Good morning, Portland.

At 44 Congress, 27 carved pumpkins are on display in a contest where neighbors vote using a QR code survey—275 votes have been cast so far.

Organizer Ryan Houseman said the overall winner will be revealed on Halloween.

Local Queen tribute band Masterstroke Queen Experience is set to perform at 8 p.m. Thursday at Portland House of Music—marking their 10th anniversary—while Talking Heads tribute Start Making Sense will close the year on New Year’s Eve at the State Theatre.

Both acts offer fans a local way to enjoy rock hits amid a busy schedule of tribute shows across the state.

Central Maine singer Liza Miller—recording as Lisa/Liza—led more than 30 musicians in creating the 32-track album Songs of Hope for Gaza to raise funds for Anera's aid for Gaza.

The album, which features 15 songs by Maine artists, is co-released by Portland's Pretty Purgatory Records and Philadelphia's Dear Life Records and will be available as a pay-what-you-can download.

Paul Mayewski stepped down as director of the University of Maine Climate Change Institute in Orono after 24 years—interim director Dan Sandweiss will lead the institute until June as it faces funding challenges and federal debates over climate research.

Sandweiss said he plans to return to his research full-time when his temporary role ends.

Reports of dead squirrels in Portland rose this fall with 25 cases noted via the See Click Fix platform—only a few more than last year and twice the number from 2023.

Experts say young squirrels are forced to roam further for food, which increases their risk of being hit by cars.

An Oct. 17 op-ed in the Maine Energy Plan calls for a grid planning group from private, public and nonprofit sectors to address climate, energy and job issues—plans that come as state leaders work to boost offshore wind, local resilience and new transmission lines to meet rising use of electric vehicles and heat pumps. The proposal aims to keep Maine on track for a clean energy future even as federal investments fall short.

Maine has built more homes per person over the past 50 years but now sees fewer people living in each home, with occupancy dropping to about 1.8 per unit.

Policy makers are funding projects like the Maine Home Share pilot to connect renters with homeowners who have spare rooms — a move that could help better use existing housing.

The Maine Mariners rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to tie the game — but lost to the Nailers in overtime when Wheeling’s Logan Pietila scored with 58 seconds left — at Cross Insurance Arena on Sunday.

Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers

8-11 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — Get your tickets ASAP — Experience the return of a songwriting legend for two nights in Portland!

Pierre Bensusan Live Performance

7-11 p.m. — One Longfellow Square — Tickets required — Experience an enchanting blend of world music with Pierre Bensusan's captivating guitar melodies.

All Hallow's Market and Flash Tattoo Event

11 AM – 11 PM — Brass & Briar Studios — Free entry — Explore spooky vendors and grab unique flash tattoos at this Halloween-themed market.

Worcester Railers vs. Maine Mariners

7:15-8:45 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Ticket required for all ages 2 and up — Catch an exciting hockey showdown in Portland!

Annual Celtic Fair 2025

9 AM – 3 PM — Maine Irish Heritage Center — Free entry — Celebrate the holiday spirit with Irish dance, festive food, and local artistry.

Headshot Happy Hour

4-6 p.m. — Argenta Brewing Company — Headshot + Drink ticket available — Network over local drinks and capture a new professional headshot.

Literacy Tour 2025 with Julie Falatko

3:30–4:30 p.m. — Portland Public Library — Free entry — Explore enchanting stories with Daniel Tiger and Maine's own Julie Falatko.

Ballads and Crankies: Music and Visual Art Experience

8-11:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — All ages — Experience an intimate evening of folk music and visual art combining haunting ballads and intricate paper animations.

Intro to Argentine Tango and Practica

7-9 p.m. — The Portland Yoga Project — First lesson free, $50 for all six classes — Discover the elegant fundamentals of Argentine Tango with expert guidance.

Maine Irish Song Project Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Maine Irish Heritage Center — $25 general admission or $35 front row — Experience the rich tradition of Maine's Irish songs performed by the celebrated duo Castlebay.