Bangor Daily News

Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries

Bangor Daily News

US-Ireland Alliance drops George Mitchell’s name from scholarship

US-Ireland Alliance drops George Mitchell’s name from scholarship

by Wendy Watkins

Vacant Bangor house burns in ‘significant’ fire

by Marie Weidmayer

Hermon group home worker arrested after assault on resident

by Wendy Watkins

4 homes in Piscataquis County that sold last month

4 homes in Piscataquis County that sold last month

Located in Maine’s most rural county, the homes had an average sale price of $303,500. The median price of a home in the region is $230,000.

by Kathleen O'Brien

Platner raises $4.6M in 4th quarter of 2025 for US Senate race; Mills $2.7M

Platner raises $4.6M in 4th quarter of 2025 for US Senate race; Mills $2.7M

by Staff Reports, Portland Press Herald

12 Northern Maine General staff to lose their jobs as programs shut down

12 Northern Maine General staff to lose their jobs as programs shut down

by Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli

Maine riders, horses and skiers brave the cold in this growing extreme winter sport

Maine riders, horses and skiers brave the cold in this growing extreme winter sport

by Elizabeth Walztoni

Homeowner fights off armed intruder in early-morning Brunswick burglary

Homeowner fights off armed intruder in early-morning Brunswick burglary

by Wendy Watkins

Why it’s ‘not realistic’ for UMaine hockey to have a roster full of Maine-born players

Why it’s ‘not realistic’ for UMaine hockey to have a roster full of Maine-born players

by Larry Mahoney

Judge rules federal agents violated rights of workers who fled them in Bethel

Judge rules federal agents violated rights of workers who fled them in Bethel

by Sawyer Loftus

3 rules every snowy owl watcher must follow

3 rules every snowy owl watcher must follow

by Bob Duchesne, Good Birding

Why a local ski spot is the place to be this winter

Why a local ski spot is the place to be this winter

by Aislinn Sarnacki

Aroostook students to take the stage in Poetry Out Loud finals

Aroostook students to take the stage in Poetry Out Loud finals

by Kathleen Phalen Tomaselli

Latest Obituaries

Eugene J. Raymond

Dorothy Mary Sweeney

Melissa Louise Curry Bither

See more obituaries

LATEST NEWS

While Penobscot County leaders push for a new jail, he’s spent years fighting against it

Owner of shuttered Bangor and Ellsworth restaurants hit with new lawsuit

An aggressive campaign against Hannaford doesn’t seem to be hurting business

Owner of local solar company proposes energy-efficient apartments in Belfast

OPINION

Letter: Paid family and medical leave changes would hurt Maine businesses and employees

Letter: Paid family and medical leave changes would hurt Maine businesses and employees

by Opinion Contributor

Letter: ICE needs to stand down

Letter: ICE needs to stand down

by Opinion Contributor

CRIME & COURTS

ICE observers say immigration agents tried to intimidate them. One man is pursuing legal action

Bangor woman accused of knife attack acted in self-defense, lawyer says

Rockland police seek driver who hit person on electric scooter

NATIONAL NEWS

Groundhog Day puts Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast about winter’s length in the spotlight

Grammys host Trevor Noah takes aim at Nicki Minaj and Trump, drawing ire from the president

Mayor of Portland, Oregon, demands ICE leave the city after federal agents gas protesters

POLITICS

Senate passes government funding deal with 2 week extension for DHS

Senate passes government funding deal with 2 week extension for DHS

by The Associated Press

Bill proposes PFAS help for Maine’s private well owners

Trump names former Federal Reserve governor Warsh as the next Fed chair, to replace Powell

Senate leaders scramble to save bipartisan deal and avoid a partial shutdown

Fearing ICE, Native Americans rush to prove their right to belong in the US

BUSINESS

Watchdog says Mainers overcharged $156M by unregulated electric companies

Watchdog says Mainers overcharged $156M by unregulated electric companies

by Peter McGuire, Maine Public

How this lakeside suburb became Maine’s hottest real estate market

The 10 hottest Maine housing markets in 2025

Maine’s hottest housing markets have 1 surprising thing in common

Former Bangor Grange meeting hall for sale

Today’s paper

GET OUTSIDE & DO THINGS

When do pellet guns make sense for hunting and pest control?

When do pellet guns make sense for hunting and pest control?

by Al Raychard, Outdoors Contributor

This is where Maine’s fly-fishing legends were made

This is where Maine’s fly-fishing legends were made

by Bob Romano, Outdoors Contributor

This is the wildest sled race you’ll ever see

This is the wildest sled race you’ll ever see

by Clark Tate, Outdoors Contributor

Maine hunting tag washes up on French beach

Maine hunting tag washes up on French beach

by Susan Bard

SPORTS

Cooper Flagg’s 34 points not enough as Mavericks fall to Rockets

Providence hockey rallies late to beat UMaine in OT

UMaine duo lead women’s basketball team to 50-point win

This has been a very good week for Ace and Cooper Flagg

Patriots coach: Drake Maye missed practice ahead of Super Bowl because of illness, not shoulder injury

UMaine hockey returns home to take on a blistering hot opponent

OPINION

Letter: We’re closer to homeless people than to the ultra-wealthy

Maine’s aging population needs expanded access to vision care

Legitimacy, accountability are essential for effective and trusted law enforcement

ICE is ending its surge in Maine, but better protections still needed

Humanity trumps fear and intimidation with announced end of ICE surge in Maine

The affordability ‘crisis’ is about inequality and insecurity

Latest news in your region

Bangor

Downtown Bangor’s only candy store is open

Downtown Bangor’s only candy store is open

hancock

Death in Acadia latest example of unsuspecting visitors being surprised by incoming tide

Death in Acadia latest example of unsuspecting visitors being surprised by incoming tide

MIDCOAST

Midcoast lighthouse needs seasonal stewards

Midcoast lighthouse needs seasonal stewards

PORTLAND

ICE agents shatter window, leave 1-month-old baby, mother in car after Portland arrest

ICE agents shatter window, leave 1-month-old baby, mother in car after Portland arrest

AROOSTOOK

Aroostook’s 1st fat freezing spa launches in Fort Kent

Aroostook’s 1st fat freezing spa launches in Fort Kent

CENTRAL MAINE

Farmers’ Almanac to return under new ownership

Farmers’ Almanac to return under new ownership

DOWN EAST

UMaine junior killed in pulp mill incident remembered as ‘wicked smart’

UMaine junior killed in pulp mill incident remembered as ‘wicked smart’

PISCATAQUIS

Dexter bars sex offenders from living near schools or parks

Dexter bars sex offenders from living near schools or parks

YORK

Maine high school student killed when train hits truck

Maine high school student killed when train hits truck

News

Low chance of snow this weekend as nor’easter skirts Down East Maine

Weather

Low chance of snow this weekend as nor’easter skirts Down East Maine

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Cooper Flagg breaks NBA teen record with 49 points in Mavs’ loss to Hornets

Professional Basketball

Cooper Flagg breaks NBA teen record with 49 points in Mavs’ loss to Hornets

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Belfast-area district might close an elementary school to cut costs

Education

Belfast-area district might close an elementary school to cut costs

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Shuttered Ruby Tuesday in Brewer sued for $2.5M in unpaid rent and expenses

Police and Courts

Shuttered Ruby Tuesday in Brewer sued for $2.5M in unpaid rent and expenses

January 30, 2026

Faith and academics brought her to Bangor Christian. Now she’s searching for a basketball title.

High School Basketball

Faith and academics brought her to Bangor Christian. Now she’s searching for a basketball title.

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

These 16 Maine basketball players joined the 1,000-point club this season

High School Basketball

These 16 Maine basketball players joined the 1,000-point club this season

January 30, 2026

Transfer of Bucksport-area dams delayed by company’s legal interest

Government

Transfer of Bucksport-area dams delayed by company’s legal interest

January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

Maine’s ICE surge is over, but arrested immigrants remain scattered across the country

Police and Courts

Maine’s ICE surge is over, but arrested immigrants remain scattered across the country

January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

In bad weather, who decides if it’s safe for a plane to fly?

Police and Courts

In bad weather, who decides if it’s safe for a plane to fly?

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Conservative judge in Minnesota tries to keep Trump administration in check during crackdown

Nation

Conservative judge in Minnesota tries to keep Trump administration in check during crackdown

January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

Jewelry, art and toy train top list of priciest foreign gifts to Biden and other officials in 2024

Nation

Jewelry, art and toy train top list of priciest foreign gifts to Biden and other officials in 2024

January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

Democrats block government funding package in Senate as negotiations continue to avert a shutdown

Washington

Democrats block government funding package in Senate as negotiations continue to avert a shutdown

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Maine’s top high school athletics official is retiring

High School Sports

Maine’s top high school athletics official is retiring

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Justice Department charges man who squirted vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar

Nation

Justice Department charges man who squirted vinegar on Rep. Ilhan Omar

January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

Deqa Dhalac won’t seek reelection to Maine Legislature

State

Deqa Dhalac won’t seek reelection to Maine Legislature

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

House Republicans propose stricter voting requirements as Trump administration eyes the midterms

Nation

House Republicans propose stricter voting requirements as Trump administration eyes the midterms

January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

MaineCare ride provider exits bankruptcy in ‘incredibly strong’ shape, officials say

State

MaineCare ride provider exits bankruptcy in ‘incredibly strong’ shape, officials say

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

ICE ends its surge in Maine, Susan Collins’ office says

State

ICE ends its surge in Maine, Susan Collins’ office says

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

US appeals court says Noem’s decision to end protections for Venezuelans in US was illegal

Nation

US appeals court says Noem’s decision to end protections for Venezuelans in US was illegal

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Belfast district still trying to figure out a Plan B for high school track

Education

Belfast district still trying to figure out a Plan B for high school track

January 29, 2026

From Janet Mills to Ron DeSantis, school cellphone bans are catching on

State

From Janet Mills to Ron DeSantis, school cellphone bans are catching on

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Freshman becomes 1st Maine-born player to score for UMaine men’s hockey in a decade

College Ice Hockey

Freshman becomes 1st Maine-born player to score for UMaine men’s hockey in a decade

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Democrats poised to trigger government shutdown if White House won’t meet demands for ICE reform

Nation

Democrats poised to trigger government shutdown if White House won’t meet demands for ICE reform

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026

Melania Trump’s documentary premieres at the Kennedy Center ahead of global release

Nation

Melania Trump’s documentary premieres at the Kennedy Center ahead of global release

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026