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Daily editionFriday, September 26th, 2025

Good morning, Portland.

The Daily Portland Team

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Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 26th of September.

Community

  1. Press Herald Toy Fund volunteers are sorting boxes of toys at the South Portland office as they prepare to give gifts to about 4,000 kids this holiday season – applications for gifts will open Oct. 1, and pickups will happen in counties like York and Cumberland.

    Portland Press HeraldRead more

Economy

  1. Mills announced that the Maine Technology Institute will create a new Maine Life Sciences Center to connect research institutes, businesses and workforce programs—boosting Maine’s life sciences sector.

    The governor’s office said that a $2.7 million grant will fund a shared lab in Portland, set to be completed by end of 2026.

    Portland Press HeraldRead more

Education

  1. Graduate student workers from Maine’s public universities are rallying today at 1:30 p.m. at MLK Plaza in Orono—demanding a union contract with higher wages and better health care after nearly 700 days of negotiations as political candidates and state legislators prepare to join the event.

    Portland Press HeraldRead more

Environment

  1. The U.S. Drought Monitor update from Sept. 25 showed that extreme drought in Maine has more than doubled from 6% to 13%, affecting western areas through the Lakes Region and Penobscot Bay while moderate drought rose from 63% to 72%.

    Forecasts indicate no rain over the coming weekend — river levels are at record lows and well water remains scarce.

    WMTWRead more

Government

  1. New federal changes will raise costs and tighten rules for Medicare, Medicaid and food assistance in Maine.

    The Department of Health and Human Services said the reconciliation law signed on July 4 will require work documentation for 90,000 MaineCare enrollees — food stamp benefits will drop by about $26 a month this fall and up to 31,000 people may lose coverage due to documentation challenges.

    Portland Press HeraldRead more

  2. A new Property Tax Relief Task Force met for the first time to study rising property taxes that are straining Maine families and seniors, and it will deliver an interim report by January with final recommendations by December — the panel may propose direct relief measures and changes to local tax rules — as lawmakers work to ease the burden.

    Portland Press HeraldRead more

  3. The new law improving Maine's right to food is now in effect; it stops local governments from banning vegetable gardens on private property—expanding opportunities for food-producing plants in public spaces as the state works to end hunger by 2030.

    WGMERead more

Health

  1. Northern Light Health said it will drop Anthem coverage for non-hospital care if a new contract with higher reimbursements is not reached by October 1, and Anthem warned that meeting the demands could raise premiums—leaving patients unsure about their care options.

    FOX23Read more

  2. Sprout Organics expanded its voluntary recall on Sept. 23 of 3.5-ounce Sweet Potato Apple and Spinach baby food pouches sold in Maine due to signs of high lead levels found during routine testing; consumers who bought the recalled product at Walgreens, online or from independent stores should return the pouches with lot codes (4212, 4213, 4282, 4310) for a full refund.

    WMTWRead more

Portland Events

Submit an event

  1. The 502s Concert

    Sunday, September 28th, 2025 · 6:00 – 9:30 PM — State Theatre — Ticket prices starting at $51 — Catch the energetic vibes of The 502s live in Portland!

    View event

  2. Fiction Workshop

    Thursday, October 2nd, 2025 · 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.

    View event

  3. Amy Grant Concert

    Friday, October 3rd, 2025 · 7:30-9:00 p.m. — State Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience the soulful sounds of Amy Grant live in Portland.

    View event

  4. The California Honeydrops Concert

    Saturday, October 4th, 2025 · 7-9 p.m. — State Theatre — Ticket information available — Experience the vibrant sound of The California Honeydrops on their Redwood Highway Tour.

    View event

  5. Alexandra Kay Concert

    Sunday, October 5th, 2025 · 7:00-9:30 p.m. — State Theatre — $57/ticket — Catch an exciting live performance by Alexandra Kay in Portland's State Theatre.

    View event

  6. Scenic Train Ride in Casco Bay

    Monday, October 6th, 2025 · 10 a.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — $0 to $23.50 — Experience a nostalgic 40-minute train ride with stunning waterside views and rich history.

    View event

  7. An Evening With David Byrne

    Wednesday, October 8th, 2025 · 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Tickets Available — Experience the legendary sounds of David Byrne live in concert.

    View event

  8. Scenic Train Ride

    Thursday, October 9th, 2025 · 10 a.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — $0 to $23.50 — Experience a 40-minute scenic train ride along Casco Bay while learning about Maine's rich railroading history.

    View event

  9. Fall Foliage Wine Sail in Portland, Maine

    Friday, October 10th, 2025 · 3-5 p.m. — Maine State Pier — $150 — Experience a scenic sail through Casco Bay while enjoying exquisite European wines and autumn vistas.

    View event

  10. LYRES! Concert with Mal Thursday and Tiger Bomb

    Saturday, October 11th, 2025 · 7-11 p.m. — Veterans of Foreign Wars — Tickets available — Experience Boston's garage revival legends LYRES live in Portland alongside local acts Mal Thursday and Tiger Bomb.

    View event