Good morning, Portland.

Maine’s Home Energy Assistance Program agencies report record-high heating oil prices over $6 per gallon have increased fuel costs this fall, and more households will apply for aid with expected benefits around $700 while officials worry funds may run out before winter ends.

Monte Selby (a Grammy-winning musician and longtime educator) is teaching music and songwriting to third graders at Mabel I.

Wilson School in Cumberland. On Monday he promised the students that they will write a collaborative song, sparking fresh creativity in their learning.

Shellfish harvesters are struggling with significant losses after a deadly algae bloom hit parts of Casco Bay earlier this month.

Officials in Brunswick and Harpswell closed harvesting in Maquoit Bay and eastern Middle Bay, and low oxygen levels could force further closures as the bloom shifts.

A poll from Sept. 17 to Sept.

21 found state auditor Matt Dunlap led former governor Paul LePage in the race to replace Jared Golden in the 2nd District, with 51% of 627 voters favoring Dunlap + 45% for LePage.

Central Maine Power said it has extra crews on standby to handle outages from a nor'easter expected to brush the coast south of Portland this weekend.

Customers are reminded that bucket trucks cannot operate when winds exceed 30 mph.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey said a federal judge approved a plan to distribute about $96.5 million in settlement funds to generic drug buyers who filled prescriptions from May 2009 to Dec.

2019. Mainers can check eligibility and file claims online or by phone before March 8 (details online).

The Maine CDC has confirmed West Nile virus in a crow and a wild turkey in Cape Elizabeth, adding to a prior crow case from July.

Health officials advise residents to use bug repellent and wear long clothing (to reduce mosquito bites).

Maine's Department of Health and Human Services announced that Quality Care Access in South Portland & We Care Residential Services in Portland will lose their MaineCare billing privileges next month; the deadline is extended to midnight Oct.

13 to help members switch to new providers.