Daily editionWednesday, September 16th, 2026
Good morning, Portland.
The Daily Portland Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 16th of September.
Business
Douro, a nearly year-old, Portuguese-inspired restaurant on the waterfront, was named to the New York Times list of America's 50 best restaurants Tuesday (the only Maine restaurant on the list) after the paper visited 538 venues nationwide.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
More than 11 bars opened across Portland over the past year, including the recently launched The Teal Duck on Exchange Street.
Bar owners say people want social spaces even as alcohol consumption declines + many venues now offer lighter drinks and bar meals instead of heavy drinking.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Economy
Maine’s forest industry is working to hire a new generation as thousands of experienced workers retire.
Industry leaders say 5,000 jobs will need to be filled in the next four years, and local mills in Rumford are urging young people, especially women, to consider these opportunities (they offer strong benefits and a quality local lifestyle).
WMTWRead more
Government
On Monday night, the Gorham Planning Board approved Amazon’s proposal for a nearly 150,000 sqft distribution facility on a 94-acre site off Main St (near Route 25).
Residents continue to oppose the plan over concerns of increased traffic, noise, and property impacts.
WMTWRead more
Health
A Maine woman who credits Sweetser with saving her life will share her mental health journey tomorrow at the 34th annual Auction and Gala fundraiser at Brick South at Thompson's Point — featuring live and silent auctions with keynote Jaymison Harper to fund a new youth psychiatric facility.
WMTWRead more
Lifestyle
Gardeners are harvesting produce and planning for next year by saving seeds; the Maine Audubon Society will hold a seed swap in Holden on Nov. 21 (10 a.m. to noon) and Skillins Greenhouses is hosting a native plants class in Cumberland, Falmouth and Brunswick on Sept. 18.
Portland Press HeraldRead more
Accidents
Passing drivers rescued the driver from a burning car on I-295 in Freeport Monday night; firefighters arrived (7:02 p.m.) to fight the blaze and secure the highway after a ruptured gas tank sent burning gas down an embankment.
WMTWRead more
Good Samaritans and passing motorists pulled a driver from a burning Volvo XC60 off I-295 in Freeport on Monday at 6:50 p.m. after a medical event led to an accident, and firefighters & state police treated minor injuries on scene.
FOX23Read more