Daily
Portland
Tuesday, October 28th, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 28th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ South Portland’s Resilient Yards program connects residents + volunteer coaches to transform lawns into native plant gardens that boost local sustainability and community ties. In 2025, 43 new participants and 14 coaches planted over 340 native pollinator plants, adding to a total of 230 participants and 1,352 plants planted over the past three years. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Girl Scouts in Troop 1240 built three buddy benches for local elementary schools to give students a place to sit and find friends—earning their bronze awards in the process. The troop plans to work on their silver award next. WMTW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Portland Stage opens Dirty Deeds Downeast this week at 25 Forest Ave with performances running through Nov. 23, and downtown Portland hosts a 7 p.m. Damnationland film event at the State Theatre featuring horror films by Maine filmmakers—adding local flair to the season. Harvest on the Harbor offers a three-day cocktail and seafood experience at Maine Studio Works while musical and comedy shows in Lewiston and South Portland complete the diverse lineup. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Applications are now open for Maine’s next poet laureate—a 5-year role with a $5,000 yearly stipend that requires travel across the state to promote poetry. Candidates must be full-time Maine residents with a distinguished body of work and must submit eight to ten pages of poetry and a one-page statement by Dec. 5. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Maine Women in the Arts Award winners were announced last week when 33 members submitted art at an Indigenous People’s weekend show in Kennebunkport—Norma Johnsen’s pastel 'Campfire' earned Best in Show, Cheryl Lunde’s watercolor 'Cottage Hydrangeas' took second, and Cary Frye’s bowl-shaped piece earned third while the public selected Ellen Pelletier’s work as People’s Choice. The works remain on display and will be available for purchase at the Kennebunkport Masonic Lodge during the Prelude celebration from Dec. 4-7. Portland Press Herald
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Maine test scores on national exams have dropped since the 2000s—fourth graders now rank in the bottom 15 states for math and reading, while low-income and special needs students show the largest declines. State leaders have struggled to unite on a plan to help, citing challenges like absenteeism, poverty, and teacher shortages. Portland Press Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Starting Saturday, almost 170,000 Mainers will see their SNAP benefits paused due to the government shutdown as federal funds are redirected, according to Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. Maine DHHS said benefits already on EBT cards remain available while applications and renewals continue to be processed. WGME
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy recalled Yani adult-use vape cartridges after a consumer complaint led to tests that found unsafe levels of chlorfenapyr—a pesticide that can cause high fever, nausea, and other serious symptoms. The recalled cartridges were sold between July 10 and Oct. 16 at 21 retail stores, and consumers experiencing adverse effects should seek immediate medical help. WMTW
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Maine's home market is stabilizing as 1,582 single-family homes sold in September with median prices falling 1.35% to $402,500—Jeff Harris, President of the Maine Association of Realtors, said buyers and sellers now share more balance as pricing concessions ease pandemic-era competition. WMTW
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Headshot Happy Hour
4-6 p.m. — Argenta Brewing Company — Headshot + Drink ticket available — Network over local drinks and capture a new professional headshot.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Annual Makers Market Christmas Arts & Craft Show
9 AM — South Portland High School — Free entry — Explore a festive array of Maine-made crafts and holiday goodies at this 2-day market.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You have to go through the slow to find the fast.
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Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portland
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