Daily
Portland
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 31st of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Mr. Tuna partners with Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association to sell T-shirts ($25 each) online, raising funds for local fishermen affected by the Dec. 26 Custom House Wharf fire (with over $18,000 raised so far). Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Caribou native Jessica Meir was announced as commander of an upcoming six-month mission to the International Space Station that will launch from Kennedy Space Center in the coming months to lead a diverse international crew in conducting research in biology and Earth science. WGAN
- ➤ Maine native Jessica Meir will command the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, scheduled to launch no earlier than Feb. 15. Her crew (including NASA, ESA, and Roscosmos members) will conduct scientific demonstrations for future exploration. Portland Press Herald
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Renys store on Congress Street (in operation since 2011) closed its doors for good yesterday at 3 p.m. due to illness and staff shortages, and the chain said all 16 employees will be offered transfers. WMTW
- ➤ The Renys store on Congress Street closed Tuesday instead of New Year's Eve due to illness and staff shortages, ending 15 years of service. The retail chain said low sales since the pandemic forced the early shutdown. WGME
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine invites families to its New Year's Indoor Beach Party today offering real sea stars and anemones, a sea star wand craft session in MakerSpace, and an interactive countdown with the Sea Star Drop in Maddy’s Theatre (reservations are required for the two-hour party session). WGME
- ➤ One hundred and forty-five years ago this week, Joshua Chamberlain arrived at Augusta to protect Maine’s statehouse amid election chaos; he disbanded armed mobs and returned guns to Bangor — actions that remain debated by historians today. Portland Press Herald
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Drivers in the area should know that black ice forms when wet pavement freezes, often on bridges (with less ground insulation) and shaded spots, making roads treacherous at night and early morning. Motorists are advised to drive slowly and avoid sudden braking. WGME
- ➤ Meteorologist Ted McInerney explained that a wind advisory and potential snowfall will impact Portland today as gusts reach up to 40 mph & wind chill nears freezing, prompting residents to stay updated for safe New Year's celebrations. WMTW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Reviewing 2025's top inquiries, the CBS13 I-Team explained that only drivers with new pine tree license plates must update E-ZPass — black ropes count road traffic, work zone speed limits apply off-hours, the 5.5% streaming tax is set for January, and lead ammunition use has raised concerns. FOX23
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Maine will receive $190 million in federal funds for rural health care improvements following Monday’s CMS announcement under the Rural Health Transformation Program. The money may boost hiring and help stop clinic closures in underserved areas (Oxford residents face up to 832 people per doctor). WMTW
- ➤ Senator Susan Collins announced that Maine received $190 million in first-year federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program to improve rural hospitals & lower costs for residents. This funding is the largest investment in rural healthcare in more than two decades. WGME
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Cooper Flagg was selected first overall in the NBA draft on June 25 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and emerged as Maine’s top sports story of 2025. He recorded impressive averages while inspiring local fans as he improves with the Dallas Mavericks. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Portland freshman Nora Schmidt won Class A cross country races, taking the regional at Twin Brook Recreation Area in Cumberland (Oct. 25) and the Festival of Champions in Belfast (Oct. 4), helping the Bulldogs secure their first team title and earning Varsity Maine Girls Runner of the Year honors. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ The ECHL and the Professional Hockey Players’ Association announced a ratified Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Mariners, who will resume play today at 3 p.m. at Adirondack in Glens Falls. The deal increases player pay+ and ends a 10-day break. WMTW
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LAST CALL Comedy Showcase
9:30 PM — Empire Comedy Club — $10 — Enjoy a fast-paced showcase featuring local and visiting stand-up comics with drink specials.
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Primal Soup (Phish Tribute) Live Performance
8-11:30 p.m. — Bayside Bowl — $15 adv, $25 door — Maine's premiere Phish tribute act returns for an all-ages show.
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Script Club – Lend Me a Tenor
1:30-2:30 p.m. — Portland Public Library — Free entry — Engage in a lively discussion of 'Lend Me a Tenor' moderated by Portland Stage’s Literary Manager Todd Brian Backus.
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Bess Jacques & The Strays Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Tickets required — Experience a fusion of jazz, Americana, and more with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
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Winter Concert Series: Sigrid Sibley & Shannon Allen
7-8:30 p.m. — Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village — Ticket details not provided — Experience beautiful acoustic music in support of local cultural arts.
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Maine Mariners vs. Trois-Rivieres Lions
6-8 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Bid on unique jerseys — Celebrate Portland's title as the Top Minor League Sports Market in the USA with a special game experience.
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Burns Night Celebration
5-9 p.m. — Rí Rá Irish Pub & Restaurant — Ticketed event — Celebrate Scotland's beloved poet with traditional food, live music, and cask beer.
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Wild Pink Live with Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields
7:30-10:30 p.m. — SPACE Gallery — Cost info not provided — Experience the explosive rustic rock of Wild Pink alongside Portland's own Dead Gowns and Tremelo Fields.
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Community Bake at Flatbread Company Portland
5-9 p.m. — Flatbread Company — Portion of proceeds to support MOFGA — Celebrate local food and gather educational resources while enjoying delicious flatbreads.
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Contra Dance Night with Stomp Rocket
7-10 p.m. — Mechanics' Hall — $15-$20 admission — Experience a lively evening of contra dancing with live music to warm you up from the winter chill.
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