QUOTE OF THE DAY
– Retiring Baileyville Police Chief Bob Fitzsimmons, who has opened up about how his job with the police department impacted his mental health and is now encouraging others not to be ashamed of seeking help.
TODAY’S TOP MAINE STORIES
Today is Election Day. Along with electing a new president, Mainers will be making decisions about congressional leaders, state legislators, referendum questions and local races. Follow our live blog for the latest updates throughout the day, and watch for statewide and local results once polls close at 8 p.m.
If you’re voting in Bangor, or a handful of surrounding towns, you can catch a free ride to the polls on one of the city’s trolleys. The first ride will arrive at the Cross Insurance Center at 8:50 a.m.
Five swing towns that could predict Maine’s biggest elections. The mix of demographic shifts and consequential local races make the municipalities key bellwethers for the state and the other places like them.
These four races could have big impacts on Maine’s Legislature next year. Maine Republicans are hoping to secure control of the House after Democrats held the majority for the past six years.
The race between Rep. Jared Golden, a Democrat, and Republican Austin Theriault will likely decide whether Republicans keep a slim House majority or lose it to Democrats. The competition has also drawn nearly $9 million in combined campaign funds; This is where that money came from.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- ‘Too many deaths’: Retiring Maine police chief says stress took its toll
- Bangor man indicted for murder in death of ex-girlfriend
- A group’s move will leave a rare vacancy in downtown Ellsworth
- 82-year-old Maine man fatally struck by tractor trailer in Farmington
- Ellsworth man accused of failing to pay $190K in income taxes
- Searchers determined to find missing New Sweden girl
- Ervin leads Houlton/Hodgdon/SA/GHCA past Orono in football action
- 3rd man accused of hindering Bangor homicide investigation makes court appearance
- Driver transported to hospital after driving wrong way on I-295
- Nursing homes grapple with uncertainty over new MaineCare reimbursement rates
- UMaine women’s basketball opens season with win over La Salle
- Man who allegedly dragged Maine deputy alongside vehicle is at large
- Massachusetts man accused of trafficking meth in Bangor
- Girls high school soccer regional finals on tap this week
- An ethics inquiry puts the Maine supreme court in uncharted territory
MAINE IN PICTURES
Maine’s Quion Burns (22) attempts a shot as Newport native and Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Monday. Flagg scored 18 points in Dukes 96-62 win over the Black Bears. Credit: Ben McKeown / AP
FROM THE OPINION PAGES
“As far as I can tell, the No. 1 goal of every elected official is simple: Get reelected at all costs.”
Opinion: I can’t wait until Election Day is over — no more political ads, no more robo-calls
LIFE IN MAINE
Now that the evenings bring frost, and the air stays nippy during the day, it’s time to put your garden to bed. You can ensure success for next year’s garden by clearing any detritus that could be hiding bugs and other disease-causing threats.
Ken Voisine had quite the hunting experience to be proud of this year; both his sons shot deer within just hours of each other. The boys, along with their father and grandfather, were out in the stand by 6 a.m., full of anticipation for what would become a successful hunt.
If you or one of your loved ones are out in the woods this fall and winter, whether you’re hunting or not, there’s a possibility of getting lost. Maine game wardens have the skills needed to rescue you, and emphasize that it’s better to be safe than sorry and call if you think someone has gone missing.