Relief checks / ‘Historic embarrassment’ / Netflix score

Today is Friday. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 30s. See what weather is in store for the rest of the day here. Here’s the latest on gas prices in Maine.

Here’s what we’re talking about in Maine today.

A guide to Maine’s $450 heating relief checks

The program is based on 2021 income tax returns and Mainers do not need to take action to claim the checks.

Chellie Pingree calls GOP’s failure to elect speaker ‘historic embarrassment’

Both Pingree and fellow Rep. Jared Golden of Maine’s 2nd District have voted for Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries throughout the proceedings.

141-year-old Bar Harbor inn sells for $3.2M

Cleftstone Manor was built in 1881, survived the 1947 Mount Desert Island fire and has been operating as an inn for years.

Bangor Symphony’s music director conducted score for recent Netflix movie

Lucas Richman had the honor of conducting Danny Elfman’s intricate, genre-hopping score for “White Noise,” released on Dec. 30.

Maine Irish Heritage Center to get $3M from Congress

Built in the 1890s, the salty air off Casco Bay has been wearing away the infrastructure of St. Dominic’s Church on State Street for years.

1,400 Northern Light workers will shift to Minnesota company

That move, which will see 10 percent of Northern Light’s workforce shift to Optum, is expected to save about $1 billion over a decade.

What Janet Mills’ supporters want to see from her in 2nd term

Some folks want to see Janet Mills take a more progressive turn, while others want her to find more common ground with Republicans.

Wintering birds are disappearing from Acadia National Park

Variation is normal. But the declining numbers along a 50-year trend line are shocking, and hard to argue with. Bad things are happening, but what exactly?

Penobscot County has its 1st independent probate judge

Zachary Brandmeir’s swearing-in ceremony Wednesday at the Historic Penobscot County Courthouse was about family, not politics.

PFAS found in drinking water at 2 Aroostook County schools

Drinking water tested at Hodgdon Middle-High School and Mill Pond Elementary School had higher than acceptable levels of PFAS, commonly known as forever chemicals.