Maine State Prison investigation / RFK Jr. lawsuit / New potato chip factory

Today is Thursday. Temperatures will be in the low to high 30s from north to south, with a patchy freezing drizzle in the morning and otherwise mostly cloudy to partly sunny skies across the state. See what the weather for the rest of the day will be here.

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

Maine investigates allegations of hazing and inappropriate relationships at state prison

Deputy Director of Operations James Hancox is now overseeing prison operations, taking over for Warden Matthew Magnusson.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sues over signature gathering rules at Maine polls

His attorneys called Secretary of State Shenna Bellows a “Democrat partisan hack” and claimed she implemented a “sudden ban” on collecting petition signatures at the polls.

Lawmakers unanimously back BEP nominees at center of Maine’s EV debate

Republicans and Democrats on the environment committee unanimously advanced the reappointment of Bob Duchesne, Robert Sanford and Steven Pelletier.

These old Maine churches are being transformed into homes

The unique buildings, once central to their communities, are hard to develop, but they are prime housing opportunities when done right.

Orono is losing another longtime town employee

Rob Yerxa’s resignation comes four months after the Orono Town Council approved the departure of former manager Sophie Wilson.

Northern Light Health saw lower financial losses last year

Despite a deficit, the health care provider’s 2023 financial totals showed marked improvement from 2022.

For a brief period in 1814, all of Maine east of Hampden was a part of Canada

The incident that would put Hampden on the historical map would come 20 years after its founding, with the Battle of Hampden.

Company behind failed flagpole could be fined $250K for successful cabins

Worcester Resources built the Flagpole View Cabins Development over at least seven acres in Columbia Falls between 2019 and 2022.

Maine’s child care subsidy rules are hurting providers

Maine’s child care providers operate on razor thin margins, leaving little leeway for late payments and low reimbursement rates.

Developers plan $55M potato chip plant on former Aroostook air base

The Taste of Maine potato chip plant would employ 75 workers at Loring next year and eventually expand to 100.

Beachfront state park reopens after severe storm damage

The damages at Reid State Park on Maine’s midcoast totaled about $250,000, according to park manager Haylee Parsons.

Analysis: Runaway scoring dominated Tuesday tourney games

You can find the complete scores from the tournament here and read the latest game stories here:

Several ice fishing derbies this weekend are free to kids

Derbies will be held in Norway, Waterford, South Paris, Alfred, Lincoln, Clifton, Wiscasset, Dover-Foxcroft, Monmouth and more.

I’m still pining for my Uncle Albert’s Marble’s ax

“It was the perfect size for me, and just as I was with Aunt Sandy’s cake and cookies, I became obsessed with the little ax,” BDN Outdoors contributor Chris Sargent writes.