters used last week’s training when two wildfires erupted on Saturday, requiring backup from neighboring towns amid a busy day of fire and EMS calls (demonstrating how real conditions test preparedness).

A GAO report said that the Department of Defense still lacks enough staff and technology to fully track blast-related brain injuries after review was requested by Maine’s delegation in 2024.

The department said it is working on improvements to meet mandates from the 2025 NDAA.

As students start school, Maine kindergartners achieved a 98% measles vaccination rate+ a level that meets community immunity, and pediatricians urge parents to use trusted vaccine guidance+ so every child stays protected.

Anthem Blue Cross in Maine is using its Health OS digital platform to streamline prior authorization for over 400 services, processing two-thirds of electronic requests in real time (3% of non-emergency care requires review).

Anthem says that improvements alone cannot solve the broader healthcare cost crisis for families and employers.

Averyl Hill preserves her 1950 Scarborough ranch as a *mid-century* time capsule with original furnishings and estate sale finds from the 1950s and 1970s.

She shares her story on her blog to encourage simple, sustainable living.

The Portland Sea Dogs lost to the Richmond Flying Squirrels 8-7 in extra innings on Sunday in Richmond, Virginia; the team rallied with three runs in the ninth but gave up a run in the 10th, snapping their four-game win streak (29-28 overall) and now trail by 4.5 games.

The Boston Red Sox activated outfielder Roman Anthony (wrist) and shortstop Trevor Story (hernia) from the injured list on Sunday in New York for the series’ final game.

Anthony returned after rehab with the Portland Sea Dogs, and Story resumed after a Triple-A stint.

Windham’s Brandon Barker won the Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway on Monday morning after a long rain delay + he claimed his first win in a race lasting nearly five hours.

Johnny Clark and Joey Doiron finished second and third respectively.