Portland Maine News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now!

Discover Maine’s wild beauty through the eyes of four talented artists at “Arts In The Barn” in Cushing. Featuring Mary Ellen Manock, Tee Neville, Lynn Neville, and Anne Goodale, this free outdoor exhibit showcases stunning watercolors, oils, and acrylics inspired by peonies, pines, plovers, and sweeping coastal vistas. The opening reception kicks off Friday, July 17th, 5–7 PM, with refreshments,...

Tensions between the U.S. and Iran have flared again, threatening to undo recent economic progress. After weeks of calm, U.S. strikes hit 90 Iranian targets to halt tanker threats in the Strait of Hormuz — the biggest escalation since a ceasefire began. President Trump declared the truce over, calling talks pointless and warning of swift retaliation if needed. Oil prices surged six percent as mark...

Maine’s housing market is on fire—June’s median home price hit a record $436,000, with coastal counties soaring past half a million. Surprisingly, inventory is at its highest since 2020, yet sales jumped 7%—still too little to cool prices. Experts warn: demand’s strong, supply’s lagging, and prices will keep climbing until builders catch up. While Western Maine surges ahead, some rural areas like...

Parents in Maine are being urgently warned after a surge in calls about leaving kids in hot cars—what seems like a quick stop can turn deadly. Temperatures inside vehicles rise dangerously fast, even with cracked windows, putting children at extreme risk for heatstroke. This isn’t just negligence—it’s a serious crime with heavy consequences, including charges of endangering a child’s welfare. Nati...

The U.S. Senate race in Maine is heating up as Democratic nominee Graham Platner drops out, sparking a wild scramble for a replacement. From actor Patrick Dempsey to historian Heather Cox Richardson, even celebrities and oddballs like the North Pond Hermit and Slugger the Sea Dog are being floated as potential candidates — though most are clearly unserious. Martha Stewart, Big Al, and even the las...

Mental health care in the U.S. is in crisis: a severe shortage of therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors leaves millions waiting or without help. With just one provider for every 300 people nationwide, even urban dwellers struggle to find affordable, insured care. Low pay, crushing paperwork, and pandemic-driven burnout have worsened the problem. Solutions? Expand training, boost funding, scale...

Home prices soar to record highs, but sellers are staying put—thanks to locked-in low mortgage rates, lingering inflation fears, and sluggish buyer sentiment. Despite a slight dip in June sales, the market’s still up year-over-year, with inventory at a four-month supply and median prices hitting $446,000—nearly 50% higher than six years ago. Wages are now outpacing price growth, offering some reli...

Maine’s Senate race just got a whole lot more crowded — and dramatic. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who was already running for governor, officially jumped into the race to challenge Senator Susan Collins. She’s not alone: former gubernatorial contenders Dr. Nirav Shah and Troy Jackson are also eyeing the same seat. Bellows, who previously lost to Collins in 2014, is back for a rematch — and...

Maine’s next governor faces a $11 billion school building crisis, with lawmakers delaying critical reforms—forcing the next administration to tackle cost-cutting, smarter resource use, and bureaucratic hurdles. A commission recommended standardizing designs and consolidating districts where feasible to improve efficiency and student safety. Independent Rick Bennett calls for transparency and long-...

Lawmakers from both parties are sounding the alarm on AI’s threat to election integrity, urging key agencies to unite and combat misinformation before it undermines democracy. Tests reveal most AI tools fail to deliver accurate election info, risking voters with biased or false narratives. With AI increasingly shaping public understanding, bipartisan action is seen as critical to preserving electo...

Gas prices are surging fast—up five cents overnight to $3.84 nationwide—with some states like Ohio seeing a shocking 17-cent spike. Prices swung wildly in just one week, jumping from $2.98 to $3.84, and experts warn this volatility could keep drivers guessing. While rising oil costs trigger quick gas price hikes, drops in oil often don’t translate to lower pumps because stations are stuck selling...

Maine’s scorching heat is turning deadly for kids left in cars — Bath police are sounding the alarm after a spike in calls, warning that even a short errand can lead to fatal heatstroke. Temperatures inside parked cars can soar 20°F in 10 minutes, reaching 114°F in half an hour. This isn’t just unsafe — it’s illegal, with potential criminal charges for endangering a child. Take your kids with you....

Taylor Frankie Paul is making a surprise return to “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” for season five — but only for the intro credits, with no cameras following her. This limited cameo comes after filming paused in March amid reports of domestic violence between Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, which the cast unanimously agreed was the right move to halt. Production resumed in April, excluding...

Taco Bell is pulling key toppings like lettuce, pico, guac, and cilantro-onion mix from select locations amid a growing cyclospora outbreak—over 600 cases reported in Michigan alone—with health officials racing to trace the source, though Taco Bell remains officially cleared and acting proactively to protect customers. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/disco...

Twin fashion sisters Jessie and DLila Combs are launching their own bold brand, 12TWINTY1, as they carve an independent path in the industry—away from their father’s shadow and amid his legal troubles. At 19, they’re turning personal style and family legacy into a business, drawing inspiration from their late mom Kim Porter and their dad Sean Combs, who’s offering guidance from prison and proudly...

Maine Democrats are in chaos after Graham Platner, their Senate nominee, dropped out amid a rape allegation from a former partner — just as the general election looms. With a filing deadline fast approaching, the party is scrambling to find a replacement from a crowded field: Troy Jackson (endorsed by Bernie Sanders but rejecting Platner’s support), Nirav Shah (ex-Maine CDC director), Shenna Bello...

NYPD officers pulled off a heart-stopping rescue on the Brooklyn Bridge, spending nearly an hour calming a woman teetering on the edge—using patience, empathy, and powerful words to turn a crisis around. Body cam footage captures one officer, Chris, connecting deeply with her, reminding her that tough times are temporary and asking for help takes real strength. The commissioner praised their coura...

Catch the sky’s spotlight show—today’s dazzling white cloud? It was SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket exhaust, glowing brilliantly as sunlight hit ice crystals high above. Thin upper atmosphere causes the exhaust to expand wildly, creating that jellyfish-like plume. South Florida’s prime viewing spot means more of these cosmic light shows are coming your way—watch for them every sunrise and sunset. Listen...

Americans are feeling the squeeze as inflation outpaces wage growth, with prices up 4.2% while paychecks only rose 3.5%—pushing everyday costs like gas, rent, and groceries beyond reach. Despite a stable job market and low unemployment, public frustration is mounting, especially as gas hits $4 a gallon and voters blame the current administration. Economic anxiety is dominating the midterm race, wi...

Maine’s housing market just hit a historic high, with median home prices soaring to $436,000 in June — up nearly 3% from last year. Despite more homes on the market than in five years, sales surged 7%, fueled by strong demand in tight inventory areas. Nationally, prices climbed too, but Maine’s market is outpacing the average. Cumberland County leads with a $610,000 median, while Oxford County saw...

Justin Baldoni finally breaks his silence after a grueling two-year legal battle, sharing a heartfelt video with wife Emily to thank supporters and reflect on the ordeal. The dispute, sparked in December 2024 by accusations from his “It Ends With Us” co-star, escalated into a high-stakes lawsuit over defamation and extortion — which was settled out of court in May. A recent California court ruling...

Green Bay’s City Clerk is under fire after sending out hundreds of duplicate ballots in recent elections, sparking a full investigation by the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Clerk Celestine Jeffreys faces scrutiny over how the error occurred and must explain by July 31 how to fix it — including ensuring only one ballot counts per voter. This isn’t her first rodeo with the WEC, which has found pro...

A staggering $225 million in alleged fraud has been uncovered in K-12 education across 24 states and Puerto Rico, with damning findings from the Education Department’s Inspector General revealing how funds meant for classrooms are vanishing. From fake student counts in shuttered Indiana charter schools to tutoring scams in Puerto Rico that billed for nonexistent services, the report paints a troub...

Eight pilots who flew Apache helicopters in the Salute to the Shore flyover have been suspended without explanation, sparking outrage from lawmakers who demand their immediate reinstatement. The National Guard says an internal investigation is underway into potential safety violations during the event, though pilots remain on active duty in non-flying roles. With no timeline for resolution, the co...

Maine’s Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner has pulled out late in the race amid sexual assault allegations, forcing the party to scramble to find a replacement before Election Day. With no precedent for such a high-stakes exit this close to the vote, political analyst Dr. Ron Schmidt likens the situation to Kamala Harris stepping in for Biden — but warns the new nominee won’t inherit Platner...