1. Eighteen candidates have already filed to run for Maine governor in 2026 — the most at this point in more than 20 years. With Democratic Gov. Janet Mills term-limited, analysts say the crowded field could mark a generational shift for both parties, surpassing the number of contenders in any of the last three open-seat races. (PH)

2. About $76,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from roughly 300 Maine households this week in a large-scale EBT card cloning scheme, according to DHHS, which is urging recipients to change their PINs and enable card protections. (WMTW)

3. Acadia National Park just had its busiest month in 35 years, with more than 797,000 visitors in July — the most since 1989. (PH)

4. The NBA released their full schedule. Maine’s Cooper Flagg will face the Celtics in Boston on March 6, with an earlier matchup in Dallas on Feb. 3. The No. 1 draft pick debuts Oct. 22 against the Spurs. (WMTW)

5. The Lewiston Auburn Balloon Festival kicks off today with a Star Wars theme (The Rise of The Balloons), featuring giant Yoda and Darth Vader balloons, 16 total balloons, and events all weekend at Simard-Payne Memorial Park. (WGME)

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