Tuesday, September 16th, 2025

Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Portland.
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 16th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Cruisin' for Kibble set sail from Portland docks Sunday to raise funds for feeding over 2,000 pets and supporting veterans—organizer Nadine Malloy said donations have dropped over 50 percent, making the fundraiser key to keeping her pet food pantry open into 2026. WMTW
- ➤ Kevin Fitzpatrick stepped off the roof at Patriot Subaru in Saco last Thursday at 2 p.m. after a 192-hour challenge and raised $96,344.70 for STRIVE, a nonprofit that helps teens, tweens and young adults with intellectual disabilities—every dollar will support current programs and add new ones like the Tuesday Art Studio series. WGAN
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Singer-songwriter Janis Ian, 74, will appear for screenings and Q&A sessions for the documentary Janis Ian: Breaking Silence in Gardiner and Brownfield next week—she will sign up to three items for fans at each event. The Gardiner screening is set for Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Reehl Stage at Johnson Hall Opera House, and the Brownfield event is on Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Stone Mountain Arts Center. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Maine State Ballet will open its season with a new ballet called The Highlands and the return of The Magic Toyshop, set to play on weekends (Oct. 11-18) at Lopez Theater in Falmouth. The program will feature live dance and vivid staging that will captivate audiences of all ages. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Amadeus Florendo, a p.m. sous chef at Bar Futo, hosted Filipino pop-up dinners called Pulutan to share his heritage and learn about the challenges of running a restaurant—he sold out these events even when his menu was too complicated at first. He later simplified his menu to offer fewer dishes as he worked toward his dream of opening a Filipino restaurant. Portland Press Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Maine adults returning to college face challenges with debt and adjusting to new routines. The Mitchell Institute is helping these students finish their degrees—supporting them in overcoming academic hurdles this school year. WGME
- ➤ Scarborough High School canceled regular classes Monday after the unexpected death of assistant principal Jacob Brown; the school held counseling sessions starting at 10:00 a.m. to support students, staff and community. Brown had served as an administrator and coach since 2020 — details of his death remain unclear. WMTW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Portland taxi fares were raised for the first time since 2009 after City Council passed a change on Monday—raising the base fare from $1.90 to $4, the rate from 30 cents to 35 cents per one-tenth mile, and doubling the Jetport pickup fare from $5 to $10. Councilors said a proposal for a city-wide $10 minimum was turned down because it would hurt riders on short trips. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Maine lawmakers passed a consumer protection bill for AI chatbots and approved it unanimously without a roll-call vote. They will review other AI measures, including a deferred bill on child sexual abuse images, when they return in winter — a topic underscored by a reported 4% increase in holiday sales linked to chatbot use. WMTW
- ➤ Portland voters are urged to vote Yes on Question 1 on Nov. 4 to require voter ID and a paper trail for absentee ballots—supporters say the measure will secure elections as 36 states already use similar rules. This proposal aims to modernize our voting process to protect the integrity of Maine's elections. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Residents in Cumberland County will attend a commissioners meeting tonight to speak during the public comment period about ICE detainees held in the local jail—many say the contract lets U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain people. Sheriff Kevin Joyce said that 59 detainees are in the county jail—past meetings drew around 150 people on the issue. WGME
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A group of Mainers is traveling today to Sen. Susan Collins’ office to share personal stories and urge Congress to boost funding for cancer research—concerns over federal budget cuts that could slow future advances drive the effort. The American Cancer Society Action Network joins over 700 cancer patients, survivors and family members in this advocacy visit. WGME
TRAVEL NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR Give yourself the gift of travel for just $1. Try Dollar Flight Club today and unlock deals up to 90% off—like Paris from $285 or Hawaii from $160. Hurry, this $1 offer ends in 24 hours. Dollar Flight Club
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Portland.
-
Maine Irish Makes: September Session
2-4 p.m. — Maine Irish Heritage Center — Free entry — Gather with local crafters for an afternoon of creativity, conversation, and community building.
-
Ekphrasis Poetry Workshop
5:30-7 p.m. — Dunes — Entry fee applies — Explore the art of poetry inspired by visual art with Poet Laureate Emeritus Maya Williams.
-
Maine Brain Tumor Awareness Walk
9 AM – 12 PM — Payson Park — $20 registration fee — Join the community for a one-mile walk to raise awareness and funds for brain tumor research.
-
Marc Ribot Solo Acoustic Show
7:30-10:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — Ticketed — Experience the genre-defying guitar legend Marc Ribot as he celebrates his new record with a solo acoustic performance.
-
Wine Sail - Cabernet Sauvignon Experience on the Frances
4:45-6:45 p.m. — Maine Sailing Adventures — Ticket required — Enjoy a picturesque sailing experience while tasting five exquisite Cabernet Sauvignons from renowned wine regions.
-
The 502s Concert
6:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre — Ticket prices starting at $51 — Catch the energetic vibes of The 502s live in Portland!
-
Fiction Workshop
10:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. — 105 St James St, Portland, ME — Cost not specified — Connect with fellow writers and enhance your fiction writing skills in this engaging workshop.
-
Scenic Train Ride
10 a.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — $0 to $23.50 — Enjoy a scenic 40-minute train ride with beautiful views of Casco Bay and learn about Maine's narrow gauge railroading history.
-
The California Honeydrops Concert
7-9 p.m. — State Theatre — Ticket information available — Experience the vibrant sound of The California Honeydrops on their Redwood Highway Tour.
-
Scenic Train Ride
11 a.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — $0 to $23.50 — Experience a charming 40-minute train ride along the stunning Casco Bay while uncovering the history of narrow gauge railroading.
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.

Make your holiday travel happen with $1 today
Give yourself the gift of travel this holiday season—for just $1. Try Dollar Flight Club for just $1 today and unlock flight deals that save you up to 90% on trips for you, your friends, and your family. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy holiday getaway or a big adventure abroad, they'll send deals tailored to your home airports straight to your inbox. Think roundtrip to Paris from $285, Hawaii from $160, Tokyo from $455, and more. But hurry— this $1 offer ends in 24 hours. Start traveling smarter today.
Try for $1.
Supporting our sponsors is one of the best ways to support Daily Portland.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Focus is saying no to good ideas.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portland
Welcome to the Daily Portland, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Portland, Maine community. If you like the Daily Portland, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Portland.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Portland and across Maine. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Portland
A free Portland community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.

© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyportlandnews.com/sitemap